Trina M. Lee

by Alexa O'Brien Huntress Series Book 1-4 Box Set (Retail)

  Pulling me against his hard body, he brushed his lips against my ear and whispered, “You are on fire, my love. What have you been up to?”

  I turned in his arms to face him, and my breath was stolen when he ever so softly traced my lower lip with his tongue. Sparking, our power reached for one another, meshing into a mix of the blue and gold that represented our individual energies. It was only visible to those with the psychic ability to see energy.

  If I thought the power was hard to handle on my own, I always remembered how different it was when I was with him. It ran at a much higher intensity; the chemistry between us was dangerously explosive. Yet, it was also easier to manipulate and control.

  With a content sigh, I sucked his tongue into my mouth, only now enjoying what we gained from each other. When I was in his arms, everything was different. He tasted like blood, human blood. It created a ravenous longing deep inside me, and along with it, a physical need to have him take me and possess my body.

  When he pulled back to peer into me with his insanely blue eyes, my knees weakened, and my heart faltered. Lord help me, but the man was a god. I could stare at him endlessly and never tire of it. He inclined his head slightly, indicating that he awaited my reply. A chunk of jet-black hair fell over one eye, and he gave it a sexy toss.

  I bit my lip in frustration. My lust for Arys may have been power driven right from the start, but it was all him. No amount of metaphysical energy could have made me want him as bad as I did. It was just the very sweet icing on the cake.

  “Nothing but the usual. Chasing down nasties and making them wish they’d never called me your bitch.” I couldn’t resist the temptation to nibble gently at the silver ring in Arys’s lower lip. It matched the one in his nose as well as the larger one in his left nipple. I suddenly could not wait to get home. “You’re coming by my place tonight, right?”

  “Someone called you my bitch?” A grin crossed his handsome face, revealing pearly white fangs. I figured he’d like that. “You must have kicked the shit out of him.” He paused to plant a series of small kisses on my lips while denying me the passionate kiss I longed for. “Oh yeah, I’m coming by tonight. I’m going to take advantage of that tightly wound energy when it snaps.”

  “Good. That’s what I was counting on.” I went in for another kiss, and he teasingly dodged it. When he playfully bit at the sensitive spot below my ear, I had to remind myself that we were in public. The erotic thrill of arousal had my body responding to him as a throb began between my legs. “You are such a damn tease.”

  Arys chuckled, sending a ticklish shiver down my spine. The man totally got off on making me as hot for him as he possibly could before giving in to my pleas and demands. He knew just how to play me to achieve the response he sought.

  “What about your wolf? Will he be dropping by tonight?”

  With a pointed look toward the bar, he drew my eye to Shaz, my platinum haired wolf. The intention behind Arys’s words wasn’t lost on me. It wasn’t often that my men shared their time with me, but it did occur on occasion. The thought brought a particular memory to mind, and I smiled to myself.

  “Why? Do you want him to?” I asked teasingly, stroking Arys lightly beneath the chin as I watched Shaz mix a fancy cocktail and hand it to a perky brunette.

  Wait a minute. I recognized that perky chick. My good mood soured, and the territorial venom filled me until I was clenching my teeth. Casey lived in the same apartment building as Shaz. Apparently, they’d dated casually before he and I managed to sort out our chaotic issues. According to Shaz, it had been innocent and not serious in any way. Yet here she was again, sipping the drink he made her and beaming up at him like a gum-chewing teenybopper.

  I didn’t realize I’d taken a step in the direction of the bar until Arys’s hand closed on my wrist. He raised an eyebrow in question, and I shrugged.

  “Let’s go over there. I have to confront this relentless piece of work. Or tear her head off and stuff it up her-,”

  “Alexa!” Arys admonished, cutting my words off with a quick press of his lips to mine. “Such unlady-like behavior. At least get her outside before we make short work of her. Who is she anyway?”

  I shot him a dirty look. “She’s nobody important. And, what do you mean by ‘we’?”

  “Well, you can’t have all the fun without me.” He grabbed me playfully, right in the ticklish spot between my ribs. It earned him another glare. He knew how much I hated that.

