I quickly changed into a black tank and low-rise jeans, throwing a fashionable scarf around my neck. Even though the cold didn’t affect my body temperature, it was January which meant my leather jacket and boots were still acceptable. I put them on too. Then I said goodnight to my colleagues, ignoring their suspicious glares. They’d never seen me wear anything but a dull sweat suit once I got off work.
Not tonight. Tonight I had a date with Aaron.
As I headed down the hall towards the back door, it opened. Punch stepped inside and froze, nostrils flaring like he was sniffing the air. Then his head lifted slowly. I had a feeling I knew what…er, whose scent he’d detected. Stopping in my tracks, I considered turning and running in the other direction, but couldn’t move. The sound of his heart pumping blood into the arteries of his muscular body had my attention. My full attention. Every tall, chocolaty warm-blooded inch of him called to me even though he hadn’t said a word.
I licked my lips thinking his blood was good…and I could use a dose of his power.
I’d never paid attention to Punch before because he was Fire’s man. And I certainly hadn’t been hot for him.
But things had changed.
I’d had his blood. And he’d made me come with barely a touch.
I’d made sure to stay away from him all night and sensed he was doing the same. Yet here we were face-to-face, neither of us able to run. When our eyes met, I couldn’t tell which one I wanted more—the taste of his blood or its power. Either way, I was instantly starving for it. And sex was in there somewhere.
My mind was drawing a blank. Wasn’t I headed somewhere?
His nostrils flared again, and I was betting he could smell my arousal. I was certainly getting a heavy dose of his.
“Do you need a ride?” he said in that baritone voice that made my cookie quiver.
The double entendre in his question was ringing in my ears. Boy, do I ever.
I shook my head, eyeing his jugular like it was the Last Supper. When my fangs elongated and pierced my lip, I knew I was in trouble. But I was lost in his glare, unable to tell who was doing the captivating. It was commonly known that were-animals had powers of their own except—other than becoming an animal—the details of those powers were a mystery. All I knew was at this moment I seemed to have been equally entranced.
Willing myself to regain control, I tore my eyes from his and focused on a spot on the floor. I prayed my eyes wouldn’t turn. There’d be no holding back then.
“My truck’s right outside,” he said.
Startled, I looked up. When did he get so close?
He eyed the blood running down my bottom lip then rubbed his thumb across it. That’s when I realized I had continued biting my lip, preventing it from healing. I stared at his full lips as he took the thumb to his mouth and sucked it.
His dark brown eyes immediately turned auburn and mine flashed red. I could feel it. I could see them reflected in his eyes. Tingling all over, I moved in even closer to his broad chest and palmed the pectoral over his heart. He dipped his head low enough for our lips to nearly touch. Oh, yes, his body was hot and strong and we were…
“You know, I used to like you, Willow.”
Punch and I both jumped and turned in the direction of the voice that was harsh enough to break our trance.
Fire was standing a few feet away.
Although I couldn’t see her eyes hidden behind red fringe bangs, I knew she was staring a hole in the middle of my forehead. But forget her damn eyes. Instinctively, I was more concerned about the smoke blowing from her boney nose. Her arms hung stiffly at her sides and her usually pasty white skin was beet red. Her stance reminded me of a fighting bull locked on its target. Only, I was no matador and I sure as hell wasn’t holding a muleta.
I became conscious of my fangs, even thought about retracting them. Then figured they may be needed to fight.
Shit.
I really didn’t want to go there with her especially since this drama was my fault. I’d been the one to cross the line in the sand, so to speak.
Punch walked towards her slowly, palms out. He was saying soothing things to her when I decided it was a good time to bust a move. Not only did I remember there was a hottie waiting for me out back, but I didn’t need to press my luck with anyone who breathed out smoke. Where there was smoke, there was fire. Literally.
And me and fire didn’t mix.
Nevertheless, with the way Punch and I had been carrying on, it was very likely I’d get another shot with Fire.
