HOT-BLOODED BREATH OF DARKNESS

by Candice Stauffer

“I’ve been accused of being too quick to strike and, standing here with you, breathing the same air as you right now, I’m finding it difficult to prove otherwise. After weighing my options, I’ve decided to let you go for now.”

  “You’re going to let me go?”

  “I’d rather not force her to witness your destruction.”

  “Move your fucking ass away from the bitch.” Eyes filled with lethal, venomous rage, the rogue took a step closer.

  “Watch your mouth.”

  “Fuckoff, asshole.” The idiot raised his gun and fired off several rounds.

  Tobias had expected a heated reaction. Since Otaktay had told him the wolves were armed, he’d already placed an indestructible wall of protection around Jessie. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure she hadn’t been hit. “It’s okay.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  He returned his focus to the wolf. It wasn’t the first time he’d been shot at. It wouldn’t be the last. Maintaining his cool was simple. “I told you to watch your mouth.”

  “How the fuck did you do that?”

  “First, unless you want me to do it, you need to control your language. Second, I’ve never been fond of being shot at but if you leave now, I’ll overlook the fact that you used me for target practice.”

  “I don’t know who the fu…”

  “Watch it,” Tobias interrupted.

  “You’re going to regret screwing around with me.”

  “Not any more than I am just listening to you right now.” He was really starting to rethink his plan to let the moron go and kill him later. Doing so would force him to deal with him in the future.” He sighed. Dealing with him later was better than forcing Jessie to witness him kill it. Besides, he didn’t want to do anything to alert the demon who’d left her in the cemetery of his presence. He wanted to make sure the demon returned. In the very least, he needed to identify the demon to ensure her safety. “Look, it’s obvious you’re itching to explain why I should be piss…wetting my pants and, since I’m feeling generous, go ahead and get it out.”

  He was aware of her every move. He knew the instant she positioned herself at his side. A second later a gun shot rang in his ear and a hole blossomed in the center of the lycan’s forehead.

  Laughing, he turned to face her. “That escalated much faster than I’d expected.”

  Hot flames danced in her eyes, as she held his gaze. “What were you planning to do if he slipped up and said another naughty word? Wash his fucking mouth out with soap?”

  “I’m more than just a little nervous now that you’ve figured the safety out.” She had the gun aimed at him. She was the most beautiful, sexiest woman he’d ever encountered. “And disappointed. To be honest, I was looking forward to teaching you.”

  ***

  A smile tugged at her mouth. “I am a woman not a child.”

  Arching his brow at her, he nodded. He looked so damn sexy. She felt his wickedly hot gaze touching her, slowly moving over her skin like an erotic caress. “I definitely noticed.”

  “If that’s true why were you trying to monitor that idiot’s language. He was shooting at you. At us. He could’ve killed us. Why would you waste time trying to get him to clean his language up?”

  “It’s an old habit.” Frowning, he lifted his hat and pushed his hair back. “My father never let anyone get away with dishonoring my mother with foul language or unsavory behavior.”

  Jessie lowered her gun. “You’re making it damned impossible to shoot you.” She wasn’t sure what to make of Tobias. The one thing she knew without a doubt was that he was the sexiest, most masculine cowboy she’d ever laid eyes on. And she’d come across some sexy cowboys over the years. None compared. Not even a little.

  His dirty blonde hair reached his shoulders. And his face could use a shave, but it would be a shame. The shadow of stubble was perfect. As far as his body. It was amazing. Big, perfectly placed muscles bulging everywhere.

  “Your thoughts are quite loud again.”

  “Luckily, since you aren’t human, I will never do anything beyond occasionally notice that you’re hot.”

  “I get the feeling you’re challenging me to come up with ways to cause you to forget that I’m not human.”

  “Not at all.” She decided to change the subject. “He shot directly at you.”

  “He did.”

  “It wasn’t due to bad aim. How are you still alive? How did he not hit either of us?”

  “I placed a barrier of protection around you.”

