by Nikki Drost
I ignore Andy’s taunt and zero in on the man who stole my best friend.
“Okay, Adam, you had your fun, but now it’s time to give me back my best friend. I’ll allow three conjugal visits a week and if you play nice you two can have sleep overs every other weekend, but either way, she is coming home with me.”
“Sorry, Kelsey, you should have submitted a shared custody clause in the prenup. It iron clad, buttercup, with no room for renegotiation.”
“Adam, stop teasing her, we don’t even have a prenup.” Andy slaps her husband’s arm playfully.
“Damn right we don’t because you’re mine forever, angel.” He smiles lovingly at my friend before pulling her close and kissing so intimately that I’m forced to look away. See, I told you they were gross.
“Ugh, get a room.” I grumble.
Sheesh, you’d think they would be sick of each other by now, oh well, looks like I’ll have to find someone else to entertain myself with.
“Hey, Goldilocks, how have you been?”
I swivel my body in the direction of Lincoln Scott. Perfect. “I’ve been good, baby bear.”
Lincoln tears his eyes away from my exposed legs and lets out a boisterous laugh.
“Baby bear, really? If anything you should be calling me papa bear,” he growls.
I shrug my shoulders ignoring the chills that are currently racing down my spine. Jamie had made that same sensual noise and I swear I could climax from that sound alone.
“I think it’s fitting, besides papa bear was super grumpy.”
Every time I see the six foot eight Enforcer, I have to fight the urge to cuddle with him. His size may intimidate most people, but I know underneath all of that muscle, Lincoln is a big softy. I say hello to the rest of the Enforcers and I’m a little disappointed that Jamie isn’t among them, although I should probably be thankful for my reprieve. I’m sure wherever Jamie is he’s pissed beyond belief at me.
After the men greet Finn with fist bumps they grab their drinks and head toward the billiard room. Andy immediately gives me a play by play of her week in Vermont. Adam had wanted to take Andy to Greece for their honeymoon, but with the war between the Enforcers and the Omegas heating up, they were forced to stay local.
“So what did you do while I was gone?”
Oh, I had mind-blowing sex with Jamie on your wedding night, and then avoided him like the plague. I inwardly roll my eyes. It’s not like I’m prepared to tell her about that yet. Andy is a romantic at heart, and ever since she was swept off her feet by Adam, she has been on this crazy mission to find love for all of her friends.
“The usual stuff.” I twirl a lock of my golden hair between my fingers and glance at the front door.
“Looking for anyone in particular?”
My lips twist with wry amusement, damn her, she knows me too well. “Maybe.” I try to sound nonchalant, but one glance at my best friend and I know she wasn’t buying it.
“It wouldn’t be my husband’s best friend by any chance. You remember him, right? Tall, cocky, oh and menacing beyond belief.”
I chuckle at Andy’s assessment. Jamie is rather tall, dark, and broody, but underneath all of that arrogance is a man with a good heart. I just wish things could be different.
“He is rather yummy, isn’t he? Do you know if he’s seeing anyone?”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I regret them. Way to play it cool, Kelsey.
“As far as I know the only woman he’s seeing is you, ya big tramp. When were you planning on telling me that you hooked up with Jamie Trudeau?”
Several heads turn in our direction and I have to fight the urge to clamp my hand over my best friend’s big mouth. “Way to use your indoor voice,” I snap defensively.
Great, I can only imagine how people will spin this revelation by tomorrow morning.
“I’m sorry, but this is huge, Kelsey. I’m supposed to be your best friend and I had to find out about the two of you from my husband.”
“How the hell did he find out?” As far as I knew, Andy and Adam had left for Vermont straight from the reception. They never came back to the cabin that night.
“Grace told him, trust me there isn’t anything going on in that house that she doesn’t know about. She also filled me in on some of the latest gossip in town. I can only assume that the rumor about the wild orgy is false along with the one about you marrying Finn so he could obtain a green card.”
