Cooper growled, took her mouth again, wanted to devour her. He deepened the kiss, her taste not enough. Never enough. Tasting down her neck, he avoided the talisman necklace and nipped the sensitive skin of her breasts. Up to her shoulder, fingers digging into her hips, he bit gently on the pounding pulse at the base of her neck.
“Cooper,” she gasped, her hips rocking against his again.
His cock hardened even further. His control spread out like a thread, but still he held onto it. Laying her on the bed, he stepped back, struggled for that thin control.
“Make love to me,” Nikki said, the fingers of her left hand dancing enticingly down her body.
His control snapped. Cooper wanted to make love to her, wanted to hear every moan and sigh, feel every one of her breaths.
He nipped across her ribs, back up to her nipple, and closed his teeth over her hard peak, tugging it until she cried out his name. Her hands tangled in his hair, her body shuddering beneath his. He tormented the other nipple as well, just enough to wind her orgasm through her, not enough to let her go.
Kissing down her body, Cooper took his time, branding each patch of skin, nipping the sensitive curve of her hip and along her inner thigh. She opened her legs wider for him, and he knew she was wet and ready. But he was not.
He wanted to taste her until she shouted his name.
Nikki dug her nails into the small of his back, her teeth sinking into his shoulder, and she begged. She arched into his touch, opening wider as his finger slipped into her wetness.
“More,” she panted.
Cooper slowed down, added a second finger, and leisurely thrust into her, watched her eyes flutter closed, her fingers curl into the bedding.
“Cooper,” she moaned. “Yes.”
Her breath hitched and he knew she was close. Part of him wanted to watch her climax. The rest of him wanted to be inside her when she did. Then her eyes opened and her nails dug into his back, forcing him closer—and pushing his control to the breaking point.
Cooper growled and bit her lower lip, but Nikki again shuddered in need. Her legs wound around his hips, her hips moving faster against his hand, and Cooper swore her nails drew blood. He didn’t care.
His control snapped.
With his mouth on hers, hard, marking her as his, Cooper kissed her. He shoved his jeans over his hips and sensitive cock, kicked them and his boxer briefs away, and settled over her.
“Look at me,” he said, his voice harsh.
Nikki did, and one hand wrapped around his cock, fingers lightly stroking the tip, down the shaft and up again. She guided him to her entrance, and in one hard thrust, Cooper entered her.
With her body arched, Nikki cried out as her orgasm crashed over her.
Jaw clenched, he waited and watched her as her beautiful skin flushed, her mouth open in ecstasy, her nails drawing blood on his back.
Breathing heavily, Nikki opened her eyes, wrapped her legs around his waist, and kissed him. Cooper thrust, pounding hard into her, building her back up again. His fingers found her clit and he heard her breathing change, knew she was close.
Right before she orgasmed, body coiled tight, his own climax close, so close, Nikki rolled them over. Rising above him, she looked down with such vivid eyes, focused entirely on him.
She ran her fingers over his lips, her hips still rocking against his, and the look in her eyes stole his breath. The love and passion and trust undid him.
Bracing her hands on his chest, Nikki moved. She slowly rose until only the tip of his cock remained within her then slammed back down. Cooper’s breath caught and he felt the meager threads of his control vanish. Her hair fell forward as she leaned closer, the tips just grazing his face.
Her lips were demanding on his, teeth nipping his lower lip. Nikki moved faster, and Cooper grabbed her hips, letting her take control. She shuddered, gasped his name. He felt her tighten around him and found her nub. Nikki’s breath caught and she screamed his name, tightening around his cock as her climaxed tore through her.
Cooper snapped. Slamming her down on him, his own climax rushed through him and he emptied himself into her willing body. She shuddered, her arms gave out, and she fell to his chest, body warm, breath coming in aborted gasps of his name. He wrapped his arms about her and held her close, unable to do more than that.
With his eyes closed, he managed to smile and kiss Nikki’s forehead. “I love you,” he whispered, the words breathless.
He felt her mouth on his chest, her soft breath against his skin. “I love you, too, Cooper. More than anything.”
