by Tena Stetler
Hell no, I don’t want to run. I want you naked, those beautiful long legs wrapped around me, writhing under me while I taste you. He ran his free hand through his hair in frustration. He’d worked hard to make sure those feelings weren’t crawling under his skin since arriving here.
But add one sexy redhead and all his efforts went straight to Hell. Giving Brandy a little squeeze, he released her. “I’ll meet you at the rock in a few minutes. I need to help Cody gather up the equipment.” And get myself under control. He looked at her one last time and began scooping up bats.
****
“See ya there,” she said in a frosty tone as she turned and sprinted back to her car. The man runs hot and cold in the blink of an eye. She considered going home and forgetting the whole thing, but damn it, he intrigued her and not many men did. Then there was that body. God, he is gorgeous. As he’d swung that bat, she’d watched the muscles ripple across his back and chest beneath the tight black T-shirt he wore. She’d also noticed the snug fit of his blue jeans. That was enough to leave her aroused and cursing her heritage.
In her family, divorce wasn’t an option. Once mated, only death ended the bond. Casual sex wasn’t a possibility. But her attraction to Stefan was like nothing she’d ever experienced and had her rethinking the decision to pursue him.
Still fuming, Brandy sprinted to the area where they’d first met. She paced in front of the rock, staring over her shoulder. She was overreacting. He’d merely asked her to meet him while he helped his friends clean up. Finally, she leaned against the rock. What in the hell is wrong with me? I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster since I met him. She shook her head. Something isn’t right.
****
Cody stared in disbelief as Stefan sprinted back onto the field. “Dude, what the hell are you doing? Go on. I got this,” Cody said.
Stefan continued gathering up the bats and balls, then tossed them in the bed of Cody’s rusty truck.
“If you don’t want her, I’d be happy to take her off your…” Cody joked, then the smirk faded from his face.
With a murderous glare, Stefan growled at Cody, “She’s mine.” Making his intention crystal clear to everyone, he stalked away.
“She won’t be yours very long if you treat her like that.” The skinny kid with freckles, whose name Stefan didn’t know, yelled after him. Cody gave the kid a rough shove toward his vehicle.
Stefan flicked a gaze toward them, rage flowing through him, fangs descending. He balled his fists to hide the claws piercing his fingertips. No, not here, not now. I’ve worked too hard to make a place for myself. He barreled to his truck, wrenched the door open, and jumped inside. It was unacceptable to lose control like this and hadn’t happened in recent years. He couldn’t risk it. No matter how badly he wanted her, he didn’t see how this was going to work.
By flexing his hands over and over, he finally got them to relax. The claws withdrew. He reached down and pulled a roll of paper towels and disinfectant from under the seat, and wiped the blood off his hands and the steering wheel. Then he stuffed the bloody towel in a trash bag on the floor, making a mental note to dispose of it later. Easing his head back against the headrest, he closed his eyes and imagined he was anywhere but there. After a few minutes, the bloodlust passed just as there was a knock on his window. Stefan turned his head, slowly opening his eyes. Cody’s face came into focus.
“You okay?” Cody asked, frowning as he shifted from one foot to the other beside the truck. “Rocky didn’t mean anything by his stupid comment. Young and dumb, you know.”
Stefan rolled the window down and gave his friend the thumbs up sign, resting his arm on the edge of the window. “Woman trouble. You understand.”
Cody’s bushy brows winged up in question, but he nodded and walked away. “See ya later.”
When Stefan rolled the window up and got out of the truck, he’d decided that a couple of dates couldn’t hurt. I invited her here. Only a jerk would dump her tonight. I’m a lot of things, but not a jerk. He shrugged his shoulders and gave a half laugh. No one thought I could leave the employment of the Vampire Council, strike out on my own, and survive to tell about it. Yet here I am.
Relieved to be under control again, he slid off the seat, locked and quietly closed the truck door, and hauled ass across the field to meet Brandy.
Brandy was waiting for him, leaning against the towering formation, knee bent with her foot braced against the rock, the other angled in front and firmly planted in the dirt. “It’s about time. You really shouldn’t keep a lady waiting.”
