Chapter Ten
Howard opened the passenger door of his SUV for Elsa. "Hop in."
She regarded his vehicle and then him with a wary look. "You're not going to magically zap me back, like Tino? Or fly me there like Superman?"
He smiled. "I usually drive."
She hesitated.
His smile faded. He was doing a lousy job of earning her trust. "Are you afraid to hang out with me?"
"Of course not." She climbed into the passenger seat.
Liar. He closed the door and circled to the driver's side. He couldn't blame her for being cautious, but he hated the thought that she would fear him.
Luckily, she hadn't seen the blood on him after battling the pigs. He'd undressed in the woods before shifting, and even though he'd incurred a few cuts and scrapes, those had healed when he'd shifted back to human form. He'd put his clothes back on before leaving the woods and finding Elsa on the front porch.
She seemed suspicious now. And annoyed. He'd showered and dressed as quickly as possible, but she'd been forced to wait on him. And wait on the answers she wanted so badly.
He shoved his damp hair off his forehead. The truth was the pigs could have waited. He had deliberately delayed his talk with her. Killing a few pigs was easy, but answering her questions would be damned hard. It was his job to protect the Vamps and their secrets. If he did his job well, he'd tell her nothing. But then he would never gain her trust. He would lose her.
What a mess. He'd desperately tried to come up with a strategy while in the shower. His decision: play offense instead of defense.
He climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine. "Where to? The gatehouse or Cranville?"
She buckled her seat belt. "The gatehouse. I called Alastair, and he's waiting for me there."
"All right." Howard headed down the driveway to the main road.
She shifted in her seat to face him. "Are you going to answer my questions now?"
"Will you answer mine?"
Her eyes widened with surprise. "What do you mean? I'm not involved in anything weird."
"No? Why did your shoulder burn when I touched you?"
"I - I don't know."
"It was your birthmark that burned, right?"
She stiffened. "How did you know that?"
"I heard you talking on the phone."
"I was inside a car. How did you hear me?"
He turned onto the main road. "I have super good hearing."
"Do you have other superpowers? Is that how you . . . vanquished the pigs?"
Vanquished? His mouth twitched. "Yes, my lady. I vanquished the mighty foe in yonder forest."
She glowered at him. "Don't mock me. I'm having trouble dealing with the fact that you apparently killed some poor defenseless animals with your bare hands. I have no idea how - "
"Defenseless?" He shot her an incredulous look. "They had huge tusks! And they outnumbered me." Damn, he had thought she would be impressed. "It wasn't easy, you know."
"Then you admit it? You actually killed them?"
He shrugged. "It's part of my job."
She shuddered. "I hate violence."
"Well, if it helps - I asked them politely to leave, but they declined."
"Then you killed them with sarcasm?"
He laughed, then stopped midlaugh when she continued to glare at him. "It had to be done, Elsa. I couldn't let them roam about the school, not when little ones like Tino like to play outdoors."
"I understand, but . . . how could you go out there without any weapons? That was crazy!"
"I - I had a knife strapped to my leg." He winced. Damn, he hated to lie to her. But she'd probably freak if he told her the truth. I ripped them to shreds and bloody well enjoyed it.
He'd been frustrated the entire time he'd been in Alaska. For over a month, he'd had to score points against Rhett in secret, when he'd really wanted to confront him in person and bash his face in. But he couldn't afford an open war with the werewolves, not when his family and friends could end up massacred. The result had left him and his inner bear both itching for a fight.
Battling pigs was a lot easier than dealing with one fussy, beautiful woman.
"You should have taken a rifle, at least." She rubbed her brow, frowning. "Or a bazooka. A missile launcher would have been good. I can't believe you would do something so dangerous. I was worried sick."
His heart lifted. "You were worried about me?"
"I . . . of course." She lowered her hand to her lap. "I would worry about anyone in a situation like that."
His heart sank. "Of course." He glanced in the rearview mirror and did a double take. There were a dozen deer following them.
