by Clara Cody
“This is Alison.”
“Alicia!” she corrected, slapping him on the chest. By the way, she giggled, Dane doubted she minded very much. She probably didn’t. Dane had been there a million times with women like Alicia. People liked to pretend that women and men were different when it came to things like sex, but that wasn’t the case. Not in Dane’s experience at least. In a bar, on a night like tonight, Alicia had only one thing on her mind, just like Lance. Both of them reeked of arousal.
“Whatever.” Lance tightened his arm around her, pulling her closer and whispered something in her ear. She giggled again. “We’re gonna get out of here.” He waggled his eyebrows at Dane.
“Lucky son-of-a-bitch,” Carl swore as Lance walked away, stumbling with Alicia.
Dane chuffed. Lucky. He caught the blond across the bar looking at him again, her eyes soft in that come-hither look. She pushed off the bar and started towards him.
“Hey,” she said. “Can I sit down?”
“Seat’s free,” Dane answered.
Ollie and Carl exchanged grins. “We’ll, uh, leave you two alone.”
“Thank god!” she said with a chuckle when they were gone. “So…” she said, slipping from her seat and onto his lap with an obvious grin. He saw now how thick her make-up was, how clumsily it was applied. “Want to buy me a drink, sexy?” Clearly, she wasn’t as experienced as Alicia was at bar talk. It was all too obvious, too heavy-handed. Hell, it might have been her first time trying to pick up some guy in a bar.
He thought of Sarah, wishing that it was her on his lap instead of this chick. “Sorry,” he said, gently shifting her onto the chair opposite him. “I’m not really up for company, tonight.” God, had he ever said those words before in his life?
She flinched, clearing not expecting that response. He felt bad at rejecting her, but he just…wasn’t interested.
“Fine,” she said, looking down. She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Nevermind.” She stood and slunked away, looking embarrassed.
Dammit, he thought, taking a swig of his beer. What the hell is happening to me? What was it about Sarah that he couldn’t get out of his head? That he couldn’t stop thinking about? He finished off his beer, trying to get her out of his head. No use. She was there. She’d been there since the day he met her, since he set eyes on her in the elevator.
Lucky? If my fated mate just so happens to be a witch that hates my guts, I’m the unluckiest son-of-a-bitch in the world.
Chapter 7
Sarah tossed her heavy textbook aside. If she read another word, she’d go cross-eyed permanently. Walking to the bathroom, she tried to rub the exhaustion from her eyes.
It had been a long day. Not that she wasn’t used to hard work. She was, but this was different. Today, it seemed like every aspect of this case was designed to work against her. Maybe that was the idea. A test. That’s what Olson had called it. He was testing her.
She took her toothbrush from her small, purple toiletries bag and squeezed out a line of toothpaste. She’d changed out of her work attire as soon as she’d closed the door behind her and was in her favorite blue silk pajamas. She brushed her teeth for the allotted three minutes, then flossed and swished with mouth wash. She smiled into the mirror, less to admire and more to inspect. All good.
Her cell phone buzzed. That was unusual. Usually, there were only a few select people who messaged her, but never at this time of night. She picked it up and checked it out. It was from Kelly at work, who shared the desk right next to hers.
-Are you coming to the bar tonight? We’re all here. Would love to hang out!
She pictured everyone in the office hanging out at the bar, laughing it up. All the people she could remember, at least, which wasn’t actually that many. She had to admit, she never made her colleagues a priority. She just didn’t really know what to say other than the small, mind-numbing chit-chat that drove her nuts. But Kelly had thought of her. She even wanted to hang out. The corners of her mouth turned up in a smile. Isn’t that sweet? She hadn’t really ever talked to Kelly much, other than about weekend plans and the weather. She’d always seemed a little empty-headed to Sarah. Maybe she was wrong.
-I’m on assignment out of town. She wrote, feeling sheepish for some reason. Maybe when I get back?
She waited for the reply.
