Читать книгу The Billionaire Werewolf's Princess - Michele Hauf - Страница 15

Chapter 6

He should not have stopped kissing her. Because then the question had been asked.

Ry had a thing about the first kiss. A man could tell a lot about a woman from that kiss. Awkward and graceless? There was always room for improvement. Sloppy and aggressive? Nerves could be the culprit, or just an overzealousness with which he didn’t want to deal. Firm and accepting, yet also the woman jumped into his arms and wraps herself about him like she was made to fit his body?

Mercy.

His heart was still thumping from that incredible contact. And he wished his erection would chill. Because there were more important matters. Like his confession about being part faery, part werewolf to a perfectly human woman. He never did that. And on the one occasion he had told all? He’d known her for months, and her name was Kristine, and he trusted her implicitly with his secret because she knew all too well that secrets could be painful.

He’d known Indigo for less than forty-eight hours. Didn’t know her last name. Wasn’t even sure she believed in faeries or if she was playing along with him until she could laugh at his stories later. Who was this incredibly compelling woman who had loosened his lips so much that he’d laid it all out there like that?

That was it, wasn’t it? That kiss of hers had loosened him up.

And now?

He wanted more from this woman. And for some reason, his better judgment had abandoned ship and decided he needed to tell all.

“Werewolf?” she said. Her voice was soft and awe-filled. Or was that fear? She stared up at him, hands clasped together below her chin. It looked like wonder in her gaze, but he could be wrong. Could be disgust. “And faery?”

With a heavy sigh, Ry knew he wouldn’t be able to push her out the door and send her on her merry way now. The deep dive had occurred. Now to surface without sustaining too much damage.

“Sit down,” he said.

She sat immediately. Eagerness lifted her chin, and yes, that was weird awe in her beaming gaze. “That’s what I saw,” she said. “I thought you changed to something like a wolf. Your head and shoulders and chest...they were—”

“I didn’t realize it happened. In the moment, my anger and the fury at trying to destroy the collector overwhelmed and I briefly shifted. You shouldn’t have had to see that.”

“Why? It didn’t scare me. I mean, from what I recall. Still kinda fuzzy from that whole adventure. And sore.” She pressed a hand to her back and arched it forward. “I wonder if I could talk to that faery healer. Ask her what she did to me, and how long it’s going to take to feel better?”

“Give it a few more days. You went through a lot the other night. And I’m sure I shoved you less than gently to get you out of the way.”

“You were trying to protect me.”

“A lot of good that did. You almost died, Indigo.”

“There is that. I have no memory of a near-death experience, though. But let’s talk about you. Come sit by me. Tell me about being a werewolf. And a faery! Please?”

In for the dive, Ry sat next to Indi and pressed his palms together before him as he summoned the strength and downright calm to put himself out there. He didn’t have to tell her all. He would never do that. Because he didn’t know her. But she knew too much. Enough that leaving her hanging would only push her away from him, and could likely result in her telling others his secret.

For once, Ry wished he had a vampire’s skill of persuasion. They could change a human’s mind, convince them they’d never been bitten. Or that they had never seen a werewolf shift halfway while battling vicious critters from Faery.

“Okay, here goes,” he said.

She wiggled expectantly and leaned forward.

“I was born werewolf. My mother was a werewolf, and my father...” This part he didn’t need to go into detail. “It’s a twisty thing. My father was a faery, but my mother was married to the pack leader. She had an affair. Leave it at that. So I’m half-and-half, but I have more werewolf tendencies than faery. I don’t have wings,” he said quickly as she opened her mouth to speak.

“Oh.” Her shoulders dropped. “I was going to ask about that. Do you have a tail?”

Her fascination disturbed him on a level he couldn’t quite measure. Such a question made him angry, and a little humiliated. But why he felt that way went back to being ousted from the pack because he was part faery. Too many bad memories.

“I don’t have a tail. In my were shape. Were means man. Werewolf means half man, half wolf. Like you saw the other night. Though I didn’t shift completely. If so, my clothes would have split and fallen off and...you would have known for certain you’d seen a werewolf.”

“Your clothes fall off? Is it like an Incredible Hulk thing?”

“Incredible...?” Ry couldn’t help a chuckle. “What’s with you and the superheroes?”

She shrugged. “I like comic-book heroes. Anything wrong with that?”

