APPETITE Read online

  "See you later, Damien. I'm really happy I met you." She watched him turn and walk towards his truck with a smile on his face and called after him, "don't forget to go see your aunt!" He changed direction and lifted his hand in a wave, but didn't look back. Charlie laughed and shut the door, locking it behind her. She turned and looked around the room. It was a pretty standard motel. The furnishings and décor were well kept if a little outdated, and she was happy to find a coffee maker, microwave and small fridge. She picked up her case and put it on the bed, unzipping it and getting out her toiletries bag. She rummaged deeper for clean clothes and found a pair of denim capris and a 'Blondie' t-shirt. She dug again and found clean underwear, groaning when she realized she only had a couple changes of clothes left. She'd have to find someplace to do laundry.

  Charlie took off her clothes and stuffed them in an empty plastic bag. She would stop by and ask Mary about laundry facilities after her shower. It would give ample time to ensure Damien was gone. She stopped on her way to the bathroom, thinking. Why didn't she want to see Damien? Because he was sexy, and unnerved her when he was close by. All she wanted was to keep getting closer. "What was that old Groucho joke?, she mumbled to herself. "If I held you any tighter I'd be on the other side of you?" But, if she didn't want to see him again, why would she ask him out? "Because I am a glutton for punishment," she sighed to herself and shook her head, continuing on to the bathroom.

  She was happy to see the bathroom was just as clean as the rest of the room, and slightly less outmoded. She turned on the shower and fished out her shampoo, conditioner and various soaps and scrubs, placing them on the built in shelf on the far wall before getting in. She was elated to find that not only did the shower have a hand-held massaging head, but that there was water pressure aplenty. She scrubbed and slathered, turning the head to the pulse massage setting before rinsing off. The pounding of the water felt good on her skin, and she just stood under it for a while.

  Damien and Mary could hear the shower start in Charlie's room. They were standing in the office, and Mary was busy giving her nephew her opinion.

  "I don't see why you can't take her back to the ranch?" Mary asked.

  "Because she's human. And just passing through."

  "But she's yours, Damy."

  "I know," he said with a sigh. He smiled when he realized the idea of that made him happy.

  "You're not going to be able to convince her to stay if you don't spend time with her. She needs to feel the attraction, too."

  "I think she does. But she pushes it down."

  "You spend enough time with Charlotte and she won't push it down, Damy. Trust me."

  "I am going to spend time with her, Aunt Mary. We're going to go to lunch or dinner while she's here."

  "No!" Mary said, smacking her hand on the counter. "That is not spending time with her!" She took a deep breath. "You've waited too long for happiness, Damien, too long. She has brought back your smile. Don't let her go."

  "I'm trying, Aunt Mary. I am." He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. "But I can't just force her."

  "You can be around. Be wherever she is."

  "I know." He stood as they heard Charlie turn the water off in her room. "I have to go and take care of some stuff for the ranch. I'll be back as soon as I can," he said, fishing his keys out of his pocket. "I know, Aunt Mary," he said, cutting her off before she could object. "I will do my best. It's all I can do." He turned and walked out, getting in to his truck and driving off.

  "Hmph", was all Mary could say at that point.

  She sat at the counter for a bit, reading and listening to the radio. She heard the door open and looked up to see Charlie come in. Her hair was still damp and hung down her back in gentle waves, and she had changed in to a t-shirt and capri pants, with sandals on her feet.

  "What can I do for you, Charlotte?"

  "I was wondering if there was a laundromat in town? Since I am here for a bit I desperately need to get some washing done."

  "Oh, well, we have facilities here, down at the far end of the building between rooms 5 and 6."

  "Great!" she said, obviously happy, and Mary smiled. "Now, is there a market or mini-mart in town?"

  "Och, Charlotte. You don't have to go buy soap. We have plenty here you can use."

  "It's okay. Besides, I could use some other stuff, too. Coffee, cream, sugar, some fruit. Since I'm going to be here for a bit."

  "Let me call Damy and he can take you to the store," Mary said, reaching for the phone.

  "No!" Charlie said, a little more forcefully than she meant to. "I mean, no, please. It isn't necessary. I don't have a lot to get and I could really use the exercise. I've bothered Damien enough for one day."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Absolutely."

  "Well...alright." She gave Charlie directions to the market and watched her walk off, hoping she was doing the right thing by not insisting her nephew come and take her. She sat at the counter, looking out the window and scanning the street for Charlie. It was just after 5PM before she finally saw her making her way back. She had a couple of grocery bags in her hands and was swinging them slightly, a far-away look on her face. She watched Charlie disappear into her room and waited, listening to her move about.

  She heard Charlie come out about thirty minutes later, a book in one hand and a sweatshirt in another, and walked out to meet her.

  "Hello, Charlotte. And where are you off to now?" she said, locking the office.

  "Oh, hi. I was just going for another walk and figured I'd go to the Full Moon Saloon for a burger. Damien said they were really tasty."

