Coming In Hot Box Set

by Gina Kincade

  “Alice,” Collin called from behind.

  She stood. He hadn’t startled her. It was virtually impossible to sneak up on her. Her senses were superior to humans, but her thoughts—they left her preoccupied.

  She forced a smile as she turned to him. “Hi,” she said, picking up her black heels and slipping them onto her feet.

  “Ready?” Dressed in a suit, he held a hand out toward her, his bright hazel eyes looking her up and down.

  As she looked at him, her brows furrowed. There was something different about him.

  Her mind raced as she accepted his hand. It was his scent. A hint of something else clung to him, something she never wanted to smell again.

  Netherworld magic clung to her boyfriend, and it terrified her.

  She was grateful for how firm he held onto her. She needed something steady and sure tonight if she was going to deal with the nagging warnings in her belly and mind. But, now warnings were directed toward the one thing she was sure about.

  How could she bring it up? Most humans knew nothing about the Netherworld. It was a place that had never even been discussed in their mythology or history. The ones that did know about it were either agents in the Netherworld Division.

  Or those willing to exchange their blood with vampires for money, favors, or protection.

  Alice stopped and took her hand from Collin’s.

  He gave her a look. “Everything okay?”

  “Where were you yesterday?” she asked, her heart thumping in her chest. “I called you and you didn’t answer.”

  She hated to think that Collin could be one of those people. Though they helped keep order and made the Vampire Registration System the success it was, she couldn’t stand to think that Collin would let a vampire drink from him. Not when she had enough on her plate.

  Not when Luke was coming.

  The way Collin paused broke her heart. She could tell before he even spoke that he was about to lie to her for the first time.

  “My sister came over.”

  To her surprise, that was the truth.

  Her face softened and she forced a smile, pulling her blond hair over her shoulder. “Oh,” she said. “I’m sorry. I’m a bit on edge.”

  “Why?” he held her hands within his and smoothed them with his thumbs. “Tell me what’s been bothering you lately.”

  “Well,” Alice said, looking off into the forest. “I’m just a bit worried about Crescentia.”

  “Oh,” he said, nodding. “I can see how that would bother you. My sister tends to put me on edge as well. You still haven’t heard from Crescentia?”

  Sighing, Alice shrugged. “No. But I’d feel it if something had happened to her. She’ll come home soon. I just hate when she doesn’t call and check in.”

  “She’s not exactly a child,” he said with a chuckle.

  Alice’s brow lifted. She’s actually not far from it, she thought. She knew she couldn’t say it aloud. Collin wouldn’t understand the dynamics between angels, fallen angels, and their eccentric brethren: demons.

  “It’s fine. I’m not going to worry about it. Not tonight anyway,” she said, making a conscious effort to shove all of her worries and apprehension to the back of her mind. “Tonight is about us and I want to enjoy every moment.”

  “I missed you yesterday,” he said and kissed her hand as they walked around the house toward the front driveway where his black Range Rover was parked.

  “I missed you too.”

  Collin smiled and held the door open for her.

  Alice got in and turned on NPR. She would never admit it, but she sometimes missed living in England. There were so many memories there that she would never forget. She listened to it from time to time, catching hidden clues in the broadcast that those outside of her old division wouldn’t understand.

  Once Collin got in, he was gracious enough to leave it on for her.

  So considerate.

  She did not deserve him.

  An idea came to her, and she placed her hand over his. “Hey,” she said, looking ahead at the sky as the sun began to set. “Why don’t we just go back to your house and have a quiet evening together?”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes,” Alice said, nodding. “I don’t really feel like going out into town. I just want alone time with you. We haven’t had a night to just talk and enjoy each other since we first started dating. As much as I love our little escapades in your office, I want more.”

  Collin nodded, loosening his tie. “I’m glad you said that. I’d much rather have you to myself as well. And, you’re right. I’ve been thinking the same thing.”

  Alice traced his knuckles with her finger and smiled. “Good. So, are you going to cook? Or, do I have to do it?”

  Collin lifted a brow. “I was thinking more along the lines of ordering takeout and taking it back with us.”

  “I’m on it,” Alice said, searching her phone for one of her favorite Italian places that were fairly quick. “How about Guidobaldi’s?”

  “That’s perfect. Order Carbonara for me. I have your favorite cabernet at my place.”

  “Sure you do. But, how many bottles do you have?”

  He chuckled. “I have enough. Go ahead and put in the order. I have something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

  Alice sat up in her seat, her eyes brightening. “What is it? Is it a secret.”

  “Don’t worry. We will talk about it later.”

  Calling in the order, Alice watched Collin drive through the dark winding roads on the outskirts of the city. She was curious as to what he had to tell her. She could attempt to read his thoughts, but decided against it. Even she knew that people deserved their privacy. But…the temptation was there.

  ***

  Alice licked chocolate from her finger as she gazed into Dr. Collin McCray’s eyes. A fire crackled in the fire pit, warming them in the cool autumn air.

  She grinned as he leaned across the picnic blanket and kissed her. She dropped the rest of her chocolate covered strawberry and allowed herself to be lifted from her spot on the blanket and sat on his lap. The taste of chocolate, wine, and strawberries was on both of their tongues as they kissed under the moonlit sky.