“Nothing at all. Not like the Hulk. When I shift to werewolf my body grows a little taller, more muscular and hairy, and my head takes on wolf shape, as do my legs and feet and hands. I’m mostly man but a lot of wolf.”

“And you’re naked?”

“Uh, yes?”

“Sorry, I like to have all the details. Helps me to picture it better. And then you run around naked in the city?”

“I never shift to werewolf in the city. Not completely, anyway. It would be foolish and asking for trouble. We of the paranormal ilk know the only way we can survive in the mortal realm is to keep our truths hidden.”

“Wow, I suppose so. That’s got to be tough. Trying to survive in a world that doesn’t believe in you. And if they did, they’d think you’re a monster. You’re not a monster, are you?”

“Do I look like a monster?”

“Not now you don’t.” But she wasn’t completely on board with believing otherwise, he suspected.

“I’m not a monster, Indi.” He clasped her hand and rubbed the back of it along his cheek. She smelled so good. And he didn’t scent fear in her. Interesting. “I am a man first and foremost, who happens to have a proclivity for nature and running about as a wolf, especially on the night of the full moon. I also shift to wolf shape, which is exactly the creature you know as a wolf.”

“Four legs and a howl?”

He nodded.

“That’s so interesting. Do you have wolf friends?”

Despite the odd and uncomfortable questions, at the very least, Ry could be thankful she was open and not screaming right now. “Wolf friends? You mean who I run about with in the forest?”

She nodded.

“Yes. And no. Most werewolves live in packs. I haven’t been in one for a while.” Not by choice, either. “When I shift I do it alone. I own some property a couple hours out of Paris that is wooded and has a lot of acreage. If I encounter another of my species while shifted, we might have a tussle or just avoid each other. We’re protective of our property.”

“Alpha?”

“Yes, but I’m considered a lone wolf after leaving my pack.”

“Why did you leave?”

“That’s not something I want to get in to right now.” He pulled up her hand again and this time kissed the knuckles. “Any more questions?”

“Well, tons! I mean, how does the whole faery thing work in? If you don’t have wings? You can’t fly?”

“Can’t fly. Don’t have the desire to fly. I have a faery sigil on my hip that allows me some weak faery magic and the sight that I’ve already explained to you. And I do dust when I come.”

“You what?”

Ry smirked. That was always an interesting one to explain. And it only happened with a forceful orgasm. Something he tried to avoid when with women. Otherwise, how to explain the sudden glitter explosion? The jacking off when he got home thing was getting stale, though.

“When faeries have sex,” he explained, “they put out dust when they orgasm. I, uh, do that.”

Indi’s jaw dropped open, so he pushed it closed and then she caught his hand with hers, thumbing the side of his hand as she stared at it.

“A werewolf,” she said in that awe-filled voice. “Who would have thought? You’re not even Batman, you’re Wolfman.”

“I don’t like that term. Just call me Ry.”

“Ry. Ryland James. The billionaire werewolf who fights crime. What compelled you, a werewolf, to fight the bad faeries?”

“As I’ve explained, they are stealing human children. Isn’t that reason enough to want to stand up and make it stop?”

“You’re amazing. So selfless. And your philanthropy. You’re quite the package, Ry.”

And his own package was starting to harden again. She hadn’t dropped his hand, and each time she stroked her thumb over his skin he grew a little harder. He’d love to kiss her until she begged him to strip her bare and have sex with her on the sofa. But she might like that. And he was in a weird place. A little freaked that he’d spilled all to her.

Could he trust his instincts right now?

“You probably need to give what I’ve told you a good think,” he mused.

Pulling out of her grasp, he tapped her lips and pondered another kiss. That was the easy way out. Now was no time to press the easy button.

“I need to repeat how important it is to keep this information about me quiet,” he said. “If the paparazzi and tabloids ever got wind of this—”

“Oh, never. I promise.” She made an X-ing motion over her chest. “I swear to you. I won’t tell.”

He could almost believe her. “The photographers for those trashy rags have their ways. They find out I have a new friend? They’ll go after you.”

“Why?”

“Those bastards are always trying to dig up something on me. Can’t accept that I don’t do interviews and that there is nothing to tell. Except that there is a lot to tell. Which is why I avoid the press like the plague.”

“And that only makes them go after you all the more?”

