Page 4 of His Sunshine Baby (The Silver City #2)

That was nothing like I imagined it would be. I thought this would be short, only physical, even cold maybe. But this, this was completely different from what I thought.

Under the shower, I let the water wash away all my confusion, just enjoying those post-sex sensations. Even the cold flow can’t appease my burning skin; I still feel all hot, trembling inside. I push my hair over my shoulder and try to look for some shampoo when I realize I’m not alone. Nathaniel is standing against the wall at the entrance, obviously enjoying the view with his little smile.

“Maybe I should warn you, Mr. Black, you have perverts in this hotel.”

He scoffs, walks up to me, and puts a hand around my waist. He still smells of cigarettes from smoking on the balcony a few seconds ago.

“Really? We might need tighter security then.”

And with those words, he gets closer to me, cornering me with that annoying smirk of his. We are now under the showerhead, the cold water flow drenching us. He doesn’t even flinch, his eyes focused on me with this glimmer of lust in them. How can he be so handsome and tempting? His hand caresses my butt and I don’t reject it. I put both arms around his neck instead, caressing it with my fingers. His lips come looking for mine. We share a long and passionate, yet gentle kiss.

Once again, I’m losing myself in his embrace, addicted to the taste of his lips and his smell. I just can’t seem to reject him, and I have no intention to. My inner wolf is just the same, excited by this Alpha male and this intense night.

Nathaniel’s fingers run down my back, caressing my skin, reviving the fire. Desire sparks again between us like it never really left. He swiftly moves his hand to caress my front, taking care of my intimate parts while his lips go down on my breasts. I gasp again, surprised by him. He kisses my neck again, nipping and playing with my skin with his lips, driving me crazy.

“You’re wet,” he whispers in my ear.

I blush. Even with my eyes closed, I can hear his smile. I know he doesn’t obviously mean the water. Why does he have to make this kind of pervy joke? I want to protest, but before I can, he’s moving my leg up, and the next second, I feel him in me. A mixture of surprise and pleasure makes me cry out. He chuckles and kisses my neck, moving to my cheek, and finally my lips. After a second of getting used to the sensation, I wrap my leg around him and answer his kiss. He starts moving slowly, and Moon Goddess, it feels so good. I leave Nathaniel to set the pace, too immersed in my own sensations to decide anything for now. Oh, Moon Goddess! I breathe and gasp loudly, unable to hold it. I just can’t, this is too much to feel already. My own body is drowning in pleasure, and Nathaniel’s movements are keeping me on edge. I hear his loud breathing against my ear, he’s feeling it too. Maybe it’s because I already orgasmed earlier, but it feels twice as intense this time. I start moaning. I try to put a hand on my mouth to cover it, but Nate grabs my wrists and holds them above my head, against the wall, as he keeps moving vividly.

“I want to hear you. I want to hear your voice…” he whispers as he keeps going.

With no choice, I let it out as he increases his rhythm, unable to hold it. Moon Goddess, my own voice echoes in my ears, and as if it wasn’t enough, he starts kissing my neck again. I’m going crazy. It’s like he’s controlling me, keeping me in this state of insane pleasure. This sweet torture just goes on and on, giving me hell and heaven, and damn, I just wish it doesn’t stop.

I wake up, completely confused. Where am I? I look around. A suite? Suddenly, the whole night comes back to me. Oh, Moon Goddess. That was freaking wild and intense. We did it three, no, four times? Seriously, when did I become so sex-crazed? No wonder my whole body feels sore. And this hellish headache, where did that come from? Not from two Mojitos!

“ Elena, you little—! ”

I almost jump, surprised by Daniel’s yelling in my head. Great, now at least I know why my head feels like a damn drum. I sit up slowly on the bed, still barely handling my overall soreness. My whole lower region is throbbing, and I blush while remembering why. Holy crap. I look for my panties while Daniel keeps going.

“ Are you fucking kidding me? Do you have any idea how worried I was when I came home this morning and you weren’t here? And not answering your phone either! I spent two hours trying to mind-link you and call you! ”

“ Thank you for the headache. ”

I probably have no right to growl at him now, but I don’t care, I’m annoyed by his nagging and can barely think straight. I need to find my clothes. While I turn around to look for them, my eyes fall on Nathaniel, still sleeping in the bed. He’s sleeping on his stomach, his face turned toward the window, opposite me. Damn, even like this he looks so handsome. And he’s still naked too. That probably doesn’t help.

