Nature's Destiny (17 page)
There was a knock on my bedroom door, and my stomach curled into another anxious knot.
“Just a minute,” I called from my bathroom as I double checked myself for one last time. “Hey,” I said as I opened the door.
Riley was looking mighty fine as he stood in the doorway in his smart black suit. I stared at him in awe, he was mouth-wateringly sexy.
“Luna, you look absolutely radiant.” His eyes swept across my body as he took me in. I tried clearing my throat to reply, but I’d lost all words.
“You’re so beautiful.” He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer to him. His hands ran down my spine as he leaned in to kiss me. The sweet taste of his lips moved against mine, a tender kiss that gradually built into something more. I tugged on his hair as the need for him grew inside me.
Our tongues collided together with a force that matched our urgency, and his grip tightened on my body.
“If we’re going to make it to dinner we have to stop,” he said, in between his many kisses. “You don’t know how much I want to sweep you away into my room right now.”
My heart skipped a little beat in excitement.
“Then let’s stay home,” I goaded.
“I promised you a date and I intend to do that.” He pulled away from me, and straightened up. “Ready?”
“More than you know,” I answered, and his eyes glowed in response.
“You’re killing me, Luna.”
“What?” I asked, shocked.
“I’m trying to do the right thing here by being a gentleman. But your teasing eyes, and beautiful body is making it hard on me.”
“Oh, really.” I swayed my hips as I walked past him and down the stairs “Sweetheart, you will definitely be the death of me,” he whispered seductively in my ear, and placed his hand possessively on my arse.
“Bloody hell, Luna! You brush up nicely,” Nick commented as we walked into the kitchen where he stood with Shane.
“I wish I could say the same for you,” I retorted.
“Stop bullying my lady.”
“Your lady? Bit possessive aren’t we.” Nick winked, taunting Riley. “I thought I’d take her out instead. Show her what a real man is.” He went to grab my arm, but Riley pulled me behind him. Protecting my body with his.
A low growl escaped from Riley’s chest.
“He was joking, Riley.” I tugged on his arm, but he wouldn’t listen. It was just like the night I’d moved in.
“You know I was kidding, Riley. Calm down, man.”
Shane threw me the car keys, and I took the hint. Riley stood rigid, his stance changing to attack.
“Go, Luna!” Shane shouted.
I grasped Riley’s arm and pulled with as much force as I could, and headed towards the garage. Surprisingly he didn’t resist.
“What’s going on, Riley?” I was angry. His playful mood was gone, and with it the beginning of a great date too.
“I don’t know. I keep snapping at the thought of another guy touching you. Nick wasn’t wrong, I feel very possessive of you.”
I should have been scared, but it made me feel desired. It wasn’t rational. I looked at the keys in my hand aware that they weren’t mine.
“I’ll take them.”
“Are you calm enough to drive?” I raised my eyebrow in question.
“Yes, besides we’re going in
my
car tonight.”*
“Would you like the dessert menu, Sir?” the waitress asked, lingering a little too long for my liking.
“Luna?”
“Yes, please,” I answered, making sure she paid attention to me before walking off.
The restaurant Riley had chosen was incredibly luxurious. The customers that scattered about the relatively busy dining area held the very essence of wealth and money. It was the kind of place my parents would frequent.
Riley had reserved a booth, an area dedicated to VIP’s, where we were alone. I reached out my hand to hold his and stared deeply into his eyes.
“Thank you for today, and for tonight too.”
“Did you enjoy?” he asked.
“Shockingly I did, and you know you didn’t have to pay for
anything
,” I emphasised.
“I know, but I wanted to. And seeing this smile on your face is my reward.” He kissed my hand, and waves of pleasure spiralled between my legs.
“What did you do today?” I asked.
“Mostly, I thought about you.”
“Here you are, Sir,” interrupted the waitress, again, and the moment between us was lost. “I’ll be waiting,” she purred as she stalked off. I stared in disbelief.
“Riley, do you ever get this tingling sensation across your body?” I asked, concerned.
“When it comes to you, yes.”
“No, I mean when there’s danger, or if something isn’t right, like a gut instinct?”
“No, Luna. Why? What’s wrong?” His body went on high alert as he scanned the room.
“Do you remember the first night we met? As soon as you walked in the room it was like my body was attuned to you. My skin kept prickling, and it happened again when I saw you the next day.”
“OK…”
“And last night when you came after me. I knew it was you even then. But, tonight it’s been different, and I don’t think you’re the cause this time.”
“What do you mean?”
“Since we’ve sat down, every now and again my skin has tickled like someone’s staring at my back.”
