Chapter Eleven

Natalie stood awkwardly by as John downed one drink and then another.."Haven't seen you in these parts in years" Markus began as he looked at John..

"yeah well ive been busy" john said as he narrowed his eyes at Natalie..

"Apparently so" Markus grinned and glanced at Natalie who swallowed hard.."I was beginning to think the rumors were true" he looked back at John..

"well you should know better then anyone not to believe everything you hear" John refused to look at Natalie now..

"so I take it she is yours?" Markus raised an eyebrow at John who just stared at him.."ok ok don't get your panties in a bunch, I remember how territorial you can get with the ladies"

"Yeah well remember that" John said quickly..

"well don't just stand over there darling, come join us" Markus said with a smile towards Natalie and she honestly didn't know what to do.." she is a pretty one" he continued.."You know if you get bored with her I could always put her to good use here, she smells wonderful" Markus inhaled deep and John leaned against the table quick.."no disrespect, I swear" Markus said quickly..

"keep your thoughts to yourself Markus" John warned.."don't be rude Natalie, have a seat" John finished as she nervously walked over to them and quickly sat down..

"Now this is cozy" Markus smiled as John poured a glass of wine for Natalie and she gratefully took it.."You should really keep a leash on that one" he smirked..

"as much as I would like to say I came back here to have small talk" John began..

"let me guess you couldn't resist Mardi Gras, seriously how many years has it been John, twenty or thirty perhaps" Markus grinned at Natalie..

"Long enough" John added quickly..

Natalie knew she had to say something soon but she was also trying to keep her mind blank from Markus, she finally spoke.."i really am sorry I went off without you John, I couldn't resist"

John looked at her with a 'keep your mouth shut' sort of look and it made her swallow hard..

"a girl who likes to party, cant argue with that now can we" Markus smiled.."john here is temperamental at best but im sure you have realized that" he winked at Natalie and then he stood up.."let me go grab a quick bite to eat, it looks like you too have some talking to do" Markus said as he walked across the room and towards a group of women who were laughing..

"Listen let me" Natalie began but John grabbed her hand hard as she winced..

"not here, not now" he said through gritted teeth as he looked around..

"if you would of just" Natalie continued..

"do you want to get yourself killed in here, you've done and said enough now get up were leaving" he stood now and she did too..

"we have an opportunity here" she whispered as she yanked her hand back roughly..

"is that what you call this, I cant even do this right now" John said through gritted teeth as he grabbed her hand again and lead her around the table..

"you know your the one causing a scene right now, cant you see how perfect this is" she said quickly as he looked at her..

"Your lucky that Markus is busy at the moment, keep your thoughts to yourself" he snapped at her under his breath as he pulled her towards the stairs.

"You know I never said I needed your saving" she huffed at him as John stopped and spun around, he got dangerously close to her..

"this right here is not a game" he said angrily.."Now were gonna walk out of here before you ruin things for good"..Natalie couldn't help but roll her eyes at him.."Your really starting to piss me off" he said dangerously low towards her and then his eyes darted at Markus who was now looking at them with curiosity.."shit" John said low..

"what? What now?" Natalie began but before she could even finish her sentence Johns lips were on hers in a very heated, very aggressive kiss that took her completely by surprise. All thought and logic left her mind as his hands went roughly into her hair and his tongue savagely moved against hers.

John knew that he had merely seconds before Markus read her mind and everything would be ruined. He had to think quick and the only way he could think of getting her to shut up was to kiss her, what he hadn't been expecting is how his body would react to that kiss. It was definitely reacting and faster then he could control it.

"well I think this calls for more drinks, maybe something stronger" Markus said as John pulled back and Natalie stood there breathless as she looked at John who seemed completely composed..

"sounds like a plan" John said quickly as Markus began towards the stairs..John could barely look at Natalie now as his body continued to react to the kiss.."we need to make a break for it now before he gets back" John finally said as he grabbed her hand roughly and began to pull her towards a back hallway..

"wait but what happens when he gets back" Natalie finally composed herself long enough to speak. That kiss was still reverberating through her body, making it hard to even think..

"we cant risk it" John pulled her quickly into an empty room, where he finally let go of her hand and went to the window and looked out..They were two stories up and he sighed heavily..

"Listen I think if we just" Natalie began as John spun and looked at her..

"There is no 'we' here Natalie" he snapped at her and then quickly opened the window..

