“There we go and it’s a wrap. You can get dressed now,” Steve said, breaking her out of her thoughts.
She heard the telltale sounds. The squeak of leather. The rustle of a leg going into a trouser leg.
“What about you, honey, do you also need a fitting done?” Steve spoke a bit louder.
“No thanks,” she quickly responded. There was no way she was stripping to her undies.
“You can look now, by the by. All clear!” There was a hint of humor in Steve’s words.
Natasha turned around and just in time to see Titan tucking his junk into his pants. He pulled in a breath and zipped up. He was even sexy as hell getting dressed … no darned fair.
“A dress, a pair of shoes or maybe a pretty purse?” Natasha tore her eyes away from Titan. Steve winked at her. Shit! He’d caught her ogling the sexy as sin vampire. Who could blame her though? She knew that Steve would totally understand. The shop owner had practically eye-fucked Titan while measuring him.
“Um … no thanks. Not today.” The big vampire put on his boots as she spoke.
“Maybe some other time then?” Steve grinned.
“Maybe.” She nodded, watching as Titan pulled his leather vest thingie over his head. What a waste of all that perfectly good skin. A body like that should be naked. Natasha suppressed a sigh.
“Do I need to pay now?” Titan asked, he pulled the leather tie from his hair and ran a hand through the loose strands. His hair was a bit longer than she’d thought. It went past his shoulders. So thick. It was a light brown with more blonde streaks throughout. It looked like he’d had highlights put in but she knew that wasn’t the case.
Steve groaned. “You really are a hot one!” He glanced at Natasha. “Don’t you think he’s a hot one?” The tailor actually pointed at Titan with both hands.
What did she say to that? Thank god that before she could answer, Titan chimed in. “We work together.”
“Yeah and …?” Steve rolled his eyes. “I don’t see the problem.”
“The female is a human.” Titan pulled his hair back into a low ponytail. He said it like it was distasteful. Natasha didn’t want to be with Titan or anything but she still couldn’t help but feel disappointment at his response. And a bit pissed off. So what if she was human, dammit. He said it like it was a really bad thing. An unacceptable thing even.
“I have it on good authority that vampires and humans are great together.” Steve bobbed his eyebrows while looking from her to Titan and back again. “There wouldn’t be a program otherwise.”
“The Program follows strict rules. Any fraternizing with humans outside of The Program is strictly forbidden and with good reason. We need to get going, do you need me to pay now?”
“Nah!” Steve waved his hand. “I know you’re good for it.” He winked at Titan.
“We’ll be back in five days. Come, female!” he growled as he picked up the bag with the shoes and socks in it. The ass turned and walked away, leaving her to blurt a goodbye and to follow like some lost kitten.
Just when she was beginning to suspect that she might have him wrong. That maybe there was more to him. She’d started to think that beneath all that alpha exterior was a nice guy … maybe. She had been proven wrong on that assumption and definitely wrong about the emotion she’d heard in his voice. Titan was a sexist prick! He’d be shit in the sack. It was a good thing he was an ass and that he’d be shit because she didn’t need the distraction. Not when her career was on the line.
8
By the time she made it back to the vehicle, he was already inside and on his phone. It looked like he was texting someone, which irritated her some more.
“Listen,” she said as she dropped into the seat next to him and closed the door. “Don’t call me female. I’m Natasha or Special Agent Walters. You can even call me Walters. I’m not female or baby or sugarplum or any of the other ridiculous names I’ve been called in the past. I have to say though, female is new. I don’t like it.”
He continued to type out that text. What was so damn important? Then he put his phone into his pocket and turned to her. Titan frowned. “You are a female, I don’t see the problem.”
“Of course not,” she muttered to herself. “It’s derogatory and I don’t like it.”
“Fine! I won’t call you female again.”
“While we’re being open and honest. I don’t like the way you speak to me either, the whole ‘come female’ bullshit is unnecessary.” She growled the ‘come female’ part, trying to sound like him and failing dismally.
