by Eve Langlais
“I guess with your stuff all burnt to a crisp, you’ll have to go back home. Where is home, by the way?” She’d not yet said.
“Home is an apartment hundreds of miles away. And I’m not ready to go back there yet. Not to mention, I can’t leave until I can clear this town.”
“Clear it of what?” he asked.
She leaned forward on the table, her expression earnest. “Can you keep a secret? A really big one.”
Stupid question. He eyed her askance. “Do you really have to ask that? You know I’m a werewolf, right?”
“That secret is one thing. I’m about to tell you something huge. Something people aren’t aware of and would freak about if they knew.”
“Are you about to tell me aliens exist?”
She snorted. “Everyone already knows that.”
“I was joking.”
“I’m not.”
He stared at her. “Aliens aren’t real, Claire.”
“Neither are giant bunnies and werewolves.” She winked. “ Now are you going to promise?”
“Would you like me to pinky swear?” He held up his little finger.
She hooked hers around it. “Swear you won’t tell anyone. Because I promised Lana I’d keep this on the down low.”
“Lana being?”
“My roommate. The one I’m doing this favor for. I promised her I’d only gather intel.”
“Intel on what?” he asked, getting exasperated.
She tugged his little finger. “Swear first.
“Fine. I swear I won’t tell anyone anything you tell me. No matter how crazy it sounds.”
“Are you calling me crazy?”
“As a rabbit.”
Her lips twitched. “Good enough. So get ready.” She took in a deep breath. “There’s a group of humans, scientists and doctors and maybe even the military, kidnapping supernaturals, shifters, and other peeps, and conducting experiments with them. Even breeding impossible species for an unknown purpose.”
“Shit. Are you sure about this?” He’d known about the missing shifters, but to hear the reason why… It took him by surprise. It also made him even more worried about Claire.
“Yes.” She nodded. “Very sure. Which is why I’m here. I think that Chymera Tech is one of their secret hideouts.”
“What makes you think that?”
“It’s a medical institute,” she stated.
“And?”
“They do medical things.”
“Doesn’t make them a front for evil scientist plots,” Derek pointed out.
“You don’t believe me,” she grumbled.
“Oh, I believe you. After all, I did warn you there was shit happening in this town. But the institute is legitimate.”
“How would you know?”
“Because I work for them.”
Chapter 8
I ogled the man, not just because his ass looked mighty fine in his black khakis with tons of pockets—which would come in handy for stashing candy if we went to the theater and wanted to avoid overpriced candy—but because one, he didn’t even blink when I said people were being kidnapped for evil experiments. And two…
“You mean this entire time you’ve been working for Chymera and didn’t tell me?”
“You seem to forget we only ran into each other twenty-four hours ago. Plus, you never asked.”
“I asked what you were doing here.”
“I told you. Working.”
“You didn’t say you were working for a devious conglomerate intent on harvesting our genes for unknown purposes.”
“We don’t know they’re harvesting genes, but I’d say their purpose is the usual one. Wealth.”
“Well, now that I know you have an in, what are we waiting for? Take me to the bad guys’ headquarters.”
“Back up a second, Enny.”
“Enny?” I wrinkled my nose. “My middle name is Beatrice. Where did you get Enny from?”
“Short for Energizer because, damn, you talk and move a mile a minute. Slow down for a second.”
“Why slow down? Slowing down doesn’t get stuff done. I’m a believer in multi-tasking, which is why I brush my teeth in the shower.”
“Because brushing your teeth is such a time waster. Why not pee while you’re in there, too?” His remark oozed sarcasm.
My smile was slow and mischievous as I said, “Who says I don’t?”
Totally worth his dropped jaw. Which I lifted for him before patting him on the cheek. “Try and keep up. That is if you can. Do wolves have some version of Scooby snacks to give them a lift?”
“I don’t need a cookie. What I want to do is not go off half-cocked. We have to be careful. Have you forgotten someone tried to kidnap you and, when that didn’t work, attempted to kill you?”
“Could be totally unrelated.”
“They’re related.”
“If that is the case, then we need to move while we have the element of surprise. Right now, whoever placed that bomb trying to silence me so I won’t go to the cops is probably assuming I died in that fire. Now is the perfect time to infiltrate and catch them off guard.”
“Infiltrate what? I told you the place is legit. They aren’t hiding shit. Hell, they give tours once a month.”
“What if it’s a front?”
“Now you’re stretching.”
“I say it’s the right place. It’s the perfect cover. They’ve got the equipment, the people. There’s probably like a dozen subbasement levels where they hide their experiments.”
He stared at me. “There is no basement.”
“That you know of, because it’s hidden, silly. But I must be on the right track. Why else try to kidnap me? They probably wanted to use me in their breeding experiments.” Joke was on them though. My DNA was defective.
“If they wanted shifters, then why go after you and not me?” he asked. “After all, I’ve been here longer.”
“Maybe they don’t need guys.”
“Or could be the kidnapping thing has to do with something else.”
