Darkness Falls

by Trista Ann Michaels

  He stepped out of his truck and headed up the front steps of the house, all the while unable to keep his mind off their kiss earlier. He would go to hell for all this one day. He just knew it.

  Today wasn’t the first time he and his brother had played each other. They’d done it as kids all the time. As they became adults, they grew out of it, but on occasion, they would trade places, just to see if they still could.

  He had no more intentions of misleading Alana. He’d tell her the truth. Because of his brother’s attraction to her, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

  Noah stood in the grand entrance of the abandoned house and snorted toward the glass dome above him in the ceiling.

  “I’m not sure I would believe that load of crock, either,” he said to himself.

  His stare moved to the curving staircase, and he sighed. Now where the hell would she be? And more importantly, what the hell was she doing here alone?

  “Alana?” he called.

  * * *

  He stood in the shadows, watching the light play off her auburn curls. She was pretty, although not as pretty as the other one. He could still imagine all the things he could do to her body. All the sexual things.

  He closed his eyes briefly, inhaling the sweet smell of roses that floated through the air as she moved. He imagined that smell filling his senses as he buried his cock in her ass, riding her hard before sinking the blade of his knife into her spine, severing the nerves.

  Just a head on a stick was what she’d be by the time he was done with her. Unable to move, to get away, to fight. The last thing she’d feel would be his cock buried in her throat.

  He opened his eyes, a soft smile pulling at his lips. He could feel his cock getting hard already in anticipation. It had been too long since his last girl. Too long since he’d fed the beast that existed within him. Is that why he found himself attracted to a redhead and not a brunette? It had definitely been too long.

  He preferred the other girl. He could still hear her screams, could still smell the scent of her blood as his claws had ripped at her flesh. He’d had a small taste of her, and he wanted more. His fingers clenched at his sides as he tried to control the rage, the hunger that seemed to burn him from the inside out.

  Control… He needed to maintain control.

  * * *

  Alana fiddled with the camera wiring and tried not to listen to the moans and creaks of the house. It was like the damn thing was alive, and she’d begun to regret her decision to come here alone. Tray would have her head if he knew. And truthfully, he should.

  The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as the creepy sensation of being watched traveled up her spine. She froze, holding her breath and listening. Her heart jumped in her chest as a barely audible noise sounded from behind her. Was someone in the room with her? The temperature felt as though it had dropped a few degrees, and she shivered. She should turn and look; she really should, but she was almost too afraid. She had a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach that if she did, she wouldn’t like what she saw.

  Swallowing, she reached for the small digital camcorder lying on the table. Not much of a weapon, but it would do in a pinch if used correctly.

  “Alana?”

  The sound of her name brought both relief and a tinge of unease. Was it Noah or Aiden?

  “Great,” she snarled. “I’m up here,” she called out, albeit reluctantly as she turned to study the empty room behind her with a frown.

  She really didn’t want to talk to either of them right now, but at the same time she didn’t want to be alone, either. Not after that creepy feeling.

  “Up where?” he called, and Alana sighed.

  “Second door on the right.”

  She turned just as Noah stepped into the doorway. He looked identical to Aiden. The only way she knew it was him was by his clothes. Aiden had been dressed in slacks and a tie. Noah was in jeans and a form-fitting T-shirt that outlined his wide shoulders to perfection. The blue material made his eyes appear darker, more blue than gray.

  “What the hell are you doing here alone?” he demanded, his voice rough and commanding.

  She bristled at his tone, despite how his deep voice made her stomach flutter.

  “Don’t start with me. I’m a grown woman; I can go where I want to. Why are you here? Back for more?” she snapped, unable to curb her anger, especially with her body humming to life at the sight of him staring at her like a hunter looking at his prey.

  “Don’t be snippy,” he said.

  She raised an eyebrow, her ire rising. “Excuse me? I think I have a right to be snippy.”

