Esher: Winter Valley Wolves #7 (4 page)

A
fter Esher gave
me his blood, I sat at the counter while he made us pasta. We laughed about old times and shared stories from the years that have passed since. We move over to the couch to eat our carrot cake. I gaze out the windows that overlook the lake. The moon is almost full, and it shimmers on the calm water. I say, “You must love this view.”

“I do. I’m glad I finally get to share it with you.” The heat of Esher’s thigh pressed up next to mine makes me lean into him for more. He slips his arm around my shoulders. “I’ve thought about having you here like this many times, but I was afraid you’d never come back to me. Lately I’d begun to give up hope.”

“What do you mean come back to you?”

“I said awful things, Andi. You had to have hated me.”

I twist so I face him and say, “No. I never hated you. I hated myself for what I set into motion.” I recall the many nights I worried about Esher and the Silver Lake wolves. I was diligent about making sure nothing that could implicate them ever made it out of my lab. I place my hand on his chest, and the ridges of his pectorals are firm under my palm. “I didn’t dare travel in your circles and let there be a connection between us. I also didn’t want to impose on your life, because I was sure you were happier without me.”

He smiles at me. “I’ll never be happy without you, Andi.”

I drop my gaze to his mouth and long to savor the taste of his soft lips. I say, “We’ve wasted too much time.” I kiss Esher, and he cups my head with one hand as the other moves to my lower back. I moan when his tongue darts in my mouth, and I taste the sweet flavor of cake mixed with the man I love.

I want to feel the weight of him on me, and I lean back to lower us to a reclining position on the couch. Having kicked off my shoes earlier, I don’t hesitate to swing my legs up onto the sofa and spread my thighs so he’ll settle between them. He moans when he presses his groin against me, and the bulge of his erection is hard on my stomach.

Esher breaks free from my mouth to move to my neck, and the starched cotton of his shirt is stiff in my hands as I pull to untuck it from his pants. He arches under my touch when my hands slide over his smooth skin and the sinewy muscles of his back. “Oh, Andi.”

“Esher, I want to be with you.”

He lifts up, and his eyelids are heavy as he speaks in a husky voice. “I want you too.” He stands and offers his hand to help me up. I follow silently as he leads me down a hallway to his bedroom. The light is dim when we enter, and he yanks open the curtains to a large picture window to let the moonlight in. When he turns to me he’s a silhouette, but Esher’s eyes glisten, and I reach for the hem of my dress to pull it over my head. The fabric thumps softly on the floor when I drop it, and he lets out a low growling noise that I suspect is his wolf.

The metal of his belt buckle clinks as he undoes his pants and strips for me, so I continue with my bra and panties until I’m completely bare. A tiny shiver runs through me as my breathing becomes heavy, and I release my hair so that it falls around my shoulders. Esher steps toward me and says, “You are even more gorgeous than I remember.” He places a hand on my breast as he tugs me close with his fingers on my bottom. The moment the skin of our bodies connects, I swear my insides ignite, and I let out a small cry when he lowers his mouth to suck on my nipple.

My hands are on his firm butt, and I place the junction between my legs over his thigh as I pant with need. I reach for his cock, and smooth skin is hot in my hand as I grip him and stroke the thick length. I say, “There’s so much I want to do with you, but I need you inside me first.” I inhale sharply when he moves his hand to my sensitive slit, and I beg, “Please.”

Esher thrusts two fingers into me, and I gyrate my hips to help him as he works me with his hand. His breath is hot against my neck. “Yes.” He breaks away, and the wood of a drawer bangs as he opens it and rummages for a condom. He lies down on the bed to put it on before he says, “Ride me, Andi.”

The plush comforter sinks around my knees as I crawl over him and gaze into his face. I place myself over his cock and guide it in. He jerks his hips up as he grabs mine and spears me so that I gasp and take in his full length. “Oh god.” I spread my legs further to seat him deeper. “You feel so good, like you belong here.”

“I do.” Esher rocks up and down with me as I begin to move. “You know I do.”

“Yes.” I drop my chin, and my hair tickles my face as it falls forward while I work him under me and take what I need. When I’m close to my climax I throw my head back, and a small cry sounds. Esher’s hand grips my hair firmly, and it’s the catalyst for my orgasm. As I begin to come down he flips me over so that I’m on my back, and he drives deep.

Esher’s movements are fast as he pumps into me. And I gaze into his face when a growl sounds. Fangs poke out of his mouth and shimmer in the moonlight as he roars out his release.
I do this to him.
Tears fill my eyes as he collapses over me.

