InkintheBlood

by Chandra Ryan

  “I need to be in you,” he said.

  It was nice to know they were finally on the same page. “Please.” She wasn’t going to deny him. Not when she ached for him.

  He grabbed a condom out of his pocket, tore the package open and sheathed himself. Then strong arms lifted her and supported her weight as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She leaned back against the door and then he thrust into her. The sensation of his body rubbing against hers made her gasp.

  Surrendering to her desire, she savored every detail—the warmth of his kisses, the cold wood at her back, the pressure of his fingertips on her thighs—until all thought ceased and she could only feel. Waves of pleasure raced through her that were so intense they bordered on pain. She embraced the sensations though. And she cried out when the world crashed around her.

  He thrust into her several more times before he too climaxed, his fingers digging into her thighs as he groaned and pulled her closer to him. He held her against his body for a moment longer as he struggled to catch his breath and then slowly put her down, her body sliding languidly down his until her feet touched the cold, wooden floor.

  As she leaned against the door, he kissed her deeply one last time before stepping away from her. “That’s not what I’d planned.”

  Her heart stopped at the words. For one second she stood in silence as he disposed of the condom and pulled up his boxers, wondering what she should say. “Me neither. But I’m not sorry it happened.”

  His gaze flew up to meet hers and his face appeared several shades paler than before. “Oh God, that’s not what I meant. I just didn’t want you to think I thought you were the kind of woman who…”

  Her tension melted with his bumbling sentiment until she couldn’t hold back a small laugh. “And what if I am? What if I wanted to be that kind of woman? Just for tonight? Would you have a problem with it?” She stepped away from the door seductively as she spoke. She kept her body enticingly close to his but didn’t touch him.

  She didn’t have to wait long for an answer. As soon as he’d fastened his jeans, he wrapped an arm around her back and the other beneath her knees, sweeping her up in a fluid motion. Cradling her body next to his chest, he started walking through her apartment.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I was thinking your bedroom but I’m open to suggestions.” His footsteps echoed softly on the hardwood floors.

  Closing her eyes, she snuggled into him. “My bedroom would be good.”

  She heard the door to the room open and felt the cool, crisp linen sheets under her skin as he laid her on the bed.

  “Hmm…” She opened her eyes and grabbed his waist to pull him down on top of her, loving the feel of his weight and the warmth of his body. “What now, Agent Phinney?”

  “Did you have something specific in mind?”

  She thought of the bust and smiled. “Did you bring the handcuffs?”

  “I didn’t, but I’m sure we can come up with something.”

  She laughed huskily as he nuzzled her neck.

  “I don’t suppose you have any silk scarves, do you?” he asked.

  “Top drawer of my dresser.” Her heart raced with the admission. Was she really going to let him restrain her? She never allowed it before but she had to admit, it did sound interesting.

  He kissed her briefly before he pulled away from her. “Then I’ll be right back.” He left and then returned with two of her scarves. “Put your hands up.”

  This was it, the moment of truth. She shimmied a little as she adjusted herself on the bed but then wrapped her hands around the slats of her headboard. “I’m innocent, officer. I swear. I’m a good girl.” If she was going to do this, she was going to sell the role. In for a penny, in for a pound as far as she was concerned.

  He chuckled. “I’ve heard that one before.”

  She batted her eyelashes at him. “Really. You can search me if you like.”

  “I have to secure you first.” He straddled her waist so he could lean over to tie her wrists to the headboard.

  When he sat back, she pulled against the scarves to test their hold. “I’m secured.” She hadn’t realized how vulnerable and exposed she’d feel stretched out in front of him until she was in that position, especially since he was still partially dressed and she was completely naked and on display. It wasn’t an unpleasant sensation, just more of an unexpected one. Knowing she was at his mercy added an intensity to the moment that hadn’t been there before.

  “I should make sure you’re not hiding any contraband.”

  He started off with a pat down. His palms swept over her breasts and to her rib cage. The rough touch of his calluses made her arch her back in an attempt to get closer to him. But by the time he reached her hips, he seemed to have forgotten the role he played. His touch had changed to sweeping caresses and teasing whispers of seduction.

  “Jacob…” His name was a plea.

  “Yes, Izzy?” He leaned over to caress her nipple with his tongue. It was the first time since he’d tied her to the headboard that he’d touched her with anything other than his hands. The sensation was so intense it caused her to break out in goose bumps and her pussy to heat with a fresh wave of desire.

  “I can’t…” She panted as she pulled against the scarves. “It’s too intense.”

  His wicked smile made her stomach cramp with expectation. “But I haven’t even started yet,” he said as he scooted down her body. He bent over to lick her navel before he positioned himself between her thighs. “I’ve been dying to taste you for weeks now.”

  As he ran his tongue over her sex her whole body trembled. “You’re going to kill me.”

  He chuckled and then circled her clit with his tongue. “I highly doubt that.” He slid a finger into her channel and then sucked on her clit gently. Under normal circumstances she had no problems getting turned-on. She embraced her sexuality. But these weren’t normal circumstances, they were extreme, and they made her desire extreme as well.

