Scent of Fear Ch. 05

Here is the final instalment of this brief, little romance.

A huge thank you to everyone for taking a moment to comment and vote. To my existing readers who will read just about anything I write and to the new readers who maybe don't visit NonHuman but have given me a chance in the romance category. Thank you all very much for your time and feedback.

Hope you enjoy!

*

Evie had been gone for months. It felt like eternity to Flynn but he knew it had been just over eight weeks in total. She had run from him again. He wasn't really surprised, he'd even expected it. A part of him realised he deserved it too.

Something about him terrified the woman he loved. He had no idea what it was but it had started seven years ago and the cycle appeared set to repeat itself endlessly. Kieran was right, they were no good for each other. Evie had even said so herself only he hadn't wanted to listen at the time.

After the ball he had queried Mandy about Evie calling the office. The receptionist had remembered the first call and putting her through to Kieran but she hadn't remembered her calling back again. It turned out she'd gone on her break during the first call and asked one of the other girls to stand in for her. The second call had been logged but no one had passed the message to Flynn.

He had been angry about it but he hadn't taken it out on them. Mistakes happened all the time. While it would have made his life easier if he'd received the message, it wasn't something he was willing to reprimand his staff over. There was only one person at fault for the mess of his love life and that was himself.

Evie had wanted to explain to him that first night about why she had left and he hadn't let her. He was too hurt and angry, too full of male pride that he'd clung on stubbornly to hating her for breaking his heart. If he had let her explain, listened to her then maybe he wouldn't have fucked up so badly that she'd run from him again.

He missed her every day. It was worse than the first time. Seven years ago he had believed she didn't truly care about him. This time he knew she did and that was what killed him the most. He could have had a chance with Evie if he'd only let her in. She was the only woman he had ever loved and he knew he would never feel that way about anyone other than his Evie.

He had prayed she would stay, that she would call him that Monday she said she would but she never had. After his conversation with Kieran he wasn't really surprised that she didn't call him. He had told her he hated her. It wasn't Evie he had hated but the hold she had over him, but he'd expressed it all wrong and she had left thinking he hated her.

He had her cell number but he didn't call her. He wanted to, considered doing it many times but he didn't. If he chased her she would keep running, he had no doubt about that. So he kept away, giving her space, hoping once she'd had time to think things through she would come back to him. They could sit down, talk properly about the past and hopefully their future. If she came home to him.

He had caved in a month ago and called her friend Grace. He still had her business card and he needed some kind of news, he needed to know that Evie was okay. Grace was remarkably friendly towards him which quite literally stunned him. He knew Kieran had called her a couple of times and she'd been abrupt and uncommunicative with his brother.

He had expected the same treatment but the blonde had been friendly and approachable with him. She'd told him Evie was fine but was out of the country at the moment and she didn't know when she would be back. It was supposed to be a short break but she'd extended her time away.

So Flynn waited patiently for Evie to return, mentally preparing for what he would say to her when she did eventually come home. He had to keep believing she would because the thought of never seeing her again was just untenable.

He was at home one Saturday morning when Kieran arrived with a package for him. "I was in the office to pick something up when this arrived for you," Kieran said tossing the package at him. "Feels like a book. You never mentioned ordering anything."

Flynn frowned ripping open the package. "That's because I didn't," he answered perplexed as the book dropped into his hands. His frown deepened as he looked at the hardback's front cover. It was glossy and bright, bearing a picture of a pretty brunette staring intently into the eyes of a handsome dark haired man.

The Scent of Fear by Charlotte Somerville was written across the face of it.

"Someone sent you the new Somerville novel?" Kieran's eyebrows were raised in surprise. The book wasn't due to be released to the public for another week, it had only just gone to print. He knew the release date because their company was due to ship the books to the stores.

"It would appear so," Flynn answered his tone still confused.

Kieran shrugged and turned to leave. "I was thinking of going to Georgio's for dinner tonight. Fancy it?"

Flynn felt a twinge inside and shook his head. He hadn't been to Georgio's since Evie had left. He didn't want to remember her sitting at his table, so close to him yet so far away. He was barely aware of his brother leaving, staring down at the book on his hand.

