I stand perfectly still even though my insides are quivering in anticipation. “Think you can speed up the process?” Just one bite. That’s all I need. I angle my head, giving him access to his favorite spot. Total junkie.
One fang scrapes against my neck. Much to my chagrin, he pulls away without piercing my skin.
I’ll lure him back lickety-split. I finish unbuttoning his jeans and skim my finger along the edge of his briefs. His abs contract beneath my touch. I slowly trace the definition of his muscles with my index finger. “You are a man of few words tonight.”
“Words aren’t always needed.”
True.
Keller picks me up and carries me to the bed. If I were magickal, we’d totally be naked already. Instead, he tortures me by deliberately pulling off my jeans at a snail’s pace. The material slides against my sensitive skin. I moan.
His hands still. “Pain?”
I shake my head. “Pleasure.”
The jeans come completely off in the next second. His follow suit, and he arranges my hair to fan out on the pillow before stretching out next to me. Long fingers trail over my stomach. Fire builds inside me, licking, teasing, wanting more. I lace my fingers through his hair and pull his mouth to mine. He tastes like ice and mint. Teasing me with light feathery strokes of his tongue, Keller pulls away when I take it deeper. I slide my leg over his and push him onto his back. He wants to take this slow, but I’m not sure I can wait.
He had me at ice cream. He broke me with Arranna. I sit astride him and unhook my bra. Sliding it off one arm and then the next, I stare into his dark eyes. “Thank you.”
Reaching up, he drags a knuckle across my collarbone. “For what?”
A tremor runs through me that has nothing to do with the temperature of the room. “For seeing me.”
Two strong hands gently grab my hair. He wraps the fiery locks around his fists and slowly pulls me to him. Keller’s mouth is but a breath away from mine. “I only see you, Josie.” He nips my bottom lip. “It’s always been that way.” A kiss, so soft it almost doesn’t exist. “It will always be.” He releases my hair, slides one hand between our bodies, and latches onto the back of my neck with the other, possessing, enticing. “Understand?”
I am utterly speechless and close to tears. No witty retorts. No snark. No arguing. I’ve got nothing. All I can do is nod and hope he knows how much he truly means to me.
I do. One of these days the words will tumble from your lips easily. No more thinking. No more running. I live for that day. Yes. I live for it.
I don’t know how to just be. I’ve spent my entire life proving myself—proving I’m good enough, strong enough, smart enough…enough. My guard is up, strong and sound like an impenetrable fortress. Demolishing those walls would be changing all I know. Until now, I’ve never run across another being I’m willing to change for. I have to show Keller how I feel. It’s wrong that he so freely offers his heart while I hold mine hostage, always worrying that it’s too much—that he’s too much. He’s right. One day I will be able to do it. Right now…I kiss him deeply, moaning against his velvet tongue. I nearly burst when his hand slips beneath my panties and he strokes me with deft fingers, one, then two. I need him inside me. Jumping off the bed, I wiggle out of my lacy scrap of nothing and rip off his briefs. I’m seriously out of control right now, and I don’t care.
Crawling up his body, I lick every inch of Keller I encounter. Smooth skin covers sinewy muscle that shifts and hardens beneath my tongue. Keller fists the sheets and throws his head back onto the pillow with a low growl. That won’t last long. He’ll want to watch what I’m about to do. I grip his length in my hand, and as if on cue, Keller sits up, supporting his weight with his forearms. I wait until I’m certain I have his undivided attention, and slide my tongue from the base to the crown. I love the way his jaw clenches tighter with each and every lick.
“I need you.”
I smile at his brusque tone. “You’ve got me, Irish. I’m completely yours.”
I climb farther up his body until my core is centered over his hips. Pulling my bottom lip between my teeth, I ease my body onto his, taking him slowly, sweetly. Keller growls again and reverses our position.
Dark eyes glittering hungrily, he cups my breasts with his strong hands. I arch my back. Lowering his head, he feasts, sampling, suckling, nipping. I feel a sting of pain when he drags his teeth over my nipple. Still, I arch higher, wanting more. His tongue is like fire, his breath ice. I nearly explode from the combination. I slide my fingers through his hair and grip tight to root myself to this place, this moment, this man.
