His words stirred feelings in her she hadn’t felt in a very long time. For most of her life she had lived on the run, afraid to let anyone get too close for fear they would find out what she really was. Sure she had had a random lover or two over the years, after all a girl had needs to. But nothing that ever amounted to more than a one night stand and nearly always ended with her flashing away in the middle of the night before her lover awoke.
But what she was feeling now went way beyond her need to fulfill her basic desires. Wrapped in Duncan’s comforting embrace, listening to him spill his heart out to her, Senka felt as if she had finally found where she belonged. “Thank you, Duncan.” She whispered, struggling to fight back the threatening tears.
“For what?” he asked, his hand skimming down the length of her hair.
“For accepting me as I am.” She answered honestly. “As a Night Stalker I have lived my life, hiding from men who would kill me just for that reason alone. Over the years, I finally grew to accept the fact that my race wasn’t liked or wanted and that I didn’t belong anywhere. But then I met you.” Sniffing she wiped a stray tear away, “Despite knowing right away what I was, you’ve showed me nothing but compassion… even when I was being a first class bitch.”
Duncan’s hand halted its caressing of her hair as Senka listened to his heart rate steadily increase inside his chest. Certain all her mushy rambling was probably making him uncomfortable, she sighed. “I guess what I am trying to say, is that I’m glad to know there are still a few people like you left in this world that are willing to accept others despite their differences.”
This time Duncan stiffened. Uncertain what she was saying that was making him so anxious, but not wanting to upset him anymore than she already had, Senka looked up and offered him a comforting smile. But even that did little to change the brooding expression on his face.
“Are you ok? Did I say something that upset you?”
“No, it’s not you.” Pulling free of her hold, Duncan moved away from her. “Senka, there is something I really need to tell you.”
Confused by the sudden change in his demeanor, she watched silently as he paced back and forth across the room. After several passes and some incoherent mumbling, he halted several feet away and ran his hand through his shaggy hair. Gripping it tightly he glanced reluctantly in her direction and exhaled a troubled sigh.
In all her years knowing him, Senka had never seen Duncan act so anxious and she couldn’t help but be concerned by his strange behavior. Overcome with the desire to take away whatever it was that was disturbing him, Senka moved to approach him once more, only to have him step away.
“No Senka, I need to get this off my chest.”
“Oh… ok.” She stated calmly, doing her best to conceal the hurt his rejection had caused. Dropping her arms back to her sides, she stepped away. “Well, what is it?”
Inhaling deeply, Duncan shook his head. “Senka… I’ve done things. Things that were… wrong.”
“We both have Duncan.” She interrupted, as he adamantly shook his head. “There is nothing you could have done that is any worse than some of the things I have done.”
A curt laugh escaped Duncan as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re wrong there.” Raising his gaze to meet hers, Senka startled at the intensity with which he stared her down. “I am a far worse monster than you can even imagine. And as much as I hate to tell you the truth, for fear of losing you, I need to. Not only because it is the right thing to do, but because, with us going into Rio tonight, I am afraid you will find out anyway and I would much rather you hear it from me first.”
“Duncan, you are kind of scaring me. Can you please just tell me what it is you need to tell me?”
Back straight and eyes fixed on her, Duncan opened his mouth presumably to make his big confession, only to be cut off by the sound of small feet running up the stairs in their direction. In unison they both turned to face the door about the time Gidgit came sailing into the room. Darting past Senka, she dashed right up to Duncan and proceeded to jump up and down in place.
“Mister, mister.” She called, pulling on his pants leg. “My momma says you’re my Uncle and that you are a bear Shifter like me!”
Blinking rapidly as if snapped from a daze, Duncan regarded the small blonde child curiously. “I am your Uncle and I am a bear. But aren’t you a little young to know what your animal is?”
“You sound like Momma.” Gidgit huffed. Stopping her bouncing, she crossed her arms over her chest and glared up at him. “She says since my grandma, her, and Daddy are all cougars that chances are I will be one too. But I told her I had a dream and in my dream a giant brown bear came to me and told me I would be a bear one day. Momma don’t believe me though.” Dropping her arms, Gidgit looked pleadingly up at Duncan. “You believe me though right? Since you’re a bear, that means I might be one too… right?”