She eyed him suspiciously. "If you killed them with just a knife, you must be super strong and fast."
"You could say that." Damn, she'd taken over the offense. He was playing defense again.
"And you have super hearing." Her eyes narrowed. "What other superpowers do you have?"
"Super smell and vision."
She gasped and crossed her arms over her chest. "X-ray vision?"
He turned to ogle her breasts with great enthusiasm. "I wish."
"Watch where you're driving," she grumbled. "Can you do that thing that Tino did?"
Howard groaned inwardly. How could he avoid telling her the truth? "I have to beg you not to tell anyone about him. He's a sweet kid, and he deserves a normal life - "
"Don't worry. I already told him I wouldn't say anything. As far as I can tell, he saved my life. And besides that, I really like him."
With a smile, Howard nodded. "He's a great kid, isn't he?"
"He certainly likes you. He kept telling me what a wonderful guy you are."
"He's absolutely correct."
She scoffed. "So are you going to tell me what happened?"
Howard took a deep breath. "All right. I'll stop procrastinating."
"Thank you."
He glanced at her, wondering how she was going to handle the truth. "Tino teleported you."
Her mouth dropped open. "You mean like 'Beam me up, Scottie' teleportation? He can do that?"
"I doubt he can do it into outer space, but yeah, he can teleport."
"He's a child who can teleport?"
"That's what I said. He started doing it when he was a toddler. Really freaked his mom out the first time."
Elsa grimaced. "How can he do it?"
"His DNA is a little different."
Her eyes widened. "Because of his father, the mad scientist?"
"Roman isn't mad." Howard winced. "How did you hear about him?"
"Tino told me. He said Shanna was his mom, and his father was a scientific genius."
"They're good people - "
"Who experimented on their children?" Elsa asked with an appalled look.
"It's not like that. They love their children. And you talked to Tino. You saw how normal he is."
"There's nothing normal about teleportation." She shook her head. "It's hard to believe. If it hadn't happened to me, I don't think I could believe it."
"He saved your life."
"I know. It's amazing."
"What's really amazing is that he managed to teleport a hundred and seventy pounds with him. Usually only an adult can - " He stopped when he realized she was glaring at him.
"A hundred and sixty," she ground out.
His mouth twitched. "Are you sure about that?"
She swatted his shoulder.
"I was kidding. You couldn't be an ounce over a hundred and sixty." My ass. He turned into the driveway for the gatehouse.
She crossed her arms. "So why didn't you just teleport me back here?"
He glanced at the rearview mirror. Damn, the deer were still following them. "I don't teleport."
She sat back, regarding him with a shocked expression. "You can't do something a five-year-old can do?"
His eyes narrowed. Time to take the offense again. "I have a different set of skills."
"Such as?"
He pulled the SUV over, shifted into park, then leaned toward her. "I can touch beautiful women and make them burn."
Her mouth fell open.
He leaned closer. "Does any other man make you burn?"
Her mouth snapped shut, and she looked away, her face flushing.
"I'm the only one, aren't I? Your face is burning now, and I haven't even touched you. Yet."
She gulped. "I don't know why it happened."
"We could speculate." He touched her cheek and felt the heat of her blush, the soft pliancy of her skin. He traced the line of her jaw, then gently cupped her chin. "It could be instant attraction."
Her mouth parted slightly.
"Or desire." He ran his thumb over her lower lip.
She drew in a shaky breath.
He lifted his gaze to her forest-green eyes. "Or it could be something even stronger, a feeling that we were destined to meet, destined to be together."
Her eyes searched his. "Do you really believe that?"
"From the first moment I saw you on television, I was drawn to you. I felt attached to you." When her eyes widened, a sudden thought popped into his mind. What if he sounded like a crazed fan? She'd already accused him before of being crazy.
He lowered his hand and sat back. "You probably get fan mail like that all the time."
"Not really." Still blushing, she fumbled to open the passenger door. "I should get back to work."