Keller licks away the pain before he nails me with a look so intense, I swear he’s about to possess my soul. Sweat instantly dots my flesh until I feel like a schizophrenic on the edge. That feeling I’ve grown so accustomed to where Keller is concerned has taken up permanent residence, and is about to purchase the entire block. Doubt. One moment I’m all in, the next I’m clawing my way from the bottom of a dark pit. Can I do this? Can I be who he needs to be? Is it enough? Am I enough?
He drags a knuckle across my cheek, sweeping my hair to the side. “Don’t,” he whispers.
I still, almost forgetting to breathe. What I do here is important. But his eyes. That look. His gaze never waivers, just bores into me until I’m certain all my hopes and fears are exposed, decorating the walls of this horrid apartment. He sees too much. My eyes flutter closed, blocking out the source of my bout of insecurity. I need to say something. I can’t. My lips are sealed tighter than security at the White House. What is wrong with me?
“Turn it off, Josephine.” He kisses my cheek, one side, then the next. My eyelids, my forehead. “Turn it off.”
“I can’t.” My words are barely audible, so quiet I’m not sure I’ve even spoken aloud.
I finally get my brave on and open my eyes, only to find Keller’s are closed. He’s grappling for control and it’s completely my fault.
His body is rigid with tension—sexual and emotional, I’m sure. Without warning, he eases inside me, filling me with one smooth stroke. The motion is almost like a sigh. “Do you want this, Josie?”
I nod and arch to meet him. If my crazy-ass mind would shut the hell up, Keller and I would be a lot happier.
Biting my ear, he asks, “Do you want us?” He thrusts hard.
Gods. “Yes.” Yes. Yes. Yes.
He thrusts deep before stopping completely, and runs his tongue across the tips of his fangs. My brows are drawn, my body aches like I have a million fiery splinters poking my skin and ice shards lacing my blood. I shiver.
“Yes?”
I nod again. Over and over I nod.
“Then shut it the feck off.”
I do. I push all the thoughts away, letting them leak into the air until they burst apart and vanish. I turn my mind completely off—level zero—and do nothing but feel.
“Very good.” Keller smoothes a hand over my stomach, circling my navel with leisurely strokes. “Now you’re ready.”
Ready and practically humming.
Keller moves again, torturing me with the exquisite moves of his rock-hard body. I can scarcely breathe, too caught up in the sensations he evokes with each slow pivot and thrust. My body reacts of its own accord, grinding against him feverishly.
I pull him closer, needing his kiss so badly I swear my lips are throbbing. He doesn’t deny me…he never will. Our tongues dance, duel, caress, and tangle. Low groans surround us and I’m not sure if they’re coming from my vampire or me.
Keller slides his hands under my ass and presses me to him. He drives into me until I’m screaming and panting, pushing me to the precipice only to slow, when all I want to do is tumble over and free-fall.
“Let me have it, Irish.” I’m practically begging.
“Patience, Miss Hawk.”
Patience? I grab his ass and pull him back down. “Don’t you know me at all?”
Spreading my thighs even wider, he says, “I kno
w you very well. Perhaps better than you know yourself.”
For the next several minutes—possibly hours—long, drugging strokes fill me until my entire body aches, craving release, desperate for the spiral. He senses my need and teases me with his thumb. My bones melt and I sink into the mattress as ecstasy builds, mounding with each circle and thrust until I explode. I literally see stars behind my closed eyes. Keller keeps the torturous pace, wringing every last breath from me.
I’m a pile of blissful mush, but not so much that I’m ready to stop. I crook my finger in a come-hither motion. Keller smiles. I don’t have to ask twice. This is my favorite part. Licking the sensitive flesh below my ear to ready me, he slides his hand up my body until his palm rests on my cheek. I turn and bite at his thumb. He chuckles low and I love the sound. I want to hear it again, hear it until his laugh drowns out all the darkness in my mind.
With one finger, he turns my face to his. “I can take it away.”
I blink. Even though I’d turned it off—shut it the fuck down—Keller had still heard me.
