Blood Moon (7 page)

“They work fast around here.” Her words came out strangled as she fought a new wave of worry over the teenager.

Lukas dropped a kiss on her head. “He’ll be okay. Don’t worry.” He released her to open the refrigerator door. “What are you in the mood for? I can make a mean sandwich.”

“You don’t need to do that.” A cheerful voice piped up from the other end of the room and a tiny woman flew past them with a brown paper bag. “Thaddeus called and told me about the newest addition. It is
so
nice to meet you. My name is Angelina, but you can call me Ella. I brought a couple different things, since I wasn’t sure what you liked. There’s chicken and broccoli, Mongolian beef, and then moo goo gai pan for Lukas.” 

Ella paused for breath only when the two of them obediently sat down at the breakfast nook. The smell of Chinese food teased Aria’s nose. Lukas rummaged through the bag on the table, pulling out the boxes and grimacing when his large hands emerged with two sets of chopsticks. Aria stifled a laugh, remembering the last time he’d attempted to use those.

He’d ended up wearing more than he ate. Apparently, he remembered as well. He slid the offending items to her. “I’m too hungry to try those, again. They’re all yours.”

Aria laughed and shook her head.

Ella returned and slid two bowls and forks in front of them. She leaned over and gave a conspiratorial wink. “So, you already know Lukas can’t hold a set of chopsticks to save his life?” She continued after Aria’s nod. “I figured as much. That’s why I brought forks. I didn’t think you wanted to wait until he learned to use them!”

Aria couldn’t help the laugh that burst from her.

“I’m talking too much, aren’t I?” Ella asked with a wry smile.

Aria waved her hand for the other woman to take a seat. “Please, I don’t mean anything by it. I’m already on overload, and you’re talking so fast I’m still two sentences behind you. And I love chicken and broccoli.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

Ella hopped up, retrieving another bowl and fork and filled her bowl from the take-out containers. With one foot, she nudged a shopping bag across the floor to Aria. “I also took the liberty of getting you a few under things. I figured you could wear some of Lukas’ old clothes to sleep in, but borrowed under things…icky. They probably aren’t the right size, but they’ll work overnight.”

Aria nodded, touched by Ella’s thoughtfulness. “Thanks a million.”

For a few moments, unable to speak around her food, Aria looked at Lukas’ across the table, and she could see amusement pulling at the corners of his lips. Struggling to keep her laughter in check, she turned her attention to her plate—surprised to see empty. Apparently, she’d been hungrier than she thought.

“When was the last time you ate, Aria?” asked Lukas.

“Do I really have to answer that?”

“Chicken?”

“It was eggs, actually.”

“Aria….”

She scowled at Lukas, and grabbed a fortune cookie. “It was eggs. Yesterday morning, I stopped and ate breakfast.” Annoyed, she broke open the fortune cookie, popping one half in her mouth. “Your patience today will be rewarded tomorrow,” she read aloud. She glared at Lukas. “I better get rewarded, buster.”

“Don’t worry, baby, you’ll get rewarded.” His tone made her shiver.

“I think I need to be going.” Ella didn’t give Aria time to protest, whisking her bowl to the sink and waving as she breezed out the door.

“Dear Lord.” Aria leaned back in her chair. “Is she always like that?”

“That’s her normal speed. You should see her when she
really
gets ramped up. The Energizer Bunny has nothing on her.”

Rummaging under the table, Aria pulled out the three pairs of underwear the other woman had bought her. Two were the right size, while the other was a size too big. They were lacy panties in red and blue. There was a sports bra, but one-size-fits-all usually meant her rather large chest would be squashed into painful submission. Lukas stared at the underwear, his fork halfway to his mouth.

Following his gaze, she quickly balled them in her fist, embarrassed. And aroused. Her mouth curved at Lukas’ look as he chewed slowly on his food. What harm could it cause? She’d been dreaming of sleeping with him ever since she’d met him. This time, no one would interrupt.

She held the panties up, giving him her best innocent expression. “What do you think? Red or blue?”

His fork fell to the table, hands gripping the edge. Hiding her smile, she was surprised his nails hadn’t left indentations.

“You better know what you’re doing, Aria. I can see your intentions, remember?”