* * * *
Cooper’s arm wrapped tight around her. Nikki knew he was awake, but he hadn’t moved; he simply held her close as they lay in bed. She didn’t mind.
The sun lightened the horizon and Nikki smiled at the comparisons between now and—what, two weeks ago?—when she had stood at his window and looked out over the ranch as the sun rose. She twined their fingers together and raised his hand to her mouth, softly kissing his knuckles.
“I did promise I wouldn’t leave.” She let the words wind out between them.
He chuckled, his breath warm against her neck, and she shivered, scooting closer to him. “I know,” Cooper said, his voice soft. “But I like this.”
The sincere honesty in those words wrapped around Nikki’s heart and squeezed. Closing her eyes, she rested her head on his chest and wondered if she ever needed to move from his embrace again. But she did, and they both knew it.
Nikki glanced out the window, not seeing the sun, not even the unfamiliar skyline from this angle. She saw only the image from last night of the brightly lighted compound a mile or so from town. The Carillo cartel’s compound.
“We have to talk about this eventually,” she said, breaking the comfort between them. “They’re going to find Narciso’s body.”
“And,” Cooper finished her thought, “we have to figure out what to do next.”
Turning only enough to see his face, to make sure she caught his gaze, Nikki said, “I have to confront them.”
Cooper nodded, his eyes darker than normal. “I know. But we can’t rush into their compound, Nikki. We have to figure out a way to do that and make it out alive.”
She grabbed the sheet to cover herself, though she didn’t know why she bothered; Cooper had seen her naked too many times for modesty now. But she needed the movement, the distraction. She sat on the edge of the bed, but then forced herself to face him. This wasn’t a conversation to have with her back turned.
“I promised I wouldn’t leave you,” she began. “And I won’t.”
“But?”
Damn man, it was like he could read her mind. Or her. He did know her all too well. Cooper sat up against the headboard and watched her carefully, his expression unreadable.
“But,” she allowed, her words slow as she tried to form some sort of plan that didn’t involve Cooper’s death—or hers, for that matter. “I think I should go in there alone.”
Cooper’s eyes narrowed and she knew he’d protest—a very valid protest—but before he could interrupt, Nikki rushed on. “I promise I’ll come back to you.”
“No.” The word sounded flat and harsh in the room, a bullet between them.
“You saw me, Cooper, with Narciso,” she said, her voice hard yet soothing. Her hand curled around the talisman. “I can hold my own. And with this, I can do it without fear.”
“Yes,” he allowed, but she knew it wasn’t an affirmation of her plan. His eyes hardened, a flat black, and his fingers flexed tightly on hers, but she didn’t pull back. “Yes, I saw you. I’ve never seen anyone move like that. But for as good as you were, are, you’re not bulletproof. It’s suicide for you to march in there, alone and without a plan.”
“Cooper,” Nikki said, dropping the sheet and kneeling before him. She had to make him understand. This discovery was important to her, but keeping him safe was more so. “I know more now than I ever have about what’s going on. About this cur
se, about this warrior spirit inside me.”
“Yes, Nikki,” he shot back, all emotionless façade gone. He was angry and scared, and with every word Nikki heard his love for her. It warmed her and she almost smiled, but wisely refrained. This was far too important a conversation for her to turn mushy now.
“You know about the spirit and the curse,” Cooper continued in that same hard tone. He gripped her chin, but Nikki’s full attention was already on him. “And all that is wonderful. But this cartel is more than that, more than an ancient curse. They’re living in the here and now, and no doubt have an army behind those gates. Assuming you can even get through the gates. If we do this, we have to do it right.”
Damn. Cooper was right. She hadn’t given any thought to modern technology. She wasn’t bulletproof, or didn’t think so, and had no desire to test such a theory when it was still a theory. But she doubted it; after all, she’d killed Narciso, thereby proving she could die.
“Besides,” he added, softening just a bit. “You have work to do back at the ranch…and in my bed.”
