Beastly Tenderness

“I’ll make some dinner,” Esmé said. “I bet you haven’t been eating. How about a beer?” She left for the kitchen. Esmé never offered her beer. It was a bribe. Beer made Vivian think of Tooley’s. The death behind that bar had been in the news all weekend. Aiden must think it was Vivian who…

“I want you to understand,” she said. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I wanted to share what I was-what I am-and give you the magic you were always yearning for. What’s so terrible about that?” She was dismayed to feel the tears come to her eyes. She had so desperately wanted to remain calm.…

They sat in silence for a while as the night darkened around them. “We used to have fun, Viv, didn’t we?” Willem said finally. “Now I wonder who’s looking out for me besides me. Those older ones, all they do is talk. And Gabriel, who’s he? Is he gonna make us do stupid shit like…

His eyes smoldered beneath half-closed lids. “Don’t use me,” he growled. Then he revved his engine, echoing the threat. She watched him leave, her face blazing, her breath harsh in her throat. Damn him, she cursed silently. He couldn’t be controlled. She resisted the urge to swipe at anyone she found looking at her. I…

Esmé came downstairs wearing a short sundress. Even disaster didn’t deter her where Gabriel was concerned. Weren’t you turning him over to me, Mom? Vivian thought. They settled in the living room, where Esmé described in detail the condition of the corpse. Vivian didn’t want to hear, but she couldn’t do anything to shut the…

“Better not let Gabe know you’re still sweet on her,” Gregory told him. “Yeah. He’ll kick your ass,” Finn said. Willem spat at his twin. Finn dodged the wad. Rafe hadn’t spoken a word. He just stared at her with a look of smug amusement on his face. Ulf stood beside him fidgeting. “What’s happened…

“Don’t you?” he asked. She stormed out of the kitchen to the dining room. He followed her. “I see I’m required to court you in every room of the house.” “Not likely,” she replied. “I’m looking forward to the bedrooms,” he said. “Go to hell!” His grin faded. “I will court you,” he said. “And…

Now? Her knees popped. Was the Goddess telling her not to waste time making love? “It’s a lovely way to be met,” she said to Aiden, and her voice wavered. Aiden smiled despite his red face. He probably mistook the tremor in her words for sentiment. A ripple rode down the flesh of her back.…

So stupid. Stupid. Stupid. She tried to move past that moment and on to events beyond, but the night opened up like a black pit of nothing with no landmarks and looped her back to the scene in Aiden’s room. Time had passed, that was all she knew, and a chunk of her life had…

“Tell him I’m sick.” Esmé went away without arguing. She’d just as soon put him off, Vivian thought. She only told me because she hoped the phone call would get me out of my room. After Esmé left for work, Vivian tried to phone Orlando Griffin and find out what her options were under pack…