Ice Moon (9 page)

I shook my head taking her hands in mine. “There was nothing you could do.” My pulse raced, I didn’t want to ask, but we’d come this far. “What happened next?”

The pain in her blue eyes ripped me open. “I tried to revive him, but he wouldn’t breathe. I didn’t notice the fire until Charlie started screaming from the crib.”

His scar.

She kept her attention focused on the remaining ice cubes floating in the bowl of mostly water. “I was hysterical and something snapped inside of me. All the anger, hurt, and fear, it blended into a molten fire and suddenly Charlie’s crib was in flames. His clothes were on fire. I had to lay Trevor’s body on the changing table so I could snuff out the flames on Charlie, but my hands were so hot.”

Oh, Jesus. I didn’t think I could hear anymore. “Keep breathing. We can stop.”

She shook her head, steam rising from the bowl. “I need to finish this.”

“Okay.” I’d never met a stronger person in my life. How had she coped all on her own?

“I pulled out the quilts and wrapped my hands, then scooped him up. We were both coughing from the smoke, but I got him outside. By then sirens were screaming. My baby.” Her shoulders shook with sobs. “I told the firemen Trevor was inside. But it was too late.”

I set the bowl of water aside and pulled her into my arms. Her body was hot, but not enough to burn me. I kissed her hair and whispered, “Charlie is lucky to have such an amazing mom.”

She wept against my chest. “I could have killed him.”

“But you didn’t.”

“Charlie’s burned because of me.”

“He’s burned because you lost your son, his brother. Until then, you’d never experienced that kind of pain. It must’ve activated the fire, raised your powers to a whole new level.”

She clung to me for a few minutes. I wished there was more I could do, some way to take away her pain and her burden. Gradually, her temperature cooled and she pulled back, wiping her eyes.

“After the fire, I had nothing, and no place to go. I called Sylvia at Brightwood, hoping maybe I could live in the dorm again just for a little while. She was the only person I ever told how the fire really started.”

If a Severino knew her powers had grown, wouldn’t they have collected her as a weapon? Those bastards wouldn’t have passed up the chance to study her, to change her into a jaguar and see if her power remained unchanged.

“But Sylvia said it wasn’t safe for me at Brightwood. She arranged to meet me for coffee the next day. When we met, she handed me a plane ticket to Reno and a wallet full of cash. She told me to contact Malcolm Sloan. He would help me find a place to live and get me into college.”

My jaw went slack.

“Jared? Are you okay?”

I couldn’t find my voice for a second. “Malcolm. He was.”
My Alpha.
“My father’s best friend.” Also true.

“I’m sorry. I was sad to hear he’d passed away.”

I nodded, still dazed. “Malcolm knew Sylvia Severino?”

She shrugged. “He must have. She said he’d protect me from anyone who wanted to exploit my powers. And I guess he did. He helped me buy a condo, find a nanny, and once I got my broker’s license he financed my office up here.”

Gob-smacked didn’t begin to describe my shock. “Do you know Sarah Ayers?”

“Yes, I’ve met her a couple of times…” Her eyes widened. “Is she your mother?”

“Wow.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe you and I never met before.”

“Yeah. Small world.” She touched my cheek with shaky fingers. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Tank laid his head on my lap confirming how shaken I was.

“I’m just a little stunned that Malcolm never told any of us.”

“Sylvia said he’d keep my secret.”

I nodded. “He definitely did.”

She stared into the fire. “Now the two people I owe the most, are gone.”

“Sylvia’s dead too?”

Taryn sighed. “Yeah. I didn’t find out until after I opened my office up here. I was going to invite her to come out, but when I went to the website there was a memoriam for her.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “She died in a fire.”

We sat in silence until Taryn finally took my hand. “It’s late and it’s been a rough night.” She paused. “Stay tonight.”

“Here?”

She nodded slowly. “I’ll get Tank a bowl of water. And I’ve got extra blankets. You can crash here on the couch.”

I glanced at Tank and he gave me a panting smile in return. Relief washed over me like a tidal wave at the thought of not having to drive the damned Mt. Rose highway in the dark. “What about Charlie?”

She shrugged. “We can tell him you wanted to get an early start on the deck.”

“Works for me.” I lifted her hand to my lips. “Thanks.”

She shook her head. “No. Thank
you
. This is the closest I’ve ever been to having an answer to the fire. I never…” Tears shined in her eyes again. “I never dreamed I might be able to hug my boy again. I was going to send him away to boarding school.”

My heart stuttered in my chest. A werewolf in boarding school with no idea what he was would be a disaster. “Don’t send him anywhere. He’s right where he belongs with you.”

She smiled and kissed me long and slow until the agitation drained from my body, replaced by hunger. My fingers clutched the back of her silky hair, my jeans getting uncomfortably tight. She pulled away with a throaty hum that made my erection jump.

“I don’t think I’ve mastered enough control for more just yet.”

“But you will,” I growled.

She bit her lower lip, her hand sliding down my abdomen toward the button on my jeans. “You’re giving me lots of incentive.”

