by Aubrey Ross
“Why is Max after Taerok?”
“That’s a long, involved story and I only know bits and pieces of it.” He took a long sip of wine before adding, “Suffice it to say Taerok is a very bad man.”
“Could you be any more condescending?” She scooted back her chair, preparing to stand.
“I didn’t mean to patronize you.” He reached across the table and touched her forearm. Awareness arced between them, suffusing his body with unwanted heat. He had to get control of his reactions. She was his assignment, not his reward. “Taerok has a rap sheet that goes back centuries. He’s been trying to gain control over his solar trance longer than we’ve been alive. We’re pretty sure he intends to use Dichotomy blood to move closer to that goal, but we have no idea why he thinks it will work.”
“Was that so hard?” The tension melted from her forearm and she offered him a tentative smile. “That was as close to a complete explanation as you’ve given me so far.”
“I’m used to interacting with people who are completely unaware of my abilities. I look human, so they presume that’s all I am. Evasiveness becomes second nature after a while.”
“What about the other Sentinels? Don’t they have paranormal abilities?”
“We train together and often work the same case from different angles, but most of my time is spent with ordinary humans.”
“Ordinary is hard to define even in humans.” Her smile became playful and the heat churning within him sank straight to his groin. “Your father is human, isn’t he?”
“My father died before I was born. I was raised by my mother.”
“And you said she’s a sylph. Isn’t that some sort of faerie?”
He returned her smile, trying to distract himself from the desire building within him. “Sylphs are more closely related to elemental elves than faeries. Our branch of the Otherworldly tree is older and more secretive than the common fae. Little is known about sylphs because they want it that way.”
“They not we?” Mara murmured, mesmerized by Steffen’s smile. “You don’t consider yourself a sylph?” She’d realized he could be charming when he put his mind to it, but something far more dangerous fueled this smile. He wanted her. This was the first time she’d seen overt desire burning in his eyes.
“I’m technically a sylphite, a semi-profane term for mixed-race offspring.”
“Are all interspecies unions discouraged or just those with humans?” She wasn’t sure why she cared. His background was irrelevant to their situation. He’d been faultlessly polite, discrete, and professional. Which was what she wanted, wasn’t it?
“That depends on the sylph.”
His fingertips absently played across her skin, sending tingles up her arm. She wasn’t even sure he realized he was touching her. Still, it was all she could do not to close her eyes and sigh.
“The ultimate goal of every sylph is to transcend physical reality. That’s why they’re often linked with the element of air. Some believe any tie to the corporeal realm slows down their ascension, so they focus entirely on achieving their goal.”
“Is transcendence your ultimate goal?”
“No. I’m not capable of the transition.” He slowly withdrew his hand and reached for his wineglass. She fought the urge to guide his fingers back to her skin so he could continue the soft exploration. “That’s why they don’t consider me truly sylph.”
“It’s not all that different for a Dichotomy. The offspring of a mixed mating is called a halfling. Some consider halflings tainted, but most judge us according to our abilities.” Which still left her on the outside looking in. She had no abilities, so most of the Dichotomy elite considered her irrelevant.
Had he noticed the wistfulness in her tone? They had more in common than she’d guessed. They were both outcasts, straddling two societies without being fully accepted by either one.
If she’d retained even some of her father’s abilities, her life would have been less complicated. Because she was a non-transforming halfling, the elder council felt obligated to help her find a “suitable” mate. Dichotomies were allowed to join with whomever they pleased and as long as their offspring retained the ability to transform the council kept their distance. But as soon as the fundamental ability to manifest both halves of their nature was compromised, the council felt it necessary to intervene. They conducted compatibility studies and proposed potential mates powerful enough to rejuvenate the bloodline. She understood the concept of protecting the greater good, but she also resented their interference in something so intensely personal.
He brushed his knuckles against the side of her face and smiled into her eyes. “Where’d you go just then? You were a million miles away?”
“It’s been a long day.” She knew it was a lame excuse, but she wasn’t sure why she’d instigated the conversation. “I’ve been doing my best to rearrange the agenda so all the important events are completed by sundown.”
“A wise precaution. When is the benefit scheduled to start?”
“It opens with a champagne brunch at eleven thirty. The silent auction will accept bids until two. Only the big-ticket items will be included in the live auction.”
“And how many items is that?”
“Nine, so it shouldn’t take too long. The actual program starts at three. I’d planned to announce the winners of each item in the silent auction, but the names could be posted instead of announced. That would shave at least an hour off the program length.” She sighed, mentally balancing her safety with the integrity of the event. “I’ve scheduled a live band, but I could claim to have a migraine or something. As long as the structured program is finished, I can conceivably delegate the rest.”
“Max has already assigned two additional teams to the party.”
“Teams? I wondered about that. Why don’t you have a partner? Military types seldom work alone.”
“I don’t play well with others.” He tried to soften the growl in his tone with a quick smile, but she didn’t buy the explanation.
“Have you always worked alone?”
“Is the gala at a hotel or some sort of event center?” His cold expression warned her away from the previous subject.