  "Och! You don't need to eat there. You can have dinner with Vincent and me."

  "No, really. I appreciate the offer, but I couldn't tonight. Another night?" she offered, not wanting to offend the nice woman, but really wanting to enjoy a couple of cocktails along with her burger. Or instead of. She hadn't decided yet if her dinner would be liquid or not. "I'd like to stretch my tired legs a bit and sit and read quietly after the chaos of my day."

  "If you're sure?" Mary asked, hoping she would come for dinner. And she would just happen to call her nephew and ask him to bring her something.

  "Yeah, Mary, I am." She smiled warmly at the older woman.

  "Alright, then. Off with you. And be careful."

  "Yes, ma'am," Charlie said, laughing as she walked slowly towards the saloon. Mary watched her until she turned the corner, then sprinted up to her house with a speed and agility that would have shocked her young tenant. She raced in to the kitchen and picked up the phone, hitting the speed dial for the Triple D.

  "Hello," a silky female voice came down the line.

  "Eva! It's Aunt Mary," she said, greeting her nephew Darian's mate.

  "Hello Aunt Mary," Eva said, glancing over at her brother-in-law as he stiffened in his chair and looked at her.

  "Did you hear Damien finally met his mate?"

  "Yes, it would seem he has," Eva said, eyes on Damien. He rolled his eyes at her and looked embarrassed.

  "Did you know he dropped her off and left her?"

  "He had errands to take care of, Aunt Mary." Darian laughed behind his hand at the conversation.

  "Of course, my dear. But I still think it's a bit careless of him to leave her to wander the town and hang out at the Moon, don't you?"

  "Careless, Aunt Mary? How could he have kept her from it?"

  "He couldn't keep her from going. But he could keep her from being there alone."

  "Yes, he could," Eva said with a smile as Damien put his head in his hands. "Well, Aunt Mary, I will certainly let him know and I am sure he will act on the information. Love to Uncle Victor." She hung up the phone and went to sit in her husband's lap.

  "So, my brother, what are you going to do?" Darian asked, wrapping his arms around Eva and looking at his brooding twin across the library. He shrugged but didn't answer, and he didn't look at the couple watching him so closely. Damien sat back and clos
ed his eyes, stretching his long legs in front of him. The trio seemed frozen for a while, a tableau of a family evening, if it wasn't for the teasing whispers and looks directed towards Damien from Darian and Eva, and his subsequent restless shifting and sighing.

  Finally, Damien stood and trudged towards his rooms in the south wing. The ranch house was three stories, built with a central entry/foyer giving off to the north and south wings. The main floor housed a library, large conference room, dining room and industrial kitchen. It also held the main offices for the ranch and all outlying businesses. The second and third floor of the north wing was his brother and Eva's rooms, and his were on the second and third floor of the south wing. Behind the main house was a large barn, medical center, gymnasium and a huge dormitory; further in to the land were a couple dozen smaller houses, with a large commons area in the middle. Another large dormitory sat behind the houses and butted right up to the forest and mountains.

  Damien paced in his sitting room, telling himself he wanted to just go to bed and forget Charlotte Bell. But he couldn't. He saw her smile when he closed his eyes, heard her laugh in every breeze. He groaned at himself, giving in to what his wolf wanted. He took a quick shower and dressed, making sure to leave the cowboy boots off this time.

  Eva and Darian sat in the foyer, talking quietly with some of their pack members, as Damien came down about an hour later. He had showered and changed in to a t-shirt and jeans, a pair of Nike sneakers on his feet.

  "Where are you going?" Darian called as his brother walked to the door.

  "Out," he said simply.

  "Anywhere in particular?" Darian smirked, knowing full well where his twin was heading.

  "Yes," he said, turning to look at the couple and giving them a smile. "If you need me, I'll be at the yacht club or the opera." He chuckled as he made his way out the door, leaving Darian and Eva to wonder.

  Charlie was sitting at the bar of the Full Moon Saloon when he walked in, a drink in her hand and a book open on her lap. She was reading and trying to avoid conversation with the blonde next to her.

  'Leave her, Marc. She is mine,' Damien sent to the big man.

  'I don't see no mark on her.' The man snorted.

  'Are you challenging me?' Damien asked. Marc looked down at the bar and gave a slight shake of his head. 'Then leave her be.'

  Damien walked up to the bar and sat on the opposite side of Charlie.

  "Howdy, cowboy," she said, smiling at her book.

  "Howdy?"

  "Traditional cowboy greeting."

  "I see." He watched her for a minute; she still hadn't looked up at him. "How'd you know it was me?" he asked.

  "I don't know," she said with a shrug, finally lifting her eyes to him. Her breath caught for a moment. Holy shit, she thought, did I think he was good looking? He's a Roman god sent to earth. She smiled at him. "I just knew."

  "What are you reading?"

  "It's 'Bloodsucking Fiends' by Christopher Moore." She held up the book for him to see. "Have you read it?"

