“I don’t know if I can tell my family. How did you break it to yours?”
She looked like she wanted to bolt. The stricken expression on her face told him he shouldn’t have asked such a blunt question. It was way too soon, and she didn’t know him well enough yet. He laid a gentle hand on her back, just below the sports bra, offering what reassurance he could. “Never mind, it was a stupid question.”
Nicole ran hands down her bare calves. The toes of her shoes dug into the moist sand. “They don’t speak to me anymore. They act like I chose to have the virus.”
Brody tried to curb his excitement. She’d admitted to being Lycan—sort of. The first time he met her, he picked up the lingering scent he’d come to identify with his kind. It had been so faint, almost saturated with the flowery scent of wolfsbane. Of course, the wolfsbane had been a dead giveaway. But now, as she sat beside him in the salty night air, the bane was at its faintest. Had she stopped taking it since Hank Alvarez was dead?
“Does wolfsbane really help take the edge off?”
She stood and dusted the sand from the thin shorts. With quick, angry strides she moved back the way she’d first come. He scrambled to his feet and followed. Skittish as she was, one would think she’d done something wrong. If he could get his foot out of his mouth and ask some intelligent questions, he might find out what it was.
“Nicole, wait.” He turned on the charm and offered her the smile that usually got him what he wanted. “I’m just trying to make sense out of everything. I’m sorry if I offended you.”
“I can’t help you, Brody.” She brushed sand from the seat of her shorts. Her laugh was a humorless bark. “I can’t even help myself. I’m scared to death of the creature inside me. I do everything within my power to ignore it, to drown it out.”
Shit, this was going downhill fast. If he weren't careful, he’d have her too shook up to talk to him. He fell into step beside her. The realization that he only had until she reached her car put pressure on him. He didn’t like to lie, but if it got the job done, what was the harm in it? If he were lucky, she wouldn’t question his heightened senses. Most newbies didn’t pick up on them right away. He was willing to bet she’d be fooled easily since she was in denial.
“I’ve picked up the scent of it on you. I was just curious.”
She rubbed at the bite mark on her shoulder again. “It helps if you take it often and in big enough doses. It dulls the animal instincts and can help you control the urge to change every month. It’s not a cure.”
Brody understood the constant urge to change, to chase, to hunt. The heightened sense of sight, smell and hearing could be frustrating if you didn’t learn to control it.
He was unsure if he should ask the question smoldering on the tip of his tongue. To hell with it, he had to know. “Have you ever been in wolf form, Nicole?”
“No.” Tears formed in her eyes, but she blinked them away. “Never. The idea of it scares the crap out of me.”
He didn’t ask for permission, just enveloped her in a hug. Her arms were between them, folded against her stomach while her forehead rested on his shoulder. Nicole’s posture was stiff. He pressed hesitant lips against her temple and whispered words that were meant to soothe.
“Shh, it’s okay. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
Brody was very aware of Nicole’s body pressed against his own, the rise of her breasts against him as she breathed, the subtle pulse of her heartbeat, the feel of her breath against his skin. He ran his hand up and down her back in a slow rhythm. Within moments, her body relaxed and her curves melted against him.
Nicole’s arms wound around his waist, and she pressed her cheek against his heartbeat. After a few moments, she pulled away. A wet spot remained on his t-shirt. She wiped away the dampness from her cheeks with the back of a hand. She cast another worried glance at the water and the sliver of moon hanging just above it.
“I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable.” She offered a wry smile.
“I know it’s not my place to say it, but maybe you should just accept what you are. You can’t change it, might as well embrace it.” He knew what he was talking about. He’d suffered through the same thing many years ago.
“Have you done it yet?”
“Changed?” He decided to tell the truth, or at least a close version of it. “Yes.”
Her jaw was set at an odd angle. “What was it like?”
The first few times, until he learned to let it just encompass him, the change hurt like hell. “It can be frightening at first. I think it would be easier if you were around someone who has the same affliction.”
