Alphas of Summer: A collection of shifter romances

by Lia Davis

  Chapter 3

  The manic up-tempo bass line pounded a rhythm under the multi-colored lights on the dance floor. Dani swung her hips in time to the music, her feet matching each beat while she swung her arms in the air with graceful abandon. Not since she'd left Star Haven had she felt so at home — maybe too much at home. Nik wasn't stupid. He remembered her wilder days. He remembered her arrest. Her case had been dismissed, but newspapers never forgot.

  Nik watched her from the sidelines, having bowed out during the last song, claiming self-defense. Even as another dancer sidled up to her, Dani kept her eyes on Nik as she gyrated. Just him. His predatory gaze was so possessive and so unlike what she expected from goody-two-shoes Nik. No one had ever looked at her like that. Not even. . . .

  With a vicious kick of her heels to dispel the memory, Dani almost hit the poor guy dancing in front of her. He stumbled out of the way just in time and managed not to knock anyone else over. To make up for her faux pas, Dani playfully pulled him back into her circle, careful to keep as polite a distance as possible on the crowded floor. When the song ended, the guy leaned close to her ear with a sexy suggestion. Dani laughed. Maybe in another lifetime she'd have taken him up on his offer. Tonight, though, she thanked him kindly, kissed the tip of her forefinger, tapped the guy's nose, then skipped off the dance floor.

  "What was that all about?" Nik handed her a drink. Just what she needed to soothe her dry throat.

  "I almost kicked the guy in the shins," she replied between sips. "I gave him a quick apology."

  Nik put down his own drink, his eyes on the dance floor. "Is he going to be trouble?"

  The next song started, but the guy stood there watching the two of them. He wasn't approaching them, but he wasn't dancing either. A sexy fellow like that probably wasn't used to a woman rejecting him. Dani sighed, regretting that she'd gotten so lost in the music. She'd forgotten how stupid men could be, especially after a few drinks.

  "Nothing I can't handle." Even wearing her killer heels, she still had to tilt her head all the way back to talk to him. Good, he'd turned his attention to her and away from the other guy. Nik stroked the waves of hair tumbling down her back, but then turned his head back to the guy on the dance floor — who by now had gathered his courage and decided to confront Nik.

  Her flirty nature was about to start a bar fight. Music walloped her ear-drums, and she could feel the tension rolling off of Nik.

  Stop this. Stop it now, the good girl in her whispered.

  Oh, come on. When was the last time a guy started a bar fight in your honor, the vain, wicked girl whispered back.

  Her blood boiled, reveling in the idea of two men fighting over her. Vain and wicked almost won out, until Nik slipped off his stool and rolled up his sleeves, ready to throw a punch.

  You're going to lose him. He'll blame you for instigating this and you'll lose him. Good guys like Nik don't start bar fights.

  Good girl won the battle. It was time to cut and run.

  "Let's get out of here." She reached for Nik's hand.

  Nik stopped before he took a step, his blue eyes back on her where they belonged, repressed rage caught short but begging to be released.

  "Nik, really, it was just an apology. I wasn't thinking. I almost took his knee cap off with these things." She swung her stiletto up to demonstrate. "Don't start anything here. Not tonight. Please."

  In a flash, he wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her close. Just like the guy on the dance floor, he leaned toward her ear, but instead of whispering something delicious, he sucked her earlobe, dangling earring and all, between his teeth.

  "Oh!" Her eyes widened as Nik's tongue massaged the sensitive flesh until her knees turned weak. She had to push him away before she fell to the floor. "I'll repeat myself. Pay the tab and get me out of here."

  Get me out before vain and wicked returns.

  Nik unphased her into the middle of a room she didn't recognize. Judging by the moody, monochrome colors, the paintings of wildlife, and the latest gadgets in entertainment occupying one corner, she guessed Nik had brought her to his place. Her heels settled into a thick carpet, keeping her a touch off balance.

  Nik's arms tightened around her. Oh, so Nik wanted her balance under his control? Well, that was a problem because if her adrenaline didn't find an outlet soon, she'd have to wrestle her control back from Nik. Wrestling with Nik — what a lovely thought.