-Oh…sorry, ma’am, I thought it was Sara from accounting. She even put an awkward face emoji.
So the message wasn’t for her. She felt her shoulders slump. Of course not. The truth was, she hadn’t been invited out much as of late. It hadn’t always been that way. Her first year, she’d been asked out a dozen times. She’d even gone for the occasional drink or office picnic. But work always came first, and slowly, the invitations dwindled. Whatever, she thought, lifting her chin as she tossed her phone aside.
And ma’am? Did she really just call Sarah ma’am? She was only one level above Kelly, she hardly thought that necessitated the term ma’am. Now she really felt like she could use a drink.
Dane said he was going to the bar in town. It was just down the road. She could go as a peace-offering. Have a drink. At least she’d be seen by some of the people in town. They might be more accepting if they were first introduced to her in a friendly, social setting.
She went to the bathroom and fixed her hair, putting it in a sleek ponytail. A little bit of make-up, a little more than usual. It was a bar after all. Dim light. No one would probably even notice. Her stomach fluttered.
Once dressed and ready, she walked from the hotel and down the street. The air was fresh and just a bit cool. It was refreshing after a day walking around in the heat in her jacket and skirt. Tight skirt, Dane had called it. She chewed the side of her lip.
It wasn’t difficult to find the bar. It was the only place where there was any life at this time. Every other location was dark and the parking lots empty, but not the bar. The lot was filled with beat-up looking trucks and sleek SUVS. Nothing smaller than a mid-sized truck in sight. The front of the bar had large windows, semi-obscured by window decals of beer mugs and the name of the bar.
Her heart sped up as she approached. What if he didn’t want to have a drink with her? What if everyone stopped and stared at her, wondering why she was there?
She stopped at the window. Just a peek. If he was there with a lot of people, she’d just leave. She didn’t want to interrupt. Through the glass, she scanned the part of the bar that was visible.
Quickly, as though her eyes were drawn to him and him alone, she found him sitting at a table with two other people, who must have been related. Same red hair, same square builds. They were talking, heads close together. Dane said something, driving the rest into a fit of laughter. The people seemed at ease with Dane, comfortable. She didn’t recognize either of the people at the table, which meant that they hadn’t met them that day. He must have just met them since walking into the bar, then.
It was a gift to be able to walk into any place and automatically make friends like that. Maybe that was Dane’s real talent. She’d surely never possessed it. She started to rethink her plan to go in. The people in there, they weren’t going to accept her, or see her as a friend working on their behalf. If she went in there now, they’d probably just see her as an interloper. Someone trying to sneak in under the cover of darkness. And who knew what kind of information he was getting in there. If she went in now, she could ruin it. He might be better off without her.
Dane leaned back in his chair, turning his head towards her.
She leaped back, away from the window just in time. Her heart thudded. She stood there, hand pressed into her fluttering belly, waiting for a decent amount of time to pass. No, she thought. Better to let him do his thing. Play on his strengths. That’s what a good leader would do. And she had her own abilities to utilize. Things she was good at.
Before she left, she took one more look through the window. Dane was still there, but his friends had left. All she could see of the woman on his lap was
her long, blonde hair. Sarah’s eyes narrowed into a glare. Yeah, I bet he’s getting tons of information from her. It was stupid to come down here. What the hell was she thinking? She didn’t even want to have a drink with Dane.
With a huff, she turned on her heel and hurried away, back towards the hotel. There were other things she should be doing than drinking in a bar, anyway. Things that would help the case. She walked into her room, tossing her purse on the bed and mulled it over. What, though? She couldn’t stand to read anymore, and she’d already done everything that she needed to whenever she changed locations. She’d cleansed the room, put wards in place. But she hadn’t done any of those things for Dane. Not that the schmuck deserved it. Part of the responsibility of leadership is being the bigger person, she told herself. It wasn’t like she wanted to go into Dane’s room or anything. It was for his own protection. She nodded, her mind made up.