“How many times have you changed?”
“A few." That was a safe answer.
"You shouldn't take BST, Brody. That stuff can seriously screw you up."
He’d forgotten about that tidbit. Damn it, this woman flustered and confused him so much. "Right, yeah. I was just curious. I don't plan on doing it again."
“So, what are you going to do?”
He frowned, lost. “During the full moon?”
Nicole nodded.
He’d considered attending the Wild Hunt, have a night of debauchery, but he figured it would be unwise. The current leader was itching for him to join. His presence would be taken as an agreement to become part of the pack.
“I suppose I could restrain myself until the next morning.” The idea posed a multitude of mouthwatering possibilities if she’d agree to detain herself with him. “You know, just in case I’m unable to control myself.”
“That’s what I do. Restrain myself.” They approached her red Mazda. “I send Molly away and lock myself in my bedroom.”
Brody envisioned her tethered to the bed. The image made him salivate. She might run away screaming if she knew he had a raging hard-on. Ideas like this just made him want her more. “You take an ungodly amount of wolfsbane then what? You just wait it out?”
“I don’t like the urges I get. I can’t live that way.”
“Maybe you just need someone to show you— to help you through it.” He grasped her hand and pulled her toward him. She didn’t resist. Her free hand lay against his chest. Her chin tilted up, and her eyes were full of curiosity. His lips were mere inches from hers. He closed his eyes and lowered his head, almost expecting her to turn away. She didn’t.
Nicole’s eyes fluttered shut, and her body melted against his. He brought a hand to her lower back. The other found its way to her ponytail and set her hair free. It fell around her shoulders and tickled his skin. One of Nicole’s hands found its way beneath his shirt. Fingertips fluttered against his stomach then across his chest. Their tongues danced together, and he deepened the kiss. The hand on her back fell lower to cup her ass.
Brody walked her backward, toward the backend of the car. He hadn't made out in the backseat of a car in ages, but damn…
The door opened though he didn't recall which of them did it. Nicole lay back on the seat, her eyes half open, watching his every move. One of her running shoes lay in the sand outside while the other had been kicked to the floorboard.
He sank into the seat with a low, sexy growl. Damn, this blonde bombshell… he had to have her.
Nicole’s knees parted, allowing him to get intimately close. Her legs twined around his waist then drew him to her center. Teeth scraped against his bottom lip, and he captured her soft sound of pleasure.
“Ah, fuck Nicole.” Which was exactly what he planned to do.
Lust scorched every last nerve in his body. His cock pressed against her, and there was no doubt in his mind that she was aware of his intentions. She didn’t tell him no.
He dropped his mouth to her neck, grazing her flesh with his teeth. It brought another pleasant sound from deep in her throat. If she kept making those sexy noises, she was going to drive him over the edge.
Her fists clenched against his shirt. Nicole’s fingernails skimmed beneath the fabric to touch the smooth skin of his back. His name escaped her lips as a breathy exhala
tion. He not only wanted to make her moan, but also wanted to hear her scream his name.
His hands were everywhere at once and still he couldn’t touch enough of her. He had to taste her, feel her, see her naked. There wasn't enough room in this compact car!
The rational side of his brain was fast departing. All he could think about was burying himself deep within her.
“Let’s go back to my place, Nicole.” His lips moved against her skin, his tongue licking the salty sweetness. His fingers skimmed her waistband then dipped lower to touch her through the whisper-soft cotton.
Nicole’s legs tightened around him. Her back arched and fingers tensed on his shoulders. Her eyes were shut, lips parted and a flush on her cheeks which magnified her beauty.
His fingers found her and slipped against the moist bud of flesh. Nicole gasped as shocked pleasure rolled across her features. Her hips thrust against his hand as he palmed her sex.
“Yes,” she whispered as his fingers slid against her. Her body shook when he slid one inside her. "Please, yes."