  "You'll have to tell me someday how you manage to find your way around the city while underground," she said, her voice husky. "And, so quickly."

  His laugh sounded more like a purr, rubbing her desire just long enough to tease. "I travel by instinct."

  "I see. What is your instinct telling you now? Do you do everything just as quickly?"

  His hand skimmed up the back of her dress and tugged the catch. Her dress fell to the edge of her shoulders. "You don't want to see how quick I can be. Some things need to be taken slowly."

  She shivered as Nik's fingers glided down her naked back. Oh, yes, everything they did tonight should be taken slowly.

  "Can I get you a drink?" he whispered in her ear.

  His warm breath made her wish he'd taste her again.

  "What do you have?" She couldn't hold back the quiet moan.

  "There's a bottle of 1945 Saint Julien I've been saving for a special occasion."

  Dani jerked her head back and not because of the wine he'd selected. "You consider me a special occasion?"

  "I consider you special."

  Dani stilled. Even for her, the emotion behind Nik's words caressed her in places she'd locked away a long time ago. A special one-night stand, she expected, but from Nik's lips it sounded as if he expected more. Before she could comment, Nik stepped away, heading into the next room. His absence created a cool space where he'd stood in front of her. Well, if Nik wanted special, she'd give him special. With practiced moves, she stepped out of her shoes and slipped off her dress.

  Nik returned and stopped dead in the doorway.

  "Like what you see?" She did a quick spin to show off her lacy black underwear.

  Before she finished the spin Nik stood in front of her, the wine bottle dangling loose by his side.

  "Why don't you let me take that before you drop it and break your toe." With a tug, she pulled the wine bottle away from him, catching the cork remover with nimble fingers. Nik still looked down at her, his blue eyes narrow under heavy lids. She stepped closer, her wrist twisting the cork remover into place with practiced ease. A moment later, the she popped open the bottle. "You forgot the glasses."

  "We won't need any glasses."

  Before Dani could protest, Nik swept her up into his arms. "Careful, darling. I don't want to waste a drop of this..." she checked the wine's label, "...Chateau Beychevelle Magnum."

  She laid her head on Nik's shoulder as he walked her into another room. His bedroom, where he lowered her onto his bed as if she would shatter. What Nik needed to learn was that it would take a lot more than dropping her onto a firm mattress to make her shatter, but there was also the wine bottle to consider. Before he could go any further, Dani placed the tip of the bottle against her lips and sucked in the potent liquid. From the corner of her eye, she could see Nik watching her with a thirsty look. She imagined he wanted to snatch the bottle away so he could devour her himself. She had better plans.

  Taking one last mouthful she held it in her mouth as she set the bottle on the nightstand. She wrapped her hand around Nik's nape and pulled him in for a wine-drenched kiss. The rough shadow on his chin scraped her taste buds, the friction exciting her more than the wine.

  "Oh, honey, I've waited so long for this. You taste so good."

  "What do I taste like?" His whisper sent shivers cascading from her hair down to her toes.

  "Sugar cookies and caramel and maple syrup. All of the sweet stuff mixed into one delicious package."

  He groaned as her tongue continued its trail down his neck. For a moment he squirme
d away from her, just long enough to remove his shirt and pants. Then he joined her on the bed, his body pressed against hers, all planes and angles and firm muscle. No scars, either. Considering he'd been shot in the chest the week before, she'd expected to see at least a bruise where the bullet had hit. She'd have to ask him about that later. Tonight, his body was her playground.

  "If you want me to stop, tell me now," she whispered.

  "No. Don't stop. Just give me one moment."

  She waited while he reached inside the drawer of the night stand. Nik, the Boy Scout, was always prepared. The second he finished, she rolled him onto his back, her smaller body just the right size to mold herself against his stomach while she teased one of his nipples with her tongue, and her hand slipped through the fine hair of his chest to rub the other one.

  "Do you like that?"

