Savage Breath of Darkness

by Candice Stauffer

  “What is it?”

  “If you really want to know you need to close your eyes.”

  She knew he was up to something. “Fine.” She closed her eyes. “What did you get for me?”

  “Me.”

  She opened her eyes and found him stretched out on his back on top of her desk. “I know you’re up to something.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “If you’re being sneaky you shouldn’t have used the door.”

  “Sneaky?” He sat up. “I am not being sneaky. I used the store’s front entrance because I also brought a gift for Julie.”

  “Vampire repellent?”

  “Something like that.”

  “You look a little too pleased with yourself right now. What did you give her?”

  “A small personal protection devise.”

  She held a finger up. “One.”

  “A flashlight.”

  “Two.”

  He got to his feet. “With a taser.”

  “Are you serious?” She walked over to him. “You gave Julie a taser to shock Caleb?”

  He nodded. “I did.”

  “Do you think she’ll use it on him?”

  “Yes.” Joseph nodded. “And it works great. I let her test it on me.”

  “You didn’t?”

  “I did.” He laughed. “The silly thing packs a punch.” He untucked his shirt from his slacks and lifted it to show her the remnants of a nearly faded burn on his belly.

  She traced it with the tip of her finger and then lifted her gaze to his. “It burned you.”

  He let his breath out slowly, watching her, studying her. “I tweaked it a bit to give it an extra kick to make sure it knocked Caleb on his ass.”

  Her tongue darted out of her mouth and moistened her lips. “You tweaked a taser to be used on your friend.”

  “I sure did,” he laughed.

  “Damn it, Joseph. I need to get some work done today.”

  “That’s not the response I was anticipating. I thought you would be happy. Do you want me to take it away from her? Wait.” He held his hand up. “Before you answer, I think you should know that she was incredibly happy when I gave it to her.”

  “I’m happy. It’s just that…damn it, Joseph.”

  “What?”

  “You have me so turned on right now.”

  “Do I?”

  She unbuttoned and opened his shirt. “Yes.” She leaned forward and kissed her way from his chin to the base of his throat. Then, rising onto the tips of her toes, she brushed her lips against his.

  He kissed her. A brief kiss. Nothing more. Then, framing her face with his hands, he gently caressed her lips with the pad of his thumb. “How turned on are you?”

  She smiled. “Crazy turned on.” She took a small step back, lifted her skirt and pulled her panties down. “Super crazy.”

  He swept her up in his arms, whirled her around and pinned her back against the wall. With a thought, he instantly removed his pants as she wrapped her legs around his body. A growl rumbling in his chest, he claimed her mouth with his.

  “The door,” she whispered against his lips, her voice sounding a little breathless.

  “It’s locked.” He kissed her thoroughly, roughly taking possession of her mouth, her body, and soul. Her entire body ached with need. She loved kissing him. At first his kiss was firm and demanding, but then it turned gentle, almost too tender. Then, deepening the kiss again, he set her ablaze with need, with lust.

  “Wait a minute,” she said.

  “I don’t want to wait.”

  “What happened?”

  “With what?”

  “Why did you get her a taser?”

  “After,” he growled.

  She didn’t argue. She couldn’t. She needed his cock buried deep inside her body. He lowered her and surged upward, thrusting hard over and over again. Digging her fingernails into his shoulders, she held on. Her body was burning up in a firestorm of hot ecstasy. She needed action. She needed heat. She needed friction. And he was giving it all to her. Each thrust of his hips was faster and harder.

  She was so hot. So damn tight. He knew she was close. And it was a damn good thing. He wouldn’t last much longer. He thrust harder and faster, stretching her tight muscles, filling her, creating the most extraordinary flames of pleasure.

  And then, it happened, she cried out as her body tightly, mercilessly clamped down around his cock. He slammed deep and hard one last time. His release hit him so damn hard he nearly dropped to his knees.

  ****

  After placing the taser Joseph had given her in her purse, Julie heard the front door open and turned to see who’d come in.

  Zack waved. “Hello, Julie.”

  “It’s good to see you.” She smiled. “How are you doing, Zack?”

  “I am doing great. Thank you. How are you doing?”

  “I’m doing good.” She pointed. “Joseph is in Mia’s office.” She laughed. “Make sure you knock because you never know what they’re doing.”

  “I am here to talk to you.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “Emily is at the park across the street from your apartment.”

  “Right now?”

  “Yes. She would love to see you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “I just need to tell Mia I’m leaving.” She started to walk away, but then she stopped and face him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight. “Thank you, Zack.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She released him, rushed across the store to Mia’s office and then knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” Mia said.

  “I need to leave a few minutes early.”

  “Is everything okay?” Mia asked.

  Uncertain she was supposed to say anything about Emily, Julie turned her head to look up at Zack.

  Zack smiled and nodded. “Emily is waiting at the park to see her.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Mia walked over to Julie.

  “I’m so excited, Mia. I’ve wanted to talk to her for so long.”

  “I know.” She wrapped her arm around Julie’s shoulder and led her to the front of the store. “Get going. I’ll keep an eye out for costumers.”

