Wicked Pleasures by Rhonda Lee Carver Page B

stopped
mid-air. “Wait. Are you telling me that you were forcing me to
drink that nasty green slime when I can take two pills and it has
the same effect?”
    “Not entirely the same effect. The nutrient-packed,
green slime will make you healthier and stronger, as well as
cutting the pain. It’s a natural supplement from the earth
and—”
    “Stop right there.” Her jaw angled. “And the part
about spilling it on your skin and being a magnet for creatures?
Was that a lie too?”
    He shrugged. “No, that’s not a lie. This is a
delicacy.”
    “And how would you know that creatures like this
stuff?”
    “Shall we test the theory?”
    “I’m not up for testing today. I’ve stepped out of
my normal existence into the twilight zone.” She swallowed the
pills and grabbed the bottle of water from the nightstand. “This is
plain water right?
    “Clean, clear water. Another delicacy.”
    She downed half of the container in one gulp and
recapped it. “The witch wasn’t a dream. So that means the story, of
the wolf and his lover, is true?” Her mouth dropped. “Wait…you’re
the woman’s lover.”
    He nodded. “I’m afraid it’s very true.”
    “Where is she?” Wrinkles appeared between her
eyes.
    Clearing his throat, he asked, “What did you
see?”
    “You…and her. In the woods. Some kind of ritual…the
wolves howling.” A stricken expression took the place of shock. “Oh
no! The woman’s father. He fell from the cliff.” Her eyes
glistened.
    “Anything else?” he asked.
    “She ran from you. She blamed you…and your family.
And—” She jumped up on her knees so fast that the bottle of water
fell onto the floor. She grabbed the sheets and jerked them to her
chest, as if in protection. “You! You’re a wolf…no…not possible! Or
is it?”
    Although fear mangled her features, relief spread
over him. “Very possible.”
    “That’s how you read my thoughts, or should I say
sense what I’m thinking. And the sudden disappearing and the
appearing act?” Her hand came up and pressed her forehead.
    “The headache back?” She nodded. “Green slime?” She
nodded again. He handed her the glass and while she held her nose,
she downed every sip.
    “That was instant relief,” she said.
    “Works every time,” he said.
    “What’s in it that has the numbing affect?”
    “Don’t ask.”
    She dropped onto her bottom and leaned against the
headboard. “What does all of this mean, Roark?”
    “The woman, Jillian and I, fell in love. Because of
our selfish desires, lives were lost and hearts were broken.” He
stood up and walked to the windowsill, staring out onto the land.
It was calm and serene, for now. A dark cloud blanketed he sky and
a storm brewed. He could feel it in his bones.
    “But she said the clan is cursed for one hundred
years and there is a price. I feel there’s much more information
that I’m missing.”
    He shrugged. “The mind can only accept so much at
one time. Maybe that’s all that you chose to hear.”
    “I wouldn’t have believed Azelda’s story unless I
was there, as if I was transported back into time to the moment
where the woman’s father was killed. My heart broke at the
sight…”
    “It was a tragic story.”
    “I’m confused, Roark.” He turned and looked at her.
Glad that she was finally realizing the seriousness of their
situation. “What does a story of lost love, wolves, death, have to
do with me? Where do I belong in this?”
    “Like I said, in time you’ll understand.” He
hoped .
    Her groan echoed off the walls. He watched her push
back the covers and once her feet hit the floor, she dropped her
gaze to her nightgown. She brought her chin up and shot invisible
daggers at him. “I hope it was Miss Deveraux who kindly helped me
into this gown.”
    He was on the fence. Should he tell her what she
wanted to hear? Or, lie? “I’ve seen a woman’s naked body before.”
He went an entirely different direction.
    “How absurd. You’re