Alpha's Promise

by Rebecca Zanetti

  He couldn’t answer the question, because whatever it was, it was starting to beat in his heart for her.

  * * * *

  Never in her life had Promise been tempted to lounge in bed when there was an equation to solve. But cuddling with the Viking, her body pleasantly sore, she couldn’t find a pressing need to hurry and dress. The previous night had been unquantifiable. She’d discovered elements to herself that she hadn’t identified before, and she was uncertain how to process the information.

  Her question about mating him the day before now seemed naive. An abstract thought with no understanding of the real-world consequences. In speaking with Ivar, she’d learned he was educated and knowledgeable about pretty much every subject.

  She’d underestimated him.

  Even now, after the night they’d shared, much of him remained concealed. Maybe not purposefully, but she sensed in him aspects that she couldn’t understand, much less define. The need to solve the mystery of him drew her more strongly than any equation ever had.

  He rolled from the bed to pull the shades over the one window more firmly shut, his nude body a study of muscle and sinew.

  She partially sat up, holding the sheet to her chest, her gaze on his back. “Oh my.”

  He looked over his shoulder at the dark shield of his rib cage. “Our torsos are fused front and back, protecting every organ. It happened during the ritual, and that part was more painful than any other hell world.”

  She shook her head. “How?” There wasn’t a scientific theory that came close to explaining such a phenomenon.

  He smiled and slid back into bed, grasping her hip. “How about you figure that out after the other problems? Dimensional jumping comes first.” He gave a gentle tug and landed her on top of his solid body. “How is your mind now?”

  “The temple pain is still gone,” she said, a juvenile delight flickering through her. “Did I really expel you?”

  “Yes.” His smile brightened his eyes to a light cerulean. A color nowhere near human. “We’ll practice throughout the day, before and after you teach, and then you can try with Adare later.”

  She caressed his jaw, letting his whiskers tickle her palm. They were more auburn than his hair. She reached up and tugged on a strand above his ear that reached his shoulders. “These darker streaks in your hair. Were they always there?”

  “No. Got those recently,” he said lightly.

  Oh. Another change he’d endured. “They suit you,” she said, hoping that was permissible to say.

  He grinned and wrapped one of her long curls around his finger, pulling hard enough that her scalp protested. “Okay.”

  She smiled, looking at their hair together. The contrast of her black strands and his deep blond were intriguing. They looked right together. Was that a romantic thought? She liked him. She really enjoyed having sex with him. Maybe this was romance. They were lovers now. Did that mean they were dating?

  If so, it would be temporary since he planned to sacrifice himself for his brother. “I like you,” she said quietly.

  His eyes softened. “I like you too.” He blinked. “Huh. I really mean that.” His expression turned thoughtful. “Haven’t actually felt anything in a little while.”

  Her entire being lit up from within, just like one of those silly girls back in high school. Was this really what a first crush felt like? She’d liked past boyfriends, and she’d enjoyed spending time with them. But she’d never experienced this rush of heat and wildness. The feeling that she could do anything—that the laws of the universe wouldn’t hold her back. For now, she’d just try to be honest with him. “I appreciate your taking me back to school today.” She couldn’t get an Uber so far out of town.

  He caressed down her spine to her butt, his hand warm and firm. “No problem. The sun is out, so we won’t have any problems from the Kurjans. But it’s your last day of teaching for a while.”

  His tone ignited an awareness within her. She blinked. “Agreed. I already said I wanted to start working on the equations for teleporting.” In fact, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself. “But that’s my decision. You understand that, correct?”

  He studied her, losing the lazy contentment he’d exhibited all morning. “It’s a good decision.”

  Tension ticked along her arms. “I think we should be sure we understand each other.”

  “I think we do,” he said lightly.

  “I’m uncertain,” she said, her knees falling on either side of his hard hips. They were still naked, and desire began to pulse between her legs, right where he was hardening. Her mind fuzzed, and she quickly marshaled her thoughts. “The reason I’m taking leave is because it’s the right thing to do.”