Not missing the chance he was given, Brody leaned over her to run his tongue along her clavicle as he slid another finger inside her. Nicole’s body was receptive, more than willing to take him inside.
He moved the sports bra out of the way so he could taste one of her perfect breasts. Her hips rocked against his hand, and her body squirmed as she drew close to orgasm. Without missing a stroke on her delicate little clit, he shoved two fingers deep as they’d go. Nicole cried out as her thighs clamped around him, and she rode his fingers to climax. Before she was able to crest back down, he pulled her up to his mouth and kissed her hard.
“Let’s take this back to my place,” Brody cooed in her ear. She had no idea how badly he wanted her. To illustrate his need, he pushed his hard cock against her. “Let me make love to you, Nicole.”
In a surprise move, her hand fell between them and landed at his waistband. Her fingertips brushed across his hard-on, and she smiled up at him. “My place is closer.”
“You have a roommate,” he said then kissed her on the forehead.
She looked up at him, opened her mouth to say something more, but was interrupted.
A modern rock song broke the silence.
“Don’t answer it,” he said.
She answered without looking at the readout. “Hello?”
Nicole rolled away from him then got to her feet. Just like that, their moment was lost.
A slight breeze picked up and brought salty air and another unmistakable scent. The faint odor of wet dog drifted up the beach, hinting that something furry might head their way. His nostrils flared, but he managed to keep his expression neutral. He scanned the lower end of the beach where they’d stood moments ago. If Stone or more likely Tony, had snuck up on them, there were few places to hide. He cast another glance toward the other end of the beach where the bonfire had been. That stretch of sand had gone dark.
A look of anger and disgust dominated Nicole’s expression.
Brody focused his attention on the tinny voice resonating from the phone. “Slut,” the voice hissed. “Fucking whore.”
He plucked the phone from her fingers and pressed it against his own ear.
“Who is this?” he demanded. The line went dead, and the squeal of tires drew his attention to the end of the street. A dark car pulled away from the curb. The driver performed an illegal U-turn, then sped out of sight.
Nicole looked up at him. She had recognized the caller.
He damned the caller for ruining the moment. “I’ll follow you home.”
“No, I’m okay.” Nicole smiled up at him, her hand still in his. She licked her lips, and he followed the movement with eager eyes.
“There’s no ulterior motive. I just want to make sure you get there safely.”
Emotion swirled in her eyes. “Maybe it’s a good thing we were interrupted. I shouldn’t have allowed that to happen.”
“We could be good for each other, Nicole.”
He’d hated what he was when he’d first learned of his Lycanthropy. To be a child in the throes of puberty and to suffer such a horrible turn of fate had been worse than difficult. He’d never been happy until he’d accepted what he was, what he was capable of and how to control it. He did understand her struggle, but couldn’t admit it without telling her everything else he’d ever said was a lie.
“I like you, Brody. You’re a great guy.” Her smile was somewhat wistful.
“But?” He didn’t want to hear her excuse. Her answer was still a rejection, no matter how gentle.
“I’m not sure we’re such a good idea.” She backed away and put some distance between them.
Regret burned within him. He should have known he was forcing her to move too fast.
Not for the first time tonight, Brody wished he could backtrack and tell her the truth. The whole truth. He’d been wrong to use her for information. The obvious fact that she’d been hurt was compounded by the fact that he didn’t think she even knew anything about her boss’s extracurricular activities. Now that Stone was hanging around more, it would be hard to continue as a DJ and maintain his cover.
He clapped a hand on the back of his neck and kicked at a patch of sand. “Talk about bad timing…”
She looked up at him with an expectant expression. The slight smile fell away from her lips. “What happened…what we just did… I shouldn’t have allowed that to happen. I’m sorry.”
“Can’t we just start over?”
“You’re a great guy, Brody, but I’m just — I’m just not ready to date anyone right now.” She didn’t meet his gaze. “Plus, it’s a conflict of interest if employees date each other. If we got caught, it would be grounds for dismissal.”
