“Och, I would never.” Finn Mackay waggled his dark brows. “Besides, the reel is full of Sasha for this week. Be hard to top that.”
She laughed as he pulled her to her feet. At five-ten she was hardly short, but Finn stood tall over her. “I don’t believe you.”
“For the best,” he returned. “Enjoying yer decorating spree?”
Dani glanced at the front of her house. It was now a total and complete eyesore. “Not as much as Mimi.”
Finn laughed. “She’s responsible for this?”
Groaning, Dani moved her shoulders some, trying to work the kinks out of them. “Oh yeah. It’s all her.”
Finn flashed his notorious bad-boy smile as he ran a hand through his shoulder-length dark-brown hair. “Well, I dinnae dare think you had this much happy in you, lass.”
A deep sigh came from Mimi, and Dani couldn’t help but turn to see what was going on. The dreamy look on Mimi’s heart-shaped face left Dani’s lip curling. “Ohmygods, do not tell me you’re doing the breathy sigh over Finn. It’s Finn, for crying out loud. We make fun of him daily at work.”
“Hey,” Finn said, dusting snow off his leather coat. He was always dressed like a badass who belonged to a motorcycle club. He might be part of one. She’d never inquired. “I’ll have you know that every other woman but you finds me attractive. You holdin’ out for somethin’ better? Say, someone tall, dark, dead, and yer boss?”
“Cornell?” She would have laughed at the suggestion, but he was right. She did find Cornell sexy. Sexier than she’d ever found another man. “Oh, please, whatever.”
Mimi shot forward and took Dani by the arm, as she looked past Finn. “That is probably enough sharing now. Let’s go get some cookies and cocoa.”
“Let her embarrass herself in front of him, l’il one,” Finn said, his gaze locked on Mimi. She was five inches shorter than Dani, and that put her almost a foot shorter than Finn.
Wait.
In front of him?
Turning, Dani found Cornell standing there, his expression unreadable, his dark gaze sweeping over her, heating her body on its journey. Per usual, he was dressed in designer clothing, and nothing on him was out of place. The deep red of his shirt showed through his open, long, black coat. He had a red scarf paired with it, and she wondered if he actually planned his entire outfit at the start of each evening or if he just happened to match it perfectly.
Probably planned it.
Did he ever let loose?
Did he ever just throw caution to the wind and live life to the fullest?
Probably not.
His pink tongue darted out and over his lower lip, exciting Dani more than it should. She wanted that tongue in places it was best she not mention out loud. Mimi’s sensitive ears were sure to ring and then Dani would be in for even more lectures on how to be a lady. Still, thinking of Cornell’s tongue on her clit turned Dani on, and then some.
“Enjoying yourself?” he said.
She nearly gave a smartass response, but decided against it for the sake of the season and all. Besides, she was tired of always being at odds with him. “I am. Did you enjoy the view?”
His brow rose. “You felt me watching you?”
She blushed and glanced at Mimi, hoping her friend would throw her a lifeline. She didn’t. Mimi just stood there, smiling from ear to ear. For that, Dani was considering stealing the power cords for the decorations.
Mimi brought her hands together and giggled. “I made cocoa. Who wants some?”
Finn’s expression changed and Dani nearly laughed. The man did not want to be forced to drink cocoa. She couldn’t blame him.
Cornell took a step in Dani’s direction. “We actually came out to see if the two of you would care to join us for a drink.”
Mimi eyed him. “We’re not on the menu, are we?”
Snorting, Dani covered her mouth with her mitten-covered hand. She didn’t want to outright laugh at the tension that still remained between the Fae and the vampires. They’d had more than one war flare up over the centuries between the two groups of supernaturals, and with immortals living pretty much forever, they could hold grudges with the best of them.
She failed, laughing anyway. “Sorry. But really, we’re not going to get into this again, are we?”
Mimi sighed. “I’d be happier if they agreed to cocoa, but I’ll accept the olive branch, and yes, we’d love a drink.”
Dani stiffened. “We would?”