  “Oh God,” she cried as she pulled against the scarves again. She bucked under him as her body tensed with need.

  He pushed a second finger into her and the stretching sensation was more than she could handle. Her release slammed into her with enough force to make her call out his name as she shook under him.

  He continued to stroke and lick her until she came down from the emotional high but then he moved off the bed. At first she was going to complain but then she heard the telltale crinkle of a condom packet. When he joined her back on the bed, he’d undressed and was wearing the protection.

  With her hands still secured to the headboard, all she could do was stare at his lean body. That wasn’t nearly enough though. She’d just climaxed but already she wanted more. She wanted to touch him, kiss him and feel his body inside hers. Before she could voice the desire, though, he stretched out over her and then leaned down to deliver a hungry kiss.

  She moaned against his lips but wasn’t about to complain about his method of keeping her silent—or his position. Now that he was above her, she could wrap her legs around his hips and rub her pussy against him. She wasn’t surprised to find that she was already wet with new arousal. She needed him desperately. “Now?” The single word was shaky and wanton as it left her lips.

  He smiled down at her as he positioned himself. And then, with one swift movement, he entered her. “Now.”

  He took her with passion. Each thrust went deeper than the last until he filled her completely. Her heart raced and her muscles tensed in anticipation of her next climax. She was so close that her entire body was shaking. Just as his thrusts became erratic and he called out her name in release, she crested and cried out at the burst of euphoria that filled her. It was difficult not being able to wrap her arms around him and bring him closer to her, but she refused to let that diminish any of the contentment surging within her.

  “That was amazing,” Jacob said as he nuzzled her neck.

  She wiggled under him. “It wa
s.”

  “I like you like this.” He nipped at her earlobe as he pulled out of her. “I don’t have to worry about you sneaking off to chase down drug lords as soon as my back is turned.” He kissed her neck as his hand caressed her side. “But I imagine your hands are starting to go numb.”

  She flexed her fingers and noticed the pins-and-needles sensation for the first time. “Maybe a little.”

  “Can’t have that, can we?” He untied her hands and then disposed of the condom before lying down next to her. They wouldn’t work as a couple. She shouldn’t have even opened her door to him that night. Yet, for something that was so wrong, if felt very right.

  Chapter Three

  Searing pain coursed through her body. Her hands were huge and covered in bumps and her teeth were sharp to the touch of her tongue. As she sat down on the hard bed, pain exploded through her once more. Her hands and teeth had returned to normal but now soft feathers brushed against her cheek.

  Izzy woke abruptly. Her breath came in frantic gasps and her heart raced painfully. It wasn’t until she forced herself to look at her hands and run her tongue over her teeth that she started to relax. She’d been haunted by the same dream since rehab but she’d been having it more frequently since she’d decided to work with the DEA and had started confronting her past.

  When she’d finally convinced herself it was just a dream, she looked at the man lying next to her. Remorse filled her as she remembered the reasons they couldn’t be together. The reasons they shouldn’t have been together even once. The most important one being that she wasn’t human. When she figured in her drug-dealing father, her criminal past and her psychotic half brother, she had no choice but to walk away from him, and soon. But all she could do was stare at him. The morning light streaming through the window made his skin glow with warmth and his sleep-tousled hair begged for her fingers’ attention. Fortunately, before she had a chance to act on the impulse, the cry of an unfamiliar cell phone broke the silence of the apartment.

  “Jacob.”

  He didn’t so much as flutter an eyelash.

  “Jacob.” This time she ran a fingertip gently up his inner thigh. “Wake up.”

  “Hmm?” His eyes were still shut and his voice groggy with sleep.

  “Your phone is ringing.”

  That did the trick. Instantly he was sitting up and looking around for the phone.

  She watched him search frantically for a moment before offering a suggestion of help. “I think it fell out of your pocket. It sounds like it’s in the front room.”

  “Shit!” He jumped off the bed and sprinted from the room in nothing but his boxers.

  It took her a moment to gather her courage but then she also climbed out of the warm covers. After slipping into her favorite silk robe, she followed him into the front room.

  “No progress? But last night… I know. What about the second operative? Jesus Christ! The medics couldn’t do anything?” His voice was low, but it sounded more as if he were distraught than trying to keep his conversation a secret.

  She crossed into the kitchen and started the coffeepot before she grabbed the orange juice out of the fridge. She poured herself a large glass but almost dropped the carton as she went to put it back. Jacob had finished his conversation and was standing in front of her wearing only his jeans. As she stared at his naked chest, vivid images of last night flashed through her head. She could already feel her resolve start to crumble like a castle of sand in a storm.

  Clearing her throat, she held the carton up between them like a shield. “Would you like some juice?”

  “Sure.”

  She walked back to the cabinets and grabbed another glass. She poured the juice slowly, painfully aware of the tremble in her hand. And when she handed it to him, she made sure to avoid any contact with him. She had to end this before she forgot why they could never work. Several clichés ran through her head but he deserved better. “Jacob.”

  He studied her over the edge of his glass as he took a drink. “Yes?”