  “Oh, shit.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  She pointed. “Apparently, I’m a bad shot.”

  “Not if you were aiming for right between his eyes,” he laughed.

  “I’m not kidding. He’s moving.”

  “I know. He’s not human. A bullet can’t kill him.”

  “I hate my life.”

  The werewolf’s body started to convulse and contort. She was horrified and sickened by the sound of his bones snapping and cracking.

  “Why?” Tobias asked.

  She looked up at him. She felt a serious change in him. His mood had instantly grown very dark. An icy breeze drifted over her causing her to shiver. “Why what?”

  “Do you hate your life?”

  “Huh?” She pointed at the wolf. “Now is not the time to worry about why life is a bitch.”

  Proving her point, the wolf snarled and lunged toward them.

  Tobias moved lightning fast. He caught it by the throat and held it up. It snarled, lifting its lips mere centimeters from his face.

  Then, Tobias growled. It was the deepest, most threatening growl she’d ever heard. Obviously, the wolf agreed. It went completely silent and still. She saw terror in its eyes. A second later, Tobias threw it. “Stay.”

  The damn thing had a short attention span. His eyes yellow and glowing, he started to get up again.

  “It’s too damn late for you to run away.” From the corner of her eye, she saw Tobias lift his arm. “I told you to stay.” The wolf was struck in the chest by a bolt of lightning. His body convulsed for few seconds and then went completely still.

  “You expect him to obey?”

  “Don’t worry about him. He doesn’t have a choice.” He took her hand. “I want you…I need you to tell me why you hate your life.” He was so much more than powerful. He was invincible. He gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Tell me why?”

  She held her breath and stared up at him. He cared. He truly cared about her. But why? He didn’t even know her.

  ~ EIGHT ~

  “Stop messing with the wolf. I’ll keep an eye on her.” Wes walked right up to them.

  “What the hell, Wes?” She backed away. “Why did you leave me in a cemetery? Wait. You know each other, don’t you?”

  Tobias looked at him. “She’d better be here when I get back.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “You can’t leave me with him.” She grabbed his arm to stop him. “He plans to kill me.”

  “What is she talking about?” Tobias asked, his voice had deepened, resembling a large predator’s growl.

  “It’s nothing more than a misunderstanding. I’ve been doing my best to keep her from getting herself killed.”

  Jessie shook her head. “That’s not true.”

  “He won’t hurt you.” Tobias said.

  “He’s lying to you.”

  “You have a gun.”

  “So?”

  Tobias placed his hand on her shoulder. I would never leave you unprotected. While you might not see me standing beside you, I will always be with you. She felt his power moving through her. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Shoot him right between the eyes just like you shot the rogue if he moves an inch.” He turned to the wolf. “Let’s get this over with.” They vanished in a strange glowing mist.

  “What the hell just happened? Where did they go?”

  “He’s taking him away to kill him.”
<
br />   “You’re serious?”

  “Good old Tobias would never consider forcing a sweet little gun toting lady such as yourself to witness a brutal murder.”

  “He left me with a killer to go kill a killer to prevent me from seeing him kill a killer?”

  “Yes. In spite of that, in his defense, keep in mind that he left you with a gun. And, in case you didn’t notice, when he touched your shoulder and told you to shoot me between the eyes, he was giving the gun the order to make sure you didn’t miss. Also, proving he’s just as thorough as ever, he placed a very impressive deadly barrier around you. No one would survive an attempt to get beyond it to touch you.”

  “Why did you lie to him?”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Cut the shit, Wes.” She started to back away from him, holding the gun on him to prevent him from grabbing her. “We both know damn well you lied your ass off to him.”

  “You’re going to try to run off again, aren’t you?”

  “I’m not running. I have a gun.” She started to walk backwards. “And according to you, thanks to Tobias, if you make a move to stop me, I can’t miss.”

  “I’m not moving. But you should know he won’t be gone long enough for you to get very far.”

  “I only need a few minutes.”

