Nightshift

by Kate Douglas

  It sounded like an ordinary thing to do, but Roni still suspected something wasn’t quite right with Jay. For now, she decided to go along with him and hope he would confide in her later. “Do you have popcorn at home?”

  “Absolutely. A movie isn’t complete without popcorn.”

  “Then I vote for the DVD. Your father and Flora can watch it with us.”

  “Deal.”

  Jay stood at the window to his office, looking out at the softly falling rain. The weather matched his mood. He’d been down and depressed ever since Roni left Sunday morning.

  He’d thrown himself into work the last two days, working with Troy and the design team to be sure all would be ready for the August first release. The few bugs Troy had mentioned had been resolved. Everything looked good for their newest babies to be released on time.

  The fact that things had come together so smoothly made him happy, but didn’t satisfy him. Nothing would satisfy Jay until he could be with Roni again.

  It had to be a coincidence that she came into his life when JEMATAR started having hacker problems. Just because her family worked in computer security didn’t mean she had anything to do with the attempted assault on JEMATAR’s system. She would never do anything to hurt him.

  He’d bet his life on that.

  Warning bells had gone off in his head when Roni told him her family’s business had to do with computer security. Who better to get into a computer than someone who knew how to keep people out of it? He’d soon realized he’d let Troy’s suspicions put doubts in his mind ... doubts that he had no right to feel. No matter what Troy believed, Jay knew better. His mate wouldn’t betray him.

  He’d spoken with her every night on the phone since she’d left Sunday. Not wanting to wait until tonight to hear Roni’s voice, Jay unclipped his cell phone from his belt and entered Roni’s number. She answered after the second ring.

  “Hi.”

  As always, the sound of her voice went straight to his cock. “Am I interrupting anything?”

  “Never.”

  He smiled at the pleased sound in her voice. “That’s good to know.”

  “You’re calling earlier than you usually do. Is something wrong?”

  “No. I just wanted to hear your voice. I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too,” she said softly.

  His wolf pawed and growled. It wanted its mate now. “I can’t stand being away from you. Come back.” He hurried on before she could argue with him. “It’s Memorial Day weekend. You could fly back here Friday and stay until Monday. I’ll make the flight arrangements and pick you up at the airport.” He gripped his phone tighter. “Please, Roni. I need you.”

  “Buying a ticket only two days before the flight will be very expensive.”

  “I don’t care about the cost. Hell, I’ll go buy a private plane and come for you if that will get you here.”

  She laughed, low and throaty. “I’m flattered you would go to so much expense for me.”

  “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. Will you come?”

  “I’m sure I will as soon as you put your hands on me.”

  Jay groaned and his cock twitched. “You’re evil, do you know that?”

  “You left yourself wide open with that question.”

  “Guilty as charged.” Her giggle made him smile. “So is that a yes?”

  “Yes.”

  The smile spread across Jay’s face. He stopped himself before he pumped his fist in the air. “I’ll make the reservation right now and call you back with the details.”

  “I don’t mind taking the red-eye Thursday night.”

  It pleased him that she was as eager to see him as he was to see her. “I’ll do my best. I’ll call you tonight.”

  “Okay. Bye.”

  Still smiling, Jay disconnected the call. He crossed his office and stuck his head out the door. April looked up from her desk at him.

  “I need you to make a flight reservation for me. DFW to SFO. Tomorrow night or early Friday morning.” His smile widened. “My mate is coming back.”

  Malcolm removed the earphones and took the sound amplifier from his dash. With his contacts, he was always able to get the latest and greatest toys. This particular toy let him hear through glass as clearly as if the person stood right next to him. He only had to point the amplifier at Jamieson Millington and he heard every bit of his conversation.

  He’d had other ... items to take care of before he could come to San Francisco. Now that all those other details were out of the way, he could concentrate on Millington. He smiled when he thought of the sweet commission he had been paid to kill this guy.

