I turn and sprint, my boots pounding the pavement as I gain speed and the buildings pass by in a blur. Two blocks down, I glance over my shoulder, but Keller isn’t there. This chase is over before it even starts. Relief and disappointment battle for first place in the emotion challenge. Neither is the victor. There is no winner in this war I’ve waged against Keller. Only losers. Two of them.
I slow as my apartment building comes in sight and hide my smile by biting the inside of my cheek. Hard. Keller didn’t disappear after all. He’s sporting a sexy half-grin and I know he knows I’m happy to see him. Not all of me. Just a few parts of me. I don’t think he cares.
I completely ignore him and walk up the stairs. I turn the key in the lock, shove my door open and leave it that way. I will have that shower. What Keller does is up to him. Like I said, I’m weak where he’s concerned. My body craves his kiss so badly I’m shaking. I fumble with the shower knobs. A strong hand covers mine and turns the hot water on. I silently remove all the blades from my body, set them aside and then step into the shower, boots and all. I’m a total vamp junkie and I know it. Thankfully, my addiction is exclusive.
Husky laughter mixes with steam, enveloping me in heat. The hot water eases the strain of my sore muscles. I lay my cheek against the cool tile, enjoying the contrast of temperature. My eyes are closed, but I know he’s about to join me and I can’t stop my breath from hitching. I hear the slide of his zipper, the pull of jeans over skin. I smell his strength—it’s everywhere—and I shiver. Strong and familiar arms slide around my waist and Keller pulls me to him. I lean against him and don’t move. He kisses the top of my head and something about the tenderness of the moment has tears sliding down my cheeks.
Keller turns me around and lifts me off my feet. I can’t look at him. He doesn’t demand that I do. I feel cool lips on mine, and I sigh. That is enough for him. He kisses me now, slow, sensual. Panic stirs in my soul, but Keller shushes me with his consuming embrace. Setting me back on my feet, he slowly undresses me, exposing more than the flesh of my body. Still, my eyes are closed. This only adds to the sensations, allowing me to focus on the way his hands feel against my skin.
I’m naked now.
I’m freezing.
I’m on fire.
I’m so confused. I want what can never be. What I won’t allow. If I’m with Keller, I have to be who he wants me to be, not who I truly am. But I can take this moment in time. And this time will be the last. It has to be. Finally I open my eyes and lift my face. Keller stares down at me. He rocks my core. I reach up and trace the hard lines of his face. He doesn’t move, just waits for me to finish my exploration. His body is so hard, so perfect, so addicting, so dangerous. I grab his neck and yank him down for a kiss. This moment will have to last me for eternity. I’m going to make the most of it. I’m going to show him how un-weak I am.
I’m ravenous, fusing my mouth to his, my tongue dancing across his teeth until I feel him smile. A playful nip before his tongue grazes mine, and it’s all over. I arch against him. He slides his hands down my back and over my ass to lift me up so I can lock my legs around his waist. Like the hot water and the cool tiles, his hard body feels amazing against my softer one. Keller has always said how much he likes my curves. Those words ring true as skilled hands travel over every inch of my body. Gentle one moment, rough and demanding the next. Keller reads me so well. He always has. How he knows just what I want, and how I want it—he increases my need to feel him inside me. And just like that, he glides in with one smooth push. I still. He stills. I feel him throbbing against me, a mirror echo of the pounding of my heart.
I begin to move and Keller matches me thrust for thrust. With my back pressed against the shower wall, water sluices over us like the most extravagant of waterfalls, instead of the crappy shower with poor water pressure that it truly is. Keller’s ability to turn the most ordinary into something fantastical almost makes up for our differences. Almost. I bite my lip and shut down my brain.
Keller cradles my face in his hands. “We’re good together, Josephine. We belong together. How can you not see that?”
How can I argue when every move he makes doubles my pleasure? “Shhh,” I say against his lips. “Don’t talk.” Talking will only turn into arguing. I don’t want to argue. I want to feel. I want to escape into a world where only Keller and I exist. Where our differences no longer matter.
