Dangerous Promise by Gwendolyn Cease (7 page)

“We could listen to music,” Olivia said. “One of my favorite songs is
Believe
by Cher.”

“We can’t, honey,” Kate said. “The power’s out.”

“Oh, well, we could read,” Olivia said, pulling out her book. “If you want, I could read out loud to everyone.”

“No,” Abby said, “none of us have read the other books so it won’t make sense. We could just read quietly.”

“But then it’s too quiet,” Olivia answered back. Before Abby could say anything in reply, Olivia turned to Grimm. “Is that your real hair color?”

The change of topic was so quick that it took him a moment, but Kate jumped in. “Olivia Rose, that is incredibly rude.”

“But, Momma, his hair reminds me of Calina’s dad’s hair, so I was just wondering.”

Grimm laughed. “Yes, it is my real hair color. Once again, you’ll have to blame my parents.”

“So, Calina’s dad’s name is Stark. Is that like a word, too?” Olivia asked, obviously warming to her favorite topic.

“It is a regular word, too,” Kate replied.

“What’s it mean?”

“It means harsh or severe or…” She hesitated and tossed Grimm a look. “Grim.”

He smiled. “Mine has two m’s.”

“So, stark is grim?” Olivia asked.

“That’s what stark can mean, yes.”

“No wonder you look like Calina’s dad,” Olivia crowed. “Are you a vampire? Do you have a daughter? Do you fight bad guys?”

“Olivia,” Kate said in exasperation.

“No, I don’t have a daughter.” Grimm figured he might as well answer one of the questions truthfully.

“Momma, can you take me in and help me get a glass of water?” Abby crawled out of the blankets.

“Yes, I can.” Kate rose.

The two left the living room and Olivia eyed Grimm for a long moment. Finally, she leaned in close and whispered, “I understand why you didn’t answer the vampire question in front of Momma and Abby. But I know, and I won’t tell anyone.”

“Really?” he whispered back. “Doesn’t the idea of a vampire scare you?”

“No, not if it’s you. You’re a good guy, and you like us.”

Grimm didn’t know what to say. This tiny human girl had so much faith in him, more faith than anyone had ever had before. He decided right then that he wouldn’t lie to her, couldn’t lie to her. “I appreciate you not telling anyone. And you’re right, I really like all of you a lot. But for right now, let’s keep it between us, okay?”

She nodded solemnly. “I knew it when I saw you.” She looked around then leaned in closer. “Do you have fangs?”

Grimm nodded. “Yes.”

“That’s so cool.”

He burst out laughing as Kate and Abby walked back into the room.

* * * *

Quenton walked out to the car waiting to take him to the airport and saw Reaper. Part of him, the part below the waist, gave a little jump. The rest of him, especially his gut, said this was nothing but trouble. After the insanely sexy encounter from the night before—when Quenton’s brain had finally come back online—he knew there couldn’t be a repeat encounter. He and Reaper worked together and scratching an itch, albeit an intensely needy and wanting itch, just shouldn’t happen.

Instead of saying any of what was on his mind, Quenton climbed into the passenger seat and waited. Reaper got in on the driver’s side and started the car. They pulled out of the garage in silence and drove into the night. Reaper guided the big SUV through the city streets until he hit the expressway. Quenton watched the scenery and the other drivers stream past. Even with the dark lenses of his glasses, he had exceptional eyesight. He wondered briefly where people went in such a hurry. Were their lives as complicated as his?

“Hello, Quen.”

Reaper’s low voice cut through his thoughts. The man’s voice reminded Quenton of claws running across silk, low and sensual with just a hint of menace.

“Reaper. How are you this evening?”

“Are we going to continue to play games? I want you, you want me. What’s the problem?”

“We work together, recently quite closely. It’s not a simple matter of fucking and never seeing one another again. We will see one another.”

“We’re both adults, and we both know the score,” Reaper replied in that calm, detached way he had.

“Yes, well what if I don’t like the score?” Quenton turned to face him. “Let me explain something to you. I am over a hundred, and in all that time, I have never, ever bottomed for anyone. I like being in charge. So perhaps you need to think about whether or not you’d like to submit to me.”

Quenton watched Reaper’s fangs extend as the redhead smiled at him.