I avert my gaze from his sleeping figure and finally spot my skirt and bra on the floor. Silently, I get dressed, ignoring Daniel at the same time. I have no idea what time it is, it looks like it’s barely dawn. I don’t even remember falling asleep! The last thing I can remember is our fourth time, on the bed, Nathaniel’s kisses on my…

Okay, let’s stop thinking about it before I die from embarrassment. Moon Goddess, I’m no virgin. So why do I have to get so red just by thinking about it? Let’s just find that damn top. I finally find it and finish getting dressed, except for my heels which I carry in my hand. Is it okay to leave like this? Maybe I should leave a note or something. That feels very cliché though. It might have sounded right in a movie, but not here. Nathaniel did say it was only one night, anyway, so I should probably leave it at that I guess.

I take one last look at the man sleeping alone in that large bed and leave the suite. It was a great night, for sure. I keep reminiscing as the elevator goes all the way down to the lobby. I put my heels back on before it reaches the first floor, but the memories of last night’s kisses in this very elevator keep me distracted. It was idiotic and reckless to follow him, but I don’t regret it one bit at all. As I walk across the lobby, I actually feel great. It’s not about my body, but I do feel a lot lighter. Like this one night of sex washed all my worries away.

“ So where are you anyway? ”

“ On my way home, Danny. I’ll be there in a moment, okay? ”

I catch a taxi outside and ask him to take me back to the nightclub. It will be a small detour, but I need to retrieve the car, and my phone’s in there too.

Half an hour later, I’m finally parking the car in front of our residence. Danny is right there, waiting for me with dark circles under his eyes and an annoyed expression. I sigh and exit the car, ready to face my best friend’s anger.

“Hi.”

“Hi? Hi? Is that all you have to say? Seriously, Elena, I was freaking out! You go out without even telling me, disappearing to Moon Goddess knows where, and you come back at six in the morning with only a stupid ‘Hi’? I really want to spank you right now!”

“I’m sorry, okay? I needed a time out, and I forgot my phone in the car.”

“Who gives a damn about the phone? We are freaking telepathically linked! Don’t you go with the forgotten phone excuse!”

I understand his anger, but I wish he had waited until we were inside. I feel like we will have a couple of complaints come in if he keeps being so loud at this hour. I quickly walk back to our apartment with Daniel following me closely.

When we’re finally inside, I toss my stuff on the sofa and head for the kitchen. I need coffee, or juice, anything that can give me some energy. I feel horribly sluggish, and I probably could use a nap too.

“Okay, you better spill the beans before I bite you, girl. Where have you been?” Daniel growls.

“I went back to The Rain,” I sigh while pouring myself a cup.

“To the– I’m pretty sure I mentioned that was a shitty idea, Elena!”

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I didn’t even stay a full hour.”

“Why do I feel like I’m not going to like whatever you’re about to say next?” he says with a grimace.

He probably won’t. But no matter what, Daniel is my best friend, and I hate hiding things from him. I sit on the couch, letting a sigh out before answering.

“I spent the night with Nathaniel Black.”

Daniel rolls his eyes and lets himself fall next to me. His reaction wasn’t as bad as I thought. He sighs.

“Elena.”

“I know you’re going to say it was a shitty idea, but it was just a one-night thing, Danny. I’m not seeing him again, and no one knows, except you.”

I see him hesitate, but he eventually gets up to pour himself a cup of coffee too. Guess he spent most of his night working at the lab. That also explains why he’s not as heated as he could be. When he comes back to sit with me, he looks exhausted but calm.

“Elena, I get you needed to let go and have fun for a night, but I just wish you had done it some other way. That guy is dangerous, babe, and you’ve had your share of bad boys.”

I glare at him. Why did he have to mention that asshole now? I can’t believe my best friend. Of all things, why did he choose to remind me of my ex right now? This is so unfair! I throw a cushion at him, annoyed.

“Seriously, Danny? Why do you even have to mention that damn jerk? I just spent one night with a guy, that’s it!”

