Denying Bjorn (5 page)

He stroked her hair and looked into her eyes. “If you’re willing to stay with a man who will live forever.”

She gazed into his saddened depths. “Please, don’t be sad. Perhaps there’s a way around my being mortal? Hopefully?”

“You don’t know what you ask.” Bjorn shook his head. “That would call for the help of a powerful Dragon Elder. It can be done, but any decision we made we must be sure of.” He patted her on the arm gently. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.” He squeezed her arm.

“What aren’t you telling me, Bjorn?” She knew there was more information he was withholding.

“I told you, you’ll know when the time comes.” His tone was firm and unyielding.

“Okay, you win. Fair enough.” She smiled and knew this time he refused to budge on volunteering any information. She was withholding things about her from him, so for now, the little knowledge she had would have to do.

“So, tell me about your family,” he insisted.

Lydia rolled over and propped herself on her elbows to gaze at the glorious moon. With a sigh, she listened to the crashing of the waves along the beach. “Well, my family history isn’t as awesome as yours, but I’ll give it a whirl.”

Bjorn laughed. “C’mon, seriously. I want to know about your family.”

“I have a small family consisting of just myself, Dawn, and our mothers.”

He frowned. “Why is that?”

She really didn’t want to admit that her auntie, Thelma, and mother, Joan, had run a brothel together. That was how she and Dawn were introduced into the life. “Well . . . we were kind of left to fend for ourselves, you see.”

This was the hard part, but she had to skip around the fact that she used to be a courtesan. She just didn’t have the nerve to tell him.

“We really had no guidance when we were coming up. Their family disowned the women for leading a not-so-appealing lifestyle.” She tensed and sat straight up when she noticed he’d lifted a brow.

“What kind of lifestyle could that have been?” He rolled over on his side, facing her.

“Um, I really don’t think you want to hear this.”

He sat up beside her and touched her cheek lightly. “Tell me,” he insisted. “I want to know everything about you. Surely it can’t be that bad.”

“Surely, you don’t know my family.” She tried to laugh, but his face remained still. “Okay, they were madams. They ran a brothel. The money was so good, I guess they just couldn’t resist.” Shame burned her face because thinking back now, she and Dawn had taken the easy way out.


Bjorn forced her to look at him. “Hey, that wasn’t your fault. What did you think, I would never talk to you after hearing that?”

She released a breath she’d been holding for what seemed like hours while she searched his eyes. He really wasn’t turned off by what he’d heard? Oh boy, wait until she told him she’d been a courtesan for a few years.

“So, that doesn’t turn you off?” She wanted to tell him more, she really did, but couldn’t. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

“What, doll?” He continued stroking her cheek with a fingertip, leaving her totally breathless. “Come on, you know there’s nothing you can’t tell me,” he confessed. “You’re a very special woman, or didn’t you know that?”

Lydia swallowed the huge lump that had developed in her throat. No man had ever told her she was special, not even the ones she’d dated off and on in the past. It was very hard trying to have a normal relationship while she was a working girl. It just never worked.

She blinked back tears. “So . . . you think I’m special?” Her voice was rough, and she cleared her throat. “You really think I’m special?”

“Of course I do, love.” He looked down at his watch. “Darling, it’s damn near two o’clock in the morning. We both have work in a few hours.”

Lydia groaned and leaned into his touch. She honestly didn’t want to leave. Where the hell had the time gone? It seemed like only an hour since they’d left the restaurant, and that was around eleven.

He rose to his feet and held out a hand to help her up. “Come on, beautiful, time to go.”

She smiled, although her heart was heavy. “Yeah, almost that time. Before you know it, the sun will be up.” She bent down to pick up his jacket and shook the sand out of it. “Bjorn,” she said while handing him the jacket, “I really had a lovely time tonight. I want to thank you.”

“Ah, doll, you’re such great company. I’m glad we had the chance to spend time together tonight.”

“Hopefully we can do it again soon?” Now she was longing for and contemplating their next rendezvous. Should she be doing that? Was this healthy? Before she could say anything, he bent down and kissed her long and hard. Groaning, she leaned into his body as his arms entwined themselves around her waist.

“We will, and soon.” His voice was low and husky, almost a growl. “Let me take you back to your car.”

“What if I don’t want to go back to my car?” She swore she was becoming dizzy. “What if I want you to take me home?” Lydia bit her lip as the look in Bjorn’s eyes became animalistic.