“I can take your darkness and give you hope. You have only to let me in. You are the bravest woman I know. Yet you’re afraid of us—afraid of what we can be. I don’t understand it, but I understand you. All I ask is that you understand me as well.”
Don’t I? I know he wants forever, but damn it, there are no forevers. Why can’t he just take today? Tomorrow? I can give him that. “I do understand you.”
He shakes his head. “You don’t. Not well. If you’ll let me, I’ll show you everything.”
Before I can respond, Keller sinks his fangs into my neck. Rapture rockets through my system. I shudder. My lids fall closed and I tug him closer, willing him to take all he needs. I cross my legs and squirm. Keller pries them apart and pleases me with his hand. I’m spiraling again—spiraling with each pull on my neck. In moments like this, I see everything so clearly. I see beyond tomorrow and the next tomorrow and the next.
I shatter against his hand, pulling on his hair in an attempt to fuse us forever. I can’t be without him. I can’t.
Keller seals his bite with two slow licks, and tucks my body against his in spoon fashion. He brushes my hair off my shoulder. “Now you’re starting to understand. You are mine, Huntress Josephine Hawk. Mine.”
Chapter Sixteen
One of my favorite parts of the day is standing in the doorway of my bar, soaking up the good-feel vibe, carefully taking count of every patron, human and non-human alike. It’s the one time of day when I shed all my worries. Wolfie’s is busy again. Not quite as packed as last night, but it’s still a bit on the early side. This bodes well for the summer season, which really hasn’t even kicked into full swing yet.
Aside from drug-dealing pixies, all is well in my world. Keller and I are okay again. Better than okay, but I’m not going to push my luck by deeming us shackled at the hips. I’m all caught up on sleep, and I even took the time to stop by one of my favorite spots to grab some fries and wings on my way here. See? It’s a good, good day.
Cool air blasts through the vents. Good ol’ Sage must have called a real repairman. Thank God for small favors. After three rounds of sheet dancing with Keller, my blood is simmering like grilled lava on a bed of hot coals. I couldn’t even bring myself to wear leggings under my tutu. Hot pants, black toile, and red cowboy boots. As always, my shirt covers my waistline and therefore the blade tucked inside. Gotta love it.
Some of our regular clientele are mixing with the tourists. Everyone has at least one drink in hand. Mad respect for the two-fisters. Woven in here and there are a couple of shifters, a berserker who blends in about as well as a cheetah in an ant farm, and that same smoldering phoenix dressed head to toe in blood red and fiery orange. Hopefully she can keep her flames contained. I can’t imagine how I’d explain hot –fire-on-a-sex-stick away.
The band is playing some Bocephus. That’s always a sure way to get people up and dancing. I glance at the picture of Hank Williams Jr. that’s hanging on the wall next to his daddy’s, and nod my head in tribute as my hips sway to the beat. The same blond woman from yesterday is twisting and gyrating against anyone and everyone on the dance floor, and unfortunately, stumbling over her own feet. She looks to be on the far side of sloshed. I signal the waitress and discretely slide one finger across my throat. The waitress nods in understanding. The blond has officially been cut off. I watch her closely to determine if I need to ask her to have a seat. Annoying other dancers is a big no-no. She’s wearing a bright yellow dress that swirls around her thighs as she spins from one cowboy to the next. One moment her head is thrown back in laughter. The next she’s swiping tears from her eyes and picking invisible lint off the sleeves of her dress. Ah, yes…the lovely stages of drunkeness.
As I lift the corner of the counter to get behind the bar, she clumsily exits the dance floor and makes her way through the crowd, stumbling and looking a little green around the gills. She scratches her arms furiously like she’s being attacked by killer mosquitoes. Any second now, she’ll be tossing her cookies and I’ll be the one cleaning up the mess. I breathe a sigh of relief when she pushes her way through the bathroom door at the back of the bar. At least the patrons won’t have to witness the disaster.
Picking up a towel, I wipe down the wet drink rings from the bar and wait for her to come back out so I can give her a bottle of water and call a cab to take her home—or to her hotel, whichever the case may be.
