“Take your hands off the lady,” Byron told him. “Or I’ll remove them for you.”
“Whoa there, boy. Who do you think you are, to talk to me like that?” Balan asked.
Jenna knew she had to step between them before things got too nasty. “Wait just a damned minute, both of you. I have no idea what’s going on here, but I’m my own person and will do what I damned well please. So, both of you can go fuck yourselves.” She finished her little speech just as D and Marshall walked in.
“We have a problem?” D asked.
“Nothing that can’t be taken care of later,” Balan said with a snarl toward the other man.
“And later it shall be,” Byron answered.
“Well, save it for someplace else. There’s been enough damage here tonight. Come on, all three of you. I have something to show you.” Marshall led the way back to his office.
I have seen more of this place than I ever wanted to, Jenna thought to herself.
Chapter Sixteen
They quietly followed the two owners up the stairs and into Marshall’s office again. Each took a seat, and it was only then they realized that Byron hadn’t followed them.
“Where is he?” D asked the others.
“He was right behind me,” Jenna replied. “I thought.”
“I’ll go look for him. He needs to be here for this,” said D.
“We’ll give it five minutes before we start without them. Anybody need a drink?” Marshall asked.
They both said yes, and he’d just poured shots for all when Darrell walked back in. “He’s nowhere to be found.”
“What the hell is going on here?” Balan asked. He didn’t want to be there in the first place. He wanted someplace quiet so he could talk to Jenna. He knew she was pissed at him, and he needed to explain himself.
“Watch this.” Marshall pulled the laptop closer and played the newest video feed from the security cameras. “This was taken around the time you went back to work, Balan.”
“Oh my God. Is that Byron or Brandon?” Jenna couldn’t help but ask as she watched one of the twins demolish a car in the parking lot that looked a lot like Balan’s. “Is that yours?”
“Not mine. I was just out there putting my things into it so I could come looking for you.” He turned toward the owners. “Should I even ask who’s it is?”
“It’s one of our customers’. The main parking lot was full, and this is a repeat client, so we told her to park her brand-new Camaro in the employee lot. It looks amazingly similar to yours, doesn’t it?” Darrell said.
“Holy shit,” Balan said.
“Yeah. So now we owe her a new car, which in itself is no biggie. However, we have no idea why one of the twins did this. We’re also thinking it was one, or both, who tore up the demo room earlier,” Marshall said and turned off the laptop.
“Where is Brandon?” asked Jenna.
“He’s been helping Chad all evening. So, we know it wasn’t him who tore up the Camaro. As for the demo room, well, we can’t place him or his brother. They both seemed to have disappeared during that time.”
“Darrell, if it means anything, Byron was with me this evening for a few hours. He was helping me at the shop,” Jenna told them. “As a matter of fact, he told me you guys had Brandon doing other things and that you didn’t think I was the main target, so you guys only sent him along to keep an eye on me.”
“We only said we didn’t think you were the target. Not any of the other stuff.” Marshall turned toward Darrell. “He must have heard us when we were talking earlier.”
“Now what do we do?” asked Balan.
“Now we go find Brandon and see if he has any answers,” Darrell said as he got up to leave. He turned to walk out as the others rose to go with him. They were stopped just inside the door by none other than Brandon himself.
“Have any of you guys seen my brother?”
“We were just coming to look for you, and no we haven’t. He was with us one minute and then gone the next,” Marshall told him. “We need to speak with you if you don’t mind.”
“No problem. I finished helping Chad rearrange the new pieces for the demonstration room and went looking for him. He’s nowhere to be found. Hell, I even thought he might be off with you, Jenna.”
“He was earlier, but when we got back, he just vanished.”
“Huh. I wonder if he’s talking to that new guy again,” said Brandon as he took a seat in front of Marshall’s desk. He watched as the laptop was turned and the video started. “Oh, hell no. That’s not me, and I hope you guys don’t think it is!”