Cornell was suddenly right in front of her, moving at a speed she couldn’t track, something only the most powerful of vampires could do in regards to a slayer. He pressed against her, his hand coming to her cheek, and she noticed how cold his skin was. Her brows knitted as Cornell brushed something from her cheek, his touch exciting her more.
“You had snow on you,” he said, looking sexier than any man had a right to look. Damn him for having the dark and brooding sex appeal down to a science. And damn her for being a total sucker for it.
“Oh,” she returned, her hand going over his. The only time she found it hard to think straight was when she was near him. It was as if time stalled as she stared up and into his dark gaze. She’d have worried she was being mesmerized by him, but natural-born slayers were immune to such vampire tricks. That being said, she did feel as if she was getting totally and completely swept up and lost in his eyes. That happened a lot when she dared to make eye contact with the man.
He kept her hand on her cheek. “I did like seeing you enjoying yourself.”
She tipped her head. Why was he being so nice to her? Normally by this point he’d have barked orders at her or talked about how careless she was in her patrolling. “Sir?”
He smiled, and she couldn’t recall a time she’d seen him do that before. “You are the only one who calls me sir.”
“I figure it irks you,” she returned, her voice low, her body caught up in how close he was.
“You and Finn derive great pleasure from doing things to annoy me,” he commented, and damn if his lips didn’t seem even closer.
She stilled, afraid if she moved she might very well go in for the kiss. Far too many of her fantasies involved her lips on his. With Mimi’s winter wonderland surrounding them, lights reflecting on the snow-covered ground, the moment already felt surreal—having Cornell’s mouth this close to her own was pushing it way too far.
Finn was right. Cornell was tall, dark, and her boss. Giving in and kissing him would be very bad. Super bad. The worst thing ever.
Damn, if she didn’t jump right into the worst move ever.
One second, Dani thought she had control of her hormones, and the next, her lips were pressed to Cornell’s. Fireworks exploded in her brain as her heart beat madly and her body tingled from head to toe. In the next breath, her lips parted and his tongue was suddenly joining hers.
Her mind went blank.
Nothing but the feel of his tongue on hers mattered. She tipped her head, giving him better access to her mouth. As her hands began to feel their way over his torso, she froze, realizing what she’d done.
More than that, what he hadn’t done.
Push her away.
Gasping, she leapt back, hitting the same patch of ice that had bested her more than once already. Dani went down hard, but she wasn’t alone. Cornell slipped with her, his body riding hers to the ground. Somehow, he managed to cradle the back of her head with his hands and flip their bodies at the last second, taking the brunt of her full weight on him. She lay there, spread over the top of him, her groin pressed to his, their bodies seeming at home with one another.
She yelped.
He laughed.
She yelped again. “Sir!”
“Dani,” he mocked, before swatting her backside playfully.
She hadn’t even been aware Cornell had a playful side. She remained perfectly still on top of him. It took her a moment to realize they were being laughed at. She glanced up and found Mimi and Finn, laughing, and walking in the direction o
f Cornell’s home.
Finn looked back at her. “Enjoy yerself. I know he will if you keep lying on him like that. Grind and make the man’s year, Dani.”
Dani nearly fell over herself trying to scramble off Cornell. He shot up as if on strings, ever the model of grace, and caught her around the waist, his body pressing to hers once more. He steadied her and remained in place. Normally, when Dani felt uneasy, she kicked the living crap out of the thing causing it. That was what a slayer did. She wasn’t sure what to do now. The guy she’d been crushing on for ages had returned her kiss and then swatted her butt. Her front yard looked like the Christmas section of a department store, and her best friend had just abandoned her to deal with her hormones on her own.
I’m so screwed.
Cornell turned her to face him fully. “Dani, you’re never this quiet.”
Confused, she stared at him.
He looked amused. “I was sure I spotted mistletoe.”
“What?” she asked, her lips still feeling the aftereffects of his kiss.
“In all this,” he said, motioning to the yard and the decorations. “I’m sure I spotted mistletoe. You’ve a good eye.”