Stefan bowed from the waist, straightened up, and reached for her hand. Turning it over, he brushed his cool lips across the back of her warm hand. “Sorry. I’ve never played on a softball team before. I didn’t want to offend anyone by not helping with cleanup. You ready to run?”
“Yep.”
“How about after our run, we grab a cup of coffee at the Big Sky?” Stefan asked, sure the diner would be mostly deserted at that time of night. Being attracted to a warm-blood and being with her was entirely different than working among them.
“Sounds great.” She stepped away from the towering, jagged rock, bent over, touching her palms to the ground, then straightened. Putting her hands on her hips, she leaned side to side for a couple of beats. She stood up straight, her gaze catching his. “Let’s go.” She took off at a dead run up the trail, red hair flying as her melodic laugh echoed off the canyon walls.
Caught off guard, Stefan stood as if rooted in place, watching her cute ass sway with every step. He raced after her.
Chapter Three
Relationships—Who Needs Them?
Even after a couple of weeks, the feelings churning around inside him were still bugging the shit out of him. Not to mention they were growing stronger. Stefan knew what caring for a woman could do to a man. He’d seen the sadness in his father’s face and watched him deal with the deep hurt caused when his mother left them.
The one relationship with a woman Stefan had allowed himself destroyed his life and any chance of a decent future. His grandfather, who raised him, showed no emotion as Stefan, half-crazy with bloodlust, had explained how he became a creature of the night. It tore his grandfather’s heart out. The old shaman did what he could to help, but in the end, Stefan had to leave for his safety and that of his tribe.
No, I gotta cut her loose tonight. Determined to get it over with quickly, he ran toward the trailhead and their usual meeting place.
Sucking in a breath he didn’t need, he paused at the vision before him.
She sat on top of the tall rock, ankles crossed and leaning back on her hands, face relaxed, looking up at the glittering stars strewn across the midnight sky.
The lump in his throat got bigger as he walked slowly toward her. She is beautiful and…Wishing fervently it didn’t have to be this way, he glanced up to where she sat and touched her ankle. “Brandy, we need to talk.”
“Oh, I don’t like the way this conversation is starting,” she teased, a smile playing around the corners of her mouth
He didn’t return her smile. “I’ve enjoyed these weeks together, but I don’t think this is going to work.” Looking up at her, he was surprised to see her expression didn’t change. “You don’t know what you are getting yourself into. I’m dangerous.”
She tilted her head and raised a copper eyebrow. “Don’t I?”
Her calm demeanor infuriated him. “No, you don’t. I’m your worst nightmare.”
“Afraid, are you?” she asked quietly.
“Of course not. After giving it a lot of thought, I think this is best for both of us.”
Brandy bolted straight up, staring defiantly into his dark eyes. “Who gave you the right to decide for me?” she countered, green eyes glittering.
“Brandy, you don’t understand,” he said gruffly.
A crimson blush crept up her neck and exploded across her cheeks. “Oh, I understand all right. You’re afraid to take a chance even tho
ugh your heart, mind, and body are telling you it’s right.”
“I’m not going to debate this with you. I came here tonight to say goodbye.” He turned to walk away.
Brandy launched herself off the rock and landed smack dab in front of him. She jammed her finger into his broad chest, forcing him to take a step backward. “Look, vamp, the way I see it, you’re either afraid or too boneheaded to see what’s right in front of your face. You may not deserve a chance at happiness, but I do, and that requires your participation.” She paused, narrowing her eyes. She shoved him again, harder and with the palm of her hand, in the center of his chest.
Unable to keep the beast inside any longer, his fangs unsheathed and claws broke through his fingertips. Clear crimson liquid dripped from his fingers, but it didn’t seem to faze her. Still grappling for control, he retracted the claws and grabbed her arm. Completely unprepared for her tirade, he couldn’t think of a single thing to say or do that made any sense. In fact, at this moment, it was all he could do to maintain control over the beast.
Suddenly, a shiver shot down his spine. Panic bubbled up through his reactive haze. She’d called him a vampire. Nobody here knew his closely guarded secret. Who was she? Better yet, what was she? Had the Vampire Council sent her?