“But who knows what time he’s going to be back,” she said aloud to herself. She had no intention of waiting around for him to stumble back at God-knows-what time in the morning with some blonde chick on his arm. One tired and cranky Special Agent was enough for one case. And his door was locked. There was the door that separated their rooms, but she couldn’t very well pick the lock. Could she?
On the other hand, if she didn’t do it, he’d be without a ward all night. He could be in danger. After all, there was someone out there going after shifters. That decided it.
Placing her palm over the doorknob, she recited her spell. All her energy, all her focus was on the lock. Most witches wouldn’t need that level of concentration for just a little lock, but she wasn’t most witches. A moment later, it clicked open.
Dane’s room smelled like him. Guilt pricked at her stomach. She was intruding, she knew that, but it was for his own good. He’d understand.
Would you? a small voice asked her.
Oh, shut up, she answered, ignoring that stupid voice.
She took her essentials from her suitcase and carried them inside Dane’s room. She laid them out on the bed. Every witch had her own spell to cast a ward. Magic had to call upon energy from within the conjurer, but how depended on the individual. No two witches cast the same spells. For a ward, Sarah used three candles, green, red and white. When she traveled, she carried small votive candles because they were easier to pack. A small jar of salt, a vial of blessed water, a white feather, and incense. She was all set.
She paused, looking at the empty duffel bag on the floor. Curiosity got the better of her. She peeked inside, finding only a string of condoms. She scoffed, feeling her cheeks grow red and flushed. She had been kidding about that, but apparently, he wasn’t.
Just then, a sound came from outside. Her heart leaped into her throat. She waited, listening carefully. Nothing. She crept to the window, standing next to the door, and looked outside. Again, nothing.
The door flew open and something crashed into her, driving her to the floor. The person forced her hand behind her back.
She screamed.
Chapter 8
Sarah lay on her stomach, vice-like hands around her wrists. She was about to let out another yell, when a familiar voice shushed her.
“Be quiet! What the hell are you doing, Sarah?”
Relief flooded her. It was only Dane. “I’m trying to do you a favor,” she cried, wiggling underneath him.
He flipped her over onto to her back, pinning her arms above her head. His face loomed over hers, the light scent of beer and on his breath mixing deliciously with his cologne.
“It’s just me,” she whined. “Would you get off?” She tried to look him in the eye, tried to keep her voice strong, but her heart wasn’t in it. The way he held her wrists, his weight pressing her into the floor; it made her quiver with excitement.
“Not until you tell me what the hell you’re doing snooping around my room. What favor?” His gorgeous, stubble-covered jaw tensed as his eyes traveled downward, along her neck, and to her cleavage. His nostrils flared as his eyes returned to hers. “You better tell me now, woman.”
Her heart thundered in her chest. She was pinned beneath him, unable to move. “I—I just wanted to give you a ward. A protection spell. Look, there on the bed.”
He glanced over and back at her. “It couldn’t wait?”
“Protection can’t come too early, only too late,” she said, breathlessly.
“Right.” He paused, his face still hovering above hers. His scent enveloped her. For a moment, she thought he might lean down and kiss her. She trembled beneath him, his legs tight around her waist. The pit in her stomach sank lower, stirring warmth between her legs. Her body practically begged for his touch, but she wouldn’t allow herself to writhe under him like she wanted to. The moment seemed to stretch on and on until, in a blink, it was gone.
“Would you get off me?” she snapped.
“Right, sorry.” He climbed off, lifting her off the floor.
Red-hot embarrassment surged through her. She’d practically melted underneath him, and he’d barely been affected. Why else wouldn’t he kiss her? Maybe he hadn’t liked the kiss from before. Maybe she wasn’t a good kisser. It wasn’t like she’d had much practice lately. But she wasn’t one for feeling sorry for herself. No, anger was better. Easier. “I’m surprised you came back alone.”
“Why? Was I supposed to pick someone up? Guess I missed that on the itinerary. I can go back, and try again, if you want, Boss.”
