“Oh,” was all I could say as I stared at him. I had to process.
“I should not be here now, I know, but it seems like you are part of this world. My world now and I cannot keep you out. I cannot deny what I feel for you. Kissing you like that yesterday… oh my god the kiss was amazing. I have never felt something, anything even close to the feelings I felt yesterday…never before…with anyone. It was more than hunger, more than mere desire. It was… Then last night, seeing you with that cop…I wanted to kill him. I felt like he was touching what was mine!”
He said mine with such vehemence it startled me.
He looked up at me almost embarrassed. “I know I have no right to feel this way, but I do. I am sorry.” He looked down at the floor again, his vampire pale cheeks flushed.
I should have been flat out thrilled the hottest vampire in the world was claiming me as his, especially since I had made my most important mission in life to seduce him, but… this whole situation was a bit off. I knew he wasn’t responsible for the murders but someone very badly wanted it to look that way and someone obviously was trying to hurt Galen as much as possible in the process. I wasn’t sure if I should…or could, put myself in the middle of it.
But when I looked at Galen standing there, such a big, powerful immortal vampire looking like a lost puppy, my heart melted. I wrapped myself around him in a big hug.
He kissed me gently. “Thank you, Anwyn, thank you for believing in me and accepting me. We will take this slow; I just needed to know for sure you are on my side.”
I nodded my head yes and kissed him again trying to deepen the connection, but he pulled away and walked out the door.
I stood staring at the now empty spot in front of me, more confused than ever.
Chapter 12
I pulled myself together as much as I could and made my way to the police station to meet with Malone.
After our encounter the night before, I wasn’t sure what to expect from him and I wasn’t exactly thrilled to have to see him right after the weird exchange with Galen. If Malone was an Other he would smell Galen all over me—thank Goddess he was just human. Hopefully that would lessen the possibility of another embarrassing scenario happening between us.
On a normal day, I never knew what to expect from Malone, whatever he did usually left me blushing or angry.
I walked into the little building situated directly behind the main building for the Flint Police Department. It housed the P.I.T Crew. As usual the station stank of bad coffee, criminals and disinfectant. Yuck. Why couldn’t we do something to magickally get the odor out of here?
Thankfully Malone’s office didn’t stink, it never smelled of anything other than coffee and what I now recognized as his personal scent…and he smelled damn good.
He looked up from his desk. A big mischievous grin spread across his face. “Well, hello, Annie girl. How are you today? Sleep well?”
Bastard. No, I did not sleep well, I kept dreaming about him all damn night. His delightful aroma, his big strong arms…his amazing kisses.
But it didn’t matter because we were co-workers, and I was with Galen. At least, I thought I was now officially with Galen.
My musings must have been all over my face because Malone’s smile got even bigger. Damn, someday I really needed to learn how to do that whole cop-face thing all the guys on the crew could do so well.
His voice came out as a soft rumble when he leaned over the desk and said, “I slept like a baby last night…after I jerked myself senseless thinking about your luscious tits and what I would have done with them if you hadn’t have broken the spell.”
I gasped and knew I turned about ten shades of red.
He sat back and laughed a deep rumbling sound making goose bumps pop out all over my body and parts south of the belt tighten with need.
No matter how much making out I had done in the past couple days I hadn’t made it past second base. A girl in need before all the make-out sessions had started, and now I was all hormones and walking want.
“Don’t worry, Annie, I won’t be going after you again unless someone casts another spell on us…or you ask me to.”
“I can assure you that I do not want you to paw at me again,” I retorted, even though my body screamed otherwise.
“You sure about that? You look a little flushed and in need. And you know cops like me are always ready to help a woman in need. We live for the whole damsel in distress thing. I would love nothing more than to save you, Annie.” His blue eyes twinkled and his sensuous lips curved into a naughty smile.
“I don’t need saving,” I said and turned to leave.
I heard his chair scrape. “Hold on Anwyn, I’m just messing with you.” I heard him sigh. “We need to talk about last night. About the spell. The who and why behind it.”
I turned around moving back toward his desk cautiously as he walked over to the door and closed it.
“I’m sorry I give you such a hard time, Anwyn. I just can’t seem to help myself around you.” He sat on the edge of his desk and looked down at me.
I suddenly felt so tiny with his large muscle bound body hovering over me.
His blue eyes turned dark and serious. “Do you think we were targeted specifically or just randomly spelled last night?”
“I really have no idea. I thought it might be a random spell since some of the Others, maybe some of the Guardians, felt the police were intruding last night when they could have handled the situation on their own. If we were targeted specifically, I have no idea why. Why the two of us? It makes no sense to me.”
“Have you been able to learn anything about the spellcaster, pick up on a trace, anything?”
“No, release of inhibition spells are relatively simple, they require no personal power, just basic herbs, a focus and an incantation. Once the spell dissipates the trace is gone and the power trail is next to nothing. By the time I pulled myself together and calmed you down, there wasn’t a trace left to follow.”
“What about, Mel? You think she can help you?”
