Hunted Flame

by Rebecca Airies

  A shrill yelp tore through the afternoon air. Fucking hell, Tempest! He turned his head. Tempest wrestled with a man. The asshole drew his fist back and hit her. She stumbled into the wall of a nearby building.

  A fist slammed into him and arms once more closed around him, pinning his arms to his side. He wrenched against the constricting arms. His heartbeat thundered in his ears and fear knotted his stomach. Fucking hell, they wouldn’t hurt her.

  Phoenix ripped free and smashed his hand into the jaw of the man in gray. The man stumbled just as another man ran past. The man in gray turned his head, spun, and ran off. Footsteps sounded behind him as someone scurried the other way. Phoenix spun, fists clenched, but found Tomas standing next to Tempest.

  Phoenix exhaled and relaxed. She was safe. A red mark colored her cheek, but no other sign of injury was visible. He stepped forward and pulled Tempest into his arms, tugging her close.

  “We should get back to Gar-corp. It’s not safe here.” Tomas stepped away from the wall.

  “Did you see anyone call the police?” Phoenix tensed. Someone probably had. There were too many people on the street for the fight to go unnoticed.

  “No, but it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. We need to get you two off the street just in case they come back. I’m sure that the Cim know what happened by now, and you’ll need to make your report to them. They’re both here today.” Tomas took a step back down the sidewalk but stopped to wait around for them.

  “Are you okay?” Phoenix glanced down at Tempest but put an arm around her and urged her back toward Gar-corp. Tomas was right. It was best to get off the street.

  “I’m okay. My jaw does hurt a little, but your friend came along before he could do any real damage,” she said.

  He urged her back toward the building. She pressed against his side and walked with him. Every person they passed was suspect, and he watched them carefully. They made it back to the building without any incident. He exhaled and tightened his arms around her. Finally, she was safe.

  As they walked back into the building, several people stood in the lobby. They’d probably been prepared to run out and help if needed. The men nodded and sat back down in the chairs, except for one. Jamie Winston strode across the light tile to them.

  “The Cim said to go to the first floor conference room. They’re coming down to meet you.” Jamie gestured toward the doors into the interior of the building.

  “Sure, we’ll wait for them to get there.” Phoenix nodded. He tightened his arm around Tempest. She was okay in large part due to the man walking at their side. “Thanks, Tomas, for helping my woman.”

  “You’d have done it for Caleb, Jesse, and me if we’d found our mate and were out there.” Tomas waved his hand.

  “Yeah, but thanks. I didn’t even realize she was in danger until she yelped.” Phoenix hugged her tighter to him. And he couldn’t get to her because of the asshole holding him. He should have trusted his instincts and brought her back to the building when he first spotted the man in gray.

  “And I’m fine.” She leaned into him. “Let’s get to the conference room. The Cim might beat us there if we don’t hurry. I don’t think they’d like that.”

  “It should take them a little while, but we should go on in. You can sit down and I’ll check you for other injuries.” Phoenix walked to the black edged, dark wood reception desk. At least, she didn’t seem to be in much pain.

  He handed over his badge and she gave hers. The receptionist scanned them, handed them back, and buzzed them in. Phoenix led her down the hallway past a few of the offices. He pulled open the door to the conference room and ushered her in before closing the door behind them.

  “Let me see you.” He urged her into a chair and tipped up her chin. One of those bastards hit her, at least once.

  She brushed at his hands. “I’m fine. I’ll have a bruise, but nothing else.”

  “If that’s all it is, let me see.” He turned her head and ran his finger across her cheek. Damn. It was already bruising.

  “See. It’s not that bad.” She sighed.

  “I don’t like that they touched you.” He hugged her tight. Guilt burned in his gut. He should have known it wasn’t safe.

  She opened her mouth, but at the same time, the door opened. Cim Sin and Cim Bram strolled into the room. Phoenix glanced up. Both men scowled, but they weren’t too tense. Bram’s blond hair was mussed, but that was the only sign of the stress. Well, they didn’t seem angry.

