Of A Darker Nature

by Clay, Michelle

  “What do you boys have in the trunk of your car? It’s making an awful racket and beginning to draw attention.” Jai Li's dark eyes studied the two men.

  The guy in the plaid shirt smiled and shifted his weight from foot to foot. The wolf-man answered instead. “That would be our bargaining chip.”

  The fact that Evan had just walked through the door hadn’t registered with the others yet. Marcus kept his eye on his friend and an attentive ear on the werewolf.

  “I figure you’ll want to talk to this fellow and be willing to pay us more money to do it.”

  “And why would we want to talk to him?” Marcus asked, with a raise of his left brow. These two weasels were working his last nerve. The last few jobs he threw their way, they’d given him the same runaround. The mistress paid them well if she needed their services. They were just greedy.

  “He’s one of the witches you had us spying on,” said the one in the plaid shirt. Eagerness oozed from him, and he inched closer. His enthusiasm reminded Marcus of a dog waiting for a ball to be thrown. “He probably knows where Starr is hiding out. I bet he could lead you right to her.”

  Jai Li laughed, the sound barely audible over the new song playing. This track had an obnoxious bass line and screeching guitar. Marcus felt confident the singer was trying to match the intensity of the stringed instrument with his voice.

  Taking a hint from Jai Li’s behavior, Marcus said, “I think you’re full of shit, boys. He doesn’t know anything, or you would’ve already told me.”

  “Do you really want to chance it?” A slight twitch at the corner of the wolf’s right eye gave him away.

  “Nice try. If you pull this shit again, we’ll not only drop you from the payroll, but neuter you. Get the hell out of here.”

  Jai Li laid a manicured hand on the guy’s arm. “You might want to clean the mess out of your trunk. It’ll probably stain.”

  “It’s a rental,” the piggy quipped. Together he and the wolf pushed past a throng of people on their way toward the door. “Those two never give up, do they?” Corey ran a hand through stiff spikes of hair.

  Jai Li smiled and flicked him on the nose. “Nope, they sure don’t. The guy in their trunk didn’t have the first clue. They must have grabbed him off the street on their way here. I erased his memory and sent him on his way.”

  “You think they were telling the truth about the building?” Corey moved aside, allowing Evan to squeeze past now that he’d joined them.

  Marcus shook his head. “Jim may be a weasel in wolf’s clothing, but he knows better than to fuck up a job.”

  Everyone including Evan made their way to a table in the back. Marcus wanted to get a feel for the crowd tonight, see if there was anyone of interest amongst the mass of gyrating bodies. Besides, he had time to kill.

  “Is everything okay?” Evan wanted to know.

  Marcus scanned the crowd. “Uh huh, why wouldn’t it be?”

  Evan shrugged and indicated the bottle Marcus was holding with a tilt of the head. “You’ve got a dopey smile on your face and you're about to take a drink of my beer.”

  Huh, he hadn’t noticed. He sat the bottle aside. Drinking something other than blood wouldn't hurt him, but it would give him a stomach ache from hell.

  The crowd parted, and a familiar face lingered near the lighted bar.

  Marcus looked again, and she was no longer there. Interesting.

  The group talked about many things, most of which had nothing to do with the witch or Isabella.

  Evan grew quiet when they headed toward the gravel parking lot. He snagged Marcus’s sleeve. “Aside from last night, has there been any trouble?”

  He spared a glance at Corey, who was practically salivating at the idea of juicy gossip regarding Emily. He looked a little let down at Marcus’s answer. “None. It’s been kind of boring on the home front.”

  Marcus’s cell vibrated against his hip and played the first few tones of some asinine tune Evan had programmed. He grimaced, decided the song needed updated in the worst way, then answered.

  Finished speaking with Emily, he tucked it back into his pocket. The others followed him to his car, reluctant to see him go.

  “Hey, why don’t you guys make yourselves useful and find out what Chad and Watts were doing at Emily’s today.” Though there was a teasing quality to his voice, he could rest assured they would do what he asked.

