Everyone has a Weak spot

by J.J. Massa

Liquid Silver Books - Romance Paranormal Erotica

Liquid Silver Books
www.liquidsilverbooks.com

Copyright (C)2004 J.J. Massa

First Published by Liquid Silver Books, Imprint of
Atlantic
Bridge
, September 2004

NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines and/or imprisonment.

Published by Liquid Silver Books, Imprint of Atlantic Bridge Publishing, 10509 Sedgegrass Dr, Indianapolis, Indiana. Copyright 2004, J.J. Massa. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the authors.

This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

Dedication

To my husband Jimmy, my daughter Courtney and my editor Tracey ... I couldn't have done it without you!

Prologue

As seven-year-old Lorelei swirled around the frozen pond with her brother, she felt their father approach. She reached up and squeezed the charm hanging around her neck. Her papa would know she was excited, but he wouldn't know why.

“Here he comes, Renaud,” she giggled to her brother excitedly. “Hide in front of me!"

Renaud picked his smaller sister up and skated a figure eight with her in his arms. He released her and she flowed gracefully away from him, laughing.

“You're too short, silly. I'll just try to hunch down and skate.” He was as excited as she, in his own understated way.

Lorelei knew that, even though she'd worn her bulkiest coat, Renaud would be hard-pressed to stay unnoticed near her. She was slim and delicate with gold-colored hair. Renaud had black hair and, at seven years old, was already developing a bulkier, more muscular shape.

Lorelei waved at her papa just before she cleared the tree line. Quickly, she spun away so that her back was to him. When she heard him approach the bank, she placed her hands on Renaud's shoulders and, as he rose, the two executed an elegant turn that brought Lorelei in front of him. They glided gracefully to the bank of the pond.

Lorelei saw tears form in her father's eyes and felt her brother's hesitation.

“It's okay, Renaud, they're happy tears!” She put her hand in his, and he held on tight as she surged forward into the big man's arms.

“You have my eyes,” he rumbled, emotionally. “My son, my son..."

Her father reached over and placed a finger on Lorelei's glowing medallion. “I have one for you as well, Renaud,” he said, dropping it over the boy's head.

Red light flashed around the boy and he stood rigid, wrapped in his father's arms. The light faded and Renaud shook his head, hard.

Renaud touched his charm and compared it to his sister's. His had a short-winged dancer with a wolf's head. It held a ruby in its open jaws. Lorelei's was a delicate dancer with graceful wings. It perched on a yellow stone of fine amber.

Their father pulled his medallion out, and let both of them touch it. “Now we can all feel each other. Someday, when you two grow up, Lorelei's mate will wear this one."

His was the graceful and masculine shape of a male dancer with an eagle's head and short wings. It held a sapphire in its muscular arms.

“Shall we find a quiet bench, Papa?” Lorelei asked. She was beginning to shiver.

“In for a penny, in for a pound, Lorelei,” her papa boomed. “We will go and be warm as we talk."

Climbing into his limousine, the man ordered his driver to acquire some hot chocolate and to close the dividing window.

“I told you,” breathed Lorelei as the car began to move. “I knew he'd come in time."

“May I call you Papa, too?” asked Renaud, gazing at the large man.

“Of course, my son,” his father choked out. He seemed so proud to be with his children. “Only, don't speak of me except to your sister, Renaud."

Renaud gave a wry smile that was unusual for a seven year old. “Papa,” he said, trying it out. He beamed. “Today is the first time I've ever spoken out loud. My sister is the only person, besides you, to hear my voice."

“You know you must talk to others, Renaud?” the man asked the boy. “I know you don't like living apart, but it is best for now. With the medallions, you will always feel your sister's presence so you won't be alone anymore."

“I must always wear this, Papa?” asked Renaud.

“Yes, son,” his father answered. “All the charms were blessed years ago and passed through my family. If you wear it, it will help you be strong and remain unhurt. The medallions help us feel what the other is feeling. There are five generations of our family's blood on each charm, including each of yours,” he continued to explain.

“You will be able to help your sister, and she can help you as long as you wear it. Someday, when my medallion will be passed to Lorelei's mate, you will add a drop of his blood to yours then."

“Since my mother hears people's thoughts, I can, too, right?” asked Lorelei. “That's why I can make you and Renaud hear what I say in my head sometimes, huh?” Lorelei liked that those she loved best knew what she was thinking.

“Papa, Rory and me would be happier if we could live with you. Why can't we?” Lorelei knew that Renaud didn't want to be away from them. He'd finally found his sister and his father, and he felt good.

This seemed difficult for the man. “Renaud, Lorelei, I know you want to be together but there are some bad people who might hurt you just because you are my children” he tried to explain. “You must stay with your mother now and do your best so that you can both grow strong."

Lorelei considered this. “You mean we won't grow strong if we're together?"

“While you are small, it's best to live apart. You will learn all the things your bodies and minds can do. Lorelei, all your life you will get hurt easily and you must be careful. Renaud, you will be too strong and difficult to injure but your emotions will be few. The older you get, the more you will need to help each other."

Their father was trying to keep it simple for them. Lorelei could tell that he wanted them to understand, but he didn't want to scare them.

“If you were together, the bad people would notice you. When you are older, that's when you will need to be closer to each other. Your life began at the same time and will end at the same time."

They didn't like it, but Lorelei and Renaud would do as their father asked.

