Authors: Unknown
Focus.
“I’ve taken plenty of demons out of this world, and it pisses them off. Since I’m a slayer, I’m tough for them to kill, but demons are bastards. It didn’t take them long to find my weak spot.”
“You have an Achilles’ heel?”
He shrugged. “If you want to call it that.” He needed another whiskey. Maybe five or six more. “They hunt the people I care about…and kill them.” He waited for the information to sink in.
“They killed your girlfriend.” Tegan squeezed his hand.
“My fiancée.” He swallowed the knot of guilt clogging his throat. “I was supposed to be with her that night, but I smelled a demon and went hunting. I didn’t think I’d be gone long.” No amount of whiskey would ease this pain. “I found him attacking a woman. We fought, and she ran away during the fight. I never saw her face, but judging by how fast she got out of there, I don’t think he had hurt her yet. The demon ended up getting away, but the woman did too, so at least it wasn’t a total loss. And I’d still make it to dinner.”
He pulled his hand from hers and turned the candle on the table. He stared into the flame, wishing it could burn the image from his mind.
“When I got home, I called for her, apologizing for being late. And then I smelled them. Demons. I ran through the apartment and found her all over the bathroom. Pieces everywhere. The little fuckers knew I would have to clean it up myself. I couldn’t get the police involved.” He ground his teeth together, forcing back the emotions. “Laura was innocent. Her only mistake was falling for me. I cared about her, so they lured me away that night and killed her.”
“Gabe, I…” She covered her mouth, her eyes shining in the candlelight. “I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t tell you this for sympathy.” He took a deep breath and forced himself to look at her. “I’m telling you because I’m having a hard time thinking straight, and I don’t want to put you in more danger than you already are. This is serious, Tegan.”
He reached over to take her hand, selfishly aching to feel her skin. Touching her left him defenseless to the insatiable hunger for her. He needed her to end this and save them both.
Desire made his voice low and husky as he leaned in closer to her. “If I go back to your place tonight, I’m not sleeping in that fucking chair, and we’re not going to sleep until we’re too exhausted to do anything else.”
He waited for her to slap him or storm out. But she stayed close, her lips parted, and color crept up her chest. That wasn’t the reaction he’d been counting on.
Gabe ground his teeth together, struggling to hold on to the last thread of his self-control. “I need you to tell me no, Tegan.”
Instead, her fingers tangled in the back of his hair, and her lips crushed against his, parting, inviting him to taste her, their tongues wrestling in a slow, sensual exploration.
The best fucking “no” ever.
Gabe groaned, pulling her close, his heart racing as her soft breasts pressed against his chest. He wanted to enjoy every curve of her body, but he couldn’t touch.
Way too many people and too many clothes.
Heat burned in his groin until his jeans were painfully tight in the crotch. He’d never wanted anyone as urgently as the woman in his arms.
Damn it.
He was through fighting. He needed her. Now.
He broke the kiss. “Let’s get out of here.”
She nodded, her cheeks flushed, her lips swollen. Yeah, they needed to get back to her place. Right now.
He shifted himself so he could walk, and got her to the car only stopping to kiss her a couple more times along the way.
Chapter Eight
Gabe drove to her dojo in record time. Normally she might have been tense when the tires squealed around a couple of turns, but tonight, the rumble of the Mustang’s V-8 made her heart pound for another reason.
He pulled into her tiny parking lot and turned off the engine. Without hesitation, his hand slid into her hair and his lips brushed hers, lightly teasing her mouth open. Her tongue explored, tasting him until he groaned into the kiss, deepening it.
Hunger consumed her. She ran her hand farther up his thigh until she massaged the rock-hard bulge in his pants. She hadn’t been intimate with anyone in a few years, but she couldn’t ever remember this kind of overwhelming desire. The urgent need for Gabe’s touch silenced all rational thought.
If they stripped naked in the car, so be it.
Her skin tingled as he caressed her bare thigh under her dress. Heat shot through her, coiling in her belly. She parted her legs for him, and Gabe growled against her lips. “Let’s get inside.”
Tegan’s knees wobbled when she got out. Gabe leaned into the car and opened the glove compartment, dug around inside, and then slammed it quickly, pocketing a box of condoms.
Birth control hadn’t even crossed her mind. It had definitely been too long.
He walked her to the door, his arm around her waist. Her hand trembled, and she struggled to slide the key into the lock. Thankfully, she still remembered the code to the alarm.
She reached for the light switch, but Gabe caught her hand and brought it to his mouth. “I should be stronger.” He bent to kiss her lips, slow and tender until the rest of her body ached for his attention.
He hummed against her and whispered, “Last chance to…”
She brought her finger up to cover his lips. In the dim glow from the streetlight outside she memorized his features, her gaze locked on his. “I want you.”
Inside the dojo he kissed her again, hard and urgent, his tongue tangling with hers. Tegan tugged at his T-shirt, pulling it free from his jeans, and moaned when she finally ran her fingers up his tight abs, exploring his bare chest. His skin was hot, and his muscles responded to her touch, tensing. Her pulse raced.