“It’s not just a guy, Elena, we’re talking about the brother of this city’s Alpha King. He’s probably just as dangerous,” he replies right back, frowning.

This time I’m the one rolling my eyes. Why does he have to act overprotective now?

“I’m never seeing him again Danny, okay? Seriously, it was a one-time thing, that’s all it was, we made that clear from the beginning! He could have been any guy in Silver City, it would probably have been the same! And I’m not making the same mistake, Danny. I’ve learned my lesson, trust me.”

He stays silent for a while, staring at me. I’m done mentioning my damn ex, he better not bring it up again!

He takes a long sip and I wish I knew what he’s thinking. Daniel is my best friend, but sometimes, I can’t decipher him. After a long minute, he sighs and puts his cup down on the table.

“Alright, I get it. A one-night stand. Okay babe, your call. Just promise me you are never seeing Nathaniel Black or going to that nightclub ever again. Promise me you won’t go near his territory, babe.”

I sigh.

“I won’t, Danny, I promise.”

I never intended to go there again after that anyway. I know what Danny is scared about, but that just won’t happen. A single night between strangers, that is all it was.

“Seems like you had a good time.”

I blush. How could he read my mind right now? I growl, annoyed, but he shakes his head.

“Don’t get mad at me, you’re the one having dirty thoughts so early in the morning! So, you want to tell me about your wild night with blondie?”

“You do know you’re blonde too, right?”

We bicker for a few minutes, but I end up telling Daniel everything, well, not the details of course, but just enough for my best friend to have a general idea. He listens to me while preparing some breakfast for the two of us with whatever’s in the fridge. I’m not really a good cook, and aside from a few family recipes, I’d rather leave the cooking to Danny.

When I’m at the point of the story where I left the hotel, he brings me a bowl with a mixture of fruits, cereals, and a bit of almond milk.

“You know babe, that sounds like a very good night of sex, but are you sure that’s all it was?” he asks while sitting next to me, our knees touching.

“What do you mean?”

He sighs and takes a spoonful of his bowl.

“I’ve had my share of one-night stands, you know, and this doesn’t sound like one. I mean, from my experience, men usually do their business quickly and go, especially those who say they don’t want to get attached. But here, your guy took you to a suite, stayed the whole night, asked for seconds, was gentle and all.”

“He owned the suite, may I remind you, and not all men are beasts, Danny. Besides, the sex was really good. Doing it more than once was probably just about enjoying it. That’s all.”

He shrugs and makes a smug face before filling his mouth again.

“Well, you were lucky then. The guy was a gentleman. Never happened to me.”

I feel a bit sorry to hear that. Daniel has one-night stands too, but I have never seen him in a relationship that lasted longer than a couple of weeks. Of course, my best friend is the nicest, most adorable guy in Silver City. Sadly, all the guys he ever went out with always turned out to be jerks, stupid boys testing their curiosity, or even married men. Moreover, he’s so busy with his studies, except for our Friday nights, he barely has any time to look for a companion. I just wish he would find his own man already, but I feel like he’s half-given up. Guess one heart can’t take too many bruises.

I put my hand on his knee.

“Come on, Danny, I bet we’ll find you a nice man. The nicest, most committed guy in all of Silver City.”

He scoffs.

“Thank you, honey, but that only happens in TV shows. Wait until you realize they were just testing the waters with you.”

This time, I give him a slap on his leg. He groans, but I don’t care. I won’t take his pessimism today!

“Don’t say that! There’s got to be one gay gentleman out there for you, and we are going to find him! Tonight, we are going to Pepe’s and you are getting laid!”

He raises an eyebrow.

“Who are you, and what have you done to my babe? Get laid? Girl, one night with Black, and you start talking like me!”

I laugh, well, I do feel like I broke through a few barriers. I feel a lot better, enough to be the optimistic half of our pair for the day.

“You know what? Ditch your work for today. We clear our schedules, and we have fun, just the two of us!”

“Elena, I have to go check on my experiments and you have a whole bunch of bustling teenagers to train.”

“You can call and ask for one of your colleagues to take over for one day, Danny. You spent the whole night working your ass off! And the kids won’t die from a day without training either. Come on, just for today.”