She scoffed, knowing full well he wouldn’t have to try very hard. “Like I care what goes on in your love life. I’m out of here. Do your own god damn ward.”
She went for the door, but he caught her before she got there and spun her towards him. “What’s going on? You broke into my bedroom, and now you’re pissed at me?”
She yanked her arm out of his grip. “If you want someone to man-handle, Dane,” she spat, “you’d have better luck with the blonde at the bar.”
“Is that what this is all about? A woman in a bar. That’s what’s got you all riled up?”
“Ha, I couldn’t care less!”
He took her wrist in his strong hand, pulling her close. “Oh, yeah? Is that so?” He breathed heavy through his nose, towering over her. “I think you’re full of shit.”
“Get your hands off me.” Her wrist burned with electric warmth where he held her. She didn’t even try to pull away.
“Is that what you really want?” He walked her backwards until her back met the door.
She tried to push him away, tried to tell him to piss off, but the words wouldn’t come. She was putty. He pressed her against the door, and she knew she was ready to come undone.
“Say it,” he ordered. His eyes flicked down to her heaving breasts. “Say it, and I’ll never touch you again.”
It felt like an eternity passed while she tried to muster up the words. Every insult and mean thing she could think of passed through her mind, but nothing came out. It was impossible. The truth was, she was desperate to feel his hands on her body. Maybe this was exactly what they needed. Maybe they both just had to get it out of their systems, and then move on to the case.
“I—” she started, but his mouth covered hers and the words got lost somehow.
Warmth, then raging heat burned through her. All resistance, every ounce of anger, simply melted away in the heat of his kiss. His lips, his exploring tongue, his hands in her hair. She didn’t want to talk anymore, she didn’t care about anything else now.
He gripped her ass, lifting her off the ground, pressing her into the door. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer. She felt his stiff cock through his jeans, and her mouth went dry.
He groaned, his fingers digging roughly into her ass. “Jesus, Sarah.”
She loved the sound of her name on his lips. “Say it again.”
It escaped from his lips like a prayer. “Sarah.”
Her lips brushed his jaw line, his whiskers scratching her delicate skin. Then his neck. She sucked and nibbled,
enjoying the sound of his breath coming faster.
The journey to the bed felt like miles. She wanted him so badly. Her insides were molten lava. Wet, delicious warmth spread through her middle and down between her legs. She whimpered at the need that throbbed there. Dane’s eyes were hungry, no, starving as he lunged on top of her. His weight was heavy, pushing her into the mattress.
The rest of the world, the room, everything was a blur as he kissed her neck, her chest. Down and down he went, pushing the hem of her skirt up around her hips. She felt her own slickness as he pulled aside her panties, his fingers grazing her tight, throbbing bud. She gasped at the touch, a tiny rush of pleasure surging through her.
Then his tongue, oh, his delicious tongue flicked through her wanton folds. One hand was buried in his hair as her head flung back, the other gripped the headboard. “God, yes!” He sucked gently on her clit, his fingers entered her core. She cried out for more. Again and again, his skilled fingers plunged into her, his tongue teasing more pleasure from her, more cries of need.
An orgasm, stronger than she’d ever experienced, crested, washing over her. The ebb and flow of her climax kept her moaning for what seemed like ages. Finally, it waned, drifting away and the world refocused again.
He smiled up at her from between her thighs, his eyes still glowing.
“Get up here,” she said, pulling him towards her.
In moments, their clothes were flung to all corners of the room and they were naked before each other.
“You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever laid eyes on,” he said, looking her over.
God, he was glorious to look at. She reached out. Taught abs descended to a sexy V that led down to his enormous, steely cock. She slid her palm over his velvety helmet. He sucked air through his teeth, head rolling back. His hand peeled hers away, though. He leaned over, pinning her underneath him. “If I don’t bury myself in you right now, I’m going to explode.”
Hard to argue with that. He grabbed a condom from the nightstand and slipped it over his cock.