“All we know is that it’s one of you,” Darrell replied.
“I swear it’s not me!”
“Okay. Let’s say I believe you. Why would Byron do something like this?” Darrell asked.
“I have no idea.” Brandon felt his stomach sink as if he were on a rollercoaster. “Maybe it’s that new guy he’s talking to.”
“What new guy?” asked Marshall.
“There was this really weird guy at the bar who approached us. He began talking to us, and before we knew it, he was trying to get us to come work for him. He kept promising we could have anything or anybody we wanted, and he’d guarantee our freedom.” Brandon knew he should have come to the owners and told them earlier, but he hadn’t taken the stranger seriously, and he didn’t think his brother had either.
“Why the hell didn’t you come to us when this first happened?” Marshall demanded. “You both knew we were after a stalker. Didn’t you think this might have been a set-up?”
“Not really. The guy was weird but didn’t seem threatening at all. Plus, he didn’t match the description you gave out to all of us. This was an old guy that was stooped over a bit with age.”
Darrel got up to pace. “Nothing to do about it now. We have to go on the premise that it was probably Khobrel, and we need to figure out his plan. I’m afraid Byron is working with him. There is no other explanation for the shit we saw on the video.”
“Byron wouldn’t do that,” Brandon said firmly, but inside, he wasn’t so sure. He cut a sideways look at Jenna. He knew his brother wanted the woman, and he was afraid he might have gone over to the dark side in order to get her.
“Hey, look. I’m not part of what is going on here. This Khobrel character is after you guys, not me. I’m gonna go home and forget I know about any of this. I have my own problems with code enforcement and wanting to open on time.” Jenna got up to leave.
“I’m afraid, little witch, you are very much a part of this,” Marshall replied and turned his phone toward her so she could read the message sent.
“But who would say stuff like this?” She was mortified that people knew her secret. “How would he even know?”
“We’re not sure how he ever knows anything, but he always seems to,” Darrell said. He was a little worried about his own secrets coming out someday.
Chapter Seventeen
“You can’t be alone again until we get this guy,” Balan told her. He’d been sitting quietly the whole time, but now he couldn’t let an opportunity pass him by. He wanted more time with her, and this was a perfect way to get it.
She jumped up. “Now, wait a minute.”
“No, he’s right,” Marshall said. “We have no idea who they’re targeting for sure—hell, it might be all of us.” He looked over at Brandon. “Including you.”
“He wouldn’t hurt me. I’m his brother.”
“Don’t believe that for one minute. Family is the first to turn on you,” Darrell said. “Besides, Byron might not, but Khobrel would.”
They all heard the anger in his voice and wondered, yet none dared to ask what was behind D’s animosity.
“I’m a big girl, you guys. I can take care of myself,” Jenna reminded them. She had no intention of telling any of them she’d already had one run-in with Khobrel and had managed to beat him back. Sort of.
“You have no bloody idea what this thing is capable of, so no, you’r
e not able to take care of yourself in this matter,” Darrell told her. “And we don’t want to see you get hurt in the crossfire just because you’re associated with any of us.”
She knew she was beat momentarily, so she let it go.
“Okay. So, what’s our next move?” asked Balan.
“I need to go find my brother and find out what the hell is going on between him and this guy,” Brandon said. He left before anyone else could say anything to stop him.
Marshall looked at everybody still in his office, then turned toward Balan. “Can you take her home and stay with her for the night?”
“Yeah, no problem,” Balan answered and looked sideways at Jenna to gauge her reaction. He knew the instant she realized what that meant, and he knew she was pissed. He could work with that. Hell, he could turn her anger into some amazing passion, and he intended to give it one hell of a try to get what he wanted. And what he wanted was Jenna.
“Fine.” She felt anything but fine and knew she had no way of getting out of it. “Let’s go. I’m hungry, and I’m fucking tired.” She stormed out, not waiting for him to follow. She didn’t stop until she was standing beside her car, then she looked over to see where he was. He was already in his and waiting on her. How the hell?