  He spread his hands as he came farther into the room. “I pretended to be my brother so you would kiss me. I admit it, but I’m not the first twin to do it, Alana.”

  “Did you think it was fun?” she asked, hand on her hip.

  She placed the camera down on the small table next to the closet while she waited for his answer. She’d been amazed when she arrived at just how much furniture was still in the house.

  “I thought your kiss was fun,” he said, his lips quirking just a little. “I do regret making you angry, though. I’m sorry for that.”

  “Fair enough, I suppose.”

  “Am I forgiven?”

  She scowled. “I don’t know that I would go quite that far.”

  He smiled, and her stomach jumped in a patty-cake rhythm that caught her by surprise.

  “Did your brother send you out here?” she asked, trying to cover up her sudden urge to kiss him again.

  All she’d been able to think about while at this house was the two of them seducing her as a pair. Was she nuts? Had that even been their intent, or had Noah just been playing a game?

  “Yes and no,” he replied, taking a couple of steps into the room.

  The closer he got, the more her flesh tingled. Was it because he looked so much like Aiden? He kissed like Aiden…sort of. His kiss had been more demanding where Aiden’s was more sensual, slower.

  She studied him from the corner of her eye. Now that she really looked at him, she could see he carried himself differently from Aiden. His brother was a people person. He was approachable. Noah was less approachable, more stern and arrogant. He had a darker look in his eyes.

  One side of her lips quirked in a half smile. Was it that simple? Aiden was light, the good twin, the gentle twin, and Noah was dark, the dangerous, naughty, and rough twin? She could see that.

  His blue-gray gaze met hers, and her breath caught in her chest. Oh, yeah. She could definitely see that. Looking at Noah made her think of hot, sweaty nights between black satin sheets. She licked her lips and looked back down at the camera, trying to take her mind off sex with the twins.

  “Alana?”

  His deep voice carried across the room and smoothed over her skin like a caress. Too late. So much for not thinking about sex.

  “Yes?” she croaked, then cleared her throat to try again. “So if Aiden sending you to apologize is one reason why you’re here, what’s the other?”

  He stepped close behind her, so close she could feel the heat off his body against her back.

  “I couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss,” he replied, his voice so soft and sensual he might as well have just stroked his hand down her back.

  “I’m sleeping with your brother,” she whispered, although it sounded more like she wanted to convince herself more so than him, even to her own ears.

  He snorted softly. “Trust me, I know.”

  “Are you really going to stick with that story? That you came when he did? I get the whole twins feel each other’s pain, but pleasure?”

  He shrugged. “It is what it is.”

  “Do you do this often?” she snipped over her shoulder.

  “Do what?” he asked, all innocent.

  “Seduce your brother’s girlfriends?”

  “Is that what I’m doing?” Alana could hear the amusement in his voice and bristled.

  “I don’t k
now. Is it?”

  “If I were, you would know it.”

  Alana huffed. Of all the arrogant, conceited—

  Rolling her eyes, she did what she knew she shouldn’t, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. She turned to face him. Craning her neck, she looked into pretty eyes that left her feeling weak-kneed and speechless.

  “Honestly? You want the truth?” he asked.

  Alana nodded, but couldn’t speak past the rising lump of lust.

  “Aiden and I have shared women. You wouldn’t be the first, but I have a feeling you could be the last.”

  “What if I’m not into sharing?” she asked, her heart racing wildly in her chest at the idea.

  He moved just a little closer, crowding her against the table, and she reached back, grasping the edge with shaking hands. Her fingers tightened around the wood as he invaded her space, bringing his body so close to hers, she could swear she felt his heart beating against her breasts. She had to hold on to something; otherwise she’d jump his ass right there, Aiden’s brother or not.

  “Think about it,” he whispered.

  She swallowed. Oh, she had been thinking about it. A lot. Which would probably explain why her breasts were so full and firm, they ached, and her panties were soaking wet.