His hopes were dashed. Perhaps he’d read her wrong a few moments ago. He’d been the wrong guy at the right time. It was the story of his life.
Her fingers drew away from his, and she rested her hand on the door handle. “See you at work?”
He nodded then watched her drop into the compact car. The short-shorts rode up and allowed him another mouthwatering view.
“Sorry to run off, but I should apologize to Molly. We had an argument, and I may have said some things I didn’t mean.” She offered a hesitant smile.
“Sure. Tell her hello for me.” Brody turned away, frustrated that she'd blue-balled him. He cast a glance over his shoulder. “If you run on the beach again, be careful. I saw a set of wolf tracks.”
Her face scrunched with concern and a touch of unease. “Are you sure it wasn’t just a dog?”
“Positive. You never know who or what you’ll run into.” He pushed away from her car. “Be safe.”
The Mazda rolled backward just a bit. Nicole poked her head out the window. “Hey, Brody? Thanks for listening.”
Chapter Eight
Nicole pulled to a stop outside Sean’s massive beach house. She shielded her eyes from the afternoon sun and stared at the manicured front. The furniture and potted plants did nothing to lend a personal touch to the façade. The water was a couple hundred feet from the back of the house.
Last night Sean asked her to meet him at a local restaurant and go over the Black Moon opening details. They were also going to decide who they would move over from Bitter Black. They had made some headway and put together a perfect roster.
Unfortunately, the discussion had been interrupted. Someone called his cell phone, and an air of urgency clung to him when he hung up. Afterward, he apologized and had his driver take her home with promises that they’d go over everything today. The main thing she wanted to cover was Brody Dunn. Sean didn’t feel it important to bring him over to the new club. She did. Not only would she spend more time there, but she wanted Brody there as well. Yes, it was for selfish reasons, but she couldn’t imagine the club without him. Bitter Black was established and could thrive with a new DJ.
Nicole studied her reflection in the rearview mirror. She had to face facts. Ever since their encoun
ter the other night, she couldn’t get Brody out of her mind. The things they’d done…and she’d agreed to go home with him! It was so unlike her. If that asshole Aaron hadn’t called and broken the mood, she would have had sex with Brody!
He was gorgeous in a wild, untamed way. His skin was sun-kissed, and his hair had a sexy just rolled out of bed style. The guy’s body was sinewy and muscular and all she had dreamt about last night. Every time he was near, her senses came alive. He brought out urges in her that she hadn’t experienced before. She’d read somewhere that a person’s sexual prowess could be determined by their dance moves. If this was true, sex with Brody must be passionate, wild and energetic.
But what was the point in fantasizing about Brody? She could never have him. If she dated Brody and Sean found out, it might ruin both their careers. She couldn’t do that to him. She would not destroy Brody’s career just because she liked the guy.
Nicole cursed her luck at finding the right guy at the wrong time.
Sean stepped onto the front terrace and waved. “Did you have any trouble finding the place?”
Nicole made her way up the imported stone walkway. How could she miss it? His was the most extravagant home on the beach. The entire front consisted of two-story windows. It looked very modern with its blocky, white shape and clean style. He must have spent a fortune on the vacation home.
He ushered her through a posh foyer, filled with houseplants and demure paintings. She doubted he chose any of it. A decorator must have toiled for hours with the house’s details. He led her to the kitchen, and she couldn’t help but think he looked more relaxed than usual.
Sean had traded his customary suit for a polo shirt and dark, pressed jeans. His socked feet made soft sounds on the kitchen tile.
Nicole stood in the kitchen doorway and watched him select a knife from the butcher block. He placed a tomato on the cutting board and ran the blade through its tender skin. Next, he chopped a green bell pepper. “I’m sorry the meeting got cut short last night.”
The kitchen’s open floor plan was made to entertain. The dark cabinetry and granite countertops looked like they’d been scrubbed ahead of her arrival.
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