Howard climbed out. "I'll walk you back."
"It's not necessary." She hurried toward the house and waved as Alastair peered out the front door.
"Have dinner with me tonight," Howard blurted out. When she glanced back with a wary look, he quickly added, "Alastair, too. We can celebrate you guys signing the contract."
Alastair rushed down the stairs. "Did Shanna agree?"
"I don't know for sure," Howard confessed. "But the Shanna I know has always been able to convince her husband to do what she wants."
"Excellent!" Alastair grinned at Elsa. "We shall be delighted to dine with you tonight. Right, luv?"
She shot Howard an annoyed look.
Damn. His offensive play may have been too . . . offensive. He'd have to try a different strategy tonight. "See you later."
Elsa was relieved when Alastair launched into another of his long, amusing anecdotes. Howard seemed to be enjoying the stories, but she hadn't said two words over dinner, and that was the way she wanted it.
She was going to remain calm and aloof. Even though she wasn't. She wouldn't let Howard suspect she was attracted to him. Even though she was. Because it was ridiculous to be this attracted to a man she'd just met the night before. The man who had activated the curse. Even though she didn't believe in such nonsense.
Of course, after this afternoon, she might have to adjust her definition of nonsense. Last night, she would have considered a five-year-old boy who could teleport a bunch of nonsense. What was going on at that secret school? What other secrets was Howard hiding? He had admitted he couldn't teleport, but she had no doubt he possessed other powers.
I can touch beautiful women and make them burn.
Just thinking about the way he'd stroked her cheek made her face flame with heat. For a second, she'd thought he was going to kiss her, and God help her, she wouldn't have resisted.
But she was resisting now. She'd made a point of not dressing up for dinner. She was still wearing her jeans and T-shirt. Her hair was pinned to the back of her head with a plastic claw.
She forced her gaze to wander around the small restaurant, anything to keep from looking at him. He had dressed nicely. Khaki trousers and a crisp dress shirt. No tie. Not that she was noticing. He was sitting across from her, politely paying attention to Alastair's stories.
Why did the words that described him the best start with H? Handsome Howard. Humongous Howard. Hunky Howard. She stole a glance at him. Hungry Howard. He was eating the biggest steak she'd ever seen.
She'd ordered a salad with grilled chicken, since the scales had started inching up toward one seventy. She glanced at him again. Horrible Howard. How had he guessed her weight so well?
She stabbed some lettuce onto her fork while Alastair described the problem of getting rid of bats in an attic.
"That was the house in Amsterdam?" Howard asked.
"Yes!" Alastair grinned. "You saw that episode?"
Howard nodded, glancing at Elsa. "I've seen them all."
"Brilliant," Alastair continued. "Of course, I couldn't decide which had more bats in the belfry: the house or the owner." He chuckled at his own joke.
She smiled along. Alastair was so wrapped up in his storytelling that he didn't seem to notice that Howard kept sneaking glances at her with his beautiful blue eyes. Unfortunately, she knew that because she was sneaking glances at him, and sometimes their glances would collide.
And then heat would rush to her face and she'd find her salad completely engrossing for about five minutes. He-Man Howard. Even when she avoided looking at him, she could feel his presence as if he were the only one in the room. His deep voice rumbled right through her, as if her ears were especially attuned to him.
She could smell him, too, and that seemed odd. He wasn't wearing cologne, like Alastair. And yet his scent filled her senses. A totally He-Man scent that made her feel warm and tingly all over. She wanted to drown herself in him, wrap him around her like a cocoon.
There was only one explanation for this. She was losing her mind.
That had to be it, for there was no way she was going to lose her heart.
Come to think of it, there was adequate proof that she was losing her mind. Just that afternoon, a young boy had teleported her. And somehow, she was taking that in stride. It was the man across the table who had her on edge.
She was definitely losing her mind.
His cell phone jangled, and he retrieved it from his pocket. "It's Shanna."
Alastair sat up. "Good news, I hope."
