by V. A. Dold
With his wolf and libido once again under his control, he considered her thoughts. How was he going to get her alone, and once he had her alone, how the hell did he tell her how much she meant to him and what he was?
If only his brain cells functioned around the gorgeous bounty hunter. He couldn’t blame his deficiency on her beauty alone. Hell, no. She had an amazing mind and personality to go with her looks. How had he gotten so lucky?
And when she kissed him, he was completely screwed. His brain clocked out, closed up shop, and said adios amigos. It was a blessing he hadn’t tripped over a chair in the lobby or walked into a wall. At the rate he was going, he would be wearing a hazard sign by the end of the day.
He needed to focus. If he didn’t look at her and concentrated on where Qball was, he might make it back to his hotel room without the addition of the hazard sign. But damn, he liked looking at her.
*****
Nearing the automatic doors, they joined others coming and going. It was easy to see Qball wasn’t among them. Besides, there were officers everywhere. The hotel was more heavily guarded than Fort Knox. She knew because she’d spoken with every police officer on the scene and informed them that Qball was posing as a cop. They’d told her they would be processing the scene and hanging around through the night in the hopes of apprehending him. It was obvious with so many officers milling around Qball wasn’t going to come near the hotel again tonight.
“He’s gone… for now anyway,” Piper sighed. “I don’t know about you, but I need a drink.”
“Yeah. I could use one, too.”
“I’m going to change out of this dress. Do you want to meet me in the bar?”
“Sure, I’ll get us a table.”
“Great, I’ll only be a minute.” She left him outside the bar and hurried to the elevators.
During the walk back to the bar, Piper lectured herself. No more kissing! She would stay strong and keep Richie at arm’s length. This was just two people having a stiff drink after a near death experience. Nothing more. Until Qball was apprehended anything remotely resembling romance was downright dangerous. She had no business considering ideas like if he’d called her his girlfriend or going out on dates for that matter. Piper nodded to herself, she would be brave and avoid forming an attachment to the smoking hot Cajun. For now anyway.
A short five minutes later she had just taken her seat when he took her hand.
His eyes searched her face. “Penny for your thoughts.”
“What?” She blinked in surprise. Did he know she’d been thinking about him... them… whatever?
“You seemed very far away and in deep thought. Care to share?”
“Not really.” Despite her intention to maintain an emotional distance from Richie, she found herself smiling and playing along with him.
“You have a great smile. You should wear it more often,” Richie teased.
“Thank you. You have a nice smile, too. But it’s way too distracting.” And dang it, she couldn’t stop herself from gazing into his smiling, twinkling brown eyes, either. Richie was like a decadent chocolate set before her that she couldn’t resist. His impish grin and amused expression set her at ease. Too much at ease. Dangerously at ease. She had no defenses against this man.
He chuckled softly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
The waitress delivered their drinks saving Piper from having to respond.
Richie took a sip of his and set it on the table. “So, do you have any idea where Qball got off to?”
“Not a clue. He’s a wily one, that’s for sure. I’ll feel better once the wedding party leaves the hotel. He’s notorious for the perverse pleasure he gets from targeting the people around the person he’s pursuing and I want my family out of harm’s way.”
Richie seemed to consider that for a minute. “If you were to leave the hotel, do you think he would follow you?”
Yes. But not something he necessarily needed to know. If she told Richie that, he’d follow her. She knew it all the way to her bones. But he was staring at her, reading her, waiting for a reply. Did she tell the truth? She’d have to fudge it, he would be safer that way.
“Maybe, maybe not.” She shrugged, suddenly very interested in her cocktail.
Richie tipped his head back and barked out a laugh. Heaven help her, she was officially doomed. Laughter looked good on him. Really, really good.
“You don’t lie very well.”
“Good to know.” She scowled still not looking at him.
They sipped their drinks staring at each other. Piper knew she was in trouble when the amusement in his gaze morphed into something hotter, a lot hotter. Determinedly, she fought her own heated response.
She needed to stay strong. Silently she ordered her body to behave. She meant to sit back, to lean away from the temptation across the table. So, why was she suddenly leaning closer to the sexy man?
She watched like a deer caught in headlights as Richie leaned in, not stopping until their breath mingled, and heat surged through her body, waking all her female senses from the tight grip she’d held them in.
Dang it! She was toast. She might as well wave the white flag because she’d lost the battle good and proper.
Just when she thought it couldn’t get any worse, his gaze dropped to her lips. Her breath hitched in her throat and she stopped breathing altogether. Holy hell. Her entire body started to quiver in anticipation of touching him. Everywhere. Naked. Again.
Something in the back of her mind pushed and elbowed its way to the surface. She knew it was what little was left of her common sense warning her to save herself while she still had a chance. Getting involved while Qball was on the loose was irresponsible and reckless. She just needed to get her body onboard with her mind.
She shouldn’t be doing this. But dammit all to hell, deep down, she’d never wanted anything as badly as she wanted this man.
