Smoke & Fire - Adult Paranormal Romance Series, Book #1

by Michele Wesley

  Certain she would discourage his feelings for her, he couldn’t deny he’d found truth in her actions; she felt something for him in return.

  Damon prepared to leave but reassured Mycale, “You should stay and relax. There is no need to worry about a change of clothes, because Drake and I have new sets of everything stocked in the closets.”

  Squeezing Sori’s shoulder a squeeze and giving Mycale a hard slap on the back, Damon prepared to leave. He exited the cabin with a huge smile on his face, determined to play matchmaker until the end.

  * * *

  Alone now, Mycale and Sori looked at each other with guarded smiles. The romantic connection between them hung in the air, but neither reacted to it. Mycale didn’t know how to start a conversation, so he started with how he truly felt. “I should say that I am sorry, but I have to be honest with you, I’m not.”

  She stared at him for a long while, got up, and slowly walked toward him. She sat on the coffee table directly in front of him, unnerving him.

  The erotic memories of their kitchen fantasy surfaced, but she fought to push it away. She chose her words carefully. “I think we both got carried away. We’re human, and I have to admit, sometimes I forget, forget that I am a person.” She stared at him while drumming her fingers on the table. “I have never gotten carried away like that before. It’s really quite unsettling.”

  She continued to stare, and Mycale felt like a deer caught in the sights of a rifle. She twisted her mouth then bit down on her bottom lip before asking, “What am I going to do with you?”

  Mycale felt nervous, but staring at her biting her lip turned him on.

  What does that mean, her wondering what to do with him? He briefly wondered how someone so beautiful could be so frightening. He started to think that the brothers’ advice may lead to his death.

  What am I thinking? She wouldn’t kill me, would she?

  She was still staring but the look was so confusing he didn’t know whether she wanted to kiss him or kill him. He had no idea what to say to her because he’d started this whole thing by listening to her brothers’ advice.

  Deep in thought, she continued to stare intently. Leaning closer, she fought her body’s wanton need to be touched. She said, “I am confident we’re both mature and strong willed enough to handle this thing between us. What do you think?” The fact that she acknowledged that there was something between them was a plus.

  Hands sliding down his legs a few times, he tried to stave off the need to touch her. He managed, “Yes, I am positive we can.” Still trying to gauge her state of mind he paused before continuing, “You acknowledged that we have a connection. I can’t speak for you, but I don’t want it to go away, nor do I want to lose your friendship because I have deeper desires for you.”

  It wasn’t lost on him that each time either of them spoke, they seemed to be leaning in closer to each other. The chemistry between them stirred in the air, like a giant mixer turned it.

  Leaning closer, she stared intently into his eyes. “Mycale, I can assure you, whatever happens between us, we will always be friends.” She took a deep breath, looked up at the ceiling for a while with her hands at her sides, then back at him. “I am going to be honest with you.” Unable to avoid his eyes, she stared deeper and found the one thing that scared her more than not fearing death. She refused to be held captive, but remained honest. “You scare me more than anything I’ve encountered so far.”

  She’d told him something similar before. Rocking back into the couch, he was stunned by her words. “How? I mean, I don’t understand.” He couldn’t wrap his head around him being what scared her when she flirted with death daily. He watched as she rung her hands, something he’d never seen her do.

  She continued, “You make me think, think about the fact that I am a woman, a person, a human, more than just this agent, this thing, this machine that takes away evil. You make me feel, feel things I’ve never thought possible, and for someone like me that’s never had to deal with anything so… new and different, it’s almost too much for me to handle. Most people are terrified of death because it’s their constant unknown. For me, you are my unknown.”

  Never thinking she’d be this open about their situation, he appreciated her honesty. That she feared what he could make her feel was astonishing.

  Leaning in closer to her, he said, “It scares the heck out of me too.” All of his emotions and feelings for her came rushing up to the surface, pouring out of his eyes. He wanted her to see, knowing that if she looked into his eyes she’d know just how deeply under he’d fallen for her.

  Taking deep breath, he tried to maintain emotional control. The sincerity in his voice was touchable as he said, “I’ve never been this way about anyone. You get me, understand me, make me feel special without even realizing it. Everything about you calls to me in a way that I don’t even understand, and it’s not just some fleeting fascination.”

  They both looked down at the same time, emotions supercharged. They both looked back up, staring into each other’s eyes.

  A mixture of hurt and pain hidden rested behind her eyes. Sori blurted out, “We can’t. I can’t. I don’t see how. I don’t know how. We just can’t. We have to just let it go, be strong, and overcome. This connection with you, it makes me feel helpless, and I can’t go into battle like this. I won’t last, and neither will you.”

  At that moment, being that close to her, he couldn’t even breathe, let alone think about later. All he had to do was lean forward, and the sweet lushness of her body could have been in his hands. Her knees were positioned just to the inside of his opened legs, and each time she moved, her legs lightly brushed his, sending hot lust up and into his groin. He crossed his arms over his chest to hide his urge to slide his hands up her thighs and pull her closer.

