by Jodi Vaugn
“What’s that?” Kate stilled.
“What’s what?”
“I thought I heard someone knocking.” She made her way toward the front door with Jayden behind her. He probably didn’t want to be left alone in a room with these women. She didn’t blame him.
Kate opened the door. Her heart dropped to the floor.
Standing in front of her was one of the largest men she’d ever seen dressed all in black leather. She glanced over his shoulder and spotted a Harley Davidson parked in the driveway. Her heart turned to ice. This was no man. This was one of the Assassins.
“Where is he?” The Were glared down at her.
“Who?” She swallowed, trying to keep her expression neutral.
“Braxton. I’m here for Braxton.”
“Who are you?” Her heart stopped.
“I’m Lorcan.” He narrowed his eyes on her.” I can smell a male’s scent on you. So don’t try to tell me he isn’t here.” He stepped into her space and growled.
Jayden shoved Kate behind him. “I’m the male you smell, you dumbass. There’s no one by the name of Braxton here.” Jayden lowered his voice. “And if you had any sense you’d get the hell outta here and stop harassing my girl.”
Lorcan growled and shoved Jayden back, knocking Kate into the wall. The Assassin stepped past them both. His gaze swept the room.
Kate clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms. She was tired of people bulldozing over her. First foreclosure, then Oliver Bigsby trying to intimidate her into selling him her home. She was tired of trying to wrangle these crazy-ass writers to keep them from getting hurt, and now a large werewolf was trampling through her house like he owned it. She was so fucking over it.
“Look, asshole.” Kate shoved her finger in the Assassin’s chest. “I said there’s no one here named Braxton. I didn’t invite you in, so you need to leave.” Each word was punctuated with a jab to his hard chest.
Jayden pulled her away and met the Were face to face. “I don’t think the lady invited you in, so you need to leave.”
“I’m not leaving until I find Braxton,” Lorcan growled.
“Holy shit.” All three turned at Myrtis’s voice. The writers were craning their necks over her shoulder.
Kate grimaced and held up her hands. He probably looked like a serial killer to them. “It’s okay. He’s leaving. There’s nothing to be worried about.”
Barbara stepped around Myrtis, her gaze running up and down Lorcan. “What’s your hurry, big boy?”
Big boy? What the hell?
Lorcan growled and eyed the group of women. They jumped.
Jayden got in Lorcan’s face and bristled.
Granny came around the corner with a bottle of Grey Goose. She stopped short and looked between the two werewolves. “What’s going on?”
“I think that’s Jayden’s boyfriend.” Myrtis sighed.
“Yeah, I think they’re getting ready to kiss.” Lynn smiled and clapped her hands together.
Lorcan looked confused. Jayden looked horrified and took a quick step back.
“He’s not my boyfriend!” Jayden looked around the room with wide eyes. “Why the hell would you think he was my boyfriend?”
“Nothing wrong with being gay. In fact, I’ve been thinking about writing a male on male novella myself.” Lynn poked her glasses up on her nose.
“I’m not gay.” Jayden held his hands up and shook his head. He turned his wide-eyed gaze on Kate. “Do I look gay?”
“How about you, big guy?” Myrtis walked up to the stranger and grabbed his massive bicep. Her eyes widened. “Holy shit, Barbara, get over here. I can’t get two hands over his arm.”
A very intoxicated Barbara tripped and fell into Lorcan, who automatically caught her. She smiled up at him and latched onto his arm like a leech.
Lorcan tried to pry her off, but Barbara wasn’t going anywhere.
Lynn and Myrtis emerged from the living room with their hands behind their backs. Kate frowned. Didn’t they have sense enough to know this guy was dangerous?
“So, you’re not gay?” Lynn licked her lips.
Kate blinked. Apparently the quiet one in the group was more adventurous once she got some alcohol in her.
“No, I’m not, you crazy bitches,” Lorcan thundered. Kate jumped back.
“So, you like women.” Barbara smiled up at him.