They weren’t going to make it upstairs to her bed.
And she didn’t care.
Gabe held her tight, maneuvering her past the stairs, to the rear wall of the dojo. He broke the kiss and yanked his shirt over his head, taking the button-down with it. The second he was free, he had her back in his arms. His bare skin burned through her dress. Skin-to-skin contact consumed her thoughts while her fingers made quick work of the button on his jeans.
His strong hands moved up her back to the tie at the base of her neck. As soon as he freed the dress, the fabric slid down her skin, and her heart stuttered. For a split second, a surge of panic shot through her.
Gabe made no move to pull her dress down. His lips caressed her neck, just below her ear, his voice husky with desire. “Stay with me.”
Passion overwhelmed the sudden hesitation. She nodded, her eyes drifting closed as his lips moved across her collarbone. “Don’t stop.”
He smiled against her skin. “Not a chance.”
With the button open on his jeans, she carefully slid the zipper down, freeing his erection. She ran her fingers along his length, enjoying the sound of his deep growl.
Gabe’s lips brushed her shoulder. “This dress comes off…now.”
She raised her arms, and he pulled the dress over her head, letting it fall to the ground. The cool air rushed over her flushed skin for a moment before Gabe’s arms were back around her. The feel of his muscled chest pressed firm against her bare breasts made her gasp with pleasure, her body growing wet with anticipation.
“I need you.” She gasped between urgent kisses.
One hand brushed along her hip and he helped her out of her lace bikini underwear, nibbling around her belly button. He slipped off his jeans in one quick motion before he slid a finger inside her. She trembled, her knees going weak. Her hips tilted toward him. Had she ever wanted anyone this much?
Gabe straightened up and claimed her mouth again. The tip of his erection pressed against her, and he groaned. “Condom.”
Her heart raced as he snagged his coat from the floor and dug into the pocket. Every part of her called out to him, wanting him back where he belonged, against her, inside her. He tore open the packet and was in front of her again, his lips sliding against hers. Such a delicious mouth. She was pretty sure she could kiss him forever, and it still wouldn’t be enough.
Suddenly he lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he turned to rest her back against the padded wall. He rocked his hips forward, rubbing her opening, teasing. Her body ached, and she writhed until his control vanished and he thrust into her, making them one.
Pleasure shot through her as he filled her completely, and she scratched her nails over the tattoo of the Celtic knot on his back. She caught their reflection over his shoulder in the mirrored wall on the other side of the dojo. In the dim, yellow light of the streetlamp outside, she watched his hips grind into her, his ass taut, his muscles contracted and tight while he held her up. She’d never seen such an erotic vision, let alone dreamed she’d be a part of it.
His body fit hers perfectly, so naturally, every thrust bringing her closer to the peak. Her muscles pulsed around him. His grip on her hips tightened, and he pumped into her harder.
“Tegan,” his voice was low and gravelly, meant only for her to hear. “Let go…”
And she did, her entire body trembling as the orgasm rumbled through her. Gabe thrust into her faster until he exploded with her. She relaxed, resting her head against his chest, trying to catch her breath. He didn’t move, his body still deep inside of her.
He loosened his grip on her legs, but he kept holding her off the ground. A soft kiss brushed her damp forehead. “Hope I didn’t hurt you.”
Exhausted laughter bubbled from her lips, sounding much sexier than she’d intended, even to her. “Nothing about that hurt.” She looked up at him, her heart stuttering at the sight of his grin.
“Good.” He pulled her closer and placed a soft kiss on her shoulder, sending a shiver through Tegan.
He slipped free from her, setting her down gently. He stepped away to pick up their clothes, and when he turned around the condom was gone.
And he looked ready for more.
Catching her staring, Gabe grinned. “This is the only perk of being a slayer. I recover much faster.”
Tegan wet her lips and smiled. “Race you upstairs.”
Sweaty and sated in her bed, Tegan struggled to breathe. Gabe stared into her eyes without saying a word. Was he already regretting being with her, worried that she was in more danger from demons looking to attack his weak spot? Or was he hoping she remembered that this was a no-strings-attached night?
Maybe she didn’t want to know.
His lips brushed hers, and they untangled their limbs. Gabe sank onto the pillow, and she lay beside him, her head resting over his heart. The sound of its steady beat calmed her. What was she afraid of? This was what she wanted, needed. Wasn’t it?
Her mind refused to quiet. She’d never been a casual sex kind of girl. In fact, if this was a one-night stand then it was her first. But it probably wasn’t the only one for Gabe… He’d told her the demons made it impossible for him to risk a relationship, yet he had a box of condoms in the glove box of his car.
Always prepared.
Did every woman who hired him get this “service”?
Suddenly she felt naked. Really naked.
Tegan got up and crossed the room to her closet.
“Where are you going?” His voice still had that throaty tone that made her pulse race.
Wrapped up in her robe, less exposed, she glanced his way. “I need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
His smile faded. “We’re the only ones here. You don’t have to cover up.”
