A Wolf's Savage Embrace (17 page)

Forty-five minutes later, Luke led them to the room he had rented.
This time a suite on the tenth floor of a lovely hotel - and Kat was grateful when the elevator doors opened and they followed him down the hallway.

She watched Luke walk with intense interest, not liking his stiff gait at all. She knew that he was trying to put up a brave front for them – but she also knew that the man had to be in excruciating pain.
Damn it! She silently seethed. Were’s were supposed to heal quickly, weren’t they? So just what in the hell was wrong? Why was he still wincing when he moved?

Harper grabbed her bag and headed towards one of the rooms.
“I’m going to bed,” she informed them tiredly. “This getting jerked in and out of sleep at all hours of the night…sucks ass. I can barely keep my eyes open. Promise to call me if anything exciting happens,” she finished with a chuckle and a shake of her head.

“Goodnight,” they called in unison - then looked at each other, and smiled.

Kat waited until Harper had disappeared into the room before taking Luke by the arm and leading him to what she hoped was the other bedroom. She opened the door and ushered him in ahead of her.

“Okay, let’s get that shirt off, and then I want you to go and lay down on the bed,” she ordered, and Luke stopped dead in his tracks. But only a moment later, he slowly turned to face her - that smarmy grin plastered across his face full force.

“Damn, red. Now,
that
is what I’m talking about!” He chuckled, raising his brow at her.

“
Don’t
get any ideas, Benji,” she bit out, her temper beginning to flare. “I want to check your ribs. Or… better yet,” she said looking around. “Come into the bathroom.” She ushered him through another doorway that led to a large tiled and marble bathroom, and directed him to lean up against the vanity. She stood in front of him and cautiously grasped the hem of his t-shirt and began to ease it up.

When she chanced a glance at Luke, she found him watching her intently – his pupils dilating almost to the point that his eyes appeared to be black.

“Down, boy. I just need to check your wound. Don’t be getting any ideas in that fool head of yours. Playtime is over.”

“Awe, baby,” Luke whispered, sounding wounded. “It’s always playtime.”

“In your dreams…
Fido
. Wait here. I’m going to call down to the desk and see if they have a first aid kit.” She directed, and went to turn - but Luke’s hand on her arm stopped her.

“I have alcohol and some gauze in my bag,” he informed her.

“Well, why in the Hell didn’t you tell me that
before?”
She snapped. Angry that he would suffer, just to get she and Harper out of danger first – what an ass! “Damn it, wolf. You
are
an ass-monkey! Dear God! When they were passing out brains they must have run out by the time they got to you.” She grumbled as she stormed from the room - and he heard her digging through his overnight bag mumbling to herself the entire time; before returning with the bottle of alcohol and gauze a moment later. “Why’d you bring all of this crap with you anyway?” She bit out, glaring at him – furious that he would suffer because of her. As if she wasn’t feeling guilty enough!

“What can I say,” he shrugged.
“I was a boy scout. You know,
be prepared
and all that.”

“This is going to hurt,” she told him, as she grabbed a wash cloth and poured some of the alcohol onto it.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Glinda,” he replied, grinning.

“You know, Blackwater.” She ground out.
“You really,
truly
missed your calling in life. You totally should have been a comedian. You are just a laugh riot. I can barely contain myself.” She pressed the washcloth to the burn and winced when he spit out a string of curses – her anger instantly cooling.

“Son of a
bitch
! Shit!”

“Awe, come on big boy. You can handle a little sting, can’t ya?” She asked, raising her brow at him in challenge – even though her heart was pounding in her chest at the thought of causing him pain.

“Oh, believe me sweetheart,” he murmured, leaning forward slightly so that his mouth brushed against hers, “I can handle a lot more than just a little sting.”

“Good Lord, Benji.
What on earth is wrong with you? Are you in heat or something?” She burst out, and Luke chuckled. “I’m trying to help here.”

“Look, red,” Luke breathed against her mouth, and she felt that blasted shiver run up her spine. “I just need to get a little sleep; and I’ll be as good as new. I promise.
For some reason, witch’s magic takes a bit longer to bounce back from - and I don’t know what these assholes are packing – but it sure as hell packed a wallop.” With that he tilted his head slightly and deepened their kiss – needing more than anything at that moment to taste her; feel her – to know that she was safe.

His hands reached out and grabbed her by the upper arms - pulling her snugly in between his legs and flush against his chest as his tongue explored and teased hers with slow, deliberate strokes.

He groaned when he felt her relax and lean into him – her hands making their way up his arms, and into his hair - pulling his mouth closer as her tongue toyed with his.

They stood that way for what seemed forever – making out like two high school kids, before Kat finally came to her senses and reluctantly pulled away.