“I am your superior. I was giving you an order.” Titan pulled out onto the road.
“There’s giving orders and then there’s being just plain rude. Please try to remember that although you are my superior and I respect that, I’m also your partner. We need to work together as a team. I’ve got your back and you’ve got mine.”
Titan turned a corner and then glanced her way before looking back at the road ahead. “You don’t need to watch my back. I’m a non-human and a warrior in my prime. I will make sure that nothing happens to you though, so don’t worry.”
She rolled her eyes. “I am an alpha male, hear me roar.” She beat her chest.
Titan gave a snort. “What was that?”
“That was you, or my impression of you.”
He shrugged. “Is that so?”
“You don’t believe I can protect you or that I have any value to you, do you? It’s because I’m a woman, isn’t it?” May as well get it out in the open. It was the elephant in the room. No, it was the brontosaurus in the room.
“You have value.” He didn’t elaborate.
“Yeah right!” It was her turn to snort. “Let me guess, I’m valuable as a mother or to cook someone’s dinner. Let’s not forget laundry and other household duties. I would also be valuable on my back, preferably with my legs open …”
“Hold up! Let’s not bring sex into this … You are a female, which makes you weaker, end of story. It’s a simple fact.”
“I have my Glock and an aim that puts most men to shame. I work out, I finished top in my class in tactical training.” She was the best female candidate but she wasn’t about to tell Titan that because, god-darn-it, she could whip most of the guys’ butts. “I practice every day. I’m smart and more than capable of having your back.”
Titan smiled. He turned to her and freaking smiled. He chose that moment to unleash the most deliciously sexy upturn of that sinful, kissable mouth. He might be a jerk but he was hot and still a distraction. Damn him! The devastating smile lasted all of three seconds before he packed it away and she could breathe again. Thank god! What an ass though. What a bastard! His first smile in over twenty-four hours and it was at her expense.
“You don’t believe me. You’re laughing at me inside, aren’t you?” His mouth twitched and she had her answer. “Maybe you should pull over so that I can prove it.” Natasha glanced out the window. They were driving through a suburban neighborhood. If she wasn’t looking for a spot to go hand-to-hand with the vampire she’d have noticed that Sweetwater had the whole white picket-fence thing down pat. All of the lawns were freshly mown and the flower gardens tended to. Mmmmmm, one of these flat, pristine lawns would do nicely.
“I’m not pulling over,” he announced.
“You don’t think that I can handle myself.”
“Not against a vampire, no. I outweigh you by a—”
“It doesn’t matter, I can still kick your ass.” Shit! What was she saying? He did outweigh her by … he was close to double her size. He was super-human, there was no way she could beat the guy. She didn’t have to though. She just needed to make him bleed a little before he got the upper hand.
He gave a soft chuckle. Why did he have to be so beautiful? The sound quickly dried up as he turned serious. “I was told that you were well-trained and I’m sure you would have no problem taking down a human male. I know you can handle yourself but you can’t handle me.” He glanced her way
, his eyes held an intensity.
“I could too.” Her voice was soft and unsure. Dammit! When he said she couldn’t handle him it was like he wasn’t just referring to work. She was reading too much into this though. Best she drop it.
“Whatever!” she mumbled. Natasha looked out her window instead. She noticed that they were travelling through a rural area, probably on the outskirts of Sweetwater. Maybe one of the families of the deceased fascist members lived out here. When they turned off the tar road onto a long gravel stretch that clearly led out of town, she glanced in Titan’s direction and then back down the road.
“Um, where exactly are we going? I don’t remember any of the people on our list living out this far.”
His hands tightened on the wheel. “They don’t.” He paused, breathing out through his nose. Even that was sexy, damn him. “We’re going to the castle.”
“The castle,” she repeated. “As in, the vampire castle, that castle?”
He gave a nod. Holy shit! They were going to the vampire castle. “Why exactly? Not that I mind going or anything.”
“You said I needed a couple of suits.”