  Feigning newfound control, he said, “I understand completely. I’d hoped for a different outcome, but I knew, being who we are in this world, doing the kind of jobs we do, that we can’t be anything but warriors.”

  Sori stood. She couldn’t take it anymore. Everything in her said to hell with being strong. All she really wanted to do was jump into his lap and let nature take its course, and although Mycale gave it his best try, she saw right through him. He wanted her just as badly as she wanted him.

  She sucked it all up in one deep breath, stuffing all her feelings into that black hole she called a mind. She’d found it, the part of her brain that made emotions disappear.

  Mycale knew that look; the Sori he wanted to make love to had left the building and Smoke had taken over.

  No hint of emotion remained with her now. She said, “I’ll show you to your room, if you’re staying.”

  Irritated that she was so damn stubborn, he stood. “No. I can’t stay here.”

  He left without another word. He couldn’t even look back at her, knowing that if he did, he’d go running back and probably end up getting himself killed trying to find the woman he was in love with.

  CHAPTER 24

  Date Night

  Returning from a small country in Africa, Sori had met the country’s queen and princess. She had been pulled into the assignment after it became a matter concerning national security. Sori had been tasked to ensure the granddaughter was returned safely home. The girl, now a woman, had been somehow displaced as a child and the grandmother had been searching for her.

  Sori still had no idea how the grandmother had been able to track the granddaughter, but after several failed attempts to try to bring the little princess back home, the government put Sori on the case. The queen rewarded Sori by making her an honorary citizen of their small African country.

  Not realizing when she’d fallen asleep, a knock at her door jolted her awake. She yelled for the person to come in and was pleasantly surprised to see Laci.

  Laci sat on the bed next to her. “Are you ready for the ball tonight?”

&
nbsp; Sori scanned her mind trying to figure out what Laci was talking about. Having completely forgotten, she hit her forehead in frustration. “The president’s ball. Shit! I forgot.”

  “Don’t worry, you know I got your back. I already have your gown and shoes picked out.”

  Sori had grown to like Laci. Laci had a style and grace that Sori admired, so she paid attention to Laci where it concerned being more graceful and ladylike.

  The look of concern on Laci’s beautiful face drew concern. Sori asked, “What’s wrong?”

  Laci replied, “I got everything you need to attend the ball except a date. Your brothers are saying that Mycale is supposed to take you.”

  Unable to keep herself from smiling, Sori said, “Well, they are right this time. The president himself told Mycale to escort me.”

  Showcasing a huge smile, Laci said, “I thought those brothers of yours were playing matchmaker again.”

  “You can add another matchmaker to the résumé. Mr. President pretty much ordered Mycale to escort me to the ball. It’s not like we were going to tell him no.”

  With a huge smile, Laci stood. “Well, that’s settled. I’ll see you later.”

  Sori dove back under the covers as Laci exited. Soon afterward, she heard another knock on the door, but the knocker didn’t wait for her vocal acknowledgement.

  Four hands cracked her door. She heard. “Sis, you decent?”

  Unable to beat back a smile at her crazy brothers, she answered, “Yes. Can’t get no sleep in this joint, but yeah, I am decent.”

  The brothers ignored her crack about sleep and stormed into her room. As usual, they were both talking at the same time. She caught something about the ball and Mycale taking her. They were standing over her like two lawyers about to word-slice her into oblivion.

  Holding up both her hands, she stopped them midsentence. “Okay, ya’ll. Damn! The president told Mycale to escort me to the ball months ago when we dropped off those documents.”

  The brothers looked at each other, speaking a language only they could understand. Drake said, “Mycale told us, but we had to double-check, since you never bothered to tell us anything about your little funky date.”

  Damon added, “Mycale just came off assignment today. Does he remember? Did you remind him?”

  She chose sarcasm, “He practically lives here now, why didn’t you two remind him?” Both, looking like they had been put in their place, didn’t reply. Sori wanted to laugh at them badly but held it. Instead she said, “Guys, we are talking about Mycale. I am convinced he has a photographic memory. If he’s completed his assignment, he will be here.”

  “You’re right. We were just checking,” Damon smiled.

  Drake couldn’t help himself, he asked, “Did you thank the president for finding you a decent date?”

  Sori threw a pillow at Drake, who ducked and let it hit the wall behind him as he shook in laughter.

  Damon added, “I guess we can let you get the sleep you’ve been trying to get in this joint. You just be ready tonight.” Damon grabbed Drake’s arm and pulled him from her room, still shaking in laugher.

  * * *

  Sori walked into the ball feeling like a superstar. Laci had worked magic once again. Mycale called from his debriefing to personally let her know that he would meet her at the ball. The group was about to take seats at their assigned table when Sori felt his presence.

  She didn’t have to turn around or look back to know that Mycale had entered the room. Walked up to her, he spoke just above a whisper, “Let me help you with your chair, ma’am.”

  She was reluctant to look into his face but was determined to fight the energy that took over whenever they were together. She glanced up at him as he pulled her chair out. Their faces were so close she had to turn her head or risk kissing him right there in front of her family and everyone in the ball.

  Sitting quickly, she said, “Thank you.”