  “I totally agree.” His flattened hand pressed her down onto him.

  Her eyes nearly rolled back in her head. “Wait.” She scrolled through correct phrases, even though electricity was arcing through her body. “I enjoyed last night. The male dominance you exhibited during foreplay and sex.”

  His grin was quick.

  Heat infused her face. “But that was during sex. A sense of role-playing, if you will.”

  “I wasn’t exhibiting anything.” He rolled them over, his hard body bracketing hers. Heat flashed along her nerves as he settled against her. “I showed you exactly who I am.” He slowly began to penetrate her.

  She lifted her knees to give him better access and slid her hands around his ribs to that hard shield protecting his back. The subject was important, but she was experiencing difficulty retaining her line of thought. “I’m not following your reasoning,” she said, her body on fire.

  “Let me help you.” He kissed her, forcing arousal through her blood like a heavy drug. “If you don’t like being dominated, then you’re going to want to revisit your thoughts on mating me.” With that, he grasped her hips for leverage and pulled out to push back in, his speed and depth increasing.

  She grabbed his biceps, her head going back on the pillow. Pleasure swamped her. Mini-explosions rocked through her, and she moaned. She’d solve the problem later.

  Chapter Twenty

  Ivar ignored the itch between his shoulder blades that urged him to grab Promise and drag her back to the campground. She stood in front of her classroom, gathering her papers and reading over her notes. Students filed in carrying laptops and backpacks. The room was stacked with desks stepped down on different levels to her big table in front of a few chalkboards. She greeted students as they sat, her smile easy and light. In her black jeans, pink shirt, and blazer, she looked approachable and knowledgeable.

  He knew what lurked beneath that clothing. A sexy and energetic woman with smooth skin and soft moans. His arms still bore a couple of scratch marks from her, and he purposely hadn’t let them heal yet. He liked wearing her mark.

  “South entrance is clear,” Adare said through their earbuds.

  “Affirmative,” he said quietly, scouting the quiet hallway. Most of the students had taken seats. “Benny?”

  “Man, some of these professors are hot,” Benny said through the comm lines. “The east entrance is clear, and I’m liking the food in the teacher’s lounge. There’s a volleyball coach here from Brazil with legs up to her ears. Think she’d like a big bastard from Chicago?”

  Ivar tried to hold on to his temper. “You’re not from Chicago.”

  “She doesn’t know that,” Benny said reasonably. “For her? I could be from Chicago.”

  Ivar’s attention returned to the pretty professor. She had started lecturing, and even her equations on the chalkboard looked elegant and sexy. Man, he had it bad. She turned when a student asked a question and then answered, striding gracefully to the next chalkboard to draw out another solution before turning back to the student.

  She looked up, and her gaze caught Ivar’s. She stumbled, looked around, and then moved for her notes. His chest fill
ed. Damn if that didn’t feel good. He got her out of her head—even if it was for just a second.

  A bunch of students exited a classroom down the hallway, talking boisterously about films they’d produced.

  A student in Promise’s class stood and shut the door. Ivar straightened, his gaze on the closed door. If he went inside, he’d disrupt class. There was no question he wasn’t a student. He looked down at his cargo pants and black shirt, which nicely hid his knives and even a gun. Yeah, it was illegal to have weapons on a college campus, but it wasn’t like security was prepared for the Kurjans.

  Not that the Kurjans could go outside on such a sunny day. He began to patrol the hallway again, checking out the exits and any shady areas—just to make sure. But he stayed within earshot in case Promise set up an alarm.

  Benny came through the earbuds next. “I’m on the lawn outside—lots of trees but I don’t see a path from the parking lot that would be in shade.” He whistled. “By the way, you looked awfully relaxed today, Viking. You and the professor play naughty schoolgirl last night?”

  Ivar’s retort strangled in his throat. How in the hell should he answer that? “Shut up,” he muttered.

  Benny chuckled. “I thought so. Her gait was loose today too. Haven’t seen the professor so relaxed before.”