  “How is she?” Sin strolled over and sat across from her.

  “A bruise on her cheek, but she says she’s all right. I don’t know if anyone called the police. There were a lot of people out there on the street.” Phoenix ran a hand through his hair. While that had seemed reassuring, it had hidden the attackers.

  “Anything happen out there other than a fight?” Bram tilted his head.

  “No, just fought them with fists. No one would see anything out of the ordinary with it.” Phoenix exhaled and clenched his fist. He’d walked his woman right into that. “I didn’t think they’d try anything with that many people around. At least, not an up close and personal attack.”

  “You weren’t the only one out there walking to lunch. I did it earlier in the week and thought nothing of it. They don’t usually draw police attention with public assaults. They’d be seen as a crazy terrorist group if their mission was discovered.” Bram waved his hand. “The restaurant down the street makes it an easy alternative for lunchtime.”

  “So, tell me what happened. You first, Phoenix.” Sin braced his hands on the table top.

  “Not too much to tell. We were walking down the street toward the restaurant. A man caught my attention. Something about him just looked off, though I still can’t say what or why. I was hit from behind, and then the man who’d caught my attention rushed forward. The man in gray swung at me and I hit back. Someone behind me grabbed my arms.” Phoenix clenched his hand. He should have protected her better. The danger shouldn’t have gotten near her.

  “And when were you attacked.” Bram looked at Tempest.

  “Around the time that the second man grabbed Phoenix, a younger man ran up to me. I did manage to avoid being hit the first time, but not the second.” She rubbed at her cheek. “He hit me and then grabbed me by the throat, pushing me back against the wall. He pulled me away. I think he meant to slam me back into the stone. Before he could, Tomas came and yanked him away from me. The man ran once he saw Tomas.”

  “The other two ran after he left?” Sin tilted his head.

  “Yes, when he did, the others scattered. So, we have no idea who they are or why. Though considering the problems we’re having, it’s probably the hunters.” Phoenix pulled her as close as the two chairs would allow. If it wouldn’t be too distracting, he’d pull her into his lap.

  “Yes, it probably was, but we’ll keep aware. It wouldn’t be the first time that there was something else going on when we already have things coming at us.” Bram exhaled. “Are there any problems you had before they brought you to the community?”

  Tempest frowned. “No, not that I know of. The only persistent problem was George Smith harassing me about the land.”

  “What about your father or your cousin? They wanted that land, too.” Phoenix tightened his grip on her.

  “They kept trying to give me those loans, and once I stopped talking to them, that stopped. I told my mother about having a will drawn up. They should all know by now that the land would go straight to the park if anything happened to me.” She frowned.

  “What is this about loans, land, and your father and cousin?” Sin sat forward.

  “My grandfather left me some land. He wanted me to enjoy it for my life, but when I was done, most of it was to go to the park, that’s next to part of it. My father and cousin want it and tried to give me predatory loans with that land as collateral. I wasn’t about to take those loans.” She lifted a shoulder.

  “We’ll help you ensure that happens.
If they know about the will, the only thing that I could think of was that they might think to contest it. And that’s if they thought to hurt you. Which might be a stretch.” Sin nodded.

  “We’ll have something delivered for lunch. Sandwiches and soup, I think. I’m pretty sure the police will show up, but you two do need to eat.” Bram rose. “I’ll go get those ordered and see if there’s any sign of law enforcement.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Phoenix finally managed to get Tempest back to his office. Damn, it seemed to take forever to get her alone. After a taxing interview with the police and a late lunch, they’d been able to go. Tension knotted the muscles of his back. Fuck, he needed privacy with her. He locked the door behind him and slowly advanced on her.

  “Could they have asked more questions? I thought it would be hours before I could get back in the same room with you.” She ran a hand through her hair and turned from the coat rack.

  “Do you know how much I need to hold you?” He strode over and put his hand on her shoulder. Raw hunger thrummed through him.

