Sophia had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud. Clint might be a lot of things but not gay. There was absolutely no doubt about his sexual orientation.
“You should go thank him,” Rebecca said when Diane walked away. She was barely concealing her grin.
Sophia looked at the bar and saw Clint watching her. She waved at him.
“He doesn’t look like a wave is going to do it,” Bec told her. “I think an in-person visit would be more appropriate.”
“Go on.” Logan was smiling at her. “I think it’s cute.”
“Remind me to smack you,” she muttered, sliding out of the booth. She hated conducting any phase of her personal life in front of other people, especially the Night Seekers and even more especially her sister.
“You don’t look too happy to see me.” Clint’s voice was pitched low but she could still hear him over the usual babble of voices.
“You know, my sister will never shut up about it. Besides, I didn’t think you wanted anyone to know about us. I thought that was the point of sneaking into my room at night.”
He surprised her by reaching across the bar and taking her hand. “Maybe I just don’t want anyone else poaching on my territory.”
She couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up. “First of all, I didn’t realize that I was your territory. Secondly, I’m here to do a job. Have you forgotten?”
His face sobered at once. “That isn’t something I’d be likely to forget. And I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. You may not have noticed my social skills leave a lot to be desired.”
She grinned at him. “Then it’s a good thing they aren’t what attracts me to you. Thanks for the drinks, by the way.”
“My pleasure, chere.” He gave her an uncharacteristic wink. “You might want to get a little rest when you get back to your room.”
Heat rushed through her body and a surge of moisture dampened her panties. “Are you telling me I’ll need it?”
The look in his eyes was pure lust. “But certainment, chere. And the steak sandwich is the special tonight.”
“Get any good tips on the food?” Logan asked when she came back to the booth.
“The steak sandwich. And quit grinning like an idiot.”
* * * * *
“I didn’t sense anything tonight in The Crown,” Logan said as he parked the car at the motel. “I tried, Sophia, but like I said earlier. If there is a shifter and he or she doesn’t want to be detected there are many ways to mask the scent.”
“I’d think the combination of grease and alcohol filling the air at that place would be enough to hide anyone. Or anything.” She caught herself. “Sorry, Logan. I didn’t mean that to come out the way it sounded. No offense intended.”
“And none taken.” He locked the SUV and leaned against the front bumper. “In fact, I’m amazed at the way you and Dante have simply accepted the rest of us as nothing out of the ordinary.”
Sophia shrugged. “Craig explained it carefully to us when we were recruited. And my guess is he didn’t approach anyone to whom he thought it would be a problem.”
“Still, most humans would have run for the hills as fast as they could.”
She tilted her head up at him. “I actually find it kind of fascinating. I think Dante does, too.”
He dropped his eyes to the ground where the toe of one boot was rubbing at a tiny clump of snow. “I know we’ve seen it already with two members of Night Seekers, but do you think another human would react, well, weirdly if they found out someone they were dating was, you know, a shifter?”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Are you seeing someone, Logan? I don’t know when you’d have the time.” Then her brain kicked in. “You’re talking about Rebecca, aren’t you? You want to ask her out.”
“Ask her out is a little complicated, especially since we’re in the middle of this situation and don’t exactly have time for a social life. But yeah, I’d like to spend a little time with her.”
Sophia laughed. “I’d say my sister is pretty open-minded about everything. I can’t predict her reaction but I have discussed the team with her. And she accepts the existence of shifters.”
“But would she—”
She held up her hand. “No details, please. You’re on your own. I’ll remind you that she has a job and a life here so keep that in mind. But if you found the opportunity to spend any time with her before we leave, I’d be straight with her. She’s not like your average run-of-the-mill human.” She laughed. “Not at all.”
“And you, Sophia? What if you met someone you connected with and found out he was a shifter?”
“I’ve learned enough since the team was put together. I see how a relationship like that can work. All I have to do it look at Jonah and Dakota. So for me, I think it would depend on the individual and whether we had the right chemistry together. And whether I would want him if he wasn’t a shifter.”
“Well. Okay. Thanks.”
She punched him affectionately on the arm. “Let’s get this beast out of the way. Then you can see what happens, okay?”
He grinned. “Okay. Better get your beauty sleep while you can. You might be busy later on.”
Heat crept up her cheeks. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Uh-huh. I ‘accidentally’ peeked out my window when I heard the knock on your door last night.” He held up his hands when she opened her mouth to answer him. “Whatever you do and who you do it with is your business. But at least it makes me realize I might not have to wait before spending some time with your sister. There’s always the nighttime.”
“Whatever I have going with Clint is a momentary thing,” she told him. “He knows I’ll be leaving here when we’re done. It’s just…call it relaxation therapy.”
“Call it whatever you want. Just enjoy it. You work hard and you deserve it.” He touched the brim of his hat. “’Night. See you bright and early.”