Melanie, known to everyone as Mel, was the P.I.T Crew’s spell casting witch extraordinaire…and my best friend. In fact, she’s the one who introduced me to Galen at one of her no humans allowed preternatural bashes.
She was the go-to girl on everything spell related. She did her share of investigating magick and magick gone wrong, but what she mainly did for the P.I.T crew was cast spells, make charms and amulets, and create magickal weapons, shields and wards. They often called her in to set up protective…for lack of better word… force fields.
“I haven’t yet, but I can consult with her, though I doubt she’s going to tell me anything I don’t already know. I am She Who Knows, I am the one that traces magick and follows the trail to the bad guys. I may not be able to cast like Mel but I can usually trace a spell if there’s a trail to follow.” I hated it when my powers got questioned.
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch,” he paused as a lecherous grin spread across his face, “you’re wearing panties aren’t you, Annie girl, ‘cause if not and you’re wearing a skirt, this meeting could go in a whole other direction.” He scrunched down as if ready to peer under my skirt.
Hah, naughty Malone was back. I stood up straight and yanked the hem of my skirt down so there was no way he could look. Bad enough he had already seen my breasts almost naked.
A low and hearty laugh rumbled from him again. The laugh made things curl and tighten inside me.
“Is what you’re wearing under that considered a thong or a t-back? The image of you in a thong and nothing else is going to make me a happy man tonight. Of course if I could see it in real life I would be even happier.”
I huffed, and he laughed again. The sound followed me as I stomped out of his office and stormed down the hall. My face still blazed heat when I found Mel in the reinforced spell room in the basement of the station.
“What’s wrong with you?” she asked with a smile, probably knowing damn well it was
Malone.
“Malone.”
“That’s what I figured. You shouldn’t let Malone get to you. He only messes with you because he can. He never flirts with me.”
“Mel, no man in his right mind flirts with you. Everyone has heard the story of the wizard who severely pissed you off and was then magically separated from his balls.”
“That bastard had it coming!”
Yes, and that’s why no one messed with Mel. Yet, there wasn’t a preternatural creature in Flint who’d pass up an invite to one of her parties. The witch could throw one helluva bash.
“Okay, girl, it’s time to dish. Tell me all about what happened with Malone last night and about every single encounter with Galen. I want all the dirty little details.”
I should have known she already knew about my hook ups with Galen and Malone. See, not only was Mel a master speller, she possessed a little psychic ability. It was really weird though, she only caught glimpses of the naughty stuff—the stuff no one would actually want her to see. Like she had a subscription to her own personal x-rated channel broadcast in her head.
She told me about my first time a week before I lost my virginity to Blake Whitley in the back of his old Ford Bronco.
Mel and I had been friends since kindergarten. Once we realized we were the only two witches in our school we knew we had to stick together…and we’d been best friends ever since. We’d gone through it all together, my dad’s death, my mom’s condition, my feeling alone—but at least I always had Mel.
So I kinda got used to her having a direct line of vision into my bedroom—or wherever else my sex life took me. It didn’t even make me feel uncomfortable anymore knowing she saw everything. Or most everything. Plus, I’d seen enough of her encounters and not just in visions either—they were mainly all up close and way too personal. The girl was a kinky, sexy freak and not shy about it. There were reasons why her parties became legendary.
Anyway, I dished as she made me a cup of vanilla cappuccino sprinkled with dark chocolate shavings. There were perks to being a feared witch; people gave you awesome gifts like fancy cappuccino/espresso machines.
I told her everything from the newest dead body right up to my encounter with Malone in his office.
“Honey, you have gone from no man to two men vying for your attentions. That should make you happy.”
“There are not two men after me, it’s just Galen. Malone just likes to mess with my head.”
“Nah, girl. Malone wants you and wants you bad. He just hides it behind cop-face and his teasing. He really is a good guy, nothing like what he projects. And he is so into you.”
“Meelll…what have you seen?”
“Uh, Uh! You told me never to tell you the future again. After my last fiasco with John, no, nope, no way.”
John was my most recent ex. I had been into him like crazy then Mel had a vision of him in bed…with another guy. It creeped me out so bad I broke up with him and managed to break my heart in the process. I didn’t know if he was actually gay or bi, sometimes Mel’s visions were a little off but I wasn’t taking the chance. He seemed very appalled at the whole thing, not to mention totally embarrassed and even left town after I broke up with him.
“Come on Mel, you’ve seen something.”
“I know there’s heat but I don’t get you and Galen.” She attempted to change the subject. I bit.
“What do you mean, Mel? He’s gorgeous, sexy…”
“He’s a vampire with a bloody past. And never, ever have you shown interest in a vampire until this party and when Galen walked in, well girl you were done for—and to add to the weirdness Galen never comes to my parties. So there’s two things that make it odd. The main thing I noticed was the way you acted. We were talking and in mid-sentence you walked away and went directly to him. And Wyn, you’ve always been shy, never a big flirt, but you sauntered over to Galen and put it all out.”
I was shocked. I didn’t remember any of it. “No, I didn’t.”
“Girl, I was there. Yeah, you did.”
“I don’t remember.” I sifted through my memories but could find nothing corroborating what she said.