Undoubtedly.
And the next time I’d be armed with an extinguisher since I had a hunch there was more to Fire than I’d originally thought. When Franco had pulled his skin-burn thing on me, he hadn’t been throwing off smoke. Which told me Fire was definitely one to watch out for.
All my anxiety went away when I saw Aaron’s Jag waiting in the lot.
Curbing my appetite before I saw him seemed like a good idea since I was too high-strung at the moment. Couldn’t risk being around him without wanting a bite. Knowing it was best for us both, I quickly downed half my blood vials then walked towards his car.
Later for Punch. My real interests were elsewhere. Remi was all about me. And if last night was any indication of how things were progressing with Aaron, it wouldn’t be long before he would be all about me also.
“Hi. How was work?” he said as I got comfortable in the seat.
Double yum. He was looking too good for words...but I couldn’t help trying to find the right one: beautiful, gorgeous, fine. They all came to mind, neither doing him justice.
It wasn’t raining at all tonight, yet Aaron wore his hair slicked back again, this time parted on the side. He wore a cobalt blue long-sleeved dress shirt that made his eyes sparkle like diamonds beneath those thick dark brows and long lashes. The way his shirt tucked into black slacks was an exclamation point to all that was divine about him, from the chest hair peaking through the top of his shirt to the nicely-edged beard and mustache…
Remi was usually clean-shaven which made me wonder if they fought over facial hair. Did Remi win that battle every Saturday?
“What’s wrong?” he said.
I shook my head. “Nothing at all. Just taking you in.” I brazenly gave him the once over with appreciative eyes. “I think you may be the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.” That was saying something because he didn’t have any supernatural enhancements.
And what do you know—he blushed the color of Heinz ketchup.
Looking away, he said, “So where are we headed? I can’t remember what happened last night before I left your place. Don’t even know how I knew to come here tonight.”
“I’m glad you came. You agreed to help me with a situation.” I gave him an address for his GPS and he started driving, didn’t even ask what the situation was.
As he drove from the parking lot, Wham! played through the speakers and I was transported to the land of peace. Ah, yes. “Careless Whisper”…
A place where Aaron and I were the same species. A place where we were lovers and Max was dead. Really dead.
Oh, no. I was really digging Aaron.
“I didn’t wanna be corny. I mean, I don’t really know what’s appropriate…but I brought you something. I hope you like it,” he said. “It’s in the backseat. I’m still not sure I should have gotten it. I’ll understand if you don’t—”
“They’re beautiful.” I picked up the bouquet of orange roses and sniffed. I’d thought the scent was car deodorizer. “Thank you.”
I thought back to the last time someone had given me roses. My ex had been caught cheating and was trying to get out the doghouse. It had been too little too late.
But this gesture…this was special.
“You don’t think it’s too much?” he said.
Aaron was so thoughtful, so sweet, so romantic. I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Not at all. They’re perfect.”
I felt warmness in my chest where my heart
used to be. It slowly spread down my belly to my…
“Good. I was serious about needing a friend,” he said. “I don’t want to ruin what we have.”
Scraaaaaaatch. What? Friend?
“No, Friend. They’re perfect,” I said.
He smiled, satisfied with himself.
Had completely missed my sarcasm.
I folded my arms and pouted the whole forty-five minute drive to Katy. He started several conversations and I let them fall away with one-liners and utter rudeness. My attitude made no sense. No sense at all, still I couldn’t help feeling dejected.
Oh, this was bad. Real bad.
When we got out to the suburbs, it was dark and foggy and I contemplated bleeding him and leaving him in the ditch. No one would find his fine ass for days.
But I shook myself out of my stupor and explained to him what we were going to do here. At first, he refused. Then I explained why we were going to do it and he got onboard. Good thing, because I’d captivate him into compliance if I had to. I was trying to avoid that on account of how much I’d tampered with his mind already. Best to use that on him only when absolutely necessary from now on.