“Exactly. I’d rather battle hundreds of collectors than face down one hungry tabloid reporter. They’re ruthless.”

“I’ve seen that. I myself am a socialite.” She beamed, but it wasn’t one of those entitled poses, but was rather sweet actually. “I attend a lot of balls and social events. I’ve never been in the spotlight like a celebrity, but I do understand. You can trust me, Ry. We don’t know each other that well, but we’ve been through something together. And... I want to know you better.”

“I’d like to get to know you better. Can we go out on a date? Something official? I mean, if you can handle dating someone who isn’t human.”

“I’d love that. And you seem very human to me. How about this weekend?”

He winced. “Can’t. Full moon.”

“Oh.” Her shoulders slumped, but then she perked up. “Oh? So you and the full moon...?”

“I have to shift on the night of the full moon. Which is going to be an issue this month. I’ve only been slaying the collectors for a couple weeks. This weekend will present a challenge. I normally leave for my cabin on the night before the full moon. There I have the freedom to shift without worry of being caught out. But I can’t leave Paris this weekend. I have to be in FaeryTown at midnight to stop the collectors.”

“But if you shift to werewolf in FaeryTown, will humans see you? You said they couldn’t see FaeryTown, so...” She offered a hopeful shrug.

Ry hadn’t considered that. Could he shift in FaeryTown? Of course, he wouldn’t be seen by humans. But he risked the chance of his werewolf leaving FaeryTown for regular Paris. And would that wild part of him be satisfied with a romp about the city? No trees or fields? No long stretches of human-free acreage to let loose and howl in?

He’d have to figure this out within the next few days.

“It’s something to consider. Can we make the date for next week? Sunday maybe? Because the day before and after it’s full I also...have needs.”

“Like what?”

The days before and after the full moon? He also wanted to shift, but that compulsion could be squelched with sex. A lot of it. How to work that out this weekend? “Another one of those things you don’t need to know about.”

“You certainly are a man of mystery. But I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to share some of those secrets with me. You can trust me, Ry. Sunday?”

“Later in the day, after I’ve returned to Paris.”

“Maybe we could do a late-afternoon picnic?”

“Sounds like a plan.” He grabbed his cell phone from the coffee table and handed it to her. “Enter your info for me so I can call you. I don’t even know your last name.”

“I’m Indigo DuCharme.”

“Of course. A princess wouldn’t have any other but a romantic name. We’ll figure things out Sunday morning when I give you a call.”

“I can’t wait. In the meantime, I’m going home to—”

“Google werewolves?”

She bowed her head, because he’d hit it right on the nose. “Maybe.” Indi typed in her name and phone number, then also put in her address.

“What you read online will only be fiction,” Ry explained, feeling the need to do so. “Although some writers do get a few things right. Just take it all with a huge chunk of salt, okay?”

“Deal. I imagine it may be weird for you to have someone asking you questions about yourself, but I’m going to warn you that I may have many more questions on Sunday.”

“It is weird, but I’m not feeling so nervous about this as I was when you initially asked me. Maybe we both need a few days to let this sink in. If by Sunday you’re not on board with me, then I’ll understand.” He took the phone from her.

“Sounds like a plan.”

Indi stood. He’d just given her an opportunity to leave. And while he wanted her to stay for a few more kisses, Ry guessed her brain was humming with so much new, strange and curious information that she would need to be away from him for awhile, take it in and give it a good think.

She thrust out her hand for him to shake. Really? They’d gone beyond that silly gesture.

Ry pulled her in and bent to kiss her. The woman’s body melded to his as if fitting into a mold. And as his hard-on gave him away, Ry delved deeper into the kiss to grasp her sweetness just in case he might never see her again. Parting from her happened with a sigh from them both.

“Sunday is so far away,” she said, walking to the door. “It’s going to be a long week. Thanks, Ry, for being honest.”

“Thank you for not freaking out. But if you freak later, you can call me and we’ll cancel plans.”

“No canceling. And besides, my BFF is always on call for my freak-outs.”

“No telling the BFF about me.”

“Right. I can tell her I met a handsome man, though. She’d never forgive me if I kept that one to myself.”

Another kiss sent her on her way. And Ry waited in the doorway, listening as her footsteps sounded down the stairs.

What had he just done? Revealing himself to a woman he barely knew? Something was wrong with him.

“Or maybe it’s finally right.”