She smirked. “Definitely red. I think we’d better go upstairs and make sure they fit.”

Dropping the underwear back in the bag, she leaned her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her palm while batting her lashes. “Unless you’re still hungry.”

“Oh, I’m hungry, baby.”

He scooped her out of the chair. Sliding her arms around his neck, her finger played with the hair at his nape. She’d always loved his hair and the way it felt. Tears pricked her eyes at the picture they presented at the moment. This was how it should have been after they had eloped. She blinked; annoyed that she couldn’t seem to control her emotions.

Why she’d been allowed a second chance, she didn’t know, but she had no intention of squandering it. She stretched and pressed a kiss to the edge of his jaw, over his scar.

Lukas held her a little tighter. A crooked smile danced across his mouth, taking the harsh edge off his chiseled features. Desire swept through her, pooling in her stomach, and warmth curled through her limbs. They moved through the empty house, and he took the stairs two at a time. At the top, he turned and walked down a long, narrow hallway, and carried her through the room at the end. One strong kick slammed the door shut. He wasn’t as calm as she thought.

Moonlight spilled in through the open curtains, the glow bouncing off the white walls. Taking in the sparse furnishings, Aria paused at the king-sized bed that took up most of the space. Her attention centered on the sheets. Anxious shivers coursed through her body as Lukas carried her further into the room. Her fingers tightened in his hair, and she had to admit she was a bit flustered. Not about what would happen—Lord knows she’d fantasized about
that
often enough. After all, she was a virgin, not dead.

He allowed her to slide down the length of him, arms wrapping tightly around her.

“Be sure you want this, Aria. There are still a lot of things we didn’t talk about.” She knew he could read her hesitation. “Last chance to change your mind. If you want me to leave you alone, I will.” His hands crept around and untied the old flannel shirt from her waist, tossing it on the floor. “It might kill me, but I will.”

His husky promise made every nerve-ending tingle as if he’d actually touched her. A current of need, one that had been there since he kissed her, sprang to life, traveling from her breasts to her core and back. She swiveled her hips, instinctively rubbing the growing bulge in his jeans. “I’m sure, Lukas.”

His lips captured hers in a drugging kiss, while his rough hands slid around her waist and under the hem of her shirt. Aria whimpered as he caressed her skin, leaving goose bumps in their wake. His fingers unhooked her bra, and body stilled as he splayed his hands over her spine and moved slowly as if feeling the contours of her skin. She paused and squeezed her eyes shut, anticipating what was to come.

“Aria?”

She cringed, drawing away from him, struggling to re-clasp the bra. When her shaking fingers failed, she slid it from under her shirt instead. She stared at the scrap of dingy cloth, torn and well worn, searching her mind for something to say to make the situation easier.

“Aria, is that what I think?”

“I didn’t think you’d notice.” She drew in a deep breath, waiting for his temper to explode, but she couldn’t read his expression.

His hands fisted at his sides. “Take off your shirt.”

“I really don’t think—”

“You can take it off, or I’ll take it off for you.”

Lukas flipped on the overhead light. She backed away from him as he drew closer until the bed touched the back of her knees. Lukas stood, hands on his hips, and waited.

Her cheeks burned, and she turned away from him, whipping the T-shirt over her head. It angered her that something she had little control over could make her feel so unhappy. She squeezed her eyes shut when she heard his dark growl. Long pink scars crisscrossed her back, but she hadn’t seen them in so long, she’d nearly forgotten. Aria jumped when she felt the warm pads of Lukas’ fingers smooth lightly over her skin.

“I’m going to kill him.”

His rage pulsed in the air between them like a living thing. A gasp escaped her lips as Lukas’ body shuddered with primitive anger.

“Lukas—”

“Why?”

Holding the T-shirt to her chest, she sat down on the bed. Suddenly, she felt very awkward. This wasn’t how things had played out in her fantasies. She twirled the end of her braid nervously, then jerked the scrunchie off and combed her fingers through her hair.

“You know how Haemon likes to hurt people.” She swallowed and risked a glance at Lukas. He stepped closer to the bed, chest heaving. His face had relaxed, and his hands were no longer fisted, but his expression still made her flinch. “It took me two tries before I was able to get away from him. Each time I failed, Haemon always made sure I was punished.”