“Your memory and your visions are both on the fritz then.”
“Yeah, I guess they are.” I squirmed nervously in my chair trying to get comfortable. “Anyway, back on subject. Come on, Mel, tell me what you’ve seen.”
“I’ll tell you this, you’re about to be a busy girl. All that need you’ve been feeling will soon be satisfied, times two. Slut.” She giggled playfully.
Afterward she clammed up, and once Mel clammed up there was no getting anything out of her.
Chapter 13
I sat at home kinda watching television when my phone came alive playing “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails. I had no idea how the ring tone got on my phone, but I’d have to change it real quick. The last thing I needed was to be at a crime scene and have my phone start shrieking the NIN lyric “I want to fuck you like an animal!” That would so not be good.
I puzzled over my constantly changing ringtones as I answered it, “Detective Rose.”
“Hello, luv. Are you busy?” Galen’s seductive voice purred into my ear.
“Just staring blankly at a TV, so no, not busy. Why?”
“How would you like to join me for dinner?” he hesitantly asked as if afraid I would say no.
“As long as dinner isn’t a blood bag I’d be thrilled to go out with you.” My stomach grumbled in agreement.
“No blood, how about pizza?” He chuckled.
“WizeGuys on Saginaw?” I asked, hopeful.
“You got it. I’m right next door at VAMP, is it alright if we meet there? How long do you need to get ready?”
“I can be there in thirty.” I mentally calculated how long to make me look fabulous and drive downtown.
“Great. I’ll head over there in a few and get us a table. I’m looking forward to seeing you, Anwyn,” his voice smooth as melted butter with a touch of whiskey.
“Looking forward to seeing you too Galen.” I smiled like a school girl as I hung up the phone. I wanted to giggle, shriek, and jump up and down. I was going on a date with a vampire. How wild was that?
I scrambled to find something presentable to wear. I couldn’t wear something fancy, it was just pizza after all, but I wanted to look good for Galen. I settled on black skinny jeans and a long sleeved red tunic. I added a thin black velvet scarf, and tall, black leather high heeled boots for a bit of sex appeal.
I brushed my hair and touched up my makeup by adding eyeliner and blood red lipstick for a more dramatic evening look. I quickly hid shine with a little powder then surveyed myself in the mirror.
Not bad for a five minute fix. My dark auburn hair hung loose and wavy. Combined with the slightly sexy outfit I looked smokin’ hot. I hoped Galen would think so, too.
I grabbed my keys and purse, and off I headed toward downtown.
****
I parked in the lot kitty corner across from WizeGuys and carefully crossed Saginaw making sure my heels didn’t get caught between the bricks. As I hopped onto the curb, Malone walked out of the restaurant carrying a pizza box.
“Wow Annie, you’re looking good tonight.” He whistled. His look more than appraised. “Hot date?” he asked a little more soberly.
“Just meeting a friend,” I replied. No use in getting Malone all riled up. “And you?” I asked glancing at the pizza box he carried.
“Just figured I’d grab a pizza on my way home from work.” He looked down at his lonely pizza for one and sighed ever so softly. “I’ll see ya later, Annie.”
“Alright,” I said and headed toward the door. “Later, Malone.” I glanced back to see him get inside his truck, making sure he pulled away before I walked inside to meet up with Galen.
My eyes took a moment adjusting to the dim light, but I spotted Galen easily as he stood up beside a booth in the back corner.
“Hi, Galen. I see you picked a cozy spot for us.
” Damn, he looked fine. He wore dark jeans and a hunter green Henley, making his green eyes even greener. His dark hair shimmered in the soft glow of the restaurant lighting. I ached to run my hands through those waves.
“You look ravishing, luv.” He reached his hand out and took mine bringing it up to his lips for a soft yet arousing kiss. It sent tingles throughout my body.
“So do you,” I replied.
“Thank you. Have a seat and let us order, yes?”
My stomach growled, and he laughed as we both slid into opposite sides of the booth.
“I take that as a yes.” He smiled. “So what would you like pizza, Stromboli?”
“Hmm, pizza with lots of cheese. I’m open on toppings, whatever you’d like.”
“How about pepperoni, ham, onions, and green peppers?”
“My favorite. How did you know?” I asked as a little niggle tickled the back of my neck. I wanted to shrug it off, but it was odd Galen knew things about me I never told him. I’m used to being the one knowing things.
“I have just been experimenting with human food a lot lately, especially pizza, and discovered that combo of toppings to be the most pleasing to my palette.”
“Yeah, it’s yummy. Did you want anything else, breadsticks, sauce…hey what about the garlic? It doesn’t bother you?”
“Another myth.”
I started to ask about other myths but the waitress came up to the table to take our order. After she left I wasn’t sure if I should ask, but I really wanted to know all about him, all about vampires.
“So what else is just myth?”
His eyes lit up with amusement. “You know not much about vamps do you?”
“No, Gram kept me away from all things vampire. Even the word vampire was pretty much forbidden, I got a great education about almost everything else Other but not vampires.”
Hex and the Single Witch (Vehicle City Vampires) Page 8
