Brain (20 page)

I went a little faster, a little harder, saw she was okay, and then added in more speed and intensity.

Within a few minutes my nuts slapped her with each thrust, we were both breathing hard, and I was close, but so was she.

When she finally came, she literally came unglued, and I held her and kept her safe as she screamed and shook and shuddered beneath me, her warmth gripping and holding me until I grit my teeth to hold off my own release so I could keep fucking her through the orgasm while I watched to be sure it didn’t turn bad.

Somehow, I managed to hold off until her body slowed its rippling under me, and then I thrust into her rough and hard a half-dozen times as my wolf came to the surface and we both shouted through the release. Harmony held my wolf and I as we fucked her into the mattress and she screamed through her bliss, and my nuts drew up, my muscles locked, and the last of the orgasm left my body. I pushed the wolf back down before I opened my eyes to see her beautiful, blue and golden-amber eye looking at me, totally sated and happy.

Harmony

As we drove to Chattanooga, Brain tried to reassure me.

“So we’ve learned another of your triggers, it isn’t a big deal.”

He’d sucked my finger into his mouth during foreplay, and I’d froze on him again, just before trying to beat the holy hell out of him with the alarm clock.

It’d taken months for my fingernails and toenails to grow back, and some hadn’t come in right, so I’d had to pay a doctor to remove three of them with a local anesthesia, and then do something so they’d come back straight. They still weren’t exactly right; deep ridges in a few, and several were super thick, though I kept them all — except my left ring finger — trimmed and filed down to nothing, because if anything touched them, or if I felt them moving, I freaked.

And, apparently, if someone sucked on my finger, I went all caveman on them.

I’d already apologized so much he’d threatened to make me watch reality television if I dared do so again, so I tried to make light of it. “We need to buy another alarm clock. Who knew your head was so hard?”

He chuckled. “I’m pretty sure everyone who’s ever spent more than ten minutes around me knows I’m hard headed — you just tried to prove it.” He held my hand as he drove, and he lifted it to his lips, kissed it, and put it back on my leg. “We’ve had sex three times in a day and a half, all three ended in missionary, and we only had one episode. I think those are pretty good numbers, don’t you?”

I breathed out, relieved he truly didn’t seem to be growing tired of my neuroses. “Yeah, when you put it that way, I guess you’re right.” Theoretically, once we got over the first hurdle, my subconscious would be faster getting over the others with the same person. So, by working past the trauma around having my hair torn out in huge hunks, the things that came later were easier. Still, I was amazed I hadn’t zoned out on him a single time during missionary sex. Of course, the way he worked it, so we started out on our sides, and didn’t go into missionary until I was near an orgasm, probably had a lot to do with it. I was pretty sure I’d still freeze if we started out in missionary.

Also, there’d been a lot of eye contact for both the hair washing and the missionary position, helping tie them together. Recalling the eye contact reminded me of a question. “A couple of times, I think I saw your wolf… I mean, like he was looking out of your eyes. Is that normal?”

He kissed my hand again and nodded. “As you get used to us, I’ll let you see him more. He wasn’t on board with pushing you during sex, taking you past your comfort levels, and I needed to let him see you through my eyes, and smell through my nose, to reassure him you were okay.”

He glanced at me, then back to the road. “Not all shapeshifters tell their significant other their secret, but I can’t imagine not telling you who I really am, letting you see all of me.”

After a couple of moments of silence, he said, “You didn’t have a problem with my foot massages while you were recovering. Why did they not trigger you?”

I shrugged. “My toes didn’t hurt as bad as my fingers, and they all grew back in okay. My fingers were a pain on the keyboard without the nails — if I typed longer than ten or fifteen minutes, the
bones
hurt. I went swimming in the ocean a couple of weeks after my escape, and the salt burned the nailbeds of my fingers and toes like crazy, but my toes just never really bothered me again.”

“How did you explain your nails, on the cruise?”

“I bought a bunch of thin, nylon gloves before I got on, and I always wore them. No one asked me about them, I guess they just thought I was one of those eccentric rich women who can’t be expected to act logically.”

We pulled into the parking lot of what was obviously an ancient school, with beautiful architecture. There were no signs saying what was here, which I assumed meant it was probably the home office of Drake Security.

Brain told the receptionist our names, and within a few minutes Aaron Drake met us in the lobby. “Come on back, I have everything up on chalkboards in one of the locked wings, to make sure no one sees it.”