  ****

  “I know Emily spends a great deal of time at the park to keep an eye on Julie. Does Emily know you’ve sent Julie to the park?” Joseph asked.

  Zack shook his head. “Not really.”

  “Emily is going to kick your ass.”

  “I don’t mind.” Smiling, he shrugged his shoulders. “They needed a little push.”

  “What else is on your mind?”

  “Emily and I encountered a skinwalker who has taken on Demetri’s image at Wicked Sensations. Do you know what’s going on?”

  “I do. Demetri allowed the skinwalker to take his image.”

  “That’s what I figured. Is Demetri in trouble?”

  “He’s doing good. By assuming Demetri’s identity, the skinwalker has given him freedom to look for Sara and Caspian. We recently discovered Caspian is alive. He has been held captive by Evolved. We also learned that Evolved is being led by Erebus and the other Overlords.”

  “The skinwalker is a nearly flawless replica of Demetri. It’s hard to believe he allowed a skinwalker fully to merge with him.” Zack said.

  “Any of us would’ve done the same to save our mates.”

  “What if the skinwalker turns against him?”

  “He won’t. He has been with Adam Vlacic for centuries.”

  “I am aware of his affiliation with Adam. It’s still a huge risk. Where is Demetri?”

  “He’s in Maine.”

  “I haven’t been able to reach him.”

  “He’s cut off from everyone to avoid discovery.”

  “He should’ve said something to Emily.”

  “He couldn’t. Her mind isn’t as well guarded.”

  “I have her mind. What if she’d went
to the skinwalker thinking he was Demetri?”

  “He wouldn’t do anything to harm her.”

  “You should’ve told me.”

  “I tried. You haven’t been easy to find.”

  “I just saw you the other night when your employee wandered into trouble.”

  “I wasn’t thinking about it at the time. Are you going to tell Emily what’s going on?”

  “Of course.”

  “She’ll want to follow Demetri to Maine.”

  “We’ll go.”

  “You’re good with it?”

  “We’re good. We’re great.”

  “It’s about damn time.”

  11

  “Damn it,” Emily whispered between clenched teeth as she watched two rogue wolves follow Julie into the park. She rushed over to her sister. “It’s great to see you, Julie.”

  “I was so happy when Zack came to tell me you were waiting here to see me.”

  “I can’t wait to thank Zack.” Since, after giving it some thought, she’d decided against meeting up with Julie, Emily planned to kick his ass for interfering.

  “I’ve missed you so much, Emily.”

  “I’ve missed you.”

  “How are you doing?”

  “I am doing good. We need to go.” She wrapped her arm around Julie to lead her away from the wolves.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You’re being followed by wolves.”

  “Not again.”

  All senses on heightened alert, she studied her surroundings to identify the presence of another, unseen, threat. “You’ve had trouble with them before?”

  “Yes.”

  The atmosphere shifted the instant Zack merged with her. His power filled her, surrounded her. His power and strength thrilled her. His presence was always exhilarating to her. His wild addictive scent filled her lungs. What are you doing, baby doll? The warmth of his breath wisped over her ear. While his voice was calm, as if nothing truly mattered, she knew he’d dropped everything to rush to her.

  Nothing much. She took a deep breath and released it with a sigh. He loved her. Despite the darkness in her. Despite her flaws. I’m just trying to work out a few details to determine the best method to hide the evidence of a violent crime before I commit it. She waited for a few seconds. What about you? She knew he was already deeply connected with her, assessing the situation through her eyes.

  Sitting here thinking about you naked.

  You’re such a pervert. I bet you’re touching yourself, aren’t you?

  The temptation gets harder to resist every second were a part.

  Even as they teased each other, she knew he was aware of everything. With each passing second, she felt him getting closer. His power moved over her in waves. It amazed her that the wolves seemed entirely clueless of his approach.

  I only see two wolves.

  But? She knew he was asking for her benefit. Knowledge was power. He was using the situation to teach her something.

  I sense another presence.

  A human. A young male.

  The hints were enough to allow her to locate the preteen. He’s observing what’s happening. Trying to decide whether to intervene. She felt like an idiot for not being able to locate and identify him on her own. I was searching for threats. I should’ve…

  Stop it. You’re amazing, Emily. This is all relatively new to you. You’ve learned things faster than most born into this world.

  They’ll kill him if he wanders too close.

  He can’t.

  You’re already controlling him.

  He’s taking a little nap.

  She has had trouble with these rogues before.

  It won’t happen again.

  Shouldn’t Caleb know she’s in trouble?

  He should.

  No matter what Zack said to excuse her inability to locate the boy, she refused to shrug it off. She took a deep breath and released it with a sigh. He was miles away, but she felt him with her. Surrounding her. They’re getting too close. I want to keep them as far from Julie as possible.

  They won’t touch either of you. I have you and your sister completely protected. Do what feels right to you. I will not allow any harm to come to you. I will always protect you.

  A storm of electrical currents swept through her. He was hers, forever hers. That is the one thing in this messed up world I know with absolute certainty.

