by Crissy Smith
As she ran her hands over his neck, Luca felt himself getting lost in her touch. He wanted to forget everything, just lay her back on the table and plunge inside her.
With a groan, he pulled back. “We should get out of here,” he told her although he didn’t let her go. Her face was flushed and her eyes were glazed over. She looked absolutely breathtaking.
“A bed would probably work better than your friend’s kitchen table,” she agreed.
Yes, they were definitely on the same page. “Let’s get you packed up.” He grabbed her bag from the floor and set it on the table while she closed down her computer. She handed him her laptop, which he placed in the free compartment. He noticed that some clothes were also inside. “A change of clothes?” he asked.
She grinned. “Never know when you’re going to need them.”
That worked out perfectly. He wouldn’t even have to drive her back to her house at all. “My apartment is only a couple blocks from here.”
“Let’s go,” she responded as she slipped her bag over her shoulder.
Just as they reached the kitchen door it swung open.
Zak peered inside. “Everyone took off. Abilene is in the shower but she said to tell you to pick up some chips before you head back.”
Luca nodded. “No problem. Anything else?”
“Nah, Jamie’s going to grab the beer and Aubrey volunteered to grab some burgers and buns when Cody called her. We think she might be able to help with some of the off-the-records investigating,” Zak informed him.
“Sounds good to me. Why don’t you run up with Abilene? I’ll lock the door behind me,” he offered. If he knew his partner and Zak—they wouldn’t just be going to bed for sleep.
Zak grinned. “Thanks, man.”
Zak held the door open so that he and Jade could slip through. Zak parted company at the stairs, waving to them.
“I like how close everyone in the Coalition is,” Jade commented.
It was one of the first things he’d also noticed about the others. “Yeah, Cody, Zak and Jamie all came from the same police department and joined at the same time so I can understand them being close, but they’ve welcomed all of us in,” Luca said. He pulled open the door allowing Jade to exit first. He locked the knob before closing it behind him.
“From what I’ve gathered they don’t work every case together, though?” she questioned.
“No, they do have their specialties and own teams. Cody was a homicide detective so he still handles that. He had the biggest unit. Jamie only has two other guys on the bear team and Zak works with a partner,” he said.
“The commander allows them to work their strengths,” Jade commented. “I liked him when we met.”
“I do too,” Luca agreed. “We’ve done a little work with each group but I’m closer to Zak. We were undercover together for a long time and became friends.”
They reached his SUV, which Abilene had driven over after he’d been rescued. He clicked the key fob unlocking the doors before he opened hers. She placed her hand on his arm. “You want to remain with them, don’t you?”
Luca met her gaze. She was insightful. He didn’t know if it was from her experience as a behaviorist or if she could just read people. He wouldn’t normally admit it to someone that he’d just met, but if he was going to be intimate with Jade then he needed to trust her. “I was already thinking about applying to the Coalition before my last mission. After I met Zak and found out he was part of this it just really cemented what I wanted. I didn’t want to leave Abilene, though. We make good partners. The joint task force was perfect.”
She leaned up and brushed her lips over his. “We’ll make it work. It will be the best combined unit in the country.”
Wow! She was wonderful. He yanked her closer when she went to step back. He devoured her mouth, showing her what he had planned for later, and hoping that she understood his thanks.
Jade gave as good as he did. He ripped his mouth away, panting. “Thank God my apartment is close.” He pushed her into the seat, before slamming the door closed and racing to his own side. Her soft laughter followed him.
He kept his eyes on the task at hand—getting the two of them safely to his place so he could get her naked. He was scared that if he even looked at her he wouldn’t be able to resist pulling over on the side of the road and taking her right there. That wouldn’t go over too well with his superiors.
He backed out of Zak’s drive and onto the quiet residential street—now his partner’s. He greedily thought about that instead of the sexy woman beside him. He was glad that Abilene was finally coming around to admitting to living with Zak. Not only did that leave the apartment free for him and Jade, but the admission had made Zak happy.
Taking the first right, he resisted the urge to speed.
He’d chosen a place not far from Zak because it was close to the Coalition also. They passed a couple of blocks but he finally couldn’t resist peering over at his passenger. Jade was watching him with a smirk. Okay, so she’d probably figured out what he was doing.
Her hand covered his thigh. Oh yeah, she knew. He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. He was so hard. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted someone so badly.
He was damn relieved when he spotted his complex. He pressed his foot down to the gas pedal as Jade slid her hand from his leg to brush over his erection. He groaned while he lifted his hips slightly. “Almost there,” he told her. Was that his voice? He sounded breathless and needy even to his own ears.
“Don’t speed, Agent,” she teased.
Fuck that. He took the next turn too sharply, causing the tires to squeal. Jade laughed before pressing down against his cock. Yeah, that was it. The feel of her hand was great. He wanted to feel it on his naked flesh, though. He could make it.
