Turning Payne

by Chantel Seabrook

He nodded, and she thought for a second he would back away.

  She placed her hands on his chest, willing him to stay. "It doesn't have to be complicated. I'm not looking for anything long-term. To be anyone's…mate."

  A small laugh rattled in his chest, and he gripped the back of her neck, placing his forehead against hers. His other hand tightened around her waist, drawing her closer to him. She could feel the thick length of him pressing against her stomach.

  He let out a harsh, drawn out breath. "What do you want, Riley?"

  Arching into him, desperate for his touch, she ran her fingers down his chest, stomach, until she was cupping him boldly.

  Her whole body trembled as she gave voice to her desire. "You. I want—"

  His lips descended on hers before she could finish, devouring her mouth until they were both breathless. There was an element of something dark, dangerous, almost feral in the kiss, and for a moment, she wondered if she should be afraid. As his tongue swept into her mouth again, the thought disappeared.

  She shouldn't be having these feelings, but there was no more denying them. She was head over heels in lust with Turner Payne.

  His fingers slid into her hair, tugging her head back, so he could rake his tongue along her jaw and down her neck.

  She ached to have him inside her, to feel his hands and mouth on her body. "Please."

  Effortlessly, he lifted her arms around his neck and scooped her up, carrying her to the bed. When he placed her down on the mattress and stood, she whimpered at the loss of contact between them.

  He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on the floor. "Is this what you want?"

  All she could do was nod and watch as he slowly unbuckled his belt. Her mouth watered, and she swallowed hard as his pants dropped to the floor. His cock strained against the fabric of his boxer briefs and she could see the delicious length of him. She'd seen his glorious body before, but never with the intention of what they were about to do, and she felt her cheeks burn.

  "Take off your clothes, Riley."

  The dominance in his voice made her thighs clench. She obeyed, acutely aware of the way his gaze followed her every movement. Stretching her shirt over her arms, she discarded it on the floor. She kneeled before him, one the bed, in her bra and panties. Her knees shook and it took all her strength to stay there, as his eyes roamed over her body.

  "You're fucking perfect," he said, stepping towards her and running the back of his fingers down her shoulder and across the curve of her breast.

  Her back arched reflexively as his thumb circled her nipple through the lace of her bra. "Turner."

  Kneeling on the bed, she ran her hands up his chest, and gripped his wide shoulders. His palm slid lower, slipping beneath her panties to cup her sex. He lowered his lips to hers, and his tongue delved into her mouth as she rocked against his hand.

  She gasped as the pad of his thumb found her clit, making her practically melt from the inside out. He slid a finger inside her, and she bucked against him. The throbbing ache that centered in the depths of her sex was unbearable. She couldn't think, only knew that she needed him closer, needed him to fill her.

  * * *

  God, what was he doing?

  It was wrong, and he damn well knew it, but despite the warning bells that were blaring in his head, he couldn't pull back. Nothing mattered but touching her, claiming her, making her his.

  Riley groaned under his kiss as his fingers brought her to the brink of an orgasm. The scent of her arousal was too much, depleting what little self-control he had left.

  There was still too much material between them. He needed contact, to feel her soft skin against his. He unhooked her bra and let it slide down her arms. She whimpered when he removed his fingers from her wet folds, to curl them beneath the lace band of her panties and pulled them down her thighs.

  Her delicate fingers fluttered down his stomach, hesitating at the seam of his boxer briefs. Her breath came out in a shuttered sigh as she pushed the material down, over the swollen head of his cock.

  With nothing but white-hot desire between them, their eyes met, and overwhelming emotion surged through him. Never in his life did he ache to taste and possess a woman as he did Riley. A hunger to touch not only her body, but also her soul.

  How was he going to walk away when this was all over? He shook the thought away. All that mattered was that she was with him now.

  He lowered her to the bed and positioned himself above her. He trailed his tongue down her neck. It was all he could do not to mark her, to let his canines sink into the sensitive flesh, and allow the mating hormone to claim her as his.