“I want to take my time with you,” he said in a whisper. “Please . . . let me get to know you.”

She felt his cock expand against her belly once again and moaned. She had never wanted anyone this much in her life before. She actually burned for him. As they looked into each other’s eyes, they slowly ground their bodies against one another. A soft moan escaped her lips as she straddled one of his legs and began to slowly dry hump him.

“Lydia.” Her name caught in his throat, and she felt his body stiffen as he pressed his hips against her body. “Don’t do this to me, babe. I’ll never want to let you out of bed.” His arms tightened around her body as his lips brushed against her face. “You don’t know how hungry I am for you right now.”

The word “please” was on the tip of her tongue. Fighting the urge to beg him, she instead gritted her teeth as a strong emotion bubbled in her chest. She knew she’d lose her heart to Bjorn, and she knew deep down he’d treasure and respect her.

“I don’t want to. Why is this so difficult?” Sadness flamed throughout her spirit. What was up with all the emotions?

Slipping a finger beneath her chin, Bjorn forced her to look at him. “Babe, I promise, there will be plenty of time for lovemaking. I want it to happen naturally and not be rushed. Not in the backseat of the car, not even on the beach. I want to wake with you next to me in my bed. I don’t want to have to get up and have us run off to work the first time. I want us to linger in bed as long as we wish.” He closed his eyes and opened them. “Imagine waking up, fixing breakfast, drinking coffee, returning back to bed. Cuddling, sleeping, making love . . . unrushed . . . watching movies.”

“All right.” She chuckled as she looked into his eyes. “That all sounds nice, it really does. Gives us both something to look forward to, right?”

He nodded. “You bet.” He grabbed her hand, and they continued walking along the beach to the car.

“Now, time to get you home to safety. I’ll text you. Make sure you text me back. I want to know you got home safely.”

“I promise, I will.”

Chapter Six

Awestruck, Lydia dreamily unlocked the door to her and Dawn’s condo and entered. Closing the door, she leaned up against it, recalling the glorious, magical night she’d shared with Bjorn. The emotions bubbling up inside of her were foreign, yet delightful.

Her phone vibrated. Reaching down, she pulled it out of her purse. It was Bjorn texting to see if she had made it home okay. Smiling, she quickly texted him back. In return, he sent her a smiley face and a good night. Her heart fluttered in her chest.

She felt herself blushing and smiled delightedly. Was it possible she was falling in love with the man? He made her swoon in so many different ways until she couldn’t think straight. With a sigh, she walked through the large, dimly lit living room, toward her bedroom.

Just before she entered her room, nosy-ass Dawn’s bedroom door flew open. “Where the hell have you been, girl?”

Dare she tell Nosy Ass about her magical night? Hell no! “Oh girl, I was just hanging out. Went to a movie, treated myself to a massage, and got something to eat, that’s all.”

Dawn glanced at her watch. “Oh? Well, I tried calling your cell, but you never picked up. Plus, it’s well after three in the morning.”

“I caught the late show. Like I said, I was busy.”

Dawn walked over to her with a hideous smile on her face. “Yeah, busy my ass. Busy with that john Bjorn, I bet.” Jealousy marred her cousin’s features.

Lydia felt her temperature rise. “No, hon, I’m not like you. I’ve put the past behind me. And Bjorn isn’t a trick. He’s nothing like the men we dealt with in L.A.”

“Oh, save it, you self-righteous bitch.”

“The last time I checked, I was a grown-ass woman, Dawn.” She narrowed her eyes. “What the hell is your problem?”

Dawn sniffed her. “Well, I’ll be damned. You were with Bjorn tonight. I know that cologne of his anywhere.”

“You’re crazy.” Lydia entered her room with Dawn on her heels.

“So, you’re fucking Bjorn? Damn, girl, I should give you credit.”

“Get a damned life.”

“Should have known.”

“Oh yeah, and why would you lie to me and tell me you and him had a dinner date tonight? Seriously, what are you, whacked in the head? He’s our boss!”

“Oh, I was just having some fun with you. That’s your problem. You’re too fucking sensitive.” Dawn flopped onto her bed. “Okay, give me the dirty details.”

Lydia slipped out of her shoes and put her purse down on her vanity. “I told you, there’s nothing to tell.”