Nikki smiled and released a breath. They truly were in this together. She didn’t want him here, didn’t want him endangered, but more than that, she wanted to live so that she could return to Agua Clara with him.
“All right,” she agreed, holding out her hand for an old-fashioned deal-making handshake. “But I don’t want to lose you, Cooper.”
“And I’m not losing you,” Cooper said, pulling her close. He kissed the palm of her hand and smiled wickedly up at her. “Now, let’s talk about the plan.”
Chapter Fifteen
“This is bold,” Nikki muttered in agreement as they walked up to the front door.
Armed guards stared suspiciously at them as she and Cooper waited for the doubtful head of security to phone the main house. She’d told him the head of the Carillos would want to see her, and despite the man’s amused disbelief, he’d dutifully made the call.
“We could have at least tried to sneak in,” she added. “Just because we’ve never done covert before doesn’t mean this can’t be the first time.”
Cooper snorted but remained quiet. She didn’t blame him; though the remaining dozen or so guards didn’t point their automatics at them, Nikki had no doubts each one had an itchy trigger finger, just waiting for the word to shoot.
Her talisman lay against her skin, but she refrained from touching it. She didn’t want to make it obvious she’d found it. No doubt everyone here knew what her talisman was and wouldn’t appreciate her wearing it.
So far as they’d been able to tell, no one had yet discovered Narciso’s body. When someone did discover him, Nikki had a feeling the proverbial shit would hit the fan and they wouldn’t be safe, with or without her new control over her spirit. Which was why she’d reluctantly agreed to Cooper’s plan—walking into the compound just after dawn and brazenly knocking on the door.
It caught the Carillos off guard at least.
The guard returned with an odd, curious look on his face and gestured to his minions. He pressed a button, and a side gate opened next to the huge driveway gates. “You may enter,” he said.
Nikki didn’t look at him but held Cooper’s hand tighter. Swallowing, she tried to control her breathing, but swore every one of the guards still watching them could hear her heart pounding. She licked her lips and suddenly wished they’d had breakfast before leaving the hotel. Not that she was hungry, but she was suddenly thirsty.
No one escorted them to the main house; they didn’t have to. Turning to say something to Cooper, she noticed him look side to side, his eyes constantly scanning the area. He wasn’t obvious, but he clearly saw something she didn’t. Nikki tried to see what he did, but already knew they were being watched.
Before they climbed the final step to the front door, a man opened it; he was the butler, she guessed, and ushered them into the living room. The room was spacious, fancier than the town but not so overdone as to be ostentatious. Nikki shook her head and dismissed it. It didn’t matter. She wasn’t here to critique their décor.
Cooper stood beside her, silent and waiting. She could feel the tension vibrating off him, and once more wondered what he’d been before he became a rancher. She’d never asked—at the time, the past wasn’t something she wanted to talk about. His hands remained loose at his side, and he rocked back on his heels; Nikki studied him for a moment, impressed.
Cooper’s hands flexed and she knew with a certainty that chilled her he’d kill for her.
This had been a bad idea; she should have gone alone, kept him safe.
Too late.
Three sets of footsteps echoed along the hardwood floor. Nikki swallowed and waited as three men came into view. She dismissed the two flanking the older man and focused on him. His silver hair flowed over his shoulders like some sort of silver screen actor, and despite the lines bracketing his eyes, the dark brown remained clear and sharp.
He walked forward, his hand extended. “I am Joaquin Carillo.” He waved at the henchmen. Henchmen? Who used that word anymore? She was letting her nerves get the better of her. “These are my nephews.”
Nikki took his hand, not wanting to insult him before they had a chance to put the rest of their plan into action.
Joaquin looked between her and Cooper but focused on her. “I’m surprised you’ve come here,” he said and nodded at his nephews to melt into the background. They obligingly did and Nikki ignored them; she knew Cooper did not. “As your father killed my brother, their father, and two of my cousins. It’s very bold, my dear, for you to come here, and with your gentleman friend, no less. I would think—”
“Your brother and cousins were criminals in the United States,” Nikki cut in, already tired of Joaquin’s monologue. “My father took the appropriate action.”
