Howling Moon (36 page)

Cat took a
deep breath and tried to convince herself that she wasn’t nervous. It wasn’t working. Even though she and Raphael were lovers and had been seeing each other regularly for their training sessions, this was their first real “date.” It would have been easier if they could have done some small thing off alone. But, no, the “rules” of the courtship stipulated that there had to be pack members available as witnesses. Cat still thought it would be simpler just to acknowledge that she had accepted him, but Raphael had insisted she keep quiet for now.

His reluctance made her nervous. A part of her couldn’t help but wonder if he had regrets. After all, being with her was causing no end of trouble with his people.

So she worried, despite the evidence of his scent, and the words he whispered to her when they were alone. She’d been so very wrong about Brad, it was hard to trust her judgment. But her every instinct told her she
could
and should trust Raphael. She just wasn’t sure she was ready to do so.

The antique clock in the sitting room chimed the quarter hour. He’d be here any minute. She checked her reflection one last time, threw up the sturdiest mental shields she could, took a deep, steadying breath, and went back into the outer rooms.

The suite was exquisite. She’d chosen a different hotel, still downtown, but farther down the mall. It was newer, part of an extensive high-end chain that was used to catering to celebrities who flocked to the area on their way up to the mountains during ski season. It was only for sentimental reasons that she hadn’t chosen it in the first place.

Are you ready? Raphael’s voice slid gently into her mind a moment before he knocked on the door of the suite. She knew he hadn’t eavesdropped on her previous thoughts, but the when she gave her reply to him, she answered her own doubts as well.

Yes. I think I am.

The restaurant they
chose was only two blocks from the hotel, on the Sixteenth Street Mall, a pedestrian-only thoroughfare whose only motorized vehicles were the shuttle buses that ran the length of downtown. Cat and Raphael walked hand-in-hand in the flickering shadows cast by windblown trees festooned with twinkling lights. Tonight he wore his signature black, from head to toe. His suit jacket was exquisitely cut to emphasize his broad shoulders, the silver-tipped belt his narrow waist He’d left his hair loose, and even with the new cut, his dark curls fell softly to the neck of his collarless raw silk shirt. More than one woman was casting an envious glance.

Cat was exquisite in an emerald green sheath cut to emphasize her figure. The hem came to her calf, but a daring slit showed pale, perfect skin well up to her thigh. She wore matching pumps with just enough heel to leave her eye-to-eye with Raphael. Diamonds and emeralds glittered at her throat, ears, and wrist. She, too, wore her hair down tonight, and it flowed loose across her shoulders and down her back.

They chatted amiably. Raphael asked after Ned and Violet.

“The truck broke down in Reno, so they’re staying there a few days for repairs. I would’ve thought they’d be upset about it, but they seem fine. Violet was going on about how Charles had gotten them front-row tickets to see Antoine the Magnificent.”

Raphael grinned. “They’ll like that. He puts on quite the show.”

“Oh.” Cat remembered Raphael’s earlier comment about the councilman for the feline shifters and the surge of jealousy that had followed. While she didn’t scent anything untoward coming from him, she didn’t want to push the issue, so she changed the subject. “Look, a horse-drawn carriage! I’ve always wanted to ride in one.” She pointed across the street where a gleaming white carriage was hitched to a large bay with long white hair feathering its hooves.

Raphael checked his watch. They had nearly a half hour before their reservations.
Why not?
We can try it if you like, but we’ll have to shield like a sonovabitch, he warned her. Otherwise the horse will bolt.

It will?

Animals can sense the predator in us. It generally makes them very, very nervous. Still want to try?

Oh, yes! Please, if it won’t make us late.

We have time. And it won’t hurt anything if we’re a few minutes late. Lucas and Tatya will understand.

The horse shifted nervously at their approach, snorting loudly and tossing its head. Still, the driver managed to calm it enough that Cat and Raphael were able to climb into the back of the carriage onto the crushed velvet seat. Cat curled up beneath Raphael’s arm, resting her head on his shoulder, and the carriage pulled away from the curb, the clop of the horse’s hooves against the gray paving stones a gentle counterpoint to the music and voices floating on the evening breeze from the various bars and restaurants lining the mall. At the far end of the mall the clock tower struck the quarter hour.

Christmas decorations and advertisements adorned the various shop windows, but Cat ignored them. She wasn’t looking forward to the holidays this year, and she didn’t want to spoil the mood. This was, by far, the most romantic thing any man had ever done for her, and she wanted to relish the moment.

