Until he’d met this woman.
Staring down into Nica’s dark eyes, he saw a woman who wouldn’t settle for lukewarm. She was all heat wrapped around a huge heart. A heart he wanted to claim.
He let that simmering emotion rise, battling against his instinctive reaction to shove it back. Let it heat until he felt it all through his body.
Then he kissed her.
He kissed her hard, his lips working hers open so he could get his tongue into her mouth. His hands gripped her hips and pulled her tight against his erection, throbbing already.
If he took her off guard, she caught up fast. She tilted her pelvis into his, rubbing against his cock, making him groan with the powerful rush of desire that hit him squarely in the gut.
This wasn’t just sex anymore. At least not for him.
His once-stunted emotions tangled into the mix now, dragging him into a deeper connection with her. One he didn’t want to dig his way out of.
One hand laced into her hair, tipping her head back so his lips could work their way down her neck until they met her shirt collar. Without thought, he slid his hands to the hem and ripped it over her head, settling his lips back on hers the moment the shirt was gone.
He kissed her as his hands settled on her breasts, kneading them, working the tight nipples between his fingers. Nica groaned and pressed into him, her hands gripping his shoulders, as if he might pull away.
He wasn’t going anywhere. And neither was she. He’d make damn sure of it. And when Jensen joined them, they’d fuck her senseless so she’d have no desire to leave them. No matter what.
Moving his hands to her hips, he lifted her off the ground then began to work her tight jeans off her hips with one hand. It wasn’t easy but he persevered until he had her naked.
Their tongues dueled as her legs wrapped around his waist. Her fingers scratched at his scalp, pulled his hair. She nipped at his tongue then sucked on it, her breath coming hard and fast as she kissed him.
This wasn’t going to be slow and easy. Already he felt his cock tighten painfully behind his jeans, throbbing.
With one hand, he ripped open his jeans and turned to put her back against the wall. She moaned, her hands tightening in his hair, her hips tilting farther. Encouraging him.
He didn’t need much. As soon as he got his cock free, he thrust into her. Hard. All the way to the base and she took him like she was made for him. Hot and wet.
Her sheath accepted him, sucked him in then tightened around him like a fist, milking him. He pulled out, the friction sending bolts of sensation chasing through his system, then shoved back in.
She moaned into his mouth and slammed down on him.
“Nica, baby, I don’t want to hurt you. Slow down.”
“You’re not going to hurt me, Tanner. Just fuck me. I need you.”
And he needed her, so much it’d be scary when he let himself think about it. But right now, all he could think about was making her come.
He did her hard and fast, his hips pounding against hers. There’d be time for slow later, when he and Jensen would drive her insane with pleasure. Now, though, he’d make sure she didn’t lack. For anything.
And from the sounds she was making, she didn’t.
He watched her eyes, glazed with pleasure. Saw her lips swollen from his kisses. He thrust even harder and caught his breath on her cries of ecstasy.
“Tanner, oh gods. Please.”
Hips pumping, he felt her contract around him just before she came. Her arms clutched him close as she spasmed around him, milking him until he gave in to his own climax.
Still holding her tight against him minutes later, he leaned his forehead against hers and just breathed. Her arms still tight around his shoulders, her warm breath brushed against his neck.
He should have felt more relaxed. Less stressed.
He didn’t.
Something was…wrong.
“Tanner?” Nica’s voice whispered across his senses.
He shook his head at the question he heard in her voice. Lowering her to her feet, he tried to throw off the growing sense of impending doom.
Nica wound her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. He was tall enough that her head fit under his chin, the tips of her hair brushing against his stomach.
She seemed much smaller standing there, much weaker. But he knew she had a strength that could put the strongest man to shame.
God, he loved her. He opened his mouth to tell her but closed it without speaking the words. Not yet. It wasn’t the right time. Not with this sense that he was missing something.
Running his hand through the silky mass, he dropped a kiss on her head. “I’m fine, babe.”
“No, something’s wrong. What’s going on?”
Good question. What the hell was going on? And where the hell was Jensen?
* * * * *
Jensen left Sal’s and headed back to his own house as fast as he could.
Now that he’d decided on a course of action, he was committed to it. But damn, he was worried.
Not for himself. He could handle himself.
But he’d left without telling Tanner. He felt as if he’d betrayed his brother. Which was asinine.
They had no secrets, but they didn’t live in each other’s pockets. They might live together but they led their own lives.
Yeah right. You’re pussies, both of you. Living together like perverts, screwing the same woman at the same time. You’re degenerates.
It was exactly what dear old Dad would’ve said had he been there. Jensen heard him as clear as if the bastard was standing in front of him. The man had had an opinion on everything, most of it biased and hateful.
Tanner had learned how to tune him out. Jensen never could. He’d always heard every damn word.
They’d been lucky their lifestyle had never interfered with their business. It almost had, when he’d been stupid enough to fall for the wrong woman. Tanner had known Penny was bad news. Jensen hadn’t wanted to see it.
And he’d nearly brought down their company in the process. If Tanner hadn’t been able to minimize the damage her vicious gossip had done, they could’ve lost everything.