Opening it slowly he searched the front pages looking for some kind of hand written dedication or something which would indicate who had sent him the book. There was nothing. He didn't read the author dedication but then he never did. He had nothing else to do so he lay comfortably on his sofa and decided to while away the morning reading.

Hours later, Flynn read the last page of the novel. His heart was pounding in his chest, a feeling of exhilaration racing through his veins. Grace had been right, this was Charlotte's best work to date. It had been a stunning read, so full of love and anguish as Lucy crumbled under the weight of Sebastian's love, terrified by the emotions he sparked within her.

Sebastian had used his dominance over his mate, terrifying her so much she had run from him and kept running as he chased her down time and time again, trying to claim what was his but losing her every time because he just couldn't understand why she ran from him. It was heartbreaking and poignant because it made him think of himself and Evie. It almost mirrored their first meeting and all the things that had gone wrong since then.

He was about to close the book when he had the urge to turn the last blank page and look at the sleeve at the back. He didn't know why he did so because it was always blank, never revealing any details of the author. Still he turned the page anyway and froze in shock.

Evie stared back at him, a hesitant smile of her face, her thick brown hair falling to her shoulders.

Evie Harris, writing under the pen name of Charlotte Somerville, is a best selling author, achieving multiple number one spots on the Best Sellers list for her stunning series of paranormal romances. Usually preferring to stay out of the limelight, Evie has finally agreed to shed her anonymity and tell the world a little about herself....

Flynn stopped reading the blurb. He couldn't take anymore in, staring stunned at Evie's picture. It couldn't be true, could it? Evie was Charlotte Somerville? His heart crashed painfully in his chest as he turned back to the front of the book, his eyes seeking out the author's dedication.

F, I've finally stopped running. E.

Flynn swallowed hard feeling a lump clogging up his throat. His chest twisted painfully hard and he had to swallow again to try and relieve the pressure. He knew what the dedication meant. Not only was Evie Charlotte Somerville but she was Lucy too. And he was Sebastian.

Pain engulfed him in a tidal wave. Evie was telling him why she had left seven years ago. She wasn't just telling him she was telling the whole world too. She had thrown off her cloak of secrecy and handed her heart to him, not knowing if he would accept or reject her.

Love washed the pain away, a strong, deep love that overwhelmed him completely. Pride also washed over him. His Evie was Charlotte Somerville, one the most loved writers of her genre. Hell, even he loved her and he'd never even known that it was his Evie writing the stories.

He read the author's dedication again and then again, hope welling up inside him. She had stopped running from him. She was waiting for him now to come for her. To stop her running all he'd had to do was let her go and she would have found her own way back, as Lucy had done in the novel. Only he'd been too blind to see it.

Flynn got up and headed for his phone. He called Grace's mobile number. "Do you have Evie's address?"

There was a pause, Grace hesitating over giving him the information. "She sent me a copy of Scent of Fear," he added quietly.

Grace let out her held breath slowly. "Don't hurt her, Flynn," she answered before she gave him the address.

*****

Evie was nervous. The special courier had let her know that her package had been delivered and been signed for by Kieran. She didn't know if that was a good or bad thing. Grace had told her that she'd spoken to Kieran a couple of times and that he didn't appear to feel as much animosity towards Evie anymore. Would he make sure Flynn got the package this weekend or would he wait until Monday and give it to him then? When would Flynn read it? Would he understand what she was telling him?

It was a huge gamble on her part. Everyone now knew who she was. She'd lain herself bare to the world for Flynn. Would he understand just what that meant for her to do that for him? She paced up and down unable to sit still. Should she phone him? Grace had given her his cell number. She didn't know what to do and it was freaking her out the more time passed with no word from him.

The knock on her door half an hour later made her jump and her stomach churn. She laughed shakily. It could only be Grace, Flynn didn't know where she lived. Rubbing her stomach to settle the butterflies, she opened the door and gasped out loud.