A moan tears from my lips when Keller moves from my mouth to my neck, one fang grazing the tender flesh just below my ear. I know what’s coming. I should stop him, but I can’t. I don’t want to. My body becomes frantic, writhing against him as he pounds into me.
“Yes, that’s it. Say yes.” Keller licks my ear. “Tell me you want it as badly as I do.”
His whisper nearly causes me to climax. I squeeze my legs, pulling him deeper.
He moves his mouth to the other side, torturing, tormenting, demanding that I respond. I shake my head, unwilling to admit not only how much I want his bite, but also how much I want him.
Keller slows to languid strokes that are no less demanding. “It’s okay,” he croons in that sexy accent that always affects me in the most basic way. “I already know.”
The only answer I give is a slight tilt of my head, exposing the full length of my neck. Keller smiles against my throat, drags his lips across my skin. I sigh. He pierces. I scream as ecstasy courses through my entire body like a tidal wave hell bent on destruction. Keller tenses, moans, consumes my blood as if it’s a gift from the gods. Ambrosia. My climax hits hard. He continues to drink, drawing out my orgasm until at last and all too soon his body tenses. A growl erupts, breaking past his lips just as he licks his bite closed. That simple act has me moaning. So intimate. So delicious.
The water grows cold. Without a word, Keller shuts off the shower and carries me to the bed where he proceeds to lick every drop of moisture off of me. My body responds in ways that I never thought possible. Maybe he’s right. Even if I can’t be with him, maybe I belong to him. Body and soul.
Chapter Four
When I wake, Keller is gone. My heart feels as empty as the bed, like a wolf craving her mate. I ignore the tug of longing, swing my legs around and plant my feet on solid ground. I’m thankful he’s not here. Being alone gives me at least a few moments to collect my thoughts and decide on a course of action. I’m not like most girls. I don’t feel used. If anything, I used him.
Didn’t I?
I really don’t know anymore.
One thing I do know is that Keller is in town for a reason, and it’s not to play music or to satiate my wanton desires. I’ve learned to listen to my gut, and my gut is screaming he’s here for another reason entirely—has been screaming since he’d snuck up behind me in the bar. I’m just a side note. An important one, but a side note nonetheless.
As I dress, I realize Sage is probably in on this in a bigger way than I had initially thought. That hurts. I’ve always trusted her. We’ve always trusted each other. Never once have I questioned that. It bothers me that I’m questioning it now and I wonder who’s to blame.
I stab my feet into a pair of black leggings, drag a bright pink long-sleeved tee over my head and drop onto the bed to pull on a pair of black cowboy boots. Thoughts of betrayal creep in, and any lingering pleasure my body feels from Keller’s touch gives way to tightening muscles. I stretch my neck to one side and then the other, but the kinks remain. A painful reminder of what I have to do.
On most days, I’ve got my make-up application down to five minutes. Today takes only three. Running a comb through my hair, I decide to reserve judgment on Sage. I won’t know what she knows until I ask her. Which is something I plan to do—I glance at the clock—in the next fifteen minutes. I retrieve my blades from the bathroom and swear I only stare at the shower for a second. But that’s all it takes to start the flashbacks to this morning. The phrase damn Keller is permanently perched on my tongue these days.
The streets are already crowded and it’
s barely noon. The sounds of country music and jovial people surround me. Normally the infectious vibe would have me dancing in the streets right along with the other partiers. Today is a day for celebration, after all. Bright colored streamers decorate the light poles. Local actors are dressed in festive costumes, representing country music legends of past and present. The tourists eat it up, taking advantage of a plethora of photo-ops.
What their cameras won’t catch are the lurkers, the nasties that walk amongst the innocents. I see them though. They know I’m watching. Some take a wide berth; others offer me a wicked smile. A couple of djinns with genetic issues flick their poisonous serpent tongues out at me, forcing me to sidestep out of the way. One giant troll dressed in grungy overalls crouches in front of me and tries to get me to make eye contact with his third eye. Instant death. Only a newbie would fall for that trick. Other than that, they seem to be behaving. That won’t last. I need to hurry. I’ve got to get this conversation with Sage out of the way and then get on the streets. I shove through the growing crowd as politely as I can.