  Millington expected company tomorrow or Friday. That meant he’d be occupied with his ... whatever she was, and wouldn’t be on guard.

  Malcolm’s smile widened. Perfect.

  9

  Jay watched people file by him on their way to pick up their luggage. Roni should’ve been close to the front of the line. He’d bought her a ticket in the first-class section so she could get off the plane quickly. He wanted her back in his arms as soon as possible.

  It had been really stupid on his part not to talk to Roni about their future before she went back to Dallas. He had been high on love and hormones and finding his mate. He didn’t think about how much he would miss her, or how much his wolf would miss its mate. It had snapped and growled ever since Roni left.

  Jamieson had come to visit Jay, but also had business here in the Bay Area. Jay’s stepmother, Tara, had stayed behind in England. Jay didn’t know how his father did it, how he managed to stay away from his mate for so long. By the time Jamieson returned to England, he’d be away from Tara for almost two weeks. Five days away from Roni had Jay feeling lost and completely alone.

  A flash of dark hair caught his eye. Jay stood taller, trying to see if that dark hair belonged to Roni. She stepped from behind a man and into Jay’s direct line of vision. He would swear his heart swelled to twice its size at the sight of her. So did his cock.

  She wore a long-sleeved gray dress with a droopy cowl collar. The soft material flowed over her curves to just above her knees. He admired the hint of her nipples through the fabric and the way her breasts gently bounced as she walked.

  He had plans for those amazing breasts this weekend. And every other part of her.

  Her gaze locked with his. With a gentle smile curving her lips, she walked toward him. He met her halfway, slipped one arm around her waist. He couldn’t kiss her senseless the way he wanted to in front of all these people, so settled for a soft peck on her lips.

  “Hi.”

  She smiled. “Hi.”

  “Is this all of your luggage?”

  “Yes.”

  Relieving her of the wheeled carry-on she rolled behind her, he took her hand and led her toward the exit. “How was your flight?”

  “Wonderful. I didn’t know you were going to put me in first class.”

  “Nothing but the best for my lady.”

  He held the door open for her. Roni blinked at the bright sunshine. She pulled Jay to a stop. “Wait. I need my sunglasses.”

  While she removed her glasses from a case in her purse, Jay took the time to study her profile. Her breasts looked large and lush. He could see more than just a hint of her nipples now. She either wore a very sheer bra or none at all.

  Blood surged into his cock at the thought of Roni riding on a plane, walking through the airport, with only a thin layer of fabric covering her breasts. “Are you wearing a bra?”

  She turned her head toward him. He couldn’t see her eyes through the dark lenses, but he saw the vixen’s smile on her lips. “No.”

  “Panties?”

  “No.”

  Jay had to clear his throat before he could speak again. “You aren’t wearing anything beneath your dress?”

  “Not a stitch.”

  “Fuck,” he muttered.

  “That’s what I had in mind.”

  He grabbed her ha
nd. “C’mon.”

  Roni’s laughter tickled his ears as he tugged her through the parking lot toward his SUV. He’d brought it instead of his car, for he didn’t know how much luggage Roni would bring. Now he had a much better use for the large vehicle with the tinted windows.

  Luckily, he’d already lowered the backseat to make more room in the rear.

  Jay pressed the button on his key fob to unlock the back door. After placing Roni’s carry-on inside, he faced her. “Your turn.”

  She flashed him that vixen’s smile again before climbing into the back of the SUV. She sat on her heels, her hands on her thighs, looking prim and proper. Jay knew looks could be deceiving. He could already smell the delicious musk from her arousal. He followed her, closing the door behind them. He wasted no time in drawing her into his arms for a long kiss.

  The soft moan from Roni’s throat went straight to his balls. He drew her up to her knees, cupped her ass with one hand to hold her against him. She slipped one hand between their bodies and squeezed his cock.