He opens and closes his mouth. I can tell he’s tempted, so I bat my eyelashes and act cute while he’s still hesitating. After a while, he smiles and takes out his phone. Yes!

“Sylviana? It’s Danny. Do you think you could do me a favor and… oh, well, yeah? Really? Are you sure? Thank you, girl! I’ll buy you lunch next week. See you.”

I have a bright smile on. Danny’s off the hook and all mine today! I want to ask him what he wants to do, but before that, he hands me my smartphone.

“You call Chris and tell him to do a self-class with the kids. It’s always better than having one of them tell your uncle you never showed up.”

I sigh and obey him, calling my cousin. Thankfully, Chris is already more than able to train himself, as are most of my usual trainees. He laughs when I tell him about my plan to just enjoy myself with Danny today.

“I approve of that! Have a good day you two, and don’t worry about my dad!”

And with that, he hangs up. I smile at Daniel, but to my surprise, my best friend grabs my hand and takes me to my room. Without a word, he just pushes me onto the bed and lays beside me.

“I’m not going anywhere until I take a long nap,” he says before closing his eyes, “and you could use one too.”

He’s not wrong. I only slept a couple of hours at best last night. I sigh and close my eyes, trying to ignore the floating memories of blue eyes, a warm embrace, and a fancy suite while finding sleep.

A few hours later, as promised, Daniel and I are hanging out without a worry on our minds. We woke up right before lunch and decided to eat at home before heading to the heart of the White Moon territory. It’s a beautiful sunny day, which I love, with the sun warming up my skin and shining in my hair. I’m glad I decided to wear my denim shorts and a simple off-the-shoulder white top to enjoy it twice as much.

The Latin neighborhood is as lively as ever. I grew up in these colored streets, hearing the music coming from the windows, and all the mamás shouting to one another. Like all the other werewolf pups, I would run on the uneven stone paths to test my speed or escape the baker after we stole a couple of conchas . I know by heart all the corners where I could hide as a kid and the shortcuts from one place to another. I could walk around with my eyes closed and recognize each shop only by its smell.

These people adopted me as if I had been born here just like the rest of them. I know all the families that live here, each person by their name. It never mattered where I came from, this was a place of immigrants anyway. Like we say here, your home is the place your heart settles in.

Daniel and I walk around arm in arm, commenting on the shop stalls we love most or what childhood memories we have here and there. I’m trying to leave behind the remnants of last night as I walk with my best friend, but no matter what I do, flashbacks keep coming to me.

The way he touched my skin. His voice in my ear. His warmth. His clear blue eyes fixated on me, burning with desire. I shiver, and I’m not the slightest bit cold. Why am I getting all heated up in broad daylight?

“Elena!”

I turn my head and see Daniel sigh. He’s handing me a pretty box full of miniature seashells. I take it, trying to remember what he was saying.

“Uh, thanks,” I mutter, a bit ashamed.

We stopped in front of one of those little cheap bazaar shops, where you can find pretty much anything for creation hobbies or kid activities, like paint, colored paper, or glitter.

“You’re welcome, but I was just asking if you think my mom could use it for her hobby stuff,” he says while rolling his eyes.

Oh, right, his mom makes jewelry out of these. I already have a pair of earrings and necklaces she gave me. I nod, feeling a bit dumb.

“Totally. Didn’t she mention she was doing summer-themed ones?”

“She did. Glad you were listening then. Babe, what were you thinking about?”

I mumble something, but my blushing pretty much gives me away. Danny pinches me, making me squeal loudly.

“Hey, that hurts!”

“I’ll do it again if you keep thinking about your dirty you-know-what with you-know-who again, you little pervert!”

Why does he have to blurt this out in the middle of the street? I growl at him, but he ignores me, pretending to pick some other materials. The shop owner Maria, a young woman about our age, obviously heard him and is looking at me with a little smile. Great, the whole street is going to know about my activity last night. Now I’m really embarrassed!

Suddenly, I hear someone’s heavy steps running toward us.

“Elena! Elena, this time I’ll definitely make you my mate!”

Ugh, Moon Goddess, not this idiot again. He will never learn! Next to me, Daniel whistles.