To her credit, Andy does try to contain her laughter, but fails miserably after about two seconds. Finn on the other hand begins to laugh so hard he has tears in his eyes.
“Oh my god, when did the people in this town start thinking I was a sex crazed nympho?”
Since when is my love life anyone else’s business? I had no idea that my life was front-page news.
“Well, you did grow up in this town so everyone knows you’re a serial dater and it also doesn’t help that you strut around in hooker heels.”
“This coming from a woman who married a man she only knew for a month and lay off my shoes, if anything they scream high priced call girl not cheap hooker.”
I’m not touching that serial dater comment with a ten-foot pole. I might have the reputation of getting around, but that doesn’t mean I sleep with every man I date. If people believe that nonsense, then so be it. I know the truth.
“Okay, stop avoiding and spill. I want to hear every detail.”
Okay, who is this woman and what the hell happened to my best friend. Normally I have to blackmail Andy into gossiping with me and let me tell you, it’s hard as hell to dig up dirt on a girl who never does anything wrong. Despite the fact that my friend may or may not have been replaced by a pod person I dish out every naughty deed we did that night.
“Wow.” Andy sighs. “So does this mean you two are finally an item?”
Ugh, how did I know she was going to go there?
“Look, I’m not going to deny that I’m attracted to Jamie, but you know as well as I do that we would never work out. We are just too different.”
“How can you say that? You two are the most stubborn, arrogant, loyal, crazy-assed people I know. If anything you are too much alike.”
I roll my eyes as I slam back another shot. Andy does have a point, not that I’d ever admit it to her, but Jamie and I do seem to have a lot in common.
“If I tell you something it has to go into the vault. I mean it, Andy. You can’t tell anyone and that includes your sexy husband. It has to stay between the two of us.”
“Um, hello, I’m married to a werewolf and living with shape shifters who work for Archangels, if I can keep that under wraps, I think I can keep your little secret to myself.”
She has a point, but she doesn’t need to be such a smart ass about it.
“Fine, the truth is I really like Jamie and I’d even go as far to admit that I want what you have with Adam.” I take a deep cleansing breath and continue, “But we’ll never have anything beyond sex.” I slam back my shot while avoiding Andy’s scrutiny.
“Oh my poor delusional friend,” she chuckles while shaking her head.
What did she call me?
Andy ignores my angered glare and continues. “Just talk to him, Kelsey, that way you won’t spend the rest of your life wondering what might have been.”
Pssh, no amount of talking is going to make Jamie want to have a monogamous relationship with me.
Chapter 2
Jamie
What the hell is wrong with that woman? I thought if I gave her some space she would come to the realization that we are meant for each other. Instead, she’s allowed doubt to cloud her judgment. Our night together had been a life-altering experience; at least it was for me. I thought she had been right there with me, but then I woke up alone. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why she bolted.
Did I hurt her? Did I come on too strong? Maybe she didn’t enjoy the sex. Yeah, right. Kelsey was so sated after our last round of lovemaking she barely had the ener
gy to snuggle up to me before she passed out. So why did she run?
Ever since I met Kelsey Collins, I have been fighting a losing battle. I had finally convinced myself that I deserved happiness, that this god forsaken life owes me that much. It’s not like I’m asking for world peace, money, fame or any other bullshit demand. All I want is one tiny female.
Apparently, that’s asking for too much because even after my little declaration, Kelsey still doesn’t see me as anything but her fuck buddy. Does she really think that’s all I’m good for? The fact that she was having dinner with another guy should be answer enough.
“Fucking women,” I sigh as I stare out the window of my Nova.
You can imagine my surprise when I spotted her casually eating dinner with that douchbag and her family. The wolf in me had wanted to kill the bastard then drag Kelsey outside and fuck her on the hood of his shiny sports car. It took every ounce of self-control not to give into that baser urge. Instead, I spent the next hour pacing the driveway like a man possessed.
Had I even crossed her mind? How is it that she can so easily dismiss what we have? I know I’m not exactly a prize, but Christ, I would still treat her better than that fucking pretty boy would.