My neck tingles with warning.
I turn, but if someone is watching me, I can’t tell who. I clench my fists at my sides to keep my itchy fingers from rubbing my neck. No way am I giving the creep the satisfaction. Instead, I opt for scratching the back of my head with my middle finger and just keep walking. Childish, but a personal victory nonetheless.
Sage is hard at work behind the bar at Wolfie’s. Normally I wouldn’t see her until the sun sets, but Ostara has temporarily changed that. The place is slammed, patrons vying for the last few spots of standing room only. Doesn’t matter. I need answers and I doubt Keller will give them to me.
Sage sees me and offers a weak smile, while perfectly pouring a tall one from the tap, angling it just enough to keep the beer head to a minimum. She slides the glass down the bar to a customer. I wedge between two cowboys. “I need to talk to you,” I call to Sage.
Her mouth pulls down in a frown. “Now? Kinda busy here.” She offers her palm in a what-can-I-do gesture.
Not buying it. “Two minutes. That’s all I need.”
Sage sighs and wipes her hands on the rag she has tucked in her back pocket. After telling another bartender she’ll be back, Sage crawls under the bar door and walks over to me. “What’s up?”
This isn’t the ideal spot to hold a conversation, especially not one as important as this one, but I don’t have a choice. More people are filing in and it would take too much time to fight the crowd to have a private discussion in the office upstairs. Taking a deep breath, I whisper in Sage’s ear. “Truth,” I say. “Why is Keller here?”
She stiffens then slowly lets out a breath. Her eyes find mine and I know she won’t lie. She’ll never lie to me, and I feel guilty that I’d ever thought it. “The Assembly sent him.”
My face heats as if I’ve been slapped. “Why?” I ask, though I think I already know.
Her shoulders slump a little. “To form a team to negotiate a peaceful alliance between the light and dark lore.”
Forget the virtual face slap. Someone just stuck a dagger in my heart, and twisted it in good and tight. She knows this is what I want for myself. I blink several times and look past a guilt-stricken Sage out to the crowded street. Tendrils of black smoke rise from the sidewalk like crooked fingers beckoning a weak soul. I’m not weak, damn it. I’m not. And I’m not about to let someone else take credit for all the hard work I put in convincing the Assembly in the first place.
The crowd roars their approval as if the smoke is all part of the show. Before I can figure out what it is, the smoke curls into itself and disappears. Whatever it is, it can’t be good.
Time is ticking. I’ve always known that Ostara would be the prime time to get the document signed. The Spring Equinox gives a slight advantage to the light creatures because after midnight, the scales are tipped to the side of light until the Fall Equinox. That the Assembly sent an outsider into my city rather than make me the lead has jealousy sitting like a fiery rock in the pit of my stomach.
Sage grabs my hand and squeezes. “I’m so sorry, Josie.”
I withdraw my hand from her grasp. “So am I.”
“Please,” she implores. “Talk to Keller. He’ll explain everything.”
I shake my head, already heading toward the door. “There’s nothing he can say.”
I know what I need to do.
* * *
Cross—my current arch nemesis and someone I’ve vowed to destroy—lives on the outskirts of Nashville. His home is not what one would picture for a drug lord vampire. The modest ranch is in need of fresh paint. Half-dead shrubs line the perimeter. I’ve never been on the inside, though I’ve been invited on more than one occasion. Today will be a day of firsts.
If all goes well, this will also be a day of lasts. The last damn time the Assembly doubts me. I will get Cross to agree to sign this treaty. No matter what it takes. Once he does, my hope is that other dark lore will sign, too—albeit begrudgingly, I’m sure. Cross is a leader. Not a good one, if you ask me, but leaders come in all sorts.
“State your business,” says one of the drug lord’s vamp security guards flanking the front door. Their all-black attire makes their pale, stark faces look even closer to death. That’s the way Cross likes them. Just this side of zombie. How he manages it is beyond me, other than keeping the blood supply to a minimum. And by minimum I mean almost non-existent.