  She was wet, ready for him. When he pressed the head of his cock against her sex, she pushed against him.

  "More. I need all of you." She clenched around him, digging her fingers into his hips.

  A growl rumbled in his chest, and she gasped, her eyes widening as he thrust to the hilt. He pulled back and rocked forward repeatedly, stroking her in slow, stretching degrees. She moved with him, wrapping her legs around his hips, as his cock burrowed hard and fast inside her.

  His hips worked against her, thrusting until he felt her ecstasy mounting, her orgasm milking his cock. She cried out, eyes closed, dazed, as her body trembled beneath him.

  A growl of pure ecstasy tore from his throat, and he gave in to his own release. Pleasure racked at his very soul, as every muscle in his body tightened, and hot spurts of his release filled her. There was too much sensation, too much blinding pleasure.

  He collapsed on top of her, careful not to crush her under his weight. She clung to him, even after the last shudder of their combined release.

  The emotions that flooded him scared him shitless. There was no denying the primal instincts raging through him. His lion had chosen her, demanded he claim her. It was an impossible situation. When she found out who he really was, nothing, not even a mating mark, would keep her from hating him.

  He rolled over and pulled her close, tucking her head under his chin so that she rested on his chest, brushed her hair off her cheek and prayed he hadn't just destroyed them both.

  Chapter 14

  Turner's scent lingered on the blankets that were tucked around Riley's shoulders. She hadn't meant to fall asleep, but when she woke, the setting sun cast an orange glow in the room.

  She inhaled and closed her eyes, but when she did, her mind was flooded with images of Turner, naked, on top of her…inside her. Her reaction to him hadn't just been shocking, it been down right frightening. Never in her life had she experienced such intense physical pleasure. The memory alone sent a warm ripple of desire between her legs.

  Her stomach tightened and she shook her head against the pillow, sobering as she remembered what had brought her to Turner's bed in the first place. Kiera, Marcus—her father. Lies and deception. There was still so much she didn't understand.

  She went still when the door opened, and she swore she could feel the caress of Turner's gaze as he crossed the room. The bed creaked as he sat down beside her.

  "I made you a turkey sandwich." Innocent words, but his voice, dark and rough, sent a shiver down her spine.

  She took a steadying breath and rolled over. Her body trembled as it brushed against his leg through the thin sheets. She sat up and wrapped the blanket tight around her, uncomfortably aware that she was currently naked, while he was fully dressed in jeans and a black t-shirt.

  Turner's lips quirked into a smile of pure, male appreciation. She blushed and looked away. The man had an uncanny effect on her, and it was more than a little bit unnerving.

  "You need to eat," he said, handing her the plate.

  She glanced at the dark bread. "Pumpernickel?"

  He shrugged. "It was mom's favorite."

  She took a small bite and smiled. "It's good."

  He reached out as if to touch her cheek, then pulled back. "Chase called. He was able to track Marcus down. He's holed up in an apartment not far from here. I'm going there now."r />
  She looked up from her sandwich. "Alone?"

  "Chase is meeting me."

  "I'm going with you." She set the plate on the side table.

  He stiffened, his gaze narrowing. "I don't know who Marcus is working with, or what he has up his sleeve. You'll be safe here, but if you want I can drop you off at Chase's house and you can stay with Lora."

  "No." She shook her head and pushed the blankets aside. "I'm part of this."

  "You are." He growled, blocking her when she tried to get off the bed. "But I'm not putting you in danger. The man stuck a fucking needle in your neck with the intention of turning you."

  She pressed against his chest, and his hand snaked up her back, gripping the hair at the nape of her neck. He pulled her towards him, and she felt her muscles go lax, her resolve weaken. His gaze lingered on her neck and she shuddered at the strange desire she had for him to bite her. To have him sink his teeth into her as she held him tight, while he rode her until she screamed his name in ecstasy. She licked her lips as a heavy punch of need made her thighs clench, and liquid warmth spilled from her sensitive folds.

  God, what he did to her.

  A knowing smile played across his lips, making her cheeks burn.