Raphael was caught in the moment as well, reveling in the clean scent of her shampoo, the warmth of her curled up next to him. The need he felt for her was deep, and dangerously addicting. He knew the trap Ahmad had set for him, but he didn’t care. Raphael
wanted
to win this woman, and not just from the mating compulsion. She was truly everything he’d ever wanted: warm, funny, intelligent, and breathtakingly beautiful. Her courage awed him, as did her determination and will. She’d shown compassion to Michael, loyalty and protectiveness to Violet, Ned, and Holly. For the first time in his long life he’d met a woman who he not only desired, but with whom he could imagine spending the rest of the long years of his life.

I love you. The words popped from his mind to hers unbidden.

It was true. He did. But he really wished he hadn’t said it. I know it’s too soon. Too much has happened…

Cat reached up to put a finger against his lips, though he hadn’t said a word with his mouth.

I love you, too. She smiled then, and leaned toward him to take his face in her hands. She kissed him, a chaste, gentle brush of the lips. Even that small touch stirred the magic between them. She pulled away, unwilling to go too far.

Too much
is
happening, too fast. He could hear the regret in her mental voice. There are things I need to do.

Things
we
need to do, darling. Because from now on, we’re in this together.

Raphael kissed her forehead, relishing die warm scents of love and happiness floating up from her skin. The tingle of magic racing between the two of them was electric. His body tightened in response. He suppressed a groan. Cat gave a low chuckle.

“Dessert comes
after
dinner, Raphael.”

“We could stand them up,” Raphael offered.

“No.” Cat tried to sound stern, but there was laughter in her voice. “We can’t. You’ll just have to wait.” She teased as she slowly traced one manicured nail across his lips. “But I’ll make it worth the wait.”

“I’ll hold you to that!”

“You’d better.”

They were laughing when they entered the restaurant and were escorted to the table where the Santiagos awaited them. After all the weeks of Tatya acting jealous and angry Cat had expected dinner to be torturous. Instead, it was a delight.

The food was delicious, the evening filled with laughter and light conversation. Cat was astonished at just how nice Tatya could be when she made the effort. It was obvious that the older woman was doing her absolute best to keep tilings from being awkward. Cat appreciated it. Still, she wasn’t sorry when the meal ended. Ever since the carriage ride she’d wanted a chance to be alone with Raphael. The sexual tension had been building with each smile, each casual touch.

It was the same for him. She could see it in his eyes, in the way he watched her move. The two of them bade their companions good-bye at the door to the restaurant and walked back to the hotel.

The lobby was empty except for the concierge and desk clerk. Cat and Raphael walked hand in hand up the wide curved staircase, both too impatient to wait for an elevator.

Cat fumbled with the card key, her impatience making her pull the card too fast for the lock to register and unlatch. Finally, Raphael took it from her. Let me.

I’m perfectly capable…

Cat, if I have to wait one more minute I’ll break
down
the damned door. I want you
now.

He pushed the card in the slot, sliding it out slowly. The light flashed green and the latch clicked open. Raphael handed her the card key and opened the door.

The room was limned in the moonlight that streamed through the balcony windows. Colors faded to silvered shadows of their true shade, blackest shadows patterning the thick rugs that carpeted the floor.

Raphael closed the door, but didn’t bother with the light. Cat dropped her purse on the nearest chair and turned to him, her eyes dark and eager. He closed the distance between them, taking her into his arms.

The kiss was slow, deep and fraught with hunger. Cat’s body molded to his as their tongues tangled and danced. Raphael held her close with his left hand, his right sliding underneath the slit of the dress, over the thin silk of thigh high stockings to the warm smooth skin of her upper thigh.

A small, needful sound escaped her lips as he moved away from the kiss, using lips, tongue, and teeth to tease at the lobe of her ear, die curve of her jaw, slowly making his way to the base of her throat.

Her hands stripped the jacket from his back, letting it drop to the floor. Slowly, one button at a time, she began to unfasten his shirt, her tongue licking a slow wet line along the flesh that was revealed.

There was a quick sizzle, and the scent of burning flesh as she unfastened his belt. Raphael took her hands in his then, kissing away the pain, power flowing gently between them until the burned flesh was once again whole.

Her hands played along his chest, teasing at his nipples as he reached behind her to unfasten her dress. She stepped back, allowing the silk sheath to slide from her body and pool on the floor.