  Ivar’s fingers closed into a fist. If Benny were near, he’d break his nose.

  Benny cleared his throat. “Don’t get your panties in a twist. It’s just nice to see you happy. Or at least, not bone-crushing angry and defeated. You deserve some good times, Viking. You really do.”

  Geez. Just as Ivar was planning to bring Benny’s cabin down on him during the night, the guy had to go and say something nice. “Thanks.” It was more difficult being calm than planning death, but he owed his brothers, and he could try. “I do like her.”

  “Would you two stop acting like little girls in high school?” Adare growled through the comms. “I swear. If you start talking about flowers and kisses and shit, I’m going to puke.”

  Benny chuckled, the low tone echoing loudly through the earbuds. “You have a mate, Highlander. It’s your own damn fault you don’t make her yours.”

  Ivar pinched the bridge of his nose. Sometimes he missed the solitude of hell.

  The door to Promise’s classroom burst open, and she ran outside. He drew his gun and ran toward her. His heart thumped and then nearly stopped as he grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him. “What? Do we have a breach?” He snapped. “What’s happened?” She was safe. He looked rapidly around and edged toward the door to find students staring at him, their mouths open.

  Promise grasped his arms and pulled him around. “Your head. The other day. You said that you were relearning to teleport and after you went through the car, you can’t.” She panted out air, her hair escaping its braid.

  Benny ran full bore from the east, while a second later, Adare came barreling from the opposite direction. Both had guns out, and Benny held a knife in his free hand. Their boots made loud bangs on the tile floor, and their gazes took in everything. Watching each other’s backs and his at the same time.

  Ivar clutched Promise’s arms and gave her a little shake. “Are you in danger?” Where was the enemy? He wasn’t sensing anything.

  She shook her head, her mouth forming a small O. “No.” She coughed. “Not at all. No danger.”

  His brothers reached him. “No danger,” he said. “False alarm.”

  Adare immediately tucked his weapon out of sight, his gaze still scouting the area for threats. Benny dropped his hands, still holding weapons. “Really? There’s nobody to fight?” He kicked at a small pebble on the tile. “Are you sure?” He craned his neck to look into the classroom.

  “Benny,” Ivar growled, heat trickling up his neck.

  Benny sighed and hid his weapons on his body. “Geez.” He looked down, way down, at Promise. “What’s going on?”

  She held a hand to her chest. “All right. Two theories hit me at once, and I had to tell you.” Her eyes lit up like it was Christmas and she was ten years old. Her words came out in a rush. “Demons can teleport anywhere on earth.”

  Ivar winced. “Lower your voice, Professor.”

  She nodded. “Oh. Yes. I forgot,” she whispered. “Like I said, demons anywhere on earth. But fairies, or rather, the Fae, can go other places outside of here.” She frowned and stepped back, her head turning slightly. “Wait a minute, the Seven have an unusual out-of-body experience during the ritual.” She tapped her finger against her lips. “That would fit too,” she mused, going silent and staring at the wall.

  Adare sent Ivar a look. “What’s wrong with her?” he mouthed.

  Ivar shrugged. “Missy? Sweetheart?”

  The nickname brought her back to the present. “Oh yeah. Okay.” Her face flushed, and she seized his thumbs, lightly shaking. “We’ve been assuming everyone has the same ability, just used differently.” She shook her head, and more dark hair escaped her braid. “What if it isn’t? I mean, what if the ability is different in the two species?” She leaned up, drawing him closer. “What if it’s controlled in the brain? I mean, everything is controlled in the brain. You want to move your arm, your brain tells the muscles to move your arm.”

  Benny looked through the open door of the classroom. “Doc? Are all of those students in their twenties? Or do you have a mom or two going back to college?” He angled his neck to see better. “Any forty-year-olds?”

  Ivar shoved him in the arm. “Go back and patrol the east side.”

  Benny huffed but turned and jogged back the way he came.

  Adare drew closer. “What are you saying?”

