Chapter
40
by Michelle M Pillow & Mandy M Roth
For the Sake of Charity
Sweat poured over her skin but Michelle somehow knew that
what was happening wasn’t real. It was just a dream, yet in the dream she wanted
it to be real. Hands slid over her hips, as familiar as if they had been there
in another life. Had she known this man in another life? Was this just some way
Dmitri found to torment her? The fireman was a pain in her backside, and yet why
did she get the insane urge to start fires for him to put out.
Dmitri stared deep into her eyes as he crawled on top of
her. There was a stalking, almost dangerous glint to his gaze but she didn’t
care. What did bother her was the cocky expression, the overbearing
self-confidence as if he knew she couldn’t resist him—that no woman would ever
be able to resist him.
Michelle hated that about him, hated it because it was
true. She was shamefully attracted to his cocky demeanor and in the dream, she
couldn’t reason enough to fight it. Only the next morning would she properly
hate herself for giving in.
Warm lips brushed hers, so real she could feel it. She
moaned lightly, squirming on her bed.
“Michelle.” Her name was a far off whisper. “Michelle.”
Michelle moaned louder, her legs parting. Dmitri….
“Michelle.” This time, the sound was more insistent. She
blinked, feeling herself being pulled from the dream. She didn’t want to go, not
yet. Dmitri was warm and naked and he knew how to kiss her so her toes curled
and she couldn’t think. Her body shook, moved by an outside force. Still, she
fought it. Then, a small surge of commanding power seemed to wrap around her,
jerking her from the lustful depths. She groaned, already in a bad mood now she
was awake. When she opened her eyes, Conner stood above her bed, grinning. He
was dressed in a button down shirt and tight blue jeans. The relaxed outfit
seemed oddly out of place on him. “Dreaming about me?”
She blinked, unable to lie and say yes. Of course he’d
think she dreamed of him. The man was almost her boyfriend, wasn’t he?
“Must have been a good one,” he said. “Want to continue
it?”
Michelle did want to continue, but not with him. She
glanced at the clock, thankful for once that she was running late for a
photography assignment. “Can’t, I’m late. Important client.” The clipped words
were all she could manage to get out.
“Ah, you’re in a mood. I’ll make coffee.”
Good boy, she thought. Then, like a whisper, her
mind said, But you don’t like the good boys. You want a bad boy. You want
Dmitri.
“Shut up,” she groaned, hitting the side of her head.
Conner paused in the doorway, giving a small laugh. “Better
make that instant coffee. Your mood doesn’t look like it can wait.”
~*****~
Mandy eyed her new collection of stakes, reaching forward
to adjust one on the wall of her living room so it lined up nicely into the
sunburst pattern she’d arranged on her wall. They fanned out around a giant
crucifix. The thing was gaudy and not her usual style, but after her slight
scare at the Vampire Ball with crazy vampire man, she found some comfort in it.
Reaching for her neck, she frowned. “He actually fucking
bit me.”
What have they done to us, Mandy? How could they make me
forget you, Kitten? That’s what Armando had said to her the night they has
sex. What have they done to us, Mandy?
Her phone rang and she moved to check the caller ID. Muir.
It was the fifth time that morning he’d tried to reach her. She didn’t answer.
Turning back to her coffee table, she grabbed a book on vampires and sat down on
her couch. Normally she wasn’t scared when it came to anything paranormal, but
there was something going on. She felt it deep in her soul and it was something
that had to do with Armando, Muir and herself. And until she knew what that
something was, she was going to lay low and do her research.
She scooted closer to the end of the couch that was nearest
the mural of pain she’d erected to ease her mind. For some reason, simply being
closer to items with a track record for getting rid of vampires made her feel
better.
Sighing, she closed her eyes a moment and erotic images of
Armando filled her head. She gasped, jerked upright, making a mental note to
bring in a self-cycling fountain with holy water in it.
~*****~
“I’m going to be on the cover, aren’t I?” Dmitri asked,
giving Michelle a wickedly delicious look.
The fireman calendar might be for charity, but as she
lifted her camera to photograph half naked, oiled men, charity was the last
thing on Michelle’s mind. “That’s up to you. You put this thing together.”
“You don’t sound impressed.” Dmitri turned, lifting his
hands over his head and flexing his strong back. Muscle rippled as he placed his
hand on the fire truck. He turned his head to the side, posing as if he’d done
so a thousand times. With most subjects, even some of his co-workers, there was
a period of nervousness as they got used to the camera. Dmitri just jumped right
into it.
“Just tired. Long night,” she lied. The problem was she was
too impressed.
“You know, I haven’t seen you since the Vampire Ball. I’ve
been over to Mandy’s house, but you never seem to be home. Are you avoiding
me?”
Michelle choked, coughing slightly. She gripped her camera
tighter, glad it covered her face. In fact she had hid in her home the few times
she’d seen him, refusing to answer the phone or the knocks on her door. He
looked at her knowingly, but how could he know? The Vampire Ball was a sore
subject. She wasn’t sure what happened, only that she must have gotten a
supernatural drink by accident because she woke up in her own bed, hung-over and
incredibly sore from neck to knees. Oh, and she hadn’t been able to have sex
since.
