The Shifter's Choice (13 page)

She closed her eyes and imagined Johnny’s hand low at the center of her back.

Brianna’s voice came from behind her. “Sonia, are you all right? You look a little flushed.”

She met Brianna’s gaze in the mirror. “What if he wants to...”

Brianna’s eyebrows lifted. “It’s up to you to decide if and when you and Johnny do more than dance.” She turned toward the door and paused in the opening. “Feel free to use any of the makeup in that drawer.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The flutter of excitement in her stomach told her she really wanted to have Johnny’s arms about her and not just on the dance floor. But she’d never been with someone she really cared about.

Brianna returned with three perfumes. Sonia gave her a panicky look.

“It’s only a date,” said Brianna.

“Yeah. Just a date.”

Chapter 10

J
ust a date, Sonia thought as she returned to Brianna’s home hours later to prepare for her evening with Johnny.

But it was more, much, much more. Sonia felt the truth of that in her heart. He was tall, dangerous and his very presence threatened her nice, safe world. And now that he was human, Johnny stirred all her sexual fantasies.

He’d come through this nightmare. But his experiences must have scorched him. Had it been too much? Had they ruined him the way the drink had ruined her mother?

Some hurts are too big to heal,
her mother had once said.
Your only chance is to drown them.

Weren’t Johnny’s sorrows bigger than her mother’s, bigger than her own? She knew Johnny and respected him. But now he was human and her confidence fled.

Whatever happened tonight, there would be consequences. She just didn’t know what they would be.

Sonia went to work applying eyeliner and curling her eyelashes. Then she applied a red lip that made her mouth look lush. Brianna insisted she tuck the tube of lipstick in her borrowed clutch.

When her makeup was finished, Sonia began pacing in her silver high heels, borrowed from Brianna, as well. They shared a similar foot size, dress size and an affinity for werewolves.

But Brianna had sought and had achieved a lasting relationship with the captain. That took a kind of optimism Sonia had never had.

She paused to regard her reflection in a full length mirror. Their dress size might be the same but their body type was not. Sonia was sure that the dress that looked elegant on Brianna’s willowy form but it looked like an invitation on her curves.

What would Johnny think? He’d seen her in a bathing suit, but not in makeup and red lipstick. He deserved a pretty, feminine date. Besides, Sonia wasn’t a girl to be dressed in pink, but neither was she the confident sexy woman who stared back. She’d never wore red before in her life and now she knew why. Brianna’s reflection appeared behind her in the mirror. Sonia met her gaze but did not return her encouraging smile.

“I feel like the cape that the matador waves before a bull,” she said to Brianna.

Brianna chuckled. “Yes, I can see that. I reached Travis. He’s given his permission.” Brianna searched Sonia’s expression and opened her mouth to say something before cocking her head. “They’re here.”

Sonia stopped as if suddenly frozen and her heart jolted along at a gallop.

“I don’t hear them.”

Brianna shrugged and tapped one ear. “Super hearing,” she muttered and headed for the door but she paused close to Sonia and smiled. “Have a wonderful evening and please come and see me again soon. You’re welcome anytime.”

Sonia felt a welling of gratitude and a sense of how very few people Brianna would welcome into her home.

“I will. And thank you for the dress and, well, everything.”

Brianna smiled, reached toward Sonia and then drew her hands back, folding them tightly before her. “I hope they play a slow dance.” Then she opened the door to an empty driveway, but a few moments later a Jeep appeared. Brianna waved her inside. “Go into the bedroom. Make an entrance for goodness’ sake.”

Sonia did as she was told but watched from the window as the captain emerged from the driver’s seat, wearing his beige cammies. Her gaze flipped to the passenger seat but the glare prevented her from seeing Johnny until he stepped out. His dark head appeared first, his hair pulled back at the nape of his neck. Her breath caught at the sight of him. Tiny sparks of electricity fired inside her belly as he straightened. He was still tall, over six feet, surely. The last time she’d seen him he was in a hospital bed attached to various machinery. Now he stood in a charcoal-gray suit and crisp white dress shirt that made his skin look dark by comparison. His tie was red and he stroked it once as he glanced toward the house. She held her breath and backed away from the window. Had he seen her? Sonia checked her lipstick and added more. Her lips and mouth felt so dry all of a sudden. Then she checked the contents of her borrowed bag and found everything in order, brush, lipstick, tissues, money, credit cards and— Her fingers brushed something cold and unfamiliar. She drew out a green foil packet and realized it was a condom. Several condoms that Brianna had added to the bag. Sonia pictured sliding the rubber sheath over Johnny’s erection and felt dizzy all of a sudden. She sank to the bed and fanned her hot skin belatedly realizing she held the spread of three condoms like a fan. She tucked them deep into the purse and exhaled.

