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Chapter 15: Handsome Monster

Thelma

Kyle grips the steering wheel of his car tightly as we drive further away from my home. I gaze out of the window into the dark. The darkness seems to reflect my feelings as we move further and further away from my comfort zone into the unknown. Tears burn the back of my eyes but I try to blink them away.

The serious look on Kyle’s face tells me he isn’t one to sympathize with mopey women; he made that abundantly clear during my farewell with Roy and Ma. Although I can feel the heat radiating from the man sitting beside me, I feel so alone. I have no idea where we are going, and my emotions have caused my throat to clamp up; I couldn’t speak if I tried.

We left the other man and Rhea behind. I’m not sure if they will follow us, but for now, I don’t see any other car.

It’s only Kyle and me. Alone.

Ma had placed her palm on the window as the car drove away, fat tears streaming down her face. The memory of Ma crying silently while Roy tried to look strong from the door breaks my heart.

Hot tears stab my eyes. Exhaustion and fear of the unknown overtake my defenses and a small sob escapes my lips. I quickly bring my hand up to cover my mouth as I try to blink away the tears that are threatening to pour out.

I can feel Kyle giving me a side glance. Focus! He definitely doesn’t have time for this childish foolishness.

“Are you alright?” Kyle asks.

I want to yell at him. How could I be alright after leaving my family behind? Sitting next to a monster I always thought was fictitious isn’t normal. Learning that I, Thelma, am a witch who is being hunted by some mysterious entity isn’t alright.

A louder sob escapes my throat and I’m warring with my eyes to hold back the tears.

Kyle curses before pulling the car to the side of the road. Damn! Surely I’m getting a scolding.

As soon as the car stops, and Kyle turns his body toward me, I wipe my face with the back of my hand and say, “I’m sorry.”

He doesn’t say anything. but I can feel his steely glare on me; a tear rolls down my cheek. Again, I try to swipe at it, but I don’t catch it fast enough.

Oh, gods, I am crying in front of Kyle, for whom sympathy is as welcome as syphilis. Ever since I was a child, I had been told about how his nickname matched his personality. Kwaad was rumored to be both ruthless and crazy. What would he think of this whimpering mess he had decided to save?

Another tear rolls out of my eye. Oh, dear gods, why can’t I stop crying? I raise my other hand to try and cover my whole face from his scrutiny, but as I do, Kyle’s muscular, hot hand grasps mine. With his free hand, he pulls my other hand away from my face. He looks at me with an expression that veers between curious and probing.

“Thelma, your family will be okay, I promise. I have my best people guarding your loved ones. And YOU, will be safe with me,” he assures.

I nod. I want to believe him. Even if I can’t, I have to.

“Won’t those people just attack you? Since they are after me, doesn’t that put you in danger?” I inquire.

Kyle snorts. “No one can find you under my roof. No one! It’s hard to get out, but impossible to get in. My people make sure no outsiders, monsters, or magic can infiltrate my pack.”

I am not sure if the statement is a declaration to put me at ease or a warning to me of some sort.

“What if they do?” I push.

“Then they have to get past me first,” Kyle declares, a slight laugh releasing. “Good luck to them!”

“Why? Why are you doing this for me?” I ask, finding now the only time to ask this as my throat has opened enough for words to crawl out.

“Are you sure you don’t want to wait until we get home first? You can take a bath, eat something warm and sleep. We can discuss that tomorrow,” Kyle says.

Home. He made it sound like his home was now my home by default.

However, I can’t help but frown; this time I am the one to search his face. Why does it seem like he is deliberately delaying telling me what it is he wants from me? Is it because once I’m locked up like a prisoner in his house, I’m unable to escape and can’t refuse his demands? I would be trapped there with no exit plan.

I clear my throat. “You can tell me now, please.”

“Such a curious thing you are,” Kyle says.

His words are punctuated by his thumb tracing over my lips. Kyle’s touch on my delicate mouth jars me; I feel as if my entire body is connected to my lips. He proceeds to raise his hand and buries his fingers into my hair.

Tingles scatter over my scalp and skin, the sensation sinking bone-deep, splintering my thoughts, my shaky serenity, and my heartbeat. His heat seeps into me, fortifying this monster’s impact, searing it inside me. I suck in my breath.

“I…I just need to know what you want,” I stutter.

He smiles. “Right now? All I want is to kiss you senseless.”

I blink. I am sure my eyes must look like golf balls as I gawk at the handsome mountain of man, and beast, in front of me. Slowly he ushers his head toward mine. What in the beautiful mother earth is happening? I have never kissed a man, and I’m afraid if he puts his lips on mine all I will do is suck, or worse…bite him.

A sensation takes over my body as I watch his face inch closer to mine. My eyes follow his every move. I feel vulnerable, intrigued. I am flushed and I feel my breath quicken.

What had I learned from years of reading romance novels? He moves sixty percent and I move forty percent, right? I can see him pause, waiting for something. Is he sending me a signal? A bare hint of receptiveness?

What the heck? I had just met this dude, what was all this pent-up desire brewing? I can feel his breath caressing my skin…so warm…so humid…so inviting.

Drawing in a rattly breath, I lift my shaking hand to his chest. I am not sure if I intend to touch him or keep him at bay. This is crazy…this can’t be right.

I drop my hand, the gap still too far between us.

The hand in my hair drops down along the length of my body and comes to rest on the curve of my waist. I draw in a shaky breath.

He tightens his grip on my waist. “Do you like being kissed, Thelma?”

I feel his words as much as I hear them.

“I shouldn’t.” My voice sounds strange and shaky even to my own ears.

“That isn’t what I asked. Do you WANT it?”

I lick my lips. “I don’t know. I have never been kissed.”

Again he puts his fingers in my hair and drags me tighter to him. His mouth crashes on mine and I feel myself parting my own to allow him in. I can taste him…I feel the warmth of his tongue radiating through every soft muscle of my mouth.

He doesn’t linger. When he pulls away, he is breathing heavily.

“You taste so sweet, Thelma. I promise to keep you safe, all you have to do is have my child.”

Handsome monster says what?

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