“I like females,” Lorcan thundered, glaring at the women.
“Good. Cause we like you.” Lynn pulled something that looked like a riding crop from behind her back and swatted Lorcan across his thigh, dangerously close to his crotch. He let out a growl.
“You like that?” Lynn gave the Were a sultry look. “Want me to hit you higher? I heard guys like a little sting with their sex.”
When Lorcan realized the tables were turned and the ladies weren’t the least bit intimidated, he took a step back.
“Do I look gay to you?” Jayden murmured near Kate’s ear. Kate shook her head, trying to concentrate on what the Assassin was going to do next.
“Lynn, where the hell did you get that thing?” She needed to get that thing away from the woman before the werewolf ripped them all to shreds.
“From Granny’s sex supply box,” Lynn purred and kept her eyes on Lorcan.
“Are you crazy? Give me that thing.” Kate held out her hand.
“Nope. I got a feeling this one likes it rough.” Lynn brought the crop down on his thigh again, this time a little higher.
“Yeah, I bet we could go all BDSM on his fine ass.” Granny poured herself a shot of Goose and downed it.
Jayden grimaced. “Jesus, Granny! Stop talking like that!”
“Who are you?” Lorcan took a cautious step back from the group of women. “Have you been sent from the Arkansas Council?” His gaze darted from one woman to the next.
“Arkansas Council? If you mean the Arkansas Sex Council, then hell yeah!” Myrtis gave him a big wink. “When we’re done, you won’t be able to walk for a week. I’ll ride you so hard, you might break a hip.”
“Eww.” Jayden frowned and looked a bit green.
“I seem to have been mistaken. The one I’m looking for is not here.” Lorcan’s voice wavered as he took a step toward the door.
“There’s no mistake. I got everything you’re looking for. Just because I got some mileage on me, don’t mean I don’t know how to make a man purr.” Myrtis ran her hand up Lorcan’s chest.
“Just wait till she pops her dentures out.” Granny tossed another shot back. “That’s when the real fun happens.”
“I think I just threw up in my mouth.” Jayden made a gagging sound.
Lorcan murmured something that sounded a lot like Oh God before throwing open the door and racing out into the yard. Kate slammed the door and locked it. Pushing back the curtain, she peered out the window in time to see the Assassin’s motorcycle spin a patch of snow in the air as he tore down the driveway.
***
Braxton relaxed as soon as the Bella Luna came into view. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was coming home.
He cut the engine and slid off the bike. The front door opened and Kate came running out. He caught her and brought his mouth down on hers. The second his tongue snaked inside her mouth, she moaned.
“Get a room,” Damon murmured as he and Ava walked past them.
Braxton pulled his mouth away, keeping his gaze on Kate. “Sounds like a good idea.”
“Did you tell him?” Jayden came out of the house and onto the porch.
Braxton frowned. “Tell me what?”
“I was trying to, but he kind of distracted me. With his mouth.” Kate blushed.
“What’s going on?” Damon and Ava stopped.
“The Assassin, Lorcan, was here.” Jayden leaned against the porch railing.
Braxton cupped Kate’s face. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
Kate waved him away. “I’m fine. He was here looking for you.”
&nb
sp; Braxton stiffened, his hands falling to his sides.
“I told him you weren’t here.” Kate frowned. “Maybe he believed me and won’t be sticking around.”
Jayden snorted. “He won’t be sticking around no matter what. Not after what those crazy-ass women did.”
“Please, tell me Felicity didn’t flirt with him.” Ava propped her hands on her hips. “I swear that girl has a death wish.”
“It wasn’t Felicity this time.”
“Then who?” Braxton glanced up at Jayden.
“Myrtis and Barbara, the old chicks. They were the ones trying to sex him up. I almost felt sorry for the guy when Myrtis brought out the riding crop.” Jayden shivered.
“She wasn’t stupid enough to hit a fucking werewolf, was she?” Braxton’s eyes grew round.