  She lifted her eyebrows. “A lot?”

  “It took everything in me not to go after you when they separated us.” He gripped her hips and pulled her snug against him. Maybe she thought he was joking, but it was true. Anything that separated them had to be dealt with.

  “You knew I’d be fine.” She squeezed his shoulders.

  “I need you, Tempest. I need you now.” He pressed kisses to her cheek and neck.

  “Here? But this is your work.” Her eyes widened. She leaned back.

  “They’d be more surprised if this didn’t happen after the attack.” He unbuttoned her blue shirt, revealing the light blue silky bra cupping her breasts.

  “Somehow, I don’t think your bosses would approve of us fucking on company time.” She pressed her hands on his chest.

  “Trust me, treasure?” He gripped her hips, nestling them against his. His cock pressed against her. The breath locked in his throat. After the time they’d spent together, hopefully, she’d come to trust them.

  “Yes.” She licked her lips before shrugging out of her shirt and unhooking the bra. It dropped to the floor.

  “Then let me have you.” He pressed a kiss to her lips and then down to her neck. Her darkened nipples poked out, the tips hardened in the cool office. Fuck, he had to have her.

  “All right.” She nodded.

  He reached down and unfastened her black pants, lowering the zipper. The light scent of arousal drifted up to him. His mouth watered and his cock hardened. Damn, if he had more control, he’d nibble his way down her body. That would have to wait until much later. He slipped his hands beneath the waistband of her pants and panties. Soft skin brushed the back of his fingers. He pushed the clothing down to her knees and knelt.

  “Lift your foot.” He tapped her right calf.

  She braced her hand on his head and lifted the foot. He slipped her heel off and skimmed the pants down her leg. After her foot was free and she was steady, he did the same to her other one. Once she was naked, he rose to his feet. His pulse thrummed in his ears.

  “You’re so beautiful.” He stood and pulled her close. “I’m going to have you.”

  “You’re kind of overdressed.” She swept her hands down his side. “I want to feel your skin against me.”

  “You will.” He stepped back. She was right. Most of the clothes had to come off.

  He shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it onto the chair. Impatience ripped at him. He shoved the buttons through the hole and moved on down until it parted. She slipped her fingers beneath the gaping material. The warmth of her skin and her soft hands moving over him was essential.

  He moved on to his slacks. The button caught in the loop, hanging up and keeping the material closed. Son of a bitch. He pushed at the button and wrenched. The fastening finally came free. He drew the zipper slowly down. Hunger roiled through him, tightening his muscles. The last of the clothes had to go now or he’d fuck her half-dressed.

  He kicked off his shoes and took a deep breath. Just a little while longer. He pushed his pants down, taking his underwear with it. At last, free of the confining clothes, he stepped forward and gripped her by the hips. He lifted her onto his desk and lowered to his knees in front of her.

  “I’m going to taste you and drink your juices. I want to hear your moans as you edge closer to your peak.” He kissed her thigh, tracing his tongue up the inner skin. She had to be wild and more than ready.

  “I thought you were going for a fast, hard fuck.” She widened her thighs.

  “Fast and hard will come later, but now, I need your taste almost as much as that.” He inhaled. Her sweet scent filled him. He had to have more.

  He leaned in and lapped. Her delicious vanilla and raspberry flavor combined with her salty essence. He stroked up his tongue up, flattening it over her clit. She shivered. He lashed the bud again and again. She wriggled and her hands clenched in his hair. The heady scent of her arousal grew. He eased down, gathering all the juices spilling from her. So good. He’d never get enough of it. She tilted her hips and pulled his hair, trying to drag him closer.

  Beneath his hands, the muscles in her thighs flexed. He slid upward again and lashed at the hooded bundle again and again until her moans filled the air. She lifted against his tongue, demanding more.

  He surged to his feet. Fuck, he couldn’t wait any more. He pulled her closer to the edge.

