Rune (16 page)

“I’m waiting, Jessalyn.” His fingers strummed with an irritating roll on the steering wheel.

“I was hungry and pulled into the drive through,” she muttered and nibbled anxiously on a fingernail. “You promise you won’t think I’m crazy?”

“Continue.”

She noticed he hadn’t promised; hell, he’d probably think she was nuts. “I stopped by the window and gave my order.” She clutched her throat remembering. “Then I, er, I—”

“It’s okay, Jess, keep talking.” Rune took her hand his fingers linked with hers and soothed her.

“I searched for my purse and went to pay, but the waitress was, she was—” She shuddered and scared tears formed; they trickled down her face.

“Tell me what you saw, Jess.”

“A man with cold grey eyes, but he was a vampire, and he stood beside her, drinking from her throat that was torn open. “ She scrubbed a quivering hand across her eyes. “And then, and then another two ran at me from behind, and I took off.” She turned her pale face to Rune. “It wasn’t true, was it? Tell me, was it a film crew or something?”

§§§

He could taste her fear and didn’t want to scare her any more than she was. But now he knew for a fact she’d been a witness, he would watch over her until he could work out how to get her back into Caprice with him. Yet it was something he needed to arrange with tact, not to scare her any more than she already was.

“No, Jess, it can’t be true, vampires don’t exist.” Rune noticed how her stiffness dissolved as she visibly relaxed, and a loud whoosh blew out from between her pale lips. “Most likely they were filming there, and you happened to drive up.”

She nodded, and then cricked her head. “So, what about the car chasing me; it came from there, I saw it.”

“Probably some irate director pissed that you’d upset his filming schedule.”

She hesitated, then gave a tremor of a smile. “That makes sense.”

Rune started the engine and continued with the journey. His mind reeled into a swirling melee, his concern focused on the woman beside him. He may be a Dom, but even he couldn’t go tying her up and forcing her to remain at Caprice.

Safe.

Could he?

Hell, he was so tempted.

§§§

Jess felt light headed and dizzy with relief at his words and sat in silence considering them. Too soon the farm house came into view.

This was it, the finality, it was over. Jess tried to think happy thoughts, willing herself not to cry. Christ, what was wrong with her? It was a weekend fuckathon, nothing else, he didn’t care for her. Hell, it was pretty obvious he was only too keen to get rid of her. Even delivering her home himself.

The last time she’d experienced the utter sense of devastation that ripped over her was alone on her first day at school. Even after all this time, she recalled the abandonment. The shock that had hit her along with the fear and pain.

But Christ, she shouldn’t have because Doreen disappeared on a regular basis, never ever saying where she went. It was a consistent event; she dissolved as cool as mist. And even now after all these years, she still couldn’t work out where she’d been, what she’d been up to. Except she always returned rejuvenated and appearing years younger with an ethereal glow on her face.

The car pulled up and ground to a halt. Jess noticed that Kitty’s small car was missing, and then remembered she was covering her morning shift. She looked to Rune.

What did a person say to a guy that had taken her to the height of pleasure? Had fucked her in every conceivable position in almost every way and orifice. From somewhere in her mind came the immortal words from the story Oliver Twist,
please, sir, can I have some more.
Oh God, she could relate to that; she’d even change the ‘sir’ to ‘master’ if it meant he’d make love to her one more time.

Jess studied him as he opened the door and stepped out; moving to the rear, he yanked her holdall from the boot. Her horny gaze tuned onto the sexy roll of hips as he strolled to the entrance, and dropping the bag, he turned and waited. His expression appeared cold, unreadable and an air of impatience surrounded him.

Okay, he wanted rid of her. Hell, he couldn’t make it any more obvious.
She slammed the door, hard. Jess noticed him wince; his precious car meant more to him than their shared time.
Get a grip, Jess
she pep talked herself. It was a job, she was a task, and, now, it was over. She took hold of her bag, her other hand clutched the door handle. She needed to hold onto something or she’d be flinging her arms around his neck. And resort to begging.

She felt like a junky needing it, the fix.
Just one more time
, her clit cried. Jess tried not to squirm.