  “You’ll be lucky to get two more steps.”

  A loud swoosh and rush of power came up from behind her, a strong arm wrapped around her waist anchoring her to his body. “What are you doing?" He pulled her hair to the side and bent his head so she felt the warmth of his breath on her ear. “I told you to wait for me.” Electrical currents zipped through her veins and over her flesh.

  “You left me with a killer.” Her heart beat wildly, pounding in her ears. “I’ve been running from him for three years.” His body was so hot, so magnificently rock-hard solid against hers. Every secret part of her body tingled with awareness, with desire.

  His mouth so very gently touched her earlobe. “I wouldn’t have left you in danger.” His voice deepened. Seductive. Intoxicating. His body felt large, warm, and wonderfully solid against hers. The heat emanating from his muscular frame warmed her body, aroused her body. “You’d better tell me why she thinks you’re a threat to her,” Tobias said.

  Irritated, she whirled around to face him. He caught her arms, preventing her from landing on her butt and pulled her to his side. Tilting her head back. “You know damn well you’re the idiot he planned to hand me off to.”

  ***

  “It is great to see you again, Tobias.” Wes took a step toward him, reaching out to offer his hand. “I was worried you wouldn’t be around.”

  In a moment of weakness Tobias glanced down at his hand and considered taking it for the sake of civility, but he just could not force himself to do it. Meeting the other demon’s gaze, he shook his head. “Not anywhere near long enough for my liking. Let’s forgo the pleasantries, shall we? I would rather get right down to whatever has caused your good for nothing a…self to make her feel threatened. And don’t waste my time lying. I want the truth.”

  “Why the hell do you keep trying to sensor your language? You might as well say it,” Jessie said. “His good for nothing ass.”

  Clearly, she didn’t appreciate his attempt to avoid using vulgar language around her. He looked down at her and smiled. His mom never really appreciated his dad’s effort to shield her from unpleasantness either. Tilting his head to the side, narrowing his gaze, he stared at her mouth. He could think of some better ways for her to use her mouth than to spew vulgar language. Not that he minded it.

  “How do you know him?” she asked.

  “We’ve known each other for a very long time.” They’d been as close as brothers for nearly six thousand years until the idiot decided to run Amber, Tobias’ sister, off by claiming her as his mate. “Years ago, until we had a falling out, we were close friends.”

  “What kind of falling out?”

  “He didn’t like the idea of his sister being my mate,” Wes said.

  She looked at Wes. “What?”

  “My wife.”

  “You’re married to his sister?”

  “That’s his story.” Tobias actually created the riff rather than be a third wheel. “He ran Amber off with his addiction to getting wrapped up in huma…troubles that have nothing to do with him.”

  “You were going to say human troubles.” Jessie stared at him.

  “Now you’re going to have some explaining to do,” Wes laughed.

  She knew he was immortal. He’d only changed his choice of words to avoid the appearance of thinking less of humans. Tangling with her was going to be great fun. Whatever was happening to him was wonderful. It was dangerous. She possessed way too much power over him. He loved it. “I’ve no reason to explain anything to her.” He decided to goad her. That was true. She’d merge with him intimately. She knew what he was. “She knows I’m not human.”

  “You’re a vampire, aren’t you?” Jessie asked.

  Since he didn’t owe her an explanation, he didn’t respond. Besides, she knew what he was even if she was unwilling to admit it to herself. She was toying with him. And the more time he spent with her he wouldn’t be surprised to learn that she knew calling him a blood sucker would get under his skin.

  She smiled, moving her body ever so slightly closer, seductively against his. “I’ve never played doctor with a hot cowboy vampire.”

  Every muscle in his body ached from the strain it took to resist the urge to take her in his arms. His heart thundered. It felt as if it might burst from his chest. She was incredibly, perfectly, beautifully feisty. A gorgeous woman. Completely irresistible. He knew she was knowledgeable concerning the existence of immortal beings, but she wasn’t sure about him. She was trying to figure out what he was by testing him, provoking him. “You still haven’t.” And, damn it, she knew it. He wasn’t the sort of demon to allow anyone to bait him into answering questions. He didn’t answer to anyone. “You know what I am.” But he would always answer to her.