Inside Sophia locked the door and leaned against it, reaching for her composure. Of course she should have known Logan would figure out what was going on. Even thought it was late when Clint arrived Logan was a light sleeper and of course he had his wolf sense to alert him to everything going on around him. Well, nothing for it now. The cat was out of the bag, so to speak. She’d just have to let Clint know that her teammate was aware there was a little more than a flirtation going on here.
Like the two previous nights she took a long, hot shower, then smoothed lotion into every area of her body. Finally she pulled her brand-new nightgown out of the drawer and slid it over her head, climbed into bed and turned the television on low. She had a long time to wait.
* * * * *
The beast stood on its hind legs and rubbed its belly, its claw-like nails scratching the scaly skin. The small animals it killed earlier had satisfied both its need for food and its lust for blood. But the real lust still simmered low in its belly, satisfied for now until it was time for the next prey to be identified.
The beast had spent some time outside after its fresh kills, stalking the territory, but there really had been nothing to see but tall trees and empty spaces. And other animals that knew enough to run when the strange creature invaded their space. No matter. The beast would find them when hunger rose again.
The carcasses of today’s meal had frozen in the snow immediately, as cold as the air was. Perhaps other predators would finish off the leavings. The beast had taken what it wanted. Needed.
Soon it would be time for the real prey again. The need simmered low in its belly but before too long it would be coursing through its veins, driving it to a level of madness that only the kill could satisfy. Hunting was difficult in this pristine wilderness. The places the prey resided were few and far between and there was little cover near the buildings. The beast always approached at night and with stealth, but still, crossing open spaces was always a danger.
Still, the next prey would need to be identified soon, and then the final one. The pattern of three ne
eded to be completed, the program built into the beast’s genetic code. And the need could not be denied. Scratching itself once more, the beast loped off into the lowering darkness of the night.
* * * * *
The Crown was full earlier in the evening but thinned out enough by eleven that Clint didn’t feel the least bit guilty about closing up before midnight. He was still jacked up from his erotic shower that morning and seeing Sophia earlier had only ramped up the lust curling tight inside him.
He hadn’t been able to keep away from her since the first time he’d laid eyes on her two nights ago. All he’d been able to think about from the minute she walked into The Crown was getting her naked and being inside her. The reality had far surpassed his imagination, and now he wondered if he’d ever get enough of her.
He realized she was only around for a limited amount of time. On the one hand he wanted whoever or whatever had killed Darrell Franklin to be caught before another body turned up. On the other hand he didn’t want Sophia to leave any time soon. He was sure he’d never get her out of his blood but he wanted to store up enough memories to last after she was gone.
He’d pulled up all the stories about the killing on his laptop and read every word about the crazy theory her Night Seekers had postulated. The problem was, by the time he’d finished reading all the other stories about similar killings he didn’t think it was so absurd. The idea that the creature was some kind of shifter who could assume different forms wasn’t farfetched to people like himself. He could still remember stories from his boyhood before his family was destroyed, about rogue bands of shifters from centuries ago who mated with other animals and became enraged killers.
Was it possible descendants of those legends still roamed this country? Or that some maniac was actually trying to create them?
There was a possibility he could help Sophia and her friend in the hunt for this beast. He could prowl at night as a wolf, covering places humans couldn’t go. But to do that he’d have to reveal himself to her and that was a risk he wasn’t sure he wanted to take. At least not yet.
Still, his worry was that despite his tight control he was afraid the wolf would surface during the explosive sex he enjoyed with this woman. Would he be better off to prepare her? If she was convinced creatures like the Chupacabra existed then surely a shapeshifter wouldn’t throw her. This was the first woman he’d ever had the desire to share himself with that way. He didn’t want to screw it up.
He was still arguing with himself with he drove into the motel lot and found a place to park. Still muttering under his breath when he tapped lightly at Sophia’s door. She opened it almost at once, looking unbelievably tempting in that definitely sexy nightgown that he’d had her out of in two seconds last night.
“Hi.” Her voice was soft, a little on the shy side even after the past two nights.
He closed the door behind him, locked it and pulled her into his arms. He was so hungry for her taste that took her mouth with an edge of roughness, thrusting his tongue deep inside. Sophia grasped his wrists with her slim fingers to hang on and met his tongue with her own, answering heat with heat.
Clint had been semi-hard all night since the moment this woman had walked into the bar. Now his cock swelled and thickened almost to the point of pain, pushing against his fly, demanding release.
Without moving his mouth from hers, he shucked his jacket and tossed it aside. Then his hands were sliding up beneath the gown, caressing all that sweet, warm flesh until he found the firm mounds of her breasts. He palmed her breasts, brushing his thumbs over the hard peaks of her nipples. Jesus, she felt so good to touch. Just so damn good.
He squeezed and rubbed and molded, all the while tasting every inch of her mouth, his tongue sweeping over every surface. Delicious little moans vibrated from her throat and she pressed herself into him, rubbing her body against his hot erection. He moved his hands lower, separating her legs with his thigh and trailing his fingers through her damp curls. He nearly bit his tongue when he slipped his fingers between the folds of her pussy and discovered that hot flesh covered with her sweet cream.