  “So, are you ready for the big news?” Collin whispered and his hands slid up her dress.

  Alice nodded, as he massaged her back. “Tell me.”

  “I got offered the position of Chief Surgeon at Mercy Hospital in London,” he said.

  He looked a little wary as if worried about what her response would be.

  “When do you leave?” she asked, trying to wrap her mind around losing the one person she’d grown to love.

  “I can start next month. I told them I would give them my answer on Monday, and that would give me time to put in my notice at the hospital here. What do you think? Is it crazy picking up my life and moving to England?”

  She put a finger to his mouth and pulled back. “Say no more. I’m proud of you and want you to be happy.”

  “So, where does that leave us? Are you coming with me or not?”

  Surprised by his question, Alice pulled back and studied his face. How could she say no to the man she loved?

  Alice licked her lips, her gaze focusing on the woods behind his house.

  London.

  There was a whole new world of terror there…one that she had avoided encountering for many years.

  In her old life, Alice was a general, with hundreds at her command. The thought of returning the epicenter on the war on earth was both unsettling and intriguing. A buzz of excitement filled her belly as she thought of the possibilities.

  “Of course,” she whispered and stood. “What do you say we go back inside? It’s starting to get a little chilly.”

  He came to his feet and picked her up by her thighs. Strong, ridiculously attractive, and smart, Collin was more than she deserved, and as they kissed beside the lake behind his custom-built house, she felt warnings in her belly that she knew this was too g
ood to be true. Something was going to come and rip her away from the only man she’d wanted in a long time. She knew what that something was…and that it was more of a someone.

  “As you wish,” he said, taking her lip between his teeth and sucking it.

  Her eyes fluttered closed as heat rose from her thighs and to her neck. She giggled and held onto his neck as he carried her up the grassy hill and to his back deck. Once they were inside, he continued to carry her through the sunroom, his den and up the stairs to his massive master bedroom.

  She melted into his soft California king bed as he took off his shirt. She licked her lips as her eyes rested on his tight six-pack. Collin’s physical regime put her to shame. Alice didn’t work out.

  She didn’t have to.

  That was only one of the many beautiful perks of being immortal.

  But for a human, Collin was pretty perfect—at least he was perfect to Alice.

  As their eyes locked, Alice’s smile faded. She realized at that moment that those eyes—the ones that seemed to hold some ancient mystery or magic—were the ones she wanted to wake up to for the rest of eternity.

  She pulled off her black dress and unhooked her bra, taking it off and dropping it to their pile of clothes as he pulled her panties off and kissed her inner thighs. She cupped his face as he climbed onto the bed with her, his short dark beard soft between her fingers.

  “I love you, Collin,” she said, her heart breaking as she said the words she’d refused to say to anyone. Love was one of the most powerful emotions any creature could feel.

  Alice knew it all too well: love could get you killed.

  Still, as his eyes brightened at her words, she was willing to risk it.

  “I love you too,” he said and kissed her with such passion that her heart began to race.

  She laid back on the bed and closed her eyes as he kissed her neck, sucking her pale flesh as his hand slid between her legs. She sucked in a breath as his thumb pressed to her tender clit, stroking it with the precision of the surgeon he was.

  She chewed her lip as a moan escaped.

  Collin’s tongue trailed down to her breasts, taking her nipple into his warm mouth. She shivered as he nibbled the sensitive flesh.

  Excitement filled her as he took off his pants and revealed his hardened cock. She ached for him like never before. Before Collin, it had been ages since she’d had sex, resolute at keeping herself closed off and cold toward men.

  Collin was no ordinary man.

  As if he knew she wanted him right at that moment, he decided to torture her a moment longer, lifting her by her thighs as his mouth cupped her wet slit. His tongue dipped inside her heated core, and she tossed her head back with another moan. Her eyes fluttered closed as he sucked her clit, driving her nearly mad with desire. She ground against his mouth and he slid two fingers inside of her, caressing her G-spot until she pulled his hair and cried out with an orgasm that threatened to rip her into two. A flood of sensations washed over her, yet Collin didn’t stop.

  He placed the swollen head of his shaft to her gushing hole and thrust into her with one long stride that filled her completely. He stretched her, his hands firm on her thighs as he leaned down to her, his breath on her throat.

  Tears were in Alice’s eyes as she opened them and wrapped her arms around his neck. He lifted her from her back and positioned her onto his lap at the edge of the bed. She licked her lips, her heart still racing, her breaths labored as she rode him, their chests pressed against one another’s.

  Their eyes met and she lifted herself up and down on his shaft. He cupped her butt in his hands and moved her at his preferred pace. She groaned at his speed and clutched him as she felt another orgasm threatening to wash over her once again. She sucked in a breath and came on his cock, his hand laced into her hair as she rode it out.

  Almost completely spent, Alice became hot as sweat beaded between her breasts and Collin stopped, pressed her pelvis hard to his and kissed her on her lips. “I’m going to come,” he said against her mouth.