“That’s torture, not punishment. Some of those cuts had to have sliced to the bone.”

Lukas sat down, resting against the headboard and pulled her to sit between his legs, her back against his chest and wrapping his arms around her. Somehow, not having to look at him made it easier to explain what happened.

“The whole story, baby. I need to know.” He sounded strained, and her heart softened at the plea.

“The second time I got away, I was just over the edge of his territory. I also managed to take out two of his guards. To say he was pissed is putting it mildly. I was punished immediately, and he was not careful. His Beta had to take the whip away before he did too much damage.” It was an oversimplified version, but she didn’t think he’d react well to the detailed version.

Lukas buried his face in her neck and pressed his lips to the base of her throat over his mark. “He won’t touch you, again. I swear it.”

Aria twisted in his arms, still clutching the shirt to her chest. Her hand cupped the side of his face, forcing him to look at her. “Don’t make promises you aren’t sure you can keep. If the Council decides to turn me over, you can’t fight it. I got away from him once, I can do it, again.”

He shook his head. “Screw the Council, Aria. I don’t care what their decision is. Haemon won’t even be within an arm’s length of you ever again. If he is, I’ll kill him.” He kissed her gently, but she sensed the tension in his muscular frame. “As it is, he still has to pay for what he’s done to you.”

Tears burned, and Aria wrapped her free arm around his neck. She buried her face there for a moment, breathing in his scent.

“It’s over with, Lukas. If you’re going to get upset over everyone who’s ever wronged me, we’ll be fighting battles for the rest of our lives.” She pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’ve had enough fighting for a lifetime already.”

Lukas sighed, shaking his head. “They hurt you, Aria. I can’t just forget, and I won’t promise to try.”

When she opened her mouth to protest, his lips devoured hers, and Aria allowed him to sweep her thoughts of anything but the feel of his mouth and the heat of his body. She released the shirt held between them to tangle her fingers in his hair.

He pulled away, and framed her face with his hands. “You’re mine, Aria, and I protect what is mine. Don’t ever forget that.”

“Back at you.”

She shifted in his lap, and heat flared. “Aria….”

“Shut up, Lukas.”

She hesitantly kissed him again. His mouth opened and their tongues curled around each other. Warm hands cupped her breasts. His thumbs circled her nipples, the unfamiliar sensation sending desire through her gut so intense it almost hurt. She gasped, breaking their connection. Aria moved restlessly in his lap, frustrated at the lack of skin open to her exploration. She tried to pull at the hem of his shirt, getting only a small glimpse of tantalizing tanned muscle before his hands halted her own. Lukas broke away, making a sound halfway between a groan and a growl.

Boneless and weak, she was more than ready to continue. “Why are we stopping, Lukas?”

“You are so beautiful, Aria.” Lukas’ soft voice was hoarse, brushing over her like wings. He blinked, drawing her shirt from between them and over her chest.

She clasped the material to her breasts, suddenly uncertain and nervous. “Did I do something wrong?”

Lukas gave a short bark of laughter. “No, that definitely isn’t the problem.” He shifted her on his lap and the bulge in his jeans became quite evident. “But I don’t want to give the Council any reason to doubt you are my Mate. They could argue that I seduced you into agreeing.”

“That’s the most ludicrous thing I’ve ever heard.” Certain he jested, she waited for him to continue or laugh. When he didn’t, she covered her face with one hand. “Let me get this straight. I’m going to spend most of the foreseeable future in a cold shower because you think the Council
might
use this against us?”

He nodded, one hand rubbing her back in small circles.

“Someone better leave that council room bleeding when we finally get there, and it won’t be one of us.”

He pressed a kiss to her shoulder. He moved her off his lap and stood up, and a strange grimace passed over his features. Realization dawned when he tugged at the waistband of his jeans, and a strangled sound escaped her throat.

“Blue balls are not a laughing matter, Aria MacLeod.”

She pressed her fingers over her lips and smirked. “I can honestly say you did that to yourself. I was perfectly willing to help you out.” Feeling brave, she gave him her best leer. “I could still do something about it, you know.”

His eyes narrowed, trailing over her bare skin. She allowed the shirt to slip a little, and she could see him considering her words.