Stefan took a deep breath and tried to clear his head, tamp down the panic. His fangs drew back as he gained complete control. The Vampire Council wouldn’t send someone for me. Lady Rose gave me a clear release of my obligation to her.
He’d located and helped rescue the Demon Overlord of the Western Hemisphere’s mate some time ago while retrieving the stolen Vampire Council’s Labrys. Lady Rose had decided his indentured servitude was at an end. He’d paid his debt. She wouldn’t renege.
He closed his eyes, reducing his sensory overload, and the last bit of panic gave way to rational thought. Opening his eyes, he saw a pissed off woman standing before him, tapping her foot, staring at her arm where he still gripped her. Stefan loosened his hold.
Jaw clenched and lips tightened into a thin line, Brandy hissed through her teeth, “Take your hands off me before I do something we’ll both regret.” She jerked free of him, stomped a few steps, then drew in a deep breath, and let it out slowly.
He stood in the same place, waiting to see what she did next.
In a calm voice, she asked, “Did you know that you can exist on animal blood? I can teach you to hunt…” The blush that had started to recede pinked her cheeks again. “…Animals…I mean. It isn’t the most pleasant experience at first,” she stammered. “Not that feeding from humans is. But it’ll satisfy your thirst. I know you’re a troubled vampire, but it’s time you take a good look at yourself, accept your fate, and make the best of it.”
“And what would you know about feeding on humans, or animals for that matter?” he growled, watching Brandy intently as reddish-gold feathers erupted from beneath her curly hair, spreading across her forehead as it changed shape. Her body shimmered and the edges of her form blurred. Stefan blinked a couple times, shook his head, and opened his eyes wide. Am I seeing things?
“Aagggg. I can’t do this right now!” She turned and ran, disappearing behind a huge stand of pine trees.
Shocked, it took a few seconds to get his feet to move. Whipping around, he felt a whoosh of air and caught a glimpse of a large form taking flight above the trees, blending into the star-strewn sky.
Searching the area where she disappeared, he found no evidence of what had taken flight. Spread across the ground were shredded pieces of clothing she had on before she escaped into the trees. Plodding back to his truck, he tried to make sense of what had just happened. Apparently, Brandy has secrets too. He didn’t know why, but that made him feel better.
As the full moon drifted to the west beneath wispy clouds, he looked up and swore, “Shit. I’m going to be late for work.” In a blur, he sped down the path, stopped at the cabin to change clothes, then bolted for the station. The tall skinny kid, whose words still echoed in Stefan’s head, stood in the control room. Where is Cody? Shit, this is the last thing I need.
The clock on the wall struck midnight as Stefan strode in the door and said gruffly, “I’ll take it from here.” Without a word, the kid grabbed his coat from the chair and disappeared through the open door, slamming it behind him.
The phones were unusually busy during his shift. Each time the phone rang, Stefan hoped to hear her voice. Pathetic.
The days stretched into weeks, and still no Brandy. A little voice in the back of his head had grown louder and louder since the night she disappeared. How did she know I’m a vampire? Who has she told? How did she find out, and who else knows? He considered the questions. Am I at risk? Probably not. His intuition and lightning-fast reflexes were all that kept him in this world during his service to the Vampire Council. He’d given them no reason to recall his release. He shoved the pesky voice right out of his mind and immediately felt better for it.
What he wanted, needed, was her, and by God, he was going to have her. She’d hinted that fate was playing a part in their meeting. What is fate doing now? Nothing. Sitting here on my dead ass isn’t going to find her either.
Chapter Four
Family Emergency—Unexpected Trip with Far-Reaching Complications
For the sixth time over the past couple of weeks, the phone call to her sister went to voicemail. Brandy tapped the red icon and ended the call, tossing the phone on the couch, where it bounced once. She paced the hardwood floor of her cottage, picked up a picture of her and Hannah off the fireplace mantel, and stared at it. Shaking her head, she replaced the photo, tracing the frame with her fingertip. “What are you doing, Hannah?” Brandy said to the empty room. Scooting back to the sofa, she picked up the phone, dialed her sister’s number again, and held her breath. This time Hannah answered on the first ring.