"Hello?" Howard listened, then grinned.
Happy Howard. Elsa's heart fluttered. The man had the most adorable smile, and he used it often. Like a weapon.
"Hang on a sec." He lowered the phone to his chest. "She's agreed to let you do the house."
"Excellent!" With a grin, Alastair turned to Elsa and gave her a high five.
Her heart pounded. This meant she would see Howard often over the next few months. She stole another glance at him. Handsome, hunky Howard.
"She would like to sign the contracts tonight," he continued.
"Not a problem." Alastair tapped his fingers on the brown envelope on the table. "I have them right here. How soon can she get here?"
"In a minute or so." Howard stood, still holding the phone.
"She's driving here now?" Alastair asked.
"I'll meet her outside and bring her in." Howard strode toward the entrance and brought the phone back up to his face. "Hang on a minute."
Elsa watched him exit, then looked at the windows along the front of the restaurant. It was dark outside, the nearest streetlamp a block down the town's main street.
"I'm so excited about this project!" Alastair exclaimed.
"Me, too." She smiled at him, then stiffened when Howard walked back into the restaurant with Shanna by his side. "She's here."
"Blimey, that was fast." Alastair jumped to his feet to greet her.
Really fast. Elsa glanced out the window. She hadn't seen any headlights from a car parking out front. Her breath caught with a sudden thought. Had Shanna teleported to the restaurant? If her son could teleport, maybe she could, too.
Elsa's heart raced as Shanna greeted them. The woman seemed normal, although she was a bit pale, and her handshake a bit cold.
Alastair motioned to the table. "Would you like to join us for some wine or dessert to celebrate?"
"That's very kind." Shanna smiled at him. "But I already ate with my family."
At the secret school? Elsa wondered. She refrained from mentioning Tino. "We're very excited about renovating your house. And we'll be very mindful about protecting your privacy."
"Thank you. My husband is still concerned about that, but I convinced him that you'll respect our privacy." Shanna grinned. "I'm so excited about this!"
What pointy teeth she had. Elsa glanced at Howard. What other secrets were these people hiding? Or was she just becoming paranoid? After Tino's teleportation stunt, she might be looking for weird stuff where none existed.
Alastair removed the contract from the envelope. "It will take about ten minutes to go through this. And then, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you some questions regarding the house. How open do you want the floor plan? Should we put in more bathrooms and closet space? Things of that nature. It will be our goal to match our work to your expectations."
"I understand." Shanna turned to Howard. "There's no need for you to sit through all this. Why don't you take Elsa for - "
"I disagree," he interrupted. "If I'm going to represent you, I need to know what you want."
"I'll send you a memo." She gave him a pointed look. "You should take Elsa for a walk around town. The park is lovely." She smiled at Elsa. "There's a creek running through it and some falls. You'll love it."
"Shanna," Howard muttered, giving her an annoyed look.
"I'm just trying to be friendly," she whispered, her eyes wide and innocent.
He shifted his weight and dragged a hand through his thick hair.
Hesitant Howard. Elsa smiled to herself. Helpless Howard. The huge guy could annihilate a half dozen feral pigs, but he couldn't handle one matchmaking woman. It was too cute. "I'd be happy to take a walk with you."
He blinked. "You would?"
"Sure. Why not?" She hitched her handbag over her shoulder.
"Wonderful!" Shanna beamed at them both. "Off you go."
Elsa glanced at him as he moved toward her, and her heart stilled. The hesitant look on his face was gone, replaced by an intense, determined glint in his blue eyes.
She swallowed hard. Howard wasn't helpless. He was . . . hungry. Hungry for her.
"Let's go." He touched her elbow.
Her chest filled with warmth, but instead of rushing to her face like it usually did, it slipped into her belly, intensifying into a ball of fire that sizzled between her legs.
She dragged in a shaky breath. Oh God, she shouldn't have agreed to be alone with him. Howard was so much more than handsome and hunky and huge.
Howard was hot.