Heroes Among Us: A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Ditter Kellen

  “You smell so damn good.” His mouth closed over hers.

  Piper’s eyes slid shut with the first swipe of his tongue across the seam of her lips. If she lived to be a hundred, she would never get used to the taste of Ethan Seaborn.

  Doubt abruptly crept in to unsettle her already pounding heart. An image of all that money in his closet drifted through her mind.

  She broke off the kiss, her breathing as edgy as her thoughts. Though one of the hardest things she’d ever done, she had to know. No, she needed to know.

  “Why do you have a truckload of money in your closet?” she blurted before she changed her mind.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Ethan stared down into Piper’s beautiful face, hating the anxiety he saw reflecting in her eyes.

  He’d thought about what he would say when she asked him about the money. And he knew she would ask. “I’m a prepper of sorts.”

  “A prepper?” Her pale green eyes narrowed in suspicion.

  Ethan glanced behind him at his car parked along the curb. “I’d be happy to explain over dinner. That is, if you’re inclined to listen.”

  “You’re not going to ask me how I know about the contents of your closet?”

  Ethan shrugged. “The truth is, I already suspected you knew. You left the drawer to my nightstand ajar.”

  Her face turned pink. “I’m not going to apologize for snooping. I needed answers.”

  “I’m not asking you to apologize. But you could have simply asked me. I would have told you anything you wanted to know.”

  Doubt flickered in her gaze. “Fair enough. Let’s go. We can finish this conversation over dinner.”

  Ethan waited for her to lock up and then followed her to his car. He opened the passenger side door for her and then rounded the front to climb in behind the wheel. “Before we discuss the closet’s contents, I’d like for you to reconsider my business proposal.”

  Piper shook her head. “I think it’s best that we keep the two separate. What if this—” she waved a hand between the two of them— “doesn’t work out? What if something happens and we end on bad terms? Then what? Then we’re stuck doing business together. I just don’t think it’s wise.”

  Ethan ground his teeth. He wanted to pull the car over on the side of the road, grab her by the back of the head, and kiss her until she accepted that she belonged to him. She was his mate, damn it.

  Instead, he said. “We’ll revisit that at a later time.”

  The rest of the drive was spent in silence, with Ethan breathing in Piper’s intoxicating scent. He wanted her so bad, he wasn’t sure how much longer he could ride in the tight, enclosure with her and not go mad.

  Pulling up in front of his building, Ethan got out, handed his keys to the valet, and circled the car to open Piper’s door.

  She was so beautiful, it pained him to look at her. “I have a surprise for you.”

  Her pale green eyes twinkled. “You’re going to tell me that you’re a vampire and I’ll be your dinner for the night?”

  Ethan’s heart stuttered. She had no idea how close her assumption truly was. “Do you believe in vampires?”

  “Of course not.” She laughed, accepting his outstretched hand. “Everyone knows that vampires are a myth. Just like Bigfoot.”

  If she had any clue that Bigfoot did in fact exist, she would probably faint on the spot. “My surprise has nothing to do with vampires or Bigfoot. You have my word.”

  Holding on to her hand, Ethan strolled into the lobby and made his way to the elevators.

  Once inside, he met her gaze in the tinted mirrors of the elevator walls while inserting his keycard and pressing the appropriate number. “God, you’re beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” She boldly stared back. “You’re pretty beautiful yourself.”

  Damn, he loved her self-assurance.

  The elevator stopped at his penthouse and the doors slid silently open.

  Ethan waved a hand toward the foyer. “After you.”

  The second she stepped into his penthouse, soft music began to play, and the lights dimmed on cue. “Make yourself comfortable.”

  He watched her trail off toward the front room and take a seat on the sofa.

  Alfonso, the housekeeper’s son, stepped forward with a bow. “May I pour you a glass of wine, miss?”

  Piper gave him a warm smile. “That would be great, thank you.”