  "No, I haven't."

  "It's good. Funny. He's a fun one to read."

  "I'm not familiar with him." He looked around, noticing most of the patrons were watching them. "What brings you to the Full Moon? I thought Aunt Mary would have invited you for dinner."

  "Oh! She did. 'Och, you should have dinner with us' she said." Charlie did a good impression of the motel proprietress, making him laugh. "But I declined. I have to eat something, I know," she said, patting her stomach, "but wasn't sure if I wanted a cocktail or ten."

  "Or ten?" He leaned in and looked at her closely. "How many have you had?"

  "Actually...this is only my first. It's very strong and I'm not much of a drinker."

  "Have you eaten?"

  "Not yet. I can't seem to get the bartender to take my order."

  "Really?" Damien asked. He glanced over at the bartender and raised an eyebrow, bringing the man to them immediately.

  "What can I get for you, Mr. Dimeo?" he asked, wiping his hands on a rag.

  "A Heineken, please, Henry. And two Full Moon burgers with the works."

  "Two?"

  "One for me and one for my friend here," Damien said, nodding his head towards Charlie.

  "Of course," Henry said. He turned and looked at Charlie. "Would you like another drink?"

  "No, thank you. Just some water, please."

  "What are you drinking?" Damien asked after Henry left to drop their order to the kitchen.

  "Rum and ginger ale."

  "Ginger ale? They don't have ginger ale here."

  "They don't?"

  "No." He scowled a bit, drawing his brows together.

  "What?"

  "May I?" he asked, picking up her glass.

  "Of course." Charlie watched him closely as he took a sip, not sure what was going on. He made a face and looked at Henry as if he wanted to punch him. "What is it?"

  "That's just rum."

  "Oh." Charlie took the glass and sniffed at it. "Why would he do that?"

  "Because you're a newcomer."

  "Hmmm..." Charlie said. "Wait -- how did you know they don't carry ginger ale here?"

  "Because we own it." Charlie gasped at that. "Why are you surprised?" he asked, smiling at her expression.

  "You're a rancher."

  "Yes, I am. And the Triple D provides all the beef for this restaurant, and a few more."

  "The 'Triple D'?"

  "The ranch."

  "I see. But you're a rancher," she said, a puzzled look on her face. "And...this is a bar."

  "Saloon, actually." Damien was enjoying having her unsettled.

  "Don't argue semantics, cowboy," Charlie said, recovering quickly and poking him in the arm. She cocked her head at him. "So is it normal for the locals to try and get non-locals 'faced? Is it a sport?"

  "Not at all, I assure you."

  "So it's just me?"

  "I don't know. Would you like me to ask him?"

  "Please."

  Damien looked at Henry and cocked his head to call him over. Henry made his way slowly, wiping his hands on a rag.

  "Mr. Dimeo?" he asked.

  "Would you explain why my friend has a glass of pure rum, when she ordered...?" he turned to Charlie as if he didn't know what she ordered.

  "Rum and ginger ale," Charlie said.

  "We don't carry ginger ale, do we Henry?"

  "No, sir."

  "So why wouldn't you tell my friend we don't carry ginger ale and ask her to choose something else?"

  'Mr. Dimeo?' Henry sent to Damien.

  'Answer out loud, Henry.'

  "I don't know," Henry said with a shrug. "It was just a joke."

  "Do you think it's funny, Charlie?" Damien asked her. She looked at Damien, suddenly uneasy at the subservience he was commanding from Henry.

  "It was a joke, Damien. In poor taste, but...no harm, no foul?" she said quietly, looking down at the book in her lap and hiding her face behind the fall of her hair.

  "What would you like to drink, dolcezza?" he asked softly, tucking her hair behind her ear. She shivered at the endearment and touch, fighting the urge to climb in to his lap and wrap herself around him.

  "Just a coke would be fine," Charlie said, looking at Henry and giving him a smile.

  "Coming right up, ma'am." Henry quickly had a large glass of Coke in front of her and moved away.

  "What the hell?" Charlie whispered, turning to Damien.

  "What?"

  "What the hell was all that, Damien? The poor guy looked like he thought you were going to kill him."

  "He's worried about losing his job. He should be worried." He looked at Henry at the far end of the bar.

  "He didn't mean any harm."

  "So he should be left to do it again to someone else?"

  "No...no." She sighed, looking at him. "Of course not. It was just...why did he cower so much before you? Are you some kind of hardass?"

  "Yes and no." Charlie laid her forearms on
the bar and leaned towards him, cocking an eyebrow in a nonverbal request for him to continue. "I don't consider myself a particularly harsh man. But I'm not a pushover, either. My brother and I have a lot of responsibilities, and we take them very seriously." He took a swig of his beer and sat back, casually putting his arm across the back of her bar stool. "Sometimes you need to be a bit hard to keep things running smoothly."

  "Yeah, but - "