The man needed rest, she thought with a slight groan – and at the rate they were going, that didn’t seem likely. One of them needed to keep their wits about them – and she was sure as hell certain that it wasn’t going to be
Libido Boy!
The man got aroused if the damn wind blew!

“Come on, Benji. Let’s get you to bed.”

The smile he gave her sent a shot of electricity straight through her entire body, and she felt her toes curling in her shoes. She took a deep breath and shook her head, trying with everything she had to look stern. “
Not
gonna happen, Ace,” she said, her voice an octave or two lower than was normal – and she cleared her throat nervously. “
You
, my friend are going to sleep. You need rest.”

“You mean,
we
are going to sleep, don’t you? You need to get some rest yourself.” He replied, his eyes roaming over her face slowly, only to land on her full, kiss-swollen lips. God damn! He just wanted to hold her and kiss her forever.

“Whatever, Tonto.
Just no funny business.”

“Oh, sweetheart. What I have in mind isn’t funny in the least.”

Kat rolled her eyes and walked into the bedroom with a grunt. Keeping her back to the doorway of the bathroom - she kicked off her shoes and dropped her jeans – leaving on only her t-shirt and underwear to sleep in.

“A little assistance please,” she heard him whisper from behind her, and jumped when she realized that he stood not even a foot from her.
Damn but the man was silent! But, she guessed with a sigh – predators were, weren’t they?

She closed her eyes and took a quick steadying breath before plastering a smile on her face and turning to face him – her hands going to the fly of his jeans and deftly opening it before sliding the zipper down.

She heard Luke’s sharp intake of breath when her hand accidently brushed up against him, and she felt him instantly come to life at the contact.
Oh,
Hell
and damnation – she silently screamed. Dear God - he was just making this so damn hard.

She shook off the urge to laugh at the irony of that thought, and slipped his jeans down over his tapered hips-and strong, perfect –
muscular
as all get out – thighs, desperately trying to ignore the proof of his desire as it sprang out of his jeans proudly. Oh, dear -
dear
Lord!

“Lift,” she stammered, feeling her cheeks heat with desire - and she swallowed what felt like a small hamster that had lodged itself in her throat with difficulty.

No! No! And No! She had to stay strong – he needed rest….he needed rest - she inwardly chanted, but her mind screamed at her that he just smelled
so
damn good. And he just looked
so
damned tempting standing there – his perfect, muscular body standing there before her in all of its stunning glory.

Her eyes went to the ugly bruise marring his ribs, and she garnered the strength that she so desperately needed.
She turned and pulled back the comforter of the bed – then stepped aside so that he could slide in.

Once he did, she covered him and walked over to her bag, reaching in and pulling out her bottle of aspirin.
She dumped a few in her hand and went into the bathroom to get a glass of water. “Here,” she said when she returned – and held out the pills and water to him. “This might take the edge off of the pain a bit.”

Luke took the glass and pills from her and swallowed them quickly, glancing up into her eyes as he did.
“Thank you again, sweetheart,” he said, setting the glass down on the night table. “Come on,” he urged, pulling back the bedding on the other side of the bed for her. “Come cuddle with me.”

He wanted nothing more at that moment than to do a whole Hell of a lot more with her than just cuddle.
But he realized with a tired sigh that his weariness was starting to hit him, and he would just have to settle for holding her instead – although if truth be known, that was pretty fan-freaking-tastic on its own. She fit him like a glove - and he felt complete and whole when she was beside him – as if he had found the piece of him that had been missing his entire life. There was peace and contentment in her arms – and it was nice.

He watched her with interest as she walked slowly around the bed and slid in beside him – and his heart tightened a moment later when she snuggled up against him – her body curling up cautiously against his side and he knew that it was because she was trying hard not to hurt him – and his love for her only swelled.

He slipped his arm around her and pulled her close, placing a kiss against her temple. “Sweet dreams, beautiful,” he murmured, before letting his eyes slide close and drifting off to sleep. The woman that he was completely and irrevocably in love with held securely against him – her heart beating steadily against his side. And for the first time in Luke’s life – he felt like he was home.

Chapter
9

Kat snapped awake with a gasp just before dawn - a sheen of sweat on her brow from the nightmare that had seized her in its grip.
She squeezed her eyes shut – trying to make the images of Luke - bloodied and dying, disappear from her mind – his body covered in horrible, angry gashes; his blood pooling at his feet.

She bit back the sob that threatened to overtake her, and slowly slid from Luke’s comforting embrace, and silently dashed for the bathroom – a wave of nausea overtaking her.

She closed the door and ran over to the toilet - her stomach clenching with the sudden urge to vomit. She stood there until the sensation passed, then went over to the sink and splashed cold water on her face – taking deep gulps of air into her lungs. The nightmare had shaken her to the core and its nasty tendrils just wouldn’t leave her – and it left her scared and trembling uncontrollably – to the point that her teeth were chattering.