We went through a series of impressive locked doors before entering an old classroom. The chalkboard had writing all over it, and the bulletin boards had plans, pictures, and maps.

Aaron leaned over a table, his fists on the surface, his arm muscles in stark relief in the harsh classroom lighting. “I have a female shapeshifter who’s about your size, but Brain says you won’t go for us sending someone in besides you.”

I shook my head. “I won’t put anyone else in that kind of danger. I’d say goodbye to the money before I risked someone else. Ya’ll protecting me is bad enough, but it’ll be
me
walking into the bank and taking the biggest risk.”

He didn’t accuse me of not valuing my own life, he merely nodded and kept going. Whether he understood this was about more than just the money, or not, he accepted my reasoning without argument.

The three of us brainstormed and altered his initial plan until we were all convinced it would work.

“You’re certain the shapeshifter you’ll send into the bank with me can alter his face enough so no one will be able to find him later?”

This was the only part of the plan I was against, as it put this man in danger if the two of us were captured, but neither Brain nor Aaron was willing to go along with the rest of the plan unless I walked into the bank on the arm of a bodyguard.

Aaron nodded, and Brain said, “I know someone who can shift his human features around. It takes someone really strong to do it, but he can even reshape the bones of his face, so his cheekbones are more or less prominent, his jaw is narrower, his forehead smaller, even the space between his eyes can be different.”

I nodded and told them, “Okay, then. I like the rest of the plan, now let’s settle on a date.”

We wouldn’t be using Aaron’s plane, but one he had access to on the coast, as Brain wanted to be sure no one traced me back to Chattanooga. Aaron went through an intermediary to reserve the plane, and we got it for three weeks out.

“Now,” Aaron said, his body language and voice obviously moving from serious business to personal, “Sophia and I would like the two of you to have dinner with us. You can meet the kids when you arrive, but then we’ll send them below with a sitter — three toddlers do not make for a relaxing dinner with guests, and that’s what Sophia wants.” He looked at me. “She considers Brain a good friend, as do I, and my wife very much wants to spend some time with the woman he’s fallen for.”

Brain had told me Sophia had led an extremely sheltered life, and he and Duke were the first two non-related friends she’d ever had, who hadn’t been paid for and vetted by her father. He’d also verified he’d helped keep Sophia safe while she was in hiding, after she escaped her father’s mansion, where she’d lived the first twenty five years of her life without leaving a single time.

“Thanks for the invitation,” I told him. “Brain’s told me a little about your Sophia, and I’d like to get to know her better, too. Since we were planning to drive home this afternoon, I don’t have anything to change into, though. Will this be okay?”

He smiled, “You’re perfect. Nothing fancy, just food and conversation.”

* * * *

Brain

The only two werewolves I knew who could alter their human faces were Duke and Randall, but I was certain there were other shapeshifters with the ability, and no way would Aaron enlist either of them for this. He had plenty of professionals on his payroll, and he’d given me an invoice for the price of every man who went with us, per day, as well as the cost of the plane. We’d pay what amounted to the plane’s cost, and one man’s fee, before we left, with the rest due upon completion of the mission.

We’d have three men plus the pilot, who was also ex-special forces, and would help on the ground, as well.

And I’d be running the control center, managing communications between everyone. It was what I do best, but it still bothered me that I wouldn’t be out there, personally protecting my Buttercup. My wolf didn’t like her being separated from me, and hated that I was letting others be responsible for keeping her safe.

We hung out in the range and shot a while. Aaron sent Ranger and Mac down with a bunch of guns for us to shoot, and they stuck around and made sure we were familiar with each weapon before we handled it. They brought us the best toys to play with, and I could tell Harmony was enjoying herself as much as I was — especially with some of the WWII reproductions, as well as some military prototypes not yet available to civilians.

When Aaron came down, he spoke with Ranger outside the door a few minutes, and then came inside, saying, “I hope you’ve worked up an appetite, because my wife and our cook are in the process of creating a feast.” He looked to Harmony. “Ranger tells me you know your way around a firearm, but my intelligence on you said you didn’t use them?”

She shrugged and told him, “My lifestyle wasn’t conducive to being a responsible gun owner, so I found other,
quieter
ways of defending myself. A gunshot at three in the morning draws attention, but unless they’re really close, no one hears a homemade taser knocking someone out.”

Aaron nodded and asked, “Mind if I have a look at your taser?”

She looked at me, uncertain, and I told him, “If you want to use the idea yourself, you’ll need to pay her a licensing fee.”