  Corey's face colored. “Isabella sent for her, but I assumed it was just to make sure you really hadn't hurt her.”

  “I see. What about Scott? Learn anything there?”

  Corey shook his head. “Do you really think he’s the one disposing of our kind? I mean, we watched him for the better part of a week and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. He kind of seems like he has a stick up his ass.”

  Jai Li grimaced and brushed the hair out of her eyes. “He’s squeaky clean. He comes and goes a lot. I’ve followed, but all he does is meet with the shifters. I have never seen the witch or her people with him.”

  Marcus nodded. He might not like Scott, but he never believed he was the one disposing of vampires. “I also want someone watching Emily’s sister. You can send human security if you want.”

  “Why?” Jai Li demanded. Her petite features screwed into a scowl. She ducked her head and tried again. “I mean, why is she of interest? Has something happened?”

  “Starr's people roughed her up and threatened Emily. If something happens to her, Emily might become reckless.”

  Jai Li gave him a look that radiated disapproval. “Okay, you can count on us.”

  ***

  Marcus killed the engine. “You’re quiet tonight. Did something happen at work?”

  Emily’s gaze was miles away. “I’m fine. Just a little spooked.”

  He followed her inside and plopped down on the couch next to her. Emily picked up the remote to flip through channels. Finally, she stopped on a colorized classic.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” He stretched his legs beneath the coffee table. None of Starr’s people had contacted her. Beau was under strict orders to call if anything strange happened or if any of the coven members showed up.

  Emily didn’t take her blank stare from the screen. They watched the movie in silence for a few minutes. Unease skittered through him when she dropped her head into her hands and sighed.

  “What happened?” He scooted closer and put his arm around her shoulders. Though her body tensed at his touch, she didn’t move away or protest.

  “The guy I read tonight was an alcoholic. He put someone in the hospital a few years ago because he was driving drunk.” Emily pressed her face against his shirt. “Tonight he was drunk again. He didn’t hurt anyone. He just veered off the road into a tree.”

  Marcus frowned, not quite understanding.

  Emily reminded him of how she lost her parents and why her sister hated her. Her green eyes shimmered with tears. Even the silly antics of the scarecrow on television couldn’t cheer her now.

  “Why did you read him?”

  “I didn't realize my nail punctured the glove until I touched him.” She laid her head back against his shoulder, exposing her throat.

  Damn, the girl liked to tease his willpower.

  “Seeing his past made me think of what happened to my mom and dad. It reminded me of how a simple decision can change your life in an instant. I wish I’d never come back. It was stupid to think everything would be okay—that I could start over and be happy.”

  “Tell me what happened in Arizona, Freckles.”

  “The biggest mistake of my life.” Emily snorted with mock laughter. “I ran off with my high school sweetheart after graduation.”

  He studied the contours of her face in the flickering light.

  “Instead of getting a real job, Greg looked for easy money. He used my gift to get it. I did despicable things, Marcus. I told people whatever they wanted to hear, regardless of what I saw. If the deceased left behind any money, Greg wanted to
know so he could exploit their family. I willingly gave him the information.”

  Marcus stroked fingers through the soft strands of her hair. After a few moments, her body relaxed against his.

  “He broke my arm the first time I tried to leave him. He broke two of my ribs and fractured my wrist the next time. After that, I started saving every dollar I could hide. It took a couple years, but I finally saved enough to get a ticket home. I never told anyone about what he did. Not even my parents or Liz.”

  “Where is he now?” Marcus clenched his jaw, and his chest tightened. The monster had better be far, far away.

  “I have no idea.” Emily pulled her legs up onto the couch and laid her cheek against his chest. “Sometimes I wish I didn’t have this curse.”

  She laughed, but it sounded dangerously close to more tears. It was enough to jerk his attention away from the television. In the last few minutes, he’d begun to think he ought to go do a perimeter check or something, anything to get away from this wounded creature. Instead, he dropped his arm around her and drew her closer.

