Chapter Six
Lulu
I had not been drunk since coming back to Salus Glen. But, right now, held up between Zaldi’s ridiculously strong body and this wall, I could’ve been convinced that there had been more than grape soda in my cup.
Or, maybe cocaine in the popcorn?
Because there was no other way that I could’ve just dry humped my movie date against a wall, in the dark, after our first fucking date.
And, even as my heart hammered in my ears, I stared at him, it seemed like the outline of him was fuzzy. His eyes were wild, dark, even in the dim lighting.
“Are you alright?” He murmured. I realized his hands were stroking me gently, lulling me back to the planet Earth.
I swallowed, my throat dry. Oh God, it was dry from the noises I’d made. My cheeks burned. “Oh me?” I tried to laugh and failed, “I’m fine, just completely ashamed of myself.”
His face fell immediately. “Lulu….”
I shook my head, focusing on him. Nope, not drunk. Just an insanely horny moment where I’d climbed this man like a tree and gotten off against his beautiful hands. “No, it’s okay. I am so sorry, Z. I didn’t–I shouldn’t have.”
To my surprise, his fingers then covered my lips, his head tilting towards me.
“Don’t you dare apologize. I could’ve stepped away at any moment.
I could’ve taken you back in for the second half of the movie.
But, I didn’t. There is nowhere else in this messy world I would’ve rather been than right here. With you.”
I stared, butterflies making my blood hum again. “Really?”
His soft laugh set those butterflies loose–again. “I would never lie to you, Lulu.” His hand moved to brush over my hair, slipping it behind my ear.
“The moment you put me down, I won’t blame you if you run away.”
His face grew serious, his hands moving back to my ass, and ground our bodies together.
My mouth fell open, my breath hitching at the obvious hard length of him there.
“Does that feel like I’m running? Clearly, you don’t understand yet, but I’m not going anywhere.
Not since I met you. Not now that I know the way you moan when you come. I’ll be right here.”
His head cocked, a puppy-ish movement that softened the moment. “Well, almost. I was going to put you down though. Can you walk?”
“Oh, yes! Sure. Definitely, can do.” Cringing at my awkwardness, I loosened my hold on his shoulders as he released my legs, carefully guiding me down to the ground.
To my horror, my knees actually shook for a quick moment, my pussy sending another little tendril of pleasure down my nerves before I placed a hand against the wall and braced myself.
To my surprise, Zaldi moaned softly, then stepped away.
“I’ve got it now,” I whispered, suddenly shy in the darkness. There was a part of me that craved the idea of him sweeping me back up. There was another that wanted me to run – far and fast and never looking back. Because nothing had ever felt like this. Ever.
Shaking, I lifted my eyes to his.
“I wasn’t lying, you know. I’ve never done anything like this before. Not really.”
His molten eyes burned back at me, “I know, Lulu.”
“I know it might feel crazy, but…wait–what?”
“I know,” Zaldi said, his voice a rasp. My mouth dropped open, a hundred more questions immediately cropping up. “Let’s get you home, okay? It’s been a long day.”
My lips smacked, soundless and silent as his hands closed over mine, tugging me out of the alleyway and back onto the street. Under the soft light of the streetlamps, I found myself hopelessly tongue-tied in this man’s presence.
He was familiar. He was foreign. He felt like heaven and burned like hell.
And, I had no idea what to do about any of it.
So, I let him tow me along, a bobbing ship in the storm of my emotions and thoughts, until I found myself standing beside the ancient sedan I had borrowed once again this morning.
“Here we are,” Zaldi said softly, talking to me slowly. Perhaps he was also concerned about my frazzled mental state. I’m sure it didn’t help that I stared at him, then the car, and then him again as if I’d never seen any of it.
Because how had we gotten so far across town without me saying a word.
Oh God, this was the worst best date of my life.
“Oh, uh. Great. This is mine. Well-actually it’s grandpa’s but you know, I’ve been driving it.”
Zaldi blinked. “Of course. I wanted to make sure you got home safe.” He reached out to touch the sedan’s roof. “Would you like me to drive you?”
“Oh, God, no.” I waved a hand between us. “I swear I’m good.”
Zaldi gave me a long look, then extended a hand towards me. “All the same, can I put my number in? You can text me when you get home safely.”