  Mycale greeted the rest of the group before he took his seat. The couple didn’t have to say a word to each other to feel the vibe stirring between them. Sori’s eyes followed the conversation taking place at the table, but her mind had replaced every position she had seen in the Kama Sutra book with her and Mycale.

  Drake and Laci got up to dance, and Damon and his date followed suit.

  Mycale laid his hand on the table, and she placed hers inside without a word. They walked out to the dance floor enveloped in an energy that only they felt.

  When they faced each other, she noticed how handsome he looked in his suit.

  “You clean up very well, Mr. Phillips.” She fought to control her breathing, his closeness intoxicating her senses.

  Drinking her in with a slow linger eye, he replied, “You look beautiful as always, Ms. Knight.” He slid his hand slowly around her waist, and just like before, their bodies seemed to float into each other. Her body reacted the moment he touched her.

  Pulling her in, Mycale dropped his mouth dangerously close to her ear. “I missed you.” He took in her scent. “I want nothing more than to taste your skin, your lips, and especially your tongue.”

  She had never had a man whisper such seductive things in her ear. Was she really the only one that knew Mycale could be this bad? He was always so subdued and quiet around everyone else, but with her, he was a different person entirely.

  Her grip grew firmer pulling him tighter into her body as she purposely let her lips graze his ear. She said, “As hard as it is for me to admit, I missed you too, and if we weren’t in this ball, I would make you eat those seductive words.” She had no idea why she flirted with him like this. She was so out of character when it came to him, she felt like a different person herself.

  As the rest of the world went on, she and Mycale seemed fixed in their own little bubble. They were both so good at playing the neutral that no one seemed the wiser that they were so into each other.

  The connection was undeniable, and Sori wasn’t sure if she wanted to continue to fight what she felt for him or give in to him completely.

  Once they finished the dance, she couldn’t bring herself to dance with him again. Initially, she thought him being a few years younger would deter her interest, but when it came to the connection between them, age or race or any other demographic wasn’t even a factor.

  They enjoyed the rest of the evening, each other’s company, and the company of their family, both trying their best to ignore the elephant in the room.

  The president walked up to their table, greeted everyone, and personally thanked Mycale for keeping his date with Sori.

  Sori was glad when the ball had come to its conclusion. She had no idea how she’d survived Mycale’s presence for as long as she had. She tried to make a clean getaway from him, but he insisted on walking her to her car. Although it was January, she felt no need to put on her coat standing next to him.

  When they exited the elevator and walked into the huge parking structure, Mycale glanced over at her with a wicked smile on his face, knowing that the hand he had resting at the small of her back was enough to awaken her desire. Just as she reached into her clutch for her car keys, Mycale pulled her into the shadows.

  Her initial instinct was to reach for one of the weapons she had hidden on her body, thinking he sensed danger. His hands slid seductively along the contours of her back. She wanted to and had intended to protest his advances, but all she did was take in deep breaths of air as her body collided into his.

  She was breathless, and he had barely touched her. His lips were so close to hers, she felt his warm energy already starting to flow into her body. “I thought we talked about his. Why are you doing this?”

  Taking her lips between his, and spoke between tender and delicately placed kisses, “Because you haven’t killed me yet and this feels so good.”

  She couldn’t argue with his logic. He did seem to have the
ability to turn her inside out.

  Mycale couldn’t just hold her, be in her presence, or be anywhere near her without losing his mind. His avenue of hope of remaining a gentleman went out the window when they were finally alone. One hand held her pinned to him, the other hand slid slowly over her body.

  Needing her hands to explore his body, Sori didn’t care that she had dropped her coat and purse. Sucking on his warm soft bottom lip, she breathe out the word, “Shit!” He kissed her with an intensity so hot and passionate her body instantly yielded to his every demand.

  The perfect conductor for sound, the garage echoed their moans, gasps, and sighs. Cold was no longer a factor, the couple was hotter than fish grease for each other.

  When her luscious behind filled his hand so perfectly, the sensation drove him mad. He didn’t care about this being an expensive dress; he was ready to rip it off. Feeling herself being effortlessly lift from the ground added another layer to her already dizzying desire. Mycale’s intensity had her ready to hike her dress up and gift wrap him with her legs. She felt like ripping his clothes off so they could handle their unfinished business, right where they stood. Getting a hold of his nice button up shirt, she ripped it open. The sounds of buttons hitting the pavement was music.

  When she felt her nails digging into the now-exposed flesh of his lower back, his soft moans let her know that he enjoyed the pain just as much as if it were pleasure. The knowledge that she could use pain for pleasure was the ultimate turn on. She had to stop now or lose complete control.

  This was such an uncontrolled erotic experience for her that the reality of it hit her like a ton of bricks and scared her so badly she stumbled back. Mycale instantly understood Sori’s reaction, felt it when she suddenly realized how out of control they were. He had never been like this with anyone, couldn’t explain why only she could drive him this mad.

  Trying to catch his breath, he compose himself. “I better get going.”

  They couldn’t even look in each other’s direction. The energy they shared was too much for either of them to control, and for two people that were masters of control, that was saying a lot.