  “I can’t find a way to get rid of it,” Emily whispered. “I’d do almost anything to be rid of it.”

  A little gnat of worry buzzed at the back of his brain. Would she make a deal with Starr Carter if the witch promised to take away her seeing-touch?

  Scooting off the couch, Emily paced in front of the television. He reached for her, but she moved just out of reach. “You have no idea how it feels to be overwhelmed by each and every fear, every emotion, every memory, want and need. Seeing it is terrible, but feeling what they feel…that's what kills me.”

  “Come here.”

  Emily continued pacing. “That’s what tears me up inside. I don’t just see every broken memory. Every death, sadness or lost happiness. I also feel it. It’s just too much to take.”

  “Come here,” Marcus repeated.

  “What?” She swiped the back of a hand across her cheek. “Why?”

  He patted the cushion next him. “Come on.”

  Emily eased onto the couch. “What are you up to?”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a sort of embrace. “See anything?”

  “You know I can’t read you.” Her shoulders relaxed a little. She laid an arm across his stomach then nuzzled her cheek against his neck.

  “Exactly.” He extended his legs and got comfortable. Though she might not realize what she wanted, he could see the need burning in her eyes. She wanted to belong. She needed to be normal. With crystal clarity, he knew he’d chosen the correct path to get what he wanted…everything he wanted.

  His fingers followed the curve of her spine. On their next pass, he ran his hand up the back of her shirt. He needed to feel her smooth, warm skin against his palm.

  Emily pressed tentative lips against his neck. Her breath was warm and oddly sensual.

  Blood rushed south, demanding attention. Maybe he should just go outside, cool off and get his thoughts straightened out. He doubted the butterfly kisses on his neck and jaw meant anything. She’d had a rough night. She wasn’t thinking straight and to do anything more would be taking advantage of her. Damn, did he want to do more.

  She swung a long leg over his and settled on his lap. Her knees sank into the cushions on either side of his hips, bringing her sex down on top of his. Her gaze met his and he recognized desire burning in their emerald green depths.

  “What are you doing, Emily?” His fingers skimmed her hips and ran down the curve of her buttocks.

  “Make me forget.” She shifted, rubbing herself against him.

  “Persuasion doesn’t work on you, remember?” Because if it did, he would have already gotten everything he wanted from this beautiful, tantalizing woman.

  Emily lowered her mouth to his in a questioning kiss. The wary trust in her eyes was like a gut punch. She wanted to lose herself with him, and all he could think about was how much he’d hurt her. When it was all said and done, all he could offer her was his body, nothing more. He couldn’t promise his eternal, undying love. She was a human, not meant to last. Food.

  Her lips curved against his. “There’s other ways to take my mind off things.”

  “Emily.”

  She ignored the warning in his voice. Her fingers tickled up his ribs then smoothed across his chest.

  This whole situation would be a lot easier if he didn’t give a shit about her. The problem was he not only wanted Emily physically, but he was beginning to experience strange emotions for her as well. She was in his daydreams, in his every thought. Somehow she’d gotten under his skin, and he didn’t know what to do about it.

  His hands framed her face, guided her to his mouth. He devoured her, couldn’t get enough of her taste. A rush of possessiveness overcame him, and he wanted to claim her wholly. He wanted to explore every part of her body until they both screamed for release. Who was he kidding? He wanted to fuck her all night then let her fall asleep in his arms.

  “I need to touch you.” Her warm breath tickled his ear.

  He gritted his teeth and ignored the urge to push her onto the couch and bury himself deep inside. “Touch me all you like.”

  Emily pulled the shirt over his head and tossed it over the back of the couch. Her fingers trailed through the fine hair on his chest then dipped lower.

  Marcus loved the intent, hungry expression on her face. He gripped the cushions, reluctant to touch her just yet. He wanted to prolong this ecstatic feeling. Emily might come to her senses at any moment and call a stop to it. And if she didn’t, he wasn’t entirely sure he could control himself with her.