“Man, you’re all fired up today. Like the last twenty-six times you tried, but hey, who’s counting?”

Daniel may find this entertaining to watch, but this is really getting old. Will he ever give up with this stupid idea? I turn around to face Eric.

Eric Solace is a big guy, a head taller than me, and muscular with broad shoulders. He is not the handsome type or ugly either, just a regular guy. But he does tend to talk loudly. He could have a grizzly among his ancestors, and I wouldn’t be surprised.

I cross my arms, annoyed already.

“Eric, you really need to stop this now.”

“Backing off already? I want a proper duel!”

I roll my eyes. Damn, he may not be smart but he sure is one stubborn wolf!

Since we met as teens, Eric had this stupid idea of making me his mate. I’ve rejected him countless times already, but he just doesn’t take no for an answer. I once told him that I would never date a guy weaker than me, hoping that would make him give up considering our strength difference. Not only did it not make him change his mind at all, but now, that idiot is set on the idea of winning a duel against me!

“Eric, seriously drop it. You’re a great guy, I don’t want to fight you!”

“Not great enough for you to accept me as your mate. I want a duel to prove to you that I can do it!”

“It’s not about you, I just don’t want a mate! Not you, not anyone! Why are you so set on this stupid idea?”

“I told you, I will make you my partner! You’re the only one I will accept as my girlfriend!” he blurts out.

I’m exhausted with him! It’s been years since he first spouted out that idiocy, when will he ever learn? Moreover, a few other guys from the pack made up this whole competition thing about whoever will be able to win against me and some are hoping for something not as innocent as dating me as a prize! Not only is this stupid, childish, and annoying, it’s also another reason for my uncle to resent me!

“You may as well get this over quickly, babe. You know that moron ain’t going to let go,” sighs Daniel.

I roll my eyes, but he’s right.

“Come on, Elena!” Eric yells, getting impatient.

What an pain. I give up and nod, facing him. I don’t even need to shape-shift to take care of this idiot. My inner wolf is annoyed at him too. Who does he think he is? Becoming our mate? Ugh, no way.

Eric jumps at me, but he’s big and slow. I step aside at the last second, leaving him to fall face-first against the floor. Around us, some bystanders can’t help but laugh at him. Seriously, Eric.

“If you’re going to attack, do it seriously,” I growl.

He growls back and turns around to jump at me again. Honestly, Eric may be big and tall, but he’s slow and attacks blindly. I could leave him to get tired just by ignoring and dodging his attacks like this, but that would take a while. I don’t like that so many people are watching and laughing at him. He may not be the smartest of the pack but he’s still a good guy. When he attacks for the third time by throwing his fist forward, I bend over. I drop below his shoulder level and throw a rotating kick right to his stomach. He loses his breath and struggles to get up, but I use this moment to get up and give him a punch in the solar plexus. My strength sends him a few steps back, and he collapses on his back, gasping for air. I sigh and walk up to him, crossing my arms. I put my foot on his torso, making sure he stays down.

“Eric, you really lack some basics. Why do you keep doing this? You can’t even touch me!”

He suddenly laughs, though his voice is hoarse, due to the pain.

“I know. But at least I make you notice me!”

“You come right to my face to duel with me, how am I supposed to not notice you?”

He keeps laughing again. How can he look happy when I just ridiculed him in the middle of the day? Strange guy. I take my foot off.

“You had enough for today?”

“Yeah, yeah. Damn, that hurts,” he whines, palpating his torso.

“Of course, it’ll hurt. Just put some ice on it, you’ll have a bruise. Go get checked if it still hurts tomorrow.”

I sigh and turn around to join Danny, who is shaking his head while looking at Eric.

“Girl, that’s why he keeps coming back. You’re too nice to that idiot!”

“Eric is a good guy, Daniel, I can at least feel a bit bad for hitting him.”

“He asked for it, babe. His problem, not yours.”

And with that, Daniel pushes me further down the street, leaving the defeated Eric behind us. If it wasn’t such a repetitive scenario, I probably would have felt worse about it. But anyway, he’ll get back on his feet soon enough, I guess.

