Irresistible

by Annie Nicholas

  “Oh God.” Too selfish, she couldn’t deny him. The best thing, for both of them, was to stay apart, but as soon as he started touching her an irresistible urge took over her body. She clung to his shoulders, breathing hard, and tried to concentrate on unzipping his construction jumpsuit, baring a chest and abs sculpted by a gifted artist, while he brought her closer and closer to the brink. “Oh God.”

  With a rough growl, Max slipped his fingers free of her and shifted her weight to his hips. He peeled the outfit off his shoulders and let it fall.

  A jolt of anticipation shot to her lower abdomen.

  Max grabbed her and thrust his hard cock into her needy pussy, knocking her against the burnt wall. Amber light shone from within his eyes.

  She cried out when he pushed further inside of her with each pump. Pulling him closer with her thighs, she wanted to kiss him but was way past anything soft and gentle. She entered his mouth, hot and urgent, and tangled her fingers into his hair. Opening her hunger, her dirty little secret, she fed.

  Max’s control snapped. His demanding pace left no doubt in her mind how much he wanted her. Pounding deeper and harder, he crushed her body to his until only his touch existed in her world.

  She drank her fill of his lust. This new exotic, wild flavor coating her soul.

  He yanked from her grasp, let out a snarl, and bit her.

  Pain pierced her shoulder, close to her neck. She cried out, but it only heightened her release. Her shouts joined his growls as he poured his hot seed within her. Every fiber in her body vibrated, and she slumped into his waiting arms.

  Setting her down on the floor, Max examined her neck. Warm blood trickled from the wound down her chest. He bent and licked the drop. His stare met hers. “I didn’t mean to get so carried away. You have this wonderful affect on me.” Max pulled the jumpsuit back on and zipped it closed.

  She mourned the loss of being able to look at his exquisite abs. The panties she’d worn lay next to her on the floor in tatters. She rose to her feet and used it to wipe herself clean then tossed it in the trash.

  “It’s a shame to bind them.” He gestured to her breasts. Then he bent, scooping her bra and blouse from the floor. The position offered her a nice view of his ass. She caught herself sighing. He handed her the clothes, raising an eyebrow. Crazed curls stuck out at different angles on his head. They tempted her to run her fingers through them and pull him close again. “Marie?” he whispered.

  Her shielded heart melted. The sound of her name on his lips sent a shiver down her spine. Sex for only pleasure, an irresistible enticement, could never be one of her vices. It would be like playing Russian roulette. “Max…”

  Damn Tim for sending him here. God, why couldn’t she resist him? Any other man she would have literally kicked out the door. But Max…made her body purr, and coming from a fish that was extraordinary.

  Something about him appealed to her. Without the hunger, she never had interest in men.

  Max held out her jacket as she slid her arms in the sleeves. She could have sworn he leaned in and smelled her hair.

  “Well, it was nice seeing you again. I have to get home. Still haven’t cleaned after the party.” He strutted across the room and opened the door then waved before exiting.

  Just like that, he left her. She almost called out but clamped her mouth shut. Bastard hadn’t even taken the freaking keys. That meant she had to figure out how to be here to open the club for Tim to start repairs in the morning.

  * * * *

  Max jogged a few blocks away from the club, fearing if Marie called to him he’d return wagging his tail. She had that much power over him, and he hated it. He needed to equal the playing field.

  Waving his arm, he flagged a taxi to stop and climbed in. He had some cash at home to pay for the ride. “One-twenty-eight Lakeshore Drive.”

  The driver nodded and put the taxi in gear.

  She’d hurt Max’s feelings last night by deserting him, and then again when she’d admitted she didn’t want to see him anymore. He gnashed his teeth together and shook his head to loosen the tension in his neck. Two could play that game. He only wished he could have seen her expression after he left the club.

  The taxi made good time through the small city. Chuckling, Max leaned back and rested his hands behind his head. She should be pissed at the moment, realizing he hadn’t taken the keys. But she didn’t know his plans.

  He leaned toward the driver. “Do you have a cellphone I can borrow for a minute?”