“Uh-huh, you do. You need to come across as an FBI agent which won’t be possible if you’re not suited up. We should also find you some casual wear.” She couldn’t help but grin. “Not at Bringmart though.”
“I will admit that Bringmart was a poor choice.”
Sweet progress. They agreed on something. Finally.
The road curved to the left and then to the right. Titan kept his foot on the gas. A few minutes later they pulled up to the main gates.
Two big vampires stepped up to the wrought iron gates. The property was walled for several hundred feet on either side of the gate. The rest was fenced. The entire perimeter ‒ or at least as far as she could see ‒ had electric fencing. There were CCTV cameras pointing at them from either side of the gate. She noticed more at the guardhouse.
Eliot grinned when he locked eyes with Titan. The male gave a nod as greeting. Titan barely recognized the second male who strode forward as Titan exited the vehicle. It was a male who had applied for Titan’s current position. “Who is the female?” the male asked, his gaze on Natasha, even though she still sat inside the vehicle.
“She’s with me,” Titan growled.
The male shook his head and sniffed at the air. “She is human and will need clearance before being permitted to enter.” He folded his arms.
“I said she’s with me.” Titan stepped forward. “I would not bring her here if I thought she was a threat.”
Eliot looked at the other male. “As you know, Titan is an Elite. If he says that the female can enter then she—”
“I don’t give a fuck who he is.” The male narrowed his eyes. “I am in charge of gate security. This is my watch and I say no clearance, no entry.” He shook his head.
What a little prick. Talk about being on a power-trip. It was almost laughable. There was no way he was leaving Natasha alone at the gate. She might be a sitting duck. There were no humans at the gate for a change, but that didn’t mean that no one was watching … waiting. Fuck that! He leaned back against the SUV and folded his own arms to mirror the fucker blocking them. He tried not to let it get to him too much. Technically, the male was doing his job.
“What are you doing?” the asshole growled.
“Waiting.”
“Well you can’t wait here.” Another low growl.
Eliot touched the prick on the arm. “Take it easy, Luke.”
That was it, his name was Luke. The asshole narrowed his eyes. “Titan is blocking the main castle gates. It’s against the rules. You will need to move.” He directed the last at Titan. “Now,” he added, his eyes narrowing on Titan. Fucker!
He picked up the scent of female as the vehicle door shut. The sweet scent of human hit his nostrils. Fuck! The scent of her arousal was still evident, but only just. It was tantalizing. It made him want to drool, made him want to part her thighs and stick his tongue … Not going there! Natasha moved in next to him. “Is there a problem?” She was frowning.
The fucker on the other side of the gate gave Natasha the once over. Titan noticed how his gaze lingered on her breasts. He had to suppress a snarl.
Luke breathed out heavily. “She is a decent specimen. I would love to let you in, darling, but …”
“Watch what you say to her,” Titan spoke quietly, his eyes on Luke. The male was still eyeballing Natasha something fierce. It irritated the fuck out of him.
Natasha shook her head and sighed softly. “My name is Special Agent Natasha Walters. I’m Titan’s partner.”
Luke lifted his eyebrows. “His partner you say? Well, Special Agent Natasha Walters, has anyone warned you against this male?” He didn’t just go there. The prick smirked. Shit! The little fucker had just gone there. Luke sucked in a breath, it looked like he was about to say a whole lot more. Not a chance! It was pricks like this who had made his life a living hell.
Titan was off the vehicle in a flash, he grasped the male’s neck and pulled him against the gate. His face made a thudding noise as flesh met with metal. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” Blood dripped from one of Luke’s nostrils and his breathing was loud and ragged. He tried to pull back and failed. Little fucker was no match for Titan. “Let me go!” his voice had a whiney edge.
The guardhouse door flew open and a male he recognized jogged to them, closing the small space quickly. Titan couldn’t remember his name. He clutched a piece of paper in his hand. “The female has clearance. Oh shit!” he added when he noticed how Titan had Luke by the throat.