He grinned and said, “Of course. I’m curious to see what she’s come up with, but I also need to know her specific defensive abilities for the op.” He tilted his head, considering us before saying, “I spoke with Kirsten, and she and Sam will be in the dojo Sam uses tomorrow at eleven for a class. She said she can come at nine to work out with Harmony, and figures Sam won’t mind sparring with her a little when she gets there.”

I smiled and looked at Harmony to explain, “Sam and Ethan Levi live in town, and we know them through some other friends.” Ethan Levi is the current mixed martial arts heavyweight champion of the world, and his wife Sam had retired while holding the women’s bantamweight title. Harmony looked at me, speechless, through a dozen rapid heartbeats, and finally said, “Yeah, I think maybe we’ll need to buy some clothes and toiletries, and get a hotel room for the night.”

“Nonsense,” said Aaron, “you can stay in one of our guest rooms. I’m going to be another hour or two here. You can go shopping and then drive up the mountain. I’ll let Sophia know you’ll likely arrive before me.”

Harmony

Sophia met us on the front porch as we came up the sidewalk, and once again the thought went through my head that the tiny woman looked like a fairy princess, with hair so blonde it was almost white, and a smile that made me immediately feel welcome.

The house smelled fantastic, as if someone had been cooking for hours, and my stomach growled as Sophia led us to the back of the house.

She must’ve heard it, because she said, “We have some appetizers to snack on in the living room while we wait for Aaron.”

I looked at Brain in question, but he only grinned back at me. Yeah, she’d heard it.

Sophia introduced us to a hunk of a man named Jonathan, and explained, “My overprotective husband wants to be sure I’m safe, so Jonathan’s almost always with me when Aaron can’t be.”

“I smelled two more guys outside,” Brain said, “and I hear two adult heartbeats downstairs, as well as three toddlers’, so I’m assuming Jonathan isn’t the only one here guarding you and your little darlings?”

She rolled her eyes and said, “Right you are.” She looked at me and explained, “I have family duties that take a great deal of my time, so while I hated to hire a nanny for my babies, it seemed the best option, and it’s working out well, so far.”

“How old are they?” I asked. Brain had told me they were triplets, but hadn’t told me much more about the kids.

Sophia glanced at Brain, back to me. “You’ve probably figured out they aren’t human, but my telling you they’re ten months old will still seem odd when you see what appears to be three very rambunctious eighteen month old toddlers.” She shrugged and explained, “They’ll stay about this size for the next year, so from that point on their size will seem about normal for a human child, though their intelligence will give them away as being much smarter. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more, but Aaron’s being quite possessive and secretive towards those who don’t already know, and I need to do what I can to soothe the overprotective beast.”

Her genuine smile told me how much she loved her husband and children, and even so, she was sorry for the secrecy.

“I’d love to meet them, and please don’t apologize, I’m sure he’s doing what he feels necessary to keep his family safe.”

Brain chuckled and said, “And I don’t blame him a bit. I hope to eventually be able to tell you the whole story, but I’ll respect Aaron’s wishes. I think I hear his car in the driveway though, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Yes,” said Jonathan, still standing near the door, “he’s here.” He nodded to Sophia. “I’ll see you in the morning.” He turned to me and said, “It was nice to meet you, Harmony. Brain looks happy, so I’ll assume you’re good for him.” His gaze shifted to Brain and he added, “Good to see you again. I’m leaving them in your care a few minutes while I touch base with Aaron, and then he’ll be in.”

Sophia shook her head and said, “Jonathan’s been with me since I was a child, and was never allowed physical contact with me in human form. He’ll hug me, now, when I insist, but he still acts all formal in front of other people. Drives me crazy.” She nodded to the food. “My little darlings will decimate the appetizers when they come up, no matter they’re eating now. If you want something else, you should go ahead and get it. Make yourself a plate — they won’t bother what’s yours.”

I followed Brain’s lead and put a few items on a plate, and set it to the side. I jumped in my seat a few minutes later at a high pitched squeal from downstairs, and Sophia laughed. “My daughters
love
their daddy. He’ll bring them all up once they calm down from welcoming him home.”

We talked another couple of minutes, and then quieted as we heard a melee of voices coming up the steps.

Two pudgy, adorable toddlers, a girl and a boy, ran in and climbed Brain, repeating some form of, “Brain! You’re here! Mom, it’s Brain!” over and over.