For a moment, I was shocked I didn’t have his number already. More proof of how horrible I really was at this. “Of course, that sounds great.” I fished my phone out, handing the device to him with an embarrassed huff. He took it, that smile still in place and quickly typed something into it.
“I had fun tonight,” I said suddenly, filling the silence, then cringing. Zaldi looked up at me and we held each other’s gazes for a long moment, then burst out laughing at the mutual awkwardness.
“I did too,” he said, voice still twanging with humor. “I want to see you again.”
I took the phone back, “Same.”
Zaldi slowly leaned in, the scent of him washing over me as he drew close. “Let me know when you’re home safe.”
I thought he was going to kiss me, and my body arched into his.
But, it wasn’t a kiss. Oh God, he was just gripping the car door handle, tugging hard to open it for me.
Every bit of skin from my scalp to my toes lit on fire.
Afraid to speak, in case I further made a fool of myself, I tucked myself into the front seat and closed the door after me.
The headlights lit up the small newspaper backyard, and then, as I backed out, Zaldi stepped into the orbs of light. His hands in his pockets, he was the picture of quiet, serious masculine beauty.
My stomach clenched and I smiled brightly, even if I wasn’t sure he could see me.
And that smile stayed on my face the entire drive home.
Pulling into my grandparents drive, I walked to the back door, my mind a vivid replay of burning hot moments and horrifying embarrassment.
By the time I made it into the kitchen I had pulled out my phone and shot the new number in my phone with a quick note.
“I’m home,” I read as I typed, “Thank you for a great night.” And, thank you for the monumental orgasm that I still can’t believe I had, plastered against the back of a public movie theater, I added mentally.
Still flushing hot, I turned to the fridge, gasping as the lights in the dining nook suddenly flashed to life. My grandfather sat in the straight-backed chair.
“Holy shit, Grandpa, you scared me to death,” I said, plastering a hand over my heart. I expected him to laugh with me, but instead his face was silent. Quiet.
“Lulu,” he said, his voice halting and slow, “I need your help.”
“What is it?” I suddenly found myself on my knees in front of him, reaching for his hands. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”
“I need your help.”
“Oh okay,” I rolled back on my haunches, smiling again, “What can I do?”
“I need you to find out everything you can on ETA. Everything and everybody involved with it.”
***
Zaldi
I went to bed on Traum’s couch in Salus Glen and woke up with my grandmother’s pale red face looking down at me. I jerked up, gasping, “Grandmother!”
“You sleep like the dead, Zaldi. I was worried the living world might have taken you for good,” she leaned in, pressing a soft pat on my cheek. I moved automatically cupping her hand against my face and feeling the press of her claws against my skin.
In a rush, I remembered Lulu and Traum, Bailey and the taste of coffee.
Guilt nearly overcame me as fear and sadness threatened to swamp me.
I was back in the Underworld and I had no idea why, or for how long.
The fact that I couldn’t walk down main street and see Lulu at the newspaper slammed into me with the force of a rogue reaper.
I tried to school my features, to close my eyes against my grandmother’s knowing gaze, but I was not fast enough. Her grip on my face tightened, her hand curling, “Oh, sweet Z. It’ll be alright, it will.”
I took a deep breath, trying to brace myself for the day ahead of me. For a day without the life I’d suddenly become so attached to. A place I’d fit in. A place I’d felt important, even if it had been for such a short time.
“I know, Grandmother.”
“Stay strong, Zaldi, your path still waits for you,” Grandmother said, stepping back and releasing me. “And first, you must survive your sister. She was quite disappointed you left her here with just me and Albtraum for company.”
Grandmother cackled to herself at the mention of my eldest brother and the heir apparent to our tribe here in the Underworld.
Albtraum was the opposite of his twin, Traum in every way.
And while I knew our sister loved us all equally, Antheia could not resist riling up my rule-following eldest brother at every turn.
She had no doubt, run his limited patience thin over the past few weeks.
“I’m impressed that they are both still standing. to be honest.”
“Albtraum called a truce after the second day,” a smooth voice spoke from the door, “The second day? Can you imagine? I cannot believe we share parents.” I sat up completely as Grandmother tutted and moved across my small room to the doorway.
Antheia leaned there, elegant and tall, her legs crossed at the ankle as she tapped one of her horns against the door jam.