  She heard the stress in his voice and wondered if he’d somehow guessed what she was about to say. “I don’t think we should see each other again.”

  He stared at her for a second before cursing softly under his breath. “You heard the phone call, didn’t you?”

  The unexpected question threw her. Shaking her head, she tried to puzzle out why he’d asked it.

  “I don’t understand this obsession you have with your brother.”

  The small pieces she had heard began to fall precariously into place, but she wasn’t ready to jump to any conclusions yet. “Half brother.”

  “Okay, half brother. It’s not healthy, Izzy.”

  Hoping to get more information from him, she chose her next words carefully. “That’s not really for you to decide, is it? You couldn’t possibly understand what his drugs did to me. What they’re still doing to countless other people.”

  “I know.” He took a step away from her. “I’ve see it on the streets. I hear it in the courthouse. But you’re not the only one who can stop him.”

  “You don’t seem to be having much luck so far.”

  Running his fingers through his hair, he cursed again. “Things got botched last night. Really botched. But we will get him.”

  “That’s what the phone call was about?”

  His glare was the only answer she needed.

  “You lost an operative last night going after him, didn’t you?” As the pieces finally settled into place, a cold anger began to fill her. “Wait, the other case you left to check on. That was it, wasn’t it? You knew he wasn’t going to be at the bridge all along.”

  This time he had the decency to look away from her.

  “And you still let me believe there was a chance he’d be there?”

  “It was the only way you’d lead us to Minshouse.”

  “Jesus! I can’t believe you lied to me.” The realization hurt more than she ever imagined possible. It was bad enough to be lied to by a faceless agency, but by her lover as well? The pain threatened to make her sick.

  “I was following orders, Izzy.”

  Unable to look at him, she turned away.

  “That’s a lie too.” His words were so soft she almost didn’t hear them. “I wouldn’t have told you even if I could have.”

  Turning back to face him, she stared into his eyes as anger and disbelief tore at her heart. “I can’t believe I bought it. I can’t believe I fucking believed you. Jesus, my sister and I grew up alone, away from our…” The word “people” stuck in her throat. “Away from everything we’d ever known because of your agency’s lies. Yet, even knowing that, I still ate them up. I’m such a fucking idiot.”

  His expression quickly changed from compassion to anger. “I’m sorry your mom died. I’m sorry the agent assigned to her couldn’t do his job, but don’t put that at my doorstep. Everything I did was to protect you.”

  “I’m not a child. I don’t need protecting.”

  “Bullshit! I’ve seen what he’s capable of. What he does with people who get in his way.” He grabbed his shirt off the floor and pulled it on. “I couldn’t put you in that kind of danger.”

  His look of loss and despair softened her anger, but she refused to let go of it completely. She set her glass down on the countertop and took a deep breath. “You’ve seen what he’s capable of?”

  He nodded.

  “Tell me, then. Tell me what he’s capable of.” Her tone was harsh but she didn’t care. She was giving him a chance to explain. Which was more than he deserved after the stunt he’d pulled.

  “We had an agent, Gretchen, doing deep cover work at your father’s club, Toxic. She’d managed to get enough evidence for us to finally go after him.” His eyes stayed fixed on a spot just over her right shoulder as he spoke.

  “And?”

  “Four months ago, she went into Toxic to make the arrest. She came out on a stretcher. She was in a coma for the first month. Now she stares at th
e walls during the day and screams about demons at night.” His gaze found hers, the shine in his eyes telling her of unshed tears. “She was my first partner, Izzy. Her husband’s like a brother to me.”

  Gretchen’s withdrawal symptoms were all too familiar to Isabella. And, having experienced them herself, she couldn’t imagine they were any easier for a human in untrained hands. “She needs to be admitted to Angels of Mercy.” It was the medical facility that’d treated her and the only one that stood half a chance of helping his friend.

  “That was the first place I tried, but they wouldn’t let her into their program. Apparently she didn’t meet some requirement. I’m guessing it was the income bracket.”

  Angels of Mercy had to stay exclusive. It was one of the ways the Community protected its secrets. But money never figured into it. Just like everything else in Izzy’s world, all Gretchen really needed was someone to vouch for her and she’d be admitted. Granted, some cases were more difficult to argue than others and humans were the hardest, but where there was a will… “I could get her in.”

  “What?” he asked, cynicism dripping from the words. “You want to trade her life for your chance at revenge?”

  “That’s not what I meant.” She couldn’t believe he thought she was heartless enough to bargain with the woman’s life. “I’ll even my score with Alex with or without your precious agency. My offer to help your friend doesn’t have strings.”

  He looked at her skeptically. “You’d do that?”

  “Of course I would.”

  “And you could really get her into Angels?”

  His lack of faith in her was only adding to her irritation. She picked up her phone and scrolled through her contacts until she found the one she needed. It only took a couple of rings for her call to be answered. “Bastion, this is Isabella.”

  “Good morning, Isabella. I hope you are in good health?” Even with the hint of apprehension, her uncle’s voice was still warm and welcoming.

  “I’m fine, Bastion, not even a sip since discharge.”

  “Good. Then to what do I owe this pleasure?”