  Instead of answering, he slipped one hand under her bra strap and loosened it. She straddled his torso to sit up far enough to slide out of the bra. Then she lay back down on him so she could wiggle out of her underwear. He groaned as the friction she'd created increased.

  Every inch of her connected with his skin. Physically, he was ready for her, but a small voice inside her head needed confirmation.

  "Are you sure you want to finish this?"

  Once again, he didn't respond. Instead, he reared up and wrapped his arms about her waist before twisting her around so he could roll on top of her. Who would have thought Nik liked it rough? Fine with her. She could bottom like a good girl when she chose to.

  The second she surrendered herself, the sense of safety overwhelmed her. Safe in Nik's arms was more beautiful than she could have imagined. She had no cares or worries as he massaged her muscles, working his way down her body to the point where her pleasure started.

  She giggled as he pulled her inside his mouth, the full force of the wine warming her blood. She arched up while Nik worked his way back up to her breasts. No fair teasing her like that. She tugged his hair.

  "You're killing me, Blackwood. Kiss me. Kiss me now and get yourself inside me before I toss you on your back again."

  He laughed his disbelief that she could force him off her and onto his back. Best for now to let him think she couldn't. Most men preferred to orchestrate their pleasure, and while she wouldn't dream of describing Nik as "most men", she didn't want to interrupt his extended, oh-so-erotic moan as he slid inside her.

  She rocked against him as hard as she could, matching his rhythm, holding off the final climax until she couldn't stand it anymore. A final thrust brought her closer to euphoria than she'd ever experienced with anyone else. Was it because this was Nik? Her feelings while her body sang said yes, only Nik could make her feel this euphoric. Nik slowed down, his own body satisfied, his skin sensitive to her touch.

  From beneath him, Dani wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him down on top of her.

  "Wait, I'm too heavy."

  "Not for me, Nik. You're not too heavy for me."

  He obliged. She tucked in her chin at the juncture of his neck and jaw, and purred just loud enough for him to hear her while she rubbed her nose along his cheek.

  "Are you trying to kill me?"

  "Oh, honey, I'm just getting warmed up. Don't tell me you're done for the night."

  He muttered something rude, but she didn't hear another complaint. She continued to tempt him until she took control once more. Twenty minutes later they both climaxed, this time with Dani on top.

  With Nik still inside her, she stretched. "What time is it?"

  Nik harumphed something below her. This time they'd tangled the sheets and the comforter was balled up in the corner of the bed, blocking her view of the clock.

  "Gotta move, babe. I can't check the time from here." She lifted herself off of him. As she reached over to push the blankets out of the way, Nik slid a hand up her torso to caress her breast. Surprising. "You want to do this again?"

  "Do you?" He sounded hopeful.

  She checked the time. "Sorry, stud, but it's almost two a.m. and I have to go to work tomorrow."

  He muttered something equally rude about her employers. Oh, Nik was going to be a handful, but she loved men who couldn't get enough of her. At least until they learned her secret, which would happen sooner rather than later if she fell asleep here. More often than not, she shifted in her sleep, which was not how she planned to let Nik meet Daniel. She playfully slapped his hand away.

  "Hate to break up the party, but I have boxes to unpack, reports to write, and manifests to complete."

  He sat up and pulled her into a hug. His kiss came as an unexpected bonus for the night. Not a kiss to ignite more rolling around in the sheets, but a kiss of true affection.

  "What was that for?"

  "Everything. Nothing. Just for you."

  Shit. Nik unlocked her heart. She was in trouble and she knew it. Which made her decision to leave his bed that much easier.

  She couldn't see his face in the dark, which meant he also couldn't see hers, either. "Nik. Tonight meant a lot to me. My job though, it means a lot to me, too. I can't put it at risk. Not even for you, not for more of. . . ." She couldn't finish the sentence, but she didn't have to.

  "I'm sorry," he said. "Of course. You need to work and so do I. I have a long day tomorrow chasing down Fredek Varga."

  A cold wave of recognition frosted over all of Dani's warm spots. She hoped her voice didn't shake. "Fredek Varga? You mean Fagin, the drug lord?"

