My beast took it as a challenge.
“What do you want it for?” I took the knife, with a resigned growl.
“To take control of your mind and use you to destroy my enemies.” Her face was flat and serious, her eyes returned to their usual dark color. When I gaped at her, she cackled. “I’m not as evil as you think, Isaac. Your father knew that.”
Yes, but my father never told me or Eli anything about our world and those who shared it with us. He was as secretive as Saul and colder than a northeastern wind in the dead of winter.
Celine steepled her fingers and blew out a breath. “I need it to right a wrong. Now get to it. She’ll be gone soon.”
Urgency prickled at my skin and my hands began to shake. The slit across my finger was clumsy and too deep. I ended up giving her much more than a drop.
Celine snatched the bowl off the table and disappeared into her kitchen. I was about to snap when she popped her head out with a grin. “Check the parking lot.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I stormed out her back door and around the trailer just in time to collide with a panting Tara.
She screamed when I caught her, shoving away from me and stumbling backward. I leaped forward, wrapping my arms around her waist and lifting her out of the way before she stepped right in front of a moving truck.
“Hey, Tara, hey.” I set her down, giving her space so she didn’t panic and bolt again. “It’s just me.”
“Get your hands off—Isaac?” She pressed a palm to her heaving chest.
The scent of her fear hit me, sharp and wrong, and I felt my vision shift as the beast peered from my eyes. The only coherent word I managed to speak was, “Who?”
“W-what?”
“Who the fuck has you running like that?” The muscles in her face tightened and she tensed like she was going to run again. Now I was the one scaring her.
I took her hand, gentling my voice and asking, “Are you okay?” Even so, my attention was all over the parking lot, scanning for a threat. I couldn’t smell anything over her fear. The faint scent of diesel and brine was layered under wilted flowers.
Tara glanced over her shoulder with wide eyes, shaking her head. “It was nothing. I need to get out of here.” When I didn’t move she added, “Now.”
I didn’t need anymore invitation than that. My bike was parked behind Celine’s shop and I tugged her in that direction. “Your chariot awaits.”
Tara stopped when she saw the motorcycle next to a dumpster. Okay, it wasn’t the most glamorous chariot. I bought the Honda from some old guy at a garage sale. It wasn’t pretty, but it was fast, and I was happy with anything that kicked my adrenaline up a notch.
The wind was brutal this time of year. I glanced at Tara’s perfect thighs and realized she was wearing a skirt that hugged every inch of her legs from hips to ankles.
Who walked around a boat launch in a skirt?
Now I couldn’t stop thinking about the last time we were together and the way her skirt slid up over her hips. My lust must have shown on my face, because she scowled at me and crossed her arms.
“I can’t ride a motorcycle.” But even as she said it, she was glancing over her shoulder again.
What’re you running from?
“Sure you can. It’s like riding a bike. Just hold on tighter.” I waved her over with a confident smile.
Tara moved closer, grabbing handfuls of her blonde hair as she did. With deft fingers she wove it into a tight braid. I couldn’t help but picture myself wrapping that braid around my fist as I—
Not the time.
“What about helmets?” Her expression was still skeptical as she straddled the bike.
“Shit.” I rubbed my chin. Technically it was illegal to ride without a helmet, but no one in Port O’Henry cared enough to enforce that. “Next time.”
I was a little shocked when she climbed on the motorcycle with a quick nod. Two days of losing my mind over this woman and suddenly she was here, practically begging to climb on my bike with me.
She fumbled for a second with where to put her hands so I helped her, taking her forearms and wrapping them tightly around my waist. Her cheeks flamed with color and my body went rigid.