  “I’ll be back momentarily,” Ethan announced, strolling off toward the stairs. He entered his room, grabbed the envelope from his nightstand, and hurried back downstairs.

  Piper’s eyes lit up as he returned.

  He moved to sit next to her on the sofa. “I hope you like it.”

  “What is it?” She accepted the large envelope, a small indention between her eyes.

  Ethan touched her on the arm. “Open it.”

  Watching intently as she broke the seal and pulled the papers free, Ethan sat forward on the couch to gauge her reaction.

  Her eyes scanned the lines of the papers before slowly lifting to meet his expectant gaze. “Is this a joke?”

  Ethan’s shook his head. “It’s no joke, Piper. I want you to have it.”

  “But,” she began to try again. “But you’re offering to waive your thirty percent fees from my designs.”

  It was obvious she’d grown uncomfortable. “Is there a problem with that?”

  Piper returned the papers to the envelope with jerky movements and handed it back to him. “You can keep your money, Ethan.”

  She grabbed her bag and stood before storming off toward the foyer.

  Ethan surged to his feet also, catching up to her as she reached the elevator. “What are you so angry about?”

  She pressed the button and spun to face him. “Just because you’re richer than God doesn’t mean you can buy me. We’ve only been on a handful of dates, and you’re offering me money? Just get out of my way.”

  The elevator door opened with a ding, and Piper stepped on before Ethan had time to process her words. “I wasn’t trying to buy you, Piper.”

  “What do you call it, then? Because it damn sure looks that way to me.” The door slid shut between them.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Tears sprang to Piper’s eyes, but she blinked them back. She’d never been one to cry, and she damn sure wasn’t going to start tonight.

  She pushed the lobby button, grabbed her cell phone from her purse, and called for a cab.

  How could she have been so blind? Ethan Seaborn was a millionaire. No, probably a billionaire. He was used to getting what he wanted. No matter how much it cost. Including her.

  Hurt, and more than a little angry that she’d allowed herself to be sucked in by his good looks and charm, Piper stepped off the elevator in the lobby below and hurried outside to wait for her cab.

  “Would you like for me to get your car, ma’am?”

  Piper glanced over at the valet quickly approaching. “No thank you. I’m waiting on a cab.”

  A yellow cab pulled up about that time, and an older couple emerged from the back seat.

  Piper took advantage, climbing into their vacated spots. She rattled off her address and pulled the door closed.

  The cab took off with a jerk, weaving his way through the rows of cars beneath the awning.

  Leaning back against the seat, Piper closed her eyes and took a painful breath. She’d never felt so belittled in all her life.

  Did Ethan really think she couldn’t make a go of her career without his money? Couldn’t he see that she was developing feelings for him? How dare he offer to buy her. And that’s exactly what he’d done, she vehemently admitted to herself. He’d tried to buy her.

  Her cell vibrated in her hand. Piper swiped her thumb across the screen to find a text message from Mr. Money Bags himself. I’m sorry for being such an idiot. Please let me explain.

  Piper’s heart squeezed. He wanted to explain. Explain what? she sent back. That you’re the world’s biggest assho
le? Leave me alone, Ethan.

  The cab rolled to a stop in front of Piper’s house. “That’ll be thirty dollars.”

  Piper handed him two twenties. “Keep the change.”

  Jumping out, she dug out her keys as she hurried up the walkway to the door. She inserted it into the knob, opened the door, stepped inside and locked it behind her.

  Whiskers sashayed into the room, meeting Piper halfway to the stairs.

  She scooped him up and took the stairs two at a time. “Hi, baby. Did you miss me?”

  His answer was a long, drawn-out meow.

  “I missed you too, boy.”

  Once in her room, Piper undressed and slipped on her sleep shirt before heading back downstairs to grab a bottle of wine from the fridge.

  She didn’t bother with a glass. She wouldn’t need one.

  Popping the cork, she brought the bottle to her lips and turned it up.

  The cold liquid did little to cool the unshed tears burning the back of her throat.