Tears slipped down her cheeks as she realized that she and Harper needed to leave Luke as soon as possible. There was no other way.
She knew that her dream was a warning, and she’d be damned if she wouldn’t heed it. She would not let him die! She couldn’t!

She turned on the water and stepped into the shower – not caring; or even feeling if the water was the right temperature.
Her entire body was numb – and she just didn’t care.

Kat stepped out of the shower, still in a daze - and jumped when she found Luke standing in the bathroom - a towel held out towards her in his hands.

“Morning beautiful,” he said with a smile as he took a step closer and wrapped her up. He leaned in and kissed her, his lips so warm and gentle that she felt her heart twist painfully in her chest.

“Are you feeling better,” she asked, leaning away from him slightly so that she could look up into his face - yet not quite ready to leave the warmth of his embrace - no matter how selfish it was. Just a few wonderful minutes more – she silently told herself.
Just something to take with you.

Luke nodded and took a step back from her – holding his arms out at his sides.
“Right as rain,” he replied, and Kat’s eyes scanned his glorious chest only to discover absolute perfection. Not a mark or bruise was visible. She sighed in relief and tried to give him a smile. “What about you, red?” He asked quietly. “Is everything all right? You seem kind of distracted.” His brows furrowed as he studied her intently.

“I’m fine,” she lied, adjusting the towel around her.
She noticed Luke’s grin as she tried to secure it over her breasts, and her heart began to race when his hands covered hers and stilled them.

Suddenly the towel fell to the floor as Luke leaned forward and kissed her with a hunger that nearly knocked her to her knees. There was nothing else she could do but to wrap her arms around his neck to keep from falling, and return his powerful embrace.
She had fallen completely in love with this man – and in order to save him, she had to leave him – but she needed him – so damn much that it was killing her. She needed him to take the nightmare away. She needed to know that he was safe.

In the next instant he swung her around and lifted her, setting her down on the marble vanity.
She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him close – needing to have him inside her – to feel that connection - no matter how fleeting it was going to be. Just one last time she wanted to pretend that he was hers.

“Baby,” Luke moaned into her mouth, his hands plunging into her damp hair as he ground himself against her, his body trembling with desire. “Easy, sweetheart, take it slow,” he cautioned.

“Please, Luke,” she begged. “I…I need you.”

Luke felt like his heart would burst from his chest when she uttered those words, and he groaned from the very depths of his soul as he heeded her wishes and carefully slid inside her – surprised at how warm and ready she was.

She hadn’t said the three words that he longed to hear from her lips – but this was a start, and he would take it – for now. But he was damned well sure that this woman would realize that she loved him – and he could only hope that it was half as much as he loved her.

He began to move, slowly at first - but the feel of her heat clamped down around him was tearing him apart, and he began to move faster – needing to feel that wondrous release that only the two of them could achieve.
She was his, and whether she was ready to admit it or not – she was his other half - and they belonged together.

Kat could feel the tremors beginning in her belly and pulled Luke closer as her body began to shudder and quake against his – tightening up in the delicious release that only he could give her.
He brought her to heights that she never thought possible, and she knew that she loved him more than she ever had or ever
would
love someone.

She felt him stiffen as he rocked into her, his breath coming out in a ragged gasp as he climaxed, and she chewed on her bottom lip to keep from screaming out his name – or worse yet, that she loved him as wave after wave of glorious sensation rippled through her body – leaving her shaken and breathless.
She buried her face in his neck as tears sprang to her eyes - her heart breaking at the thought of leaving him. This was just too damn hard.

They held each other in silence as their breathing slowly returned to normal, and finally Kat lifted her head and placed a kiss on his lips – forcing a smile to her face.

“Thanks for the wakeup call, Benji,” she said as lightly as possible - although she couldn’t look him in the eyes. She was much too afraid that he would see her heart reflected in them. “Why don’t you take a nice long shower while I get dressed and wake Harper? Then we can grab a bite to eat and be on our way.”

Luke cupped her chin in his hand and lifted her face, kissing her tenderly.
“That sounds like a plan,” he murmured against her mouth. He kissed her again and stepped back to start the shower. “Care to join me?”

Kat shook her head and hopped down from the vanity, noticing that her legs were shaking.
She took a calming breath and gave him a wink. “Maybe later, big boy. But, I really want to get a move on, and I’m starving.”

“You know - for some reason, I have an overwhelming taste for pancakes,” he said with a grin.
“I won’t be long.” He gave her another kiss and stepped into the stall.

“Take your time.
You know how we girls are – it takes us forever to primp.” With that she turned and walked out of the door – closing it behind her.

She leaned against it, and placed her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle the sob that wanted to break free and wanting nothing more at that moment than to rush back to him and tell him everything.
“I love you, Lucas Blackwater,” she whispered – her voice barely audible and her eyes shining. With a mental push, she walked across the room and quickly dressed.