A long, high-pitched scream rolls through the room like the shrill whistle of the death train. Heads whip toward the back of the room. The band fumbles with their instruments and looks to me for instruction. I hold up a finger, swirling it in the air in a signal for them to continue. Without missing another beat, they pick up exactly where they left off.
Another scream, this one so full of fear the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, has me jumping over the bar and dashing toward the bathroom, swiftly moving through the gathering crowd as politely as my nerves will allow. My heart is pounding in my throat by the time my feet hit the tile of the bathroom floor.
Two women with wide eyes and shaking hands that cover their open mouths step back, repeatedly swearing they have no idea what happened. They move out of the way and offer me a front row seat to the freak show. The blonde is sprawled on the floor, her body twisted at an odd angle, blood oozing from her mouth and nose.
Shit.
I step closer and crouch next to the body. Turning my head, I move my ear close to her open mouth. No air hits me. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I know she’s dead, but I place two fingers against the pulse point on her neck anyway. Nothing. What the hell happened here? Did she fall and crack her head? Why the bloody nose? I take a deep breath and examine her body, turning her head this way and that. Instantly I spot the tiny flecks of blue under her nose. The overhead lights make the glittering dust shine and sparkle, taunting me. Anger seethes beneath my skin like a poisonous snake, sinking his dripping fangs into my heart, pumping his venom into my blood, branding me, taking over until I feel as though I’ll either explode or become catatonic.
What’s going on, Josie?
Sirens ring in the distance. Someone has called the cops. Or an ambulance. Either way…what a fucking mess. I can deal with death as long as it’s of the supernatural kind.
Damn it, Josie! What’s happening?
I‘m not ignoring you. Dying humans, not so much. I start chest compressions. Not in my city and definitely not inside Wolfie’s. I’ll be damned if tonight will be a first. I’m trying to figure this out.
Your heart is pounding madly. Are you hurt?
No. I’m pissed. One. Two. Three. I push hard just above her sternum. Her body bounces beneath my weight. I’m fine. She’s fucking dead, Keller. Humans are so fragile. This one looks like a fractured porcelain doll with her pale skin and blonde hair pooling around her head. Where is she from? A resident? A tourist? None of that matters. What matters is that she is gone and someone, somewhere, is never going
to be the same.
Who is dead?
Four. Five. Six. People are standing behind me. Watching. Crowding. Gawking at the freaking-out bartender and the bleeding corpse. Their whispers sound like screams in my head. I can’t contain the frustrated bellow that spills past my lips. “Give me room!” Several pair of boots shuffle back.
Feck it, Josie. I’m coming there.
I suck in a sharp breath. What? No. You can’t! Seven. Eight. Nine. Harder and harder, I thrust my fists against her chest until I’m all but beating her to death. I hear several ribs crack. Come on!
I’m coming.
No. I wasn’t talking to you.
Run upstairs to the office and make sure the shutters are closed tight.
He’s lost his mind. No. You can’t come here. It’s daytime, Keller. Don’t be stupid.
Those windows better be feckin’ sealed.
I don’t like his tone. He isn’t being fair. I can’t worry about him and the dead woman.
“Step aside.”
I recognize Bruce’s voice. I go months without seeing him, and now twice in the same amount of days. My world is quickly crumbling into a pile of hot shit. I’m sucked back in time, standing over my mother’s grave. The wind blows my hair across my face. My father’s hand clutches mine as he kneels next to the plot. His other hand combs the grass as if he truly believes he’s caressing my mother’s back. The others stand in the background. Always lurking. Always seeking answers.
Josie!
Keller’s growl pulls me out of my toxic reverie. I give up on the CPR. It’s not working anyway. I shove past the spectators and come face to face with Bruce and about four other officers, along with two paramedics carrying a stretcher. I shake my head at Bruce’s questioning eyes and sprint past them and up the stairs, ignoring all their shouts of protest. Once inside my office, I practically fly to the corner of the room, slam the shutters closed and lock them.
“Are you all right?”
I spin and bump into Keller’s chest. He grips my arms to steady me. “You shouldn’t be here. You could have…” Burned? Died? I wrap my arms around him and hold tight. “She’s dead. Dead. Dead. Dead.”
Dark Secrets: A Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 141