His hair is smooth against my fingers as I comb through it and whisper, “We belong together.”

“We belong to each other,” says Esher.

I smile with the knowledge that we really do.

E
arly-morning sunlight
streams through the window of Esher’s bedroom. I open my eyes to his smile as he hovers over me on all fours. “Good morning.”

I stretch like a cat and think of Snowflake. I did leave her extra food and water, so she’ll be fine until I get home, because I’m in no rush. “Good morning.”

Esher slides his hands down my torso and under my bottom. “I don’t go in for another two hours. You should call in sick.”

I moan as he begins to kiss my neck, and moisture pools between my legs as I squirm. “I can’t. Today I plan to quit.” If I didn’t go in, I’d spend my day testing my blood every hour to monitor the progress of my Esher infusion. I’d make myself crazy. Last time we noticed it began to work within six hours, and by twenty-four my blood was normal.

“I don’t like you going back to the lab, Andi.”

“I need to get my things, and it would be more suspicious if I never showed up again.” I reach for his cock. “Now what were we doing? Because I can be late.”

“Good,” he says. I quiver under his mouth when he gets to my belly. “Because I have plans for you.”

“You do?” I ask. He moves lower, and when his tongue swipes over my folds I squeal. “Oh!”

After a proper wake up, Esher makes me breakfast. He asks, “How do you feel?”

I offer a sly smile as I nibble on a piece of bacon. “Pretty damn good.” He chuckles, and I say, “I’m not sure I feel much different, but I’ll test my blood when I get home and let you know.”

Esher gives me a coffee-flavored kiss and stands. “I’ve got to get ready for work, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

“No. I should get home to Snowflake.”

“Ah, psycho cat.” He grins at me. “Tell her I said hello.”

I offer a sly smile. “She’d better learn to deal with you, or she’ll be spending a lot of time in the bathroom. Because I plan for this sleepover thing to happen again.”

“I like the sound of that,” says Esher.

I gulp down the rest of my coffee and gather my things. Plates clash as he puts them in the sink, and I add, “Esher, thank you.”

He comes to take me by the shoulders, and I stare into his blue eyes as he says, “You don’t need to thank me. I’d do anything for you.”

I lean in for his kiss and say, “Same here.”

When I get home Snowflake curls around my ankles, and her soft fur tickles my skin. I squat down to her level as I ask, “What do you think? Do I look like I’ve been healed?”

When I stand up with my cat in my arms I experience a wave of dizziness.
No. Didn’t it work?
I move over to my kitchen table, where I set up my microscope yesterday in preparation for today’s testing. I flinch when I prick my finger. A bright-red drop of blood splatters on the glass slide, and I move it quickly into place. I peer in the viewfinder as I hold my breath.

The moment I see that nothing has changed I let out my breath in a big sigh. “Damn it.” I suppose it was too good to be true. Part of me knew that I was grasping at straws hoping I could be cured again. I grab my purse and search for my phone as Snowball jumps into my lap. She leans against me and offers the solace of her purr.

I tap out the text to Esher as the tears come.
“No change. I’ll check again later.”

Snowflake follows me as I make my way to the couch and throw myself down on it. I let myself cry for a bit but then shake it off. My cat’s tongue is rough on my cheek as she licks salty moisture. “I know. I need to deal with this, don’t I?”

She meows in response, and I sit up. The first thing on my list is to quit my job. I’m going to make the best of the few months I have left.

I change my clothes and drive to the university. It’s lunchtime when I push my way into the lab to find Dr. Sand doing the actual work that pays our bills.

She looks up from the petri dishes she’s preparing. “Andi, I’m glad you’re here. There’s fresh coffee if you want some.”

“Thank you. I need to talk to you.”

“Sure.” She walks away from the workstation, and her impractical-heeled shoes click as she comes toward me.

I set my purse down on my desk and say, “I’ve decided I’m going to leave. I have enough savings to get me through the year, and I’d like to enjoy my last few months.”

“How will I get everything done?”

Way to show your compassion, Gina.
I hold back my urge to say I don’t care. “I suppose you’ll have to hire someone, because I’m just too sick to work any longer.”

She waves me off. “Never mind that. We’re about to fix you up anyway.” She walks over to the coffeemaker and pours a cup. Steam rises from the mug as she stirs in cream. “I’ve got men arriving tonight, and they’ll probably have a wolf or two for me tomorrow.”

“What? I thought they weren’t coming for a few more days.” Oh god. I’ve got to get in touch with Mia.

