by Ashlyn Chase
“Oh, piddly poo. Yes I do.”
He frowned. You have a strange way of showing it.
She crossed her arms and stuck out her lower lip. Her pout used to wrap him around her little finger. No more. He wouldn’t fall for it again. He knew there had to be more to a good relationship than lust. He’d witnessed it in other couples, so why couldn’t he find that? Oh, yeah. A jealous ex-lover named Ruxandra kept getting in the way.
He rose. “Well, if that’s all you have to say…”
She sprang to her feet and grasped his wrists. “No. There’s more. Much more. Please hear me out.”
“This better not take all night. I have a bar to repair.” Her eyes begged him to listen. He sighed. “Fine. Get on with it.”
She sat and tried to pull him down onto the bench beside her. She wasn’t strong enough to make him, but he doubted she’d let go or finish their conversation unless he sat down. So he did.
“I’m sorry. More than anything, that’s what I wanted to say. I was just so jealous when it looked like you cared more about one of your waitresses than me.”
“Am I supposed to read your mind?”
“Some vampires can read each other’s minds. Why can’t we?”
He shrugged. He suspected he knew the answer but wasn’t about to tell her while she was in this agitated state. Legend had it when a vampire found his “beloved” they could communicate telepathically. Anthony was relieved the two of them didn’t meet the criterion.
“Ruxandra. We had fun. In the beginning, we had a lot of fun. But things haven’t been fun for a long time.”
“That’s what you want? Fun? I can be fun.”
I doubt it. It’s a good thing they couldn’t read each other’s thoughts. Some of the things that ran through his brain would enrage Ruxandra—even more. Then she was speaking again and he had to drag his mind back.
“Honey, lover…can we try again? Just one more time.” She ran a seductive finger up his suit jacket sleeve. “I promise I’ll be good.”
Despite everything, it was a tempting offer. She was right about one thing. Feeding from each other was beyond compare, especially when they combined it with uninhibited, wild, cathartic sex. It had been the best thing about their relationship. But was that enough?
Her eyes widened as if she couldn’t believe he was actually considering it. He could barely believe it himself. Still, to save his business and protect his employees, it might be worth a shot. It would be a temporary fix at best, but right now a truce sounded good.
“If I give you another chance, and I’m not saying I will, how can I know you’ll keep your promise?”
“What promise? The one to be good?”
“The detailed one you’re going to make, if I take you back.”
She gasped. “You will? I mean, you might? I’ll promise you anything. And I’ll mean it. I’ll write it in blood, or whatever you want.”
“I’m not worried that you’ll agree to my conditions. I need to know you’ll honor any pact we make.”
She crossed her heart. “I will. I swear.”
He hesitated. There really was no guarantee, but if he made her think her behavior going forward made a difference, perhaps he could make the necessary repairs and keep his bar open. “In that case, I’ll consider it. That’s not a yes or no, you understand. It all depends on you and your future behavior.”
“Of course. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust. You’ll see.”
“In that case, I’ll mull it over and get back to you.” I must be out of my mind.
Chapter 9
Brandee had whipped up some scrambled eggs, but the whole time, Nick was nibbling on her ear and making suggestive remarks. He wanted to get her back into bed in the worst way, but he’d had to fight his animalistic nature and force himself out of bed so he didn’t just flip her over and take her savagely.
He should have known one condom wouldn’t do it when the two of them finally gave in to their desire. It was more than just physical need. Nick suspected it was love. He thought about her all the time. He wanted to make her happy, and it killed him to think of ever losing her. If he was right—if she was his mate—it was a love that would never end.
He didn’t want to scare her, so he had employed every measure of self-control he could think of to hold his animal nature in check. He mentally recited baseball statistics, counted to one thousand backward, and repeated the police officer oath of honor one hundred times. Too bad there wasn’t a boyfriend oath of honor. That’s what he really needed right now.
“Thanks for the early breakfast, sweetheart.”
“It was no trouble. I’m glad you told me you were hungry.”
“I’m still hungry, but not for food.”
Her eyes lit up. “You mean you’re fortified enough for round two?”
“Oh, yeah.” He picked her up and carried her over his shoulder to the bedroom while she laughed and grasped him around his torso.
As soon as he set her on her feet, he peeled off her robe and let it slip to the floor. “Damn, you’re incredible.”
She blushed. Redheads were prone to it, but she seemed to redden every time he gave her a compliment.
“So are you.” She dropped to her knees, carefully pulled his underwear out and over his erect cock, then yanked down his boxer briefs.
He stepped out of them, lifted her, and tossed her onto the bed. She squealed and laughed as she bounced on the mattress.
He caught himself grinning. He hadn’t smiled like this in ages. He could only hope she had let go of those gaps in her memory from the night of their abduction.
He lay down beside her and took in her scent. Musk and some flowery fragrance. The beast in him wanted to pounce, nip, and nuzzle. Maybe someday.
