Neve clenched her knees against his sides and grabbed his hands in hers. He’d leaned back himself against the big pillows and was at the perfect angle. She knew it was important to have him know she was coherent. It was important for her, too. She pinned her gaze on his as she started moving. “We do this together.”
She rocked hard, moving to the tip of him, and then down quickly, seating herself on him firmly with every thrust. The pressure between them built immediately. As she built the rhythm, he came up to meet her.
It was explosive.
“Neve, you’re so wet,” he groaned.
She smiled as her mercury tears leaked freely down her face. She didn’t care if he saw them. She broke her handhold as she rocked harder, bracing her palms on his shoulders instead. He met her with every thrust, running his hands up and down her sides, brushing his thumbs over her aching nipples. “Yes, Jake, it’s almost here—”
He arched up quickly, thrusting himself deeply inside, catching her face in his hands as she called out his name. Instead of kissing her, like she thought, he leaned up and ran his tongue over both her cheeks.
As she realized he’d just licked away her tears, she broke apart instantly.
He came with her, bellowing his pleasure, his arms locked around her.
Her release came in waves, and she shuddered against him as he held her tightly. He rocked into her again, and the aftershocks came, one after the other.
She yelled in ecstasy, lost to it completely.
Once the tremors finally subsided, he took her in his arms, bringing her gently down to his chest, and kissed her.
It was a tender kiss filled with possession. In response, she threaded her fingers through his dark hair and nicked his bottom lip. His eyes widened in surprise. She smiled as she ran her tongue over his lip, lapping away the tiny amount of blood she’d drawn.
“What are you doing?” he whispered.
“You kissed my tears away so I’ve decided to claim you. It’s the vampire way to exchange blood, you know.” She laughed. She felt like she’d been reborn, and it was exhilarating. “Jake, the only thing I need from you now is a promise you won’t intentionally hurt me. Trusting someone is not my style, but I’m scared I’m going to screw this up. I need to hear you say the words.”
“Never,” he vowed, his voice filled with intensity, “I will never hurt you, Nevada Hamilton. You have my solemn oath.”
She leaned up and licked his earlobe. “You are an incredibly sexy man, Jake Troubadour. A hot hellhound in my bed every night? I can get used to that.” She whispered a few things in his ear and brought her lips around and licked his bottom lip.
It was all healed.
He growled in pleasure. “I’m going to make it my mission to satisfy you in every way possible. There is nothing in the world I want more than that.”
“You already have, Jake,” she stretched out in his arms, “You already have.”
Neve stood by the front door of a small trailer. She held a bouquet of wildflowers in her hand. She hadn’t been this nervous in a long time. Jake stood beside her, his hand splayed across the small of her back, his warmth comforting her.
She knocked and waited.
When no one answered, she turned to Jake. “What if it’s too late?”
He shook his head and smiled. “It’s not too late. You can do this, Neve.”
“I’m afraid to hold out too much hope.”
“We’ll start slow. Plus, you heard what Sofia said. She may have a spell or two to help you out.”
Neve sniffed, “I don’t believe a word that comes out of that witch’s mouth. Once I figure out what she’s really after, I’m going to send her packing.”
“You may have to get through Diesel first. He’s taken quite a shine to her.” Jake rubbed Neve’s back, and it felt nice to have him so close. She knew she wouldn’t have found the courage to do this on her own had it not been for this hellhound. It had taken her a month to get ready for this visit.
“I still can’t believe you paid that witch such an outrageous sum of money,” Neve groused.
Jake shrugged. “She did what we asked her she’d do. She used a spell to try and bring down the vamp, and I’m a man of my word.”
“Yeah, but instead, she knocked me out with her crappy aim. Plus, I already had the vamp down.” Neve shook her head.
“We’ve been over this.” There was laughter in his voice. “But there was no way to know your quick hands could’ve taken care of business that fast. Plus, that’s why Sofia only charged us half.”
Neve smiled to herself.
She did have quick hands, and Jake now knew that firsthand. What she’d done to him last night still hung deliciously in her mind. Her man was unbelievable, and the heat between them hadn’t diminished for a second.
“Half of outrageous is still outrageous,” she concluded. “And I hate the way she hangs out at the bar all the time. That witch is like a burr stuck to our legs we can’t shake off.” Nobody was answering the door, and Neve began to worry. She knocked again and glanced at Jake. “Maybe she’s out?”
“Her car is here. Let’s give her a minute.”
Just as Neve was about to go around back, the door opened enough for a frail-looking woman to peek out. “Nevada.” Her small, shaky voice held genuine happiness. “You’re here!”
“Hi, Mom,” Neve said. “I’m sorry it’s been such a long time.” Neve took in a breath to steel herself. “I brought you these.”
She held the wildflowers out to her mother.
Neve was relieved that her mother appeared to be fairly sober, but she couldn’t tell for sure. The smell of alcohol always lingered around her. Her mother’s blonde hair looked recently washed, and she was dressed in jeans, which was a big step up from her usual ratty bathrobe.
It was nice to see.
“Thank you.” Her mother opened the door and reached out to take the bouquet. “I’ve missed you, Nevada. Won’t you come in?”
“Yes.” Neve glanced between her mother and Jake. “And, Mom, I’d like you to meet my fiancé, Jake Troubadour.”
“Hello, Jake. It’s very nice to meet you.” Her mother surprised her by reaching a hand out to Jake.
“The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Hamilton.” Jake took her hand in his gently and shook it.
Right then and there, Nevada knew there was hope with her mother. She would make this right.
Or die trying.
If you enjoyed the world of the Sin City Collectors (SCC), look for more information about the entire series & all the authors participating on our Facebook page.
*Contributing SCC authors*
Kristen Painter
Sara Humphreys
Angie Fox
Shawntelle Madison
Next book by Amanda Carlson in the SCC world:
ANTE UP
by Amanda Carlson
(Releasing 2014!)
“Diesel Jones is a shifter who has issues with the moon, but he quickly finds that Sofia Cabrera, a clever witch who just moved in to town, is his only hope to reach his goal of becoming a Collector. When they pair up to take down an incubus, she not only saves his life, but wins his heart in the process…”
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About the Author
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a BA in both Speech and Hearing Science & Child Development. She went on to get an A.A.S in Sign Language Interpreting and worked as an interpreter until her first child was born. She’s the author of high octane Jessica McClain urban fantasy series published by Orbit. Look for those in stores everywhere. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and three kids. Find her all over social media: Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram
Other books by Ama
nda Carlson
If you enjoy high octane sexy urban fantasy try
the Jessica McClain series by Orbit:
FULL BLOODED
HOT BLOODED
COLD BLOODED
RED BLOODED
Nothing is completed without a great team. My many thanks to:
Cover design: Robin Ludwig Design Inc
Digital formatting: Author E.M.S.
Copyedits/proofs: Joyce Lamb
Early readers: Amanda Bonilla, Koppy & Daryl Hansen, Cindi Murphey
Aces Wild: A Sin City Collectors Novella Page 11