In an unusually quiet voice, Hannah said, “Brandy, how are you doing?”
“More to the point, how are you? I’ve tried to call you several times. Either it goes to voicemail or you put me off. Or you return my call when you know I’m on duty and leave a message. What the hell is going on? Ma and Da are worried sick.”
“I’ve been swamped with work. Got dual citizenship now, allowing my security clearance upgrade so I can work on government ops. Had to get out from under the civilian workload so I can start working at my new position.”
“What new position?” Brandy picked at the splatter of mud dried on the booted foot now resting across her knee.
“Didn’t I tell you? I’m sure I did.” Hannah paused. “Maybe I left you a message.”
“Tell me again,” Brandy insisted, getting to her feet, pacing across floor.
“I was promoted. In eighteen months or so, I’ll be based out of Colorado at the Shadow Hawk Cyber facility, heading up an R&D division.”
“That’s wonderful. Colorado is beautiful and much closer to Montana.” Brandy tapped her finger to her lips. “Oh, yeah, I remember that message. You also said you would be attending a wedding with your new man. Tell me about this new guy. Things getting serious?”
“I think so.”
“I would hope so. It’s the same man that took you to Hawaii on a getaway a few weeks ago, then to his sister’s wedding? I’d call that serious.”
“Yes. But I don’t want to say too much and jinx it. You know how my relationships go.”
“For God’s sake, Hannah, you’re nearly living with the guy and you don’t want to jinx it? Come on, I’m your sister. We’ve always told each other everything. I know when you are lying to me.” Brandy’s hand flew to her mouth. Shit, I shouldn’t have said that. She blew out a breath and tried to recoil her temper.
“I’ve got to go. I’ll be in touch. Don’t worry. I’m fine.” Hannah disconnected the call.
Brandy plopped on the couch in her cozy living room, phone held to her chest. Something wasn’t right. Since Hannah’s recruitment right out of college by the cyber ops firm and move to Misty Harbor
, they’d talked at least three times a week, sharing their lives and experiences with each other by phone. Then suddenly Hannah stopped calling or answering her phone on a regular basis. Nope, something was terribly wrong. Hannah was hiding something.
Brandy drew her bottom lip through her front teeth and hissed out a breath. She shoved up from the couch, sprinted into the bedroom, and yanked her suitcase out from underneath the bed.
I shouldn’t interfere. Next she grabbed socks, jeans, shirts, and shoes and threw them in the suitcase. She bounced on the top, forcing the case closed, then she slung it onto the floor and rolled it to the front door. Pausing at the couch, she picked up her cell phone and called her boss at the ranger’s station.
After a couple rings, a cheerful voice said, “Hi there, Brandy. Enjoying your day off?”
“Hey, Randy, I have a family emergency and need to take a week off, starting now.”
He cleared his throat and was quiet for a beat. “Okay. I’ll rework the schedule this week. Will you be back by the beginning of next week?”
“I hope so. I’ll call you when I arrive at my sister’s place and get things sorted out.” She held the phone against her shoulder while digging her keys out of her backpack, and shoved them in her jeans pocket.
“Good enough. I hope things work out.”
“Me too. Thanks.” Brandy ended the call and looked up the number to the airport, then made reservations for the first flight available to Misty Harbor, Maine.
Snapping her fingers, she sprinted into the bathroom, scooped up eyeshadow, mascara, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, and shampoo. She shoved them into a small duffle she kept in the cabinet under the sink. After running a brush through her tangled hair, she tossed the hairbrush in the bag. “That should do it.” The thought of Stefan crossed her mind briefly. She slapped her hand on the counter. He’d have to wait.
Bags loaded in the SUV, she took off. Traffic was light and she arrived at the airport in record time.
Once settled in the plane, she riffled through her backpack for a book she’d stuffed inside earlier. Unable to concentrate, she pulled out her tablet and plotted directions to Hannah’s house. A street address was listed beside her sister’s cell number. I hope she hasn’t moved. Hannah had taken the job with Shadow Hawk Cyber and moved to a little cottage on the outskirts of town. At least that’s what Hannah had told her before she started being so secretive and hard to contact.