Wicked After Dark: 20 Steamy Paranormal Tales of Dragons, Vampires, Werewolves, Shifters, Witches, Angels, Demons, Fey, and More

by Mina Carter

  Connall swore. “What kind of mother allows that kind of behavior?”

  “Sorry, Con. I only tell you this to explain why she isn’t one to be comforted by a hug. And most of the time, if you try, she gets irritated.” Sam smiled. “It used to be hard for me, because I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “I noticed she didn’t have an issue hugging you.”

  “She doesn’t have a choice anymore.” Sam grinned. “I hug her anyway. Even if it pisses her off. I don’t care.”

  “And that works?”

  “She humors me,” she said. “I just want her back to normal, you know?”

  Connall sighed. “If I can just get her home, she’ll be safe.”

  “Since I’ll be moving into Kade’s place, I think she should move into mine. At least until she’s ready for you to bind her. That way, I’ll be nearby.”

  “She won’t be close to horses, though. My place would be perfect for her.”

  “I think your place will be too much for her.”

  “Why?”

  “The size, Con. It’s huge.”

  “I’ve already thought of that.”

  Sam’s eyes widened. “You have?”

  “Yes. The guest cottage isn’t far from the main house. She can move in there.”

  “Except that she doesn’t like to live alone.”

  Connall shifted in his seat. “I think we need to end this conversation.”

  “Why?”

  “Because ultimately, Pepper’s going to decide what she wants to do, and I’m not really interested in speaking about, or making decisions for her when she’s not here to voice her opinion.”

  Sam grinned. “You’re a good man, Con.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I still think she should move into the apartment, especially when she starts MGA.”

  Connall shook his head. “You don’t let go of much, do you?”

  “Nope.”

  “You’re forgetting about the press issue.”

  “Oh, right. The press.” Sam sighed.

  “I can control access at home. Not so much in town.”

  “We’ll stay close to the apartment, then. Kade seems to have kept them away from there so far. The only time they got close was when we were visiting the Mile. I haven’t seen anyone near the office or home since. I think it’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll talk to Pepper and we’ll figure it out,” he said. “If she wants to live in town, I’ll have to sort out a schedule with Max so that I can be there more often, but we can figure it out.”

  “Oh, right. Max. Doesn’t he have a tour coming up?”

  “Aye. He’s leaving in two weeks.”

  “How long will he be gone?”

  “Three months, then home for two and back out for another three,” Connall said.

  “Couldn’t do it… live the life of a musician.”

  Connall chuckled. “Not many could.”

  “You haven’t introduced Pepper to Max yet, have you?”

  He shook his head and Sam grinned.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “I’ll give you one guess as to which band is her most favorite in all the world, and has been since we were teenagers.”

  “Shite.”

  Sam laughed and rubbed her hands together. “Have fun with that.”

  “Does Kade know about your evil streak?”

  “I think he loves that the most about me.”

  “Sam?” Kade appeared at the doorway.

  She turned to face him. “Hi, honey.”

  Connall grinned. His brother was wound tight enough to lash out at anyone who got close to his mate. “Mornin’, Kade.”

  “Con,” he said, his tone clipped. “Come back to bed, love.” Kade’s tone softened toward Sam. “You haven’t slept.”

  She giggled. “Certainly not like you, anyway.”

  Connall stood when she did. “Before you go, is there anyone close to Pepper other than your family and her mother?”

  “Not really. I mean, there are the folks at her barn. Rio, especially. He was her trainer before she sold Jonesy, but I don’t think she’s seen or talked to him since then. And Maggie, the owner of the barn, but again, I don’t think she’s talked to her since she gave Jonesy up.”

  “Rio? Is that short for something?” he asked.

  “Mario… Hernandez, I think.”

  “I know that name,” Connall said, surprised. “Whispering Willows barn, right?”

