Nicole (The Mate Series) Book #1

by Teresa Gabelman

  “And here I thought you were nice.” She gave him a glare as she plopped down in the seat.

  Damon put his forearm on the hood of the car and leaned in close to her. “Another word not in my vocabulary.” His voice was low with a hint of what was to come tonight. It definitely wouldn’t be a quickie, and Nicole was fine with that. Nothing better than being with Damon to take her mind off everything, at least for a little while.

  She leaned her head against the seat as her eyes slowly traveled to the wooded area they had just come from. As soon as Damon got inside and closed the door, Nicole closed her eyes. And despite her attempt to relax and push the madness of the day aside, if that was even possible, the one word she couldn’t stop repeating in her mind continued. Demon.

  Chapter 8

  Once Nicole and Damon arrived home, she headed to the shower. Her mind raced with everything, and she wanted it to stop. At least until tomorrow. Tomorrow was another day, a day where she would make a difference.

  As she stood under the showerhead, the hot water spraying down her body, her eyes wandered. She loved this bathroom. Had designed it herself. After living with the Warriors for almost a year, their house—her dream house—had been finished. The shower was tiled in dark blue. It was big enough for Damon when he joined her; she’d made damn sure of that. The glass doors were steamed, but she saw his figure and knew he was leaning against their double sink, waiting for her to finish.

  Wanting nothing more than to feel his body against hers, she turned off the water, then opened the door and stepped out. Damon’s arms remained crossed. Dressed in just his jeans, he held a towel hanging from one hand. His eyes darkened as they fell from her face, down her neck, lingering on her full tits, to her rounded stomach to the juncture of her thighs that throbbed with a need only he could satisfy.

  “Do I need to use my hands to dry off?” She made sure her voice was low and seductive. The flaring of his eyes as he looked up at her indicated she was successful.

  He cocked his eyebrow as his eyes ran over her body again before pushing off the sink. “I think I like you better wet.” His eyes left her pussy as they shot back up to hers and dropped the towel. Reaching out, he pulled her against his body, taking her mouth in a hard kiss. Their lovemaking was not always slow and sweet. Since she was turned, it was fast and hard for the first round, the second round a little bit tamer. Actually, that was a lie. There was nothing tame about Damon DeMasters. He made damn sure her needs were met every single time, and gave her plenty of leeway to please him. Her breasts, pressed against the firm muscles of his body, felt right and sent a tingling sensation all over her body. The hardness of his cock ground against her belly and she wanted nothing more than to take him in her mouth.

  Her hands left his shoulder, running down his arms, appreciating his strength and then to his flat, muscled stomach. The button on his jeans was already undone, much to her relief. She was eager to lose herself in him. Carefully unzipping his jeans around the hard bulge of his cock, she followed the jeans down to the floor until she was on her knees. He kicked them out of the way as she grasped his length in her hand. Looking up at him, she met his eyes staring down at her as if he was in total control over the wetness between her legs that flowed. Nothing about the way she took him in her mouth was slow, though. His body tightened as she worked him with her tongue and mouth, giving him everything she had to give.

  Damon’s hand went to the back of her head, massaging, yet taking some control by dictating the speed and depth as he clasped her hair. She moaned, freely admitting she liked his dominance, at least when it came to sucking his cock and in the bedroom. Nicole’s body tightened at his growl of satisfaction. Grasping his balls, she massaged, giving enough pressure to send him close to the edge. She didn’t worry about him coming. One, because she loved his taste, and two, Damon would either remain hard or by the time he spread her legs, he would be hard again.

  Her pussy throbbed and clenched so badly she reached down to give herself some relief. She moved her body enough so he could see what she was doing and when his dick jerked in her mouth, she smiled the best she could.

  Using her hair, he gently pulled her mouth off him, then forced her to look up at him. “You know you are playing with what is mine.”

  With a lick of her lips, she gave him a mischievous grin. “I know, but you were a little busy.”

