Night Angels (Beast & Beauty) (2 page)

He slowed and walked back to the house, approaching the boot room back door and let himself and a relieved Martha inside. He wiped his feet, cleaned her paws with a towel, and petted her for a moment, as normality flooded through his veins.

“There, all safe and sound. No harm done. We'll stay outta that wood for a while though, eh?” he said and laughed at her happy tail wagging response.

After kissing her silky red head, he went to find his mother.

“Are you sure?” His mother furrowed her brow in concern and more than a touch of disbelief at his revelation.

“Yes...! You don't think I'd make it up do you?” he replied a little too indignantly.

“And you only saw the two, but you think there's more, a whole pack of them?”

“Quite a few more than two by the sound of it.”

“I'll send Phillip out to look around tomorrow. Maybe they were wild dogs and in the dim light they just looked like wolves. I can't see how a pack of wolves could have escaped from somewhere with no one noticing, can you?”

“I know it's odd, but I know what I saw Mum. There was enough light to see them clearly enough. They were huge skinny dark grey wolves, snarling fangs, and howling like it was the full moon. No way they were dogs... Martha was freaked out by them.”

“Hmmm, okay then, if you're sure. Look, I'd really appreciate it if you'd stay downstairs and have some dinner with us love. It'll be ready in a few minutes. Mel's going to be joining us for our Sunday evening roast today. It'll mean a lot to me. Please?”

“I don't suppose it'll hurt. I'm getting sick of my own company anyway,” he replied offhandedly with a small smile in his mum's direction. The truth was that he needed to have people around him, as a distraction, after his weird experience outside. Even verbally sparring with his bro sounded appealing at the moment. Mel sounded more than appealing too. “I need a fast shower. Be back in five.”

He headed off to shower and dress with his spirits lifting. A hearty meal of roast beef and all the trimmings would settle his stomach and mind, definitely. Then in a while, after a decent period of socialising with his family, he'd take a quick evening ride on his bike, and do the five village circuit. He might even enjoy sitting in front of his computer after that.

They all sat at the table helping themselves to Mrs Higgins' succulent roast beef, wonderful crunchy potatoes, and al dente steamed vegetables. They tucked in with little ceremony and very few manners either. The Brandons always enjoyed and appreciated their food. That was one thing they all had in common at least.

“Melanie, do come along darling. One roast potato won't be enough to feed such a fine figure as yours,” his father said with a wink in her direction.

“Dad, do you mind!” Chris admonished, giving his father an open glare.

She blushed very prettily and helped herself to another bigger one.

“I have a really good appetite normally. I guess I'm a little nervous, that's all,” she replied.

His father laughed one of his hearty guffaws and gave her a big white smile, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief. “No need for nerves, my love. I may be a Lord in title, but I'm pretty normal at heart, wouldn't you say, Kyle?” his father carried on.

“Mmmm, pure salt of the earth Dad, absolutely,” Kyle muttered quietly. He had to agree his dad was pretty cool for a Lord, with his wicked sense of humour and a fairly modern outlook on life.

He took another look at Mel, sweeping his eyes up and down as subtly as he could. He could barely stop looking in her direction.  He caught her looking at him too, as if she was taking stock, examining him somehow... He'd dressed carefully in a tight fitting black shirt and black jeans. He'd faffed with his hair and even splashed on some cologne, not that she'd get close enough to him to smell it. But he'd wanted to make a good impression on her for some reason. He hoped he'd done a good job and she wasn't comparing him too harshly with the golden boy to her left.

His eyes skimmed over her lush swathe of silky fair hair, tumbling seductively over her shoulders, down her far too pretty face with its exquisite smooth skin and full pink lips, to her neck and throat. His eyes glazed as they travelled lower over her beautiful full breasts and the touch of cleavage on display at the neckline of her black silky top. He felt himself harden, rapidly, wanting her and imagining things. He dragged his eyes back up to her face quickly, swallowing the groan that was threatening to emerge from his mouth.

Their eyes locked, just for a few seconds, and something happened, across the table, between them. He didn't know the fuck what, or the fuck how, but it did.

She cleared her throat and took a big gulp of her glass of water, her eyes not leaving his. “What exactly do you do Kyle? Chris mentioned you work from home, on the internet?” she asked him. Her long eyelashes batted at him slowly and so sexily he wanted to dive on her and kiss her to death.

“Customer support for a web host,” he replied blandly, desperately trying to get control of himself.

“You must have a very technical mind. I can barely work out what's happening on my Facebook page,” she replied with a deep sigh.

He laughed at her truthful candour.

“I'm sure you're not the only one. The FB interface isn't renowned for its user friendliness."

“Well that's a relief. I thought it was just me.”

“Oh no... Far from it. Facebook can make the back end of a hosting environment look like child's play.” He smiled and she giggled sweetly.

“Come on babe, you've hardly touched your food. Mrs Higgins will be on the warpath,” Chris said, breaking into their conversation. He cast a hard look at Kyle, as if he knew exactly what was running through his head.

“Oh heavens above... Mustn't upset Mrs Higgins, must we?" she replied humorously, in mock horror and began to tackle her dinner properly, as requested.

“So Kyle, how's it all going these days, man-eating wolves aside,” Chris asked with a nasty smirk.

He looked at his mother crossly and she had the grace to blush.

“Just fine and I did see wolves. Heard them too,” he replied defensively.

“I suppose anything's possible. Bloody unlikely though,” Chris continued, with an evil little grin.

“What the hell would you know, anyway?” he snapped. “Do you sit and discuss wolves with the other geniuses in the world of mathematical engineering?”