“Er, thanks for the—” she stumbled to a halt. “Well, you know, for everything.” God, she wished she could tell him exactly what she was thanking him for. How his touch excited her, his charismatic presence that made her ache with a need. The aroma that dripped out of every pore from his skin blasting over her, and God, she hurt.

Jess swallowed down the lump rising in her throat.

“My pleasure.”

Yeah, I bet.
She committed his harsh features to memory. He appeared bored, and yet? An icy anger radiated from him, and she couldn’t reason why, and then understood, he wanted her gone, to piss off. To stop loitering and just go.

She pushed at the door which always remained unlocked. The house so remote there was no need. “Goodbye.” Her voice broke and she slammed it behind her.

Jess sent him out of her life forever, her chest fluttered in a rise and she stood with her back to it blinking back her tears.

Damn you to hell, Rune Masters.

§§§

A muscle ticked on his jaw, his fists balled and clenched. He’d heard her, swamped with hurt and pain. Rune debated smashing through the door. Then killed that thought. She had been his temporary sub, nothing more.

He strode on sharp angry strides to his car.

For a moment, he sat inside whilst the chill of the air con blasted over him. Giving a final glance to the house, he turned the engine. Rune scanned the area, seeking out means of places to hide, to watch invisible from a distance. His gaze fell on the large barn and a crop of large trees alongside, huge oaks with a spray of leaves and deep undergrowth that tunnelled beneath.

Tonight, he’d return and watch from there.

It was because of the rogue vamps, that’s the only reason, because she meant nothing to him. She was a means to an end, a clue as to who was leading them. His foot hit the accelerator, and the car lurched forward in a spin of tyres.

So, why the hell did he feel so bad?

Reaching Caprice, Rune spotted LeBron’s red Porsche sitting in the parking bay. He experienced a burning rage again at the image of his lips on Jess. Then shook himself, pushing all thoughts of her away, yet he couldn’t. The sight of her hurting remained, it refused to leave him. In a foul mood, he stomped into the club and headed to the gym. He needed physical release from the quandary shooting around his body.

Slamming the door open, LeBron already lay lifting weights. He turned to him and dropped the dumbbells before rising onto his elbow.

“What the fuck are you looking at?” snarled Rune, stripping out of his clothes without a shred of embarrassment; he shrugged on a pair of joggers from his locker. His torso bare, the bottoms hung snug, rolling about his hips.

“Woman trouble?”

“No, you need one for that.” Moving to the leg curls, his thighs bulged.

“So, you’ve taken her back home?”

“Looks that way, and don’t even think of fucking thanking her again.” The cords in his neck strained with effort.

“I don’t need to. Kitty knows what I am, and she’s Lycan, my mate, my Lupa.”

Rune didn’t miss the smug pride in his voice; yet, instead of feeling pleased for him, it irritated the hell that he had found happiness. Whilst he was in a vortex of despair, unsure which way to turn, or what he even wanted. He paused from the curls. “Does Jessalyn know?” Hell, it hurt saying her name. What spell had she cast on him?

“No, once Kitty explains, I’ll be moving out of my quarters at Caprice.”

Rune nodded. “Where to?”

“In with Kitty and I guess Jess.”

Rune rose, fury blistered across his face. “You touch her, LeBron, and I swear I’ll tear you apart.”

LeBron stood and faced him. “Try it if you think you can take me, but listen, Rune, I don’t want her, I’ve got what I need. And take a piece of advice, if she means that much to you, then go and tell her.”

Rune glared at him. “Listen, LeBron, I don’t need counselling off you. Just because you’ve found your mate, don’t go thinking we’ve all got to get loved up!”

LeBron followed his swift departure from the gym and shook his head in despair.

§§§

It was late when Rune made an appearance in the lounge of Caprice. LeBron studied each stark, sharp action. His temper hadn’t improved. In fact, he resembled a powder keg ready to explode; all he needed was someone to ignite it.

Shouldering his way through the throng, LeBron recognized the signs; he was spoiling for a fight. And one way or the other would get his way.

He watched him take a small glass of amber liquid and neck it back. Then slam it down empty onto the polished bar. That was a bad sign because he rarely drank. LeBron continued to monitor him as Rune stopped by a tall, dark-haired male and recognised him as Kobe Sinclair, the owner of the fitness club Cataya, an expensive suite situated on the edge of town.

