Authors: Savannah Stuart
“All this noise would drive me crazy.” Nick’s eyes narrowed when he spotted two
male-model types walk up to Carly and her friend. They wore designer suits and drank
martinis.
Next to him Nick’s hand tightened around his beer bottle. One of his tattoos rippled
dangerously under the flexing motion.
Thomas placed a light hand on his brother’s arm when he sensed the subtle shift in
him. As a mated male, Nick’s human side might know the men talking to Carly were
harmless, but his wolf side didn’t care. And as an alpha in nature, his most possessive
urges would be clawing to assert his dominance to the two strangers. “I know those
guys, brother. Don’t worry. They’re just making their rounds, seeing who’s single.”
“That’s easy for you to say, you’re not mated.” As soon as he’d uttered the words
his pale eyes widened. “Shit, man. I didn’t mean it like that.”
Thomas’ chest constricted but he just shrugged as if it didn’t bother him. He was
happy his two brothers had found their mates but it was a stark reminder he was alone.
That he’d had a chance a century ago but screwed it up. “So why are you here tonight?”
“Carly wanted to show her friend all the hot spots in Miami and I got dragged
along.”
Thomas bit back a smile. “Her friend know what we are?”
Nick shook his head sharply. “Hell, no. Although she did mention seeing a couple
big dogs running down the beach this morning.”
“Nice.” They picked up their beers and the mixed drinks for the women and
headed back.
His brother stalked toward the table and before Thomas had reached it, the two
men had scattered.
“So you own this club, huh?” Sarah asked.
“Yeah, I…” He trailed off as a woman caught his eye.
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Dangerous Craving
Not just any woman. His eyes widened and he actually had to blink. A flash of hot
then cold curled through his body like a violent electric shock. It was
her
.
Nissa.
Her long, blonde hair was piled on her head in some sort of twist thing. It should
have looked messy, but it was exquisite. Just like her. The shimmery gold dress—if she
could even call that scrap of material a dress—fell against her willowy frame like it was
a second skin. Among a sea of tanned, bronzed people, her ivory skin seemed to glow.
Around her, men and some women turned to stare. Part of it was because of her
ethereal beauty but another reason was because of her natural appeal. Just like
vampires, that same sensual magnetic pull emanated from all fae. It was just more
prominent in her because she was royalty.
When her emerald-green eyes locked on his he forgot to breathe. Nearly a century
had passed but she was just as he remembered. Some days he wondered if he’d created
an illusion in his mind. But this was no figment of his imagination.
This was flesh, blood and pure sin in a dress. And she held the key to his heart. He
might try to claim it was only a physical desire, but he wanted all of her. Mind, body,
soul.
A hollowness settled in his chest as he remembered the last words they’d shouted
at each other. The anger he’d felt when he thought she’d betrayed him. And then the
inevitable suffering when he realized he’d been wrong. So fucking
wrong
.
“See you guys later,” he muttered, not caring how rude he sounded.
He hurried toward the exit of the VIP room. When he pushed past the curtain, she
stood at the bottom stair, one hand haughtily placed on her hip as she stared up at him
expectantly.
He didn’t remember moving but suddenly he was standing in front of her. “Nissa.”
After so long, her name felt foreign on his lips but her scent was familiar. She was like a
sweet summer day. Fresh and intoxicating.
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Savannah Stuart
Addictive.
For a moment she looked almost nervous. Then her composed mask slipped back
into place. “It’s been a long time, Thomas.” Her soft, slightly Irish accent rolled over
him with an intimate warmth he missed. Despite having lived practically everywhere in
Europe, she held on to a faint Celtic accent and it still drove him wild.
Nissa fought all her instincts to turn and flee. She’d forgotten how tall and
intimidating Thomas was. And how quickly her brain short circuited in his presence.
Around him she had to be strong, though. If he knew how much she still cared for
him…she couldn’t bear the shame. When he didn’t respond, she cleared her throat.
“Aren’t you going to say hello or buy me a drink?”
His dark eyes narrowed. Wordlessly, he reached out and grasped her wrist. Not
hard, but he put enough pressure on her that she couldn’t pull away. Before she
realized what he intended he turned and dragged her with him.
Despite the fact that they were surrounded by so many people, everything else
around her funneled out as they continued behind one of the bars, through a swinging
door, up a set of stairs and finally into a quiet office.
Definitely Thomas’ office by the look of it. The furniture was old, big and with lots
of polished dark wood. Very masculine. Very him.
“Please have a seat.” He motioned toward one of the plush leather chairs in front of
his desk.
Nervously, she sat on the edge and crossed her legs. To keep her hands busy she
traced her fingers over the intricate stitching of the chair. Maybe she shouldn’t have
gone with such a short dress but she’d wanted to get his attention. It rode up against
her legs revealing a lot of skin and reminded her how he’d kissed and licked every inch
of her once. When his dark gaze raked over her legs she knew he was remembering the
same thing.
“Would you like a drink?” he asked and motioned to a small bar in the corner of the
room.
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Dangerous Craving
She nodded. “Wine would be nice.” Anything would be at this point.
After he poured two glasses he handed her one then sat in the chair next to her
instead of across from her. With his legs stretched out in front of him, he looked almost
casual. But she knew better. He was tense. Every muscle in that hard body was primed
for action. Unlike her kind, shifters were born hunters, predators. Hundreds of years
ago the fae had been forced to take on that role when they’d become hunted but that
was neither here nor there.
“Is it true your family has a half fae living with them?”
His dark eyebrows raised a fraction. “Yes.”
“And…she is mated to the enforcer…ah, former enforcer, correct?”