He suddenly wanted to finish his meal as quickly as possible. He hated this barbed conversation they always had. Neither of them could seem to control it. It was the main reason he didn't eat with them anymore. Antagonistic mealtimes weren't an enjoyable experience, for anyone present. He preferred to eat alone, in his room. Mrs Higgins looked after him. She called him 'pet' and he called her 'Higgy'. She had a soft spot for him. She'd text him when his dinner was ready to collect. She was a real sweetie underneath her harsh Yorkshire 'no nonsense' exterior.

“I'd love to know exactly what you saw, would you tell me, please?” Melanie asked, in an interested and appealing voice, diffusing the bad vibes instantly.

“Maybe later,” he replied in a non-committal tone. He wasn't about to become a laughing stock at the table.

“Perhaps you can show me what you do on the internet, your job I mean, and after that you could tell me about them? I like wolves, I find them fascinating,” she pushed.

“Okay, if Chris doesn't mind?” he asked cautiously. He'd love to get Mel on her own for a while, away from his brother. Not that he intended to hit on her, he just liked her, and looking at her was a real pleasure.

“Why should I mind? Mel can do as she likes, though why she finds anything about you interesting is beyond me,” he replied caustically.

There he goes again. Snipe, after fucking snipe...

He led her upstairs to his room. She came in and looked around, taking it all in quickly with interested eyes.

“It's a real bachelor's pad you have here Kyle!” she announced with a little laugh.

“I guess so,” he replied.

“D'you use those?” she asked, walking over to his weight rack and picking a small one up and turning to face him.

“Every day, 600 reps at least. I've got a good routine, been doing it for years.”

“I thought so. I can see you've got a great body. That shirt fits you like a glove. I like a man who keeps himself fit. Muscles turn me on.”

“Right...” he gulped.

She put the weight back on the rack and walked up to him.

“So, show me then...”

“Show you what?”

“What you do.”

“My workout?”

“Well I'd really love to see that, but I meant your job. I'm dying to get inside the workings of a web hosting company. Give me the grand tour.”

“Okay, let me pull up the spare chair.”

He arranged the seating, and once comfortable, he brought his computer out of hibernate mode. He was having a lot of difficulty concentrating. He could smell her perfume and his mouth felt so dry suddenly. She was too close for comfort. Somehow he managed to sign in and take her 'round his American cyber-job. She actually sounded quite interested in it.  He logged out and announced the tour to be complete, turning towards her with a lazy grin. She settled back on the chair a little and looked at him, heatedly, as he stared back at her.

“What's the matter, have I grown another head or something?” he asked jokily to cover the awkwardness he felt being ogled so openly.

“What happened in the woods?” she asked breathily.

“I was out running. With the dog. She pulled up fast and started acting strangely, out of character. Then there they were. I only saw a flash of them, dark fur... crossing the path. But I was spooked. I was about to high tail it outta there when they returned, right in front of me. Great big ugly fucking monsters. Long teeth, orange glowing eyes, huge pointed ears... Snarling at me... I've never seen anything like it.”

“Oh my God... It must have been so exciting...” she said with wide eyes.

“I nearly had a damn heart attack.”

“How I'd have loved to have seen it.”

“No you really wouldn't. I can assure you.”

“I like being scared, you know.”

“Would you like to be eaten? Because that's the kind of scared it felt like to me.”

“Perhaps not, then,” she laughed.

“Fancy a beer? I've got my own supply.”

“Sure. And tell me some more about the wolves. Did they chase you?”

He hopped up and got them both a beer from his mini drinks cooler. He popped off the lids and she rose, coming to meet him halfway, taking one from him and having a quick sip. Her eyes were glued to his.

“No, I don't think so. I didn't dare look to be honest. I think they just wanted to scare me off.”

“And they did, didn't they?” she giggled and flashed her eyes at him.

“Too fucking right! I've never run so fast in my life. And then the howling. That started when I left the wood. Jesus, It made my hair stand on end.”

“You have such beautiful eyes,” she suddenly said. “And really gorgeous hair. You're kinda hot. Why the hell do you hide yourself away in here?”

He was rather taken aback by her change in conversation, and secretly very pleased she found him to be 'kinda hot' but managed to hide it, just about.

“It just happened. You know, my job, my gaming... I Skype and socialise online too.”

“Chris says you never go out. He calls you the hermit.”

“Oh, I go out now and then. On my bike usually. I'm a fast ride addict.”

“I'd like to come out with you sometime. I've never been on a motorbike before.”

“We'll arrange something if you like. I was gonna go tonight, but what about tomorrow, if Chris is okay about it.”

“I don't need to ask permission. It's a date.”

He laughed at her terminology.

“Hardly a date... It'll be a quick trip around the country lanes, that's all.”

“Got any girls in your life?” she probed, her eyes searching his.

“A couple of friends online. Anya, my gamer partner's a girl, lives in Sweden.”

“No, I meant real ones, here, you know... Girls you see...”

“I've had a few... but a while ago.”

Far too long ago, years ago in fact.

Her eyes were riveted to his and he could see and hear she was breathing deeply. She took his bottle from his hand and put the two of them down on the table. Then she moved closer to him, lifting her hand and began caressing his neck with her finger, stroking him softly. And how good it felt, so arousing. Little shivers ran up and down his spine in anticipation, and they stared, their chests heaving with want.

Shit, so much for not hitting on her... She's hitting on me... In a big way...

His mind screamed 'NO' but his body ignored it as she took his hand and pulled him towards her, brushing her mouth against his, gently at first, and then more insistently. His whole body came to life with a sudden rush of intense feelings, bursting out everywhere.

He pulled away a little. This was
SO
not on. He was kissing his brother's girlfriend!