  His control shattered. Jay jerked off Roni’s dress and tossed it aside. She did the same with his pullover. Not wanting to take the time to completely undress, Jay unfastened his belt and jeans. By the time he pushed them past his hips, Roni lay on her back, her legs spread wide. Hooking her knees over his elbows, he entered her with one thrust.

  There would be time for lovemaking later. Now Jay wanted to fuck. The way Roni dug her fingernails into his ass and met every thrust proved she felt the same way. He pounded into her wet channel and it still wasn’t enough. It wouldn’t be enough until he felt her beautiful cunt clamp onto his dick as if she never wanted to let him go.

  “Come for me, babe.” He nipped her earlobe, nibbled the sensitive spot beneath her ear. “I want to feel your pussy grab my cock when you come.”

  He’d barely said the last word when Roni shuddered beneath him and released a keening wail. The bite of pain from her fingernails in his ass gave him the final push he needed to follow her into mindless pleasure.

  “That was certainly a nice welcome.”

  Jay managed to push himself up on shaky arms so he could look in Roni’s face. “I aim to please.”

  Her smile reminded him of a woman who’d just devoured a huge piece of dark chocolate. “You aim very well.”

  “I promise we’ll make love later.”

  “Several times.”

  He liked her attitude. “I do love the way you think.”

  The sex had been hard and fast. The kiss he gave her was tender and gentle. “I missed you.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “I missed you, too.”

  “We have a lot to talk about.” He kissed her again, wiped away a tear that slid down her temple. “My father is in Monterey and I gave Flora the day off. She prepared one of her incredible casseroles and a huge Caesar salad before she left to spend the night with her sister. We’ll be all alone to talk.”

  “That sounds wonderful.”

  Jay’s soft cock slipped from her channel when he pulled away from her. Her feminine lips shone with her cream mixed with his cum. “We made a mess.”

  “We always do.” She motioned toward her carry-on. “There are some wet wipes in the outside pocket.”

  “I like a woman who’s prepared.”

  “I thought the no-underwear thing would get to you.”

  “It definitely got to me.”

  He cleaned himself first, then gently bathed Roni between her legs. Clothes once again righted, Jay helped Roni from the back of the SUV and walked her to the passenger side. After giving her one more soft kiss, he rounded the hood and climbed in behind the wheel.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked once he’d started the motor.

  “Not yet, but I’d love a cup of coffee.”

  “Do you want me to stop for it or make a pot at my house?”

  “I vote for your house.”

  Reaching across the console, Jay laid his hand over hers. “Since we’ll be all alone, there’s no reason for us to wear clothes.”

  “I hadn’t planned to.”

  Jay groaned, his cock jerked in his jeans. “Do you realize how many mental pictures just flashed through my mind?”

  She took his hand, molded it to her breast. “I hope they were all X-rated.”

  “Every one of them.”

  Roni chuckled, a wicked sound that made his cock jerk again. He squeezed her breast, pinched her nipple. “Okay. Clothes off as soon as we walk in the front door.”

  “Does that mean you’re going to fuck me in the foyer?”

  “Probably every room in the house before the weekend is over.”

  “Mmm, sounds good. I’ll definitely have more fun than my sister.”

  “Your sister?”

  “Samantha. I was scheduled to fly to Minneapolis yesterday for a meeting with a prospective client. I asked Sam if she’d go instead and I’ll take the next trip.”

  “She was okay with that?”

  “She was more okay than my brother. He’d already made flight and hotel reservations in my name, so had to scramble to change everything. Sometimes Clint can be way too serious.”

  “Clint. That’s your brother?”

  “The oldest. I have two others, Vince and Dean. We tease Dean about being an accident since he’s eight years younger than Samantha. The rest of us are only a year or two apart.”

  Jay smiled at her joke, but the smile quickly disappeared. Clint. He knew that name from somewhere. Maybe someone he went to school with, or a brand-new employee. He did his best to learn the name and face of every employee at JEMATAR, which wasn’t easy since the company employed hundreds of people.