One of the nameless nephews took an angry step forward, but Joaquin held up a hand to stop him. The other man obeyed, clearly used to doing so.
Joaquin sat back on the couch and spread his arms across the back of it. “That is not the statement of a woman who has come to beg for her life.”
Nikki smiled coldly. “I don’t need to beg for my life any longer.”
He cocked his head to one side and stood. Joaquin’s gaze drifted to Cooper, but Nikki stepped forward. She couldn’t have his attention on Cooper; she needed it on her. Within her, Nikki felt her spirit, but Alena remained silent, calm. For the first time ever, they were in accord.
They’d wait.
“I know your secrets,” Nikki said smoothly, with a hint of a smile.
She glanced at the nephews, but didn’t see a talisman on either man. Quickly returning her gaze to Joaquin, she made sure the other man followed her movements as she walked several paces away from Cooper. He did, looking at her curiously.
“And what secret is that?” Joaquin asked conversationally. “You’re cursed? That a demon lives inside of you? And I ordered him out there? Who would believe such a tale? However, I must say, I’m rather curious as to why you haven’t gone mad. Why you didn’t turn on your father and tear his throat out? I’ve looked for you for a long time to get just that answer.”
“Oh.” Nikki laughed with a lightness she didn’t feel. “That’s no secret.”
Turning to the nameless nephews, she reached deep into her and tapped into the power that was her spirit. She needed to change, needed to show them who and what she was—to scare the hell out of them. But only for a moment.
Whatever they saw, the markings on her face, the shift in her eyes, both of them visibly recoiled. Terror and repulsion flashed over their faces, and they nervously looked between her and their uncle.
Allowing her spirit to fade back into her, Nikki smiled at Joaquin. He looked at her steadily, shocked. The older man shook his head, his gaze flickering between her and Cooper.
“How can you possibly have control.” He spat the words, clearly furious. It wasn’t a question.
In the next instant, Joaquin lunged at her.
Nikki instinctively knew he aimed for her talisman. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Cooper backhand one of the nephews and punch the other. Neither nephew had time to call out before Cooper had them prone on the floor, unconscious.
Distracted by Cooper’s superior moves, she missed Joaquin move and stumbled as the older man attacked. Joaquin pushed Nikki backward, and she hit the far wall. With a howl of unfettered rage, Joaquin tore the talisman from her neck, holding it in front of her.
He looked triumphant and let the talisman swing before her tauntingly. Joaquin grinned, a vicious twist to his lips.
“How did you get this?” Joaquin demanded.
His own demon rose to the surface, eyes blackened, and his markings appeared over his jaw and neck. Joaquin had the same red clustering as Narciso. She only saw the markings for a beat, then Joaquin pushed against her, still furious. His forehead pressed to hers, hard and threatening.
“How do you think I got this?” Nikki spat back. “I took it from Narciso’s wall.”
“He’d never give this to you!” Joaquin growled, jerking back to stare at her. “He’d know I’d rip his throat out.”
“Do not worry.” Nikki kept calm, despite his harsh breath on her neck. With deep satisfaction she told him, “I already have.”
Joaquin wrapped his hand around her throat and squeezed. His eyes blazed with fury, and his nails dug into her skin. “I should have just put a bullet in both you and your father years ago.”
Her own rage returned. Only this time, Nikki was fully aware of, even embraced, the spirit. She wanted it to surface, willed it to do so; she wanted to show Joaquin its fangs. In a heartbeat, Nikki went from Joaquin pressing her against the wall to slashing him across the face. He howled, but she saw the blood welling along his cheek. Using all her strength, and that of Alena’s, she pushed him back.
Startled by her transformation, by the sheer force of it, Joaquin once more lunged forward and struck back. Ready for him, Nikki bested every blow, every angered and uncontrolled strike. She ducked and dodged, allowing her spirit to rule her. Alena knew instinctually what to do, and Nikki allowed her to have full reign. Joaquin, in a blind rage, was no match for her meticulous attack, and she soon cornered him against the doors.
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