Flynn stood before her, looking so heartbreakingly gorgeous, clutching her novel in his hand. His green eyes searched her face intently, hungrily roaming over her as if he was starving for her. She didn't realise she was holding her breath until she felt a pain in her chest and slowly let it out.

"Can I come in?" he asked quietly, his voice low and intense. He appeared uncertain and that surprised her. It wasn't something she was used to seeing in him.

Mutely she stepped back and allowed him into the apartment. He appeared at a loss as to what to do, staring down at the book in his hand before his gaze once more trapped hers.

"I can't believe you're Charlotte Somerville," he finally said, his lips curling slightly in a bemused smile. "Some nights I missed you so much I couldn't sleep. I would invariably pick up one of your novels to lose myself in and ease the loneliness. I had no idea that you were the one soothing the ache inside me." The admission was unexpected but heartfelt.

He gazed intently at her, trying to work out what to say next. She was so beautiful but her eyes were slightly wary as if she was unsure what his reaction was to the novel in his hands. He wanted to erase that expression from her face.

"I understand now," he said quietly, putting the book down on the nearest surface he could find. He took a step towards her and then another when she didn't back away from him. Her floral scent teased him as she bit her bottom lip in a nervous gesture. It was enough to drag a tortured groan from his throat.

"Evie," he breathed softly, reaching for her, unable not to touch her anymore. His mouth swooped down to capture hers, his lips parting hers effortlessly as he branded her his with every emotion deep within him. His kiss was relentless, so full of his love and need for her that they were both breathless by the time he finally raised his head.

"Will you give me one more chance, sweetheart?" he asked softly, his voice low and slightly hesitant. "I know I don't deserve it after the way I've behaved but if you give me this chance, Evie, I swear I'll never disappoint you ever again."

Evie swallowed hard against the lump in her throat, squeezing her eyes shut to escape the intensity of his gaze and also to prevent the tears that threatened to fall. She was still breathless from his kiss, still reeling at finding him at her front door.

She slowly opened her eyes and gazed up into his gorgeous face. She had left herself wide open to Flynn, gambled everything on this last chance for them. The gamble had paid off. Before her was the Flynn she had known from so long ago. Love blazed from his eyes; heat, hunger and such devotion. Yes, they were older now and their feelings had matured, grown into something so much deeper. But underneath it all her Flynn was back, the hard shell he had hidden behind melting away.

"I love you, Flynn," she whispered softly seeing joy flare in his eyes at the whispered words. "I've always loved you. I was just too scared to surrender to the intense emotions between us. I'm ready now though, if you still want me."

"Do you even have to ask that, Evie?" he groaned in a tortured breath. "You're all I've ever wanted, sweetheart. Every second of every day we've been apart, I've missed you. I love you, Evie. I love you so much it's agony to be apart from you."

It was all she needed to hear, the last thing to unlock her heart completely to him. She didn't need apologies or self recriminations. She just needed Flynn loving her unconditionally, the way he had when she was too young to fully handle it.

"Then love me, Flynn," she said on a soft moan. "Love me forever and never let me go again."

Her words blazed through him, shattering the last of his self control. He was kissing her desperately, all his need and longing in that one searing kiss, branding her his for eternity. There had only ever been one woman for him, the exquisite woman in his arms and buried so deep within his heart he would never be able to extricate her without killing himself in the process.

He ached for her, both body and soul and he knew he always would. His body throbbed with desire, hard and insistent, pressing against her soft curves urgently. He prayed to every God that had ever been dreamed up that she wouldn't say no this time. He'd be on his knees if she did, begging her to let him taste her, to let him finally love her the way he'd ached to for so many years.

"Evie, are you sure?" he ground out, the lilt of his accent becoming more pronounced as his desire reached fever pitch. "You have to be sure because I don't think I can stop this time, sweetheart. I need you too much."

"I don't want you to stop," she whispered urgently. "Oh God Flynn I don't ever want you to stop making me feel this way." His touch inflamed her, consumed her completely. She was done waiting to find out what it would feel like to be loved by him. She wanted him and she wouldn't deny them any longer. She had made sure that nothing would get in the way of them being together.