  Grabbing her cell from off the side table, Piper scrolled down to Rhonda’s number, pressed Send, and brought the phone to her ear.

  Rhonda answered on the third ring. “Hey, girl, what’s up?”

  “Are you alone?” Piper murmured before taking another long pull from the wine.

  A brief pause ensued. “I am. Are you okay?”

  Piper swallowed around the lump that seemed to be stuck in her throat. “I will be. Can I come over?”

  “Do you really need to ask? Bring the wine.”

  Ending the call, Piper ran back upstairs to throw on some shorts and flip-flops before grabbing the wine and heading back out the door.

  * * * *

  “So, he offered you an assload of money to sleep with him?”

  Piper refilled her now empty glass of wine. “Well, he didn’t say as much, but come on. You don’t just give a person that kind of money without expecting something in return.”

  Rhonda stared back at her as if considering her statement. “How long have you been seeing him?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe a week.”

  “And you haven’t slept with him yet?” Rhonda persisted from her position on the couch.

  Piper sent her an exasperated look. “No, I haven’t slept with him. Not that I didn’t want to, mind you.”

  Rhonda waved off her words. “I’m only asking so I can get a better understanding of his motives. If you’d said yes, you had slept with him, then his gift might have been genuine. But since you haven’t, it could be a ploy to get you in the sack.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Piper agreed.

  Rhonda made a sound in her throat. “Then again, if he’s as good looking as you say, and he has that much money, I highly doubt he’d have to pay someone to have sex with him. Hell, I might even take one for the team.”

  “Rhonda June!” Piper scolded with a chuckle.

  “I’m just saying.”

  Piper took another drink of her wine. “Seriously though. I can’t believe he tried to buy me.”

  “You have feelings for him.”

  It wasn’t a question and Piper knew it. She laid her head back against the couch and turned to face her closest friend. “I was starting to. I don’t understand it. I mean, I haven’t known him that long, but when I’m not with him, he’s pretty much all I can think about.”

  “You’re in love,” Rhonda declared, her eyes a little heavy from the wine. “Piper Hollister is in love.”

  Piper blew her bangs out of her eyes. “I’m not in love, Rhonda. But I was definitely headed in that direction.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Ethan sat in his car outside Piper’s house, waiting for her to return home.

  He’d been parked on her street for the past two hours without so much as a glimpse of her.

  Where the hell could she possibly be? It was nearing ten o’clock.

  Concern for her safety had him dialing her number once more. And one more, he reached her voicemail. “At least text me and let me know that you’re all right.” He ended the call and tossed his phone onto the passenger seat.

  Another thought struck him. What if she’d met up with someone else? Had she sought comfort in another man’s arms?

  Ethan couldn’t stop the growl that rumbled from his throat. The thought of another man touching his Piper infuriated him. And she was his, he admitted, dropping his head back against the seat. She just didn’t know it yet.

  His phone vibrated from the passenger seat. Ethan quickly snatched it up, relieved to find a text from Piper awaiting him.

  He opened the message. I’m fine, was all it said.

  Relieved that she was all right, yet disappointed she had nothing more to say, Ethan cleared the screen and sent a text to Billy. Need two men to watch Piper’s house until morning. She’s not home, but I don’t trust Foster.

  Billy immediately responded. On it.

  With a sigh of resignation, Ethan started the car and turned toward home.

  * * * *

  “Good morning, Mr. Seaborn,” Marla purred the moment he stepped off the elevator at his office.

  “Morning, Marla. I have a busy day ahead of me. Hold all my calls.”

  He stopped with his hand on his office doorknob, and looked back at his secretary. “Unless a Piper Hollister calls. Send that one straight through.”

  Marla’s entire countenance changed. She sniffed, picked up a stack of papers from her desk, and began arranging them. “I realize it’s none of my business, but you know how people talk, Mr. Seaborn. Do you really think you should be seen in public with the likes of her?”

