Loving the enemy

Chapter 17

I'm standing in the empty store, looking blankly at the door. It's been years since I've seen Shane. I feel numb and ecstatic at the same time. Like I am going to pass out, vomit and cry all at once.

After what seems like an eternity Shane finally walks into the bar, I feel almost paralysed. I can tell the two years of responsibility have altered him immensely, I can see it in the way he carries himself. His face looks slightly colder, jawline more sharp. His shoulders are more broad and his body more toned. He looks older and more sure of himself. He grew up. Whereas I am standing frail and nervous, a little bug compared to him.

Shane looks down at me and time seems to freeze. His mouth opens slightly in shock, then he walks towards me. Unknowingly I back up, until I am against the wall. He stands over me and I cringe, closing my eyes. He's going to kill me. I feel a soft touch on my face and open my eyes.

"I was starting to think my feelings were just memories of what I thought I felt when I was younger." He says, his voice deeper than I remember. "But now standing with you, I realise it was all very real." he brushes his thumb over my jaw. Before he can speak again I grab his face and kiss him. He kisses me back, hungrily and lustfully.

"I've missed you so much." I say, skin tingling.

"Then why didn't you try to find me."

"I was afraid." I scratch my hands down his back. He doesn't respond, and we continue to kiss desperately. I never realised how much I missed him, never realised how much I needed him. I wrap my legs around his waist and he pushes me against the wall, holding me up with his torso. I moan as his body presses closer against mine, his hands roaming my body welcomingly.

I didn't realise what I was missing.

••••••

When I wake up I untangle myself from Shane and collect my clothing. "Leaving already?" Says a groggy voice from behind me.

"We should probably go. We are opening in a few hours." I smile, his sleeping voice incredibly sexy. He gets to his feet an stretches, the muscles on his torso becoming more defined under the different lighting.

"Okay, we can go back to the rest of the pack." I stop, and turn to face him deadly serious.

"I can't do that."

"Why? I thought everything was okay now."

"Everything is okay with you. Not the others." I lean against the counter. "I'm a coward Shane. A damn coward. And now my brother is destroying everything."

"How did you know that?" Shane asks pulling on his shirt then looking at me seriously. "I never told you about that." I freeze. He will feel betrayed if he knew Daniel was here yesterday and didn't tell Shane he found me. Yet, I cannot think of a believable lie. "Max." Shane growls, his eyes glinting. "Are you protecting him." I shake my head.

"No, I'm not. I swear."

"He is killing us all Max. He attacked me. He attacked Dan."

"How? How does he know all this?" I ask, "I never taught him combat."

"Maybe someone else is." Shane places his hand on my arm. "Do you know who could be helping him. Anybody. This is so important, Max. You have no idea." I pull my arm away from him, suddenly angry.

"What do you mean I have no idea?" I snap. "Don't fucking tell me I don't understand. I understand more than anyone. I lived that life, so don't tell me I have no idea what's happening." He lowers his hand slowly, hurt and looking slightly shocked.

"Look, I didn't mean it like that." He says. "It's just, this is hard on all of us Max. We need your help. I need your help. Is that what you want to hear?"

"I don't know what I want to hear. I didn't think I'd ever see you again." I slump back the bench of the bar with a sigh. "This is all so much, Shane." He steps forward and outstretches a welcoming hand to me.

"Come with me."

I look at his hand momentarily before slowly taking it. I am shaking slightly as his fingers intertwine with mine. We leave the bar and walk out into the empty night streets.

I guess that was me quitting my job.