She began to follow his logic. He was giving her an out for kissing him. The coward in her wanted to take it. Her stubborn streak forbade it. She righted her shoulders. “I didn’t see any mistletoe. I only saw your lips and I decided to kiss them. What are you going to do? Make me work even more overtime?”
Cornell yanked her against him, his gaze hot and hungry. “I’m considering making you kiss me again.”
“W-what?” she managed. Just barely. The words nearly got stuck in her throat. Where was her fierce side? The side that stood toe-to-toe with badass supernaturals on a nightly basis? Why was she suddenly reduced to a deer in headlights?
Because your hot friggin’ boss slipped you the tongue.
Oh right. That was why.
“We should go in for that drink now,” she said, unsure she could trust herself a moment longer with him this close.
He grinned. “Perfect.”
“I can’t drink much, though. I’m on call tonight, remember?” she pressed, knowing full well that he was aware he’d put her on call at work tonight.
Chapter Four
Rack his balls
Dani sat on a sofa she was pretty sure cost more than her house. Cornell liked the fancy stuff. No denying that. She stared around at the large room, filled with nothing but the best in furnishings, and drew her knees toward her chest as she watched Finn doing his best to rub against Mimi while showing her how to play pool. Dani wondered how long it would be before Mimi used her magik to zap Finn into the hallway.
Her thoughts returned to the kiss she’d shared with Cornell. She’d known the man for years, lusted after him for as many, and had dreamed he’d actually kiss her.
You kissed him, she reminded herself. But he kissed you back.
Shivering, she drew up the cashmere throw Cornell had given her upon entering the large room and noticing her cold state. Dani hadn’t realized just how much snow had soaked through her clothes while outside until she was presented with warmth. She’d been worried about ruining his high-end furniture by sitting on it damp. He didn’t seem to care one bit.
Cornell stoked the fire and glanced back at her, his dark gaze locked on her. “Your sweater is wet. Would you like a dry one? I have many.”
Could she handle being in one of the man’s sweaters? Probably not. She’d already made a fool of herself outside. Dare she take him up on the offer?
That would be so stupid. You’ll end up naked and begging. Sad.
She shook her head, going with her gut. If it said danger, danger, she was going to listen. Obviously Mimi would be of no help in keeping Dani from throwing herself at her boss’s feet, begging the guy to fuck her. Mimi was too busy teasing Finn as she racked balls on the pool table at the far end of the room. She kept wiggling her backside as Finn stood behind her, clutching a pool stick, looking like he might snap the thing in two.
Poor Finn.
Mimi was the type of Fae who oozed sexual allure, and Finn had fallen for it, hook, line, and sinker. Dani doubted anything would come of it all, because while Mimi thought Finn was attractive, she wasn’t that into him—they’d talked about the men they work with enough for Dani to know. Which was for the best since Finn was a total ladies’ man.
“You’re sure?” asked Cornell, stoking the fire more, each poke of the flames exciting Dani as she took the action somewhere sexual.
Dear gods above, do not take your clothes off in front of this man. Put more clothes on. At once. Like ten sweaters. Maybe twenty.
She couldn’t get the kiss out of her head, and if she started undressing, things would surely deteriorate. “No. I’ll go next door and grab one of my own. Thanks, though.” Dani went to stand and Zeus, one of Cornell’s hellhounds, rushed up to her, pinning her to the oversized sofa. He slobbered on her leg as he pushed at her more, making her fall softly into a seated position once more. Zeus then tried to climb on her lap. “Hey, you are not a lap dog. I’ve told you that already.”
The dog was a gentle giant and she had a major soft spot for him. She rubbed behind his ears and then leaned, kissing the top of his head. He reminded her of a large Irish Wolfhound but with red eyes.
“That dog is a menace,” said Finn.
“I agree,” added Mimi.
Shaking her head, Dani continued to pet Zeus. “He’s a big baby.”
“Who eats bad guys when given permission,” reminded Finn.