“She smacked him twice, told him she has amazing sex skills, and wanted to pop her dentures out and prove it.”
“Jesus. Too much information, man.” Damon shook his head as if trying to dislodge the images.
Braxton faced Jayden. “She’s lucky he didn’t go into a rage and tear them apart.”
“I think he was more freaked out by the fact they didn’t seem scared of him at all. All they wanted was to tie him up and fuck him.”
Ava laughed.
“That’s not funny.” Jayden whirled around at Ava. “They’re like a pack of wild dogs. That’s without any alcohol in them. They’re even worse when they’re drunk. I’m going to need serious therapy after this.”
Kate shivered against him. “Where’s your coat?” Braxton scowled.
“I forgot to grab it.” Kate shrugged.
“Come on.” Braxton lifted her up in his arms and carried her into the house. He didn’t bother putting her down until he reached her bedroom.
“You didn’t have to do that. I could have walked.” Kate pulled the quilt off the rocker and wrapped it around her shoulders.
“I like carrying you.” Braxton’s chest tugged. He knew he couldn’t stay here any longer.
She reached up and stroked his cheek with the back of her fingertips. Braxton closed his eyes at her warm touch. He couldn’t have Kate. He was the only werewolf fucked up enough to want to mate someone he couldn’t have. Figures.
He opened his eyes. Her beautiful caramel gaze stared up at him, making his heart warm and tingle. She was the only good thing in his life he’d ever had. She was the only woman who would ever hold his heart. He opened his mouth to tell her, but the words wouldn’t come out. So instead, he decided he would show her just how much he loved her.
“Braxton…”
“Shush.” He placed his finger against her warm lips. She swallowed.
His fingers fumbled at her buttons on her shirt. Slowly, he managed to free her top. He touched her throat, letting his hand glide down across her soft skin, feeling her heartbeat pulsing against his fingertips.
“I can’t stay.”
“I know. You should probably wait until dawn to leave, to make sure the Assassins have left town.”
“You need to know how much I care for you.” Braxton cleared his throat and met her gaze. “You need to know how much I love you.”
Her lips parted. “Braxton, I…”
“Wait. I need to tell you this, you need to know.” He slid her shirt off her shoulders and let it drift to the floor.
“I have felt more alive these last few days with you than I ever have my entire life.” He removed her bra and let it fall to join her shirt.
She blinked and covered her naked breasts with her hands.
He pulled her hands away. “Don’t. I love looking at you. I love looking at every part of you.” Braxton let his gaze linger on her breasts before kneeling and freeing her jeans and tugging them down her slender hips. From his kneeling position, he kissed her thigh before lifting one leg and then the other out of her jeans.
He hooked his thumbs on either side of her panties and pulled, ripping them from her body.
He lifted his gaze and grinned.
***
Kate threaded her fingers through Braxton’s silky hair, loving the contrast of the sporadic strands of blue. She’d never thought she’d fall in love again. And she certainly never thought she’d fall for someone who was totally not her type. Bad boy, tattooed up with blue streaks through his hair, and riding a Harley. Well, was riding a Harley. He was exactly the kind of man her mother always warned her of.
Kate smiled.
“What are you smiling about?” Braxton kissed the outside of her thigh, his eyes never leaving hers as his mouth trailed over her skin.
“I was thinking about how my mom would have liked you.” Her words came out between gasps of air. Her thighs tingled against his hot breath.
“I bet she wouldn’t like me so much if she knew what I’m about to do to her daughter.”
“Oh yeah? What would that be?” Kate murmured, too out of breath and out of her mind with desire to really care about talking.
“This.” Braxton licked between her thighs, his tongue sliding along her wet heat.
“Oh, God.” Her knees buckled. She grabbed Braxton’s shoulders for balance.
He chuckled against her tender flesh, setting her body on fire. He took his time with his tongue as he nibbled and kissed and licked until she was shamelessly arching against his mouth.
He closed his mouth around her and sucked. Kate grabbed his hair, holding him against her, demanding he finish her.