If that man were anything but human, he’d be a pile of ashes right now. Not only does he deserve to lose his life for disrespecting my woman, but he actually tried to steal her away from me. Yeah, like I’d ever let that fucking happen.
I. Don’t. Get. It. Women have thrown themselves at me for years, if anything my biggest problem is getting them to back off after one performance. I hate repeat sex. It builds intimacy no matter how hard you try to keep it casual. That is until I slept with Kelsey.
What a monumental fuck up that was and here’s why. Kelsey Collins is my mate. For those of you that don’t know, it means my days of hot anonymous sex are now over. Kelsey is now the only (and I do mean only) female who will ever be able to get my dick to stand at attention. It figures that the one woman I want to have an exclusive relationship with doesn’t want me. Man, irony sucks. I’m not sure it really matters anyways.
Lately it has gotten to the point where the only way I could get hard was if I thought of, Kelsey. It made me feel like shit to fuck one woman while thinking about another. God, I’m such a fucking pussy. When the hell did I get so girly?
The song on my radio changes pulling a half hearted laugh from my belly. Christ, it’s like the universe is taunting me. As Matt Walst sings the very words that have been bouncing around my brain for weeks my heart continues to ache for my mate. I shake my head to clear it and force myself into action.
Kelsey is inside probably slamming back shots of tequila with Andy and Finn. I’d give my left nut to be anywhere else but here, but Micah has called a meeting and attendance is mandatory. Guess I’ll just have to suck it up and grow a pair, that or get plastered and find a knock out drag out fight.
I push open the door and scan the room. Man, Finn really needs to update this place, or at the very least hire a cleaning crew. The goddamned building is falling apart. Despite the lack in ambiance, everything seems like it’s on the up and up. My brother’s have already arrived and are waiting for me to join them.
I strut toward the bar as Hinder blares from the jukebox. I ignore the attention I’m attracting from the female populous hanging around the room. There is only one woman I care about and she is currently starring at her empty shot glass like it’s the most fascinating thing in the world.
“Hey Jamie.” Andy smiles sweetly while giving me an appreciative once over.
Great, so she must have found out that I hooked up with her friend. No wonder Kelsey refuses to look at me. Her precious secret is out.
I return Andy’s greeting, but my focus remains on the blonde in front of me. She refuses to acknowledge my presence causing my anger to rise. Who the fuck does this female think she is? She strings me along, and then denies me the second I’m hooked. I feel like a junkie in desperate need for a fix and she is my drug of choice. Well, enough is enough. I’m not above fighting for what I want. I just hope she’s prepared because I fight dirty.
“Finn, give me a bottle of Jack, don’t bother with a glass.”
The Irishman shakes his head, but hands over the goods without question. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that something is bothering me. There is no need to tell him the reason why I need the large amounts of alcohol.
“Is everythin' okay Jamie, yer seem troubled.”
“I’m fucking fantastic, Irish, never been better,” I lie.
Finn narrows his eyes, but keeps his opinions to himself, smart man.
“Comhghairdeas ar aimsiú do maité, ó na fuaimeanna é, tá tú do chuid oibre a ghearradh amach as tú mo chara.” Congratulations on finding your mate, from the sounds of it, you have your work cut out for you my friend.
“Gee, thanks, asshole.” He doesn’t know the half of it.
“By the way, I was wonderin' if yer and yer brothers would be willin’ ter play here next Friday night.”
I toss my head back with laughter. “Damn, you still haven’t found a new house band?”
“Now why should I go and do somethin' like that? The four of yer make me tons of coin.”
“That’s because we know how to work a crowd.”
“Aye, but it helps that yer ain't half brutal ter look at either.” He winks at me while licking his bottom lip.
“Christ Finn, stop flirting with me. I told you it ain’t ever going to happen.” I chuckle.