“You think those guys wanted to sell me to some sheik for his harem? It wouldn’t be the first time. Good thing I have an embedded GPS. Lana came to rescue me before the container was put on the boat. Those poor sailors, though.” I shook my head. The doctors never did have a theory on how all their eardrums burst at once.
“You’ve been kidnapped before?”
“Twice. The second time was by a demon using me as bait to draw Beth to Limbo.”
“A demon?” Repeated with a hint of skepticism.
“Yes, a demon in cahoots with an angel. They wanted to prevent Beth from becoming Queen of Limbo, which she renamed Misfitia, on account, like me, she never felt like she fit in.” All true, but his poor incredulous expression told me he didn’t believe a word. Understandable. Until recently, I didn’t know demons existed either. Ugly fellows who could really use some external exfoliation and mouthwash. “Anyhow, I was just pointing out the validity of your point that my kidnapping could be for all kinds of reasons, except for one thing.”
“And that would be?”
“This.” I pulled out a key card—pure black with just a little golden symbol in the corner—that despite being smudged reminded me an awful lot of the one I’d seen in the video that sent me here.
“Where did you get that?” he barked, snatching it from me.
“Filched it from the big dude’s pocket before the EMTs took him away.”
“That’s an access card.”
“Duh. I’ll bet it gets us into whatever secret building they’re doing their experiments in.”
“Again, making assumptions. It could be for anything. Even a hotel room.”
I shook my head. “Come on, even you’ve got to admit the evidence is stacking up.”
His lips flattened. “Let’s say you do find the place that card belongs to. If it is some sort of secret lab, then it will have guards.”
“Hence where you can help. You can be the mu
scle.”
“And apparently the brains since this is nuts. You can’t just go around looking for the people who kidnapped you.”
“If I don’t, who will?”
“Anyone but you.” He shook his head. “We should tell those in charge.” By in charge he meant my dad, and above my dad, the werewolf king. Who was currently a queen on account she killed her husband for cheating on her with a younger bitch.
“Those in charge have known about this and done nothing for decades. What happened to Lana and Beth happened ages ago.”
“Perhaps they didn’t know.”
“And people call me naïve.” I sniffed.
“If what you’re saying is true, then you are talking about a complex group who’s been able to successfully hide for a long time. You can’t just expect to waltz in and dismantle them.”
“Never said I was planning to. I told you, I’m after intel.”
“And what will you do with that intel?”
“Call in people who can handle it.”
“Who are these people?”
Rather than reply, I hit the freezer for the tub of cookie dough ice cream I’d stashed in it earlier. Right beside the Creamsicles and Fudgsicles.
“Want some?” I showed the tub to him.
He shook his head.
His loss.
A dollop on a brownie I warmed in the microwave meant sweet goodness in my mouth.
He stared at me as I ate, and just in case he thought of stealing a bite, I curled my arm around my dessert bowl.
“You didn’t answer my question. Who are you calling if you find something?” he asked tersely. Probably on account he regretted not getting his own bowl of orgasm for the tongue.
“Let’s just say I know people. Tough people.” I left it vague rather than mention the fact that a horde of Vikings was likely to stampede into town ready to take out the bad guys.
I spooned more of my dessert into my mouth and noticed him staring again. Watching my lips, his eyes getting a hot glow to them.
In turn, it ignited something inside me, a warm spot between my legs that tingled.
He reached forward, and his thumb brushed my lower lip. “You have a spot of chocolate.” He licked it.
I melted a bit more. “Did you…” My voice emerged husky. “Did you get it all?”
His lips curved into a slow smile. “I think I missed a spot.”
He leaned in closer this time, brought his mouth right up to mine, and kissed me.
Kissed me with a languorous passion that had me sighing and angling forward. I wanted to get closer. I reached for him, my hand curling around his neck, my body craned over the table, my boob rubbing against melting ice cream.
The cold shock had me pulling away.
I looked down at my shirt. The wet ice-cream spot glaring.
Leaving me with a choice. I could walk away, right now. The right thing to do. Or…
I pointed. “You missed another spot.”
A groan rolled out of him as he hit the floor on his knees, still tall enough that he could pull me forward and latch his mouth to the damp, sugared fabric. He sucked, not just the shirt but my breast, tugging at the erect nipple. Drawing it deep while I gasped. My fingers threaded his hair as he suckled, and then I gasped again as he switched to the other side.
His actions ignited my libido. I burned. Wanted.
I might have made a pleading sound. He pushed back enough so he could bring his face lower. His big hands parted my thighs, and he put his head between them. I still wore pants, and yet that didn’t stop him from putting his mouth on me. I felt it.
Shuddered at the sensation. Shuddered again when he blew hotly, pushing that warm air past my pants and panties right to my pussy.
He sucked at my cleft. Massaging it with his mouth, teasing me.
“Derek.” I panted his name. Wanting more. Wanting him.
He drew me from the chair into his lap. He had me sitting with my back to him, my head leaning on his shoulder, exposing my neck to his lips. As for his hands… They roamed. One hand cupping and kneading my heavy breast, rolling the nipple and pinching. His other hand slid past the waistband of my pants, past the skimpy edge of my panties, and through my tuft of curls.