Raphael’s breath caught in his throat, his body throbbed with an aching, desperate need as he stared at the beauty standing before him. Moonlight bleached her skin milk white, soft shadows emphasizing the curve of calf and thigh, the soft flesh of her abdomen and belly and the sweet, heavy mounds of her breasts. She stood before him wearing only her silk stockings and heels. Slowly, gracefully, she dropped to her knees. He gasped as with sure fingers she unfastened his trousers so that she could take him into her mouth.

Cat waited at
the curb outside the office building. The city wasn’t completely still. Christmas decorations sparkled, and the sound of canned Christmas carols filled the air. In the distance she could hear muted laughter and the sounds of a Salvation Army bell ringer, and of a homeless man bedding down for the night in the doorway of an abandoned shop just across the street. But the crowds were much thinner than usual, even for a week-night.

Most people were probably at home spending time with their families. Cat’s eyes stung at the thought.

She missed her parents. Hell, she missed Violet and Ned. God how she’d laughed at the birthday serenade they’d arranged for her. It was so… them. The gifts, too, were a hoot. Violet might not be able to cope in person, but her choice of the movie posters and the books with werewolf legends showed that she was trying to adjust – and was determined not to give up on her niece.

Cat wasn’t giving up, either. But tomorrow was going to be the first holiday, and her first birthday without her family, and honestly she was dreading it. Oh, Holly would be there, and Raphael. It would help. But it wouldn’t be the same.

Fortunately, Holly pulled up to the curb before Cat could get any more maudlin. She was driving Cerise’s “new” car, an old Honda CRX that was mostly red, although the back quarter panel was primer gray. It looked more than a little battered, but Raphael and Raven had spent a great deal of time working to make sure it ran like a champ. The engine purred like a contented kitten, and was more than capable of hauling ass if the need arose. Cat knew that because Raphael had taken her on a white-knuckled test drive.

“Hi.” Holly climbed from the driver’s side, handing Cat the keys as she walked around to get in the passenger door. “Sorry I had to come in your car. Mine wouldn’t start,” she explained with a sigh. “Apparently it’s the starter. Raphael promised they’ll fix it and give it a complete overhaul this weekend.”

“No problem.” Cat walked around and climbed into the driver’s side of the car and strapped herself in. It still smelled strongly of cleaners and cinnamon and ever so faintly of dirty gym socks, despite the air freshener that hung with a pair of jaguar print fuzzy dice from the mirror. The former had been a necessity. The latter was a gift, from Raphael of course.

“You still miss your Geo, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” Holly admitted. “I miss the car, and I miss the family.” Holly got a horrified look on her face when she realized that she might have been insensitive.

“It’s okay, Holly,” Cat assured her. “You get to. And at least there’s a chance that you and your dad can patch things up eventually.” Cat fought to keep the bitterness from her voice as she put the vehicle in gear and pulled away from the curb. “Are you going to call him tomorrow?”

“Maybe. I don’t know.”

Cat didn’t push. Instead she grabbed a CD at random and slid it into the player, cranking up the volume. Punk music began blaring out of a sound system that cost nearly as much as the car itself. Cat was rewarded with her friend’s smile. By the time she turned onto Colfax, she and Holly were both singing along in a rousing and slightly off-key punk rendition of the show tune “Cabaret.”

Cat was grateful for the music. As much as she liked Holly, and understood that her friend needed to talk about what was going on with her family, Cat simply wasn’t up to listening tonight. Yes, she sympathized. But a bitter little corner of her mind that she didn’t even want to admit to kept thinking
at least you
have
family.
So she kept the music playing to keep herself from saying something she shouldn’t.

“Can we stop by the grocery store on the way home?” Holly asked. “I need to pick up a few things for tomorrow.”

“Sure, no problem,” Cat agreed. She turned the car onto Sheridan and drove toward the big twenty-four-hour grocery store that was less than a block from the apartment complex. She was tired, but she really wasn’t sleepy. Maybe doing something as boring and mundane as grocery shopping would help her wind down and get ready for bed. Besides, she kept finding things she needed around the house. She could pick them up while they were there.

She pulled the car into a parking spot near the entrance. The two of them walked in past freshly cut pine trees that would be very, very dead by the time Christmas actually arrived. Still, they smelled wonderful, and the scent lifted Cat’s spirits as they stepped into the bright lights and bustle of a store crowded with last-minute Thanksgiving shoppers.

Holly grabbed one of the metal carts. Tossing her purse casually into the upper bin, she began wheeling her way methodically through the store, starting at the produce section and moving slowly through every single aisle in the store. She took her time, comparing different brands, checking prices, and riffling through an envelope from her purse that contained a thick stack of discount coupons.