Unashamedly, he zeroed in on their conversation; there were many perks to being a Lycan and hearing was one of them. Along with an abnormal strength and the ability to smell up to ten thousand times better than a human.

He groaned.
Oh Shit.
LeBron knew what would be coming as he listened in.

Kobe raised his glass to Rune and swallowed, then peered behind him. “Where’s your delicious looking sub?”

“Why?” Rune grumbled a long warning growl.

“A tasty piece of ass? Wouldn’t mind a bit of that myself.” His thin lips slid into a semblance of a smile.

“Forget it, the lady has taste.” Rune called for a refill. Taking the drink, he downed the whiskey.

“So, come on, what’s she like in bed, good?”

“None of your God damn business.” The empty glass slammed down on the surface.

LeBron took a step forward; he knew what was coming. And Rune wasn’t just in a fighting mood, he was ready to kill.

“So, she’s finished her time with you?”

“Why? What’s it to you?”

“Well, it’s not often we get to see you with a sub in tow. And a rather beautiful one at that.” He chuckled, a sharp staccato of a laugh. “So, there must be something there, something worthwhile fucking.”

“Sinclair, keep that mouth of yours shut, I’m warning you.”

Kobe Sinclair was oblivious and taunted. “Think I’ll pay the lady a visit, and try her out, test run her pussy, what do you—” He didn’t finish.

With a roar of rage, Rune launched himself at him, and Kobe fell crashing to the floor. Unable to defend himself from the vicious assault, Rune’s fist slammed into him, he punched and pummelled at every part of his body.

LeBron shut his eyes briefly; blood sprayed from Sinclair, and he knew that Rune was intent on sending him to hell. Moving through the crowd that had gathered, he gripped Rune and ducked at the fist that swung through the air.

He whispered in his ear. “Easy, Rune, and for fuck’s sake, stop it before you kill the guy in front of a room full of witnesses.” His arms bounded around the man mountain, Rune was no match for his Lycan strength, no vampire was.

LeBron glanced down to Kobe, who lay curled before him, glaring up, his green eyes resembled shards of glass splintering over him.

“Get the hell out of here,” breathed Rune, “and don’t set foot inside Caprice again, or next time, I will fucking kill you.”

Slowly, Kobe crawled to his feet and swiped at the blood trickling from his cut lip. “This isn’t over, Masters, not by a long shot. I’ll make you so sorry.”

“Yea, bring it on, asshole,” swore Rune.

LeBron watched Kobe leave with relief. Not until he’d disappeared did he release his tenacious grip on Rune.

Warily, he backed away, unsure if Rune would take his frustrated rage out on him.

Instead, he scrubbed a hand through his tousled hair and signalled for yet another drink. He slammed it back and in silence left Caprice.

LeBron watched him leave, debated following him, but knew he was past the fury that had ridden him. He instinctively realized he needed to be alone.

§§§

Jessalyn sat at the table, a bottle of beer open, her foil packet of pills before her. She tilted her head at the sound of an engine and glimpsed Kitty’s bright purple motor pull up. She’d finished a double shift, her own morning plus the afternoon one that rolled into evening. Jess decided no way could anyone have a better friend than Kitty.

The door slammed shut, followed by the slap of footsteps down the hall.

Kitty stood at the doorway. “Hey, didn’t realize you were home; where’s Betsy?”

“Don’t ask.”

Kitty grinned. “Garage again?” She didn’t elaborate because Betsy spent more time there than on the road.

Jess nodded, unable and unsure how to explain. Heck, she was still trying to come to terms with what she’d seen. Still, she disputed her reasoning, along with that of Rune. Jess continued to cling to that explanation, unwilling to contemplate that it could be true. Then gave herself a mental shake, no way, vampires didn’t exist.

“Did I ever tell you how much I love you?” Kitty opened her arms. Jess rose and, crossing to her, gave a huge hug.

“You and LeBron?”

“Are an item, he loves me Jess.”

“Thank God for that; he was a hard nut to crack. For some unknown reason, he kept going on about who he was.” She leaned back and grinned. “But you two are made for each other.”

Kitty glanced to the beer. “Starting ahead of me?”

Jess nodded. “Yep, needed a crutch.” She sat back down and swigged from it, and then flicked her pills out.