When his finger found my clit, I cried out, and his lips sucked harder at my skin.
I undulated as he fingered me, his rough digit alternating between my engorged nub and dipping into my pussy itself.
My pleasure built as he played with me. The hardness of his erection pushed at my buttocks, and yet he didn’t seem worried or in a rush. He kept stroking me. Sucking me. Penetrating me. His fingers pumping in and out until I came with a cry that sounded an awful lot like his name.
And still he teased, keeping that orgasm rolling as he whispered in my ear, “Think you can handle the big bad wolf?”
Could I ever!
Before I could see if he was as well-endowed as he felt, my phone rang. The ringtone—a rousing rendition of “Under the Sea”— let me know it wasn’t a call I could ignore. Because if I did, Lana was liable to send a Viking army into the Rockies looking for me.
“I’m sorry. I have to take this.” I rolled out of his lap and didn’t dare look at him. Couldn’t with my pussy still throbbing, which might be why I was more terse than usual when I answered, “Shark Buffet, all you can eat mermaid sushi on the menu today.”
“Your motel blew up!” were the first words I heard bellowed.
“Yeah, I—”
“How come you didn’t call? Do you have any idea how worried I was when I saw that report?”
“Sorry I—”
Lana wasn’t listening to anything I had to say, and I didn’t really care because I was more interested in the soft kiss dropped on my nape and Derek’s whispered, “That was the best dessert I’ve ever had.”
I almost tossed the phone and demanded seconds; however, if I did, Lana would lose her ever-loving mind. Derek left the kitchen, and a second later, I heard the shower. Want to wager it was a cold one?
I tuned back in to Lana, who was still ranting, her voice rising to a pitch that made me want to run outside and jump in front of traffic.
“Slow down,” I said. “As you can hear, I’m fine. How did you find out?”
“I saw it on the news. The report says the motel blew a few hours ago, and you didn’t call.”
Code for: Bitch, I was worried.
“Sorry about that. I was kind of busy.” Getting my girl rocks off. Jiminy Cricket, that man had some talent.
Kind of made me excited for the sleeping situation. I’d noticed there was only one possible bed for us to share, and I could not wait to crawl into it as soon as I got off the phone. Which took almost two hours given Lana was on a roll. By the time I hung up and entered his bedroom, it was to find him already asleep.
Lucky for me, he took over only one half of the bed, an obvious invitation. I stripped before I crawled in beside him and snuggled. His arm came around me, tucking me closer, and I sighed.
This was awesome.
Chapter 9
Awesome was waking up beside the woman he’d pleasured the night before. Less great was the fact he’d fallen asleep. However, whacking off in the shower, then listening to her argue with her friend, proved to be enough to lull him.
While Derek had partially awoken when she slid into bed with him, it didn’t feel like the right time to start something. Besides, there was something to be said about her warm body close to his.
Trusting him.
Did he really want to move things too fast and scare her away?
Nope. Which was why, when he woke up, he took things slow… stroking his hand up and down her arm, lightly brushing her skin. She lay sprawled half atop him, her leg flung over his, her hand on his heart while her head was cradled in the crook of his arm and body.
She stirred, a soft sigh exhaling from her. She squirmed some more, her leg hiking more fully against him, the heat of her mound against his thigh. Rub
bing.
Yes, she gyrated in her sleep against him.
The sheet tented over his groin.
“Morning,” she mumbled against his skin.
“Morning, Enny. How did you sleep?”
“Let’s just say I’m feeling a tad frisky this morning.” Her hand slid down his bare chest to the waistband of his pants then skimmed lower until she could grip him, the loose fabric molding to his cock.
“Need me to help with your frisky problem?” he teased.
“I’ve got this.” She rolled atop him, hands splayed on his chest, her legs straddling his body. Her buttocks pushed back and rubbed against his erection.
He palmed her waist, noticing she’d chosen to wear one of his shirts to bed. It looked good on her. But it would look even better on the floor. He slid his hands under the hem and touched her bare skin.
Might as well have stuck his hand in a fire. The heat of her skin scorched. She leaned down, but rather than kiss him, she nuzzled his neck. Soft, light pecks.
He reached and cupped her ass, noting she wore a thong rather than a full-bottom panty. Nice. It meant he kneaded bare flesh. It also meant the thin, wet crotch of them rubbed against his bare belly. The honeyed scent of her arousal teased him.
He slid a hand between her legs, still remembering how she’d felt coming on his fingers the night before. How she’d cried out his name. He touched her, and she gasped.
The slickness of her sex showed him how ready she was.
She lifted herself and reached down, gripping the waistband of his pants. She slowly began to tug and—
Bang. Bang. Bang.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” he growled as someone pounded his door.
“Think they brought breakfast?” she asked as she rolled off him, putting an obvious end to his possible morning meal.
“I’ll be cooking their ass over a flame in a second, never fear.” He jumped out of bed and stalked to the front door, his erection deflating rapidly the more his irritation grew. Who the hell was it?
He flung open the door and came face to face with a guy holding a huge box. “What is that? I didn’t order anything.”
“It’s for a Claire Mahoney.”