“Just a date.”

There was a gentle tap on the door. Brianna stepped in and Sonia made an attempt to fiddle with the silver buckle on the high-heeled sandals.

“He brought flowers!” the vampire squealed in a hushed voice. “Red roses. Are you ready? Sonia, pinch your cheeks you’ve gone pale again.”

“First time I’ve ever gone out with a man who knows my last name.”

Brianna’s brow wrinkled and she chuckled, then glanced at Sonia and stopped as she must have realized Sonia wasn’t joking. “Well, not the only first tonight, I suppose.” She worried one hand with the other until Sonia stood and made for the open door. She preceded Brianna out and found the men in the living room. Johnny spoke to the captain who spotted her first and frowned. Her commanding officer did not look happy as he shook his head and glanced to his wife who shrugged. Johnny stopped speaking and turned in her direction. He was so handsome in his new suit she felt her throat close. She stopped and Johnny came to her, hands extended and a smile growing on his generous mouth.

“Sonia, you look so beautiful.”

She didn’t need to pinch her cheeks because she felt the heat flooding them now. “And you look very handsome.” She reached for his tie, straightened the knot then slid her fingers down the silken fabric. When she lifted her gaze to his she found his eyes blazing and his stare intense. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, lingering as his warm mouth brushed her skin. She flushed right down to her toes. His rich spicy scent lingered after he drew away.

“Don’t forget these,” said Brianna handing the roses over to Johnny.

He presented them to her and she cradled them as if she was Miss America. The florist had arranged them in a spray intended for carrying and had mixed in just enough tropical greenery that she would not forget that she was now on an island paradise.

“They are lovely, Johnny. Thank you.”

“Ready?” He offered his arm.

She clamped the tiny silver shoulder bag against her side and nodded, wondering why all she could think about was those damned green foil packets. Brianna handed her a brightly colored shawl at the door and kissed Johnny goodbye. The captain drew her aside and leaned in.

“Put this phone in your purse. Call me directly if you need me. I’ll be close and get him back here safe.” He straightened and gave her a forced smile.

Sonia swallowed back her anxiety, gripping the phone. He’d be close? What did that mean exactly?

Johnny helped her over the rough ground and guided her into the Jeep, shutting the door and then dashing about the front with such speed she could almost believe he was half vampire.

The captain stood stiff with disapproval as Brianna waved from the steps. Johnny helped Sonia into the passenger seat and then took the wheel, backing out and then left the captain and his vampire wife behind as they headed down the mountain. The silence between them was new and unfamiliar. Finally she asked about his day and discovered that he had failed at changing back to his werewolf form.

“What does that mean, exactly?”

“Mac thinks I don’t want to change. Might be right, too.”

Their conversation died away again. Sonia stared out the window and noticed they were not heading for the security checkpoint. When it became clear that they were heading across base she had a sudden flash of panic that they were aiming for the mess hall, a move that neither of them would ever live down, but Johnny drove them to the docks and carefully escorted her onto one of the boats where Sergeant Domingo Cavillo, one of Johnny’s exercise companions, ferried them the ten miles to West Maui and the oceanfront resort where he had made reservations. She wondered if the sergeant would wait for them, but her stiletto heel no sooner hit the dock than the boat headed away.

“I can call him for a pick up.”

Can?
She lifted an eyebrow because she realized that he could just as easily not call him for a pick up and they were at a resort with palm trees, blooming jasmine, newlyweds and many, many vacant bedrooms. The possibilities stirred her blood and she stopped walking as she glanced up into Johnny’s intent brown eyes. The captain wanted her to get John back safe while she wanted to wake to mimosas and a rumpled bed.

His mouth stretched into a wicked smile and she forgot how to breathe. He placed a hand on her lower back, ushering her along as she tried not to dwell on the warmth of his hand or the strength of his graceful stride, slowed now to match her smaller one.

They walked slowly along the dock in the early evening, past the snorkelers on the beach and the poolside restaurant.

