Hannah (The Coven's Grove Chronicles #2) (4 page)

Hannah rubbed the platinum band with her thumb.
Maybe I shouldn’t be doing this
. She had been talking herself into going out since she’d arrived at the hotel, but, now that she was faced with actually doing it, she was finding herself to be a bit of a chicken. She wasn’t even sure what to do on a date anymore. Abruptly, she got up from the leather lounge chair, determined to head back to her room and make a call to cancel, when her dark eyes fell on Dominic as he came in through the entrance doors.
Too late now
.

His graceful movements showed off legs, accustomed to running, under the snug black slacks that slid over his thighs as he walked into the lobby. He stopped near the entrance to get his bearings, most likely looking for Hannah. The gray silk shirt he wore clung to his well-formed shoulders and chest while bands of muscle along his bare forearms stood out beneath his dark skin in the soft, forum lighting.

Hannah froze, unable to think clearly, as her inner cat purred. Her self-doubt slid into the backseat in the face of her yearning desire to lick every inch of Dominic’s body.
Oh, hell, I’m in trouble
.

As if he had heard her thoughts, Dominic caught sight of her and sauntered over.

Hannah smiled as he walked up.

“Wow,” Dominic said, with a glance at her dress. “You look amazing.”

Hannah’s cheeks burned. “You’re either far too kind or far too smooth.”

Dominic flashed his teeth as he laughed. “I’m only appreciating what I see.”

She gave him a wry grin. “Smooth.” Maybe this evening wasn’t going to be a disaster after all.

“I can only hope,” he said, and then gestured toward the entrance. “Are you ready?”

Hannah nodded, and started for the large glass doors. Dominic’s hand touched her lower back as he walked alongside her. She tensed for a moment, but actually liked the feeling and confidence his action displayed. It was nice to know he wanted to touch her, and was bold enough to do so.

“I thought we might take a river taxi. The club is a bit far to walk,” Dominic said, as they left the hotel and headed toward the Riverwalk.

“That sounds nice,” Hannah replied. “Where is it we’re going exactly?”

“It’s called ‘Howl at the Moon’.”

Hannah chuckled.

“I know it sounds bad, but it’s actually a pretty fun place,” Dominic said hastily. He led her down to the waterfront, where the taxis stopped for passengers. There were two other couples already waiting, both were young and chatted excitedly among themselves.

“I don’t know,” Hannah replied. “I was kind of hoping you’d take me to a dive.”

Dominic blinked, and opened his mouth as if to say something, but ended up laughing instead. “You’re having a go at me, aren’t you?”

She shrugged coyly. “Maybe.”

“Oooh.” He leaned back against the metal railing that surrounded the boarding area. “This is going to be an interesting night, I see.”

Maybe, Hannah thought. As much as she wanted to cut loose, she still had a certain level of caution keeping her in check. “Where are your friends?” she asked, without preamble. “I thought this was going to be a group outing.”

“They’re already at the club,” Dominic answered, looking over his shoulder as the river taxi pulled up to the side of the walk. “The few times I’ve been there, it’s been difficult to get a seat.”

“Ah,” she said, satisfied. “That makes sense.”

The river taxi was big enough to hold around twenty people, so there was plenty of room for everyone to get a seat, and still have a little privacy. Hannah took Dominic’s offered hand after he stepped down into the boat. The tingling jolt that followed his touch sent Hannah’s primal desires into a frenzy. Warm electricity flowed into her body to caress her most treasured places of sensitivity.

Hannah gasped as she lost her footing on the dock, and fell toward the floor of the taxi.

Dominic’s strong arms spun her around as she fell, and pulled her tightly into chest, averting her headlong dive. The driver, and the two couples, looked on in stunned silence for a moment before applauding. “Nice moves,” the old boatman said with a smile.

Dominic didn’t respond immediately, apparently under some kind of strain as well. “Much thanks,” he finally managed.

Hannah still struggled with her emotions as Dominic set her down. Sweat beaded on her cheeks and forehead, the sensual desire not relenting, until he released her. She was practically panting by the time she was on her feet again. The words to thank him wouldn’t come to her lips, so instead, she gave him a lame smile, and staggered to the front of the taxi to take her seat.

Dominic sat down beside her, chest heaving and sweat evident on his brow. He gave her a look of concern. “Are you okay?”

“I... I think so. Just a little dizzy,” Hannah answered, still somewhat breathless. Realization dawned on her that she and Dominic had never actually touched “skin-to-skin” before, and that what she had just experienced was Atingere, the touch of a potential guardian. She gave him a sideways glance. “You okay?”

He shifted in his seat, and chuckled. “Yeah. Not sure what happened there, though.”

Hannah swallowed, feeling awkward. “Me either. Maybe it’s because we’re on the water.” She shrugged when Dominic looked at her, and hoped that he went for her lame excuse. Not that he would expect answers from her anyway. Who could know what that touch meant other than a witch with knowledge of the guardian bond. She smirked as her thoughts drifted to the brief conversation with Alix back at Coven’s Grove. The spry, purple-haired girl had not been wrong about the want to tear off clothing; Hannah was fit to claw out of her dress, and take Dominic right there on the boat. The last tingles of that desire trickled away as the taxi started down the river, but, deep down, her hunger for him still simmered.

Dominic settled and looked out over the water, apparently satisfied with Hannah’s answer, or had come up with some reason of his own for the bizarre incident. Whatever the case, he moved past the awkward silence with conversation. “So, what do you do when not rescuing the world from itself?”