  Ethan’s stomach tightened in fury. He slowly pivoted on his heel to face his secretary. His voice barely moved past his stiff lips. “What did you say?”

  Marla looked everywhere but at him. “I’m only trying to point out that you have an image to uphold. And she doesn’t fit that image.”

  “You’re fired,” Ethan bit out, stalking toward her.

  “W-what?”

  He stopped before her desk, leaned in, and growled. “Get out.”

  Marla jumped to her feet, her eyes flashing with shock and anger. “You’re firing me over that amazon you’re sleeping with?”

  If Marla had been a man, Ethan would have knocked her teeth out. “Piper Hollister has more grace, beauty, and confidence in her pinky finger than you will ever possess. Now, get your shit and get the hell out before I toss you from the window.”

  Fear replaced Marla’s bravado. She stumbled back a step, her eyes round and shifty.

  She began jerking open drawers to gather her things.

  “I’ll have your things delivered to you. Get your purse and go,” Ethan bit out, unable to stomach her presence another second.

  Marla snatched up her purse and fled to the elevator without another word.

  Ethan waited for her to disappear behind the elevator doors and then strode into his office.

  He picked up the phone and called security. “Marla Kemp has been let go. She is on her way down now. See that she leaves quietly and do not allow her back inside this building for any reason.”

  “Yes, Mr. Seaborn,” the guard returned.

  Ethan hung up the phone and dropped heavily into his desk chair, wondering why it had taken him so long to rid himself of Marla.

  How dare that little troll speak of Piper in such a way?

  A knock sounded on his door, pulling him out of his murderous contemplation. “Come.”

  Billy stepped into the room, his eyebrows raised. “I just passed Marla in the hall, and she was fit to be tied. What’s going on?”

  “I fired her.”

  Billy’s mouth dropped open. “You fired her?”

  “I’ve been wanting to do that for quite some time. She simply pushed me too far.”

  “I’m not even going to ask,” Billy muttered, holding both hands in the air. “What do we have going on today?”

  Ethan took a calming breath and leaned back in his chair
. “I need to have a temporary secretary sent up here for starters, and then I need you to secure a meeting with the bank for Friday.”

  “Already done, boss.”

  “I had a visitor in the lobby of my penthouse the other night,” Ethan informed him.

  Billy skirted the chair perched in front of Ethan’s desk and took a seat. “One of Foster’s?”

  At Ethan’s nod, Billy bounded back to his feet. “What the hell?”

  “My thoughts exactly.”

  Billy began to pace. “Was he alone?”

  “He was. He also knew that I wouldn’t retaliate with the overhead cameras running. Which is why he dared to show up at my home in the first place.”

  “Does Wallace know about this?” Billy questioned, continuing his pacing.

  Ethan shook his head. “Not yet. And I’m not sure if I’ll tell him. He’s getting on up in age, and I fear he may go after Old Man Foster.”

  “He has a right to know, Ethan. He was alpha for many years. Not to mention, he’s your grandfather.”

  Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Watch yourself, Franklin.”

  “I’m sorry, Ethan. I’m just worried about you is all.”

  Taking a calming breath, Ethan ran a hand down his face. “I know. And I appreciate all your help in this. What time did Piper arrive home last night?”

  “She didn’t.”

  Ethan stilled. “She didn’t return home?”

  “Not until this morning,” Billy affirmed.

  Jealousy sliced through Ethan’s gut. Piper had stayed out all night.

  “Was she alone?” Ethan rose to his feet.

  Billy nodded. “She was.”

  “I’m going to speak with my grandfather,” Ethan announced, getting to his feet. “Send two men out to relieve the ones watching Piper’s house.”

  “Do you think Foster would risk sending someone to her neighborhood? You’ve only known the girl a week. He can’t know she’s someone important to you.”

  Ethan strode to the door, anger fueling his every step. “I don’t know what he thinks. But I’m not willing to risk Piper’s safety where he’s concerned.”