“Harper, wake up,” Kat said, nudging her sister on the shoulder.
Harpers eyes popped opened and she blearily looked up – trying to focus.

“What?” She grumbled sleepily.

“Come on. We don’t have much time,” Kat urged, pulling the girl from the bed. “We need to get out of here before Luke gets out of the shower.”

“Why? What do you mean?” She asked, grabbing her jeans and slipping them on as Kat gathered the rest of her stuff.

“We have to get out of here. Harper, if we don’t leave now, Luke… he’s going to be…” Kat stopped as her tears choked her. She couldn’t even say the word. It frightened her way too much. “We just need to leave…now. Please, hurry up.”

Harper did as she was asked and followed Kat out of the room and trotted down the hall beside her to the elevators.
“How are we going to…” she began, but Kat gave her a guilty smile and held up Luke’s keys. “You can’t be serious?” She breathed in complete shock. “You mean to tell me that not only are we
ditching
him – but we’re stealing his car too? This is all kinds of screwed up! Why do we have to leave him anyway? I really like Luke.”

Kat ushered Harper into the elevator and stepped in behind her, pushing the button for the garage level.
“Honey, Luke is in a lot of danger because of me, and if we don’t leave him now, he’s going to be hurt.” She explained – her chest feeling as if there were a lead weight pressing down on it – sucking the air from her lungs. And again, she felt the salty sting of tears. Damn it to Hell, she chastised herself – she really needed to man up and grow a pair. She was doing this for Luke. She was doing this to keep him alive!

When the elevator doors slid open, Kat ushered Harper out ahead of her and hurried her over to Luke’s SUV.
She threw their bags into the back seat and jumped in behind the wheel. “Buckle up,” she said when Harper got in beside her.

With a deep, shaky breathe - Kat started the car and headed out of the lot, her heart breaking with each mile that passed.

“Where are we heading?” Harper asked, looking at her nervously.

“My apartment.
We’ll switch cars there and grab some stuff, then…well; I’m just not sure kiddo. I have some money saved up – so we should be ok for a while. And I can always find a job…”

“My parents gave me some money,” Harper offered, her face set in a frown. She was silent for a long moment, studying Kat with an expression on her face that was far beyond her seventeen years.
She looked so mature and thoughtful. “You love him, don’t you?” She said finally, and Kat looked at her - her eyes glistening.

“More than my own life,” she whispered, and Harper grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“That’s why I have to leave him. I have to keep him safe, Harper – and being with me isn’t.”

Harper nodded her understanding – her heart twisting for her sister.

Luke hummed as he lathered up and washed – feeling as if he was finally making progress with the fiery little redhead. He broke out into a smile as he stepped from the shower – grabbing a towel and quickly drying himself.

That woman tried his patience at every turn with her stubbornness – but he realized with a laugh that he wouldn’t have it any other way.
She was hard- headed, and a smart ass – and the woman he was determined to spend his life with. He knew without a doubt that she would keep his life interesting – and he was looking forward to every minute of it.

He wrapped the towel around his waist and walked into the bedroom.
Grabbing his jeans and slipping them on, he walked over to Harpers room to hurry the girls along. He was damned hungry after his night – and morning, with Kat and wanted to grab breakfast before heading back to Desmond and Abby’s.

When he knocked on the door – he was greeted with an eerie silence, and he felt a chill run up his spine.
“Kat? Harper?” He called as he opened the door. “Son of a bitch!” He ground out when he found nothing but an empty room. Harpers backpack was gone, and when he turned and stormed back into their bedroom – he found Kat’s gone as well - as well as his car keys. “Fuck!” He bellowed as he finished dressing in record time and ran toward the elevators.

Luke paced in front of the hotel, angrily waiting for the rental car to arrive.
He grabbed his cell phone and called Desmond - his body as tense as a coiled spring.

“Lucas,” Desmond answered after the first ring. “I was just about to call…”

“Fuck, Des!” He barked, his teeth grinding in fury. “They’re gone!”

“What happened?” Desmond asked - his voice very low.

Luke ran his fingers through his hair and continued to pace – his mind going in a million different directions at once. This was definitely not good! Not freaking good at all! And Luke just wanted to punch something.

“They took my damned car when I was in the shower and took off! That’s what the hell happened.”

He heard Desmond sigh softly. “Luke, just calm down and think. Where do you think she would go?”

“I don’t know.” Luke answered, suddenly sounding broken.
“I just don’t know.”

There was silence on the other end, and Luke thought that he had lost the connection, but a moment later Desmond spoke.
“Lucas” he said softly. “I fear that it is imperative that we find them.”

Something about his friends tone caused Luke to stop in his tracks.
“Des, what in the hell is going on? What have you found?” he asked, a knot forming in his stomach.