Hannah hesitated, this topic was a little too close to home. “Nothing fun,” she finally answered. “Or at least, not fun for most people I’d imagine.”

“And, what might that be?”

“I garden,” she said flatly.

“Well, when you say it like that I can see why you’d think it wasn’t fun.” Dominic laughed. “Surely there’s more to it than that?”

“Yes, of course, but I enjoy it,” she said. “My life’s always been about nature and earthy stuff. It’s just... There hasn’t been much time for anything else.” Just like that, she blurted out the depressing truth of her situation—her life—to a man she hardly knew. “Wow, that sounded kind of pathetic.”

“Not at all.” Dominic smiled. “Sounds like you found your purpose early in life. Not many people can say that. Now, you’re looking for more. Nothing wrong with that.”

“You must have had a lot of girls to practice on to know your way around words like that,” Hannah said, before thinking.

Dominic scratched his chin and said, “You know, I’m not the womanizer you seem to think I am. I actually like women.
Talking
with them even.”

“Sorry,” she said, feeling like a moron. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been out like this. I guess I’m just a little... uncertain.”
That was an understatement
. She’d been conflicted ever since she’d gotten to San Antonio; it was like being a damn teenager all over again. And now that “the touch” had happened with Dominic, she was even more on edge about whether to cut loose and have a good time, or call it a night.

“I tell you what,” Dominic said. “Let’s have one drink. If you still don’t feel comfortable, I’ll bring you back to the hotel. No worries.”

She eyed him with playful skepticism. “Right,” she drawled. “That’s one I’ve actually heard before.”

Dominic chuckled. “But I’m serious.”

Hannah couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay. One drink.”

The bass they’d heard farther down the walkway vibrated through Hannah’s chest as they entered the club. Her hand got stamped with one of those neon-green, glow in the dark inks that takes a couple of days to wash off. A quick scan of the place gave Hannah the lowdown on what was pretty much the typical nightclub scene; a dance floor filled with gyrating bodies, and dim, multi-colored lighting that strobed on occasion. The place was clean, though, which was a nice change from the stereotype she’d created in her mind.

Just shy of nine o’clock, the partying had begun. Apparently the nightlife started early in Texas, or maybe it was just the Riverwalk. Whichever it might be, Hannah was going to need that drink, and fast. She was stressing about what that touch on the boat had meant for her and Dominic. She wasn’t sure if he had experienced the same sensual vibe she had, but he had definitely felt something. Her only saving grace was the fact that he didn’t understand what Atingere meant. Come to think of it, Hannah didn’t know a whole lot about it, either. Now that they had experienced the touch, she wasn’t sure if they were bonded or not. A barrage of questions stormed her mind: Was this her only chance to find a guardian? Did she even want one? Would Dominic want to be one? They continued on, making her feel helpless. She was going to have to call Miranda. Tonight.

Dominic gave the room a sweeping gaze, and pointed at the bar. “They’re over there!”

Hannah nodded, and gestured for him to lead the way. She was careful not to touch his bare skin, as they navigated through the crowd, but snagged a handful of his shirt to make sure she didn’t get left behind.

Dominic sauntered up to a stocky guy leaning against the bar, and clasped hands with him. “Nathan, glad you could make it.”

“Wouldn’t miss it, man.” Nathan smiled. His hair was dark and short—military short—and his skin was lightly tanned. A deep scar ran from his hairline down to his left eye, stopping just before the eyelid started. He looked over Dominic’s shoulder at Hannah. “Nice seminar today. I liked what you had to say.”

“Thanks,” Hannah replied over the music. She didn’t recognize Nathan, but there had been over two hundred people in the auditorium this afternoon, so she wasn’t surprised.

“Nathan,” Dominic said. “This is Hannah Ward, earth specialist, and all-around tree lover.”

Nathan laughed and offered his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.” Hannah gave Dominic a little nudge as she took Nathan’s hand. “Are you an environmentalist as well?”

“Yeah, of a sort. Mainly I just tag along for the ride.”

“Nathan provides protection,” Dominic chimed in. “Like some of the others in our merry group.”

Hannah frowned. “Protection?”

“Some of the places we go to protest aren’t very keen on civil rights,” Dominic answered. He motioned to the bartender, then glanced at Hannah. “I owe you a drink...”

“Manhattan,” Hannah said without hesitation. Her nerves had begun to settle, but taking the edge off always helped with breaking the ice.

“Where’s everyone else?” Dominic asked Nathan, after ordering her drink and a beer for himself.

Nathan jabbed a heavy thumb toward the dance floor. “Couldn’t help themselves.”

Dominic gave Nathan a concerned look. “And, what about you? Shouldn’t you be out there too?”

“Saving my energy.”

“Ah,” Dominic said in a knowing tone. “Monica’s here.”

Hannah was a fairly good judge of body language—facial expressions really—and the look Nathan gave Dominic was one of pure smugness: arched brow combined with shit-eating-grin. No mistaking it.
Someone thinks he’s getting laid tonight,
she thought, trying not to laugh.

Their drinks arrived in short order. Hannah’s Manhattan was served in a highball glass. She suddenly realized she hadn’t seen one since college.
Oh, hell
.

She must have made a face or something because Dominic started laughing. He shook his head while looking at her drink and said, “That’s your fault. Not mine.”

“What?” Nathan looked between the two of them, befuddled.