So once we went over the plan, we stopped at a gas station so I could get behind the wheel and he could crouch down in back. With no license and not much driving history, I was surprised he trusted me with his ride. He said that’s what insurance was for. Okay then…
When we rode up to the iron gate, he kept quiet. I did the talking and smiling and hair flipping for the security camera until we were allowed in. It helped that the owner of the mansion had the hots for me and had told me so many times. Now I had the perfect excuse to show up at his house at three in the morning, looking good and sounding seductive.
The idiot actually thought I was coming to fuck him.
I walked up to the door as he swung it as wide as the shit-eating grin on his conniving face.
“Hey, Rafe,” I said to Cindy’s estranged husband. “You gonna let me in?”
Chapter 17
He licked his lips. “C’mon in, babe.”
I wanted to gut-punch him right then.
I hated being called “babe” with a passion. It was just as bad as “gal”, and both were almost as bad as the racial epithets Agent Monroe liked to throw around. “Baby” was okay, but only from a lover. “Babe” was totally unacceptable.
At least he’d given me the welcome I needed. Couldn’t step in his house without an invite.
Showing both rows of my perfectly straight white teeth, I grinned big and fake. I’d need an Academy Award before the night was through.
“You mind if my friend joins us?” I said.
He threw his head back like the sex of his dreams was about to go down. “Oh, yes, babe. Where’s your friend? Tell her to come on in.”
If he kept calling me babe, plan A was out the window. I’d jump straight to plan Z, which included him in a body bag. That was the last resort—one that would end my friendship with Cin and probably secure my spot in hell—but still a viable option.
I grinned again and waved at the car for Aaron to come in. Then I stepped inside the grand foyer, closing the door behind myself, making sure it remained unlocked.
Rafe really gave me the heebie-jeebies, and I really didn’t want to be around him at all. But with everyone Saybree confirmed was coming after me, I needed to tidy up the loose end with Cin. Didn’t need her being desperate and ratting me out for money to fight this loser.
Looking around at the Roman sculptures, crystal chandeliers and marble fountain, I remembered the last time I was in the mansion awing over these expensive pieces. Cindy had plastered a smile to her face in honor of her daughter’s birthday, but I could see right through it. Now Cin was living back with her mother, and Rafe was living really well. It wasn’t fair what he was putting her through. She hadn’t fought him for the house or one brown penny of her entitlement. She only wanted to keep their daughter and Rafe’s spiteful ass was punishing her.
He handed me a glass of liquid poison and began sipping his own.
“I never thought you’d come around, Willow.” He shook his head. “But I am sooo glad you did.”
Sizing him up, I knew I may have to expose my nature to Aaron in order to get Rafe down. He was a huge dude, Punch huge. No problem. He was human. I’d skin his mohawked head in front of Aaron if it came to that.
Rafe came to me, leaning down to nibble my neck. I slipped from his reach and said through gritted teeth, “Let’s go up to your bedroom.”
“Shouldn’t we wait for your friend?”
“We can go on up. Get things started.”
He grinned. “Whatever you like.” After hooking his arm so I could loop mine through it, he led me to the double staircase.
Felt like I was walking the plank.
“You’re not going to ask how Cindy’s doing?” I said.
“Nope. Why should I?”
“Maybe because you were married for eight years and have a daughter together? Or because you’re suing for sole custody and you know how much that hurts her.”
“Cindy’s the one who filed for divorce. She brought this on herself.”
“You cheated, Rafe. Several times,” I scowled then quickly turned it to a smile. If I kept this up, I’d blow my cover. “’Course, I know it’s because you’re so passionate,” I said. He grinned and moved his arm around my waist. Gag. “I just wish you and Cindy could be more amicable now that you’re dissolving your marriage. Custody battles don’t have to be so brutal.”
