“Um, I may have a bigger issue, Jacques.”
“What is it, my friend?”
“The woman who hugged me…” He didn't know how to say this. It was best to go with the truth. “I may or may not have had sex with her in the past. Before she became Tommy’s partner and girlfriend, she was someone I slept with when I was...”
He started laughing.
“I don’t believe this is funny--at all.”
“You’re screwed. If you keep this from her, and the cat gets out of the bag, she’ll kill you. If you tell her, Jolie may make you weep. This is ugly for you.”
“You know, you could be a little more helpful. We only slept together maybe four times. They weren’t relationship worthy events. I was loaded up with beer for most of them. I was horny, hopped up on testosterone, and trying to forget about work.”
“Flynn, this is a circlefuck.”
He stared at him, and then he got it. “That’s clusterfuck and circle jerk, Jacques. You’ve mixed them up again.”
He laughed more. “You’re screwed, and not in a good way. Think fast, Detective. Welcome to the world of mates. It’s a scary, dangerous place. This is going to be fun to watch.”
With that, he called for death.
Flynn headed toward the shower. He wasn’t sure what to do next. Inside the hot spray, he soaped up, praying that Dena’s scent washed off.
Then he started smiling.
If Jolie wasn’t completely crazy in love with him, then it wouldn’t have mattered to her. He was going to go with that scenario because it cheered him up. Something about her being jealous warmed his heart.
Tomorrow, he’d fix this, but for now, he’d get back to bed. Drying off, Flynn found his two mates tucked together on Jacques’s side of the bed.
“I’m sorry, but I need this,” he said, pulling Jolie free from Jacques’s arms. Her cooling body fit perfectly against his.
“I know you can’t hear me Jolie, but I love you,” he whispered into her ear, placing a sweet little kiss on her throat. “I know you still love me. I’m going to make this right. I promise.”
As he closed his eyes, he immersed himself in their mingling scent.
Lesson learned.
He wasn’t letting any women near him ever.
He wouldn’t make that mistake again.
He had too much to lose.
* * * H a r c o u r t e * * *
Tuesday Morning
Jolie could feel the familiar surge of power coursing into her body, offering her a way out of the darkness. Reaching for it, she slowly battled past the haze of death to find consciousness.
When she opened her eyes, there stood Vanth. That alarmed her, especially since Chloe was on duty last night. The demoness should be hidden.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, sitting up.
“Nothing, Mistress. You wanted to get up at this time, didn’t you?”
She relaxed. “I just didn't expect Vanth, that’s all.”
The woman’s eyes stopped swirling, and Chloe was back in her own body. “Sorry, Mistress.”
“Where’s Flynn?” she asked, looking around. Their bathroom door was open, and she didn't hear him shaving.
“That’s why Vanth was here,” Chloe began.
Jolie waited to hear this. She hoped that the demoness didn’t lose it and do something to harm him.
“Master Flynn has a visitor this morning. She’s in the kitchen, and if you don’t mind me saying, Mistress, I don’t like her.”
“Why?”
“She’s staring at him like she wants in his pants.”
Jolie moved her neck and there was an audible pop of bones as death rippled beneath her flesh. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
“She’s checking out the master like he’s a ride she wants to get on and stay on.”
That was all she needed to hear.
“Are you going to kill her?”
Jolie laughed, getting out of bed. “No, I have something else in mind. Can you help me?”
“Yes, Mistress, what do you need?”
Jolie told her.
“Oh, poor Master Flynn. He’s in so much trouble.”
Jolie smiled ferally. “Yes, you could say that.”
His day began as shitty as it ended.
Flynn completely zoned on inviting Dena to the house. After last night’s fiasco, he was pretty sure that she was going to get him, and her, killed.
While he tried to hustle her out, the woman wasn’t budging. To add insult to injury, she didn't even bring the case files. So, he was going to get neutered by his vampyre mate for nothing.
Great.
This was a really bad day already.
Just as he was going to dump their coffees in the sink, he felt her near. Well, here came his funeral.
It was inevitable.
If Jolie picked up the same scent in the kitchen, as she did last night on his clothes, someone was going to be a goner.
Now, he could only pray it wasn’t going to be him.
Just as he was going to try and physically shove Dena out the door, to save her life, she did the unthinkable. Her hand ran down the sleeve of his shirt.
Shit!
He’d been so good too. Now her scent was back on him, and he didn't stand a chance.
“Remember that time we went camping, Flynn? We had some fun didn’t we?” she asked, desperately trying to draw his focus back to her.
What was wrong with him?
She’d tried everything but stripping down to her panties. The man was distracted, and that was so unlike him. The Flynn she knew was big into sex.
Now…he was sedate.
“Uh, yeah, sure we did.”
He was screwed.
Flynn could hear Jolie coming, and he prayed that Dena wouldn’t do anything to bury him deeper in this mess. “That was a long time ago,” he said, hoping to silence the woman. “We should focus on the now.”
“Oh, I agree,” she purred, moving closer. “Remember when we went skinny dipping and some animal dragged away all of our clothes?” she asked, smiling at him brightly. “We should relive that moment.”
He heard her heels.
It was over.