  Sam nodded. “He’s getting a name for himself in the training realm. Pepper was lucky to get him. He saw something special in her and went with it.” She smiled and set her coffee on the sideboard. “I’ll slide Pepper’s key under your door.”

  “Thanks.” He waited for them to leave before sitting back down. His mind was spinning a million miles a minute, but he managed another call before grabbing breakfast for Pepper and heading back to his room.

  He pushed open the door, noticed the extra key card on the floor, and bent to pick it up.

  “Hi,” Pepper said.

  Connall straightened and smiled. “Sorry, love. Did I wake you again?”

  “Nope. I’ve been lying here debating whether or not I was going to get out of this bed. It’s divine.” She rubbed her eyes. “Where have you been?”

  “Downstairs with Sam.”

  “Grilling her for information about me?”

  “Absolutely.” He sat on the bed and kissed her cheek, setting a pastry on the nightstand. “Are you hungry?”

  She nodded. “A little, I guess. What time is it?”

  “Seven.”

  “Were you mad earlier? Is it normal that I would know that?”

  “I was.” He frowned. “I’m sorry. And, yes, it’s normal. It’s part of our connection.”

  “Why were you mad?”

  “Nothing for you to worry about. Just some disturbing news.”

  She cocked her head, but Connall was glad she didn’t press for more information.

  “Did you get all your business sorted out?” she asked.

  “I did,” he said. “I’m officially all yours.”

  “Poor you.”

  He frowned. “You better not be insulting my girl.”

  “I’m your girl, huh?”

  “Absolutely,” he said and then kissed her.

  He wanted to make sure she felt the depth of his emotion, but when she broke the kiss and neither of them could catch their breath, he realized his plan may have backfired. If he wasn’t careful, he wouldn’t be able to control himself, and binding her before she knew everything was not an option.

  “You’re turning me into a hussy,” she complained.

  He laughed. “I haven’t yet begun to turn you into a hussy, but we should probably stop while we’re ahead.”

  She blushed. “Good idea.”

  “Sam gave me your extra key.” He pulled it from his pocket and handed it to her. “I thought we could shower and maybe hang out at the beach. What do you think?”

  She clapped her hands. “I think it’s the best idea I’ve heard in a while.”

  “Now for the loaded question.”

  She frowned. “Okay.”

  “Do you want to ride?”

  She bit her lip. “How? I don’t really talk to anyone with horses anymore.”

  “I have a couple of contacts.” She lowered her head, but not before he saw the sheen of tears. “Och, love, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “You didn’t. Sorry.” She forced a smile. “I just don’t think it would be the same without Jonesy.”

  “Then we won’t ride. No worries.”

  “Have I ruined your plans?”

  He smiled. “Of course not. Spending time with you was the plan. I just wanted you to have the option if you wanted it.”

  Pepper’s phone rang and she glanced at it before answering. “Hello? Mom! Hi. How are you?” She scrambled from the bed and paced the room as she spoke with her mother.

  * * *

  C
onnall stepped into the hallway to give Pepper some privacy. Not that it mattered, Pepper’s mother’s voice could be heard through the phone.

  You don’t have to hide.

  He grinned and peeked into the room. Are you sure?

  She nodded and waved him back inside. “Okay. Sure, Mom. Of course. Will she? That’ll be perfect. Sure. I’ll take care of Morris. Okay. Love you too. ’Bye.”

  She hung up and leaned against the bed.

  “How’s your mum?” Connall asked.

  “She’s fine. Turns out she drank more than her norm the other night, passed out, and hit her chin.”

  “Not the other way around?”

  “No.” She took a deep breath. “I overreacted.”

  “How did you overreact?”

  “I thought she’d been attacked.”

  “With everything going on, that was a logical conclusion.”

  She shrugged. “Not if you know my mom.”

  “I’m sorry, lass.” He crossed his arms in an effort not to touch her. “What happens now?”

  “The doctor’s placing her into a mandatory detox facility for the next thirty days. He’s hoping he can reverse the effects on her liver, but it will mean she needs to stop drinking forever.”