Senka watched as Duncan stared down at the little girl at a loss as to what to say. Finally after a few quiet moments he shrugged, “I guess it’s possible, I mean me and your grandpa are both bears so…”
A high pitch screech cut him off before he could say anymore. “I knew it, I knew it.” Snatching Duncan by the hand, Gidgit proceeded to drag him toward the bedroom door. “Now come on Uncle, I want to meet your bear. I bet it was him that I dreamt about.” Pausing she glanced back at him, “Your bear is brown isn’t it? I mean your hair is dark brown… well the ones that aren’t grey anyway.”
Senka coughed out a laugh, causing Duncan to cast an amused glare her direction. Allowing himself to be lead forward, he stared from her to the determined little girl leading him from the room, appearing torn as to what to do. “Senka…”
“It’s ok Duncan. Go and get to know your niece. Whatever it is you need to tell me can wait a bit.”
Smiling she watched as Duncan reluctantly followed the small child from the room. Once alone, Senka then turned her attention to the oversized bed he had just vacated. Exhausted from all the flashing, not to mention the stress of worrying about Duncan these last few hours, she made her way across the room and flopped into the comfort of the thick mattress. Immediately she found herself surrounded by the scent of fresh pine needles and rain. Immersing herself in Duncan’s unmistakable scent, Senka closed her eyes and nestled deeper into the soft sheets. Seconds later, she was fast asleep.
* * *
Senka awoke from a deep sleep to find herself alone in a room, disoriented and confused. Panicked she sat up straight in the bed and scanned her surroundings for anything that could remind her of where she was, but was swiftly distracted when her nose caught whiff of one of the most enticing scents she ever had the pleasure of smelling. “Andria’s house,” she sighed, immediately calming, as another wave of fresh cooking bombarded her senses. In response to the teasing aromas, an angry growl rose from deep in her stomach reminding her how long it had been since she had last eaten a full meal.
“Duncan?” she called, hoping he had returned to her, but only silence answered her. “He must still be entertaining Gidgit.”
Sitting up and wiping the sleep from her eyes, Senka climbed her way out of the comforts of the bed and stretched the stiffness from her muscles. Immediately she made her way across the room to the en-suite bathroom on the other side. There she stopped in front of the large rectangular mirror and stared in disgust at her reflection.
“Well aren’t you attractive?” she huffed.
Lowering her gaze to take in her filthy, blood soaked clothing she wrinkled her nose. “There is no way I am going to eat dinner at his sister’s table looking like this. Surely there is a…” Turning around her eyes widened as she took in a massive claw-foot tub sitting in the corner of the room. “Oh my gosh YES! An actual bathtub!”
Rushing to its side her grin widened as she ran her hands over the smooth edges. “This is going to be so great!”
Giddy at the thought of taking a bath in an actual tub with running water instead of a wooden wash basin, Senka twisted the knob for the hottest setting and began to fill the porcelain bowl. Stripping out of her clothing she carefully dipped a toe into the tub to test the water temperature and immediately jerked it back out with a shriek. The water was just a notch below boiling, but Senka didn’t care. Determined to take advantage of this rare opportunity, she sucked in a deep breath, bit her lip, and submerged her entire foot into the steaming water. It took her a few seconds, but eventually her body adjusted and she was able to carefully ease herself into the tub until she was completely submersed.
Once inside, Senka shut off the valves and leaned back, resting her head on the back edge of the hard surface. There she remained, relaxing and soaking her aching muscles, until eventually the heat began to fade away. Not wanting to get out just yet, she briefly considered draining the tub and refilling it again, but decided against it. The last thing she needed to do was make a bad impression on Duncan’s sister by wasting all her hot water.
Slightly disappointed but with her mind made up, Senka decided she had better actually clean herself up before the water became too much colder. Glancing around, she located a bar of lavender soap on a nearby stand and used it first to wash her hair, and then her body. Finally satisfactorily free of the dirt and blood, she stood and removed a nearby towel from its rack and wrapped it around her body. It was then she realized her mistake.
“My bag.” She groaned, remembering she had left it by the chair next to the bed. With no other choice, Senka secured the towel snuggly around her and stepped into the room. Peaking first one way, then the other to be sure the coast was clear, she stepped out of the bathroom and bolted for her bag. She was just about to the bed when a flash of movement in the doorway caught her attention. Spinning around to face the intruder, she shrieked when she spotted Duncan in the doorway that had been empty only seconds before.