He slowed enough to enter the parking lot carefully. Jade squeezed him, and his eyes almost crossed. If he didn’t get her inside he was going to come in his pants like a horny teenager. He saw the first spot in front of his house and parked. He turned off the SUV to quickly get out. He was around to Jade’s side without her even reaching for the handle. He yanked the door open and pulled her into his arms. He didn’t waste any time. He devoured her.
She tasted like coffee, cinnamon and vanilla. A flavor that he could become addicted to.
“Take me inside,” she ordered while she gripped his shirt.
That was a much better idea than making out in public. He picked her up and turned.
“Wait,” she cried out.
Luca stopped but frowned.
“My bag. And the door’s open,” she told him.
He wanted to stomp his feet in frustration but that probably wouldn’t have been attractive. “Fine.” He released her.
She ran over grabbed her bag. Once she’d slammed the door closed he gripped her hand and tugged her up the sidewalk.
The keys were in his hand so he rushed to get the door open. Once he was successful, he pushed her through and followed. Jade dropped her belongings, shoved him back against the closed door, and jumped him. Luca caught her easily.
“I love that. You’ll never let me fall,” she stated.
“Of course not,” he agreed. It hadn’t been a question but he wanted her to know that he would always catch her.
“Kiss me again. I love your mouth,” she pleaded.
He planned to show her a lot more of it. He did as she’d requested. He slid his tongue between her lips. He swallowed her moan of pleasure. Turning, he switched their positions so that her back was anchored to the solid surface. He had to get his hands on her.
Luca started with her top. Jade licked down his neck and began yanking at his shirt before she pulled back.
“Naked,” she demanded.
He stepped back and started to yank off his clothes. Jade went to unbuckle her pants but he slapped her hands away. “Mine,” he told her.
She lifted an eyebrow. “Fine. Get to it then.”
Luca took h
is time. He slowly revealed her, inch by inch. Each time he removed an article of clothing he peppered her skin with kisses. Even her feet when he pulled off her boots and socks. By the time he had her panties falling to the floor she was whimpering with need. It was music to his ears.
Jade was braced with her back to his front door so he spread her legs open wider, allowing him to run his fingers through her wet folds. She bucked into his palm but Luca was only just starting.
With his left hand he urged her to place her leg over his shoulder. This gave him even better access to her glistening pussy. He lowered his mouth and licked at her. She moaned, and he heard a thump from where he suspected her head had hit the wood. He didn’t look up as he went back to licking her open.
He slid one finger inside her as he mouthed her clit. Her pussy tasted just as good as her mouth. He sniffed, taking in her scent along with her flavor. He loved sampling a woman’s pussy and Jade’s was unbelievable.
He continued to tease her, but his body was making it hard to concentrate. His cock was so hard and all he really wanted to do was bury himself inside her. But first he wanted to overwhelm her with pleasure.
Jade gripped his head while moving her hips to try to get more sensation. He added a second finger while he drew his mouth away.
“Luca,” she called.
He pumped his fingers inside.
“Luca!”
They’d both been on the edge since the first time they’d been thrown together in the back of the SUV. He slid up her body and stood, keeping his digits deep in her. Lowering his mouth to her, Luca kissed her thoroughly.
Her nails scratched at his shoulders as she went crazy trapped between him and the door. It was a powerful feeling to have Jade at his mercy. He rubbed his erection across her leg, building up his own pleasure.
Jade ripped her mouth away. “In me now.”
Chuckling, he removed his fingers and gripped her waist. “Hold onto me,” he ordered.
Once she had a good grip on his shoulders he lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around him. Leaning her shoulders back to the door, he used his left hand to guide his cock to her entrance. He pushed the tip inside and paused.
She was wiggling around, panting, and still trying to pull him closer with her hands.
Luca took a deep breath before he plunged inside in one smooth thrust. Jade cried out as he filled her. Tightening his hold, he pulled back before he slammed inside. He repeated this over and over.
God, it felt so good to have her pussy clamp down on his cock. Each time he withdrew she clenched like she was trying to hold him in. He used his strength to powerfully thrust back.
Sweat dripped from the back of his neck. His hands grew damp where he held onto her. He was close to finding his climax but he needed to throw her over the edge first.
He picked up his pace even more. Using his shifter speed, he snapped his hips until Jade was practically screaming. When she did orgasm, she raked her nails down his shoulders and shuddered hard.
Luca was right there behind her. He pumped a few more times and his cum was filling her. Her legs shook as he strained to hold both of them up. He really should have taken her to bed but he hadn’t been able to wait another minute.
As gently as he could, he helped Jade move her feet to the ground. He slipped out of her and rested his forehead on hers. She opened her eyes. The brightness of them was full of warmth.
His breath, which he was still struggling for, caught. She was so gorgeous. He didn’t know how he’d gotten so lucky as to have her there with him, but he thanked his lucky stars that she was. He gripped her hand in his and pulled her along with him to the bedroom.
She followed behind without a word. Once they entered he guided her to the mattress. “Climb in,” he said. “I’ll grab us a bottle of water and lock up.”