She licked her lips. A quick, nervous movement that caused his cock to swell even more in anticipation. His gaze slipped down her body. She had perfect breasts. Not too large or too small. Just right for his hands and mouth. Her waist was trim and her hips full, giving her beautiful curves. She took his breath away.
She reached out and stroked his jaw. “It used to make me mad that you were so unbelievably gorgeous.”
Surprised, he muttered, “Huh?”
“I didn’t want to fall for you. I thought you were one of those guys who considered himself God’s gift to women. I never imagined you’d be so…different.”
“I’m actually sort of on the shy side. I may have overcompensated a bit.”
She laughed. “A bit?”
“Those days are over, Brandee.” His gaze dropped to her lips. Full. Soft. So kissable. He leaned over and pressed his mouth to hers. His tongue slid past her lips and swept inside.
She let out a little moan and met his tongue.
He kissed her like he had a right to plunder her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hung on, as if for dear life.
Her mouth was locked to his. So hot.
His hands slid over her curves, cupping her breasts and teasing her nipples. Touching her soft skin feels so good. So unbelievably good. And all the while, he kept kissing her, stroking her with his tongue, seducing her.
He cupped her ass and dragged her against his arousal so she could see what she did to him. Her hips rocked against him.
He tore his lips from hers and groaned. Then he nibbled the column of her neck. “You taste so good.”
“So do you,” she whispered. He caught a glimpse of her bedroom eyes. “I want to taste you—everywhere.”
Whoa. Did she mean that? He wouldn’t be able to control himself if she so much as licked him down there. He didn’t dare lose it. He already felt the instinct to mark her tugging at his heart, and his canine teeth ached to come out.
“Not today, sweetheart. There’s plenty of time for that. Right now I’m holding on by a thread. I want our first time t
ogether to be, well, together.”
“But it’s your turn.”
“I’m not keeping score, and I don’t want you to, either.” He moved down slightly and sucked her nipple into his mouth.
She arched and moaned. She was so responsive. So sensitive. He could make love to her for days, but he didn’t want to wear her out. He had to remind himself that she didn’t have the same stamina he did.
Her soft body pressed against him. Her musky scent surrounded his nose, and his cock stiffened painfully.
“I want you,” she whispered.
He didn’t say a word. He couldn’t. He simply grabbed the condom from her nightstand and ripped open the packet.
“Here, let me.” Brandee reached for the condom.
If she stroked him before rolling it on, he’d come all over her. “I’ve got it,” he said, almost shaking as he covered himself.
Brandee blinked her gorgeous blue eyes and stared.
“Lie back.”
She did as he asked and spread her legs wide.
He took a deep breath and forced himself to go slow. He kneeled and positioned himself at her opening. He wanted to slam into her body and just take her. Instead he entered a couple of inches and paused. “Are you all right, sweetheart?”
“I’m fine.”
He pushed in another inch.
“Nick, you don’t have to treat me like I’m made of glass.”
If only she knew. He wanted her so badly his body ached. He kissed her, drinking in her sweetness as he pushed in farther. At last he was fully seated.
With effort, Nick pulled his mouth from hers and began the age-old rhythm of lovemaking. She met his thrusts with her own. They stared into each other’s eyes as they mated for the first time.
“God, that feels so good,” she said, breathlessly.
Her hot channel felt so right around him. He thrust a little harder. A little faster. So close… He gritted his teeth and managed to hold himself back.
She was moaning and he knew she was close. He ground against her, hoping to drive her over the edge with him.
At last, she shuddered and cried out—then screamed. Her inner muscles squeezed his cock and he exploded. His climax ripped through him hard and fast. He could have sworn he saw stars—or fireworks. He rode the wave of pleasure to the very last aftershock.
“My God,” he croaked.
Eyes closed, Brandee was panting hard.
“Are you all right, sweetheart?” he asked.
She opened her eyes and smiled. “I’ve never been better.”
***
They were still basking in the afterglow when someone knocked on the apartment door.
Oh, no. My screams must have alarmed the Balogs. Brandee rolled out of bed and grabbed her robe off the floor. Nick snatched up his clothes and strode to the bathroom.
The knocking grew louder and more insistent.
“Just a minute,” she called out.
When she finally threw open the door, Mrs. Balog stood there wearing a robe, slippers, curlers, and a nasty frown.
“Mrs. Balog, what can I do for you?”
“You can make less noise,” she said crossly. “I couldn’t hear my TV show over the screaming.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Nice of you to be worried about me.
Nick, now dressed, rounded the corner. “Is everything all right out here?”
Mrs. Balog sniffed the air and muttered something under her breath.
Brandee rested a hand on her hip. “I said I was sorry. Besides, you folks aren’t exactly quiet, either. I hear all kinds of weird noises coming from upstairs.”
Mrs. Balog bit her lip.
“Like?” Nick asked.
“Like moaning and howling,” Brandee said.
Nick seemed startled. “Howling? Mrs. Balog, is it the kind of howling that comes from a human, or…”
Mrs. Balog muttered something in another language and fled up the stairs.
“That was weird,” Brandee said as she closed the door. “What do you supposed she said?”