“Shit!” she exclaimed, clutching her heart. “Don’t you ever make sounds when you walk?” Turning her back to him, she closed the distance to her bag and rummaged inside until she found her change of clothes. “I’m serious Duncan.” she continued, gathering the garments in her hand, “You need to teach me that trick one day, ok?”
Still silence. Wondering what was going on, and why he wasn’t answering, Senka sighed and spun back to see what he was doing and instead ran face first into his rock hard torso. Stumbling backwards, she dropped her clothing and nearly followed it to the floor, but was instead caught around the waist by Duncan’s thick arm.
Tucking her snug against his body, she heard a low groan escape him. “Stars you are gorgeous.”
Staring down at her with what she could only describe as a predatory gaze, Duncan tucked a small piece of her dripping wet hair behind her ear, allowing his hand to linger there just a little longer than necessary.
Heart racing, her body flushed in reaction to his touch.
“Thank you.” She managed to squeak out between heavy breaths.
Studying her as if he was memorizing every angle of her nearly naked body, Duncan inhaled a deep breath, “I need to ask you something Senka. And I don’t want you to take it the wrong way.”
He paused. Noting the troubled look in his eyes as he waited for her permission to continue, she grew more nervous. Not trusting herself to speak without sounding like a mouse being stepped on, Senka merely nodded her head.
“Do you think me and you could ever have something more than a friendship?”
Her brow furrowed.
“What I mean is… would it be possible…” Duncan paused, the primal look in his eyes almost frightening. “Damn it Senka, I can’t even think straight because all I want to do right now is kiss you… but I won’t do it,” he added quickly as her eyes stretched wide. “At least… not without your permission this time.”
She stared up at him in shock, unable to believe what he was telling her. When he kissed her in the woods, she had assumed it was just a fluke, a moment of confusion given the weirdness of the situation. But this was not a fluke. And there was no confusion.
This. Was. Real.
Duncan had all but just told her he wanted her. Problem was, did she feel the same? Well, if she went by the way her body was responding, she’d have to say yes. But everything in her mind was screaming no. What would become of them if she let this happened and it didn’t work out? What if they did this and then decided it was a big mistake? Was it worth the risk of losing her best friend, and the only person she truly trusted, to satisfy some impulsive feelings?
“Duncan…” She began, but he cut her off.
“This isn’t a rash decision or something I just decided on a whim Senka.” He began, as if reading her mind. “This is a desire that has been plaguing me for years. All those days spent alone hunting together, all those hours spent lying side by side beneath the stars, all I have ever wanted to do was find a way to tell you how I feel. To let you know that I care for you more than you can imagine and that I want to make you mine in every possible way.”
Senka gasped.
“I know you don’t return my feelings.” Duncan continued as he released her and moved away. Feeling the loss of his warmth, Senka immediately longed to have it back. “And I understand. Hell, I’m old enough to be your father.”
Running a hand through his hair he sighed. “Trust me, I have tried everything in my power to ignore these feelings, praying they would go away. But they’re not.” He smiled sadly as he raised his gaze to meet hers. “I was just hoping that maybe if we kiss, I can prove to me and you both that they aren’t real and I can finally let go of this foolishness once and for all.”
Senka dropped her gaze to the floor, stunned by his honesty. No one in her life had ever been this open with her, not even her own father. And his words had touched her soul. But as Duncan stood before her, pouring out his heart to her, all she could think about was how, if she did this, she would be risking the only real friendship she had ever had.
Still she couldn’t deny his words had moved her. Years after being abandoned by her family, he had managed to reach inside her and bring back to life the part of her that believed she was worthy of the love. And as she stared up at Duncan, into the fearful look in his eyes as he awaited her decision, Senka knew, she needed to know the truth just as much as he did, because to her own disbelief, she wanted it to be.
Afraid if she waited any longer she would chicken out, Senka bit her lip and looked up at Duncan. “Then try.” She whispered, meeting his hungry gaze with one of her own.
Duncan growled low, his expression primal. Without hesitation, he moved his hand to cup the back of her neck, then lowered his mouth to her ear. “If I do something you don’t like, just tell me to stop.”
Senka’s breath caught, the warmth of his mouth near her skin, sending all kinds of electrical currents through her body. Suddenly incapable of forming coherent words, Senka nodded her head.