“Lots of honeymooners here,” he commented, his voice and his implication making her skin tingle.

His hand slid from her back and he offered his elbow. She clung to his arm more tightly as they left the dock for the brick walkway. Beneath the fine fabric of his jacket she could feel the steel of his muscles.

They strolled past the bar and families enjoying casual dining. Johnny was the only person in a suit and their appearance turned more than one head.

“We’re overdressed,” she whispered.

“We’re not eating here.”

Inside the hotel lobby Johnny strolled with the casualness of a confident man. He nodded at the concierge and continued on through the etched glass entrance of the Waterfront Steakhouse, pausing to open the door for her and then again at the hostess station. Johnny spoke to a young woman wearing a red hibiscus in her hair while Sonia admired the tropical fish in a large saltwater tank.

A hostess escorted them to the restaurant’s interior and a table with a killer view of the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean. She even took Sonia’s flowers and returned with them in a lovely arrangement for their table.

Johnny glanced at the wine list and then set it aside asking for sparkling water and two nonalcoholic frozen drinks. The drinks arrived a few moments later with huge glasses topped with orchids and a skewer of fresh fruit. She sipped a sweet icy strawberry drink and smiled up at Johnny.

“Perfect.”

He nodded. They watched the sun dip toward the water, a huge orange ball that gradually melted into the sea. As it set, the sky blazed with streaks of orange fire that turned the clouds violet and gold.

“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” she whispered.

“I have,” he said and she glanced up to see he was staring at her.

The compliment pleased her and she beamed. “You’ve seen me before.”

“Not at sunset. Not at my table in a dress like that.”

“I liked the meals you cooked for us at your bungalow.”

“I’ll be glad to cook for you for as long as you like.”

“That’s good news because you’ve spoiled me for the mess hall forever.”

The silence between them seemed more complicated now and she was relieved to see the appetizers arrive. She tried the potstickers which turned out to be delicious little dumplings with a salty brown sauce. She’d never had to struggle to find a topic of conversation with Johnny before, but as she crunched her way through her salad she stretched to think of something, anything to say. The tension between them made her stomach ache and she had trouble eating the special, a pecan-crusted tilapia fillet with a mango and pineapple chutney. Johnny’s appetite was epic as he polished off his favorite, very rare steak and potatoes and the entire bread basket.

During the main course, the recorded music ceased as a band set up on the large balcony. The steel drums’ ringing rhythms drifted in on the Pacific breeze, exotic and alluring. Still she wished they were back at Johnny’s place. Alone, instead of here in the open with his goons across the room watching her as if she and Johnny were on pay-per-view.

“You seem nervous,” he said.

She snapped her eyes back to him, wondering how it was possible that he hadn’t seen his wounded warriors yet. “I suppose I am.”

“Why?”

She watched Corporal Del Tabron give her a small nod before lifting his beer glass. They knew she was aware of them.

“Hmm? Oh, I never really go on dates. Just one-nighters mostly. I don’t even tell them my real name.” This was met with silence and she snapped her gaze to his to see his brow low over his dark eyes and a definite edge of danger in his expression. What the hell had she been thinking?

But she hadn’t been. She’d been so busy looking at his wounded warriors, she hadn’t censored her reply.

“Sonia, what does that mean?”

Her shoulders dropped with her spirits.

“Just that. I told you I don’t like people. I don’t trust them. They either want too much or I want too much. Relationships are complicated. I like to keep things simple.”

“You mean sex.”

She pursed her lips for one long intake and exhale. Then she answered. “Yeah. Sex. Sex with guys I don’t know and never wanted to know. Scratch the itch. Move on.”

She’d shocked him speechless.

“You think I’m bad.”

“I think you’re broken.”

“Yeah. That’s about right.”

Right then, in the middle of his deciding she was as dysfunctional as a car on blocks, the band played their first slow dance.

Perfect timing, she thought.

“Listen, John, you can take me home. I’ll understand.”

Instead, he set aside his napkin and offered his hand. Sonia sat poised between wanting to leave the room and wanting to be wrapped in John’s strong arms.

“May I have this dance?”

“Are you sure?”

“Never more certain.”

She accepted his hand, surprised at the thrill of excitement that rippled from the point of contact.

He walked her past the other tables to the dance floor surrounded by brightly burning torches. When they got there, they were by no means the only couple enjoying the trade winds and starry night.