“I don’t know.”
Brandee had the feeling he wasn’t telling her everything—again.
“What is it, Nick? What’s bothering you?”
“Tell me exactly what the noises upstairs sound like.”
“Like I said. Howling. Sometimes moaning and banging. Sometimes growling. Sometimes grunting. But it’s an old building. Angie and I figured part of the noise was the wind, and part was the old furnace or air in the pipes. Why? What are you thinking?”
He hesitated.
“What aren’t you telling me, Nick? I thought I could trust you to tell me the truth from now on.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Nothing. It’s nothing. I just wondered if they had an illegal animal up there or something. I just want to be sure you’re safe.”
“You’re not going to turn into one of those overprotective boyfriends, are you? Because I’ve been taking care of myself for quite a while. I don’t need a hovering—”
“Look. I need to be sure you and Angie are safe here. I know how dangerous this city can be. Remember, I was a cop for a long time. You’d be surprised about the kind of so-called pets some crackpots keep in their apartments. If anything happened to you…”
She sighed and flopped down on her sofa. “Okay. I get it. I know the Balogs are strange, but I doubt they have tigers or wolves up there.” She laughed. Then she thought she saw something change in Nick’s expression, as if she’d caused him alarm. “Oh, come on. I was just kidding. Tigers don’t moan.”
“What kind of moaning is it?” Nick sat beside her. “Does it sound like sexual moans?”
“Ha. No way. Sometimes it sounds like my clunker of a car trying to turn over and failing, and sometimes there’s almost a creepy quality to it.”
“Like ghosts?”
“You don’t believe in things like that, do you?”
He shrugged. “Why not?”
She leaned back and took a good look at him. “You were a cop. Don’t cops go after facts and try to dismiss things that aren’t real?”
“Who are we to say what’s real?”
Nick was a puzzle. Just when she thought she had him figured out, he said or did something she didn’t expect.
“Do you know anyone whose place is haunted?”
Nick laughed. “My brother used to live in an old building a few blocks down Beacon Street. He was convinced they had a ghost. Man, the stories he told me.” Suddenly he shut his mouth so hard she heard his teeth click.
“What stories?”
“Never mind. I’m sure they were exaggerated.”
“Tell me, Nick. Exaggerated or not, you promised to be straight with me from now on.”
His brow furrowed, then he took a deep breath and said, “The ghost was protective of his old apartment. He played pranks on potential renters until he scared them off.”
She looked at him askance. “Oh? What kind of pranks?”
Nick shifted, looking uncomfortable. “Nothing really dangerous…just unsettling.”
If anyone was feeling unsettled at the moment, it was Brandee. She had always wondered why only two of the three floors above the bar were occupied. “Give me an example.”
“Oh, he’d flip the lights or the stove on and off. He shifted things out of place a few times….”
Her jaw dropped. “He could move things? Turn on the stove? The electricity? What else?”
“He liked to unplug the TV, start the ceiling fan, or short out the—you know what? Never mind. It’s probably just the Balogs doing the nasty, and they don’t want anyone to know.”
“I guess…” Brandee scratched her head. “Maybe you can stay over some night and hear it for yourself—that is if you’re not a heavy sleeper.”
Nick massaged her neck and gave her a sly smile. “I can think of an activity to occupy the time and keep us awake.”
“I’ll bet you’re talking about a ten-thousand-piece puzzle, aren’t you?”
“Not even close.”
“Didn’t really think so.”
Chapter 10
The following evening, Nick asked to speak to Anthony in his office. Brandee was busy waiting on a table full of rowdy college kids. Thankfully, Ruxandra was nowhere to be seen.
Nick needed to back off and let Brandee take care of herself when she wasn’t in any immediate danger. He didn’t want her to accuse him of smothering her again. It made him nervous that his mate was human and mortal. It would have been more convenient if he’d fallen for another werewolf, but he hadn’t. His heart and soul belonged to Brandee.
As long as she was dealing with mere humans or the paranormal patrons who believed in the peaceful goal of the bar, she’d be fine. So when Anthony came out to get him, Nick sent her a jaunty wave and followed his friend into his office. He closed the door behind himself and sat on the comfortable couch along the opposite wall.
“How’s it going?” Anthony asked as he seated himself behind his desk.
“Things have been kind of crazy, but I still want to find out what those goons who kidnapped us had to say when you mesmerized them.”
“You were right. They were doing someone else’s dirty work. But they couldn’t tell me who hired them. It was all arranged by phone. The thugs are from New York. They said they’re Yankees fans and didn’t much care what happened to Red Sox Nation. That’s all I know.”
Nick scratched his chin. “Didn’t care what happened to Boston…and they kidnapped a fire mage. That doesn’t bode well for the city.”
“But because of you, they didn’t get away with it.”
“I still want to know who hired them and exactly what he had planned. Did you kill the perps?”
“No. I just drained them a little bit and compelled them to go back to New York and never return.”
“Okay.” I guess that lead is a dead end. Damn. “There’s something else. I was wondering if you know anything about this building’s history.”