Richie wanted, no he needed, to kiss this woman. He glanced around the bar, this was not the place for what he wanted to do. Before he could suggest they retire to his room, Piper had another round coming. Each time her glass was empty someone in the bar bought her another one. The bar was full of wedding guests and everyone wanted to buy her a drink tonight.
She gave him an apologetic look and sipped the drinks slowly. “I’m sorry, about this. I’ll just drink them really slow and avoid anyone sending another one to the table.”
Two hours later, Richie and Piper still sat in the bar as Piper slowly sipped the last of the drinks. She’d only had three, but it was evident she wasn’t a drinker and she was a little tipsy. Richie was trying to figure out how to get her out of the bar and upstairs to her room when Piper started getting friendly. Very friendly.
Around the second drink, Piper had moved from across the table to a chair next to him. Not that he was complaining, but he wasn’t the type of man to take advantage of a woman.
Piper finished her drink and giggled, scooting closer. At this rate, if someone sent one more drink to the table she’d be giving him a lap dance. She batted her eyes and ran her hand down his chest, then proceeded further south.
Richie sucked in a breath. Thinking became a problem. A whopper of a problem. He needed to get her to bed before he did something both he and Piper would regret. She’d never forgive him if he acted on his desire regardless that she was the one pursuing him.
Fighting both his wolf and his need, he grabbed her wandering hand and went to place it in her lap. Then he thought better of it and retained possession of her roving fingers. She’d stretched his self-control to its limits. It was best to maintain possession of her hand. Who knows, she might go for his belt buckle next, and then he’d be a goner.
When she frowned, and glanced from their clasped hands to his face, he almost gave in to temptation. Taking a deep breath, he cupped her face with his free hand and brushed her cheek with his thumb.
“Cher, please believe me, it’s not that I don’t want you more than anything in the wo
rld, but you’re in no condition to be doing this right now. When I make love to you again, it will be because you want me as much as I want you, not because your inhibitions are down.
She grinned and blinked her big blue eyes at him. “So you do want to make love to me again?”
“Hell, yes.”
“Even though I’m a bounty hunter and might get you killed?”
“Sweetheart, you’re not going to get me killed. If anything, I’m the one who is going to keep you safe.”
“Sure I am. Qball’s not only dangerous, but downright insane. That’s a deadly combination even if you’re a professional like I am. Besides, look.” She took the hand he was holding hers with and placed it on her left breast. “Feel that? Those are throwing knives. I’m covered in weapons. If you skulk around following me when I’m hunting him, I might mistakenly stick you with one of these. And that’s if he doesn’t kill you first.” Piper sighed unhappily. “You really should stay away from me.”
Chapter 7
Goddess give me strength! Her warm, supple breast was too much to withstand. He wasn’t made of stone, dammit. The day had been trying for both himself and his wolf. Denying the desires of his mate was going to kill him. The confounding woman wasn’t helping matters, pressing his palm against her hardened nipple. She’d finally pushed him to his limit and one step over. No more fighting the need. At least to a limited extent, he was a gentleman after all.
“Woman, you’re testing my resolve. I’m trying to respect you and you’re not helping matters,” he said, tracing her lower lip with the pad of his thumb, watching her eyes round as he pulled her lips to his. “I’d love to strip you naked and worship you the way you deserve, Piper. Please, help me be the man you deserve and stop tempting me,” he whispered against her lips.
“Y-you want me naked?”
“Oh yeah. More than you can imagine.” He continued to kiss her softly, forcing himself to not deepen the kiss. “And you know what else?”
“What?” she gasped
He brushed his fingers down the length of her neck and wrapped his hand around her nape. “When I finished tasting every inch of you…I’m going to make love to you so thoroughly, you’ll forget every man you’ve ever known.”
She trembled and whimpered, the sound fraying the little resolve he’d held onto.
Son-of-a-bitch. That was it. He’d surpassed his limit. Richie slammed his lips down on hers and devoured her mouth like a starved man. Piper moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him as frantically as he kissed her. Her palm was a hot brand against his skin and she had the other in his hair. Tongues tangoed and danced, as they tasted each other’s sweetness.
A throat loudly cleared next to their table ending his loss of control.
“Maybe you guys should get a room?” Billie stood inches from them, hands on hips with the biggest grin Richie had ever seen on her face.
Richie blushed and put space between himself and Piper. Then he sucked in a long shaky breath. Damn, that was close.
“You’re right, I shouldn’t have done that.”
Billie glanced around the bar. “I’m looking for Helen. Have you seen her?”
“Sorry, cher. I haven’t seen any of you gals. I’d keep an eye out for them, but we’re just getting ready to call it a night.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll check the restaurant. Maybe she’s there. Goodnight you two.”
Piper and Richie wished Billie goodnight and left the bar. They didn’t speak all the way to her room. Piper took a deep breath, open the door, and waved Richie inside. She took a seat on the end of her bed as Richie triple locked the door. When he turned, he looked more like an animal stalking her than the gentleman he’d been all night.
She raised a hand to silence him before he could speak. “I would like to apologize for my behavior, I’m sorry.”
“There’s no reason to be sorry, cher. But I must admit I enjoyed your behavior, more than I should have. I don’t make a habit of taking advantage of a woman who’s been drinking.”