Turning his head, he saw his mate. The look on her face said it all. Quickly, he pulled away from Dena, and it finally shut the woman up.
“I don’t believe that you’ve ever told me that story, Flynn, my love,” stated Jolie from the door way. “I’m sure I’d remember hearing about you skinny dipping with another woman. It’s a good thing those days are long gone, right?”
Oh shit!
Jolie was focused on him.
He was a dead man.
∞ Chapter Three∞
His entire world came screeching to a halt.
Flynn had no choice but to stand there like prey as Jolie remained in the doorway. While he wanted to be hopeful that she didn't look like she was going to kill someone, he knew that vampyres often looked calm right before the storm.
Yep.
He was a dead man.
“Jolie, I didn’t…” He was effectively cut off as she headed his way. One could say she was dressed to kill, Normally, that would make him really happy. Now…not so much.
Jolie wore typical doctor garb. She was sporting some short skirt and expensive silk shirt. Her hair was pulled back into a sophisticated twist and her glasses were perched on her nose.
She knew he melted when she dressed like that.
When he let his gaze trail up her long lean body to her lips, she licked them. He swore he saw the tips of fangs kissing the ruby red painted lips, but he wasn’t sure. In that moment, all he wanted was to drop to his knees and beg.
If they were making an appearance, someone was going down.
Again, he wanted to toss Dena out as he crawled all over her. Maybe sex could avert the bloodbath that he sensed was coming.
Jolie didn’t even blink. She refused to take her eyes off him. He wasn’t prey. He was her mat
e, and she loved him more than life itself. While last night she’d been angry, today Jolie was far from it. Flynn wasn’t the issue.
No, it was the man stealing human that was causing this mess. She’d seen what was happening when she entered the kitchen. Flynn had been trapped against the counter.
The look on his face was not one of a man thinking about cheating, but one stuck in some black widow’s web.
Oh, he was forgiven.
She wasn’t.
“I see we have company,” Jolie offered, gliding toward him. If the woman wanted to get a man’s attention, she only had to do it right. Flipping around her red hair wouldn’t work, but Jolie didn't mind schooling her.
After all, this was her domain.
“I didn’t know you even got out of bed, handsome. You should have woke me. I would have greeted our company with you.”
Flynn swallowed. As Jolie approached, he opened his arms for her. The second she was against his body, he relaxed.
Maybe there wouldn’t be a bloodbath after all.
“Jolie, baby,” he murmured as her lips caressed his in a gentle kiss. He could feel the energy ebb from her into his depleted body. While it wasn’t blood, it helped take the edge off.
Releasing him from the kiss, she remained in his arms. Now her scent was covering up the offending one. When she glanced over at the woman, their company didn't look pleased.
Good.
Nobody tried to get into her mate’s bat covered boxers but her. This sexy tan detective was her turf, and no one was climbing him but her.
“You must be Tommy’s partner. It’s nice to meet you,” Jolie stated, her voice showing nothing but calm.
Flynn held her against his torso, his arms wrapped around her waist. It wasn’t just to keep him calm, but to keep Jolie from doing something violent.
Her laughter filtered into his head. ‘Good idea, my love.’
“Yes, I am, and at one time, I was also dating Flynn. I’m Dena Callahan. It is very nice to meet you.”
Flynn prayed for intervention. Apparently, Dena wanted to die a painful death.
Jolie simply smiled at the woman as her mate tensed against her. “Really? How interesting that he never seemed to mention you before. You must not have dated long or he would have told me if it was a meaningful relationship. We’ve shared little stories like that. Oh well.”
Dena’s mouth opened in surprise. “I…”
Jolie cut her off. “I should introduce myself. Where are my manners? I’m such a bad host. I’m Flynn’s current and final girlfriend, but you can call me Doctor Harcourte. I like formality,” she added. “It’s a pleasure to have you as a guest in our home.”
It was hard not to be turned on. Flynn left a kiss right over Jolie’s pulse. “Let me get you some tea, baby,” he said, finally letting her go. There was no doubt that Jolie wasn’t going to attack. She was simply going to teach Dena some manners--old world style.
He was a sick man, enjoying every second of it.
“Thank you, my love,” she replied before focusing all her attention on the redhead before her.
“I’ve heard a great deal about you, Doctor. You must have some superior DNA.”
Jolie lifted a brow, unsure where this was going.
“You look too young to be the foremost leading expert in deviant behavior.”
If that was a jab, Jolie would take it with grace. She touched her cheek. “I’ll take that as a compliment. You know how important it is too look good, especially for your man,” she added, motioning toward the detective’s drab jeans and blazer. “Right, Flynn?” she asked.
He kissed her cheek before handing Jolie a cup of her favorite tea. If he said anything, he might start a fight, so he kept it zipped.
“Would you like a danish?” asked Dena, holding out a bag venomously.
“Oh, no thank you. I’m not big on breakfast because at my AGE, the metabolism slows down. My Flynn likes me… sleek and not too…bulky,” she said salaciously, and then proceeded to take a sip of her tea.
Flynn resumed his place behind her. When Jolie leaned against him, his heart skipped. “I love you just the way you are,” he answered, running his lips across the pulse in her neck.