Cat checked her wristwatch. It was almost midnight. The store was emptying out, and still Holly showed no sign of wrapping it up. She was beginning to regret having agreed to the whole endeavor, and was just about to say so when Holly finally steered the overflowing cart into the checkout line.

“I think you’ve bought half the store!” Cat tried to make the complaint good-natured, but her impatience was beginning to get the best of her.

“I wanted to stock up the pantry,” Holly explained. There was a hint of amusement in her voice and she smelled anticipatory.

“Holly – “

“What?” She gave Cat a look that was all wide-eyed innocence, but there was definitely a sparkle in her big brown eyes.

“What are you up to?”

“What makes you think I’m up to anything?” Holly tried to look hurt, and failed miserably.

“Uh-huh.” Cat didn’t bother to keep the suspicion from her voice, but couldn’t pursue it further because the cashier had told Holly the amount due and started up a conversation. Still, Cat had every intention of finding out just what was going on the minute they were outside the store. Unfortunately, when the time came, Holly asked for a bag boy to help them load the groceries in the car.

By the time the groceries were loaded, she had the stereo playing and was strapped in and ready- to go.

Cat waited until the bag boy was walking off with the cart before turning in her seat to face her friend. She reached over, switching off the music. “Holly, you’re up to something. What’s going on?”

“Cat, can we
please
just go home now?”

“I was ready to go home an hour ago!”

“Yeah, well, I’m sorry I took so long.” She didn’t sound sorry. She
did
sound nervous. “Next time I’ll hurry, I promise.”

Cat let out a little growl of irritation. She waited, hoping her friend would say more, but Holly was staring out the passenger-side window and wouldn’t meet her eyes.

“Fine. Whatever.” She grumbled as she turned back in her seat and started the engine.

It only took a minute to drive the short distance to their place. Cat pulled the car into its spot under the back carport and started to help gather the groceries, but Holly waved her away. “Can you go ahead and open up the gate for me? I’ve got these.”

Cat shook her head, but did as she was bid, crossing the frost-covered grass. She paused to unlock the deadbolt on the wrought-iron gate to the back courtyard, then moved on to Holly’s back door. The movement turned on all of the light sensors, so that the lawn was bright as day. She rifled through her keys, looking for the correct one as Holly came up the sidewalk behind her, shopping bags clutched in her hands.

She found the key, turning it to unlock first the deadbolt, then the matching lock in the knob. Reaching through the open doorway, she turned on the light.

Half a dozen familiar voices shouted
“Surprise!”
and
“Happy birthday!”
simultaneously.

Cat stared, dumbstruck, her jaw hanging wide open. Raphael stood behind a kitchen table laden with presents and a large birthday cake. Raven and Emma stood arm-in-arm in front of the kitchen counter. Ivan leaned against the refrigerator, while Charles and a bodyguard Cat didn’t know stood in the arched doorway that led to the living room.

Cat turned slowly to face Holly, who was practically dancing with glee. “Gotcha.”

“Well, come inside!” Charles ordered. “You need to open your presents.”

Cat stepped inside, reveling in the warmth of friends. Her eyes misted as she saw that Uncle Chuck had one of Aunt Amber’s infamous carrot cakes with him. They all sang “Happy Birthday” off-key, as she blew out her candles. Then it was time to open the gifts. Raven gave her a brand-new locking briefcase – filled with the photos he’d taken of the file. Emma had framed an original movie poster of
Cat People
while Holly had found an utterly luxurious bath set with every conceivable accessory (except her uncle). Ivan’s gift was a necklace that had been specially crafted by a shaman he knew. She loved the gesture, and loved the comforting weight of it between her breasts when she slid it around her neck.

Only Raphael’s gift remained. It was large enough that he’d leaned it against the far wall rather than putting it on the table with the rest. She gave him a quick glance, noting how very nervous and excited he was. Still, he’d shielded his thoughts so that she couldn’t get a clue as to what lay beneath the shining silver wrapping paper and big red bow. With shaking hands she grabbed the corner of the paper and pulled, ripping it away to reveal a painting. But it was not just any painting. Cat’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes widened, filling with tears.

It was so amazingly lifelike. She almost expected her parents to step out of the frame. Nothing could have been more perfect. She turned to Raphael, wanting to say something, but unable to come up with the right words. “I… you…” Her mouth moved, but nothing coherent would come out. She could tell he understood, though, by the look on his face as he stepped forward to take her into his arms. As she hugged him tight she whispered, “I love you. It’s amazing. Thank you.”