Rapid Pulse: A Limited Edition Spicy Romance Collection

by Gina Kincade

  “Oh my gawd!” Gretchen exclaimed. “You have your powers and Rowan pissed you off? Does he not realize what you could have done to him?”

  I shrugged. “Trust me, I would have rather used that test on Samuel.”

  Adam chuckled. “Something tells me he would have allowed that to happen.”

  We approached the front of the line to the bouncer. He glanced over and as he was about to tell us to get in line, Gretchen stepped forward. Immediately, her body illuminated. Adam and I stepped back to let her play with the man.

  She lightly swung her arms side to side and smiled to the large, tall man. He blinked a few times, then smiled lazily to her, as if he were intoxicated. In a way I suppose he was. She asked him something and he nodded most happily to whatever she wanted.

  Gretchen glanced back to us and I had to cover my mouth from laughing. She was glowing as if Tinkerbell dumped a whole batch of Pixiedust on her. Adam cleared his throat and when I looked up to him, he lifted a brow. My bad, I mouthed and he smirked.

  Moments later, the three of us stepped inside the club and the music surrounded us. Gretchen turned off the charm, else the entire club would be at her mercy. Not a bad night for her, but it would have been terrible for Adam. So much temptation to feed.

  I smiled to them and bid them farewell as I made a line toward the dance floor. It had been far too long since I had a fun night out, a night out with out Rowan guarding me. Hell, he was probably already here, watching me.

  Well, if that were the case, then I would give him a show.

  Chapter Six

  THE MUSIC FILLED me and my body danced. I felt like I were coming alive tonight, alone or not. Hands touched upon my hips and as I glanced to my backside, a man stood behind me that could only be described as that hot actor who played Loki in the Thor movies.

  I smiled and backed into him slyly, bending over and ground my ass against his pelvis. His fingers gripped my hips and he matched my rhythm. Standing upright, I lifted my arms to reach for his neck, finding it, and pulling him down to me. Turning my face slightly, my very own Loki kissed me just on the outside of my lips.

  “You are so hot,” he groaned and his hands moved from my hips to my stomach, pulling me closer to him.

  As much as I wanted tall, handsome, and sexy to touch me, I didn’t know him. I smiled and pulled away slightly. “Thank you. You remind me of someone.”

  He grinned and nodded. “I get that a lot.”

  “I bet.” Turning to face him, I smiled once more. “I’m Jac.”

  “Jac?” he asked and I nodded. “Hi Jac. I’m Everett. Nice to meet you.” He held his hand out and I shook it. “Jac, care to continue dancing with me?”

  I nodded and Everett pulled me close to him once again, slipping a leg in between my own. His hands moved around my waist and he leaned in to my ear. “I saw you when you first came in. I had to come meet you.”

  Smiling to this, “You did? Why?”

  He pulled back and his glamour faded enough to see him. He was not recognizable in the least, but I knew he was not human. His face contorted only slightly, but it was enough to see he was a shifter of some sort.

  “Oh, so I see.” My arms slipped up around his neck. “You’re taking a pretty big risk in showing me, you know.”

  “I am, am I?” he asked slyly. “I saw your friend outside work her fairy magic to get you and her man inside. Since you’re with her, I automatically assumed...”

  “Ahh,” I nodded a few times. “Truth be told, I am one of ‘sups, but I would rather keep my identity secret, if it’s all the same to you.”

  He smiled and nodded. “Not a problem. So,” he leaned in and whispered against my ear. “Where are you staying tonight?”

  My brows lifted and goose flesh rose on my skin from his breath across my sensitive flesh. Anywhere you are, is what I wanted to say. As I was about to answer, I glanced up toward the rafters and blinked. Rowan was there and he was watching. And he was not happy.

  I smiled and pulled Everett closer. “Where do you live?”

  THE BREEZE CHILLED against my skin as I waited for Everett to bring his car around. I had not intended to go home with him, so I sent a text to Gretchen to come save me...soon.

  No later did I send the message, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I sighed and lowered my gaze.

  “Go away,” I ordered.