I pulled her down for another kiss, hungrier. God I’d never wanted a woman the way I wanted Taryn. Body, heart, and soul, I wanted all of her. But her hands were starting to burn my shirt. I forced myself back, breathless. “You better go to bed before we set this place on fire.”

She nodded, her chest rising and falling fast. “I want you.”

My fist tightened in the back of her hair. “I want you, too.”

I loosened my hold on her, and she straightened up. Her hips swayed in her sweats as she went down the hall for blankets. I shifted my raging hard-on in my jeans and glanced at Tank.

“When I dream tonight, if she’s not naked in my arms, there is no justice in this world.”

Chapter Thirteen

Taryn

I
woke up early, nothing new, but my houseguest was. From the kitchen, I peered over into the living room where Jared still slept on the couch. He was sprawled out on his stomach, the blanket pooled around his waist so his legs and back were exposed. Tanned, muscled, and tempting to say the least.

Armed with two cups of coffee, I padded out of the kitchen and set the mugs on the table. Steadying myself with a slow breath, I reached out and brushed Jared’s hair back from his face. He mumbled and rolled over giving me a great view of his chest as his eyes blinked open.

“Morning. I brought you some coffee.”

He smiled. “Thanks.” His gaze flicked to the kitchen. “Did you make chicken?”

I nodded, picking up my cup. “Can’t believe you could smell that through the fresh brewed coffee. I cooked a chicken breast for Tank. He’s in there waiting for it to cool off enough for him. I also thought I’d better run it by you first.”

He reached up and cupped my cheek, and for once, my first reaction wasn’t to distance myself. I turned my head, pressing a kiss to his palm. No sign of the fire.

“Nice to have your face be the first thing I see.”

I chuckled, allowing my gaze to wander a bit. “My couch has never looked so good.”

He grinned and sat up, his bare abs a testament to his work ethic. “I guess I should get dressed before Charlie—”

“Jared!” Charlie ran right past me and plopped himself next to Jared. “You spent the night?”

“He wanted to get an early start on the deck so he can finish it before the snow comes in.”

Charlie looked up at me. “He’s working on a Saturday?”

Oh crap
. Little flaw in my great excuse. Behind Charlie, Jared grinned at me with an apologetic shrug.

“Yes. I asked him to work even though it’s Saturday.” Lame, but it was all I had.

Jared draped an arm over my son’s shoulders. “I could use some help, too.”

Charlie beamed. “Yes! But only for a little bit. I have a soccer game today.” His eyes widened. “And you could come watch me play.”

Jared glanced over at me, and I nodded once. He winked and gave Charlie a squeeze. “How about if we both go see your game?”

Charlie popped off the couch and stood in front of me. “Really? Can you come too, Mom?”

I stared at my boy, struggling to keep from bursting into tears and freaking him out. “Yes. I’d love to see you play.”

Charlie started forward and stopped himself. I glanced at Jared, my pulse racing. He took the hint and got up, swooping in to catch Charlie by the waist. My boy squealed with joy as Jared ran him around the living room Superman style like my nine–year-old weighed nothing in his strong hands.

“Mom, I’m flying!”

I nodded, quickly wiping a tear from my cheek as I laughed. My life had changed more than I imagined possible in just a few weeks. Jared zipped past me in his boxer shorts as he placed Charlie’s feet back on the ground. “We better get dressed.”

“Maybe we can make pancakes!” Charlie ran down the hallway.

Jared turned and stalked me with a grin that was definitely meant for me alone. “Pancakes?”

He bent his knees and wrapped his arms around me just under my rear, lifting me up into the air so I was taller than him. I gasped and cupped his face laughing. “You’re playing with fire.”

“Am I?” He lowered me just enough for his lips to caress mine before he put me down. “I think you have more control over it than you think. And next time you want to hug Charlie… Do it.”

He let me go and grabbed his pants and shirt from the back of the sofa. His broad shoulders filled my narrow hallway until he disappeared into the guest bathroom. His words echoed in my head. Even contemplating touching Charlie terrified me. Since the day I lost his twin brother, I hadn’t allowed myself any skin to skin contact with my little boy. Charlie had no memory of the fire, and I intended to keep it that way.

Even if it tore my heart in two.

His safety came first.

But the heat surged last night. A tree had smoldered, and other than a blistered finger, Jared was all right. He’d given me something to think about.

The two of them came into the kitchen just as I poured another pancake into the frying pan.

“My mom makes the
best
pancakes.”

I glanced over at them and smiled. “Hope you guys are hungry.” I pulled open the oven door to show them the first dozen. “I was keeping these warm for you.”

Charlie nudged Jared. “We better set the table.”

He opened the cupboard and took out three plates, handing them to Jared. The two of them laid out the plates and silverware, and I brought the pancakes to the table. We ate and laughed, and it was all I could do not to allow happy tears to leak from my eyes. Staring across at Jared and Charlie grinning filled my heart.

I never wanted this to end.

