she covered too long for comfort and brought a flicker of red to his normally brown irises. She began to walk backward as he slowly stalked her.
"Tara, answer me this, baby. Did you ever love rue, really?" She stopped retreating and held her ground. "Yes. And I fought with my husband for the right to come out here and tell you that," she said quietly. "What I never got to say was thank you."
He tilted his head and then looked at the sea. Tell me in my mind, they cannot read my thoughts... it's more intimate that way, anyway. Might be the last time we get to do this too.
She let out a deep breath of relief as she saw his eyes normalize. Thank you, Yonnie, for protecting me and honoring request not to be violated in Jack Rider's home. Thank "you for elevating me so I could protect myself, for being a gentle, caring, awesome lover... for feeding me, hunting for me and loving me so hard that... She looked out at the sea with him, now standing beside him. This isn't gratitude. This is deep, abiding respect and friendship, and I love you for that, loved you during that time. Yonnie lifted his chin and swallowed hard but when he spoke, his voice was composed. But you were always in love with him.
Yes, she said gently. But I never lied about that - and you knew that going in. He chuckled sadly and turned to her to draw her into an other embrace. I taught you too well. That's supposed to be my line.
I miss you, too, Yonnie. And I'm so glad you're alive... made it and aren't hurt. He closed his eyes and brushed her hair with a kiss, then allowed her blue-black silky tresses to fall through his fin gers in waves. Don't you believe it. I'm hurt to the bone, girl... to the marrow I'm fucked up. He bent and brushed her mouth with his despite her initial tense resistance, and deepened the kiss, not caring that use of a slight seduction trance helped. I have to let you go before I forget I have to let you go, and violate one of the oldest codes between me and my homeboy - never turn each other's marks. Tara came out of the kiss dazed, her body on fire, her brain nearly liquefied. He was stronger and his build was more solid... the fangs he withheld packed his gum line with energy that still resonated on her tongue. It was impos sible not to stare at him, as her eyes frantically searched every facet of his face, his hair, his body, trying to understand.
"You look good, too, baby," he murmured, his eyes beginning to flicker at her visual invasion.
She covered her heart with her hand. "You took a throne." Her voice came out as a strangled whisper.
He nodded and stared at her, feeling the urge to let his gaze become hypnotic, but then looked away. "'Bout an hour ago ... would love to have celebrated with you - but your husband would object."
She felt sand beginning to whirl and sting her skin as she sheltered her eyes. She watched him, squinting, as he pulled his cuffs down from under his black Armani suit, and brushed off his lapels, then was gone.
It took a while for her to will her legs to move, but even tually she stumbled forward. She knew what was going to happen when she got back inside, the brawl for it all, the ver bal WWE smackdown session would be in full swing - either that or her husband's suitcases would be gone.
* * *
his mind was so wrung out from the shit Yonnie had dropped on him, but also so relieved that his boy was okay, Carlos just leaned against the inside of the elevator and closed his eyes. The walk had done him good. He needed to clear his head, let Tara know ... get Rider right, run it by Damali... there was just too much shit going on. His line-brother was
on a suicide mission and he couldn't do shit about it - and that fucked him up no end. Tonight, if D would just not launch into a thousand ques tions trying to develop solutions or a strategy... if she would just use her healing hands to wrap her arms around him and let him think, just quietly breathe right next to him, he'd be good to go. Because