Jade yawned but nodded. She looked to be just moments away from sleep. He knew it wasn’t just his lovemaking—it had been a very late night and they’d been busy. Jade rolled onto her stomach and buried her face into the pillow. Luca lifted the light sheet to cover her before he strolled from the room.
Chapter Seven
Jade slipped out of bed carefully to avoid waking Luca. It was just a little past eleven so they had almost two hours before they needed to be at Zak’s place for the meeting. She turned back toward the bed and Luca’s naked body on top of the covers. He’d been a passionate lover, and she had to resist the temptation to rejoin him in bed. She wanted to do a little more research on what was going on with the shifters.
She spotted a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt on top of the nightstand. She pulled on Luca’s clothes before exiting the bedroom and closing the door behind her.
Luca hadn’t given her a tour earlier but the apartment was small so she’d spotted the kitchen when they’d made their way to his bedroom. Across from Luca’s room was what she assumed Abilene had claimed, even if she never used it. The bed was made but that was the only furniture inside.
She stopped in the bathroom and washed her hands and face. She picked up the toothpaste and squeezed some onto her finger then brushed her teeth as best she could. That was one thing she needed to add to her go-bag—a toothbrush—especially if she was going to be hanging out with Luca more often. And she did hope for some more overnight visits with him.
Refreshed, she headed on to the kitchen. By the lack of clutter and pictures she suspected that Luca had not been staying there long. If he remained on the task force or transferred to the Coalition full-time she hoped that he would consider putting down some roots in Lake Worth. That would put them closer together and give them time to explore what was happening between them.
She strolled through the living room right into the kitchen. It wasn’t big but would serve her purpose. The coffee pot was easy to find and she went about brewing a pot. While she waited, she retrieved her bag from next to the front door. She grinned, remembering what had happened earlier against that very door. Her body heated just thinking about it. Resolved to get her work done quickly so that she could go and wake Luca with some fun, she hurried back to the kitchen table.
Jade pulled her laptop from her bag and set it on top of the beautiful wood surface. She had to give Luca credit. He might not have a lot in his apartment but the furniture he did have was high quality. She pressed the power button before striding back to the coffee pot.
It wasn’t hard to find the cabinet with the mugs or the canister of sugar. While it looked as though Luca didn’t eat at home much, he had enough coffee, creamer and sugar. She’d found both vanilla and original creamer inside the fridge. Other than a few bottles of beer, that was it.
They’d have to spend some time at her house in the middle of the city. She loved to cook and could offer Luca some comfort food. Last night when she’d been looking into the files of the shifters, she’d also run a Google search on coyote shifter traits. They were pack animals and needed the touch of family and home. Since Luca was away from his loved ones she’d see about making him feel comfortable with her.
It was natural for her to pay attention to what was going on around her. What better way to observe the shifters in her presence? She’d noticed that the wolves had stayed by each other’s sides the entire night. Jamie and Zak were more solitary and with the exception of Abilene for Zak she could see them happy to work alone. She wondered how that affected their teams. Luca’s information about the units of the Coalition was pretty helpful in understanding the men. She looked forward to seeing more.
The barbecue should help with that too. Other than setting up a plan for how to handle the investigation into the FBI, she would also get to see all the teams together. The night before they had been split so she hadn’t been able to observe the birds, bears or felines. She really wanted the chance to. She was excited by the prospect of them all working together. That was the reason she’d wanted to be a part of the project in the first place—other than allowing her partner to be around others like himself.
&n
bsp; Jade blew on her coffee while she walked back over to the table. Her laptop had loaded and was waiting. She typed in her password ready to start. She double clicked the folder she’d transferred the files into earlier.
There were three cases that concerned her. Luckily, Cole hadn’t been involved in them, but she did recognize one name. Shannon Barber was listed as a fox shifter. She’d gone missing after investigating a missing person case about two years ago. The report stated that Shannon had disregarded orders and followed the suspects on foot alone. She hadn’t been seen again.
As far as Jade could see, there hadn’t been a real attempt to find the missing agent. That pissed her off. There was no telling if Shannon was out there captured and needing to be rescued. Instead of sending agents to find Shannon, the case had been closed. She searched the records and was disgusted to find that there hadn’t even been a missing civilian on the case she had been on. The supervisor claimed that they had received bad information.
In a Word document she wrote up the highlights and a few questions she had about the case. Once that was completed she moved on to the next.
She lost herself in work, drinking her coffee, getting up once for a refill before she had her thoughts down in one place. Six different suspicious assignments resulting in the death or disappearance of the shifter agents. And that was only at her office. How many other divisions were going through the same? Even though she had access to her department files, she couldn’t go further than that. She wanted to compare what she’d found with Sam Westby’s own concerns. One thing for sure was that Luca was on to something.
She finished her second cup of coffee then glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. Forty-five minutes had passed. That would give her a little time to wake Luca before she could talk with Sam.