"so what are we gonna do just jump out the window" she said sarcastically as he just looked at her.."no way, we gotta be up two floors" she shook her head..

"yeah well lucky for you I always land on my feet" he said and then before she knew it he was in front of her as she gasped..

"what? No" she said in shock but it was too late. John was already grabbing onto her and before she knew what was happening, he was jumping out the window and she was holding on for dear life. He hit the pavement hard as Natalie let out a loud gasp of air.."what are you insane!" she yelled as she stumbled back and he grabbed her arm to stop her from falling.

"Now isn't the time to fight with me" John said sternly as he looked around the small alley way..

"Like hell it isn't, you cant just jump out a damn window" she began to rant but he pushed her back against the concrete wall hard, his hand quickly going to her mouth..

"shhh..were not alone" he warned her as she swallowed hard and he looked around once more.."come on, quickly" he said as he took her by the hand and damn near dragged her down the alley but then he stopped fast.."shit" he said under his breath...

"what? What is it now?" she began but before she knew it he had her back against the wall as his mouth attacked hers. She was literally breathless as he kissed her once more. She couldn't even think as he pressed himself against her and his hard body formed against hers..

"oh I see how it is" Markus said from behind them as John pulled back and Natalie breathed hard.."just drink and leave?" he raised an eyebrow..

"i decided on a change of plans" John said dryly as he pulled Natalie close to his side. All she could focus on was how nice his lips felt on hers and how aroused she had become. It literally left her blushing knowing that not only could John read her thoughts but Markus as well..

"I see that" Markus grinned as he looked at Natalie."damn lucky John, damn lucky"

"yeah well if you don't mind" John said quickly..

"ok fine, who am I to interrupt such a moment but before you go" Markus said with a smile as he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to John.."some old dude is holding a party tonight and from what I hear its gonna quite the thing"

John looked at the paper and then at Markus.."we'll think about it"

"definitely do" Markus smiled.."enjoy each other" he added with a smirk as he headed out of the alley and down the street..

John looked at the paper again as the wheels began to spin in his head.. Natalie on the other hand was barely holding herself up with her legs that were now shaking.. Damn he could kiss!

She quickly tried to pull herself together.."whats that?"

"You don't need to worry about it" John said as he looked back and forth once more..

"this could be the guy though" Natalie added as he looked at her now..

"and like I said you don't need to worry about it" John said coldly as he shoved the paper in his back pocket.."we need to go"

"I'm not going" Natalie refused to budge from that spot as John turned and looked at her..

"you don't have a choice" he said with a shake of his head..

John headed out of the alley as Natalie stood there. She hated that she couldn't think straight at the moment and she hated even more that he was calling all the shots once more. She attempted to make a bee line as she spun around but apparently John was two steps ahead as she damn near bumped into him..

"damn it why do you have to do that!" she snapped at him..

"I'm not joking Natalie, were leaving and were leaving now" he said angrily but he was more angry at himself for losing falling into that kiss and how it affected him. He could see it written all over her face even though she tried to hide it. It affected her too and he wanted nothing more then to find an excuse to do it again even though he knew it would lead to nothing but trouble.

"Listen can you just hear me out ok" she huffed as she tried to clear her mind of all thoughts of his body and lips..

"I told you im not doing this, if you didn't notice we almost got caught back there" he said seriously..

"and yet we didn't, ok" she finally said as he rolled his eyes.."I can help"

"You can barely walk without tripping over yourself" he said sarcastically..

Now Natalie rolled her eyes at him.."wow your all personality huh"

"I know what your doing and its not gonna work, don't make me do this the hard way" he warned her..

"Oh like what? Jumping out of a damn window" she yelled at him just as a group of people walked pass the alley and peered over at them..

"can you keep your damn voice down already" he huffed as he stepped closer to her and she swallowed hard, her mind going back to his lips..

Her thoughts screamed out to him and it caught him off guard as he looked at her and quickly backed up.."Steele will be here any moment" he said quickly..

"I said im not going" she snapped once more but this time a guy stopped at the entrance of the alley and looked at them as John turned and eyed the large man. He had werewolf written all over him as he quickly came over and John huffed loud..

"This is just great" John shook his head with annoyance..

"everything ok over here?" the man asked as he got closer.

Natalie used the opportunity to stand her ground even if she wasn't fully thinking it through..

"don't do it" John warned at her.."mind your own damn business" he said to the man and then quickly looked at Natalie..