Jared suddenly met my eyes, and my breath caught. The last man I loved left me without ever looking back.

And I was already falling, already lost.

I broke eye contact and poked at my pancake as the heat built inside my chest.
Not now.
Tank wandered over.

Jared’s voice filled the silence. “Charlie, ready to get started on the deck?”

“Yeah, I’ll go get my tool belt.” He bolted toward his bedroom.

Jared looked at me, his tone low and gentle. “Taryn? Everything okay?”

“No, but I’m working on it.” I focused on my breathing, watching the ice in my glass.

He gave me much needed space, taking the dishes into the kitchen like there was no way the house might go up in flames at any moment. The water came on, and I took some comfort in the normalcy of the clanking of dishes getting washed. Gradually, the smoldering in my veins faded. I took a long drink of my ice water and smiled to myself.

Hope was a powerful thing.

I
gave Sherri the day off. For the first time,
I
would be taking Charlie to his soccer game. Well, technically Jared was taking both of us. He had to drive. Tank and Charlie had the slim backseat in the extra cab, and Jared and I took the front. I was glad he was with us. If my power came alive for some reason, he’d protect my son.

We got to the park and Charlie took off to warm up with his team. Jared grabbed our chairs from the back, while I collected our water bottles and Tank’s leash. We found a spot about mid-field and within minutes the boys were chasing the black and white ball around.

Charlie was amazing. He was faster than the other boys, and his coordination, flicking the ball between the other players, was shocking. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.

“Go Charlie!” I shouted.

He grinned at me and took off down the field.

The mom next to us headed over. “Are you Charlie’s mother?”

“Yes.” I nodded, glancing her way before focusing on the game again.

“He’s a great player.” She held out her hand. “I’m Heather, Brian’s mom.”

I stared at her hand and finally reached out to take it. “Nice to meet you. I’m Ms… Taryn. I’m Taryn.”

She released my hand with no idea how lucky she’d been. Completely unharmed. Maybe I really was getting the power under control.

“I’ve never seen you at the games before.”

I tensed. “I usually work on Saturdays.”

“Or practices.”

“I work late.”

Jared leaned forward. “Charlie’s lucky his mom sacrifices so much so he can play sports.”

Heather gave Jared a long look and smiled. “And you are?”

“I’m Jared.” He took my hand lacing our fingers together. “Taryn’s boyfriend.”

I blinked and did my best to hide my shock behind a cool smile. “Charlie’s not the only one who’s lucky.”

Heather nodded. “I can see that.”

Brian’s Mom focused on the game again. I turned to face Jared and mouthed the word, “Boyfriend?”

He chuckled and leaned in. “Sounded better than telling her I’m your carpenter.” I nodded, wishing I hadn’t wanted it to be true. He squeezed my hand and came close to whisper, “There’s no one else in my life, in case you’re wondering.”

Without thinking, I raised our joined hands and kissed the back of his. He watched my every move, desire shining in his eyes. I swallowed hard and broke eye contact. He could make me hot with just a look. How could this ever work?

I concentrated on Charlie’s game, counting backwards and gradually the fire cooled. Jared tightened his hold on my hand, drawing my attention again. Was I hurting him? His smile melted away my worries. My heart pounded as I lost myself in his bright hazel eyes.

“You stopped it. Your hand heated up, but you pulled it back.”

I nodded. He made me feel like a freaking superhero.

“Charlie’s going to win this game, but a hug from his mom would be the biggest win of his life.”

I turned to watch my son, choking back a sudden surge of emotions. What if I hurt him? I was lucky he didn’t remember the scar or the fire. He’d remember this.

Would it be a happy memory?

Jared whispered next to my ear, “You’ve got this.”

One of the boys passed the ball to Charlie, he nudged it around another player and kicked. The black and white ball sailed past the goalie’s hands and right into the net. I jumped to my feet, cheering, my heart fuller than it had any right to be. God, I’d missed so much already. I didn’t want to miss any more.

I was through being a prisoner to my power.

When the referee finally blew the whistle signifying the end of the game, the boys all scattered, racing toward their parents on the sidelines. Charlie ran toward me and slowed to a stop a couple feet away.

“Mom! Did you see?”

I dropped to my knees, nodding as I opened my arms. “I saw it all.”

For a split second Charlie stared at my invitation, hesitating before launching himself into my arms. I held him so tight, it was miracle he could breathe. I kissed his hair, his ear, his cheek, whatever I could touch without letting him go.

My boy clung to me. “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, Charlie. So much.”

Gradually, I realized my hands were throbbing, pulsing with energy, heat. I loosened my grip and wiped my eyes.

A crease formed in Charlie’s brow and he started to smile. “Why are you crying?”

I shrugged, laughing and sniffling all at the same time. “I’ve missed so much.”

“It’s okay, Mom.” He took my hand. “You can catch up.”

I had no clue what I’d ever done to deserve this amazing boy, but whatever it took, I was never going to push him away again. I’d find a way to cope, to control the fire. And I’d be the mom he deserved.