  “And you don’t think that will happen?”

  “I don’t know,” Pepper said. “We’ve been here before.”

  “This is still a good thing, right?”

  “I hope so. Her neighbor’s going to take care of her cat, so that’s one less thing I have to worry about.”

  He smiled. “Does that mean you’ll be able to relax today?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Probably not, but I’ll certainly give it the good old college try.”

  “Good.” He closed the distance between them and kissed her. Because… well, he had to.

  Pepper broke the kiss with a sigh. “You’re turning my world upside down, Dr. Gunnach.”

  “Back atya, Miss Brooks.”

  She smiled. “I’m going back to my room now.” She headed toward the door, patted her hips, and then turned in a circle. “If I can find my key.”

  Connall chuckled and held it up between his fingers. “You dropped it on the floor when you answered your mom’s call.”

  “I really would lose my head if it wasn’t attached.” She took the key and raised her head for a kiss. “I need thirty minutes.”

  He kissed her and grinned. “You have fifteen.”

  “You’re still not the boss of me.”

  “We’ll see.”

  She laughed.

  “Now, go and get ready.” Connall checked his watch. “You have less than thirteen minutes left.”

  “Do you mind if I bring my iPod?”

  “Not at all, but why?”

  “New album from my favorite band. I’d like to listen to it on the way to the beach.”

  He tried not to groan as he forced a smile. “Sure.”

  She kissed him again and headed back to her room.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  AFTER THE BEST day she could remember, Pepper wasn’t ready for Connall to drive them back to the hotel so soon. However, he insisted they had to change for dinner. They made their way into the lobby and Pepper stalled when she caught sight of a man standing with Brodie in the parlor.

  “Pepper? What’s wrong?” Connall asked.

  She turned and did her best, “if looks could kill” face. “Connall Jakob Gunnach, you failed to mention a very significant detail in exactly who gave up their room for me.”

  “Did I?”

  She grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the open door. “Maximilian freakin’ MacMillan, Con? Seriously? The lead singer of Fallen Crown, one of the sexiest men alive, and also the greatest singer, guitarist, and most prolific songwriter on earth, is the man who gave up his room for me?”

  “Or, we could just go with Max.”

  She slapped his chest. “How could you not tell me? We listened to their new album to and from the beach and you didn’t say a word! I’ve loved that band since I was fourteen! I can’t believe you didn’t give me any kind of warning! I can’t have dinner with him! He’s like… like my idol.”

  Connall scowled. “Well, maybe you’re right. Perhaps we should have a private dinner.”

  She let out a frustrated squeal then turned and made a dash for her room, taking the stairs two at a time.

  “Pepper,” he called, but she ignored him.

  She pushed open the door to her room… no, Max’s room… and shivered. He’d slept in her bed. He’d probably sat in the chair by the window. She sat down in it and then giggled. She remembered her mom talking about how she’d been in love with some old guy named Sean Cassidy when she was a teenager and Pepper thought she was crazy. Now she was reacting like a love-struck teen because her idol may or may not have sat in the same chair she was currently sitting in.

  Pepper groaned as she rose to her feet. She dumped the contents of her overnight bag on the bed before taking a second to look in the mirror. She nearly cried. Her hair was out of control from the wind at the beach, her cheeks were flushed, and she had dried mascara caked under her eyes. The cold had caused her eyes to water, but she hadn’t cared at the beach… probably because she didn’t have a mirror.

  She looked like a zombie.

  You do not. You’re beautiful.

  You don’t get to weigh in here, buddy. Where’s Sam?

  Down here. Why?

  Never mind.

  Pepper grabbed her phone and sent Sam a quick text. Within minutes, a knock came at her door.

  “Pepper, it’s me,” Sam called through the door.

  Pepper yanked open the door and stood aside so Sam could enter. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Sam shook her head. “I didn’t want to add to your stress.”