  The head of his cock brushed against her slick lips. Soft hands stroked over his arms. He gripped his dick and guided it to her opening. She tensed and clutched at his arms.

  “Don’t make me wait any more.” She pressed against him, rubbing her breasts back and forth against his chest.

  He took a deep breath and slowly pushed into her. Slick heat surrounded him, and she lifted against him. He groaned. The woman would rip away the last shred of his restraint.

  He slowly drew out. His control hung by a thread. It wouldn’t take much to snap it. Her inner muscles fluttered around him. He plunged deep, thrusting into her again and again. Her nails sank into his shoulders, and she rocked into his thrusts. Soft whimpers fell from her lips. Damn, he had to make sure she went first.

  He gripped her, dragging her to the edge of the desk, and plunged as deep as he could. Slipping a hand between them, he worked her clit. She cried out, arching as the pleasure took her, and held him closer. He drove deep, desperation raging through him. His balls drew tight. He plunged into her until finally light exploded in front of his eyes and fire washed through his body.

  He rested his head against her shoulder and drew in shuddering breaths. Damn, today had been too close. If Tomas hadn’t been there, what would have happened? Would she even now be in the hospital?

  He pulled her tight against him. Can’t think that way. She’s here and she’s safe. He’d keep her that way.

  “Relax or we’ll end up going again and you won’t get any work done today.” She stroked her hand down his shoulder.

  “Kind of hard to relax. Especially when my head keeps going back to what you said. You thought the man was going to slam your head into the wall.” He lifted his head and exhaled.

  “Phoenix, you can’t lock on the might haves or could haves. You’ll never get anything done, and you’ll be one big bag of nerves. It didn’t happen, and we’re both all right. Now, how about we talk about something interesting, such as when I can expect to feel your mouth on me again? I know not now, but how long after we get home?” She raised a brow.

  “Insatiable woman. You’ll have to wait at least until I’ve stopped the car.” He laughed. Somehow, he had to keep those bastards away from her. His muscles tightened. Fuck, the connection to her had been immediate, but the emotions, they’d risen almost as fast. They might not have been together long, but it could be love. He couldn’t lose her.

  Chapter Nineteen

  When would the crap caused by those hunters end? Tempest drummed her fingers on the gleaming dark
wood table in the dining room. This was the most inconvenience for a simple lunch date with her friends she’d ever gone through.

  She’d almost called it all off, but Kelly and Maria were worried about her. They’d be more so if they didn’t get to do more than talk to her on the phone. She couldn’t meet them somewhere. Not with the hunters attacking in midday on a public street. So, lunch at the community. With extra guards.

  On top of that, she still had some bruising, even after a week. No noticeable swelling though. Luckily, makeup covered the yellowing mark on her face. It would be so much easier if she already had the faster healing gargoyles had. Phoenix had healed within days.

  Sawyer was here, but so were two others, Jesse and Troy. Jesse apparently was in a bond with Tomas from the Cim’s company, and Caleb, the doctor who helped them get her out of the hospital. Hopefully, Kelly and Maria wouldn’t question that too much.

  “They’re on the way to the house.” Sawyer walked into the room. “We’ll do as we did last time. Jesse, Troy, and I will stay out of the way while you talk and eat with your friends.”

  “All right.” She nodded. “I just wish we didn’t have to go through all of this to because of those damn hunters.”

  “We’ll stop them, treasure, and then you can get back to your normal life.” Sawyer’s hands settled on her shoulder and slowly rubbed. “Do you think this will reassure them?”

  “Maybe, but I know they’re worried because I’m secluded here. And there’s nothing I can tell them as proof of progress.” She glanced down at her hands. They’d have her locked in a padded cell if she told them about hunters coming after her because they thought she wasn’t human. And she couldn’t really blame them. If she wasn’t part of this, she’d think it was crazy.

  “I’ve talked to Parker, one of the gargoyles who’s a police officer. He says that stalking cases can take a while to solve. And if the object of their desire disappears, it can take longer.” Sawyer sat down beside her.