  She shook her head slowly and closed her eyes. "I need to talk to Marcus, to look in his eyes when—" Her voice hitched. "When he admits why he did it."

  Turner leaned in and placed his forehead against hers, exhaling slowly. She could hear the faint rumble in his throat.

  "Please."

  He pulled back and studied her. "You need to do what I say."

  "I will." She smiled, knowing she'd won.

  He shot her a dark, threatening look. "I mean it, Riley. If I say stay, you stay. Run, you run. Understand?"

  "Come, I come," she teased, biting her lip when he groaned, deep and throaty.

  "Later," he promised, before slipping out the door.

  The promise of later sent a fresh wave of arousal crashing through her system, and from somewhere down the hall she swore she heard Turner chuckle.

  * * *

  Turner shut the car door and walked around the hood to join Riley. Chase and Lora waited for them outside the run-down apartment complex. A siren screamed a few streets over. The full moon illuminated the dark parking lot enough that Turner could make out the deep frown on his brother's face.

  Chase raised his eyebrow at Turner as he approached and nodded to Riley who spoke with Lora. "Trying to see how many rules you can break in one week?"

  "She'll be fine." He took the device Chase handed him and scanned the blueprints of the building. "He's in apartment 890?"

  Chase nodded, then glanced at Riley. "It's dangerous to bring her here."

  Turner mirrored his brother's expression and tilted his chin to Lora. "Then why is she here?"

  As if overhearing him, Lora shot him a dirty look, then turned back to Riley. Yeah, it was an asshole comment, and he knew it.

  Chase scratched his jaw. "Lora is a Therian agent and a metamorph. She can handle herself."

  "Like I said. Riley will be fine." Turner handed the device back and glanced up at the crumbling structure. "I'll make sure of it."

  "Fuck." Chase's nostrils flared, and a snarl lifted the edge of his top lip.

  "What?"

  "You slept with her."

  Turner felt the muscles at his jaw flex. "None of your damn business. Can we get this shit started?"

  Chase groaned and swiped his hands over his face. "You're walking a dangerous road. One of these days I'm not going to be here to save your sorry ass."

  Turner pointed his finger against his brother's chest and hissed, "I've never asked for saving."

  The growl that vibrated from Chase's chest echoed into the night sky. "Right. So I'm supposed to just sit by and watch you self-implode. For once in your fucking life, stop being a self-absorbed asshole and realize your screw-ups affect the people around you."

  Turner fisted his hands at his side. The mood he was in now, he was more than happy to hit somebody or something. He didn't want to admit the truth of his brother's words, but Chase was right—he was a fuck up. Once he'd done what he set out to do, he'd do everyone a favor and get the hell out of this godforsaken town. There were places a metamorph could hide, places where not even the Therian agency could find him.

  "Everything okay over here?" Lora asked, placing her hand on Chase's arm, her gaze darting between them.

  "Yeah, we're fine," Chase grumbled.

  Riley's eyes were wide with concern, and he knew the look he gave her back was less than reassuring.

  Raking his fingers through his hair, Turner clenched his jaw and fought to maintain control of his lion. The animal was already on edge, and Chase's accusations only edged the beast closer to the surface.

  "Lora, stay with Riley," Turner ordered, before popping the trunk and grabbing two tasers from their case. He handed one to Chase. "Once the place is secure, we'll call you up."

  He ignored the stubborn look Lora gave him and turned to Riley. She looked at the gun he held, eyes rounding.

  "It's a taser. We won't hurt him unless we have to."

  She nodded and blinked. "Be careful."

  His throat tightened at the genuine concern in her voice. The way she looked at him, as if he wasn't the fuck-up everyone thought he was, made him want to wrap her in his arms and never let her go. She was awakening a part of him he had no idea how to force back.

  Chase coughed behind him. "You ready?"

  "Yeah." He started to turn, then thought fuck it. He was moving before he could stop himself. In a swift motion, he pulled Riley towards him. His lips crashed against hers, tongue swiping over her lips, flickering past them to taste her.