His body reacted.
God!
What he wouldn’t give to just simply bite down and taste her. Maybe if he bit her, it would distract both women from the brewing cat fight.
“Okay,” Dena said, checking out the woman’s lithe body, as she dropped the bag on the table. “We were just getting ready to head into the station. Are you ready, Flynn? I’ll give you a ride.”
Jolie lifted a brow. Oh, there was no way that was ever going to be happening. If this woman thought she could play these games, she had another thing coming.
It was time to burst her bubble.
“Then Flynn will have to meet you there.”
She looked surprised. “Why?”
“I actually have an appointment in an hour with your boss. The chief of police and commissioner are interested in me helping out on this case.”
The silence said it all.
Flynn struggled not to laugh. Score one for the undead and girlfriends everywhere.
“Really?” Dena practically snarled, irritated that the doctor would be joining them. “Terrific. Aren’t we fortunate to have you working with us?”
Brogan glanced over at the malice in her voice.
Oh boy…
“This reminds me of how we met,” Jolie continued, driving the nail deeper into the coffin. “It was a case much like this that brought us together.”
He placed his large hand around her waist, holding her to his body. “Yeah, and I’m grateful every day. I not only solved that case, I found my one true love.”
Dena flinched.
“Oh, but that’s rude of me to insert myself into any of your plans. Flynn, my love, if you want to head in with Dena, your old playmate, I don’t mind.”
She wasn’t giving him a choice, and he knew it.
“No, I’ll go with you, baby. We can meet Detective Callahan there,” he said, turning toward his ex-bed mate. “I hope you don’t mind, but I need to talk with Jolie about something in private, and if it’s not this morning, who knows when I’ll get the opportunity.”
“Oh, it’s no problem, Flynn.” She glared at Jolie, trying to hide her irritation. “Doctor, I’ll see you both later. I have to go back to my place for the files anyway.”
He waited until she left, slamming the door behind her. As soon as the coast was clear, he went to speak but was stopped.
“Flynn, don’t say it. I need to tell you that I’m so sorry.”
He was surprised.
“Last night, I had this totally irrational fear that you wanted to leave me. This city brings that out in me.”
He knew that was his fault. After all, he’d left them before they vacated the city limits. He planted that little seed of worry in her heart.
“It made me a monster, and I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have let it bother me, but it did. I just love you so much.”
Flynn turned her head to stare into his eyes. “I’m never leaving, so you have nothing to worry about. I love you, Jolie. She got handsy last night, and I was too tired to shower. That’s it. I feel nothing for her. I only feel for you.”
Jolie wrapped her arms around his neck and gently kissed him. “I’m a lucky woman,” she purred, running her mouth over his. When she nuzzled his cheek, like a big sleek cat, Jolie could feel his body react.
“We should go,” he muttered, trying not to lose control in their kitchen. “Jacques had a car delivered for you to use.”
“Mmmmm, yes, he thinks of everything,” she answered.
“We should go…”
Reluctantly, Jolie released him. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she wanted him in the worst way. “Yes, we should.”
He manned up and took her hand. Flynn forced himself to focus on the car in the garage.
“Y
ou’re hungry. Did you have any of Dena’s danishes?” Jolie asked.
“No, I didn’t. They didn’t appeal to me. It seems I’m more interested in something French and flakey.”
She started laughing.
He grinned wickedly. “I was referring to a croissant. I don’t know what you were thinking. Maybe you should get your mind out of the gutter.”
Jolie let him open the door for her. When he joined her, sitting behind the wheel, she was still smiling. “Oh, so you weren’t thinking what I was thinking? That’s a pity.”
She sent him a barrage of sexy images of them feeding. All of which had her trapped naked beneath him.
He’d like to say he was strong, but Flynn wasn’t. He wanted Jolie all the time. “That’s mean. If you’re going to tease,” he began, as his car seat fell backward, dropping him to his back. “Jolie!” Flynn glanced over.
“Who’s teasing? We don’t have much time, so don’t get blood all over me.”
His heart skipped as Jolie climbed across the console and into his lap. Now, his body was reacting to her close proximity.
“Baby.”
With nimble fingers, she unbuttoned the red silk shirt. It pleased her that Flynn’s eyes never left her hands. When his body went rock hard beneath hers, Jolie grinned.
“God! I don’t know what to do first!”
Picking up his large hands, she stared into his eyes. “Touch me, Flynn.”
She didn't have to ask him twice. They slid up her torso, caressing pale flesh as they went.
This was heaven.
“Jolie,” he whispered, watching the pulse in her throat jump when he palmed her breasts. “I need blood. Let me drink from you.”
She fell into the blue pools that were his eyes. This power was something their kind could do with just a look, and it appeared that Flynn had picked this little gift up too. It took everything she had not to go under so deep that she couldn’t escape.
Lowering her mouth to his, they did battle.
It exploded around them.
Flynn was wild with need.
Jolie knew blood wouldn’t be enough--not for him--not for her.
As tongues warred, Jolie worked on setting him free. The second her fingers made contact, he moaned.
Dangerous Retaliation (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 4) Page 5