With no other warning, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. Still stunned that this was really happening, Senka hesitated. But Duncan wasn’t giving up. Instead, he tightened his hold on her and deepened his kiss, his movements becoming more and more demanding. No one had ever kissed her so passionately and her pleasure was immediate. Heat building in her core, Senka had no choice but to respond.
Relaxing into his hold, she threaded her hand into the back of his hair and kissed him back. Together they gave as much as they took, each matching the others movements in perfect harmony, as if they had kissed a thousand times before. It felt perfect, if felt familiar, it felt right. And as Duncan’s hands moved from her hair, down to massage her bare shoulders, Senka’s need for more grew.
Lowering her hands, she ran them beneath the hem of his shirt and over the rippling muscles of his abdomen. Duncan groaned, breaking their kiss. “Senka…” he panted, his breathing labored. “If we go any further… I don’t know if I will be able to stop.”
“Then don’t.”
Without waiting for his reaction, she untucked the corner of the towel and dropped it to the floor. Duncan froze, his hooded gaze slowly taking in all she had revealed. “Fuck…” Wrapping his arm around her waist he pulled her close and crashed his lips against hers once more. There was no gentleness in this kiss. Instead this kiss was ravenous, as if he was starved for something only she could give him. And by the heavens, did she want to give it to him. Need burning through her body, she reached again for the bottom of his shirt. This time Duncan submitted and broke their kiss just long enough to free himself of the obstructive material.
Running her hands over the rippling muscles of his chest and back she had admired from afar so many times, Senka groaned as his hands lowered down and grabbed her thighs right beneath her ass. In one swift move, he lifted her off the floor and set her gently down on the bed just a few steps behind them.
He stood over her, looking almost hesitant to touch her, so Senka decided to help him along a bit. Rising to her knees, she licked her lips, drawing his attention to her mouth. With a mischievous grin, she then leaned forward and ran her tongue from the center of his abdomen, up to his chest, and over the curve of his neck until she reached his mouth. Moaning low, Duncan reached up and fisted her hair as their mouths collided. Together their hands explored every angle of each of others bodies. It was wonderful, it was beautiful, and Senka thought for sure she was in heaven. With her body tingling with sensations the likes of which she had never experienced before, Senka just knew things could not possibly get any better than this. But just as the thought occurred to her, Duncan pulled back on her hair and forced her to look at him.
“My turn.” he growled, his voice low. Moving forward, he forced her onto her back and immediately dropped his head to her breast where he worked and kneaded the tender flesh, flooding her body with desire. Distracted by the torturous movements of his mouth, Senka gasped when Duncan’s hand suddenly dropped between her thighs. One finger covering that sensitive spot between her legs, he massaged her mercilessly as she writhed pinned underneath his tremendous weight. He continued his torturous onslaught until her desperation reached an unparalleled level. Needing relief, Senka blindly searched between their bodies until she found the snap of his pants and released him.
“I need you Duncan.” She panted as she grabbed his chin and forced him back up to her. “I need you now.”
“As you wish my love.”
Crashing his lips against hers, Duncan shoved his pants to the floor and lowered himself between her legs. Seconds later, their two bodies united in a dance of passion that left no doubt that the relationship they had once had, would be changed forever.
* * *
Around dusk, Senka awoke to find Duncan, half-dressed, sitting on the side of the bed. Elbows resting on his knees, he clutched his head in his hands.
“Duncan?”
Running his hand down his face, his shoulders rose and fell with an exaggerated sigh, as he stood and faced her. Unable to muster enough courage to even look at her, he dropped his furrowed gaze to the floor and raked his hand through his shaggy salt and pepper hair. Unsettled by his behavior, she tucked the sheet tightly around her body and silently watched as the man who had only hours ago spilled his heart out to her without hesitation or remorse, now opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water, unable to vocalize a single word.
Senka’s heart sank as her mind came to the only conclusion his behavior would allow her too. Duncan regretted sleeping with her.
I guess now he has the answer he was looking for.
Ignoring the crushing pain in her chest, Senka hardened her expression and swung her legs off the bed.
“Senka…”
He began. But before he could utter another word, a voice from downstairs cut him off.
“Duncan, you and Senka come down here and get something to eat!” Andria called. “Me and Bruce have something we need to discuss with the two of you.”
Appearing torn, Duncan shifted his gaze from the door back to Senka.