  Blood thundered through his veins, the fiery need to possess her, to claim her spread through his body, burning away any doubts that she had to be his.

  He released her, pressed one final abrupt kiss on her lips, and turned away.

  "Now I'm ready." He stalked across the parking lot, ignoring the stunned looks on Chase and Lora's faces.

  Chapter 15

  The first thing Turner noticed as he entered Marcus' small, rundown apartment, was the stale smell of fear.

  "Hands where we can see them," Chase ordered.

  Marcus barely flinched, but continued to tap persistently at the keyboard, shoulders hunched over his laptop. His hair stood on end, and there were dark sweat stains under his arms and down his back.

  Turner kept his weapon drawn and pointed at the man's head as he slowly rounded on him to get a clearer view of his face.

  "It's over," Marcus mumbled, his skin pale, eyes glossed over.

  "It is over. Now, put your hands up," Turner warned.

  Chase moved through the apartment, checking each room. "All clear."

  Marcus continued to type as some sort of code scanned down the screen. He pressed one final button and the screen went black. He sat back, hands above his head and waited silently for Chase to cuff him. His non-blinking gaze flicked to Turner.

  "We have a few questions," Chase said.

  Marcus' eyes moved slowly to Chase, and he chuckled, the sound gritty. "With all the technology the Therian agency has, you still don't have a clue, do you?"

  "We know more than you think." Turner's fingers flexed. "For starters, I know that Boyd is alive, and that you're working with him."

  "Working with him?" Marcus sneered, then shook his head. "Your resentment has blinded you."

  "You know nothing about me."

  "No?" He snorted through his nose. "It doesn't matter what you believe. You're all pawns in her game."

  "Her?"

  "You really are ignorant aren't you?" Marcus spit on the floor. "I could have saved her, saved them all, if you hadn't shown up. Now they're all going to die, and it's all your fault."

  Chase crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. "You wanted to save them?"

  "Bullshit," Turner spat. "You stuck a fucking needle in R
iley's neck. Were you trying to infect her like you did Kiera?"

  Marcus shook his head. "I didn't want to hurt her, but—"

  "But, what?" Turner gripped the man by the throat, his nails elongating and piercing the flesh.

  "Turner," Chase warned.

  Turner released him and took a step back, shaking off the need to beat the shit out of the man.

  Marcus coughed. "You think your threats scare me? I'm already a walking dead man. He knows what I've done, when he finds me…" He swallowed hard and closed his eyes. "I was just trying to save her."

  "You want to help Kiera?" Chase demanded. "Then tell us what you know."

  Marcus looked past them both, his eyes vacant, distant. "The first trials. My sister, Ana, she'd tested positive for the recessive gene. She volunteered. I tried to stop her, but…"

  "She volunteered to be infected?"

  Marcus nodded. "She believed in the program. They all did. They thought the drug would turn them, make them metamorphs. But…" His voice cracked. "Well, you've seen what it does. It was worse in the earlier trials, most didn't make it. Ana was one of the few that survived."

  "So why infect others?" Chase asked. "Revenge?"

  "No. I didn't want to hurt Kiera, I just thought…I thought that if his daughter was infected, that he would work harder at finding a cure."

  Chase's mouth dropped open. "Are you saying Boyd's still alive?"

  Marcus gave a noncommittal shrug, but his omission had been clear. Chase looked at Turner, his expression unreadable, then blew out a long breath.

  "Do you know where he is?" Turner asked.

  Marcus snorted. "Even if I did, you'll never find him. She's got eyes everywhere."

  "She?" It was the second time he'd mentioned the unknown woman.

  Marcus' lips twisted up in a mocking smile. "You don't think Boyd has been working alone all these years? Come on, you're smarter than that. Put the pieces together." He laughed, his eyes raking over Turner in scorn. "Maybe you're not as smart as she thinks you are?"

  Turner's gut twisted.

  "Circe—" The name passed Marcus' lips the same moment a bullet pierced and shattered the living room window, embedding the man's skull.