  He crooked his finger and placed it under her chin, forcing it up. With the pad of his thumb, he pulled her lower lip down, making her lips part. She couldn’t move—wasn’t even sure she wanted to move. His lust-filled gaze had her so mesmerized, she wasn’t sure she could even breathe.

  She held her breath as he bent down, then stopped just a hairbreadth away from her lips. His eyes stared into hers, watching, holding her immobile with the desire shining in their depths.

  In a move so fast it startled her, he planted his mouth on hers. It was demanding, wild just like back at Aiden’s office. She drew in a sharp breath of utter delight. It felt as though she’d waited forever for that touch, and when it finally happened, she almost swooned.

  There was no gentle swiping of his tongue, no brush of his lips over hers, but a full-on, senses-overloading, tongue-delving kiss that made her knees buckle. His arm wrapped around the small of her back, shoving her up against him so tight, her breasts flattened against his hard-as-steel chest.

  She lifted her hands and grabbed fingers full of his shirt to hold on to. His kiss was wild and intense, and God help her, she had the most insane urge to spread her legs and wrap them around his waist, grind her pussy against the hard ridge of his cock that currently pressed into her stomach, and ride him till she came.

  It was over way too soon, and she moaned as his mouth left hers, her body leaning back into him, unconsciously seeking more. He pulled back and smiled, his eyes twinkling with a devilish light that made her insides flutter and the heat of a blush move over her cheeks.

  “Think about it,” he repeated before turning and walking from the room, leaving her alone and trembling.

  She blindly reached for the table behind her to keep from falling. Her legs trembled so badly, she could hardly hold herself upright. “Holy crap,” she sighed, trying her best to get her breathing back under control.

  The sound of a car door slamming made her jump, and she stumbled to the window overlooking the front yard. Now what? Two of her camera crew had arrived, and farther down the driveway she could see Jordan’s van approaching. No sign of Tray, though.

  She quickly made her way out of the house to meet up with her team. As she came down the front step, she saw Noah shaking hands with Jordan and one of the two cameramen. She slowed, waiting for him to walk away before approaching Jordan.

  “There you are,” he said and pointed his thumb toward Noah’s retreating back. “I was about to chew you out for coming out here alone until I saw Noah. Did you know Aiden had a twin?”

  “Yeah,” she said with a sigh as she crossed her arms over her chest to ward off the chilly wind. “I found out earlier.”

  “Guess you can’t be any safer than with the sheriff,” he said with a grin.

  Alana’s mouth dropped open slightly in surprise. “What?”

  “You knew he was the sheriff, didn’t you?” Jordan reached into the van and grabbed his jacket. As he slipped his arms inside, he studied her with a worried expression.

  “Yeah,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

  “You okay? You seem a little distracted.”

  His eyes narrowed as he glanced toward Noah’s Dodge Ram pulling out of the drive and onto the road. He turned back to her, and Alana could feel the heat of a blush moving over her cheeks. She wasn’t sure why she felt so guilty. She hadn’t done anything wrong.

  “Where’s Tray and Lisa?” she asked, trying to quickly change the subject.

  “They’re waiting on you.”

  “Oh, man.” She rubbed at the back of her neck with a sigh. “I forgot.”

  “The camera crew and I decided to come over early while we still have light and see if we can find the passageways.”

  Alana snorted. “Good luck with that.”

  Jordan pointed a finger at her nose, and she reached out, grasping it within her hand. “You better get to the hotel before Tray sends out the guard.”

  “Tray always threatens to send out the guard,” she replied as she pulled at his finger playfully.

  Jordan chuckled and patted the back of her hand before pulling his finger free of her grasp.

  “He worries about you. We all do, especially after what happened to Lisa. Never, ever come out here alone, Alana. I know you’re my boss, but in this matter, I’m pulling rank.”

  Alana smiled slightly at Jordan’s protective nature. Her smile faded, and she gave him a firm stare of her own, this time pointing her finger at his nose. “I’ll let you get away with that this time.”