  I led the way to the bar, and Arys ambled along behind me, in no rush to watch me act like a jackass. The urge to defend what I felt was mine was like the need to breathe. There was no defeating it. I wasn’t the jealous type in any over the top, psychotic regard. However, I was wolf, and all I saw was a human female treading on my turf.

  Bypassing the line at the bar completely, I sidled up beside Casey with a grin that couldn’t have been anything but predatory. She was giggling at Shaz and touching his arm but turned quickly when I filled the space at her side.

  Her face went from bubbly and flirty to stone cold in an instant. She was taller than my five-foot-one, and she made a point of looking down at me. If her sneer was supposed to frighten me off, she would have to do better than that.

  “Hey, babe.” Shaz attempted a lighthearted greeting, and I ignored the warning look he gave me. “Can I get you anything? It’s on the house.”

  “No, thanks.” I never took my eyes from Casey to look at him, but I could feel his discomfort. “I just came to ask if you were coming by tonight after you’re done here.”

  I gave Casey a pointed look, but she refused to take the hint. Instead, she made a show of looking me over before scoffing. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Her gaze was drawn behind me, and I knew she was looking at Arys. “Weren’t you just locking lips with him?”

  She gestured to Arys, and I shrugged. “What business is that of yours?”

  With a sweep of her hand, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and fixed me with an icy stare. “It isn’t really. But, forgive me if I thought that meant you were finished with Shaz.” She rolled her eyes as if I was out of my mind. Maybe I was, but she was still lucky I didn’t pluck those pretty, little orbs from her head and drop them into her drink.

  “Casey,” Shaz interjected, clearly feeling trapped behind the bar. “This isn’t the best time. Really.”

  Neither Casey nor I looked at him. We were intent on each other, and I wished so badly that I could bare my fangs at her and send her screaming into the night. Would it really be so bad if I just knocked her out? Surely, that couldn’t be as big a deal as leaving her in bloody pieces.

  “Finished with Shaz?” I laughed at that. “Maybe I just have the best of both worlds.”

  Her eyes darted from me to Shaz, and when he didn’t deny a thing, she slammed her drink down on the bar. “Well, isn’t that so sweet for you all? I’m sorry I bothered.” Before Shaz could feel guilty and play the nice guy, she spun on her heel and made for the exit.

  I couldn’t help but feel a little bad, not about approaching Casey but about the dark look that my white wolf wore. He, too, had acted out when his territory was infringed upon, but this time, I felt like I wasn’t being fair. And, as much as I knew that and felt ashamed of it, that only went so deep and then I just didn’t care.

  Was the vampire in me giving me an undeserved complex, a sense of entitlement, or was I just a super bitch? Either way, I wasn’t about to change, and the fact that I really didn’t want to scared me. Why was this always about struggling for and losing my remaining hold on my quickly fading humanity?

  “Well, that was nice, Lex.” Shaz leaned on top of the bar, fixing me with a look I knew well. He wasn’t going to guilt me. It wasn’t in him to do so. “I do have to live in the same building as her, you know. If I go home and find a dead animal stuffed in my mailbox, I’m holding you responsible.”

  “I’m sorry.” Shoving Casey’s abandoned drink aside, I reached for his hand, and he surrendered i
t willingly. “Ok, that’s a lie. I’m not sorry. But, that was one of those territorial things you’re always going on about. You know damn well she just wants to bang you. And, I don’t blame her for that. But, it’s my duty to squash those intentions.”

  “Fair enough.” Shaz brought my hand to his lips, breathing in my scent before placing a soft kiss on my knuckles. He glanced at Arys who waited a few feet behind me. “What are you two up to? You feel pretty vampy…and your skin is so hot.”

  “I’m headed home right away. I’m pretty wired. I feel like I’ve been hit by lightning.” It was so easy to get lost in Shaz’s enchanting green eyes. One thing I could not fault Casey for was her attraction to him. He was heartbreakingly beautiful in both human and wolf form.