Daniel takes me to a shop where he wants to buy some new CDs. He and I are the old-fashioned type, collecting CDs and vinyl of our favorite bands. The store is small but not empty, a couple of other people are there too. While Daniel goes to the 90’s pop section, I decide to wander around the rock one. I like old English bands. Maybe I can find a good one to add to my dad’s collection?

“Elena!”

I turn around. Bianca, a young girl from the group I usually train, is walking up to me with a smile.

“Hi, Bianca. What are you doing here?”

She shows me a pile of vinyl she gathered.

“I’m looking for new pieces for my mix.”

Oh right, she’s an amateur DJ. I’ve heard her sets a couple of times at Pepe’s nightclub. Not bad, though her style might be a bit too futuristic sometimes, well, you can tell she’s the new wave kind of girl, with her blue hair and piercings.

“Elena, did you go see Granny Reagan?”

What? I almost drop the CD I was holding to face her.

“Wait, Granny Reagan is back?”

Bianca nods.

“She just came back this morning, I thought you knew!”

“No! Where is she?”

Bianca frowns, trying to think.

“I saw her at the main house this morning, but she didn’t stay long. She’s probably at the pub, you know, the one that belongs to Henry. She said she wanted to drink.”

I can’t believe that old hag is here, and no one told me! I thank Bianca quickly and almost run to Daniel across the shop. We almost run into each other, but before he can protest, I yell first.

“Danny, Old Reagan is in town!”

“What? That old hag? Since when?” he asks while putting the records he had in his hands back.

“This morning! Come on!”

We both run out of the shop, and head to the northern part of the territory. Henry’s pub is only a few blocks away, I can’t believe I almost missed her!

Reagan is an old woman, who left our pack many years ago. She hates to talk about it, so no one but the elders really know what happened for her to leave. The only thing I know is that she had a big fight with the former Alpha, nothing else. Now she leaves on her own, as a wild wolf most of the time. However, she comes back from time to time, when she misses a real bed and food. She’s a grumpy old lady that complains a lot and doesn’t like anyone. She doesn’t have any family left in the pack, and only a couple of friends can endure her constant bad mood.

To me, however, Granny Reagan is much more than that.

She’s the one who brought me to Silver City and the White Moon clan, almost eighteen years ago.

I reach the bar after a few minutes of running across the streets, Danny right behind me. When we enter the bar, Henry, the barman and owner, raises his head.

“IDs?”

“Oh, come on Henry, you’ve known us since we were pups!” sighs Daniel.

Ignoring them, I walk straight to the old woman by the window. She is drinking a pint of local beer. She looks exactly like I remember; disheveled gray hair, worn-out leather clothes, and clear green eyes. When she sees me, she rolls her eyes.

“You again.”

“Hi, Granny Reagan,” I say while sitting at her table.

“Don’t call me that and don’t sit here, kid.”

I don’t move an inch and even better, Daniel comes to sit right next to me. She rolls her eyes and grumbles something before taking a huge gulp of her beer.

“It’s been a while,” I say. “Why didn’t you tell me you had come back?”

“Because if I did, you would come here to bother me with your annoying questions, kid.”

I growl. Old hag. Henry brings us two beers, and Daniel hands him a bill, but I really don’t care about that for now. I cross my arms, staring right at the old woman.

“You know what I want to know.”

“I already told you, I forgot.”

“I still don’t believe you.”

She swears again, pissed.

I don’t know why she lies every time about this, but I won’t let it go. I come closer to her on the table.

“Why won’t you tell me?” I ask.

“I already told you a lot, kid. Now stop asking.”

“No, it’s not enough. You said you found me and brought me here when I was about three, but you never tell me anything else. Why? I want to know where you found me, Reagan, so I can go there and look for my birth parents.”

“I said no, kid. You have parents here.”

“My parents had an accident a few months ago, Reagan. Right after the last time you left.”

She puts her beer down, looking shocked.

“What?”

“Car accident,” explains Daniel. “Elena’s mom didn’t make it. And…”

“My dad’s in a coma, Reagan.”

The old woman looks totally surprised, looking at me in disbelief.

“Holy Mother Moon Goddess ,” she whispers. “No one told me. I saw your uncle earlier, he didn’t tell me.”

“Well, he doesn’t talk about it at all,” says Daniel with a snort.