She came against his mouth, crying out and trembling as Braxton continued to assault her with his tongue until she went limp.
***
He stood and took her into his arms, kissing her hard until he could barely catch his breath. Picking her up, he laid her gently on the bed and quickly rid himself of his clothes.
“You’re so beautiful.” Kate eased up on her elbows and ran her hand down his chest.
He wasn’t beautiful. He was anything but. But her words touched something inside of him that melted away at the hurt in his heart from years of abuse. She brought out the good in him. She made him hope in a way he’d never dared before. He met her gaze.
The desire in her touch and her eyes had him going out of his mind. He needed her now.
He nudged her thighs apart and cupped her, loving how wet and ready she was for him.
Her breath hitched in her throat.
“I need to be inside you, Kate.”
She pulled his head down and kissed him, sucking his tongue into her greedy mouth.
Damn, she tasted like hot sex. The animal inside him growled as lust flowed heavy in his veins.
He grabbed her hips and thrust, driving his cock deep inside her wet heat.
“You feel so fucking good.” Braxton buried his face in her neck. He wanted to remember this feeling, this sensation, for as long as he had left on this earth.
He took her mouth with a roughness he hadn’t intended. Out of desperation, he wanted to claim her, to make her his, body and soul. For tonight he wouldn’t listen to the Law or to reason. For tonight, he was listening to his heart. For tonight, she belonged to him.
“Braxton, please don’t stop.” Kate clung to him, urging him deeper, faster.
Groaning, he rocked his hips into her, gritting his teeth and holding back his own pleasure.
It wasn’t until he heard her moan in ecstasy that he followed her over the edge and into blissful pleasure.
***
Kate lay curled against Braxton’s side, watching the rhythmic rise and fall of his muscular chest. They’d made love two more times, each time more urgent than the last, as if they were both searing their brains with the memory of being connected before he left.
Kate traced the outline of a colorful tattoo along his arm. She glanced up, making sure he was still asleep. His chest rose in slow deep breaths, still lost in deep slumber.
She sighed. She wished she could find sleep. Despite being exhausted, there was a nervous energy skipping through her veins. Braxton would be leavin
g in a few hours.
Staying here had become a liability. If he stayed, the Assassins would find him and kill him. She would be devastated if that happened.
Rolling over onto her back, she glanced at the bedside clock. Four o’clock. It would be dawn in a few hours. She had only a few sacred minutes left with Braxton. Then it would be over. She would go back to her normal life of being a bed and breakfast owner.
She’d calculated her money and gone over the figures. She had enough funds to get her business back on the right track and get the Bella Luna out of foreclosure. With the website and new business plan, she could turn the B&B into a profitable business—even more profitable than when her mother was alive.
Her heart stung at the thought. She loved her home and her business, but she wanted something more. She wanted to share it with someone. She wanted to share it with Braxton.
Tears burned behind her eyes, flowed down her cheek, and sank into her pillow.
Her cell phone buzzed against her nightstand. She picked up the phone and threw on her robe before tiptoeing out of the room.
“Hello,” Kate whispered into the phone as she crept toward the kitchen. The only person who would call this late was Beau.
“I know what you are hiding, Kate.” Oliver Bigsby’s voice sent shivers through her body.
“What are you talking about, Bigsby?” Kate eased onto one of the kitchen stools.
“That tattooed guy you’ve got at your B&B, Kate. That’s what I’m talking about. Just saw his picture on the internet news. He’s wanted for murder. Did you know that?”
Kate swallowed as her hand began to tremble. “It’s a mistake, please don’t call the cops.”
“If you want to keep your convict safe, meet me at the Thorncrown Chapel in thirty minutes.”
“Why?”
“Because, Kate, you’ve got something I want.”
Kate’s stomach churned.
“And, Kate, make sure you come alone. Or I’ll be forced to call the cops on your boyfriend. Understood?”
Kate gritted her teeth. “Understood.” She disconnected and hurried back to her bedroom to change clothes.
