Falk Clan Tales - Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Edric wrapped the thick towel around his waist and ran his fingers through his hair. It was longer than normal. The wet, dark brown locks grazed his neck as he took in his reflection. Not quite as dark as the long, curly hair of that woman. The one who’d invaded his mind since he’d laid eyes on her.
His cheeks flamed red at the thought of the spectacle he’d made of himself. He’d been so out of control, he even missed dinner. Of course, now he was paying the price. His stomach rumbled loudly in the quiet room, he needed food. Now.
A hungry, not to mention sexually frustrated, Dragon was no good for anyone. He threw on a pair of sweatpants and headed downstairs. At least he could fill his stomach, if not his heart. Haven’t you already paid the price for believing in love?
He shook his head trying to rid himself of the temptation that was her. Gods, Edric, get hold of yourself. It’d been decades since he’d indulged. Maybe he just needed a woman? No, sex without love did not appeal to him in the least.
He opened the heavy wooden door that led to the industrial-sized kitchen. Dragons had huge appetites. Castle Falk’s kitchen would make even the haughtiest chef drool with envy. There were two enormous refrigerators, a walk-in freezer, a roots and vegetable pantry, miles of marble counters, two six-burner stoves, a triple-wide stainless-steel sink with restaurant style faucet and pasta arm and more.
The décor was clean and classic, much to Edric’s own tastes. Dozens of solid wood cabinets topped with golden-hued marble lined the walls. There was a glass tile mosaic backsplash, stainless-steel appliances, a line of stools surrounded an enormous kitchen island like soldiers, straight and tall. The hardwood floors gleamed in the dim light. Edric approved of the room in every way.
He was looking forward to rummaging for leftovers. He caught her scent before his eyes found her. Edric stopped in the middle of the room his mouth wide open. There she was, leaning over and giving him a perfect view of her assets as she searched one of the refrigerators.
She was wearing a thin t-shirt and a pair of tiny shorts. Her shapely legs were on full display. Edric followed them with his eyes all the way down to her pink painted toes. Her hair was loose and hung down her back in a wild display of tight, dark curls. He wanted to run his fingers through it and test its softness.
Edric hissed out a breath as a certain part of him sprang to life. The sound was loud in the empty kitchen, and Joselyn turned abruptly. The half-gallon carton of organic milk slipped from her hand, but Edric was in front of her in a flash. He steadied both her and the milk.
“My apologies, I uh-”
“No, it’s my fault, sorry,” she laughed softly and looked down.
Her warm breath teased his neck. He reveled in the feel of her heavenly body as he held her tightly in his arms. Her soft, womanly curves were pressed up against him in a delicious accord that was almost too good to be true.
Edric was in no hurry to release her. No hurry at all. She turned her body slightly to better stabilize herself, and the slight movement caused more of her scent to waft into his nostrils. Saffron and spice. He wanted to bury his nose in her every nook and cranny, just to see if she smelled like that everywhere.
“Don’t be silly, Joselyn, I should have announced myself,” it was the first time he’d ever used her name. He felt the weight of it on his tongue keenly. It felt good.
“Are you hungry?” His voice was a deep rumble. Gods was he hungry, and not for food.
“Well, I couldn’t sleep. I had a call that didn’t go so well, so I thought I’d heat up some milk,” she eased out of his embrace, and Edric felt her absence immediately. He frowned.
“Ah, I’m sorry to hear that. Wanna talk about it?” He watched the play of emotions cross her face. Something was wrong, and he bristled with the knowledge, though why he should feel so protective of her was a mystery to him.
“So, my ex-boyfriend is a normal and a bit of a douche, he won’t leave me alone, and I was getting worried, so I petitioned the local coven for sanctuary, but they won’t go for it unless I am willing to dedicate my powers to them. I use my talents to survive. It’s how I pay the bills, but they won’t have that, and there is literally nothing else I could do. My visions take up a lot of my time and energy. Can’t hold a regular job with that kind of constant interruption, ugh, I’m sorry, you were probably just being polite, I shouldn’t have rambled,” she pressed her palm to her forehead while she gripped her waist with the other. She was clearly tense.
Edric listened intently. She did seem to have a problem. He hated the idea of her having to ask anyone for help other than him, foolish as that sounded. His Dragon roared inside of him at the thought of her ex-boyfriend. It took him a moment to quiet his beast before he trusted himself to speak.
“I know we don’t know each other well, Joselyn, but I swear I am here for you, uh, that is we are at your disposal, my brothers and I.”
“Thank you, you don’t have to say that, and I’m sorry I burdened you with all that,” he saw through her embarrassment to her worry and gritted his teeth.
“So, you’re not getting any food,” he thought distracting her might get her mind off her troubles. It worked because she smiled, and his heart stopped. Breathtaking.
“Did you need help?”
“I can make my own plate, but I, uh, could use some company. I don’t like eating alone,” Edric held his breath as he waited for her answer.
Foolish. He didn’t know if he could remain sane being so close to her. He should just leave. The room, the castle, the whole damn state. Yet, he couldn’t bear the thought of it. Especially if she was in danger.