He nodded.
Okay, he wasn’t going to make this easy for her. “Is it also true The Council has
changed their laws regarding the fae?” She’d heard that six months ago a half-
werewolf, half fae had mated with the enforcer and as a result The Council had lifted
their ban on mixed breed matings. Before that it would have been certain death if a
shifter had chosen to mate with anyone of faerie blood.
“Why do you care?”
She’d taken a big risk coming to see him. No matter what had passed between
them, she knew he wouldn’t hurt her. And this was the last place anyone would think
to look for her. The thought of her hiding among a bunch of shifters was actually
laughable. “I need protection.”
Something predatory and dangerous flashed in his dark eyes. He set his glass down
on the desk and leaned forward. “From whom?” he growled.
“My family.”
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Thomas pushed down the rage burning through his veins. He could actually feel
his canines starting to lengthen. He, who was one hundred and seventy five years old,
alpha in nature, and next in line to be Alpha of his pack, had learned to control himself
well over a century ago, felt as if he were spinning out of control. Against his better
judgment he scooted his chair closer and grasped Nissa’s delicate hand just to convince
himself she was real. “Why does someone want to hurt you?”
For a moment she started to pull away but to his relief she relaxed her hand. “I’m
not exactly sure. As I’m sure you know, my mother…ah, the queen is supposed to meet
with your Council next month to establish a truce between our people.”
He nodded and tightened his hold, rubbing his thumb over the pulse point of her
wrist. It thumped wildly against his skin. “I don’t know the details but my Alpha—my
father—told me about the meeting. He’ll be attending.”
“My mother is sick and she doesn’t have much time left. I’m next in line so I’ll likely
be the one to sign the peace treaty.” Her voice was sad, dejected and clawed at his
insides.
“I’m sorry about your mother.” He’d never met her family but he remembered how
close she’d been to them.
Brushing away his concern, she continued. “There are those who don’t want this
treaty signed. About a month ago someone tried to poison me and a few days ago…a
masked man broke into my house and tried to kill me. He had an ancient iron dagger so
I know he wasn’t a typical intruder. I tried to neutralize him with a burst of energy but
someone must have cast a protection spell around him. I managed to get away but just
barely.” She shuddered lightly and he ached to reach out and pull her close. Comfort
her.
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Dangerous Craving
The fae feared iron as much as werewolves feared silver. Thankfully they were just
as fast, though not physically as strong as shifters. His stomach twisted painfully at the
thought of someone trying to harm her. He wanted nothing more than to hunt her
attacker down and rip him apart. “And you think someone in your family is after you?”
“I didn’t know where else to go,” she whispered. A blonde tendril fell loose against
her face.
Instinct kicked in and he reached out to brush it back. His hand froze as he grazed
her soft cheek.
When her mouth parted slightly he knew what he was about to do was stupid, but
was powerless to stop himself. Leaning forward, he inhaled her scent. Would she taste
as sweet as he remembered?
Her emerald eyes flared with hot desire but she pulled back out of his reach. “I
didn’t… I can’t get involved with you. Not like that. I’m to be married soon.”
Her words were like a sharp, silver blade straight to his chest. His throat seized as
he jerked back. “Married?”
Glancing away, she nodded but not before he missed the flash of pain flit across her
face.
“Then why didn’t you go to
him
for help?” he growled, hating the possessive note
in his voice.
“It’s complicated,” she muttered.
“Do you love him?”
Why the hell did he ask that?
Her eyes narrowed at him. “None of your business.”
The hell it wasn’t. “That’s not an answer.”
“No, it’s not. The last man I fell in love with threw me out of his life and accused me
of using my influence to make him fall in love with me. I can assure you that
love
is
overrated bullshit.”
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And Thomas had done exactly that. Hearing her spell out exactly how he’d
mistreated her made him want to jump into a dark hole. “Shit, Nissa. Don’t say that.
Don’t ever say that, please.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, unable to meet her
piercing eyes because he knew he’d hate himself for what he saw there.
“Coming here was a mistake.” She abruptly stood but he reached out and grabbed
her arm, unwilling to let her go.
Not again. He’d fucked up once, but she was on the same continent as him for the
first time in a century. She’d come to him for protection and he was going to give it to
her. Whether she wanted it or not. He was not letting her out of his sight. Or out of his
life. He didn’t care if she was supposed to marry someone else. It wasn’t going to
happen. Not as long as he was breathing. He might not deserve a second chance but he
had to try. “You didn’t make a mistake. My family will protect you. You have my
word.”
She nodded stiffly. “Thank you.”
After he stood, he motioned toward the door. “I’d like you to meet one of my
brothers, then we can head to my Alpha’s home. He’ll need to approve that you’re
going to be under his pack’s protection and he’ll want to meet you in person.”
When the color drained from her face he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and
pulled her close. She tensed but he didn’t let go. He couldn’t. “My father will protect
you because I ask him to. Meeting him is just a formality, I swear.”
She relaxed next to him. Not by much, but it was a start. “I have a few bags at my
hotel. Can we—”
“As soon as we leave here we’ll pick them up.”
Even though he didn’t want to let her go, when she stepped out of his embrace, he
did. There would be time enough tonight to convince her that they still had a chance.
Time and distance hadn’t diminished his feelings for her. If anything, seeing her again
after so many years reminded him of how much time they had to make up for.
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Dangerous Craving
* * * * *
Nissa grasped the stem of her wineglass tightly. After meeting Thomas’ father some
of her earlier apprehension had dissipated, but she was still scared out of her mind.
She’d left her home without telling anyone, fearful of who wanted her dead. Her sister