Aaron was holding a beautiful, wiggly, girl, and when he put her down, she also ran to Brain, adding her adorable, little-girl voice to the chaos.

And Brain’s smile was huge, bigger than I’d ever seen it, as he alternated hugging the toddlers with play-wrestling them.

When they finally settled down, one girl was wrapped around his torso, the boy was standing on Brain’s leg with his arms wrapped around Brain’s neck, and the other girl was sitting on the big-bad-werewolf’s leg, leaned against his side.

“I’m happy to see the three of you again, too, but I hadn’t expected this rambunctious of a welcome.” He looked to Sophia and said, “They haven’t seen me in five or six months, I’m surprised they remember me.”

“Which goes to show,” said Aaron, “it’s never a good idea to underestimate my kind. The two of you may be geniuses by human and wolf standards, but not by all.” He looked to me and said, “May I introduce Sapphire, Emerald, and Hunter. I’m sure you can guess which is my son. Sapphire is wrapped around him like a parasite, Emerald is sitting on his leg.”

Hunter turned his eyes to me, as if just noticing a stranger in the room, and I felt as if I were being analyzed by an ancient soul in a tiny body. “You smell like Brain.” It was baby talk in that he said his L’s and R’s as W’s, but otherwise, it wasn’t. He didn’t ask it as a question, and yet it wasn’t an accusation. A statement of fact.

I wasn’t sure who to look at, as now all three of the toddlers were looking at me. Sapphire gave Brain a scalding look as she asked, “She b’longs to you?”

Aaron stepped towards me and told his children, “This is Harmony, and yes, she’s here with Brain.”

Little Emerald came to me first, her eyes sad as she said, “Duke misses Brain. So does Gen. He needs to come home, will you let him?”

I looked to Brain for help, but his eyes went emotional a brief second before I saw a wall come down, and no emotions showed on his face at all.

Aaron stooped down so he was eye level with his children. “Harmony is a guest in our home, and you’re making her uncomfortable. She can’t make Brain do anything, she can only support him in what he needs to do, and right now he feels like he needs to stay away from Duke.”

“Darlings,” Sophia said, “why don’t you show Brain and Harmony your latest artwork?”

I was almost expecting to see artistic masterpieces, and was relieved when they ran out of the room and returned with what you’d expect from the average two or three year old. Brain and I made appropriate comments praising their artwork, and listened as they prattled on about each other, their mom and dad, their nanny, and how much they adored Jonathan. They pretty much camped out on Brain and I, treating us as the same being as they wiggled, squirmed, and hugged us in a state of constant motion.

After around fifteen minutes, Aaron said, “Okay you three, you’ll be able to see Brain and Harmony again before they leave, but it’s bath time, so the three of you need to head downstairs to Patrice.”

Hunter screamed, “I get the battleship!” and ran for the door. I heard his little feet pitter-pattering down the steps, as his sisters rolled their eyes and hugged Brain and me again before holding hands and walking down the steps as they devised a plan of how to get the battleship away from their brother.

“Oh, my,” I told Sophia and Aaron, now sitting on a sofa together, holding hands and leaning into each other in a way that showed how truly in love with each other they were. “Your children are beautiful, and adorable, and so smart it’s a little scary.”

Aaron chuckled. “No, they’re so smart it’s a little
terrifying
. With Patrice here to help, it’s three of us and three of them… I don’t know what we’d do if they outnumbered us.”

Dinner was relaxed and enjoyable, and I didn’t feel at all self-conscious afterward as Sophia showed us to our room. Before she left, she told me, “Since we brought our children home, you’re the first person who’s stepped foot into our home who isn’t a long-time friend. After meeting you, I can see why Aaron invited you, and I’m happy he broke his unspoken rule.”

* * * *

Brain

Kirsten sparred with Harmony without instruction — which was fine, because she gave my girl a run for her money. However, when Sam arrived, she went straight into teacher mode, as I’d hoped she would.

Thirty minutes later, Sam asked me to step in and throw a punch, and Harmony and I both said, “No,” at the same time. Harmony looked to me for help, and I said, “For a variety of reasons, Harmony can’t see me as the bad guy right now, not even to spar.”

Sam took this in stride and turned to her and said, “No problem, just pretend I’m a foot taller,” as she threw another punch, and Harmony blocked and punched back.

When they finished, I thanked Sam and Kirsten, and Sam responded, “Happy to help. She has a good foundation, just needs to work on her reflexes and confidence.”