  “Actually, I am not entirely certain. I know a few things. You are quite possibly the most perfectly physically built man I’ve ever encountered. From what I can see, you have wonderful muscles in all the right places. But your more than a super masculine, sexy man. You’re powerful. You have amazing abilities. Werewolves are no match for you. What are you?”

  Holy fuck. She was going to kill him. He couldn’t believe she was talking to him like that in front of Wes. He lifted his hat, shoved his hair back, and put his hat back on his head. She was making him nervous and, to his shock, harder than a fucking rock.

  “I’m feeling just a little out of place here,” Wes laughed.

  He looked at Wes. Then, since he was a glutton for punishment, he returned his gaze to hers. Obviously, he’d misjudged her importance to him. It was clear she was working with Wes to screw with him. Wes had delivered her to him. Placed her in the cemetery so he would find her. Was it possible for Wes to cause him to mistake her for his mate?

  “Where are you going?” Wes asked.

  “Getting the hell away from whatever trouble you’re attempting to drag my ass into.”

  “You’re just going to leave me with him?” she asked.

  Tobias turned his head and looked at her. No, damn it. He would never abandon her. “Absolutely,” he nodded. Something powerful stirred in him. He didn’t like it. He knew damn well it was Wes’ influence.

  “Wait.” She caught his left wrist with both of her hands. Her touch caused lightning to rip through his body and thunder to rumble in his ears.

  He stopped and faced her. She was so close she had to tip her head back to meet his gaze. “Help me get back to my car. It’s in Willow Springs. I have no idea where we are right now. Please, I won’t cause any trouble for you. You’ll never hear from me again. Don’t leave me with him.”

  He wanted to scoop her up in his arms and carry her away. How do you know Wes?

  I told you. He has
been giving me hell, hunting me.

  He wasn’t about to deal with her if she was going to lie to him for Wes. “You’ll be fine with him.”

  “You know he plans to kill me, right?”

  “I know he has convinced you to lie to me for him. You’ll be fine with him.” Just in case Wes didn’t understand, he looked at the son of a bitch. “He won’t harm a hair on your head.”

  “What are you talking about? I haven’t lied to you.” She shivered and rubbed her palms up and down her arms. “You can’t leave me with him.”

  She was right. There was no way in hell he would be able to force himself to leave her. Tell me the truth. How do you know him?

  “Get the hell out of my head.”

  “I want you to tell me the truth.”

  “You can’t handle it.”

  “Tell me.”

  “Fine. You are an idiot. I would rather scrub public toilets at highway rest areas with my bare hands than get any help from you. You’re an asshole. A rude fucking asshole.”

  He stared at her. He opened his mouth, intending to respond, but nothing came out. It was over. His wait was truly over. She was his miracle. Damn. A million thoughts were racing through his head.

  “This might be all fun and games for you two jackasses. But for me, this isn’t a goddamn fairytale or a pretty princess tea party.”

  He wanted to comfort her, touch her, hold her. But he didn’t dare touch her at that moment. He was pretty damn sure she would kick his ass. Leaning his back against the stone wall, he folded his arms across his chest in an effort to keep his hands to himself. “That’s a huge relief. I’d hate to be the reason you felt compelled to stab your eyeballs out.”

  She made a face at him. “Are you serious?”

  “It would happen.” He couldn’t believe he’d ever questioned whether she was his mate. He would never leave her. “I’m sure of it. As painful as it is to admit, I would make a hideous princess. Plus, for the sake of complete transparency, I’ve never cared for tea.”

  “Huh?”

  “It’s just not my favorite refreshment. Never has been.” He gave her a playful smile, reaching out to her, needing to touch her. “Not that I wouldn’t do my best to get pretty or pretend to thoroughly enjoy tea if you insisted.”