“Well, come on. Let’s get going,” Balan hollered out his window.
Jenna got in, cussing under her breath, and tore out of the parking lot. “Let’s see if he can keep up in his little Camaro.” She floored the Vette and left him in the dust. She didn’t slow down until she hit the city limits sign, where she knew a cop or two was always sitting.
He laughed when he realized what she was doing, and he let her get a good lead on him. “If she only knew.” Maybe someday he’d tell her the truth. He didn’t need the car to actually be able to beat hers—hell, he knew it wouldn’t in a fair race—but with his powers, he could give it a time and space jump, which would put him in front of her easily. “You win for now, little girl.”
He continued to follow her home. He parked in the drive and waited while she went through the garage and opened the front door. He’d already scanned the house with his powers and knew no one was inside.
She stood in the open doorway just looking at him. “Well? Are you coming in or what?”
“Invite me inside and I will.” He stood with his hands on either side of the doorjamb.
Jenna took a deep breath and accidentally inhaled his scent. Oh my God, I’m gonna be in so much trouble with him here. “What if I don’t?”
“Invite me inside, Jenna.”
His voice had deepened to a timbre that raised goose bumps on her arms and the back of her neck. She could feel it seeping into her and cause lots of interesting tingles. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea, Balan.”
“Do it,” he urged. He wanted to be inside… both the house and her. He shifted his weight slightly.
Jenna glanced down and realized he had an impressive hard-on, and he was standing outside her front door. Maybe I should let him in, so the neighbors don’t gossip. But if I do, then I know I’m going to end up sleeping with him. And if I don’t, then I might be losing out on one hell of an opportunity, not to mention pissing off some powerful paranormal entities. Oh, decisions, decisions. “Fine. Balan, would you please come inside?”
“I’d love to.” He made sure she got the double entendre as he stepped across the threshold. He didn’t really need to be invited in. It did make things easier for a return visit, however, so he always asked. “Now, where will we be sleeping?”
“Follow me. You can use the guest room. I’ll just have to grab you a couple of towels.” She took him down the hall and showed him the bedroom and connecting bath.
“Jenna, Jenna, Jenna. We both know I won’t be using this room.” He clucked his tongue and chuckled. “Now, where is our room?”
“Like I said, you can use the guest room.” She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “This was not an invitation to come over for one of your playdates.”
It was like a lightning bolt zapping him. He finally understood some of her anger, and it was old-fashioned jealousy. “Listen to me very carefully. This won’t be a playdate. This won’t be a one-night stand. Hell, this won’t even be anything to do with BDSM. Tonight, is all about me learning every delicious inch of your sexy little body. I want to taste you from head to toe, and I will make sure to find all the hidden little spots where you like to be touched.”
He was leaning over her when he said the words. Her heart sped up, her stomach did funny little flip-flops, and she grew wet with want. Well shit, my body seems to have developed a mind of its own. Now what do I do?
Chapter Eighteen
“Well then. I guess I should wish you luck. No man, from the time I lost my virginity, has been able to make me come.”
The look on her face said it all, so he was more determined than ever that he was going to be the one to make her realize just how good it could be—how good it would be between them. He smiled into her beautiful eyes, moved a hand so he could cup her face, then leaned down to kiss her softly. “Challenge accepted.”
Her head was spinning from his simple kiss. In reality, it was just a brief slide of his lips against hers, but the promise it held took her breath away. Damn, maybe he’s just the man to do it after all.
Balan scooped her up and carried her to the couch, where he sat with her in his lap. He twined his hand into her hair and angled her just the way he wanted for a deeper kiss that let her know how serious he was taking the issue. He moved his other hand up to cup one lush breast and thumb its nipple to hardness. He broke the kiss only when he couldn’t stand it any longer and wanted to taste the little cherries topping her creamy mounds.
