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14. Payback is A...
-Aline-
Incensed, I stomp into my bedroom and slam the door behind me.
In silent protest of Jian besting me, I shove myself into his, yet again, just washed goGreen t-shirt. It’s worn cotton falls soft against my bare skin, reminding me of the first time I slipped it on when it carried only his scent. The caress of the fabric against my skin brings a smile to my face, one I don’t realize is there until I catch sight of it in my mirror. Ugh! I roll my eyes, frustrated with myself.
Yesterday was ready for a crap day. I planned for it to be a bad one because yesterday was my breakup anniversary. Expecting it to be crap, I spent most of it packing Lance’s stuff into a box and throwing in everything else that even slightly reminded me of him.
But today? I expected today to be a great day. And it almost was. The "That Was Lance" box was supposed to be incinerated today. I went shopping with Mei to replace the stu
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Aline's Choice 16. Confusion Reigns
-Aline- The heat of Jian's lips against mine steals my breath. His fist at my shirt-front curls tighter against my chest and the woven cotton material tightens over my shoulder blades. In response, my hands, which I threw against his chest for balance, fist into his goGreen. This seems to release the scent soaked in the shirt. My own flowery scent fills my head. I hear Jian whimper against my mouth as the same appears to happen to him. This is not a gentle kiss. Jian plunders and demands. I match his ferocity with my own. His fingers wrap more tightly in my hair. It is exhilarating. It makes my head spin. It has to end. Now. Teasing him? OK. Making him want me until crazed? Fine. Making me want him until crazed? Never. Falling for him? No! Definitely not part of the plan. I shove my hands against him, fighting against his hold the best I can in my off-kilter stance. As a last resort, I sink my teeth i
Aline's Choice 17. Topsy-Turvy
-Aline- As soon as Jian leaves the yard, I slump like a rag doll over the windowsill, pitching forward so that the edge of the low wall digs into my belly. The summer sun warms my exposed back, and my fingertips graze the wooden porch. Inside the house, on the other side of the window, my widely planted feet keep me from falling out onto the porch and my knees dig into the low wall beneath the window frame. The stretch of my muscles almost feels ... good. I think there might be something to yoga bringing about inner peace. With fingertips on my brow, I close my eyes and try to convince myself that what just happened - that heart-pounding, breath-stealing kiss - didn't really happen. I can't quite swing myself far enough forward to bang my forehead repeatedly against the outer wall. Hammering my head into oblivion might be enough distraction to erase the memory of Jian's lips on mine. "So, are you just ... uh... hanging around?“
Aline's Choice 18. It's Maddening
-Jian- "And you do?" The open accusation and twinge of regret in Lance’s question haunts me. "Do you love her, Jian?" His query echoes in my head as I run, still in human form, to my favorite spot in McLaren Park, where the trees tower and the traffic sounds like running water, soothing my tattered nerves. I lean against a moss-covered log, my hands rake over my face. My mind plays with Lance’s questions as I pull off my fragrant shirt and hang it on a nearby branch to air it out. Despite the stiff breeze, her scent lingers on my skin. It's maddening. Stewing, I conclude I don't know if I love Aline. I know, however, that I care more about her than Lance ever did. Because of this, of course, I have a say. My say is that I can't entangle my life with hers right now. I refuse to be the rebound guy even though Aline is the one I want. I've always wanted her. From the moment I saw her on Lance’s arm to the moment I indulged in my long-hel
Aline's Choice 19. Dog Days of Summer
-Jian-A week after the unforgettable kiss, I walk into the nightclub with the guys from work and spot the last two women I ever thought I'd run into at The Grand. The city lifted its mask mandate and everyone in here is supposed to be vaccinated. Most still wear masked, and as is San Francisco, the masks range from the political to rainbow glitter. I’m equipped with the most robust earplugs a werewolf can purchase on Amazon.Aline, the shewolf I've been avoiding, is more than sloppily inebriated, bumping and grinding with several unknown guys out on the floor. One perv keeps pushing up against her. My lips curl into a snarl as I watch his less than suave mating dance. Mei is beside Aline, casting worried glances at her. If I wasn't so pissed, I'd find it almost comical, watching Mei’s eyes move in time with the dude's every butt bump.Where is Talu, I wonder.My work pals try to pull me onto the dance floor, but I gesture towards the
Aline's Choice 20. A New Plan
-Jian- There’s no chance I’ve mistaken her whisper. I stare at her. "Who's going away?" "Aline and me." "What?!" "I'm going to Syracuse and I'm taking Aline with me." I struggle to digest her words, shifting my gaze back to Aline. All thoughts of Mei's confession leave my head. All I see is red as I watch swarthy leather clad-dude snake his arm around the girl I was kissing just last week. I don't bother excusing myself from Mei before stalking over to where Aline is flaunting herself. "She's with me." I fight for calm as I stare down the man Aline drapes herself on. The guy takes in my clear agitation. He frowns and looks up at me, registering my height. I'm a full head taller than him. His brow rises as he takes in the breadth of my chest and the cut of my arms. He backs away from Aline like she's contracted some real funky, contagious disease and I silently thank whatever deity that is looking over Aline tonight for
Aline's Choice 21. Touching Love
-Jian- Aline groans softly and shifts in my arms, drawing my attention back to her. I long to wash the cigarette smoke from her hair and cleanse the stench of alcohol from her breath. Smell. It occurs to me I can use my super olfactory sense to figure out which room is hers. I tilt up my nose, sniffing. The familiar, maddening scent of her perfume emanates most strongly from the room at the end of the upstairs hallway. I carry her to the bedroom, which houses flowers, delicate accessories, and fabrics, all in eye-pleasing rosy hues. It pleases me that there’s a lack of fussy ruffles and lace. Had there been even a hint of girlie-girl stuff, I would have been duty-bound to rib her about it once she was sober enough to appreciate my efforts. The classy, straight, modern lines of her surroundings strike me most. The dichotomy of her personal space with the tough person she presents to the world reveals how Aline’s pack life is not one of
Aline's Choice 22. The Next Morning
-Aline- There is a mind-numbingly bright light coursing through my window. It's the Richmond District in San Francisco for chrissakes. It should never be this sunny here! A very annoying someone is bellowing, but I can't understand the words. Oh, for fu—... Ugh! My head! I clamp my hands to my ears, trying to shut her out. "Stop yelling," I croak. "Geezus, stop yelling." Lord, even the sound of my voice hammers in my head. An ear-splitting ringing adds to my suffering. Please, please make it stop! I promise to be good. I promise never to think evil thoughts, or spout rude and crude things to seek revenge on any man ever, ever, again. Just make the pain go away! Just. Make. It. Go. Away. I wait a moment, hoping for an answer to my prayers. It hurts all over, making me groan. There is no god! The inside of my mouth is so dry, I wonder if I swallowed my entire stash of cotton balls. I am desperate for something to quench
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