  “No,” Rowan responded and turned me to face him. His blond hair styled just so, and his blue eyes, my God I missed looking into his eyes. I wanted to hug him and tell him I missed him, and I also wanted to slap his damn face and call him an asshole.

  I chose a path between the two. “You’re still an asshole. Leave me alone.”

  “So you’re going home with a total stranger?” he yelled to me.

  “Why the fuck not?” I yelled back and kept walking. “I’m sure he’ll give me much more attention than you ever would!”

  “Whoa now, what did I miss?” Gretchen’s voice came from behind me somewhere and I turned to face her.

  “Go home. I’m walking. No, maybe I’ll fucking fly home. Fuck this shit.” I kept walking until I heard Rowan yell.

  “Oww! What the hell woman?”

  “You deserved that you asshole. You should go apologize to her, but you’re so...so..stone headed you wouldn’t know how!”

  Any other day, I would have laughed at her reference, but tonight, I fought off the tears instead. Then it thundered. And I growled.

  “IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE?” I lifted my gaze to the sky as droplets of water began to fall. “Perfect! Fucking perfect! Now I’m cold and wet!” I turned back to Rowan and saw him staring after me, sorrow in his gaze. I shook my head and grit my teeth. “This is your fault!”

  “What?” he yelled and started after me. “How the hell could I make it rain?”

  I groaned and shook my head as I continued to walk. “Not the rain, asshat, just...all this!” I turned to express what I meant with my arms and found Rowan directly behind me. I pushed my rain soaked hair from my face and stared up into his eyes. My bottom lip trembled slightly as no one said anything...for a moment.

  “Jac,” his voice just a whisper, “I am so, so very sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

  “Yes you did,” I whispered. “Because you were right, I would have been no better than him.”

  “You honestly don’t believe that?” he asked and stepped closer, then brushed wet hair behind my ear.

  I shrugged. “What should I believe? I have no idea what my abilities are, you are the one person I should be able to trust to try anything out on, and when I do, you use it against me.”

  He nodded. “I did, and for that, I will forever be sorry. Please, forgive me?”

  I shook my head and turned from him. “Fine, but Rowan, it still hurts like hell.”

  “I know, and I’ll work my ass off to gain your forgiveness.”

  “No, it’s not that,” in this moment I was glad for the rain as it covered my tears, but it did nothing for the catch in my voice when I began to sob.

  “Jac,” he whispered again and touched my shoulder.

  I pulled from him so fast and turned. “NO! You don’t get to touch me! I have been trying for so long to get you to see me, the real me! Do you not like me that way? Because dammit, Rowan, I see the way you look at me. I see the longing and I wish...” I trailed off and shook my head. “You know what? If I have to spell it out, it’s not worth saying.”

  Turning on my heel, I wrapped my slender arms around my body and sobbed to myself as I continued walking. I almost sank to my knees when Rowan did not make an attempt to stop me in leaving, at least until I felt a strong hand grab my arm and yank me so hard, I almost spun.

  Rowan stood in front of me and a fire ignited in his eyes. His breathing picked up in his chest as it raised and lowered in a quickness. My eyes widened as I took him in and my God, it took everything I had to not jump in his arms and attack his lips with my own.

  “I do not want to start somet
hing with you, not because of the reasons you think, Jac.” He sighed then continued. “I do not pursue it for risk of putting you in danger.”

  I blinked. “Danger? What kind of danger?”

  “I am supposed to be your protector, not your lover. Do you understand?”

  I shook my head. “No, why can’t you be both?” My voice that of a whisper and I lowered my gaze. “I need you in my life, Rowan, no matter what. But,” I glanced up to him again, “I cannot do this anymore, not this.” I took a step back and held my hands up as if to signal not to follow. “If we do this, we do this together or not at all. I can’t have you around every damn day of my life with how I feel. This is not an ultimatum, Rowan, I promise, but if you decide against this, I need time away from you to clear my head and my heart.” I turned from him and lowered my head. “I’m sorry.”