“Yeah, sorry about that, too. I guess I should have turned down the drinks. I was trying to not be rude. Dealing with this hunt in the middle of a family wedding is throwing me for a loop.”
“I can understand that. From what you’ve told me, your bounties don’t normally come after you.”
Piper’s shoulders sagged. “That’s putting it mildly. Usually they try to lay low and draw as little attention as possible.”
“So, what’s your plan of action?”
Piper sighed heavily. “A good night’s sleep and then try to pick up his trail in the morning.” She seemed to consider saying more when she looked him directly in the eye and asked, “So, what is a mate exactly?”
Richie’s eyes widened. “That’s quite a subject change.” He joined her at the end of the bed and took a minute to collect his thoughts. “What I’m about to tell you is pretty far out there. Are you sure you want to talk about this tonight?”
“Now that you’ve said that, there is no way I’ll sleep a wink unless you explain yourself.”
“Fair enough. But you must promise to hear me out and not scream or freak out. We’re in a public place and if you scream someone is going to call 911.”
Piper eyed him warily and he felt her reach for her thigh holster. He hadn’t even said anything and he was scaring her.
He bent his head and closed his eyes. How to begin?
As he sat trying to figure out what to say, his animal soul hopped around like an excited pup. Maybe he should start with the subject of telepathy and her gift? With his course set he raised his head. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Piper slumped against his shoulder, sound asleep. Thank Goddess! He had at least tonight to figure out what he was going to say the next time she asked. And he knew without a doubt, there would be a next time. He also knew, he didn’t have much time before she demanded answers.
Richie grinned; even asleep she was adorable, although she looked mighty uncomfortable. He slid one arm behind her neck and the other under her knees and lifted her to his chest. Damn, she felt good in his arms. Reluctantly, he laid her head on the pillow and pulled the covers over her.
Straightening, he gazed at her longingly. He didn’t want to leave, but he couldn’t crawl into bed with her either. That was when he caught sight of the notepad next to the bed. He wrote her a quick note, kissed her gently and turned out the light as he headed for his own room.
The Next Morning
Piper moaned and clutched her head. It felt like an entire drum line was banging around in her brain. When she rolled to bury her face in the pillow a crunching noise stopped her short. Carefully, she cracked one eye open. A sheet of paper from the hotel notepad was stuck to her.
She shook her arm until she managed to dislodge the note, then pulled the covers over her head. Just as she released a sigh of relief a loud knocking sounded at her door.
“Go away, I have a gun and I’ll use it,” she mumbled into her pillow.
“Ah, cher. You wouldn’t shoot me, would you?” Richie tried to keep the smile from his voice.
Piper groaned. “Just go away and leave me to die in peace.”
“No can do. I have the cure for your agony in my hot little hands as we speak. I promise, you’ll be happy you let me in if you open the door.”
Richie pressed his lips together to suppress his grin. He could hear loud grumbles and complaints as she unlocked the door.
Cracking it open she narrowed her eyes on him. “What do you want, evil man?”
“Here.” He handed her a glass of brownish liquid. “Drink it all, and if I may suggest, you might want to plug your nose while you do it.”
Piper eyed the concoction suspiciously. “What’s in it?” She took a sniff and pulled her head back. “OH, hell, no!”
“Trust me, I’m a bartender. This will cure what ails you.”
Piper studied him, scowling fiercely. “If this kills me, I’ll haunt your ass forever.”
/> Her suspicions rose when Richie bit his lip and struggled not to laugh.
“Go on. Drink it.”
One last squinty scowl his direction and she plugged her nose, then downed the entire glass in one gulp. “ACK! That’s nasty!” she snatched the hem of his white T-shirt and wiped her tongue with it. Sputtering and gagging she allowed Richie to push her toward the bathroom. Without a word he ran a glass of cold water and handed it to her.
“Here, swish and spit, it’ll help.”
Piper latched onto the glass with both hands like it was a life raft and she was a Titanic survivor bobbing in the ocean. Several swish and spits later and the color returned to her cheeks.
“Better?” He chuckled, grinning ear to ear.
Piper frowned and shook her head. “Better. What the hell was in that shit and who came up with the concoction in the first place?”
Richie helped her to the bed and sat next to her. His eyes still dancing with amusement. “It’s an old family remedy. If I told you what was in it, I’d have to kill you.”
“Yeah, right. Next time I have more than one mixed drink, shoot me. It’ll be less painful.”
“How about, next time I give you something more pleasurable to distract you from a bad day?”
“Like what?” Piper eyed him suspiciously again.
“Me, of course.”
She laughed so hard she actually snorted. “Full of yourself much?”
“No, just stating the facts, ma’am.” He pretended to straighten a nonexistent collar.
“Hmm.” She pursed her twitching lips to keep from laughing. “So, Richie, what brings you to my neck of the woods. And don’t tell me you just wanted to bring me a drink from hell.”
“Well, that and I’m here for our breakfast date.”
“What breakfast date?”
“Didn’t you see my note?” He looked around for the slip of paper.