“Plans changed.” She frowns at me. “You do look pale.” She holds the coffee out to me. “Here, I bet the caffeine will make you feel better.”

I take it and sip the hot liquid before I say, “Maybe I just need food.” I can’t get out of here fast enough to make a call. I say, “I’m going to go get a snack at the cafe.”

“Wait. Before you go can I ask you to read something over for me?”

Since when did Dr. Sand value my opinion? But if I bolt out of here she’ll get suspicious, so I say, “Sure.”

Paper flutters as she hands it to me. She says, “I’m not going to accept your resignation until we have a chance to test our theory.”

“Okay, but I have to tell you, all I want to do lately is sleep. I won’t be much help.”

“I have a really good feeling about this.” She glances at my coffee. “But until then, caffeine.”

I read the form letter she gave me, and I take another swallow of my coffee to hide the fact that I’m trying not to tap my foot with the urge to get out of here and call Mia. I’m not sure what Dr. Sand’s after, because the note is pretty standard for an equipment request, and I ask, “What did you want to know about this?”

“I was thinking it’s kind of cold. Maybe we could make it more friendly?”

I want to laugh at her, but I control it. “Right. Okay, but I really do need some food. I’ll take another look at this after I get back from the cafe.”

I grab my purse and walk to the door, and the moment it shuts I move quickly down the hall. When I get outside I call Mia.

“Hi, Andi.”

“Hi.” I glance around campus to make sure nobody can overhear me, and I say, “It’s happening tomorrow.”

“The men are already here?”

“They’ll be here tonight.”

“Got it. Thanks, Andi.”

“You’re welcome.” I blink at the bright daylight. I really do need to eat, because now I’m lightheaded. I climb the steps to the student union slowly. When I get to the top a girl exits the building, and her form wavers in front of me.
Oh, no.
Stars float in my vision before all goes black.

T
he stone surface
is cold under my back as I gaze into a man’s face. He asks, “Hey. Dr. Thompson, right?”

“Yes.” I sit up and sway at the sudden movement. I lift my feet and lower my head between my knees. Warmth spreads as something runs down my face. I touch it and discover the liquid is sticky.
I’m bleeding.
“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m Don Snyder, Economics. I think we need to get you to the hospital. You hit your head pretty hard and might need stitches.”

He hands me a gray sweatshirt. I frown, and pain sears at my forehead. I thought I knew everyone that worked here. He says, “Don’t worry about it. It’s old and ratty.” He grins as he says, “My wife would prefer it never come home anyway.”

I dab at the blood over my eyebrow. “Thanks.” Footsteps on the granite stairs make me glance around and notice I’m making a scene.

The hospital is only a block off campus, and Don says, “I can walk you over if you want.”

Now I’m sure I’ve never seen this guy, and if I weren’t so dizzy, I’d refuse his help. “That would be great, thanks.”

His grip is strong as he helps me stand. “I’m going to keep my arm around your waist and start some rumors, okay?”

I chuckle. “You’ll do my reputation some good.” I recall saying the same thing to Esher last weekend.

“Mine too. It’s not often I’m seen with a pretty girl.”

When we get to the end of the sidewalk a black sedan is pulled up along the curb, and he says, “This is my car. I’ll drive you the rest of the way.”

Warning bells go off in my head. When he lets go to open the door, I step back. “You know what, I can walk.” I glance around for someone to help.

Don grabs my arm and slaps a hand over my mouth. Metallic flavor is on his palm as I try to bite him. The back door of the car opens, and someone yanks me inside. The moment my mouth is free I scream, but the sedan is already driving down the road, and I don’t think anybody heard my cry. I stop and reach for the handle with the hope I can jump out.

The metal is cold in my hand as it flips, but the door must be locked, because it doesn’t open. I punch my finger at the window button. Don is calmly sitting next to me, and he says, “Relax. You’re not going anywhere we don’t want you to go.”

“Where are you taking me?”

The driver chuckles and says, “To see your precious wolves.”

Ice runs through my veins when I realize these guys must be the ones Dr. Sand hired.
Have they already captured one?
I decide it’s in my best interest to play dumb. “Why would you kidnap me to do that? I’m part of the research.”

“Yes, you are. But Dr. Sand thought you might not be so willing without a bit of persuasion.”

I shake my head. “This is crazy. Why wouldn’t I be willing? I want to live, and if werewolf blood can save me, I’m all for it.”

Don says, “Well then, sit back and enjoy the ride.”

I lean back and do my best to appear calm. “Where are we going? Did Dr. Sand find a suitable facility?”