  The cabby eyed him through the review mirror. “Not too long. I’m not on one of those unlimited plans.” He handed Max the phone over the seat.

  “Thanks, man.” He dialed Tim’s cell number and got voice mail. “I’m meeting the owner later tonight. The keys will be in your mailbox by morning.”

  He knew where to find Marie, and the keys were a perfect reason to show up on her doorstep. First, a shower and a change of clothes, then he needed to figure out how to get his mate to acknowledge she wanted more than his body.

  A lot of people confused sex with love. Not him, and apparently, not her. He smiled. Score a point for her. As he handed the cell back to the driver, they pulled up to his cabin. “I’m going to run in and get my wallet. Keep the meter running.” He jogged into his place and got the cash.

  Watching the cab drive away, Max scratched his chin. He’d never pursued a woman for love, never wanted it. Still wasn’t sure if he did. But he couldn’t deny they had chemistry.

  Chapter 6

  Marie ran her finger down the phone book’s C page but couldn’t find Max listed. She slammed the book closed and huffed. Probably couldn’t find the courage to call him anyway after telling him she’d used him for sex.

  The shock of their encounter still coursed through her body. After years of feeding her appetite off men’s sexual desires, she’d never had one come back to her for more, of his own free will. He’d shown her how to have a natural climax, unenhanced by her abilities. The power released during her orgasm could have fed her. She’d never thought of trying to feed from herself until now. No one had ever made her blood boil with passion like Max did.

  Now she’d driven him away, and it hurt. The rawness of rejection was fresh, a new sensation she didn’t care for. He didn’t even kiss her goodbye, just used her like she’d used him. What did she expect from a notorious playboy?

  Rubbing her hands over her face, she tried to wipe clean Max’s memories. What changed since yesterday? She’d never pined for a man before. And she was definitely pining for him. She dropped her head back into her palms. His stamina and his earnest desire impressed her, but she also loved the way he said her name.

  As if she belonged to him.

  She snorted and pushed away from the table. The dishes needed washing and dinner wasn’t going to cook itself. She picked up a wine glass and soaked it in the hot, soapy water.

  Belonging to someone would be nice though, even in a daydream. Shouldn’t sirens be allowed to have dreams? Probably not, it would only lead to problems…and deaths. She hadn’t killed anyone since moving to the US, the dread of it happening again always loomed over her head like a hangman’s noose.

  A loud, rapid knock on her kitchen door startled her, and she dropped the glass while drying it. “Shit.” No one ever came to visit her. Her racing heart slowed and descended from her throat so she could breathe again.

  “Marie? It’s Max.”

  Her heart lodged itself back under her larynx. She was a mess. After work, she’d thrown on a pair of shorts and t-shirt that were lying on the floor. Egad, she hadn’t even showered, just pulled the pins from her hair and let it fall.

  “Is everything all right? I heard glass breaking.”

  “It’s fine. I’m coming.” If her recent behavior hadn’t chased him off, then her present appearance would finish the job. She opened the door. “Mr. Cock--Cox.” She cleared her throat and checked the area for a black hole to jump into. “How do you know where I live?” />
  Dressed in a thin, white shirt and worn, clinging-to-his-ass jeans, Max looked good enough to eat. “I have my ways.” He tapped his nose. “I forgot the keys this afternoon. I guess I got distracted.” The heat in his eyes sizzled as his gaze traveled to the bite mark exposed on her neck.

  She caught her hand going to the spot and jerked it away. “Give me a second. I’ll get them.”

  Fate had provided a good opportunity for her to act civil to him, maybe get him to like her, and she acted like a nut job. How could she ask him anything without sounding desperate? He’d left her.

  “I appreciate your finding me. I can’t make it to the club tomorrow--” She spun to find him inside her kitchen, approaching her. “Careful, I dropped a glass.” She pointed to the mess on the floor, close to his feet, then stooped to pick up the sharp pieces. Distracted by the heat of his gaze burning a hole through her back, she fumbled a rather large piece and sliced her left index finger. “Son of a bitch.”