  She nodded, her breaths labored and lifted herself from his lap to kneel before him. He didn’t question her as she took his slick cock into her mouth, sucking the tip. He held onto her head as she took him deep into her mouth. Blinded by desire, she found herself aching for him again just by the sound of his groans of pleasure.

  His voice caught in his throat as she took him deeper. A rush of hot cum filled her mouth and she swallowed it down. He held onto her head until the last drop was pumped into her throat.

  Alice grinned as he fell back onto the bed.

  “Wow,” he said, wiping sweat from his forehead.

  She giggled and joined him on the bed, cuddling into his arm. “What is it?”

  He peered at her with one eye open as his chest rose and fell with his breaths. “You’ve never done that before,” he said.

  “There’s a lot I haven’t done to you yet,” she teased.

  “Good,” he said, closing his eyes. “I can say the same.”

  “Oh, really?” She traced the tattoo on his chest and yawned.

  “Yeah. You’re in for it next time.”

  Alice chuckled. This was what happiness felt like.

  Too bad she didn’t deserve happiness.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The next morning, Alice woke up in Collin’s bed, his arms still wrapped around her. She was warm, and at peace. Finally, she felt as though there was no need to worry. She looked to the future, where they would be together, traveling the world and making memories.

  Collin had her heart and she was assured that he would take care of it.

  It was rare to have the pleasure of sleeping through the night without being called into the hospital. But, for the first time since they’d started dating, they’d taken off together.

  She smiled as she gazed at his sleeping face as birds chirped outside his window. With the woods at his back bedroom balcony, she had a mind to make him breakfast and set it up on the balcony. One more day of complete freedom and she wanted to make the most of it.

  She traced the tattoo on his chest. She had an affinity toward tattoos, in her old occupation she had led several tattooed men into battle.

  There were a few dissimilarities, however. The men she’d led weren’t human and their tattoos weren’t for cosmetic appeal.

  A War-Breeder was a creation of the heavens—one with one purpose: hunt and kill vampires.

  She squeezed her eyes closed. That chapter of her life was no more. Though she missed the rush, she was done. Tired of the constant struggle between good and evil.

  Now, she just wanted a normal life, one with a human that would leave her behind once his mortal body ceased to function.

  Such morbid thoughts were shoved from her mind. She couldn’t let them destroy her. Every day in the human world was a step closer to the darkness. She just needed to keep it under control.

  She wiped a tear from her eye and glanced up at Collin’s face again. She’d give anything to just be human.

  As she slowly sat up in an attempt to not awaken him, his eyes opened. She leaned over and kissed him on the lips. “I was trying to escape without waking you.”

  He pulled her down onto his body. “You’re not going anywhere,” he said and rolled on top of her. He kissed her neck, his beard tickling her.

  She giggled and tried to free herself. Little did he know that she could throw him clear across the room, but pretending to be human required muting her abilities.

  “Let go if you want breakfast,” she warned and he peered down into her eyes a wicked grin on his lips.

  “I had other ideas…”

  Her eyes widened as she felt him harden against her pelvis. A smile came to her face as she looked up him, thinking that this was just too perfect. It was going to end badly.

  Alice wrapped her hand around his hard shaft and arched her back to kiss him.

  Not today, though.

  ***

  Breakfast on the balc
ony was as perfect as she’d imagined. Dressed in a nothing but one of Collin’s t-shirts, she drank her coffee, looking out toward the autumn trees as their orange leaves fell and flew around them.

  She glanced at Collin, who checked his phone.

  “Everything okay?” she asked.

  He sighed and put his phone back onto the table, his brows furrowed. “I might get called in tonight if Dr. Kohl doesn’t show up for his shift.”

  “What? Peter has never missed a shift.”

  Shrugging, Collin ate a piece of cinnamon toast. “Well, he didn’t show up yesterday, and no one can get him on the phone.”

  That was odd.

  Something told her that there was more to the story, but Alice was naturally cautious and suspicious. Such paranoia was hardwired into her biochemistry. She feared she’d never escape it…or the need to investigate.

  “Let’s hope he shows up,” she said. “I was really looking forward to movie night.”

  He grinned. “Don’t worry, Dr. Petri. You will get your movie night, and you can make me sit through all of your favorites.”

  “Hey, I don’t have the typical taste in movies. No romantic comedies here. All action.”

  Chuckling, he poured more coffee into their cups.

  A loud screeching sound made Alice jump. She shot a look at the woods, her senses elevated as she felt the air around her grow hot, then freezing cold. Everything quieted and she found herself shooting from her seat, nearly knocking the entire table over as a man’s image appeared before. Frozen in fear, she held her hands out before her.

  A quick glance at Collin confirmed that he was unaware of what was happening. He’d been frozen in time—his hand holding a coffee pot in midair—as Alice faced her greatest enemy.

  “Luke,” she hissed, her eyes narrowing. The color of her eyes changed from blue to white as she prepared to fight for her life.

  To her surprise, the tall demon with choppy brown hair before her smirked, his dark brown eyes looking her up and down.

  “You are as beautiful as I remember.”

  “Stay away from me.” She trembled, terrified of what he could do to her. She wasn’t strong enough to face him. Not yet.