And it would’ve been his fault for letting it get out of hand.
They’d known—from the first time they’d shared a woman in college—they’d known what they enjoyed would never be accepted by society. They’d known they had to be careful.
Yet they were arrogant enough to want it anyway.
Their friends knew. Their friends had boatloads of their own sexual peculiarities. Casimir’s love of restraints. Adrien’s threshold for pain. Hell, Daniel’s preferences alone would keep a psychiatrist busy for the next fifty years.
Which was probably why the group of them got along so well.
It also explained why he felt as if he was betraying Tanner. Because he knew he’d feel the same if Tanner did this without telling him.
Which didn’t matter now because he’d reached home.
Parking on the street, he jumped out of the car and hurried to the house. If anyone was watching—and he sincerely hoped they were—then maybe they’d think they’d better act fast. Grab him now before he left again.
Could they be waiting in the house? Or on the street?
Jensen forced himself not to look around as he reached the front door and let himself in. He closed the door behind him but didn’t lock it, then made for the kitchen. He hadn’t really had a plan, more a general idea.
And now—
A breeze ruffled the hair on his shoulders and he turned.
Only to have darkness swallow him.
Chapter Seven
Nica left the tiny bathroom attached to the bedroom and found Tanner sitting on the bed, tapping one foot to a beat only he heard.
An impatient beat if his expression was anything to go by.
His gaze snapped to hers and he stood, holding out his hand.
“Something’s going on with Jensen.
We need to go downstairs.”
Fear made her breath catch and she grabbed Tanner’s hand. “What is it?”
“I don’t know but I think he might have done something stupid. I think that’s what I’ve been feeling. We need to find him. Right now.”
She didn’t question as they hurried down the stairs, Tanner practically dragging her along after him. She didn’t care.
“Jensen!” he called out before he hit the first floor. “Jensen, where the hell are you?”
They didn’t find anyone in the front rooms and Nica’s anxiety ratcheted up another notch.
When they reached the kitchen, Nica already knew Sal wasn’t going to tell them anything good.
The salbinelli sat at the table, drinking a cup of coffee, watching as they stormed into the room.
Tanner stopped dead in the doorway and started to swear. “Son-of-a-fucking-bitch. Why the fuck did you let him leave?”
Sal lifted an eyebrow and took a sip of coffee. “I’m not his keeper. And neither are you. Jensen had a plan. A pretty decent one, if you ask me. Which he didn’t, by the way.”
Nica released Tanner’s hand and walked to the table, her heart pounding. “Where did he go, Sal?”
“He went home, hon.”
Sal said nothing else and she took a deep breath to stop the torrent of questions building in her brain. “Why did he leave, Sal? Why—”
“He went to flush them out.” Tanner’s quiet, furious voice made her stomach roll. “He left so they’d take him. So he could find out where your friend is being held. So he could play hero.”
“Actually,” Sal said, “he’s expecting you to find him. So you better get over your self-righteous bullshit fast and concentrate. You need to find Jensen.”
Her brow furrowed. “What are you talking about, Sal? How is Tanner supposed to find him?”
“Jesus Christ, he’s not serious.” Tanner’s shocked tone drew her attention away from Sal. She saw Tanner go white, saw the fear in his eyes. “He expects me to know where the hell he is, doesn’t he? To feel it. Fucking hell. I’m going to kill him.”
Nica began to understand what was going on but she knew Tanner was having a tough time. If they were going to find Jensen anytime soon, he needed to get with the program. And he needed her to help him.
Tanner could barely see straight, he was so pissed off and scared for Jensen. But his brother needed him to be strong. And so did she.
“Tanner.” She cupped his cheek and forced him to look into her eyes. “Tell me what’s going on. Just explain it to me so we can figure out what to do.”
Tanner started to shake his head but he kept his eyes focused on hers. As if he needed the connection. “When we were kids, we had a bond. We could pick up on each other’s thoughts, our feelings. If we went to the mall, we’d be able to find each other. I don’t know how to describe it. We just knew. They were like…flashes of images.”
“So you should be able to find him now?”
Shoving his hands through his hair, Tanner rolled his eyes and started to pace. “We haven’t done this for years. Literally fucking years. Damn him. I knew he was up to something—”
“Yes, you did.” She stepped in front of him, halting his agitated pacing, forcing him to look at her. “And that means you know where to find him now.”
And they had to. Fast. She couldn’t bear to think about Jensen being hurt, about Tira’s fear at being held against her will.
They’d lived such a sheltered life before they moved to the city a year ago, determined to have fun before their lives were co-opted by the boschetta. And now it was Nica’s fault her lover and her best friend were being held by a faceless enemy.
“No, it doesn’t.” Tanner practically spit the words out through his clenched jaw. “If he’d just told me what the hell he was planning, we might have been able to figure something out—”
“None of that matters now.” She held up both hands to stop his next words. “No, Tanner. All that matters now is your ability to find Jensen. And I think I can help with that.”
Blue eyes narrowed as he took that in. “How?”
“My healing gift relies on empathy, on feeling what other people feel. I think I can boost your ability to sense Jensen. Our feelings for him are strong and we should be able to find him faster. Together.”