Titan looked back at asshole male. “Watch that mouth of yours.” With extreme reluctance, he released the prick.
Luke staggered back, quickly finding his feet. He wiped blood off of his face with the back of his hand. “You should not have done that.”
Titan couldn’t help but laugh. “Let me guess, it’s against one of your rules.”
Luke nodded. “Manhandling an officer is against—”
“Manhandling you say?” Titan asked. This male was a pussy. “I don’t see any men around here. Vampires are made from tougher stuff ‒ at least, they should be. Only a pussy would report me, but you are most welcome to go right ahead.”
“I won’t be intimidated by the likes of you.” Luke put a hand through his hair, then he took the paper from the waiting male and glanced over it. “There is no picture of the female here. No identity number listed. What is this?” He tapped the page. “Who the fuck gave permission based on such limited information?”
“Brant did,” the guardhouse male piped up. “Look at the signature.”
Luke visibly paled. The male swallowed hard. He blinked a couple of times.
Titan pursed his lips together. He had a couple of choice things he felt like saying to the male. Childish things. As much as he longed to command the male to open the gate or to call him a dickwad, he didn’t; he wasn’t one for gloating or goading so he kept his mouth shut.
The male muttered a curse under his breath and turned to the guardhouse male. “Let them in.” He stepped back.
The male gave a nod and strode back to the guardhouse.
Eliot smiled. “Only one day into the investigation and you’re already back.”
The gate opened just enough to accommodate one person. Titan stepped back, he looked Natasha’s way.
“After you,” Natasha said. She was such a hard ass.
He shook his head. “I insist.”
“So do I.” She looked him head-on.
“Can we not do this right now … please.” He added the last through gritted teeth.
“Fine.” The female finally walked through.
He followed right behind, handing his keys to Eliot. “Park the car for me.”
The male nodded. “No problem! So why are you back so soon?” Eliot grinned.
“It seems I under-packed.”
Eliot nodded. “Who’s your friend?” Th
e male looked at Natasha. His eyes tracked her body, his nostrils flared. He tried not to allow it to anger him. Natasha had a wonderful scent. Her earlier arousal had enhanced it. The males could not be blamed. He still had to push aside his irritation.
The ogling continued and for an irrational second he wanted to pull her behind his back. He knew exactly what these males saw when they looked at her. The female was pretty. She had long. almost black, glossy hair. It was tied up in a loose ponytail. It looked so soft. A couple of strands had fallen loose, they framed her face. Her eyes were huge. Although they were a dark brown, there were golden flecks in their depths. Her body. Fuck! He didn’t want to think about it. Refused to look below her neck, which had the most beautiful pulse. It fluttered whenever she became agitated or angry. Maybe he needed to keep his gaze on her face only. Her lush lips, her sassy mouth. No! He wouldn’t look, period.
“Natasha is my partner,” he finally ground out, sounding annoyed.
“Of course she is.” Eliot grinned some more. He knew exactly what was going through the jackass’s mind.
“We have work to do.” The male had it all wrong. Without thinking, he put a hand to her lower back to usher her ahead of him. Titan quickly pulled it away as soon as she started walking. No touching! No looking and no touching! Simple.
“What was that all about?” Natasha asked.
“Just a male wanting to throw his weight around.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I know how that goes. I was stupid to ask.” She smiled. “I’ve dealt with a ton of them at the bureau.”
They headed for the castle. Although many of the vampires they passed looked their way, no one stopped to all out stare. They were getting used to seeing human females about. “Wow!” she gushed. “The castle is amazing. I mean, I knew it was a castle because everyone calls it a castle but I didn’t know it really was a castle.” She chuckled. “I’m sounding like an idiot but I guess I’m a little in awe.”
He tried to see it through her eyes. They had nothing like this in Sweetwater. It was big and bold and quite beautiful in its own way. Even though he had never thought of it as such up until right now.
A Mate for Titan (The Program Book 7) Page 7