“Oh, yes. Although the accommodations are a bit
rustic
.” The driver laughs at Don again, and I frown as I wait to find out just how screwed I really am.

Gravel crunches under the wheels of the car as we pull into a large parking lot. The buildings are industrial looking, with concrete walls painted various pale shades and galvanized steel roofs. The driver gets out and opens my door. He doesn’t help me out, and when I stand I get a good look at the guy. While Don is slender, this man has the thick neck and arms one would expect on a bouncer. He’s in a suit that makes me think of the TV version of CIA. I smile at him.

He glares at me in return. I’m still playing dumb, so I raise my eyebrows at Don as if to say, “What’s up with him?” The three of us walk across the gray gravel toward a light-green building. The driver places his hand on a screen, and the metal door swings open automatically. I say, “That’s pretty high tech for around here. Nice.”

We enter the building, and the technology stops. A bare bulb lights our way as we as we walk down a hallway. The sound of our footsteps on the concrete echoes off the walls, and the scents of urine and feces become stronger as we get farther along. Tiny hairs raise up along my body as adrenaline floods my veins. I’m not sure I want to see what’s around the corner.

We turn left at the end of the hall and walk past bars that make me think of prison cells, but it’s too dark for me to see what is in the rooms. I guess that’s where the odor is coming from. At the end of the hallway, the driver places his hand on another reader to open the next windowless door. A buzzer sounds, and this time we enter a white room that appears sterile. The light is so bright that I squint as I glance around. It reminds me of an operating room, and I discover two tables with restraints are set beside each under what look like surgery lamps. This space is cold, and I wrap my arms around myself as I say, “It looks like you’ve got a nice setup here.” I wander over to the tables and walk around them as the driver stands like a guard by the door.

The leather of a restraint is smooth under my fingers when I touch it, and Don asks, “Like being tied up, do you?”

He and the driver both snicker, and I know the game is over. I ask, “Why am I really here?”

A door from across the room opens, and Dr. Sand comes in. “Andi. How nice of you to join us.” Any ounce of warmth she used to have in her voice is gone.

I glare at her. “Care to tell me what’s going on?”

She sighs as she walks toward me. Her heels click loudly as she approaches. “I know you and Mia Maybee discovered werewolves last spring, and you both sabotaged my grant.” She squints her eyes and spits out, “
My career.
You didn’t think I believed you would really agree to testing for me, did you?”

I don’t reply, and she says, “No matter. You’re here now, and we’re going to discover the magic of werewolf blood together.”

She does have a wolf.
“You managed to catch one?”

Dr. Sand smiles at me, and her bright-red lipstick reminds me of blood. “Yes. And I think you’re going to like the irony. Did you know Mia is now a werewolf?” She shakes her head. “What a scientist will do for research never ceases to amaze me.” She turns away from me and says, “She’s about to save you. Isn’t that grand?” She laughs, and the men join her, making me feel as if I’m in a horror movie.

Dr. Sand says, “Don, Rafe, it’s time.”

Fingers dig into my arms as the men grab me and drag me over to a table. At first I struggle, but I’m so weak, I realize it’s no use. I let them cuff my ankles and wrists to restrain me. Once they move away, I squirm to see what’s going on. Their feet clack as they walk away, and when the thud of the door sounds, I realize they’ve left me here, alone.

It feels like hours before anyone returns, and I spend the time sorting out how I’m going to get away. I hope Mia had a chance to contact her alpha before she was taken. When Dr. Sand and the men do come back they have Mia with them. A strangled noise comes from her because she’s gagged, and her hands are bound behind her. I whisper, “Mia.”

Her eyes are big, and she’s trembling with fear as her handcuffs release with a click. The men lift her and then drop her on the table. Her body thumps hard. I wince when I hear her groan as I imagine the pain. I say, “There’s no reason to hurt her.”

Don says, “She’s a wolf. She hardly feels it.”

Oh god.
He has no regard for animals.
I ask, “How do you know that? I’m her friend, and I’m pretty sure she’s human.”

“We have our ways,” says Don. “Now shut up, or I’ll gag you too.”

I squeeze my eyes shut to hold back tears.
Esher. Will I see him again?
The prick of a needle makes me flinch, and I glance down to find what appears to be an IV line stuck in my arm. I turn my head to watch what’s happening to Mia. Her blood flows through a line attached to her arm and into my vein. Warmth spreads as the fluid runs through my blood.

I gaze into Mia’s eyes, and I mouth, “I’m sorry.”

She shakes her head, and I wish I could figure out how to get us out of this. Because even if this cures my cancer, I fear for both our lives.