He stroked her clit, rasping a finger across the very tip then rubbing it between two fingers. She cried out into his mouth, her nails digging into his wrists. His wolf was awakening deep inside his body, rising with a fierce hunger. Desperately he forced it back, reached into a pocket and pulled out a condom, dragged down his zipper and pulled out his cock to sheathe it. He finally lifted his mouth from hers and turned her around, placing her hands flat against the wall.
“Spread your legs,” he rumbled in her ear. “Hurry.”
She widened her stance, her breathing a rough sound against the low drone from the television. Clint slid his hands up the inside of her thighs until he reached the wet heat of her cunt. Opening her with the fingers of one hand, he bent slightly at the knees and used his other hand to guide himself to the opening of her pussy. He tried to tell himself to be at least a little gentle with her but his body had other ideas. He slammed into her with the force of a cyclone, hard enough that he nearly lifted her off the floor.
Steadying her with his hands, he held her in place as he rammed into her again and again. Moving one hand around to her front, he insinuated one long finger between her cunt lips to stroke her clit, rubbing it in tempo with the cadence of his hip movements. Sophia moaned, her hands flat against the wall, her own hips thrusting back at him.
They exploded together, the climax so forceful he was afraid the top of his head was going to come off. He leaned his forehead onto her shoulder as he struggled to even out his breathing and settle his heart rate. When he felt steady enough he pulled himself from her body and smoothed the nightgown back over her.
When he turned her around he cupped her face and brushed his mouth over hers.
“I took you like an animal.”
And oh, Sophia, if you only knew.
“It’s okay.” Her voice was still soft, sweet sounding like a music box. She deserved gentle hands and slow seduction.
I’m lucky I didn’t hurt her, taking her that way.
But then he remembered she’d been right there with him. Riding him every inch of the way. Just as she had for the past two nights.
He kissed her lightly again. “I was so hungry for you I didn’t even stop to take off my clothes. Sorry, chere.”
“It’s okay.” She was still trying to catch her breath. “I was in a hurry, too.”
He stroked his knuckles lightly down her cheek. “Give me a minute here to get naked, okay? And I need to get rid of the condom.”
When he came back into the bedroom he pulled off his boots and tossed his clothes on the chair. Sophia was already under the covers but they were turned back and she patted the mattress next to her body.
“I’ve been keeping your place warm for you.”
Her smile went right through him and unbelievably he felt his cock trying to spring to life.
“That’s good, chere.” He smiled as he crawled in next to her and spooned her against him. “Very good.” He pulled her body next to his and idly stroked her skin. “I keep telling myself to take it slow with you, Sophia. To take every possible minute to give you every pleasure. But the instant I see you I’m wild with need and I can’t seem to help myself. Taking you against the wall like that…”
She laughed, a throaty sound. “I don’t think you were the only one there, Clint. And you didn’t hear me complaining, did you?”
“No.” He brushed her hair from her face and traced the line of her jaw. “I don’t know what I would have done if you had.”
“Well, then. It’s a good thing we didn’t have to find out.” She wriggled her bottom against him, his already hardening shaft surging to full erection. “Anyway, unless you’re in a tearing hurry we’ve got plenty of time.”
“I don’t know how this happened,” he said slowly, “but I’m damn glad it did. But you’re not getting very much sleep.”
“Haven’t you heard?”
she teased. “Sleep is highly overrated.”
“I don’t usually leap on women this way, ma petite.” He wanted to give voice to his thoughts without giving too much away. “I’m pretty much a loner, as anyone can tell you if you ask.”
“Then why me?” she wanted to know.
“There’s something here. Something…electric. I know you feel it, too. Felt it the minute we met.”
“I can’t deny it,” she agreed. “I don’t usually just fall into bed with a man barely hours after I’ve met him.” Her face heated. “Not the way I did with you.”
“I didn’t think so. It’s in your aura.” He kissed her shoulder. “Like I said, there’s some kind of magic here. I know you’re only here for the short time,” he added as he sensed her ready to say just that. “And I’m still here for a while taking care of Frenchy.”
“How long do you think he’ll need you?”
“Don’t know. He’s getting better every day. But let’s wait until he can be on his own again and you wrap up this case. Then we’ll talk. Meanwhile let’s enjoy each other.”
“Oh, yeah,” she said, pressing back against him.
Maybe tomorrow night he’d figure out how to tell her about himself. Volunteer to help her with her case. But right now both he and his cock were interested in other things.
Sliding one hand between her thighs, he found the slickness of her cunt, still wet for him. He licked the curve of her shoulder as he stroked the folds of her pussy, nibbled on the skin lightly, the taste of her making his blood heat even more.
Sophia moaned as his fingers kept up a steady motion, rubbing her clit, rimming her opening, pinching her labia. The heat coming off his body surrounded her, blending with her own until they were wrapped in an erotic cloud. His fingers were like magic, caressing and fondling her, electricity sizzling through her. His mouth moved to the nape of her neck then slid up the column, licking and kissing. She moaned and pushed herself back against him, squeezing her thighs, silently begging him to slide his fingers inside her.
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