“And when we find him, then what?”
“I have a friend we can call on to help with that. He’ll help us get Jensen and Tira back. But first, you need to find them. Only you can do that.”
A muscle in Tanner’s jaw started to tic. Lifting on her toes, she put her lips over it and kissed him, letting just a little hint of her power ease into him. She needed him to calm down so he could concentrate.
His arms immediately went around her, drawing her close. His heart beat against hers, his rhythm elevated. His heat seared into her skin, calming her as much as she wanted to calm him.
“Just so you know,” Tanner tugged on her hair until she tilted her face up to stare into his eyes, “I’m gonna beat the shit out of him when we’re done with this.”
She smiled up at him, knowing he’d never hurt Jensen. At least not permanently. “And I think you’re entitled. But let’s get him back first, okay? Him and Tira.”
“We will. But,” he shook his head, the worried look returning to his eyes, “it’s been a long time since I’ve done this.”
“Then let’s make sure you do it right.”
Taking his hand, she drew him back through the house to the front room. Sal trailed along, silent except for the clop of his hooves on the hardwood floors.
She pointed Tanner at the couch and sat next to him.
“I’m gonna give Cam de Feo a call,” Sal said as he stopped in the doorway behind them. “See if he’s free to give us a hand or if he can send Antonin.”
Sal disappeared, back to the kitchen, she assumed, as Tanner met and held her gaze.
“Give me your hands,” she said.
He reached out and took hers. Tension radiated through him like electricity. If he didn’t calm down, he’d never find Jensen.
Moving fast, she straddled his lap and kissed him with enough heat to take his mind off what he had to do. He responded immediately, opening his mouth to let her tongue duel with his. Instantaneous heat flared, tempered only slightly by their combined fear.
The man who’d attacked them the other night had nearly killed Jensen. Would he decide Jensen was a liability that needed to be disposed of? Had he walked into a deadly trap?
They had to get to him now.
As they kissed, she felt Tanner relax, and let her senses open to what he was feeling. Her Goddess Gift gave her the ability to heal the body but it also gave her a sense of what the other person was feeling and thinking.
Tanner was thinking about Jensen.
No, that wasn’t quite right.
He was thinking at Jensen. Calling out to him mentally. Searching for him.
It was like no magic Nica had ever experienced. And she wasn’t even sure if magic was the right word. It was more like a sense, like touch or taste, but one he rarely used.
As she kissed him, and as he kissed her back, he let that sense loose, as if he’d been reining it in for so long he had to remember how to work it.
Afraid to break away for fear of breaking his concentration, she focused on comfort rather than arousal, distraction rather than attraction.
And sank deeper into Tanner’s mind than she’d thought possible, connected with him in the same way she’d connected with Jensen when she’d healed him only two nights ago.
She saw Tanner’s thoughts, caught impressions of his awful childhood, the hatred he still carried for his father, so deeply embedded it tainted every memory of his mother with its stain. She wanted to cry at the anguish he still carried for his mom’s death, for being unable to stop the beatings Jensen had endured.
She caught no hint of self-pity for his own injuries inflicted by his father, only a powerfu
l drive to be a better man, to be strong and stable and enjoy whatever life had to offer. And running beneath that, she felt Jensen.
The bond between them almost felt like a rubber band, elastic yet unbreakable, strong and pliable. That bond resided in Tanner just as her arus lived in her.
Tanner broke away with an indrawn breath. “Jesus.”
Blinking into his wide eyes, Nica knew he’d found him.
“Where?”
“Christ.” Tanner shook his head as if to clear it then closed his eyes to concentrate. “He must be in the city, within a couple of miles. Don’t ask me how I know, I just do. He’s close enough that I can feel him. Jesus, it’s like a string that he’s tugging on. I even know the direction to go. I can’t see where he is but when we get close, I’ll know.”
Tanner stood, lifting her easily along with him and setting her on her feet. “Let’s go.”
“Tanner, wait.” She laid her hand on his arm, knowing he wasn’t going to like what she had to say. “We need help. You’re not equipped to deal with the people we’re going up against.”
He stiffened beneath her arm and his expression hardened into a determined mask, though he wouldn’t meet her eyes. “I’m going.”
“I know. We need you to go, Tanner. But we also need help. The man who took Tira and Jensen nearly killed him the other night. With magic. You don’t have magic to defend yourself against him.”
She stared up at him, willing him to look at her. “Please. I would be devastated if anything happened to you or Jensen. Please don’t make this harder than it’s already going to be.”
Tanner stared at the wall in front of him, feeling Nica’s warm hand on his arm, hearing the real fear in her voice.
She was afraid he’d be hurt. That he couldn’t protect himself.
And damned if she wasn’t right.
He remembered how the man had nearly killed Jensen by flicking his fingers at him. By putting a spell on his brother and stopping his heart.
Neither he nor Jensen had any defense against that. Hell, Nica was better equipped to save his brother than he was.
And that sucked. It fucking sucked ass and made Tanner’s blood boil.
Seduced by Two Page 11