“Hotel.” She reluctantly let it go. His past wasn’t any more her concern than her social life was his. Regardless of the attraction sizzling between them, she was his responsibility, nothing more. “I’ve worked with this hotel before. Their in-house security isn’t bad, but I always augment it with my own people.”
“And we’ll back up your people.” He set aside his empty wineglass and pushed to his feet. “I’d still rather you stay home, but we’re getting closer to an acceptable level of control.”
“Control is important to you, isn’t it?” She hadn’t meant the question to sound quite so flirtatious, but her raging libido was making it hard to think about anything other than touching him and being touched by him.
He grabbed the edge of the table and leaned in close. “Let’s get through this gala without incident and I’ll demonstrate the answer to that question in intimate detail.”
“It’s a date,” she whispered.
His gaze focused on her mouth and her lips tingled as if he’d brushed her with his fingertips. Was it her imagination or had he created the sensation? She thought he’d say more. Instead, he shook his head with a distant smile and walked back into the house.
It’s a date ? Had she lost her mind?
Feeling like an absolute fool, Mara hurried down the veranda and knocked on the French doors leading into her father’s office. He glanced up from his videoconference and motioned her inside. She loitered near the doorway until he ended the call, then took her usual place in front of his desk.
“Tell me everything you know about Steffen Ziegler.”
His lips parted in a rare smile. “Has he pissed you off or turned you on?”
“Father!”
He folded his hands behind his head and stretched his back before he answered. “Mr. Ziegler c
omes to us highly recommended by the Preternatural Sentinel Network. Their standards are far more stringent than any set by human or Dichotomy. Most races we know wouldn’t survive their basic training. I’ve never worked with them before, but other members of the council have to more than satisfactory resolutions.”
“If he didn’t have an exemplary reputation, he wouldn’t be here. Now tell me what your personal investigators found out. You wouldn’t allow anyone to stay in this house without checking them out yourself.”
“You know me too well.” He relaxed in his chair, a smile lingering at the corners of his mouth. “Our guest has one brother, also a Sentinel. Steffen isn’t, nor has he ever been, married, and the only scandal associated with him surrounds the death of his partner two years ago. What else do you want to know?”
She should wait until Steffen was comfortable enough to tell her about the scandal. With a frustrated sigh, she accepted her own impatience. “What happened to his partner?”
“He was killed in the line of duty. Steffen was exonerated of any wrongdoing, but the investigation left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths. He’s refused to work with a partner ever since.”
She’d suspected it was something like this. “Were people upset because the incident was investigated or by Steffen’s exoneration?”
“A bit of both, I would imagine.” His gaze bore into hers for a moment then he asked, “Has he done something specific that concerns you? Your instincts have always been reliable.”
“It’s hard to explain. I don’t mistrust him, exactly. He just unnerves me.” He unnerved her, and aroused her, and fascinated her. “What are his abilities?”
“The Sentinels refuse to list them. They ‘send the agent most qualified for each individual situation’ and that’s all they’ll say.”
“I know he can dematerialize. I’ve seen him do it.” She decided not to mention the little mind trick he’d used on her the night they met. “I guess the rest doesn’t matter. He’s respected the boundaries I outlined and I’m being—”
“What boundaries? He’s not supposed to leave your side for any reason per my orders.”
“Really?” She scooted to the edge of her chair. “Is he supposed to shower with me and sleep at the foot of my bed?”
“Basically.” He waved her toward the door with a dismissive gesture. “Your modesty is an acceptable sacrifice if he keeps you safe.”
“I’m glad you think so.” She started across the office unsure if she was angrier with her father or her bodyguard.
“He has Dichotomy DNA. Did he tell you that?”
His casual words brought her up short. “Should that mean something to me?” Not trusting her expression, she didn’t turn around.
“I just thought you might like to know in case it was attraction rather than annoyance that inspired these questions.”
She slowly turned to face him. “The council is determined that I ‘revitalize’ our line by mating with a pureblood. Steffen is more of a mutt than I am.”
“I’m not sure he’d welcome that characterization.” She had no idea how to interpret her father’s lopsided smile. “His DNA is on file with the council. If you’re intrigued, I’ll request a compatibility study.”
“Compatibility study,” she muttered. “Everything about it is insulting. I might not be able to transform, but there is nothing wrong with my instincts or emotions. I will be able to sense my mate.”
Challenge arched his brows and he folded his arms over his chest. “The council might have been willing to accept that if you hadn’t snubbed your nose at every man they’ve proposed.”
“I wasn’t attracted to any of them. Without the spark, that elemental connection, we wouldn’t have been able to form a soul bond and without a soul bond there can be no children.”
“I know how it works.” He unfolded his arms with a loud sigh. “They’re trying to help you, Mara. Trying to help us.”
Part of her wanted to tell the council to fuck themselves and disregard their guidance, but the more logical part understood what they were trying to accomplish. The Ruiz line had always been extremely powerful—until Mara’s generation. The Dichotomy community couldn’t afford for Ruiz gifts to be lost entirely.