  I felt warmth trail my cheeks and I knew they were my tears, without a doubt. He wanted me as much as I needed him. My heart and chest ached. In moments like this, I wish I had a mother to go to. Covering my face with my hands, I sobbed in the rain. My body shook and now I felt like a damned fool.

  I left the club with the intentions of going home with a guy I didn’t know, just to make Rowan jealous. My best friend and her man were already gone. Now I’m alone in the rain. This night could not get more perfect.

  Headlights shone from behind me and when I turned the car began to slow down. I sighed and stepped further off the side of the road. Fear struck me for a second if it were the shifter I left in the club, then sighed a breath of relief to see it was Adam’s car.

  The passenger door opened and the dome light showed Gretchen and Adam inside. My sobs began anew and I stepped closer to the car.

  “I just saw Rowan and he told me where I could find you.” Gretchen pulled her seat up and I climbed into the back. She then followed and pulled the door closed. Taking a seat beside me, she pulled me close, not caring in the least I had been soaked to the bone. “Are you all right?”

  I shook my head and sniffed. “N-no. I’m not.” After giving myself a moment to calm from my sobbing, I recounted the conversation with Rowan to her and Adam.

  “And he let you go?” she asked.

  I nodded. “Yes. He’s afraid feelings for me will get in the way of his guarding.”

  “I would think it would help,” Adam added. “Nothing would keep me from Gretchen so call me confused.”

  “Oh honey, thank you,” Gretchen beamed. He smiled to her in the rear view mirror.

  “Get a room already,” I ordered and sunk into the seat. “Please, just take me home. I need a hot shower and sleep for a few days.”

  She nodded and combed my wet hair back from my face. “Whatever you need, just ask, okay?”

  “Okay.” I sniffed and wiped the tears and rain from my face. “Why does it still hurt so bad even though we were not together?” My bottom lip trembled with the realization I may never see Rowan again. He would continue to watch over me, but he could very well take himself out of my life all the same.

  “Because you put your heart on the line with someone you trusted, honey. That’s why.”

  I began to sob again and Gretchen pulled me close once more as Adam drove us to my home.

  Chapter Seven

  I’M NOT SURE how much time had passed, but when I opened my eyes, sunlight beamed in through my bedroom window. The sun was warm, a welcome feeling upon my bare skin. Raven jumped onto my bed and kneaded the comforter next to me.

  “Hey baby, are you hungry?” His green eyes closed and he purred. “Right, breakfast. Maybe one day you can potty train yourself on the toilet?” Scratching behind his ears, I stood from the bed and my feet chilled to the coolness of the floor. Raven skidded past me on my way to the bathroom and I grabbed my toothbrush.

  When I glanced to myself in the mirror, I sighed to the bags that hung under my eyes. My fingertips pressed them upwards, then released. “I look like shit.” Sighing, I brushed my teeth then started the shower. Maybe the hot water would do something for me.

  I briefly thought of Rutan, then quickly shook my head as if to shake the memory away. “Not that easy there, Jac,” I told myself. Being in my life as long as he has I cannot exactly forget him. Stepping under the hot water, the singe of it reminded me I am alive, first, and second, it hurt like hell. Quickly I reset the temperature then washed my hair and body.

  Towel drying my hair and slipping on clothes for the day, I caught a glimpse in the mirror. I pulled my hair up in a bun while still wet, applied mascara and eye liner, and wore a fitted white tank top and denim capris. I looked and felt somewhat normal. Pulling on my tan wedge sandals, I knew I could get through today unscathed so long I do not run into Rowan.

  Sighing I grabbed my bag and pulled it onto my shoulder and fisted my keys. I needed to track down that Hag stone before Samuel had a chance to get his hands on it. I also needed to talk to Michael about the turn of events with his favorite demon.

  THE PAWN SHOP HAD BEEN pretty empty all morning, only a few customers came through to peruse the goods. Not much had been going on, at least until lights of a police car caught my attention.

  Oh, someone is being arrested? I thought to myself. The man struggled in the grasp of the officer. The batons were raised, and I naturally stood from my seat. As soon as the first one struck down, the man shifted. My eyes widened and I took a few steps closer to the window.