  He nodded and looked to the growing line of people waiting for drinks. The only other bartender that he worked with was hurriedly trying to pick up his slack. “I’ll stop by later, after closing.”

  I was reluctant to leave him after the dumbass move I’d just pulled. However, we all have a duty to do, and right then, cashing in on the drunk and disorderly was his. My cheeks burned with embarrassment when I turned back to Arys.

  “Am I a control freak or is that just me?” I asked.

  “Seriously?” Arys took my hand, interlacing his fingers with mine. “You are a little nuts. But, you’re no worse than either of us.”

  I frowned, contemplating his response. I guess I could live with that, so long as I never became as dominant and possessive as either of my men were. I couldn’t help but look back at Shaz over my shoulder. He graced me with his heart-stopping smile, and I felt a little better about running Casey out. But really, who wouldn’t have?

  Arys was right though. He and Shaz were worse. They had actually come to blows, and though they have somewhat of an understanding, it was tense and fragile at best. They were two very dominant and extremely different men. Of course, if Casey had wanted to fight it out, I would have been more than happy to sink my teeth into her. I guess I had an unfair advantage, though, as she was the prey and I, the predator.

  We made our way outside, not so far behind Casey. I could see her punching numbers furiously into her cell phone as she looked up and down the street. I turned to go towards my car, and Arys nudged me lightly in the side.

  “She’s all yours, if you want her.”

  Six months ago, I would have been shocked to hear him say that. Now, it was almost expected. He should have known better, though, than to instill the thought in my head. I stared after her even as I forced myself to put one foot in front of the other. Even as we drew closer to my bright red Dodge Charger, Casey was looking more appealing than ever.

  “You know Shaz would kill me,” I said, more to convince myself than him. “I don’t want her anyway. Not like that.” The thought of tasting Casey, biting into her, didn’t really appeal to me. It sounded great in theory, but that was where that fantastic idea ended.

  Walking away and leaving her standing outside Lucy’s Lounge wasn’t all that easy. My insecurities demanded that I ensure she didn’t go back inside. However, I had to trust Shaz no matter how little I trusted her. I kept walking until I reached my car, never allowing myself another look back. It was agony.

  Actually, a sadistic little part of me toyed with the idea of offering her a ride home. I could just imagine the snarky retort it would earn me. Instead, I tore out of the lot with a squeal of tires and the smell of burnt rubber.

  The jaunt across town to my house took less than ten minutes. It still felt strange pulling into the rich golf course neighborhood. After several months, I still wasn’t used to living in this section of town. It had been hard to accept the large house as my own.

  Raoul Roberts, my former Alpha and lover, had left it to me in his will. I had watched as his daughter killed him in the backyard. It was something that haunted me daily because I couldn’t let go of the pain and confusing regret. Not only had Raoul been the first man I’d given my heart and body to, he had also waited until his death to reveal to me through a letter that he was responsible for the attack that turned me. I still struggled to come to terms with it, but it was getting easier as time went on--except for the whole not being able to tear him apart myself aspect.

  The house was dark when we pulled up, just as I’d left it. Most of the neighbors were older professionals that kept to themselves. It worked for me, but I did desperately miss the forest out my back door.

  My old place, the one I’d shared with my best friend and fellow werewolf Kylarai, was the perfect spot for all wolves. The backyard led right into the rural forest area surrounding town. Even though it was only a few minutes away, I missed it as if it were hours instead. I visited frequently.

  The emotional anxiety that stemmed from seeing Casey ate at me. I shoved the front door open with more force than necessary. She was nothing to me, and yet I was letting the entire scenario affect my mood.

  Arys began flicking lights on, completely at home in my house, probably more so than I was. I watched as he walked through the house, admiring how perfect he was when he didn’t know I was looking. I leisurely removed my shoes and sweater before slowly following him into the kitchen.

  The need to talk to him nagged me. I wasn’t sure how to broach the subject, but the last thing I wanted was for it all to take a bitter turn. My skin began to burn, and I took a shaky breath.

