My alarm sounded, waking me from my blissful state. Rolling over, I crashed into Paul.
“Umpf – sorry,” I kissed his chest, “I got to get up. I have to work in an hour.”
“Let me help you to the shower,” Paul tossed me over his shoulder.
“Put me down! If you come with me, I’ll never get ready.”
Paul put me down, pulling me into a deep kiss, “I love you… go get ready.”
I walked into the bathroom, smiling as I cut on the shower. I couldn’t believe how much had changed in two days. Hell, this past Friday I was on a date with a man who was now threatening me. As much as I wanted to stay home in bed with him, I had to be at work soon.
After showering I quickly dressed, dawning a pair of jeans and a deep purple sweater. Stepping out of the shower, Paul whistled.
“Damn woman – how am I supposed to let you out of my sight when you look that good?”
“Well – you could always come to work with me. I am pretty sure Dylan won’t mind. It’s usually slow on Sunday’s.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah – it’ll give us time to talk.”
“Ok – give me a few minutes. I got to run downstairs and shower – my clothes are down there.”
“You know – you should just move your stuff up here. It’ll save us some time.”
“Really? You want me to move in your room?”
“Yes.” I stared at him, expecting him to flip out at my suggestion. Sure, it’d only been two days since he accepted I was his, but I wanted him close.
“I’ll do it when we get home tonight.”
Relief washed over me as he pulled me to him, “Thank you for being persistent.”
“I wanted what I wanted,” kissing his nose, “let’s go before I decide to skip work and get fired.”
We walked out, holding hands, towards my car. “Come on, I’ll drive.”
“No way. I want to take my bike. Come on,” Paul tugged my hand, dragging me around the back of the house towards his motorcycle.
“Wow – Paul… I’ve never ridden one.”
“Glad I’m your first then,” his eyes twinkled as he replied, “put this on.”
He handed me a helmet, slipping it on my head, I straddled his seat, pressing myself against him. Wrapping my arms around him, “Ride me to work sexy beast.”
Cranking the engine, revved it, pulling off towards the store. As we pulled down the long drive, Dylan and Jensen were getting into her car. Tossing my hand up as we passed. Snuggling into Paul, I pressed my rested my helmet against him.
The ride was quick, as we pulled into the parking lot I sighed. I would have loved to stay on the back of that bike with him longer. Parking it, Paul turned off the engine.
“So – what did you think?”
“It was amazing. I wish we could ride around longer.”
“Soon baby – soon. Let’s get you inside.”
Walking towards the store, I relished in his presence. I couldn’t help staring at him.
“What? Like what you see…” Paul winked at me.
“Come on – let’s get inside. I need to unlock and open the store.”
Paul helped me get all the lights on and set up. Sunday’s were typically slow, the usual college student came in to study, but that was about all.
“So, you can sit out here or use Dylan’s office and computer if you need to do any work.”
“Yeah – actually I need to check a few things on the website for here and Jensen’s shop. You don’t mind? It’ll only take an hour or so, then I can come out here to hang.”
“Nah – it’s good. I need to put up some new inventory anyway. Go ahead,” kissing his lips, “I’ll be out on the floor if you need me.”
I watched as he walked into Dylan’s office, shutting the door behind him. I turned on some music and made my way to the floor to stock shelves. Lost in the work, I didn’t hear the bell over the door chime.
“All alone in here I see.”
Dan’s voice caused me to spin, dropping the books I had been holding, “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I came to see you,” he stepped closer, pinning me against the shelf.
“Get away from me. My boyfriend is in back, you need to leave.”
He ran his fingers along my cheek, twirling a strand of hair, “Awe, now he’s your boyfriend, is he? I can smell the sex all over you.”
He inhaled, his nose right next to my face. I tried to push him away, “Please Dan – just go. I’m sorry I used you… it wasn’t my intent.”
“Fuck you-you knew exactly what you were doing. You’re just like the rest of them. But don’t worry. You can’t be with him every minute. I’ll take you, make you mine – claim you. Then your precious boyfriend will go crazy mad.”
“You’re hurting me. Please, Dan, let go.”
There was movement from the office, Dan released me glancing towards the closed door. He moved towards the exit, “I’ll be watching you.”
I crumpled to the floor, tears running down my face as Paul emerged from the office. He was looking at something in his hand as he spoke.
“Carly – what do you think about these colors for the website update?” glancing up he saw me on the floor, “Fuck… what happened? Are you hurt?” He reached me in record speed.
“No… I’m not hurt,” he scooped me off the floor.
“Shit you’re shaking – Carly talk to me… baby what happened.”
He glanced around the store, on high alert. He inhaled deeply, “Fuck, he was here,” setting me on the stool behind the counter, “Carly – was Dan in here?”
Nodding, unable to find the words. My tears spilling unwantedly down my face. I didn’t even notice Paul had pulled out his cell phone.
“Jensen – get the guys and get to the bookstore. He was here… He fucking did something to Carly. She won’t talk to me,” he stroked my hair as he talked, “yeah bring her – maybe she’ll tell Dylan.”
He disconnected the phone, squeezing me tight against his taut chest. “Baby – please talk to me.”
But I couldn’t find the words, I just cried into his embrace. Unsure how long he stood, holding me against him, the chimes on the door rang again. I jumped, gripping Paul’s shirt with a death hold.
“Shhh… It’s ok baby. It’s just Jensen and Dylan.”
“Carly – honey, it’s me, Dylan.”
Dylan stepped around Paul, brushing my now wet hair from my face. I turned, wrapping my arms around her and cried. She eased me off the stool, leading me towards the office.
“Come on, let’s go back here and talk… Ok?”
All I could do was nod. The fear had paralyzed me, and I didn’t know what to say or do. I sat down in the chair by the desk, my tears slowing.
“Carly – can you tell me what happened? Did he hurt you?”
Shaking my head, “No – he… he just scared me. Dylan, he said he was going to claim me as his. What the hell is going on?”
“Carly, all I can tell you is we think Dan is a wolfen. We just don’t know who or why he’s here.”
“Wolfen? Like you guys?”
“Yeah – like us. Carly, I think you need to let Paul mark you. It would protect you and you would be like us. Giving you a direct link to the pack. If he is, in fact, wolfen, and he claims you – it will drive Paul mad. His wolf would take over and Paul would be lost. And you would be stuck with Dan forever.”
“I asked him to claim me. He said he wanted to wait… or something. I would let him claim me right now if it meant protecting him… I love him, Dylan.”
“I know you do. Let’s talk to them, maybe Jensen can talk some sense into him. It would be the best protection for you both.”