  “What’s happening outside?” Tony asked as he came up beside me.

  I shook my head. “I’m not sure yet. Human beating on a ‘sup?” Glancing over to Tony, “Do you think they know he’s one?”

  He shrugged, “No telling. Did he do something?”

  “How should I know? The red and blue caught my attention.” Stepping closer to the window, my fingertips pressed against the glass. The police held him on the ground and thankfully, the beating stopped. The shifter glanced up and caught my gaze. His eyes turned black and his brows furrowed. Horns appeared on his forehead and claws on his hands.

  “Oh hell,” I whispered and glanced to Tony. “He’s a Oni.”

  Tony leaned forward against the glass and crossed his arms over his chest. “What the fuck is an Oni?”

  Looking to him I laughed, then recovered. “Oh, you’re serious? You don’t know?” He shook his head with raised brows. “Oh, well an Oni is a demon, but a nasty one. Think of a troll, but seriously sharp claws and long horns on their head.”

  “Yeah,” Tony glanced outside. “I can see the horns. What else?”

  “Other than big? Sometimes their skin is red, maybe a hue of blue.”

  “Maybe striped like a tiger?”

  I glanced outside and nodded. “Sometimes, yes, like a tiger.” I sighed and continued. “Tony, they are very strong. If this Oni lashes out at the officers, they have no chance. Something will definitely change.”

  “What do you mean?” Tony has seldom appeared scared, but right now, I would be willing to bet he struggled between running for help, and just plain running.

  “If the Oni strikes back, Tony...” I trailed off and looked to the man on the ground and shook my head, mouthing, please stop, “he’ll destroy everything around him.”

  “Can someone stop him?”

  I shook my head. “I have no idea.” Maybe I began to have an out of body experience, but I took a few steps toward the door.

  Tony called after me in a screech. “Jac, what the hell are you doing?”

  My head tilted and something touched my mind. I’m not quite sure what it was, but I felt...calm. I smiled to the man on the ground and pressed against the door. “Stopping him.”

  Stepping outside, all the noises, all the sounds, it all became deaf. It felt as if wind had whisked me from the ground, yet my feet still touched the earth. As I drew nearer to the sidewalk, the man raised his head to me in what looked to be fear. Why would he fear me?

  As I crossed the street to the commotion, one of the officers put a hand on my shoulder. “You cannot
come any closer, young lady. He is a dangerous man.”

  Shifting my gaze from the man on the ground to the officer, my head tilted slightly. “No, he’s not dangerous. I am. Now I suggest you let him go.” Stepping closer toward the officer, “You will turn and walk away. You will order the others the man is not dangerous. You will pack up your crew and you will leave.”

  The officers eyes glazed over and he slowly nodded, then lowered his hand from my shoulder. He turned on his heel and took a few steps away. Waiting until he was out of ear shot, I lowered myself to the Oni.

  “My name is Jac. You need to get out of here before they come back for you and remember what they were doing.”

  His black eyes blinked to me and he sat up. “Why are you helping me?” His voice heavy with anger and deep, he leaned forward with malice. “I could destroy you as well.”

  I grinned and raised a brow. “I am Valkyrie. I could end you before you blinked.”

  He sat back and his brows rose in surprise. “I thought...they were...you are?”

  I nodded. “Now you need to leave the area or I will take you out myself. We cannot allow you to destroy everything around us. If you do, a war would certainly ensue.”

  He watched me for a moment, then slowly began to nod. “And if I left, what happens then?”

  “You need to keep your composure together and stay out of trouble.” I glanced toward the officers. “Come into my shop, get out of the line of sight. I can take you around back.”

  The Oni nodded and stood next to me. He towered over me in his size. It caused me to flinch for a second, then I cleared my throat. “Take yourself around the back ally of the building. I’ll see you back there.”

  He nodded once and began to walk across the street. I watched the officers as they appeared to be confused on what had been happening. I quickly crossed back to my shop and walked inside.

  “What the hell was that?” Tony yelled. “What did you do?”