He looked around the room, but I knew what he was seeing because I’d already done the same several times before.
“I believe you, but there’s no one there. I chose this closed off area for that reason. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about,” he replied, checking again.
“I know, it’s just odd. I’d already established the feeling as my attraction to you, but now I’m not so sure. My senses have changed, and I’m still trying to work out whether they’re because of what we are, or if it’s just me, the freak.”
“That’s what you think of yourself after what I said yesterday?”
“How can I not?” Being a hybrid had singled me out enough without the added packages.
“Oh, baby, I can’t wait to prove to you how wrong you are. Is the feeling still there?”
“No, it’s gone again. Maybe it’s me being paranoid.” I shrugged, I couldn’t explain what I didn’t know so I stopped trying.
“Still want dessert?” he asked, staring at the menu.
“Not really, my stomach’s a little uncomfortable.” I laughed, my eyes had been bigger than my belly for a change.
“Are you alright?” Concern sketched across his face.
“I’m fine, besides I have my big bad Alpha to protect me.” I winked at him.
“Damn, right,” he smiled.
He motioned for the bill and soon we were waiting for the valet. The wind whipped around my hair and strands cut across my face. Shielding me from the cold, Riley wrapped his arms around me, sharing his warmth.
Cautiously the valet pulled up to the curb and exited the DBS with the cheesiest grin on his face. “Have a nice evening Sir, Ma’am.”
Riley tipped the man and walked me to the door. “You know you’ve just made his night, right?”
“I think between the two of us we did. After you.” He motioned for me to get in.
The roads home were mostly dark, and full of twisting bends. At the speed we were going it was exhilarating, and watching Riley’s smile spread across his face melted my heart.
“You’re so handsome right now,” I teased, basking in his delight.
“Just now?” he inquired.
“No, all the time. But especially…” Something wasn’t right. I stared out the window, and turned in my seat to get a better look.
“Luna?”
“It’s happening again. I can feel it,” I warned, the tingles covering my body in a layer of goose bumps.
“What can you see?”
“Nothing. Gah! This is so infuriating!” I yelled.
Behind you.
I turned to look out the back again. Nothing.
“Riley, even my wolf is warning me. She thinks there’s something behind us.”
I sat back in my seat as he pushed the accelerator harder, unwilling to find out what was behind us.
“I can’t see anything,” he admitted. “But when it comes to you I’m not prepared to gamble anything. You are my priority.” He took his eyes off the road for a second to look at me. They were bright, as his wolf’s vision came to the forefront.
I tried to calm my racing heart, aware that I was working myself up for a reason I didn’t know.
“Shit!”
“What is it, Riley?”
“Headlights behind us. They came from nowhere and they’re getting closer. Hold on, Luna.”
I looked in the wing mirror, and sure enough the bright lights were there. My stomach was coiling again as Riley forced the Aston around each bend, drifting smoothly between the turns.
“Holy crap, you can drive!” I squeaked.
“I may have been a bit of a boy racer,” he smiled. “Damn!”
“What?” I turned in my seat again.
“Can you get my phone?” he asked, as he navigated his way around another bend, his hands occupied. “It’s in my trouser pocket.”
I slipped my hand into the nearest pocket but it was empty, I stretched across his stomach and patted the other side. It was there. I awkwardly reached in and pulled his phone out, not before my thoughts had turned lustful.
“Later,” he whispered, seemingly knowing what I’d been thinking. “Just like your car, I need you to connect it to the Bluetooth.”
I did as I was told.
“Done,” I said.
He pressed a button and spoke into the system. “Call Shane.”
The phone rang loudly in the silence of the car, as Riley navigated the road. The car behind was barely a breath away from the Aston’s body. I tried to see into the car, but it’s high headlights blinded me.
“Riley?”
“Shane, I need you to track a plate. And put Nick on alert, something isn’t right.”
“I’m ready.” The silent tapper of computer keys reverberated through the speakers.
“Charlie, Omega, One, Three, Foxtrot, Alpha, Alpha. Is Nick there?”
“I’m here. What’s going on?”
“We’re being followed,” said Riley.
“Chased more like,” I interrupted.
“Where are you now?” Shane asked.
“Almost home, but I’m driving past. This bastard isn’t getting near anyone.”
“I’ll alert the patrols and keep an eye out. Do we have time to set up a trap?” Nick asked.
“No, we’re less than five minutes away.”
“If something else happens let us know, and vice versa,” said Nick, taking control.
“I’m running the plates, but so far nothing. Will keep you posted,” said Shane.
“Stay safe, Riley,” said Nick before disconnecting.