He slipped her shirt, then bra off and picked her up long enough to turn her so she straddled him. His hands roamed over every inch of bare skin he’d uncovered until he leaned her forward so he could capture a nipple in his mouth. He flicked his tongue over and around the nubbin, making it stand taller so he could suck it, hard. He loved the little sounds coming from her as she panted and moaned.
“Oh my God, Balan.” Jenna gasped as she felt him suck, first on one nipple, then the other. Her head was spinning, and she wanted more. She writhed in his arms bearing down and rubbed against the impressive erection she felt beneath her. She was closer to her first orgasm with this simple dry fuck than she’d ever gotten with anyone else, and she wanted him to finish it.
“Not yet.” He gasped and slid her off his lap to stand. “Bedroom now!”
“No. Here and now.” She tried to push him back down onto the couch, but he refused to budge.
“I will not make love to you on the couch for our first time.” He took a deep breath, trying to calm down before his true inner self took control. “Bedroom now,” he repeated.
Knowing she didn’t have much of a choice if she wanted to see if he could bring her to completion, she led the way to her room and shed her jeans along the way to the bed. She flopped down on her back and watched as he seemed to take his sweet time stripping, knowing it was making her crazy. Two can play this game, little boy, she thought to herself and moved her hips slightly, gaining his total attention.
His face as he watched her move against the bed was more than reward enough for having to wait. She slid her hand down her stomach and into the neatly trimmed bush that covered her pussy, slipped a finger between the lips, and moaned.
Balan had had enough. He used his powers to make the remainder of his clothes disappear. He pounced and landed between her spread thighs and pushed them even farther apart so he could get to her sweet flesh. He used tongue, teeth, and lips to rake against her clit and bring her so close to her first orgasm that she was begging him to finish her.
He refused. “I’m going to be inside you when you come for the first time.”
“Fuck that! Do it now, with your mouth, please.” She knew she was begging, but she couldn’t help it.
He rose and slid himself u
p her body, letting the hair on his chest slide over her stomach and those hard, little nipples. He moaned into her mouth as he lay flush against her and reached down to angle her hips. Before he went any further, he had to know. “How long has it been?” It was killing him to wait on her answer, but he didn’t want to hurt her. He was a very large male.
Jenna gasped at the sensation of his chest hair against her nipples. “Who cares right now?”
“Dammit, I do. I don’t want to hurt you, Jenna.” He pulled back slightly, although it about drove him out of his mind to do so.
“Fine. It’s been three years since I was last with anybody.”
He knew how irrational it was, but he was pleased to know she hadn’t been sleeping with Louis or anyone else for quite a while. Mine! His inner demon growled its own approval. “I’ll go as slow as I can,” he promised and moved against her. He felt the head of his cock slip into her wet heat and he groaned, then pushed deeper. His hips pulled back and pushed again, three more times until he was seated to the balls. “God, you are tight.”
Jenna gasped at the feel of him sliding in and out. He was being gentle until she’d stretched enough for there not to be any pain. At that point, she dug her nails into his ass to urge him to move faster and harder. She was so close to her first orgasm; she didn’t want him to slow down. “More!”
He gave her what she needed and what he wanted. He thrusted quicker, adding a little grind onto her clit with each move. He knew what it would do to her and was rewarded with a small groan, letting him know he was hitting all the right spots. “Come for me, baby. I want to feel it all around me.” He ground down a little harder and knew the moment it worked. She arched under him and locked her legs around his waist in a vice grip. He had no choice but to ride it out and try to hold on.
Jenna felt like she was drowning in sensation as the first orgasm, from someone other than herself, hit. She swore she saw stars and fireworks; it was that good. She howled and felt her spasms grip him tightly. It went on and on as he continued to pump in and out of her until she felt him stiffen and moan. His cock jerked inside her, so she knew he was coming too. Even afterward, when they were trying to catch their breath, neither felt the desire to move away.
Fireballs & Familiars Page 6