  Pulling her up, one arm wrapped around her waist as his free hand replaced hers as he slipped two fingers inside. He began pumping as her leg rose to give him better access. “But I do it so much better.”

  She started to argue, but no sound other than moans escaped her throat as he used his hand and fingers in ways that had her bending backward over his arm, giving him full control to her hard nipples that pointed straight up at him. Taking advantage, he leaned down, grasping one in his mouth, sucking, licking, biting, and tugging before giving the other the same mind-blowing attention.

  Nicole had no idea how many times she found release with only his fingers and mouth, but she was more than ready to have him deep inside her before she went insane. “Damon!” she begged.

  “Hmmm?” he answered, his mouth still full of her tit that he expertly worked over.

  “Fuck me,” she sighed and cried out, knowing he loved it when she asked him to fuck her. Long ago she learned to be open and free with her mate. He loved it, and so did she. Dirty talk wasn’t for everyone, but for them, it was bliss.

  “I am.” His tongue ran between her breasts, up to her neck and into her mouth. At the same time, he expertly added another finger and pounded them inside her, and she loved every single damn minute of it.

  “Please.” She hissed against his mouth as he picked her up and carried her out of the bathroom and down the hallway.

  “I love when you say that word.” Damon gave her a sexy grin as he walked into their bedroom, another room Nicole had designed. The bed had four posts on each end, almost to the ceiling, which made for interesting positions.

  “Don’t get used to it, Warrior.” She snapped gently at his neck.

  At the edge of the bed, Damon put her down on her feet, Nicole’s body sliding slowly down his. His hands were everywhere. Every inch of her skin he caressed, driving her to the point she shook with need. Damon picked her up under her full ass, and sat her on the edge of the high bed, another strategic plan when decorating their bedroom.

  Nicole spread her legs, welcoming Damon. He knelt in front of her, pulling her close to his mouth, repaying her favor with one of his own. Her eyes slammed shut in pure ecstasy as he made love to her with his mouth. Her legs and belly quivered from the warmth of his breath and sensations of his tongue with its expert movement against her core. When he pulled away, she groaned, but her disappointment was short-lived when he lifted her legs under the knees and slammed inside her. He was fully embedded, grinding his pelvis against her.

  As she had been known to do in the past, Nicole seriously thought she was going to pass out with the pleasure mixed with the small amount of pain. She liked it. Liked it a lot. Moving slowly at first, his pace picked up, all the while staring into her eyes with unspoken promises. She didn’t need him to speak. Nicole knew exactly what he was promising her, and she welcomed it all with open arms and open legs. That thought made her smile.

  At her smile, he moaned and pumped faster and harder. One of his firm hands left her leg to caress her breast, pinching her nipples with just enough force to make her pussy clench tightly around him. Holy shit, this man could fuck. Using her strength, and knowing truthfully he allowed her to take control, she pulled him down and rolled him, so he lay on the bed with her on top, all without them breaking away from each other.

  Nicole rode him fast and rode him hard, giving everything she had to this man who had stolen her heart and soul, giving him as much pleasure as she could manage. Needing something more, she slowed her motion, sliding up and down while twirling her hips as slowly as she possibly could.

  “Nicole,�
� he warned, his fangs growing as his eyes grew midnight-black.

  “Yes, Damon.” She leaned her head back, exposing her neck.

  With lightning speed that surprised her, he once again reversed their position. Poised over her, Damon opened his mouth slightly, his eyes on the prize as he bit into her, sending her over the edge.

  “I love you,” Nicole whispered as Damon fed on her. Slowly Damon lifted his head, his eyes searching hers.

  “And I love you.” He rolled her once again, baring his own neck. She took advantage and fed with a smile as he started to grow hard once again inside her.