When dusk fell that night, Papa escorted them back to the frozen pond so they could return to their mothers. He held them both in his arms, promising to see them at least once a year. They would never be alone again ... his love would always guide them.

Chapter 1

Everyone has a weak spot. Ballerina Lorelei Eliza Allemande's personal weakness was coffee-mocha milkshakes on hot summer days. She had resigned herself to life without them as long as she was buried in the mosquito-infested Louisiana swamp; that is, until the local burger chain advertised a special. A quick phone call assured her that a nearby fast-food restaurant did indeed have her favorite shake and a drive-thru to boot. It must be destiny.

The air conditioning in her little Ford Escort was iffy at best—after 200,000 miles of hard labor—she would forgive these signs of age. It should be a quick, short trip, anyway. She wouldn't even get out of the car.

She pulled on a pink cropped tee shirt emblazoned with the likeness of a little girl duck with red hair. It was too hot out there for a bra. Besides, she was pretty small on top. Nobody would ever know.

In the interest of remaining cool, Lorelei donned a short, wrap-around skirt that tied on the side. It hung barely two inches below the line of her very high hipped, thin panties.

Hey, it's summertime in Southern Louisiana, it's hot!

She grabbed a pair of slip-on open-toed shoes, and off she went.

Lorelei was in a great mood. She could not believe her luck! She loved her new home. She lived only a few miles from her brother for the first time ever. And now she'd have her beloved, frozen nectar in minutes.

Lorelei Allemande was enjoying an enormous coffee-mocha shake and was easing out of the drive-thru when her good luck streak abruptly ended.

* * * *

Sheriff Dekon Warrick Martine intended to have the damn fool who was making his bad day worse share in his misery.

His mood was so foul he could barely speak in complete sentences. He knew his blue-black hair was shaggy, and his teeth were slightly elongated. He'd damaged the door to his SUV getting in, and the steering wheel would have to be replaced again.

He'd been inside the Burger Bin to speak with its manager. It seemed that a group of rowdy teens had been loitering and causing trouble.

Lawrence Brunet, his nephew Renaud's human uncle, had been inside. That's what had caused his mood to spiral downward. The man had stopped the Sheriff to complain about their nephew's childhood friend moving into town. According to Lawrence, she was influencing the boy in all kinds of deviant ways.

The Sheriff was leaving the parking lot when an Escort from the drive-thru plowed into his front fender. He hit the lights and signaled to the idiot to follow him around back.

He didn't like to do his business in public if quiet places were available. Besides, this imbecile would feel the brunt of his bad mood today, and he wanted room and privacy for that.

* * * *

Lorelei saw the policeman place his hat on his head and remove his sunglasses. He got out of the SUV and sauntered to her Ford Escort's window.

He wore the standard-issue khaki uniform with stripes down the legs. The cotton-polyester fabric blend was stretched tight in the afternoon heat. His thighs were as well muscled as his torso, and the Sheriff's uniform clung to him like a second skin.

“Aft'noon, ma'am,” the officer said casually. However, his midnight blue eyes were anything but casual.

“Sir,” she squeaked. Under other circumstances, Lorelei would have enjoyed looking at this sexy policeman. Right now, however, she wished she could stare at him from afar.

The Sheriff adjusted his body to block the afternoon sun and turned his head away from her. For just a moment, Lorelei admired his trim hips, flat stomach and broad muscular chest taking up the space in her Escort's window.

When he looked down at her again, she could see anger flickering in his dark blue eyes. His wrath was almost palpable. She held herself rigid to keep from flinching.

“Seems you were a mite distracted back there, little lady. Wanna tell me about it?” he challenged in a hard voice.

No, not really...

“Umm. I'm sorry, sir. I just—I'm sorry, it's...” she took a deep breath. “This is my fault entirely,” she told him resolutely.

No doubt her insurance agent back in Connecticut had felt a ripple in the force when she said that. Now if she could just keep her chin from wobbling.

Lorelei ran a finger over the delicate chain around her neck and pulled out her amber medallion. It began to glow softly. She was incredibly nervous—not quite afraid—but definitely apprehensive. Any strong emotion caused her charm to glow.

“Ma'am, you're awful agitated for a little fender bender. Now why that is?” he asked in his deep molasses and gravel voice. “Perchance you have been enjoying a libation down the road, no?"

“No! No, sir, I promise. I only got a milkshake, see? You can taste it!” she tried to be as up front as she could.

They always told you to cooperate with the police, right?

“Sir,” she tried again, “you—I mean this—just makes me nervous.” Her voice was high, she was on the verge of tears. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath.

Opening her eyes, she looked up at him trying to look as guiltless as possible. He turned his head into the bright sunlight again. She was sure he was trying to control his ire.

“Little lady, I need your license and registration and you're gonna have to get down,” he ordered in a growl.

She handed him the documents he'd asked for but gave him a quizzical frown.

“Get down, sir?” she croaked. She'd bet he didn't mean break dance.

“Get down,
petit
. Step out of the car.” he explained sternly.

That's what she was afraid he meant.

“You can wait ‘til I run your license,” he told her.

Thank heaven! A reprieve.

Lorelei tugged on her little skirt and tried to control her breathing. If she didn't get a grip, she'd have her brother thinking she was in trouble. She just knew that the Sheriff would give her a break after he found out what a law-abiding citizen she really was.