She shrugged. “And that is bad how?”
“Corny’s hellhounds are fearsome with everyone but you,” said Finn. “I told him he should lock ‘em away.”
Dani stared at Mimi. “Can you do me a favor and rack his balls?”
Mimi laughed.
“I think Zeus would prefer it if you didn’t leave,” Cornell said, rising to his full height, the poker now set to the side of the fireplace. He took his glass of wine off the mantle and tipped his head toward her. The sexy look on his face said he was thinking of their kiss as well.
Pink crept up her neck, coating her cheeks. Dani did her best to ignore the sudden wave of heat that splashed through her the second her gaze locked with Cornell’s. The man was like a sex magnet. Looking at him led straight to naughty thoughts and she really wanted his zucchini to make an appearance, and soon. That, or she needed to put a lot of distance between them and fast, or she was going to do way more than simply kiss her boss.
She was going to tackle him and have her way with him. Policies at work be damned. And from the way he kept watching her, she wasn’t so sure he’d do anything to stop her from acting out her fantasies.
When his glass met his lips, it felt as if someone was trailing kisses down her neck, then lower, under her layer of damp clothing and to her breasts. Her thighs snapped shut as the feeling of kisses being planted upon her nipples assailed her. She pushed her palms down flat on the sofa and took a long, measured breath as pleasure racked her insides. Fire raced through her belly and the urge to moan was great.
Do not orgasm in your boss’s house on his sofa by fantasizing about him. Do not….
Too late.
Her body flushed as she rode the effects of the pleasure now pulsing through her, pushing out and over her. She’d been with men before, and never had her body ever responded this way or come this hard and heavy.
She was sure Finn and Cornell could smell her body creaming, and she wanted to crawl away and hide, ashamed she’d dared find arousal in seemingly nothing. She was about to try to stand and leave when images flashed before her eyes. They showed her in bed with Cornell as they rolled on satin sheets, their bodies intertwined. While the act had never actually occurred, it looked and felt real, prolonging her orgasm. He thrust into her, his cock filling her to beyond the breaking point, making her cling to him, arching her back and taking him deep.
The images felt real. It felt as if
he was there, pumping into her, making her moan and writhe beneath him. He withdrew and dropped his head, sucking on her nipples gently, making her belly clench before he came up and slammed his cock into her once more. She came hard, her body pulsing as the visions of them together continued.
Dani saw Cornell pulling out of her before turning her to her stomach. He planted a row of kisses down her back, nudging her ass cheeks open. He moved up and over her once more, this time his cock head aligned with her ass. She stiffened and he bent, kissing her neck gently, making her moan again.
Clutching the edge of the sofa, Dani vividly pictured Cornell easing into her dark channel, making her entire body light with burning need as another orgasm washed over her. He went full-hilt and exploded within her, his body shuddering. The images receded quickly, leaving her panting.
She stood again, this time determined not to let a hellhound detour her from her mission. Space between her and Cornell and more layers of clothing. Maybe a chastity belt since Mimi was right—Dani did always have sex on the brain. And now she had damp panties to go with it all.
Zeus nudged her again and Dani shook her head. “No, boy. I’m not staying. I need to run home and grab something. Then I’ll come back.”
Cornell was suddenly before her, filling the space, moving Zeus aside and touching Dani’s chin. “I will accompany you.”
So not going to help with the space bit.
She bit her inner cheek, attempting to summon some willpower to resist the man.
Nope. She found nothing.
“O-okay,” she managed, sounding more like a scared newbie than a seasoned slayer.
Mimi’s laughter followed Dani as Cornell led her from the room and down the long corridor to his side door. When they were far enough from the others, she turned, finding something that may or may not have been courage. “What’s going on?”
He merely stared down at her, looking sexy and innocent.
She snorted. “Right. You can’t stand there acting like this isn’t weird.”
“Weird?” he mocked, speaking as she would, rather than his own more polished approach to conversation. “How so?”
Hunted Holiday: A Vampire Romance Page 3