“I’m just a little cold.” She made a beeline for the bathroom and closed the door.
Tegan turned on the faucet and closed the lid on the toilet. She sat down, the soreness of her body making her chest tight. Now that the blood had returned to her brain, her mind wouldn’t shut up and leave her alone. She’d needed him with every fiber of her being, but now that she’d had him, she wasn’t sure where to go from here. Could she leave it at just one night? Something meaningless and easily cast aside? Is that what
he
wanted?
Suddenly she was in deeper than she ever intended.
…
Gabe rested in bed, the afterglow snuffed out by Tegan’s quick departure. He kept replaying the night in his head, searching for anything that might have upset her.
It distracted him from the desire simmering in his heart, the words that nearly spilled from his lips. He wanted more than one night with her. This was more than lust and passion. Holding her in his arms filled the chasm of emptiness inside him. He clenched his jaw.
What he wanted would get her killed.
Staring into Tegan’s eyes, feeling her cling to him… Shit, it was amazing. It went beyond physical. This woman understood what he was and still wanted him. He’d always kept the slayer part of his life a secret. Even Laura hadn’t known who he really was and what he did.
Getting naked physically was one thing, but being stripped bare about who he really was heightened every touch. This wasn’t good. Tegan awakened parts of him he thought had died the night he’d found Laura’s body. She was smart, sexy, and… He sighed, glancing toward the bathroom.
And now she’d been locked in the bathroom for almost fifteen minutes with the water running.
Gabe got up and went to the door, tapping on it lightly. “Tegan? You all right in there?”
He was pretty sure he heard a sniffle.
Damn it.
He pulled his hair back from his face and took a deep breath.
Her voice came through the door. “You don’t have to wait up for me. I can sleep in my reading chair.”
The chair? What the hell?
He did his best to bury his frustration. “No one is sleeping in the chair tonight.”
She yanked the door open. He almost flinched.
“I’m not paying you to be my boyfriend. We don’t have to pretend it was anything more than sex.” She pressed her lips together for a second. “Really great sex.”
“I’m lost here.” Gabe rubbed his hands down his face. “Where is this coming from?”
She kept her arms crossed in front of her, holding her robe shut tight, as if she hadn’t been naked in his arms a few minutes ago. “I should have put it together earlier, but apparently I wasn’t getting enough blood to my brain. You told me you couldn’t have any relationships because the demons would kill anyone you cared about. Then we got here and you already had a pack of condoms at the ready.”
“This is about condoms?” It was like she spoke another language that he didn’t quite understand.
“No, it’s not about condoms.” She swallowed hard and lowered her voice. “This is my own fault. I thought I’d be all right with this. You were up-front with me that you couldn’t have a relationship, but it’s easy to forget when I’m all tangled up in your arms. Now that I can think straight, I put two and two together. You avoid
relationships
, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have
sex
. ” She sighed, the fire fading from her eyes. “What I’m trying to say is I get that this was just a hookup for you, so we don’t have to snuggle and pretend it’s more than it was. I’m not
that
desperate.”
She moved around him and sat on her easy chair. Words escaped him. Part of him screamed to leave her there and just go to sleep.
But another, stupid, selfish part of him couldn’t walk away.
He stood in front of her, willing her to look up at him. “I’m not going to talk to the side of your head.”
She turned a little but made no eye contact. “Go wrap a towel around yourself or something.”
The corner of his lips quirked. “You were the one who took my clothes off.”
“Well, you need something on now.”
“Give me a break, Tegan.”
Her fiery gaze met his. “Fine. What?”
“I do have condoms in my car, and I have been known to have sex. I’m no saint.” Hurt etched her features. “But this is the first time I’ve ever been with a woman who knew about slaying demons, or about Laura, or my folks. I’m still trying to figure out how to make this only about sex. If it were just a hookup, I wouldn’t have to worry about demons targeting you.”
Tegan got up from the chair, but she didn’t make a move to touch him. “When you were staring at me earlier…I thought you were trying to tell me something, then I remembered the condoms at the ready and I thought…”
Something knotted in his gut. “You thought I was an asshole who fucks people who hire him.” She didn’t deny it. He shook his head. “Nice.”
Gabe went over by the bed and swiped his clothes up from the floor. Yanking on his sweatpants, he tossed the shirts in his duffel bag and moved around her to the chair.
“Guess I was wrong about no one sleeping in this chair tonight, but it sure as hell isn’t going to be my
client
.”
Hurt flashed across her face like he had slapped her, but she recovered before he could say anything.
“So I’m back to being your client. You said this wasn’t just a hookup.”
He shrugged and settled into the damned chair. “That was before I realized you pegged me for some kind of sleaze who preys on his customers.”
“What was I supposed to think?” She dropped her arms, her hands balling into fists at her sides. “We met two days ago and you told me you can’t risk a relationship, but you sure have plenty of condoms on hand.”
“Maybe you should have thought about that before you took my pants off.”
This time the hurt in her eyes didn’t flicker. It lingered, wounding him.
“Maybe I should have.” Tegan turned and walked back to the bed.