When we entered the master suite, Rafe lifted his shirt over his head without preamble and threw it to the floor. “Are we gon’ stand around talking ’bout Cindy all night or are we gon’ get down to what you came over for?”
Well, at least I attempted to reason with him. “Oh, we’re gon’ get down to it.”
He walked up close and slowly lifted my hand holding the full glass. “You haven’t even sipped your drink.”
“You look like you could use another one. Here.” I held the drink to his lips as he drank. Once it was empty he let the glass of ice fall to the floor. Guess he didn’t care about making a mess since the housekeeper he was last caught boning would clean it up in the morning.
In the next heartbeat, he leaned down to my neck and started nibbling again, like that was his go-to move. Backing up, I put distance between us and successfully kept myself from ripping out his spleen. “Why don’t you show me what I’m getting?”
He looked suspicious, like maybe I kept dodging him for a reason. But all it took was a little wink from me for him to let his arrogance get the best of him. He dropped the caution and turned flirty, letting a devilish grin take over his face. Then he undid his belt buckle, stepped out of his pants and stood in his boxer briefs with his arms out like I should have been impressed. I twirled my finger around, indicating he should spin and show me the whole package. He did.
Not bad. Tanned muscles everywhere.
But he wouldn’t have turned me on even on a famished day. His exterior was nice, but he was ugly on the inside.
Abruptly, he grabbed me and palmed my ass two-handedly. Pushing him away, I wondered what was taking Aaron so long. He was only supposed to wait five minutes then come on in and follow us upstairs. I certainly hoped he hadn’t chickened out. He was critical to my plan.
“Lose the drawers,” I said. “I wanna see everything I’m getting.”
Rafe proudly hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his Calvin Klein’s and pulled them down. They landed on the floor like a nail in a coffin, dick springing out like a jack-in-the-box.
I turned towards the door hoping Aaron would walk in.
No luck.
Rafe was hard…and he was aggressive…and I didn’t want to hurt the dipshit before I had a chance to get what I’d come for.
“Well?” Rafe said impatiently.
How someone as sweet as Cinnabuns got wrapped up with Rafe I’d never know.
Fine. I
’d do it the easy way.
I walked up to Rafe and locked his eyes on mine. “Go lie on the bed and wait for me.”
He nodded and backed up slowly to the bed. Footsteps in the hall told me Aaron was finally on the way. About time.
“We’re in here,” I yelled.
Rafe was just getting comfortable on the bed when Aaron walked in.
“Whoa,” Aaron said, covering his eyes from Rafe’s nakedness.
“You still gonna be able to do this?” I said.
Aaron nodded, tossed me his digital camera, and started stripping. “Just so we’re clear—I’m not touching his cock.”
Guys fondling each other was not something I found disgusting. Not at all. But we were on the same page about Rafe. I didn’t want to touch him either. “Fair enough.”
I had every intention of turning around so Aaron could undress in peace, but couldn’t take my eyes away from him. As sure as my name was Willow, I wanted a piece of that. Plain and simple.
Never a girl for body hair, I was surprised to find his so erotic. It decorated his skin like diamonds on an earlobe…elegant and subtle…on a body made to be idolized. Only, idolatry was a commandment violation so I’d settle with gawking shamelessly.
When he got down to his underwear he self-consciously cupped his groin like that was going to hide his package. Too late. I’d seen it all before anyway. Remi was not shy.
Feeling like a perv, I finally had the decency to turn away. “You ready?”
“Are you sure there’s no other way?”
Rafe was a bully who only responded to bullying. “It’s either this or I kill him and bury him in the backyard. Either way—I’m not letting him take Cindy through the ringer.” I turned the camera on and waited for Aaron to join Rafe on the bed.
I’d promised Cin I wouldn’t kill Rafe…and I was regretting that. He was rotten to the core and since I was already breaking a commandment by bearing false witness against him, I might as well just rid the world of his ass. Who would miss one pompous-ass athlete anyway? Oh, yeah—his daughter.
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