  Nicole curled up in her oversized chair downstairs that looked out the backyard window. She sipped her tea as her gaze roamed the wooded scenery. Sipping her drink slowly, she sighed. She loved her life, her home built to both her and Damon’s specifications. Her specifications had included being a cozy, loving home while Damon’s were that of a secure fortress. A small smile slipped across her lips. There were days she missed the compound where Damon had lived. They still stayed in his room at the compound at times, but when they needed space, their own time together, they came here. Every time they did so, she felt at peace. The one thing she definitely missed though about being human was sleeping. Not that she got much of it before, but lazy rainy or snowy Sundays snuggled in bed reading or watching television before falling asleep, then waking up to do it all over again until her alarm woke her early Monday morning were definitely missed.

  After their second round of mind-blowing sex, they had lain in bed talking. Thank God it was always like this with her mate. Not just the sex, but talking and the closeness she felt from him afterward. But the sex, yeah, that was mind-blowing. Every. Single. Time. She almost gave an Amen to that thought, and smiled. Her body responded just thinking about it. Their time, however, had been shattered by the constant ring of his phone. Damon had gotten up to answer it and had been on the call ever since.

  Finishing her tea, Nicole set the cup on the end table next to her. Damon walked into the room, reached down and picked her up, then sat back down with her on his lap.

  “Who was that?” She leaned her head on his chest. She wore one of his T-shirts with nothing else.

  Damon didn’t answer right away. He twirled a strand of her hair in his fingers, staring at it.

  “Don’t shut me out.” Nicole pulled her hair away and sat up on his lap.

  “I have to go in,” Damon replied. Nicole thought that was all he was going to say, but before she could respond, he cursed. “Rosenstein isn’t talking. They want me to go in and try.”

  “Let me,” Nicole said, before thinking through her words. If she’d have given herself time to think through her request, she wouldn’t have just blurted it out. She knew exactly what Damon’s reaction was going to be.

  “No.” It was a firm answer, no hesitation whatsoever, and it had a little attitude behind the tone.

  Shit. Yep, she should have thought it out first. Well, she also had attitude that could match any one of these Warriors’, her mate included.

  “Excuse me?” Nicole pushed away from him. “I’m training to be a Warrior. This is my case, and I’m the one who took the bastard out. Plus I don’t decapitate people.”

  “I wish to hell everyone would shut the hell up about that.” Damon glared at her. “I’ve only done that a few times.”

  Nicole cocked her eyebrow at him, snorting.

  “Okay, more than a few, but that was usually because of you.”

  Damon’s blame pissed her off. “Oh, so I’m the reason you can’t control yourself?” Nicole snorted again, rolling her eyes. “Give me a break.”

  Damon didn’t answer, but carefully moved her off his lap and stood up. “That answer is still no.” He went to kiss her, but she turned her head in time that he just got her cheek.

  Growling, Damon grabbed her chin gently. With a firm hold, he placed a kiss on her lips. “I’ll be back.”

  “What was the conversation with Pike at the agency?” Nicole threw that out there as he turned to walk away. He slowed but didn’t turn around.

  “We’ll talk when I get home,” Damon said as he snatched his keys off the counter and headed toward the front room.

  Nicole watched him leave, her brows deeply set. “No, I think not, Mr. Pain-in-my-ass DeMasters,” she whispered, then hurried to their bedroom, grabbing her phone on the way, and pressed Tessa’s number. “Hey,” Nicole said into the phone. “Call Katrina and meet me at the compound garage in twenty minutes.”

  Their conversation was brief but effective. Hanging up, she smiled, but it wasn’t a happy smile. No, it was more like a “don’t push me ’cause I push back” type of smile. There was no way she was being kept out of this. Consequences from her broody mate be damned.

  Chapter 9

  Instead of meeting at the compound because of the security cameras, Nicole changed their meeting place. Not only that, she asked all of the women who were free to meet her. She pulled into the Sand Trap parking lot where Tessa still bartended when needed. It seemed like an ideal place to meet up.

  Once inside, Nicole was happy to see the small group of women inside talking. The bar was empty other than them, which was good. Tessa was behind the bar passing out free drinks with a huge grin on her face.

  “Hey.” Pam waved Nicole over, suspicion shining in her eyes. “What are you up to?”

