Cursed in Love

by Bethany Shaw

  She shrugged. “I went for a swim in the pool. Not the same as the ocean, but it will do in a pinch.”

  “You aren’t worried about someone seeing you?” he asked. For someone so bent on staying hidden, it seemed awfully risky.

  She grinned. “No. I am invisible in the water and within a few feet of it if I want to be.”

  “Really? That must be nice.”

  “Wouldn’t want a fisherman to see me, or worse, catch me.” She walked to the bathroom and grabbed a towel before coming back into the room again. As she rubbed the ends of her hair with the towel, his eyes trained on her tattoo.

  He nodded at the marking. “Is that what your mermaid looks like?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How did you get it so accurate?”

  She chuckled. “It’s not something a tattoo artist did. It comes with being a guardian. It is my ‘other half,’ so to speak.”

  “Huh.” He couldn’t think of anything better to say. “So, you enjoy the water?”

  She smiled from ear to ear, causing her eyes to brighten. Her smile was infectious; he realized he would do just about anything to keep her happy.

  “It helps soothe me. I don’t get to spend as much time swimming as I’d like though.”

  “I like to jog and box to decompress.”

  “Boxing? Really?” she asked.

  Noah laughed out loud. “Yeah. Believe it or not there is something therapeutic about punching something really hard.”

  She rolled her eyes, but the smile didn’t fade. “You know, some of the footwork and movements are similar to fencing.”

  “I didn’t, but I suppose that makes sense.” He got up from the bed and took a few steps toward her. “Maybe we could spar sometime,” he offered with a lopsided grin. With his new speed and power, he wanted to test it out. Ethney might be small, but he saw first-hand how she handled herself in a fight and he knew he didn’t have to worry about harming her for the long term.

  “Show me what you’ve got,” she said taking a step back and gesturing for him to come at her.

  “What? Now? Here?” he looked around the room.

  Aside from the two double beds and the TV hanging on the wall, there wasn’t much furniture in the way leaving several feet of free space. It wasn’t a lot, but it would do for a quick mock duel.

  He chuckled and lifted his hands up into a fighting stance. “You asked for it.”

  “Don’t hold back because I’m an old woman,” she said, her voice turning low and deadly.

  “I won’t. Trust me.” On his Army team there was a female soldier who “educated” him in never holding back.

  He threw the first punch, a right jab, which Ethney bobbed away from before slamming the heel of her foot into his shin. She followed that move up with a left hook to the jaw he was not prepared for; with her speed, he barely saw the movements.

  His jaw exploded with pain; he opened and closed his mouth repeatedly to work out the kinks. What had he gotten himself into? Could he move that fast?

  She went to throw an upper cut, but he dodged it just in time; his jaw couldn’t take another blow. She hit hard—real hard. He threw a left jab and barely missed her as she countered with a jab aimed at his nose. Speedily, his hand whipped up and wrapped around her hand, yanking her toward him, but before he could gain leverage, she wrapped her leg behind his and pressed enough weight into him to knock him off balance. They toppled to the floor.

  Ethney straddled him, leaning far enough forward for her breasts to crush against his face. He groaned at their touch, so full and perky. Caught up in her breasts, he didn’t notice the way her arms were wrapping around his neck until she began to apply pressure. He gasped and wheezed before tapping her arm in submission.

  She sat up and moved so she could stare down at him with a cocky grin spread across her face. He responded by lifting his hips and throwing her off balance. Rolling with the momentum, he sprawled on top of her to stare down into her wide, surprised eyes.

  The urge to kiss her overwhelmed him and before he could think twice he pressed his lips to hers. He half expected her to push him away so when she opened her mouth and her tongue darted out to greet his, he groaned. She tasted like berries and salt. It was an odd, but intoxicating sensation that made him want more. He skimmed his tongue along her teeth and then nibbled on her lips.

  Ethney arched her back, driving her hips into his. His groin ached and his cock jumped to attention. He hadn’t been with anyone since before his last OP, nearly a year ago.