  She exhaled. “I’m saying that we need MRIs. Need to see what part of the brain lights up when a being teleports.” She flattened her hand over Ivar’s heart. “What if you injured that part of your brain? Maybe you don’t even know it’s hurt.” Her eyes prominently glowed. “Faith Cooper is a renowned neurologist. She will have better theories than I do.”

  Ivar’s chest filled with something warm and soothing. Was it pride? Or just affection? Maybe both. “You’re saying I had a brain injury that was healing on its own, and when I flew through your windshield, I reinjured myself?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I am sorry I slammed on the brakes and you crashed through glass. All right? Are you happy now?”

  He grinned. “Yeah.” Was she correct? “Though I may have a brain injury.”

  She shook her head. “Don’t you see? If you discover the injury, you can heal it the same way you did the cut over your eye or the broken arm.” She straightened. “How did you do that, by the way?”

  “Healing cells,” Adare said, his gaze thoughtful on Promise. “We all have them, and we can direct them mentally to where they need to go.” He turned and leaned in, right over Promise, to look into Ivar’s eyes. “Does your brain feel damaged?”

  Ivar swallowed. “I don’t know.” Sometimes he barely remembered what it felt like to be healthy. To be complete and whole. “It might be.” He tried to concentrate on his brain and any empty spots, but his temples began to ache.

  “The MRI is probably the way to go. If I can see where your brain lights up when you teleport, maybe I’ll know where to concentrate the cells.” Promise gave a slight hop. “Isn’t this exciting?”

  Ivar nodded, more than a little entranced. He had to find more puzzles for her to solve so he could see that look on her face again. He sobered. Solving the next puzzle would send him back to hell, but he’d made peace with that a long time ago. It was just as well. He was playing at being a nice guy, at being a soldier. The real him, the animal he kept inside, would just scare her. Their time was limited, but he wanted to enjoy her while he could.

  Her eyes widened, and she slowly turned to look through the doorway of her classroom. “Cripes. I forgot I was in class.” Red slid beneath her smooth
skin, and she moved back toward the doorway. “I’ll be out in an hour.” She shut the door after reentering the class.

  Adare exhaled. “Man, she’s smart. Absentminded professor smart.”

  “I noticed,” Ivar said dryly.

  Adare looked him over. “You’re calmer with her. More natural.”

  “I’m faking it,” Ivar said. “I’m being who she needs me to be right now as she works on the problems. And I want her to like me.” There was no shame in being honest with his brother.

  “You don’t think she’d like the real you?”

  Ivar snorted. “The pissed-off, damaged, brutal soldier who not only lived through hells but became the most dangerous thing in them? No. I don’t think the sweet and brilliant Dr. Promise Williams would like that beast.”

  Adare scratched his whiskered jaw. “You’re probably right.” He shrugged and moved to return to his post. “Although, who the hell knows. Women are hard to read sometimes.”

  Amen to that.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It was odd having a bodyguard. Especially one so sexy that several of her students followed her to her office after class, trying to engage Ivar in conversation. Promise couldn’t blame them. His size alone made him intriguing. Add in the badass masculinity, unreal blue eyes, and hard-cut features, and he was the epitome of the alpha male. For the first time in her life, she understood the appeal.

  Heck. She’d orgasmed four times the night before. Four times! That was more than appeal.

  They reached her office, and she pulled him inside, shutting the door and accidentally pushing back a stack of notebooks with the edge of her pump. “Stop flirting with coeds.”

  His eyebrows rose. “Flirting? I was trying to keep from stepping on a couple of them.”

  Amusement tickled her, and she smiled. “That’s fair.” She moved aside a couple of articles she’d written on protecting the ozone layer.

  “Hey, Promise?” Mark Brookes opened her door and poked his head inside, his eyes widening at the sight of Ivar. He pushed the door all the way open. “Hello.” His shoulders went back, and he adopted his “lecturing” voice. “Dr. Mark Brookes.” He held out a hand.