Plastering on her best fake smile, she rose to her feet and quickly gathered her clothing. Without looking back, she strolled across the room toward the bathroom, calling back to him over her shoulder. “Go ahead, I’ll be down in a second. Just give me a chance to straighten up.”
As she pulled the door shut behind her, Senka noted Duncan’s furrowed brow watching her from across the room. He looked as if he wanted to say something and the thought filled her with hope. Hesitating before she closed the door the rest of the way, she prayed he had come to his senses and realized that what had just transpired between them was no mistake. Instead, Duncan smashed her heart beneath his heavy boots as he picked up his shirt and exited the room without so much as a glance back.
Senka stayed just inside the bathroom, waiting until she was certain he was gone before collapsing to the floor. “What have I done?”
Wrapping her hands around her head, she buried her face in her knees, and cried. She just had sex with her best friend… her only friend if she had to be honest with herself. Together they had not only crossed the line of friendship, but they had obliterated it completely.
For a few moments of passion, she had allowed all the trust it had taken them years to build together to be destroyed… and there would be no getting it back. Because there was no possible way she was ever going to forget what just transpired between them, and even if she could, she didn’t want to. For the first time in her life she got to experience what she was certain was love. Unbiased and raw, Duncan had made her feel as if she were no different than any other girl out there and that despite her race, she was still worthy of being touched and held.
Or at least that was what she had thought. Unfortunately, based on Duncan’s reaction, it didn’t seem he felt the same about their experience. Shame, regret, embarrassment, those were the emotions he revealed to her in those few fleeting seconds just before he left. And it hurt… a lot.
“Idiot!” She yelled a little louder than she intended. Pounding her fists onto the floor, she allowed the tears to flow freely. “Why, why would you do that? Now you’ve ruined everything.”
Curling into a ball on the floor, Senka lay there wishing she could somehow just disappear. Well she could sort of, but that wasn’t going to fix anything. And it wasn’t like she could avoid Duncan forever either. Because, like it or not, she still needed his help to get her sister back.
Realizing she had no other choice but to face him and his family, Senka heaved a heavy sigh and rose to her feet. Working her hair back into her ponytail, she secured it with the tie, then threw on her fresh clothes. After taking a few minutes to fix the bed and tidy up the mess they had made, Senka ran out of reasons to stall, and begrudgingly headed downstairs.
Maybe with his sister and her husband in the room things won’t get too awkward.
Approaching the last step, she could hear voices chatting quietly in the next room. But the second she rounded the corner and entered the kitchen, the talking came to an abrupt halt and all three sets of eyes snapped her direction.
Well, so much for that idea.
Dawning her fake smile once again, she slowly backed her way out of the room. “Ummm… sorry for interrupting you guys. If you want I can come back in a few minutes…” Out of the corner of her eye she watched as Duncan dropped his gaze to his folded hands resting on the table top.
“No Senka, wait.” Andria called. Rising from her chair, she motioned her into the room. “Come in, we were just talking about you.”
“Me?”
Taking note of the way Senka’s eyes narrowed on Duncan, Andria frowned. “Is everything alright dear?”
Not really. I just experienced the best sex I’ve ever had in my life with your brother, my best friend, and now he can’t even be bothered to make eye contact with me. “I’m just anxious to find my sister.”
At least it was a partial truth. But there was no way she was about to confess to Andria she just got busy with her older brother in their bedroom upstairs. Blushing just thinking about it, Senka cleared her throat, “So what were you talking about?”
“Your sister actually.” Looking slightly uncomfortable, Andria pulled out a chair for her to sit in.
“My sister? What about her?”
Settling directly across from Duncan at the long wooden table, she watched Andria pile venison and vegetables onto an empty dish. Once finished, the matronly lady set the mouthwatering plate down in front of her. “Go ahead dear, we already ate.” Famished, Senka didn’t have to be told twice.
Shoveling food into her mouth, she groaned in pleasure as the three of them watched her quietly. “Oh my goodness! This is so good!” she managed between bites. “Thank you Andria.”
“My pleasure dear, glad you like it.” A wide smile spread across Andria’s face before once again turning very serious. “Now let’s discuss your sister.”
“I guess this means Duncan explained to you why we are here?”
“Yes he did, which is why we need to talk.” Anxiously glancing to the guys for support, Andria turned her attention back to Senka with a saddened expression. “Dear, I think your sister was here.”