  He crouched next to her and took her hand in his. “Let me see.”

  Tingles spread through her hand and masked the pain as he examined the cut.

  “Let’s clean it.” He placed an arm around her waist and gently guided her to the sink to run some cold water over it. “I don’t think you need stitches, but we should bandage it.” He took the keys and placed them in his pocket.

  Not capable of thinking straight with him so close, she nodded like a bobble head.

  “You look a little pale. Maybe you should sit down.” Without waiting for her response, he scooped her up in his arms and brought her to the living room so he could set her on the couch.

  “I’m all right, Max.” You just turn me inside out every time you touch me.

  He pressed a paper towel to her bleeding finger. “Hold this while I find some bandages.” Rising to his feet, he pointed down the hallway. “The bathroom this way?”

  “Yes, the Band-Aid box should be in the medicine cabinet.” Why did her heart still pound? She needed to get control before she did something stupid like offer him dinner.

  “My Little Kitty?” He held the box of Band-Aids up as he returned and raised an eyebrow, grinning the whole time.

  “They’re pretty.” A blush burned her cheeks, and the cushions weren’t deep enough to hide in. It never occurred to her that she’d ever have a man of worth in her home going through her medicine cabinet. If she had to wear something over a cut, she wanted it to be cute.

  Sitting next to her on the couch, his hip brushed along her thigh. “Yes, they are.” He stared at her as he spoke. Removing the paper towel, he checked her cut once more. “The bleeding’s stopped.” He bandaged her finger, however, didn’t get off the couch, trapping her close to him. “I’ve been wanting to ask you something since we met except, uh, sex kept getting in the way to make me forget.”

  Groaning to herself, she waited for the other shoe to drop. Handsome, sexy, and thoughtful were too much of a great combination. This was where it would all end. He’d ask her to star in a porn movie, or worse, meet his parents.

  “I know you’re not a shifter, but I can smell you’re not human either.” He leaned his arm along the back of the couch. “So what are you?”

  Damn werewolves and their keen noses. Well, she wanted to chase him away and the truth should do it. “I’m--I’m a mermaid.” The white lie slipped out before she could stop herself.

  His eyebrows shot up. “Really? I’ve heard your race is pretty secretive and isolated. That most don’t like coming to the surface even though they can. What are you doing here in San Heuvas, so far from the ocean?”

  Excellent question. She added smart to his list of attributes. Technically, she was classed as a mermaid, but her people had more stringent rules about race.

  Yet Max sat next her with an interested expression on his face instead of a look of horror. He didn’t act like most shifters. Most of them, from her experience, would have stalked off by now. Shifters were an exclusive club. They might take a human lover here or there but not a mermaid. A fish, as one had called her. Wait until Max found out what kind of sea creature she really was.

  “My peo--parents thought it would be a good experience for me to live on the land for a while.” Yeah, like forever.

  “Nice, maybe you can become an ambassador or something. Remaining isolated can stagnate a race.”

  She almost laughed in his face. Boy, her people would self-terminate before allowing a siren to represent them. Yet, Max appeared sincere in speaking with her. Nothing about Max Cox was what she’d expected. “I thought you wouldn’t want to speak with me anymore once you found out what I am.”

  “Why?” He tilted his head to side, making his mouth more accessible for a kiss.

  Shaking the temptation from her mind, she scooted a little further from him. “I’m not a shifter. My people are isolated, but yours are exclusive. I’m not part of the club.”

  He chuckled. “Marie, I’m not the type of guy who follows ancient rules. I tend to make my own.” He trailed his fingertips over her leg. “I’d love to see you shift. I bet your fin is beautiful.”

  If he liked predators, then she would be beautiful. “We call it a ‘change’ since it’s only partial.” She gazed into his eyes and saw good things. It was too late. He’d caught her heart: hook, line, and sinker. Oh God, it would hurt so much when he ran from her.

  “Have you eaten dinner?”

  “Yes.” Her stomach chose to growl at that moment to declare her a liar. “Well, I was about to make something to eat.”