  Strong arms went around me as Arys pulled me forcefully into a comforting embrace. He knew me well and was prepared for my resistance. When I made as if to pull away, he tightened his hold on me.

  “What’s wrong with you, my wolf? Your anxiety is driving me mad.” His lips brushed my ear, and there was a twinge in my stomach in response. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”

  I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his neck. Inhaling his mixed scent of cologne, hair products and Lucy’s Lounge, I sighed and let the resulting sensations wash over me. The power rose between us, as it always did, our two mingling to become one. Sometimes I thought I would never get used to this, no matter how much time passed. The strength of the pull between us seemed to grow with every touch.

  “Is it really that obvious?”

  “Your energy is toxic. It’s making me feeling jumpy. Start talking.” Despite his words, he continued to kiss his way from my ear down the side of my neck, hitting my ticklish spot along the way. I laughed softly and pressed against him, pleased when I felt his body respond to me.

  “How can I talk when you’re doing that?” I asked. When his fangs scraped along my sensitive flesh, the resulting quiver of heat throughout my body swept the concerns from my mind. It wasn’t hard to forget my own name when Arys had his hands on me.

  “Ok, let’s talk after.” Capturing my lips with his, he thrust his tongue into my mouth. The moist heat and the slightly bloody taste of him got my beast pacing impatiently inside me. I was on fire with the overwhelming power I’d called during my hunt earlier. The need to expend it was strong, unbearably so.

  If I waited to bring up my worries, it would be even worse. This wasn’t going to be pretty, but it had to be done. I needed to be able to live with myself and the power at my disposal. It was nothing but agony, almost a physical pain, but I broke off the mind-blowing kiss and pulled back.

  “Wait. Arys, I do need to talk to you. Something has been bothering me. I should just spit it out now.” I searched his ocean eyes, finding a flicker of awareness within their depths. He knew what was coming. I cringed inwardly.

  He nodded, taking a step back but refusing to release me entirely. “This is more power talk, isn’t it? The never ending search for answers.”

  “What search?” I asked, a frown creasing my brow. “I haven’t gotten any answers at all. I’d hardly call that a search.”

  Arys gazed down at me, and my heart fluttered. He said nothing, waiting with a virtuous patience that I didn’t possess. My skin tingled as his hands slid down my arms until our fingers were entwined. I expected him to argue
right away or tell me I was being ridiculous. It unnerved me when he continued to watch me silently.

  “I feel like I am barely in control of myself anymore,” I went on, hoping to sound casual when, to me, I just sounded scared. “I try to pull off something small, and it booms bigger than intended. Or, I go for the big bang, and it falls flat when I’m relying on it to be my defense. It’s bullshit, Arys. Everything I hold inside me seeks to be the one in charge. If I don’t do something about that, it’s going to take over everything that I am.”

  I realized how tightly I was squeezing his hands, but he didn’t seem to notice. His eyes never left my face. “You know I don’t want this to be so painful for you.” He reached to brush my hair back before tracing the outline of my bottom lip. “I agree. There has to be a solution. Having this kind of power isn’t natural for a mortal. But, it has lived in you for some time now, and I believe that you are more than capable of handling it.”

  “That’s just it, Arys. I don’t know how to handle it. Obviously, you can only show me so much. It isn’t the same for both of us.”

  “Well,” he eyed me skeptically. “When you find that magical, all-knowing person you seem to think is out there, be sure to ask them if they know much about vampires that have a wolf trying to shred its way from their body every full moon.”

  I pulled away from him completely, crossing my arms over my chest. Flashing him a look of irritation, I turned my back on him and paced the length of the room. “I know this goes both ways, but it’s funny how you always say shit like that, as if it’s something you can pin on me. Let’s not go back to the finger pointing. That could get ugly.”

  I didn’t have to look at him to know his temper was starting to simmer. I was easily the far shorter tempered of the two of us, but his energy prickled with a heat that could only be anger.

  “I’m not blaming you for anything, Alexa. I think you want me to, though, because it gives you an excuse to be pissy and defensive. I’m just reminding you that you’re not the only one that suffers.”