Seizing Darkness (Fur, Fangs, and Fairies) by Mariana Thorn Read Free Book Online Page B

Dante. “What’s his problem now?”
    He shrugged as he handed me my shower bag. “Who knows? I suspect Val gave him a good chewing out though.”
    “Why?” I asked, confused.
    “You do know the old saying curiosity killed the cat, right?” he asked suggestively. “Besides, you need some sleep. Now go. Dek or I will be here if yo u need us.” He pushed me toward the showers.
    “Fine, I’m going, I’m going,” I said, intending to question one or both of them later.
    Showering with one arm was very difficult, I discovered. I carefully stripped off my clothes while the shower was warming up. The water felt good. The cuts stung, but they had already started to heal so it was tolerable. It was hard to wash my hair with only one hand, but I managed. It took longer than normal, but I was finally done – and exhausted. I dried off in the shower stall, knowing that one of the two men was still out there. From the scent that sent my blood rushing quickly through my veins, I could tell that it was Radek.
    “Hey, did you bring me clothes?” I called. My heart started beating wildly with the thought of him just on the other side of the curtain. I tried to breathe deeply to calm myself, but his scent was driving me crazy.
    “Here, see if these work,” he said.
    A hand appeared from around the curtain with clothes.
    “Thanks,” I said, relieving him of the items. They smelled like him. Great, that was just the way to dispel these inappropriate feelings I was experiencing.
    As I put on the clothes I heard him call, “Doing okay in there?”
    I just grunted at him in answer.
    He laughed.
    I was stepping on the hems of the pants, but it would do if I could just get a belt. “Hey giggles, do you have a belt I can use?” I asked, stepping from the shower with my good hand holding the pants up. I could see the amusement in his eyes. At least he was trying to suppress his laughter now. “You know, your mood swings are really getting on my nerves,” I growled.
    “Hey, I’ve had just about as much sleep and stress as you have, so I’m allowed to get a little punchy, don’t you think?” he said with a raised eyebrow.
    Did he have any idea how tempting he looked when he did that? My mouth went dry. I needed to focus on something other than him. “All right. So do you have a belt?” I noticed that he looked quite nice in his jeans and t-shirt. He smelled like soap and fresh male and it was oh so tempting. I tried to stop my mind from going there, but it was so hard with him standing so close.
    “Sure, have this one,” he said as he took off his belt and pulled out a knife.
    I had no time to protest. He leaned down in front of me. I gulped as he took the belt through the loops for me. His nearness made my pulse speed up again. This should not be so arousing, but it was. I kept repeating in my head that he was Val’s son and off limits. It really didn’t work, but I was putting in a good effort. After putting a new hole in it, he cut off the excess length and buckled it. His knuckles brushed up against my lower stomach. I think my heart stopped for a second.
    Then he stepped back and put his hands on his hips, looking me up and down. “I think that will do. Hold on just a sec. I’ll roll up the pant legs for you.” His voice was a bit gruffer than before.
    Maybe I wasn’t the only one affected by this, whatever it was. He leaned back down. He had them rolled up in an instant so I couldn’t trip. I was having difficulty keeping my paws to myself.
    “Now let me see your throat.” He was gentle as his hand cupped my chin, moving my head side to side as he inspected the wounds to my neck. My skin tingled from the contact. “Not too bad. There’s bruising, but the cuts are healing nicely. I’m going to take the plastic and tape off your arm.” He set my chin free and carefully removed the tape.
    “Thanks,” I said, rubbing where my skin was still warm from his touch. Now all I needed was my hair combed and