"actually were not" Natalie stepped past John who reached out and grabbed her arm, within seconds the large man was in front of him..

"I think the lady would like to go" the man said warningly as John sighed..

"Listen Bro" John said angrily.."i said were ok"

"and I think you better get your damn hands off of her" the man eyed him down as Natalie yanked her arm back quickly as John shook his head.."You got a problem bloodsucker?" the man glared at John..

"You have no idea who your messing with man" John warned as he moved closer to the giant of a man..

"actually I would like to leave" Natalie said with a smirk towards John and then she looked at the guy who was almost toe to toe with John..

"You just head on out of here little lady" the man said towards her but he kept his eyes on John..

"why thank you kind sir" Natalie said in an overly pleasant voice as she spun and began to walk down the alley..

"I'm gonna ask you once to get out of my face" John warned to the guy..

"Or what?" the guy raised an eyebrow at him and smiled..

"You've been warned" John said as he went to strike the man in the face but the guy moved unbelievably fast as he dodged the punch. It actually caught John by surprise. I mean he knew wolves were fast but vamps were faster but this guy was like a wolf on steroids..

"i think it is the other way around vamp boy" the guy said as he used both of his hands to push on Johns chest with incredible force. Literally propelling John into the air and against the brick building behind him.

The sound made Natalie spin around as she watched John slam into the building. He actually left a dent in it and the large man wasn't done yet as he moved over to John faster then Natalie could witness and then he was grabbing John and tossing him like a rag doll up in the air.. Natalie's eyes blinked in shock at the sight before her. What the hell was that guy?

"You wanna say something else?" the guy mocked John who barely managed to land on his feet..

"Oh now your gonna pay!" John yelled as he lunged for the guy but again he missed. He never missed! The guy grabbed him hard by the neck as Natalie watched in shock..

"Stop, stop it!" the words left her mouth quick as she ran over and the guy looked at her. His eyes burning red as she stumbled backwards.. John looked absolutely baffled and he was. He just couldn't get a grip on this guy.

"don't you worry Miss, im gonna take care of it" the man said to her as she blinked in shock and he moved fast until Johns back hit the wall..

"STOP!" Natalie screamed out now as the guy looked at her..

"alright alright, you heard the lady George, put him down" a mans voice from behind Natalie was heard as she spun and faced an older gray haired guy dressed in an expensive suit. He looked to be in his fifties and his eyes, my god his eyes seemed to almost glow..

The man dropped John in a heart beat as he spun around and John got to his feet. He didn't wait a second to lunge at the man from behind. Grabbing onto the back of his shirt he whirled him in the air.."fucking steroid freak!" John yelled angrily..

George was up and on his feet in seconds and charging at John.."Now I said thats enough George!" the grey haired man yelled out as George skidded to a stop as John spun and looked at him.."i apologize for my friend" the man begun as he looked at John and then Natalie..

"you should tell your little pet here to get the hell out of here before I tear him a new one" John warned angrily..

"George didn't mean any harm, just a concerned citizen" the man said softly as john walked over towards Natalie and George glared over at him.."you should go clean yourself up George, I have this under control" he said towards the angry man and then he looked at Natalie and John.."my apologies again, I don't believe we have been introduced properly, my name is Mitch Lawrence" he put his hand out to John who just looked at it..

"well thank you Mr. Lawrence" Natalie said quickly as she went to shake his hand but he took it instead and kissed the top of it..

"Please call me Mitch and the pleasure is all mine" he smiled.."i do believe I owe you both a drink"

"No thanks, we were just leaving" John snapped. He didn't trust this man at all. Something was definitely off with him. He couldn't read his thoughts and he was clearly human..John went to grab Natalie's hands but she stepped back..

"I could use a drink" she said quickly as she refused to look at John but she could feel his penetrating stare on her back.."The names Red and this is" she began to say towards Mitch..

"Jonathan Mcbain, I know who you are" Mitch said surprisingly as John looked at him quick.."quite the reputation you have young man" he added..

"I'm sorry do I know you" John said angrily as he walked closer to the man..

"I mean no harm, its just your in my town and well I know everyone who is in my town" Mitch smiled at John and then looked at Natalie.."now how about that drink"

"lead the way" Natalie said quickly as she shot John a look. This could definitely be the lead that they were looking for and she wasn't about to let John shoo her away again.