  Her nimble fingers wrestled the waistband of his jeans. Within moments, she’d freed him from them. Instead of touching him, she sat back and stared at his erection. He was so hard, it hurt. It took every ounce of willpower to keep his hands and teeth off her.

  “Baby, please…”

  Emily’s hand closed around him. Her touch was gentle, inquisitive at first.

  Marcus groaned with pained pleasure then allowed his head to fall back. He gripped the cushions in an effort to control himself.

  She stared at him through lowered lashes, a mischievous smile on her face. Her fist tightened around his cock, and her hand moved with slow, sure strokes. He tensed beneath her and moaned when everything within him grew to a maddening intensity.

  Emily crushed her mouth against his, delighting in the growls of pleasure she brought him.

  He had to touch her, couldn’t withstand much more. He’d explode in her hand if he didn’t stop her now. And damn it, her hand was not where he wanted to let go.

  Marcus removed her shirt to reveal breasts encased in a whisper of peach lace. Pulling her forward, he took a nipple in his mouth. His lips and tongue worked the taut bud of flesh until Emily purred with pleasure. She was ready for the taking.

  Emily reached this knowledge at the same time he did. She crawled off him only long enough to remove the rest of her clothing.

  She stood in front of him in all her glory.

  “Beautiful,” he murmured with a smile.

  Emily shucked the jeans from his legs then pushed him back onto the cushions. She stared at his cock then licked her lips. He almost lost it right then.

  This time when she straddled him, his hands helped guide her hips. She lowered herself, biting her lower lip as he slid deep inside. The silken softness of her sex swallowed him, devoured him whole. He groaned as the inner walls of her pussy stretched to accommodate him.

  His mouth was at the hollow of her throat as he allowed her a moment to adjust to his size. Hands on her hips, he brought her down onto his full length.

  Emily rocked back, forcing him to balance her with one hand at the back of her neck. This new angle must have allowed him to touch something deep within. Her green eyes focused on him, and she made the sexiest sound he’d ever heard. Within moments, she was rocking and gyrating her hips.

  “Oh fuck, Freckles.” He surged between her thighs
, eager to please.

  She was so tight, warm and wet around him. Her heat enveloped him, gripped him, and he was beyond thinking of much else. This was the sweetest surrender, something he’d never experienced before with a human. Sure, he’d had sex with plenty, but Emily was different somehow.

  Lost in the pleasure they’d found together, Emily rocked against him. No longer able to keep up with his rhythm, she leaned forward to grab his shoulder. She threaded the fingers of her other hand through his hair, then dragged him toward her greedy mouth.

  One of his hands tangled in her hair, and he kissed her deeply. Pleasured pain tore through every nerve ending and settled in his cock. It made his desire a fury that could barely be contained. Each time she raised her hips, he thrust deeper, harder. He wanted to push her onto the couch, take control and come inside her. It took every last bit of determination not to.

  Marcus was no longer in control of anything. Not his mind, his body or even the mind-blowing sensations flooding through him. He was so lost in Emily right now, and he never wanted to be found.

  He clenched his teeth to keep from sinking fangs deep into her creamy flesh. The bliss became unbearable. He never wanted it to stop, yet his body begged for release.

  Emily’s breathing became throaty gasps, and she cried out his name. She met him thrust for thrust, taking everything he had. Both hands gripped his shoulders and her nails dug in. Her pretty little cunt tightened around him, and she cried out in orgasm. He followed close behind.

  She looped her arms around his neck and lay against his chest. Caressing his face with trembling fingers, she practically purred against him.

  Marcus wrapped his arms around her, still buried inside. He breathed in her scent and kissed her neck. She was a delicious mix of sex, blood, and Emily.

  She nestled into the hollow of his shoulder. “That was…”

  He tensed, bracing himself for “a mistake” or some other word to nullify what they’d just experienced together.