I notice Andy and Kelsey exchange a strange look. Shit, maybe they didn’t know Finn was bisexual. Guess the cats out of the bag. Ha, I bet Cass would appreciate that joke.
“Yer wish, Jamie. Yer know damn well yer ain't me type, I like me men sweet and docile.”
“Yeah, and your women easy and in groups of two or more,” I state matter-of-factly.
“Aye, yer know me so well.” Finn flashes a smile that has undoubtedly brought both men and woman to their knees.
“So are yer gonna do it or not?”
“Bottom for you? Hell no, but I’ll talk to the boys about the gig and get back to you,” I tease.
I catch Kelsey watching me and my cock instantly stands at attention, dammit. That’s the last thing I need right now. Just as I’m about to make my escape the hair on the back of my neck stands up while slim arms wrap around my waist.
“Hey, sexy, where have you been hiding?”
Gia Dewitt nuzzles her face against my back while purring her approval. Her sultry voice grates in my ears like nails on a chalkboard. It hasn’t escaped my attention that Kelsey is staring daggers in her direction. She couldn’t possibly be jealous, could she? Oh, this could be fun.
“I’ve been working, why? Do you need somethin’ from me, babe?”
I glance over my shoulder, and plaster on one of my killer smiles. The tangy scent of jealousy hits my nose and it makes me want to toss my head back and howl in sweet satisfaction.
Gia’s hands find their way underneath my shirt and head straight toward my pierced nipple. The feel of her nails scraping against my skin used to drive me wild, now I just feel sick to my stomach.
“You know what they say about all work and no play? Come find me when you’re finished with your friends, I’d hate for you to become a dull boy.”
***
“James? Are you listening to me?” Micah snaps his fingers in front of my face to gain my attention.
Shit, I haven’t heard a goddamn word since I walked in here and away from my woman. The conversation she and Andy are having is a helluva lot more interesting than the bullshit my brother is spouting on about. I’ve been eavesdropping on Kelsey and Andy’s conversation for the last twenty minutes. I know it’s wrong, but I need to know how she feels about me, about us. Unfortunately, our non-existent relationship seems to be the only topic not up for discussion.
My ears perk up as Kelsey goes on to describe how much she enjoys giving head. Fuck, someone kill
me now.
“Can we move this meeting along, please?” I snarl.
I shut my eyes and instantly imagine Kelsey on her knees between my legs, her head bobbing up and down as she takes my cock deep into the back of her throat. Dammit, I bang my head against the wall as my dick swells to a painful degree. Several throats are cleared before Micah takes charge once again.
“As I was saying, I know it’s been quiet lately, but the silence worries me. There has been no sign of Tavish or Terric Shaw. Plus there has been an influx of vampires moving into the area. So far, there haven’t been any incidents, but with the full moon coming next week, I want us all to be on high alert. We’ll continue to pose as bounty hunters while we do nightly sweeps of the town. The last thing I want is for us to be ambushed, again.”
Several words of agreement fill the room. I on the other hand can’t seem to focus on anything other than the she-devil dressed in red. How am I supposed to convince her to be with me? The woman doesn’t even want anyone to know that we spent the night together. What the fuck is the big deal anyways? Does she really care that much about what people will think?
Adam was right when he said love hurts. Dear god, please don’t let me end up so depressed that I start listening to sappy love songs in the dark like he did. I think I’d rather take a bullet to the head.
“So with that said when are you going to claim your mate?”
Wait…what? All four of my brothers glare at me with amused expressions on their ugly faces. Oh, for fuck’s sake not this again. If my love life is going to be our topic of conversation then I’m definitely going to need more alcohol.
“You must be mistaken, brother. The last time I checked, I didn’t have a mate.”
Man, I hate lying. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, which is why I usually don’t bother, but my nosy ass brothers need to learn to mind their own business. Of course, it would help if they couldn’t smell my deceit. There is no point in telling them I already tried to claim her and failed, god knows I’d never hear the end of it. It’s not like there is a rule that says I have to claim my mate anyways.