“I thought so,” he answered. “Why do you think I came up
with this calendar?”
Michelle lowered her camera, hoping she was composed enough
to face him. “You mean it’s not for the orphans?”
“Two reasons, then.” He gave her a wicked grin.
“I think we’re done here,” she said. “I’ll get you proofs
later this week.”
“You’re done with me already? I thought you were saving the
best for last.” He actually looked hurt.
“Why, is there someone else waiting for me?” She pretended
to glance around.
“Stop playing, sweetheart, you know I make your heart beat
faster.”
Her heart did indeed beat faster near him, but she had to
deny herself. Lust was all a man like Dmitri had to offer. Sure he had a sexy
body and sex would undoubtedly be great, but Conner was offering her more. He
offered her security and a future. She’d be a fool to give it up. Besides,
Conner seemed crazy about her. Dmitri just seemed…crazy.
“You’re incorrigible,” she said, trying to keep the banter
light.
“Maybe, but that’s not all I am, darling.”
Michelle glanced down to his crotch, wishing instantly that
she hadn’t. There was no mistaking his arousal. “I’m late for another
appointment. I’ll bring you proofs. Lots of great shots today. Okay, going
now.”
~*****~
The smile on Dmitri’s face disappeared as Michelle ran off.
Though he’d acted nonchalant, the day spent watching her work had been hell. She
barely looked at him and all he could do was stare at her like a dimwitted fool.
Even his easygoing manners felt off to him. He tried to be charming, but what
normally came naturally took great effort.
How could she not remember marking him? Her claim crippled
him and he couldn’t function around other women—not that he’d wanted to since
first seeing her. Michelle was all he thought about and the dreams he had of her
were torment. The connection was strong, at least for him, but she didn’t seem
to feel it.
“Something’s not right here,” Dmitri whispered.
“What’s that, cuz?”
Dmitri glanced at Mike, who grinned.
“Oh, so that’s the Michelle you were telling me
about,” Mike continued. “You’re right, she is a looker.”
A strange sensation came off of Mike as he said it. Dmitri
had the feeling his cousin let on more than he said. It was in the knowingness
of his expression, though Mike honestly didn’t seem to know much beyond getting
women into his bed. Even that tended to be touch and go.
“So, D, tell me. Where exactly can a guy go to get some
action around here? I’ve got a certain itch needing to be sucked on by a pretty
lady.”
Dmitri frowned, giving Mike a wry look. “Maybe you should
try a cream instead. They make medicine for that sort of thing.”
Mike growled.
Dmitri lifted a brow, not needing further invitation to
leap at his cousin. He landed a punch, grinning as Mike fought back.
~*****~
“Important client?”
Michelle glanced up. She was on her way to her car from the
fire station and hadn’t been paying attention to her surroundings as her
thoughts stayed focused on Dmitri.
Conner stood by her car, arms crossed and his brow
furrowed. He was upset. “Since when is that wolf an important client?”
“Since he started a calendar to raise money for orphans.”
Michelle knew she sounded defensive, but found she couldn’t help it.
“Orphans,” Conner snorted. His eyes flashed. It wasn’t the
first time and Michelle knew he was more than human. She should’ve been freaked
by it, especially since shifters were unpredictable when angry, but she wasn’t.
“So what if he’s half wolf,” Michelle found herself saying.
She tried to remember when Dmitri told her of his side, but couldn’t. Her memory
had been hazy as of late. “You’re not exactly the poster boy for human, are you?
And I think orphans are a very good cause. Why else would I be donating my time
for free?”
“Get in the car,” Conner ordered, looking behind her.
“We’ll talk about this at home.”
“Actually,” Michelle unlocked her car and put her camera
equipment inside. Anger rippled through her at his high-handed manner. “I’m
going to my home and you can go to hell. And don’t try coming over. I’m
changing the locks.”
Conner growled.
Michelle glared at him. “I am not yours to control. Now
step away from my car before I call for help. They might not be the police but I
guarantee those men at the fire station will run to my rescue.”
“You dare to threaten me with a stinking wolf?”
“Actually, I dare to threaten you with my Supernatural
pepper spray if you don’t back off.” Michelle climbed into the car and slammed
the door. Conner didn’t try to stop her. Peeling out of the parking lot, she hit
the gas, unable to get away from him fast enough. She felt around the passenger
seat until she came across her purse. Pulling her cell phone free, she punched
the speed dial for Mandy. Her friend answered with only one ring, sounded
winded.
“You’re not having sex, are you?” Michelle asked,
desperately hoping Mandy wasn’t.
Mandy grunted. “No. I’m trying to decide if I want to raid
the nearest church for some holy water. What are you up to?”
“Holy water? Dare I ask?”
“Umm, well, you might say that I’m in the market for
paranormal keep aways.”
Michelle gripped the wheel with one hand. “In the mood for
some company? I think stocking up on anything to keep them away might be a
really good idea.”
Mandy laughed. “Okay, but only if we finish the night off
with drinks.”
“Deal.”