I relax my stance. I’ve tangled with them and their brethren on numerous occasions. They know who I am, but I can play nice when I have to. The comforting weight of my daggers reassures me that I’m ready should this strategy fail.
“Just visiting, fellas,” I say with a toothy smile. “Do me a fave and tell your boss I’d like to speak with him.”
They laugh as if they share an inside joke. “You want to speak to Cross?”
Hmm…could swear that’s what I just said. I nod. “Yes, please.” The word please tastes rotten on my tongue. I keep smiling anyway.
The smile is not returned. The vamps have a silent conversation with each other courtesy of telepathy. I know this because I see the air between them crinkle slightly, like a handmade fan a child makes in art class. Only instead of paper, this fan is made from air frequencies.
Being still doesn’t suit me. Energy swirls beneath my skin, ready for action. I bite my tongue and wait it out. Reacting to their lack of urgency will not serve my purpose. Still, I swear the sun will set and rise again before they either let me in or deny my request.
My tongue is bleeding now and I swallow. Blood tastes like blood to me. Always has. I wonder what it tastes like to Keller. Damn. I’ve gone somewhere I don’t need to go. I know it’s not really fair to label what he’s done as betrayal, considering I never told him I wanted to be the leader. I never told him anything other than a hundred different versions of back off. Either way, it’s now clearer than ever that Keller has no place in my life. I wish my heart felt the same way.
Someone sniffs. I look up. The vamps’ eyes are wide, electric. They scent my blood. Dangerous, dangerous territory I’m skirting here. I keep my mouth locked tight and breathe through my nose to keep the blood scent contained as much as possible.
My head starts to pulse. I recognize the pain for what it is and curse my stupidity. Drinking my blood always temporarily opens a connection between Keller and I. I’d forgotten that until now. I feel his soft mental push sorting, sifting, trying to locate me. No doubt he’s spoken to Sage and knows I know. I slam that door closed and do my best to wait patiently for the door in front of me to open.
At last, it does.
I step over the threshold. The door bangs shut behind me. Locks click into place. I pretend not to notice even as doubts finagle their way into my mind. Meeting with Cross alone is not the wisest idea I’ve ever had. He’s killed more than I have. But anger propelled me to this place and I have to see it through, or die trying. Preferably the former, please and thank yo
u.
I find Cross lounging on a leather sofa, three women draped over his body in an opulent room befitting a king. The outward appearance of his home is nothing more than a smokescreen. For the first time—ever—I stifle an eye roll. His pale hair is cropped short. Ice-blue eyes study me before he offers a wisp of a smile.
“To what do I owe this pleasure, Ms. Hawk?” The three strumpets don’t spare me a glance. Perhaps Cross has them under persuasion. That wouldn’t surprise me in the least. Though in all honesty, I can see why they’re attracted to him. He is rather striking in a very lethal kind of way. Ancient power practically radiates from his pores.
I wet my lips. “I have a business matter to discuss with you.” He doesn’t offer me a seat. I take one anyway. I may be scared out of my gourd, but I don’t have to act like it. I lean back in the armless chair as if I’m in a good friend’s home.
Cross arches a brow and slowly drags his gaze from my face to my toes and up again, assessing, gauging, calculating. “What is it you propose?”
His tone is nice enough. But those eyes… “Yeah, about that. Any chance we can speak privately? They,” I tilt my head toward the women, “are a bit distracting.”
“Are they?”
“Very.”
“Maybe you’d be less distracted if you joined us?” His lips curve into a full-out, wicked smile.
Now I’m annoyed. “Look. If all you’re going to do is answer me with questions, this is a waste of my time.” It was a big mistake coming here. Cross won’t help me. Even if it will benefit him. Not that he’ll ever know. We’ll never get past phase one if he keeps rocking the bullshit vibe.
Cross stands quickly and sends his threesome crashing to the floor. They giggle and I gag. Get a life already.
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