  Something told him Ethney wasn’t like any girl he was ever with; she was beautiful and feminine right down to her petite curves, but she screamed domination. This should be interesting and hot.

  Noah inched his hand up her shirt. Lacy fabric met his fingers and he nibbled on her lip as he gently pinched her pebbling nipple. She arched further into him as her hands grasped the edges of his shirt and rolled it up toward his head. He broke the kiss only long enough to remove his shirt. His lips found hers again and he savored the taste of her mouth. Her tongue moved harmoniously against his. She ran her hands up and down his bare back, sending sensations rolling through him.

  After another moment of kissing, he broke his hold to meander his lips down the column of her neck while simultaneously rolling up her shirt so he could pull it off and deposit it on the floor. The black lace bra showed him everything, including the pert bud he was dying to nibble. He reached down and undid the clasp at the front of her bra allowing her voluptuous breasts to spring free.

  Noah ogled them for a long moment before dipping his head down to engulf one in his mouth, sucking the ripe mound until the sensitive peak turned into a tight bud. Then he twisted his mouth further down, leaving a trail of wet kisses all the way to her navel.

  He dipped his hand inside her pants and wiggled his fingers past her lacy panties, slipping them into her tight, wet heat. She was so ready for him it made him groan as he began to dart his fingers in and out.

  Ethney rolled her hips, moving them in time to his movements. She reached between them and grasped his wrist giving it a gentle pull. He removed his hand and sat up, watching as her fingers went to the fly of her jeans, unfastening it and wiggling her hips to slide them down.

  Her panties matched her bra—all lace and all too revealing. He licked his lips at the sight. Her hands went to the edges of her panties and slowly, as if she knew how closely he was watching, she slipped them down her legs until she was completely bare to him.

  Noah pushed to a standing position, eager to relieve himself of his own clothes. He shoved his pants and boxers down in one swoop and then offered his hand to Ethney.

  She slipped her smooth, warm hand into his and he helped her to her feet. He bent down, caught her behind the shoulders and the knee, and lifted her to carry her to the bed, spreading her over the comforter. His eyes roamed over her, basking in her spectacular body.

  He slid onto the bed, gently pushing her knees apart with his. Slipping in between them he guided his cock to her core and found her lips again with his mouth. When his mouth touched hers, he slid inside. Her tight walls sheathed him like a glove, causing them both to moan.

  Noah gave her a few seconds to adjust to his length before he set a slow and steady rhythm of pulling out to the tip only to plunge deeply back in again.

  Ethney moved to his movements; she wrapped her legs around his waist and clamped his naked hips with her knees while her hands trailed up and down his back. Her eyes fluttered closed allowing the most delicious whimpers to escape her lips.

  Noah couldn’t help but watch her. She might work for a goddess, but Ethney was one herself. She was exquisite—perfect in every way. One night with her wasn’t going to be enough. He had to make it past this full moon.

  There was a connection with Ethney he couldn’t quite understand. She knew what it was like to live a double life. He wouldn’t have to hide from her. They could be together, maybe even work together hunting down lycanthrope. They
could be a real couple—have a real relationship. He just had to keep his wits about him. He glanced down at the beauty beneath him. With her by his side, he had no doubt he could do that.

  His rhythmic thrusting tampered with her sanity; shockwaves of pleasure filtered in her core as she threw her head back and screamed out his name. Her inner walls tightened around his cock, spurring his release with a roar.

  Noah slid in and out of her a few more times before collapsing on top of her and peppering her with soft kisses to the lips. One time definitely wasn’t going to be enough. It was a good thing Elena wouldn’t be here until around nine.

  Chapter Seven

  Ethney groaned at the sharp blaring sound ringing incessantly by her head. She reached out, fumbling for the button that would turn the blasted alarm clock off, but something else—someone else, beat her to it.

  A warm chest pressed against her back, the force of the weight pushing her down into the mattress. She blinked her eyes open and froze as the events of last night flooded her mind. Crap! What did I do?