“Are you OK, sweetheart?” he asked, concern clouding his voice.
“I’m with you aren’t I?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’m more than fine,” I said, trusting Riley’s instincts.
We passed the turning for
Nature’s Destiny
in a blur, the car behind us ever-present.
“At least it’s still following us,” I said, glad that it wasn’t targeting the pack.
Riley continued to drive into the dark abyss, abruptly taking a turn to the right that led onto a straight road.
“This is where we lose them,” he said confidently.
The straight road gave the DBS the advantage of speed. Riley floored it, and I watched as the lights behind us faded into the background.
After another turning we were in the centre of town where lights and cars crowded the area. As Riley swerved his way around them, we were heading back home, alone.
“They’ve gone,” I said, certain.
“I know they aren’t behind us right now, but that doesn’t mean they won’t come back.”
“Trust me Riley, they’ve gone. My skin isn’t tingling anymore, and my stomach doesn’t feel like a gooey mess either.”
“You’re sure?”
I nodded. My sixth sense - as I was beginning to call it - knew. He turned into the driveway, and scanned the area to make sure. He keyed in the code for the gate and sped towards the garage.
Wolves prowled along the boundaries, keeping watch as ordered.
We were safe.
Finally.
“Tell me you have something,” Riley shouted as he burst into the study with my hand in his trailing behind.
“Not much I’m afraid,” Shane apologised. “The plates have mostly been a dead end except for the owner’s name.”
“Do we know him?” Riley asked.
“I don’t think so. His name is Blake Stevens. Ring any bells?”
“None,” said Riley after a few moments. The name was useless to me too. “Was everything alright here?”
“Yes,” said Nick.
“I need you to find out as much as you can about this person. Is he human, Lycan? Where he lives, what he does for a living, who he’s screwing. Every last detail. He’s pissed off one very protective Alpha.” Riley’s voice took on a scary rage. “I’ll be upstairs if you need me.” He left the room, pulling me with him.
“Where are we going?” I asked as he rushed me up the stairs.
“My quarters, before I bite someone’s head off.” Riley was seething.
I followed him into the room, and was instantly mesmerised by how spacious his suite was. I jumped at the sound of the door slamming.
“Riley?”
He strode past me, and through to the bedroom. As inappropriate as it was I couldn’t believe how sexy he was when he was angry. I chased after him and stopped in the middle of his bedroom, shocked again at the grandeur.
The bed was enormous, and facing it were ceiling-to-floor windows much like in the games room, with patio doors that led onto the balcony where Riley stood pacing.
“Riley.” I ran my hand down his arm.
“I’m so fucking mad, Luna. You sensed danger before I did, the person could have been in the fucking restaurant and I didn’t know!”
“It doesn’t matter, Riley.”
“Of course it does! How can it not?” His voice raised.
“Because you still got us out of there. You made that happen. Not me. We got away because of
you,
” I emphasised.
“Don’t you see, Luna? I couldn’t live with myself if we’d been caught, or if you’d been taken from me or killed. All because I didn’t listen to you in the restaurant!”
“Is that what this is? You’re angry at yourself?”
“You should be too!”
“Stop it, Riley. I’m not mad at you, not even one bit!” I forced his face to mine. “Look at me.” I waited. “I’m not your responsibility. If something did happen, that wouldn’t have been your fault. You can’t assume what may or may not happen in life. Remember?” I nudged. “We deal with it and move on. I’m a big girl Riley, stop treating me like a child.”
“I just want you safe.”
“Being with you keeps me safe, but you can’t protect me from the world, Riley. I won’t let you become distracted from the pack.”
He pulled me close, and kissed the top of my head.
“You should be mad at the arsehole that’s doing this,” I said.
“Believe me baby, I’m fucking furious.”
“Good.” I tugged at his collar to kiss him.
He deepened the kiss, and I bit his lip. His hands roamed to my arse, forcefully grabbing me tighter. I arched into him, needing to feel his strong body against mine. It wasn’t enough.
His lips trailed across my neck, igniting the passion stirring in my body.
“Riley,” I moaned, softly. “I need you,” I whispered.
His strong arms lifted me up and I instinctively wrapped my legs firmly around his waist.
“This dress is perfect,” he said as he trailed his hand along my bare right leg. His touch sent tasteful shivers across my skin. My mouth found his and soon I was carried into the bedroom.
His kisses weren’t enough, and I began to pull at the buttons on his shirt while I had the courage. I wanted him out of his clothes. “Are you sure, Luna?”
“Yes.” I panted, ignoring the nerves that fluttered in my stomach, and focused on the desire that ate away at me. “I want you.”