  Jordan just grinned, knowing full well she was only teasing. To her, they weren’t her employees; they were her partners, her family. The only family she had.

  “Now get,” he ordered and with a smile, headed toward the house.

  Chuckling, Alana jumped into her truck and headed down the driveway.

  * * *

  He stood in the shadows of the attic window, growling softly to himself. These people were becoming a damn pain in his ass.

  Chapter Nine

  Alana stopped just outside the door to her hotel room. They’d flipped the security bar over, letting the door rest against it and leaving it open a crack. She could hear Lisa and Tray talking softly, debating theories on the recording they had of their young ghost.

  Through the crack, she could see her friends sitting at the small dining table, their eyes glued to the screen. Alana assumed they were looking at the footage Aiden’s camera had caught of the ghostly image. The smoky ghost was some of the best footage they’d ever caught, and if she hadn’t been there in person, she wasn’t sure she would believe it was real.

  She continued to watch them for a few seconds. She wanted to go in. She wanted to talk about what had happened earlier today. She wanted to talk about her confusion and

  her strange desire to want to take the twins up on their unusual offer.

  What would that make her? A slut? Easy? Adventurous? Or would it make her anything at all?

  She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling, disgusted with herself. Why was she even considering this? Sure, the idea sounded intriguing, but it wasn’t her.

  With a sigh, she put the palm of her hand against the door and pushed it open.

  “Honey, I’m home,” she called out, trying to cover her inner turmoil with humor. “What’s for dinner?”

  “What’s for dinner, my ass,” Tray growled as he leaned back in his chair and stared at her in annoyance. “What the hell were you doing at that house all alone?”

  Alana huffed and tossed her purse into the chair. “I see Jordan called you.”

  “Yeah, he called.”

  “I wasn’t alone,” Alana argued as she dropped onto the sofa. “Didn’t he tell you Noah was there?�
��

  “Who the hell is Noah?” Lisa asked as she turned in her chair to sit sideways and rest her arm over the back.

  “Noah is Aiden’s twin, and he’s also the sheriff.”

  “Twin?” Tray repeated with interest.

  “Forget it. He’s not gay.”

  “How do you know?” Tray’s lips twitched. “Some men can hide that sort of thing.”

  “Down, boy,” Lisa teased before turning her attention back to Alana, although Alana would have preferred it remain on Tray at the moment. She really wasn’t sure she was ready to talk about it.

  “Trust me, he’s not gay,” Alana grumbled.

  “What’s going on?” Lisa asked. “Something happened earlier that you’re not telling us. Like it or not, I’m putting my foot down here. Whatever it was is making you do things you know you shouldn’t, such as go to that house alone, especially after what happened to me. Now spill, girlfriend.”

  “Did you remember something?” Alana asked as she stared at her friend, half hoping she had so they wouldn’t have to talk about her dilemma.

  “No, and stop trying to change the subject.”

  Alana dropped her head into her hands and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. There was no point putting this off, not really. Both Tray and Lisa knew her too well.

  “I went by Aiden’s office to meet him for lunch.”

  She stopped, and Tray’s eyes narrowed. “Please tell me that jerk isn’t married.”

  Alana shook her head. “No. I wish it were that simple.”

  “It’s worse than being married?” Lisa asked, her eyes wide with worry.

  “Well, maybe. I don’t know,” she replied, sighing. “I…I accidentally kissed Noah, thinking he was Aiden. The two of them look identical; it’s amazing.”

  Tray snorted. “What? That’s it?”

  “Noah kissed me back, and Aiden walked in on us.”

  “Awkward,” Tray sang. “He shouldn’t have been mad, Alana. At least not at you.”

  “He wasn’t mad.” Alana began to tug at her fingers, popping her knuckles. “They came up with this ridiculous story that… Well, it was just stupid. But Noah later just admitted that they share.”