She blushed slightly as she looked up at him. "I've haven't done this in a long time," she admitted. "I didn't know if you'd think about protection so I took care of that just in case."

He blinked slowly at her and then he gave her a sheepish smile. "I'm usually so careful about these things," he admitted huskily. "It didn't even cross my mind with you, Evie." His breath hissed out sharply. "Being tied to you in every way possible would be a joy, sweetheart, not an accident."

Evie's heart thumped wildly in her chest even as her smile widened. She reached up to brush her lips gently against his in a fleeting kiss. "We don't have to use them," she breathed softly. "I just didn't want anything getting in the way of being with you, Flynn."

Nothing would ever get in the way of being with her. Flynn kissed her long and slow and with such passion he could hear her heart racing wildly in her chest. He could scent the wonderful musky tang of her arousal and it made his own heart race just as wildly. Her willing acceptance of him humbled him, swelled his heart with such love for her.

He finally raised his head and smiled down at her, his eyes smoky with need. "Maybe we should enjoy each other a little first," he finally said in a low, rich voice. "Though I hope you bought a large box." He laughed softly as her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink. How could she look so innocent when she wrote such passionate love scenes, when one kiss from her turned him to complete mush?

"I bought three," she mumbled in a slightly sheepish tone and he was suddenly laughing so hard it brought tears to his eyes. He picked up his beautiful Evie and kissed her soundly.

"I love a woman who knows what she wants," he teased gently. "Now where the hell is the bedroom and do I need to stop so you can get your supplies?"

He had her down on the bed in no time, following her down and pressing her into the mattress with his hard body. His lips were ravishing hers, his hands stroking over the soft curves of her neck and shoulders.

"You are so beautiful," he breathed softly when he could drag his lips from hers. "You're my sunrise and my sunset and every wonderful moment in between, Evie. You complete me." He was kissing her again almost before he'd finished speaking. He couldn't not kiss her, not touch her. Now she was finally his he was going to love her until she was exhausted and then he was going to start all over again.

Evie threaded her fingers in his unruly black hair, pressing her aching centre against the hard throb of his erection straining to get out of his jeans. Her heart fluttered at his words, her body craving his every touch. He was hard and sensual and all hers and she couldn't wait to feel him slide deep within her.

"Please, Flynn," she whispered, her voice sounding tortured. "Please love me."

Her words ignited his passion unbearably and he was stripping off her clothes so quickly he was sure a few buttons popped but he didn't really care. He just needed to have her naked beneath him so he could look at her beautiful body, taste her sweet flesh and finally ease himself into her tight warmth.

Flynn rose to take his own clothes off, his eyes smouldering as he gazed down at her lying fully naked on the bed. She was perfection in every way, her breasts exquisitely formed, her nipples hard and begging for his touch. His gaze slid down her body to the very core of her being, that magical juncture between her thighs. He could see her moisture, smell her body preparing itself for his possession. It was the most beautiful sight and smell he had ever experienced in his life.

His eyes returned to her face and his breath caught as he watched her expression as he finally stood naked before her. Always before he had kept some clothing on, not wanting to frighten her with his need. Now he stood silently before her and let her eyes devour his body.

Evie couldn't breathe. Flynn was so magnificent, all sleek hard muscles, proud and unashamed as he stood before her. His eyes were smouldering, his lips curving sensually as she slowly drank in the sight of his wonderful maleness. He had an impressive body. She was moving to her knees as if in a trance, needing to reach out and touch the proud, hard shaft before her.

It was like holding steel wrapped in a velvet glove when her hand slid over the throbbing flesh. His deep groan and the way his body pulsed told her he found her touch pleasurable. She gripped him tightly, sliding her hand up and down his hard length with firm strokes, her heart racing as his groans turned harsher with each stroke. She leaned forward and took him in her mouth.

"Evie!" Flynn's cry was a muffled roar as his body jerked wildly as her hot wet mouth surrounded his aching flesh. God she was killing him but it was the most amazing way to die. His hands fisted in her luxurious hair, holding her gently against him as she tortured him with long, slow licks of her little tongue before sucking on his tip.