  Nicole grabbed a beer that was passed to her and took a long drink before responding. “What makes you think I’m up to something?”

  “I’ve known you for a long time, and I know when you’re up to something.” Pam chuckled at Nicole’s smirk. “So, spill it.”

  With a quick glance at her friends, Nicole took a deep breath, all too aware all of their focus was on her. Before she spoke, Tessa walked from around the bar to be included. “I’m going back to work for the agency. I’m working in social services again.” Immediately, the faces of the women before her lit up with smiles.

  “That’s great!” Jill grinned, then frowned. “Or is it? What did Damon say?”

  “And that”—she pointed at Tessa—“is exactly why we’re all here. I don’t know what Damon thinks because I didn’t ask Damon.”

  “Good for you.” Pam gave a nod of approval.

  “Wait.” Tessa frowned. “Does this mean you’re not training to be a Warrior?”

  Remaining silent for a few beats, Nicole made eye contact with each of them. All were looking curious and eager. Nicole knew she could be causing some big problems for some of them, which wasn’t what she wanted, but dammit, each and every single woman before her had something to offer this messed-up world they lived in. Her eyes met Lana’s. “Since you quit the police department, how involved have you been in helping the Warriors?” Nicole knew by the look on Lana’s face what the answer was going to be.

  “Not as much as I would like,” Lana fessed up.

  “Is Jared okay with you training to be a Warrior now?” Nicole looked away from Lana to Tessa.

  Tessa shrugged then sighed. “No, not really.”

  “What’s this all about, Nicole?” Pam asked, gaining her attention.

  “Duncan keeping you busy with Daniel?” Nicole answered her question with a question.

  “Yeah, but…” Pam’s words drifted off as she thought about what Nicole was insinuating. “I am his mother, and I want to spend a lot of time with him, but it does seem during training Duncan is always too busy to help me out.”

  “Interesting.” Jill glanced around at all the women, then back to Nicole.

  “What about you, Jill?” Nicole asked, genuinely curious since she was already Warrior status. “Do you feel you’re getting the same treatment as Steve and Adam?”

  Jill thought about it for a minute, then grinned. “Actually, yeah, but only because I’m a loud mouth, and if I don’t think I’m getting the support and training I need, I bitch and don’t shut up until I get my way.”

  Everyone chuckled, knowing that was so true
. Nicole’s laugh faded as she turned serious. “Well, we’re about to take a page out of your playbook, Jill.”

  “This is going to be so good.” Jill rubbed her hands together. “About damn time!”

  Nicole nodded with total agreement. Jill was right. This was going to be so very good. Nicole explained everything that happened yesterday, up to the point where she was not allowed to stay in the group’s little Warrior meeting, and more specifically, her request to help question Rosenstein was point-blank refused, despite the fact she’d apprehended the bastard.

  “I want to talk to him, and you guys are going to help me do it.” Nicole glanced around. “But I want to make it clear that if you don’t want to be involved, I will understand completely.”

  “Hell, I’m in.” Jill snorted, with a fist pump. “What about you, Katrina? You in?”

  Katrina’s smile grew. “All the way.”

  And so it went—her group of fearless friends agreed to help Nicole do what she should have been able to do in the first place. And that was talk to the bastard she had a hand in stopping. As they made plans on how to get Nicole with Rosenstein, Nicole went silent as another idea hit her.

  “The agency needs help,” she said above the chatter. Everyone stopped talking and looked at her. “Whatever Rosenstein was doing with those caged vampires wasn’t an isolated incident. I have a bad feeling this is something that we’re going to be seeing more of, and the kids are going to suffer for it.”

  “What are you saying?” Caroline stepped forward with a frown.

  Nicole took a deep breath, and blurted, “I’m saying we’re hiring. The pay sucks, the hours are long, and some days it’s heartbreaking, but one life saved makes it all worth it. I couldn’t save Carly, but I’ll be damned if I don’t save the next one.”