She reined in her rebellion and admitted, “I’m intrigued. Please request the study.”
Compatibility study? Did that mean what it seemed to mean? Steffen’s essence followed Mara out of her father’s office, unsure if he should be flattered or insulted. It shouldn’t surprise him that Hector had checked out his past. If the situation were reversed, Steffen would have done the same. Mara’s curiosity, however, was disconcerting. Did she doubt his ability to do his job or was the source of her interest personal?
He hadn’t taken her flirtatious banter on the veranda seriously until she marched into her father’s office and demanded to know more about him. Her hips swayed as she walked, her jeans showcasing the delectable curve of her ass. There was only one reason his DNA would matter to her. Babies! His genetics were irrelevant if all she wanted to do was fuck. She was thinking beyond a casual tumble.
Damn. He’d accepted his physical desire for her. He was looking forward to exploring their attraction as soon as Taerok was apprehended. Now it was obvious she would expect a whole lot more than mutual satisfaction. Was he interested in an emotional connection? It had been a long time since he even considered that sort of involvement. Life as a Sentinel didn’t leave room for much else.
She reached her bedroom and he flowed through the door as she closed it behind her. Pausing beside the dresser, she looked around the room. Pouring energy into his shields, he meticulously blocked her subtle probing. She obviously suspected he’d disregarded her wishes, yet she didn’t speak. She opened one of the drawers and retrieved an oversized nightshirt.
He followed her as far as the bathroom then formed a metaphysical link with her consciousness. This allowed him to access her senses without completely disregarding her need for privacy. If she happened to look at herself in the mirror while she was naked, he couldn’t help it. Right?
Amusement rippled through his being. Her safety was his number-one concern, but at least he was attempting to respect her wishes.
She returned a few minutes later with her face scrubbed clean of makeup and her hair loose about her shoulders. He allowed himself one slow, assessing sweep from her head to her toes before he fixed his attention on her face.
Sitting on the side of the bed, she squeezed lotion into the palm of her hand and bent to rub the creamy substance into her legs. This was new. He watched her hands slide up and down her calves and across her knees. She had fabulous legs, long, lightly tanned, and sleekly muscled.
She nudged the hem of her nightshirt up as she massaged her thighs. Desire sizzled, urging him to materialize. Did she suspect he was watching her? Was that the reason for the change in her routine? She set the lotion aside and turned down the bed. The nightshirt rode up, offering him a teasing glimpse of her bare bottom.
Holy fuck! Had she always slept without panties? The need to manifest swirled through him, demanding and painful. He wanted to cup those softly rounded cheeks while he pushed his cock into her pussy. He could almost feel her grasping him, rippling around him as they shared their first real climax.
She turned off the lamp and slipped under the sheet. Moonlight spilled in through the window across from the bed. He tried to relax and regain control over his instincts. It was his imagination. She was going to sleep as she’d done every night since he arrived.
With casual movements, she pulled open the nightstand’s drawer and retrieved something from inside the small compartment. Her gun had been in the other nightstand. Surely, she wasn’t going to…
He couldn’t see what she had in her hand, but her position left little doubt about her intentions. She lay on her back with her knees slightly bent. Moonlight revealed her lovely face, while the details of her body were obscured by shadows and the sheet.
Her hands moved beneath the bedding. She arched and twisted, drawing his attention to her breasts. This was a show; there was no doubt about it. She was punishing him for intruding.
The sheet slipped, baring her legs as one of her hands slid between her thighs. He couldn’t actually see what she was doing, but that didn’t detract from the sensual beauty of the display. She tugged up her nightshirt, revealing her breasts and he could stand no more.
“Are you having fun?” he whispered as he materialized on the bed beside her.
She gasped, haphazardly trying to pull down the nightshirt. “You asked for it and you know it.” Her whisper was harsh and breathless.
He kicked the sheet to the floor and dragged her hands above her head. She put up enough of a struggle to appease her pride, but he could smell her arousal.
“What do we have here?” He found the vibrator on the bed near her hip and brought it up where she could see it.
“Lie down on your stomach and I’ll show you what it’s used for.” She glared through the darkness, but her pointy little nipples were visible even in the dimness.
“Interesting offer. I think we’ll start with something a little less exotic.”
“You agreed not to invade my privacy.”
“No. You stated your expectations. I never agreed to adhere to them.”
She stared at him for a long, silent moment, then she said, “We’ve each made our point. Now get off my bed.”
He brushed his mouth against hers, teasing her with the featherlight caress. “Is that really what you want?”
Chapter Five
Mara stared into Steffen’s dark eyes and tried to remember all the reasons she was not going to fuck him. Her display had been meant to provoke him, to show him how unfair it was to invade her privacy.
He shifted her wrists into one hand and cupped the side of her face with the other. “I think we both know this is going to happen. The only question is when.”
“That is so arrogant!”
He laughed. “It’s not the first time I’ve led you to that conclusion. You told your masseuse I was an overbearing ass.”
