Chapter 14 #2
With Arachne working in her studio, the shop was eerily quiet, the silence around Selene only broken by the rustle of fabric as she changed.
Having discarded several possibilities for the Beltane celebration—but also setting a few aside to purchase anyway because they were simply gorgeous—Selene gazed in the mirror and stroked her hands over a sleeveless pale-blue silk blouse with a low-cut shirred neckline.
The sea-fog color set a pleasant contrast to the calf-length, butter-soft suede skirt she’d paired it with.
The skirt had a generous slit up the left side that wouldn’t hamper any dancing.
Selene remained unconvinced that she’d be warm enough on a spring night in this outfit, but she had a cashmere shawl at home that she could wear if needed.
She put her hands in her hair and twisted it up above her head.
Updo or loose?
A snicker came from just behind her. “Nice, babe. That blue makes your hair look like flames. I’m into it.”
Selene gasped and whirled around. Daniel stood inside the dressing room, his back to the curtain. He was grinning as he openly ogled her.
“You’ve sure taken a long time to pick something,” he said. “What’s it for? Big date?”
His grin didn’t fade, but his eyes flickered with annoyance.
She stared at him, then she slowly turned and stared at the mirror. Her own reflection looked back at her. There was no one else in the room. She pivoted back to Daniel.
“How long have you been here?”
His smile grew sly. “Long enough to know that outfit’s my favorite.”
She tried to keep her breath steady. He stepped toward her and put his hand where her waist curved into her hip.
“Long enough to know you’ve still got a body every man wants.” His voice was low as the light touch of his fingers became a firm grip.
“Let go.” She grabbed his hand and tried to pull it away. He didn’t budge.
“Come on, Selene,” he purred. “We haven’t had the chance for a proper reunion. You’re a hard woman to catch alone.”
“You’ve been warned to stay away from me,” she insisted, trying to voice the anger sizzling in her veins, but the gleam of his eyes kept distracting her. The strange, luminous quality of his irises drew her in, making it difficult to look away.
“I know you want to talk to me.” His voice was calm, lulling. Melodious in a way she didn’t recall. Daniel was a guitarist, not a singer. “I know you have questions that I can answer.”
“Questions?” A part of her was screaming to run. To get away that instant. But she couldn’t look away from his face. The glimmer of his irises became a mesmerizing sparkle that pulsed rhythmically and riveted her in place.
“About where I’ve been,” he murmured. “Why I had to leave. Why I need you now. I need you so bad, babe.”
What the hell? Daniel didn’t need her. The idea was ludicrous, as was his assumption that she’d welcome his attention.
He pulled her against him. His hand slid from her hip to her lower back, fingers slipping beneath the blouse to stroke her skin. She gasped. The touch was cold as ice, yet it set off an unwelcome flare of heat deep within her.
Her stomach lurched. That wasn’t possible. No matter how handsome a package Daniel came in, Selene knew the contents were toxic. She wanted none of it. And yet her body was tilting toward him.
No. This isn’t right. Something is happening to me.
“What are you doing?” Even her voice sounded wrong. Sluggish and hoarse. Her heart pounded. She tried to step back, but his arm held her like a vise.
“Showing you who I am,” he said. His other hand stroked her cheek, over her lips, and trailed down her chin and throat, down, down. Her breath caught in her throat when he cupped her breast. Why did that feel good? She hated that it made her want to arch her back.
I can’t stand this man. Why am I reacting like this?
She fought the rising tide of desire that wanted to sweep her under. Her mind had gone hazy, the way it felt when she was caught between a dream and waking and she had only marginal control over her thoughts and actions. Her mind tried to resist, but her body was giving in.
He traced circles around her hardening nipple with his fingertips and smiled. “That’s a good girl.”
She opened her mouth to protest, and his lips were on hers.
His kiss was cold, but the caress was like frozen silk.
Despite the chill of his touch, it set her skin on fire.
When he began to use his tongue, her resistance crumbled.
She kissed him back. Her hands stopped pushing against his chest and slid around his neck.
She twined her fingers in his thatch of golden hair.
Deep within her, panic surged, fighting through the trance of desire.
Somehow Selene turned her face away to choke out words. “I don’t want . . . I can’t—”
“Shhh.” Daniel walked her back until she bumped against the mirror. “You don’t have to fight it, Selene. Not that I mind you being feisty. But you won’t win. You’re mine now.”