  “Not with that finger.” He rose and offered her his hand. “I know of a little dive not far from here that makes great--”

  “Fish ’n chips. I love that place.”

  * * * *

  They agreed to take his pickup truck to the outdoor diner. He didn’t want to try and squeeze his frame into her small Focus but would have if she had insisted. So it began. The compromises, the loss of self, all for…he glanced at her, a set of sea blue eyes that held an edge of fear around them. She appeared more insecure than dominating. Maybe he should do them both a favor and stop comparing her to werewolf females. So far all she’d done was push him away. He’d been the one pursuing her. She’d seemed both pleased and terrified at the idea of having dinner with him.

  “What do you know about werewolves, Marie?” Maybe she’d heard bad things, listened to unfounded rumors. Heck, she’d crashed his party. Not like she was a virgin or anything. Why the fear?

  “The usual--close knit pack, possessive, aggressive, and territorial. Oh, and you get furry on the full moon.” She shifted in her seat and rearranged her seat belt. “You fit the bill, so I’m still not sure why you’re taking me to dinner. I’m an outsider.”

  He laughed. “Full moon thing is just a myth. I can change anytime.”

  “Now?”

  “I wouldn’t recommend it while I’m driving.” Glancing at her, he noticed a small, teasing smile on her lips. He winked. “When we get back though, I’ll shift if you change.”

  Her throat moved as if she swallowed. “Maybe another time.”

  Grinning to himself, he bet she didn’t even notice her Freudian slip. She planned on seeing him again after tonight. Maybe their bond wasn’t so one-sided. “Do mermaids have soul mates?”

  “No, at least I don’t think so.”

  Making a left turn, he parked in the small restaurant’s lot and faced her. “What do you mean you don’t know?”

  The whites of her eyes showed as they grew bigger. “I-I… Look at that line. We better get in it if we’re ever going to eat.” She opened the truck door and sauntered over to the faded building.

  He watched her heart shaped ass sway in her loose sports shorts. That was an odd response, yet he’d let her get away with it, for now.

  Picnic tables sat under the shade tree, the only seating the place offered, but he loved eating here. The smell of grease filled the air, and Max’s mouth watered. They had the best fish ’n chips in San H
euva. His wolf spirit agreed.

  Standing at the counter, she waited to order. The menu consisted of food designed to clog arteries and raise blood pressure, a carnivore’s dream.

  “Number one-twenty-six.” A college girl held out a basket of deep fried heaven to someone else. “Can I take your order? Hey, Max. The usual?”

  “Sure thing, Crystal, and what did you want?” He glanced at his date.

  Marie glared at the girl and slipped an arm through his. “I’ll take the same.”

  The possessive gesture should have made his skin crawl, instead he swelled with pride. He belonged to someone, if only she’d realize it. Grinning, he placed his hand over hers.

  She blinked at it as if wondering how it got there.

  They didn’t wait long before Crystal returned with their baskets.

  “There’s an empty table.” He pointed with his basket, afraid to dislodge Marie’s hand from his arm.

  Sitting across from her, he watched her devour her fish. A predatory aura surrounded her, more than he would expect from a mermaid. The meal never had a chance.

  “So, what do you like to do in your spare time?”

  She glanced up at him. “Are we really going to do this?”

  He hesitated in biting his fish. “Do what?”

  “The whole first date thing, where you ask me my favorite colors and what type of music I’m into.”

  The mermaid had teeth, and he liked it. “I already know your favorite color is pink and you’re not into music at all.” He bit a hunk out of his fish and chewed with gusto as he watched her eyes narrow.

  “How do you know that?”

  He finished his mouthful at a leisurely pace. “Nobody buys My Little Kitty stuff unless they like pink, and you didn’t have music playing in your office or your home today.” He stole one of her fries and tossed it into his mouth.

  The hostility she exuded dissolved, and she laughed. “Since you know so much about me, smart ass, why don’t you tell me a little about you?”

  “Telling takes all the fun out of things.” He took her hand and kissed the tips of her fingers. “I want us to take our time in getting to know each other. Especially with how fast and hot things started.”