  She felt a powerful emotion burst in her. Her pulse actually quickened. Her breath caught in her throat. It wasn’t her emotions. Something was wrong. It was Zack. What’s wrong? What happened? Are you…”

  I’ve never been happier than I am right now.

  Happier than last night?

  That’s a tough one. I was pretty damn happy last night.

  Stop broadcasting your happy thoughts. You just scared the hell out of me. I thought something happened to you. She would be lost without him. I would rather die than live a second without you, Zack.

  “You’re talking to Zack?” Julie asked.

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  “Is he coming?”

  “Yes. He won’t allow them to touch us.”

  “How far away is he?”

  “He’s with us. He’s watching and ready to intervene if needed. I want you to stay behind me.” Emily took a step away.

  “No. Wait for Zack.” Julie grabbed her arm. “They’re dangerous.”

  “It’s okay, Julie. He won’t allow them to touch me.”

  “He’s not here.”

  Emily smiled. “He’s always with me. I am just going to stall them for a few seconds.” She wanted to make sure they didn’t get too close to Julie. Julie was human. Easily injured. Easily killed. She wanted to make sure they were focused on her until Zack arrived. “Stay here.”

  She narrowed her gaze on them as they slowly closed the distance between them. “You boys know you’re breaking the city’s leash law?” To keep Julie behind her, she took a small step back and to the side.

  She wasn’t taking on two male wolves without help considering she didn’t have to. She knew she needed to get the wolves away from Julie, her sister, before they touched her. She watched them, making sure they were alone.

  “We’re here for your friend.”

  “She’s my sister. And she doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

  “That’s not what she said the other night.”

  “You’re not touching her.”

  One wolf took a step closer. “Are you jealous?”

  “Of what? Of knowing you’re about to die?”

  “Are you going to kill us?” He laughed.

  “I’m not sure yet. It’s too soon to tell.”

  “You think you can kill us both?”

  “That depends.”

  “On what?”

  “If I get my hands on you before my boyfriend gets here. He’s bigger and, while he doesn’t have nearly as mean of a temper as I do, he packs a bigger punch. Much bigger. He never leaves anyone behind for me to kill.”

  Now she had them focused on her. She felt Zack’s power surrounding her, protecting her. Boyfriend? She felt his arm wrap around her and his strong body against her backside and the warmth of his breath on her ear.

  They’ll laugh if I refer to you as my cute cuddly snuggle buns.

  His laughter filled her mind. They would never dare laugh at anything you say.

  She held up one finger. “One.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m timing him. We have a competition thingy going on.” She held up two fingers. “Two.”

  “Timing who?”

  “I already told you. My cute cuddly…”

  “Her mate,” Zack interrupted.

  She loved the idea of belonging with him, to him. He belonged to her. Fully. Completely. He’d given his heart and soul to her. “Cute cuddly snuggle buns,” she corrected, biting down on her bottom lip as she struggled to remain straight-faced. “And they interrupted me. I could’ve ma
de it to three.”

  He smiled, gold glittering in his eyes . “But you didn’t.”

  “They aren’t laughing.”

  “That’s sad.” Shaking her head, she frowned. “Really sad. And it’s your fault.”

  “Hello, Julie.”

  Julie turned her head to look at him. “Hi.”

  He placed his hand on Julie’s shoulder as he stepped around her. “How am I to blame, my wicked little sex goddess?”

  Emily frowned. “You made me look like a fool.”

  “How?”

  “Calling you a cut cuddly snuggle buns isn’t very funny when you show up looking like a giant homicidal badass with big muscles flexing and bulging everywhere.”

  Julie laughed.

  When Emily smiled, he shifted his gaze from hers to her mouth and then back to hers. “I thought you’re fond of my muscles.”

  “They are nice,” Julie said.

  He glanced at Julie. “Thank you.” He looked at Emily. “Your sister says they’re nice.”

  “It’s true.” Emily moved her palms up his belly to his chest. “To be entirely candid, your body screams satisfaction guaranteed, but I seriously doubt your sexiness tickles their happy spots.”

  “You want to tickle their happy spots?” he growled playfully.

  “No. I don’t like to be wrong. They would’ve laughed if you hadn’t showed up looking like you do.”

  She felt his sinful gaze touching her, slowly spreading over her flesh like a smoldering fire. “I can make them laugh if it’ll make you feel better.”

  “Even though I am plotting revenge against you.”

  “For what?”

  “I don’t like to be tricked.”

  “You think I tricked you?”

  “I know it.” I know you told Julie that I was waiting here for her. Don’t think for a second, I am going to let you get away with it.

  “What are you going to do about it?”

  “I’m not sure yet. I’ll give it some thought and get back to you. First, I want to find out why these pigs have gone after Julie for a second time.”

  Zack looked at Julie. “This isn’t the first time they’ve harassed you?”

  Julie shook her head. “No. They attacked me the other night.”

  “She’s a fucking dick tease.”

  Emily turned away from Zack and Julie. She took a few steps away and stood in front of the rogues. “Get on your knees and don’t say another word.”