“Then why are you covered in his cologne?”

“We worked on his expenses together before I left the office. Seriously, Dawn, you had them all jacked up. You know booze can’t be written off as a business expense!”

Dawn waved a hand at her. “Well, let’s not concern ourselves with work. I’m telling you, you shouldn’t get involved with the man.” She rose off the bed and stalked over toward Lydia. “Do you really think he’ll knowingly date an ex-whore? I’ll go so far as to say you haven’t told him about your nasty little past.” She chuckled. “Perhaps I should be the one to break the news to him?”

The threat was the straw that broke the camel’s damned back. She didn’t know what came over her, but with the name-calling, Lydia’s hand immediately connected to her cousin’s face.

Dawn lashed out, pushing her into the wall. Seeing red, Lydia lunged back, catching her cousin around the throat. The women tumbled to the carpeted floor, and Lydia immediately began wailing on Dawn.

“I’m sick and tired of you!” Lydia bit out just before Dawn’s knee connected to her gut, knocking the wind out of her. She rolled over onto the floor, trying to catch her breath.

Dawn rose and wagged a finger at her. “You ungrateful fucking bitch! You’re going to let a man come in between us? We’re family.”

Lydia rolled over, trying to sit up. “You’re nothing but a self-serving, jealous cunt!” she spat breathlessly. “How dare you threaten me! Family wouldn’t do that!”

“Ah, looks like I found a nerve.” Dawn walked over to her and knelt. “You really do like him, don’t you?” She shook her head. “So pathetic. Of all the years in the business, don’t you know that no respectable man will ever love a whore?”

The raw truth hit Lydia like a ton of bricks, and her heart shattered. She and Bjorn shared something so deep it went beyond friendship. Their entire night together had unfolded like a fairy-tale romance. Now the looming threat was so apparent and ready to strike, like a cobra in the night.

“I’m not a whore. It’s all in the past.” She refused to listen to her cousin’s senseless drivel.

Dawn’s face was now mere inches from hers. “Once a whore, always a whore. It doesn’t matter how long ago it was.” Her nostrils flared as something dark and devious lurked in her eyes. “Take it from me, Lydia. He’ll never love you. He’s only good for one thing. That’s it. Men only want one thing from us, so we may as well use it to our advantage!”

“You’re wrong.”

“We’re all whores in this world, baby. Deep down, you know I’m right, cousin.” Dawn rose to her feet, looking at Lydia as though she were pathetic. “See, you need me. You really do. Damn, why are you so naive? Your heart will be ripped from your chest so fast, you won’t know what hit you. How long do you think you can conceal the truth from him? You forget the times I protected you! I softened your blow into the life! Kept you safe from those nasty old men. I’m the one who protected you and made sure you remained a virgin at the tender age of sixteen!”

Harsh, unwanted memories of men groping her came reeling back, and it sickened her. “Get out of my room!” Lydia hissed as tears blinded her vision. “Get out!”

She pointed to the door as her chest heaved in pain and her body trembled in fear of her cousin’s threat. It was so clear now. Dawn wasn’t happy. Therefore, Lydia wouldn’t be happy. That was the way it always went.

“It’s on now, bitch,” her cousin sneered as she wiped a small amount of blood from the corner of her mouth. She winced at her broken lip. “Yeah, I’ll get you back for this!” She looked down at her with a searing gaze before turning on her heel and exiting the room.

Shaken, Lydia rose and limped over to her vanity. The blow to the gut still had her gasping for air. She looked in the mirror at the black mascara on her tearstained face. Her eyes were now bloodshot, and she wondered how the hell she’d be able to carry on her newfound relationship with her boss.

Dawn would stop at nothing now, the treacherous bitch. Lydia suddenly found herself wishing she’d severed all ties after Los Angeles. Life could have been easier. Why she felt so compelled to remain in her cousin’s company was beyond her.

Perhaps it was fate. Just like Thelma and Joan, she and her cousin would forever remain in each other’s lives. She wondered about her mother often, and at times considered contacting her, but she could never bring herself to do so.

Anger plucked at her insides as she recalled the advances of men. Dawn had always come to the rescue. After all, she was her older cousin. Dawn always intervened, since Lydia was younger, offering herself up to the men as a sacrifice. It was to protect Lydia. Her fragile, tender mind at that age could never endure the heady lust of the men who sought her out.