  Her center ached wonderfully and part of her wanted to roll over and press her throbbing core against Noah so he could take her all over again, but that would be a very bad idea. He was her enemy—a man she was more than likely going to have to kill in a few weeks, on her birthday no less.

  What an idiot! Killing Noah was already going to be hard enough considering he was such a good guy. She didn’t need to complicate it further by starting a relationship with him.

  Noah pressed a kiss to her shoulder and then another to her collarbone. She closed her eyes; it would be so easy to get lost in the moment. She couldn’t let this happen again. She rolled out of the bed and hurried to the bathroom.

  Once inside, she shut and locked the door. Closing her eyes and leaning her head on the door for a long moment, she took a deep breath and finally reached into the shower to turn on the water. Thankfully, she could shower when she pleased without fearing turning into a mermaid. She controlled her other half, which made things like showers a welcome commodity.

  She hopped in and let the scalding water cascade over her. This thing with Noah couldn’t happen again. Her heart couldn’t take falling for a man she’d inevitably have to execute. It was paramount she protect herself. Being a little sweet on him did not help the matter. She needed distance—lots of distance.

  Ethney stayed in the shower until the water ran cold before grabbing a towel to dry off. Stepping out of the stall, she realized she did not bring any clothes in with her. Great! She blew out a breath and opened the door to the bathroom, peeking her head out. The room was empty. She frowned; where was Noah? Surely he hadn’t run away after everything.

  She muttered under her breath and slipped on her clothes from the previous night. Just as she finished buttoning her jeans, the hotel door swung open and Noah walked in with a drink carrier and a bag of food. The smell wafted in the air, making her taste buds salivate. He brought breakfast. How sweet! No! Stop thinking like that!

  “Morning,” Noah said as he kicked the door shut and set the food down on the end table by the bed.

  “Hi,” she said. She folded her arms over her chest and stared at him. Even with his clothes on she couldn’t get the naked image of him out of her head. His muscles were even more pronounced than his shirt showed.

  “I got breakfast.” He held up the bag. “I wasn’t sure what you liked so I got a variety. Hopefully, there is something in there you will eat.”

  Her eyes drifted to the bag. After one night, Noah was already more thoughtful and sweet than any of her past flings had ever been. Hell, he even had a step up on her husband and she was married to the bastard for years. Then again, she and Angus were never really in love; she only fooled herself into thinking they were.

  “Thanks.” She took a step forward, but stopped when he plopped down on the bed.

  He held up the drink container. “Do you want OJ or coffee?”

  “OJ.”

  When Noah handed her the glass, their hands brushed and the touch sent a rush of heat straight through her. She cleared her throat and jerked her hand away.

  “So, about last night,” Noah started.

  “It was nice, but it can’t happen again,” she said before he could say anything else.

  Noah’s face fell. “Right. It’s complicated.” He nodded and looked down at his hands. “Ethney—”

  “Don’t!” She didn’t give him a chance to finish. Whatever he was going to say she didn’t want to hear it. It would make everything that much harder. Right now she needed to distance herself from him.

  “Look, I know the odds are stacked against me right now, but—”

  “Noah, please. I don’t want to argue,” she interrupted him again. “Last night was enjoyable, but it shouldn’t have happened. Let’s just do what we need to do and move on.”

  It was what was best. Her heart didn’t think so, but she knew in her mind she needed distance and clarity when it came to him. The full moon was right around the corner and she didn’t want to get attached to Noah like she had with the kid, Kevin, in January. Killing him still kept her up at night. Killing Noah was going to haunt her for years to come.

  Noah opened his mouth to say something, but a knock on their hotel door stopped him.

  “Noah?” a woman’s voice called.

  “That’s Elena,” he said, his eyes dropping to the bed.

  Ethney looked to the door and then back to Noah. He blew out what seemed to be an annoyed breath and trudged to it to open it for his sister.