Determined to prove him wrong, Selene dragged her hands back, fisting them at her sides. The effort exhausted her. She had to dig her nails into her palms to stop herself from reaching for him again.
“So stubborn.” Daniel grabbed her chin. “Look at me.”
His gaze pierced her. She could feel it chaining her to him. She wanted to close her eyes, to break the contact that compelled her, but she couldn’t.
When she whimpered, he laughed. “That’s right, babe. I’m in charge.”
He took a step back and raked her body with his eyes. “Now turn around. Put your hands against the glass, above your head.”
She spun to face the mirror before the conscious thought to obey him surfaced. Her palms pressed flat on the cool, reflective surface. He spoke. She acted.
A war waged inside her. Her mind, her soul, clawed at the cocoon Daniel had trapped her in.
Her body ignored her commands, only hearing his.
Selene barely recognized her reflection.
Her eyes were glassy, her lids drooping.
Again, she was the only one in the mirror, which made the sound of Daniel’s voice, the coolness of his breath on her neck, all the more disturbing.
“This mirror thing is a fucking drag,” he complained. “I’d really like to watch what’s about to happen.”
Daniel’s hands gripped her shoulders, then slid over her shoulder blades to each side of her rib cage then down to her hips.
“This ass,” he murmured. “I’m not lying when I say I’ve dreamed about it.”
He stepped close, fitting her body against his so she felt his hard-on. She closed her eyes as her stomach twisted with disgust. Then she realized, something had changed.
He broke eye contact.
His touch disgusted me.
My body didn’t like it.
He’s been controlling me somehow. He invaded my mind and stole my willpower.
Selene swallowed hard and tried to focus her thoughts. It was difficult but she was able to push against the trance now that he wasn’t holding her with that gaze. His eyes. Now that her back was to him and he had no reflection, she would be able to avoid eye contact. And she could fight him.
He made a mistake.
Daniel was licking her neck, laughing softly.
He doesn’t know.
Carefully, Selene opened her eyes, keeping her lids heavy. She only had one chance to make her move. If Daniel realized her mind had broken free, he’d capture her again before she could fight back. What would stop that from happening?
Remaining as still as she could, Selene glanced around for anything in reach. The pile of clothes wouldn’t help, but there was her purse. Right at her feet. But could she get to it?
That was when she felt the pain. It was barely noticeable—just a slight prick.
Then the pressure grew. A sharpness paired with the satin strokes of his lips.
The sharpness of teeth. Daniel’s face was buried against her neck.
Her eyes widened, and her shock tore away the last threads of desire that had enveloped her mind and body.
He’s biting me.
“No!” Selene panicked and dove for her purse, digging into the front pocket. Her hand found what she was searching for, and she spun on her knees as Daniel descended like a vulture. Her hand flew up, hitting his throat. He shrieked and rolled to the side.
Her fingers went to her neck and found no wetness.
No blood. He hadn’t punctured her skin. She gulped down a relieved breath and scrambled to her feet.
She kept the silver cross Natalie had given her extended toward him.
Daniel hissed at the cross and pressed his hand against the smoking skin of his throat.
Wow. It really works.
“What the hell are you doing?” he snapped.
“What the hell were you doing?” Selene countered. “You attacked me.”
He snorted. “Attacked? I was having a good time. So were you.”
“No,” Selene said angrily. “I didn’t want that. I will never want that. How did you control me? A spell?”
He glared at her, but he kept his distance. “Hardly. All I can do is amplify what you’re already feeling. I got rid of your inhibitions the way a nice cocktail would.”
“You’re lying.” She clenched her teeth. “I don’t want you.”
“Sure you do.” He grinned. “You just don’t want to admit it. I was helping you get there.”
Furious, Selene took a step forward and was gratified when he shrank back. “I never liked you, Daniel, but I didn’t think you were this stupid. Listen to me: I don’t want you. I have never wanted you. Go. Fuck. Yourself.”
He snarled, baring his fangs. “You’re mine. Even if you don’t want to believe it.”
“I don’t belong to anyone,” Selene said.
“That’s not how the wolf tells it,” he hissed. The hatred in his eyes made her stomach knot.
“This isn’t about Fenris,” she said and tightened her grip on the cross. “Listen to me, Daniel. The only thing you proved tonight is that you have no place in Allie’s life. You’re vile. Irredeemable. You are no longer her father. It’s over.”
His smile was pure evil. “We’ll see about that.”
And then he was gone.