  Pepper waved her hand toward the bed. “I have nothing to wear, Sam.” She glanced in the mirror again. “Not to mention the fact, I look like a cheap hooker right now.”

  Sam snorted. “You have never been cheap, Pep.”

  Pepper threw her brush at her.

  Sam caught it midair and grinned. “Wow. I suppose a football career is still a possibility.”

  “Laugh, laugh. You’re so funny,” Pepper retorted. “Now help me!”

  “You go freshen up and I’ll find you something that will make Connall regret the fact he didn’t tell you.”

  Pepper smiled. “That’s the appropriate answer, best friend.”

  She headed to the bathroom. If there was a Guinness Book award for fastest shower taker, she would have received it.

  * * *

  “Aren’t we leaving?” Max asked Connall.

  The men, along with Fiona and Payton, were in the parlor waiting for Sam and Pepper. They were already running late for their reservation.

  “Pepper just wanted to freshen up. Get the sand out of her hair,” Connall said, and gave him a look of warning.

  Max raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, what did I do?”

  “Here they are now,” Kade said, and made his way toward Sam.

  Connall nearly choked. Pepper wore tight, black jeans, a blood-red cardigan with half the buttons undone… and something lacy underneath that appeared to be much lower cut than the one she’d been wearing the day he’d met her. She also appeared several inches taller. He glanced at her feet, and rolled his eyes. Boots.

  Sexy as hell boots.

  Damn it. He stared closer. Nestled in her ample cleavage was the pomegranate pendant he… well, technically… Sam had bought her. The ruby seemed very happy to be where it was, as it glistened in the light and drew his eyes, and he’d venture to guess, any other red-blooded man’s, to her chest.

  She had pulled her hair back at the sides and swept her bangs to the side, which enhanced her beautiful face and when she smiled, he heard Max’s near imperceptible whistle behind him.

  Connall scowled at him and then strode toward Pepper. “You look beautiful.”

 
“Thank you.”

  He leaned down to kiss her, but she gave him her cheek.

  “Pepper.” His voice pitched low in warning.

  She widened her eyes and then smiled. “Something wrong, Con?”

  “Let’s go.”

  “To the restaurant?”

  “Definitely not. Somewhere else.”

  She shook her head. “That would be really rude, Connall.”

  She stepped away from him and held her hand out to Max. “Hi. Max.” Connall heard the nervousness in her voice as she continued. “Thank you so much for giving up your room for me.”

  Max took her hand and lifted it to his lips, like he did with every woman he ever met. “It’s my pleasure, Pepper. Please, think nothing of it.”

  As Max kissed her hand, Connall felt transported back in time. Back to every ballroom they’d ever frequented over the past six hundred years. Max always got the girl, so to speak, and not just because he had the power to make anyone do anything for him.

  “Okay, that’s enough,” Connall said, and tugged Pepper’s hand out of Max’s. He laid his hand on her lower back and glared at his friend.

  Max grinned. “Your necklace is beautiful, lass.”

  She fingered the ruby. “Thank you. It was a gift from Sam.”

  “Max,” Connall warned.

  Max chuckled. “I think we’re getting ready to head out.”

  “We’ll meet you there.” Connall pulled Pepper from the room.

  “We’re going to be late, Con,” she complained as he found a private place for them to talk.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “You know exactly what I mean.” He scowled. “You need to go upstairs and change.”

  She laughed. “No way.”

  “Pepper, you can’t go to dinner looking like that.”

  “You don’t like what I’m wearing?”

  He growled and leaned down to kiss her, pressing her back against the wall. He projected images into her mind, images of them making love, and felt Pepper’s body shudder with desire.

  She broke the kiss and dropped her head onto his chest. “Wow.”

  He kissed her hair and attempted to catch his breath.

  “That really wasn’t necessary, you know,” she said.

  “It was for me.”

  “Max isn’t at all what I pictured.”