  “Yeah. Let me grab my things and breakfast and we’ll be ready.” He opened the door wider.

  Elena’s eyes widened when they landed on Ethney. Her gaze went to the rumpled comforter on the bed and then to the other bed that had clearly not been touched. So much for keeping their activities last night a secret. Ethney grabbed the bag of food from the end table and the OJ and hurried toward the door. She offered Elena a tight-lipped smile before brushing past her and out into the already hot and humid air.

  Inhaling Elena’s scent, she followed it to a blue compact car with a sunroof. Noah and Elena’s voices followed not too far behind her. Ethney didn’t wait for them, she opened the car door and squeezed in next to the boxes and cases Elena had packed to bring to Savannah. The woman had clearly come prepared because there was barely enough room to squeeze in. Hopefully, the doctor would be able to help. She wasn’t going to hold her breath though.

  “How did you know which car was mine?” Elena asked as she opened the driver’s side door.

  Ethney glanced around the lot. There were still plenty of cars in parking spots. Damn. Noah had her all flustered. She wasn’t even thinking clearly.

  “Lucky guess,” she said.

  Elena frowned, but didn’t say anything else. “So, Savannah?”

  “Yeah. We’re staying at a beach house just off the coast,” Noah said. “I’ll give you better directions once we get closer.”

  “We?” Elena asked her voice low. She glanced at Ethney in the rearview mirror before starting the car. “I didn’t realize the two of you were together.”

  “It’s complicated,” Noah said.

  Elena bit her lip, her eyes darting to the road and then back to Ethney. It was enough to make Ethney shift in her seat, at least the little bit she could. She hated being scrutinized.

  “Maybe you should tell me exactly what is going on. If I’m going to help, I need to know what I’m getting into,” Elena said.

  “I’ve already told you everything,” Noah said.

  Elena shook her head and exhaled loudly. “There is more going on. I’m not stupid, Noah. Our sister and brother-in-law are dead. You’ve run off with our niece. You say you turn into a lycanthrope at the full moon and you are running around with some woman I’ve never met before. I think I’m owed more of an explanation.”

  “Lycanthrope are real,” Ethney spoke up. “The government is aware there is something going on, but they don’t kn
ow everything. I work for a special task force dealing with the situation.”

  “And you’re sleeping with my brother? That doesn’t seem too professional,” Elena said.

  Ethney sat back in her seat. “You’re right, it’s not. That’s why it won’t be happening again. I can assure you, the threat is quite real and if you fail at finding a cure your brother and niece will turn into monsters and they’ll have to be put down.”

  “Put down?” Elena whispered.

  “For the protection of everyone else,” Ethney finished.

  “But that’s not going to happen,” Noah said. He reached out touched his sister’s shoulder. “You’re going to find a cure.”

  “If I don’t, you’ll die? Claire will die?” Elena asked. Her mouth popped open and her brows dipped down into a scowl.

  Noah shook his head. “It’s not going to come to that.”

  Ethney opened her mouth to tell him he shouldn’t make promises, but then stopped. Elena shouldn’t know how hopeless the cause was right now. It could effect her research and work. If the woman did fail, Ethney would ensure Elena it wasn’t her fault. She could even have Astraea whammy her and take away all the memories of the two weeks they were together. It’d probably be best. If Ethney couldn’t save Noah, she could at least protect his sister.

  Chapter Eight

  The ride to the beach house was quiet. Noah had no idea what his sister was thinking, but he couldn’t blame her if her mind was reeling. There was a lot to take in. Sometimes he still questioned whether it was all real or not. Considering everything he witnessed in his time, this took the cake. The paranormal was real. Monsters really did go bump in the night, as if worrying about crazy, psychotic terrorists wasn’t bad enough.

  “Something’s wrong,” Ethney said drawing him from his thoughts. She leaned forward in the seat so her chin was resting on Elena’s seat.

  Noah frowned and stared at the house. She was right. The door was ajar and one of the flowerpots had been knocked over leaving dirt all over the porch steps.