  "Yeah, that's him." Nik rolled away, reaching for his pants. "You remember him?"

  "I thought he was in jail for at least another thirteen years." Dani reached for the wine bottle. Examining the bottle hid her face while Nik got dressed. Fagin was free. Any doubts she had about purchasing that expensive Carraro security system melted away.

  "Changing drug laws. He's completed a few rehab programs and he's been a model prisoner the entire time. The city jail needs room. Mom thinks the quarry raid might give more Star Haven residents an excuse to move to Thunder City. A few of the more violent anti-Alt organizations might take advantage of the population shift to send some of their people over here to cause trouble. We need to be ready."

  Mom. He meant Catherine Blackwood, Captain Spectacular, CEO of Blackwood Enterprises and leader of Thunder City's Alt Support Services — Nik's other job when he wasn't working as a private investigator. The Rose family had often attended city functions with the Blackwoods. She knew about Dani's arrest. God knew what she would do if she found out Dani was sleeping with her son.

  "Nik, a guy like Fagin can't be rehabbed. He's going to rebuild his blitz distribution network all over again. Thunder City will become what the Swamp in Star Haven is right now — a cesspool of blitz addicts and their suppliers. It'll be the drug wars all over again." She would know that better than most, better than Nik, better than all of the combined strategists of T-CASS.

  Nik leaned across the bed. He cradled the back of her head with one large hand and pulled her close for an intimate kiss that made her briefly consider staying a while longer. "I know. Which is why I'm going to keep an eye on him. Not officially, but if I just happen to see something suspicious while off duty, I can at least let T-CASS know. They'll keep a record until we have official confirmation that he's back in business."

  It sounded good, but T-CASS operated within the law. It was their mission to work with Thunder City's police, not as vigilantes. A guy like Fagin had manipulated the system for over a decade. He knew how to hide himself behind the law. At least he did until his right-hand man betrayed him. The Artful Dodger. Dani, back when she was a vain and wicked young man.

  "Don't go anywhere," she ordered with a playful slap to Nik's backside.

  She collected her clothes from the other room and took a few minutes to wash up before redressing. The bathroom alone was almost the size of her kitchen. Nik lived well, but she'd expected that. An Alt and a Blackwood had to live someplace secure, even in an Alt-friendly community like Thunde
r City.

  When she stepped back out she discovered Nik had flipped on the bedroom lights and had changed into his Ghost uniform. According to what she'd read in the papers, the form-fitting black outfit was made of some sort of super-secret composite material designed especially for members of T-CASS.

  "I'll take you home."

  "You don't have to. I can take a taxi." She had work to do and none of it related to Generation Med.

  "Dani." He crossed the room and took her hands into his. "I'm escorting you home."

  The authority in his voice brooked no argument. Any other day, the take-charge attitude would have charmed her. Tonight, she had to tolerate it for the sake of keeping her secret a secret. She had no good reason to deny him. For tonight, she'll be the compliant lady who did as her man asked.

  "As you wish," she said with a well-practiced fake laugh, holding out her arms. He pulled her closer to him, closer than necessary, and phased her into the wall.

  Chapter 4

  Nik didn't bother with the front door this time. He phased Dani directly into her kitchen, his senses alert for anything out of place. He didn't want to leave her behind. He wouldn't leave her alone in her own house until he was sure it was safe.

  The kitchen was quiet and still except for the low tick of a clock. He heard nothing from the rest of the house. The powerful protective feeling remained, even as he chided himself for letting his imagination get the best of him.

  He safeguarded people for a living. You couldn't belong to T-CASS without possessing the willingness to die in the service of saving others. Yet his work for T-CASS never overrode his sense of order, of responsibility. He always approached each job with a clear head and a plan of action, whether it was a fire engulfing a high rise, a multi-car accident on the highway, or a home invasion gone very wrong.

  So why did all of his training abandon him when he was with Dani? None of his T-CASS teammates needed his specific talents for protection either. Their training program drilled teamwork into them. Serena would have scowled at him and followed up with a lecture if he'd insisted on escorting her home, no matter how romantic the evening might have been.