He felt his Dragon’s intense disapproval at the very idea of walking out on his Joselyn. Es meus. The beast’s growl was deep and threatening. Edric felt the possessive side of his nature roll through his entire body. He closed his eyes for a second to calm himself.
“Um, sure,” she moved to heat her milk then sat down.
Edric prepared his plate and moved beside her. His dish was loaded with a variety of roasted meats and fresh vegetables. His future sister-in-law owned and operated the catering company that had prepared the meal for that night. He savored each morsel as it passed his lips. Delicious.
He moaned as he bit into the perfectly roasted prime rib. It was pink and tender and went exceedingly well with the horseradish sauce it was served with. It was unusual for a Dragon to eat his meat rare. Charred was the norm, but Edric had always liked it that way.
“This is good,” he said to break the ice.
“Yeah, it’s one of Noelle’s signature dishes. May I?”
Edric nodded and nearly swallowed his tongue when she took a long, grilled asparagus spear from his plate with her nimble fingers. She lifted the vegetable and bit the tip off with her brilliant white teeth. How could the act of eating a vegetable be so damn erotic, he wondered as he watched her? He damn near fell off his stool when she opened her full, pink lips to take another nibble. Grrr.
“Signature dishes?” He forced himself to speak. He couldn’t trust himself not to lean over and finish the food she held in her strong hand. He’d lick the remnants of the delicately salted vegetable from her fingertips. One. At. A. Time. Grrrr.
“Present Tastes has come a long way in the six weeks since the Christmas party,” she chatted away oblivious to the tension rising in him. Thank the Gods, she doesn’t see me near to bursting in my sweats for fuck’s sake, he thought, or maybe she just isn’t interested. He frowned at that latter thought.
“That’s the one that brought our bride and groom together?”
“Yeah, though a little birdie told me that Callius and Fred may have had something to do with it.”
“A little birdie or your visions?” He noticed right away the rigidity in her posture, and he could’ve kicked himself.
“Joselyn, look at me, I meant no insult.”
“Yes, I know, but I’ve never had so many people know about me before. Fred, Noelle, and all you Falk brothers and, uh, I don’t know. It feels strange.”
“I know what you mean, I’m a Dragon, and you know about me,” he raised an eyebrow and waited till she chuckled in reply.
“Ha ha, like you care what I think,” she said.
“I do care, Joselyn,” he meant it.
“I believe you,” she said. He saw the truth shining there in her eyes.
Edric wanted to beat on his chest at the thought of this gorgeous creature’s belief in him. He couldn’t say why, but those three words meant a lot. She looked down again, and the momentary connection was gone. He missed it.
“Yes, well, I think Noelle and Sander are perfect together. They complement each other, both being artists of a sort,” he was rambling to prolong their encounter.
“Mmhm. Noelle’s culinary expertise certainly require some artistic capabilities, and as for your brother, well, his tapestries are just beautiful. Is everyone in your family gifted?”
Edric closed his mouth for a moment. He’d never felt jealous of one of his brothers before, but right then he wished he had one iota of artistic ability. What could he tell her? That the way he sliced open a throat or tore out the bowels of some dying filth was art? That running onto a battlefield in his half-formed state caused his enemies to shit themselves in terror. No. He was a warrior. A killer. That was all.
“Well?” She asked her full lips tilted up in a sort of half-smile. He wished he had something else to tell her, but he wouldn’t lie.
“No, I’m afraid art is not genetic. I’ve no gift for it. All I know is how to kill.”
“I am sure that’s not true,” her whispered words barely registered as his mind threatened to be overcome by the past. Luckily, the sound of her sweet voice brought him back.
They sat quietly for a few minutes. The air between them seemed to sizzle in the dimly lit kitchen. Her scent invaded his nostrils. He wanted to breathe her in. To bask in the solace of her scent, her warmth.
It was as if she brought a kind of peace to him. Something he’d sought for a long time after all his years fighting for that bastard, Chief Blackthorne. Did he deserve it? That was another question, probably best left unanswered.
“What is it, Edric?”
“Huh? Oh nothing, I uh, was thinking of the past.”
“I guess Dragons have a long past. You must have a lot to remember, don’t you?”
“Yes, but there is also a lot I’d like to forget.”
“I know we don’t know each other well, but you can talk to me, Edric. I’ll listen to you, and I won’t judge.”
He felt funny at her words, warm and sort of proud. Claim her. Es Meus. His Dragon’s roar thundered in his head as he looked at her. Edric fought the urge to take her for his own. If the rumble in his throat was anything to go by, he was losing the fight. Damn him.
“Are you okay?” Her soft voice interrupted his inner dialogue.
Was he okay? Hell no. Not when he considered her eyes. They seemed a bit purple just then, like sweet, berry jam. Edric’s favorite.
She was so beautiful sitting there. Her aura was vibrant and powerful. Witch, beautiful, that much he knew, but that was all.
What did she do with her powers? What were her desires? He wanted to know her. He licked his lips before he spoke, trying to ignore the demands of his body. It was not an easy battle.
“Look, I want to apologize for being rude earlier. It’s not you, Joselyn, I mean, it’s not that you aren’t attractive. I like a woman with a healthy appetite-” Edric wished he could take back the words before they left his mouth. Idiot.