  Mentally shrugging off the nagging feeling, Jay turned into his driveway. Wanting the quickest way possible into his house, he pulled up in front instead of parking in the garage. Roni had already stepped down from the SUV by the time he made it to her side. Hand in hand, he led her toward the door.

  The music of “Long Train Running” came from his cell phone. Jay stopped and groaned.

  “Troy?” Roni asked.

  “Yeah. I’m sorry. I have to answer it.”

  Smiling tenderly, she touched his cheek. “Go ahead. I’m going to walk to the back and enjoy the view of the water.”

  Jay watched the gentle sway of her hips while reaching for his phone. “What’s up, cuz?”

  “I’ve traced the hacker. He tried to get in again today, but I was ready this time. I traced him back to St. James Security in Dallas.”

  The nagging feeling came back with a vengeance, striking Jay between his shoulder blades. The guard from Highland Pack, the one who had sworn revenge for the death of their Alpha two years ago, had the same name as Roni’s brother.

  “That’s Roni’s family’s company, Jay.”

  “I know.”

  “You know,” Troy said flatly. “Funny how you forgot to tell me that.”

  “I didn’t forget. I didn’t think it was important.”

  “The rivalry between our pack and hers goes back four hundred years, Jay. That’s a lot of family history. Roni has to be behind this. She’s keeping you occupied with sex while her brother tries to destroy our company.”

  Jay rubbed his forehead. Roni couldn’t be involved in anything this evil. She loved him as much as he loved her.

  A memory flashed through his mind from last week. Roni had dropped her purse. When Jay bent down to help her retrieve the spilled items, he’d seen a small pistol. She’d told him she had a permit and carried the gun for protection since she traveled so much on her own. That made perfect sense to him and he hadn’t given the gun another thought.

  Until now.

  “What are you going to do?” Troy asked.

  “I don’t know.” All his thoughts were one big jumbled mess. “Let me think about it.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Nothing yet. I’ll call you later.”

  Jay disconnected the call and slowly walked toward Ro
ni. A wolf’s instincts were never wrong. His instincts told him she was his mate. Yet he couldn’t deny the hacking incidents had increased shortly before he and Roni met. And her brother carried the same name as the one who had threatened Jay via phone calls and letters.

  As if she felt his approach, she turned and smiled at him. Emotion clogged his throat at the sight of her beautiful smile. She couldn’t be behind any of this mess. She simply couldn’t.

  Roni fought to keep her smile from slipping when she saw the serious expression on Jay’s face. Something Troy had said must have upset Jay. She took a step toward him, stopped when she heard the whizz of a bullet. Jay’s body jerked and a shocked look filled his eyes. Two more bullets slammed into his back, one right after the other. Roni screamed as Jay fell facedown on the ground.

  Using her enhanced wolf’s vision, she saw movement in the trees. The shooter was getting away. She longed to shift and go after him, tear him apart with her wolf’s canines. Jay had to come first before her urge to destroy the one who hurt her mate. She ran to him and dropped to her knees beside him. With tears streaming down her face, she jerked off his shoes and socks.

  “Jay! You have to shift.” She knew he would heal much faster as a wolf if he could manage to shift. “Help me get your clothes off. Jay, please! You have to shift to save yourself.”

  The sight of the blood seeping into his shirt made her tears fall faster. “Jay, please!”

  “My ... phone. Call doctor. Bri-Brian Hutton.”

  Roni frantically looked over the ground, searching for Jay’s cell phone, which had flown out of his hand when he fell. Finally locating it, she hurried back to Jay. He’d managed to roll to his side and unfastened his belt and jeans. His normal olive complexion had turned a chalky white, his eyes dull and pain filled. Roni finished the job of jerking off his jeans. She cringed when she carefully removed his shirt and saw the three bullet holes in his upper back.

  “A-alarm code for ... back door. One zero one ni-nine two nine.”

  His voice trailed off as he shifted. He looked at her with those dark wolf eyes, then they slid shut.