“Do you know what I want, Quen? I want to pin your superb body to a bed and fuck you until we both can’t think. So how about we make a deal…” He glanced over at his silent passenger. “You say you don’t want to submit. Well, guess what, neither do I. So what if we both do?”

“Are you suggesting we take turns?” Quenton asked, a smile playing around his lips.

“If that’s what it takes. I want to fuck you, and if that’s the only way I can then what the hell.”

“Let me think about it.”

Reaper nodded and Quenton settled in for the ride. What if Reaper didn’t agree to his proposal? Could he just say fuck it and give in? He glanced over at the Hunter—yeah he could. No matter what lies he told himself, he wanted Reaper. He wanted the big Ancient to take him and use him until he was weeping. Shit, did he sound like some woman from a bawdy novel? Probably, but he truly didn’t care.

“Where are we meeting them?” Reaper asked as they approached the airport.

“Just pull up to Arrivals. They said they’d be waiting.”

Reaper did as Quenton asked. He eased the vehicle along the curb until he stopped abruptly. “Stay in the car,” he ordered as he got out.

Quenton watched as Reaper instinctively approached another equally large man. Quenton wasn’t sure how Ancients did it, but they always knew if another was in their territory. Probably had to do with how aggressive the whole race was, but he didn’t want to agitate an already poor situation by getting out of the car until he had to. Reaper was already in a combative mood. Quenton didn’t need anything to push the man over the edge to violence.

Quenton watched as Feral eased forward, slowly. He stood a good six-two maybe a bit more. His hair was short and dark, cut close to his head, and he sported a goatee and mustache. The two men stared at one another until someone stepped out from behind the Ancient. The man was no more than five-six with wind-swept blond hair and sparkling green eyes. He smiled broadly and held out his hand. “Hello, you’re not Quenton.”

“No, I am,” Quenton said, as he finally stepped from the car. “You must be Lucian. It’s lovely to meet you.”

The two men shook hands as Lucian rolled his eyes. “Likewise. The glowering gentleman behind me is Feral. And your companion would be…” He trailed off in a questioning tone.

“This is Reaper, one of the Hunters with the PIA.”

Reaper nodded at Feral, who nodded back coolly.

Lucian sighed. “Obviously, all Ancients are such chatterboxes it’s difficult to get a word in when they’re around.”

Quenton smiled. “Yes, and such manners, too. Why you’d think they were meeting royalty the way they’re gushing.”

Lucian and Quenton burst out laughing as Reaper and Feral both shook their heads.

Yes
,
that’s right, bond over the fact that you’re both acting like asshats
.

Not that they thought they were. Oh no, they were too manly and tough for that.

“And you should know better than to leap out without checking your surroundings,” Feral finally spoke, aiming his comment at Lucian.

“It was obvious who they were,” Lucian replied with a smile. “Come, love, let’s get our things. I’m exhausted after the flight.”

Feral grabbed the bags and Reaper opened the back of the SUV so everything could be stowed. The two men didn’t openly growl at one another, but neither spoke. Quenton hoped this didn’t go on. He was the one who’d insisted they invite the Ancient and his Liaison. He knew they could help, but if no one gave them a chance, what good would it do? And if this was the reception from Reaper, what would Talon be like? The man was crazed on the best of days, on the worst… Couldn’t worry about it. It was a done deal now. They were here and everyone would have to deal with it.

Chapter Five

Kate quietly led Grimm into the kitchen. The girls had finally worn themselves out and were sleeping wrapped up in blankets on the floor. The power had yet to come back on, but the power company had assured her they were working on it. A transformer had blown and taken out a huge area. Kate wondered why the hell the electric cables weren’t buried. She also wondered why the generator hadn’t started up. She’d have to check on it tomorrow, but right now it was dark, and she was finally alone with the man who occupied most of her thoughts lately.

“Do you want some tea?” she asked him as she filled the kettle. “The stove is gas, so I can at least offer you something hot.”

He raised an eyebrow, and she blushed. She wasn’t some silly teenager, but the man seriously made her stupid. He was so handsome, and he was choosing to be here with her. She still didn’t get it, but maybe she should just enjoy it before he came to his senses. How many men who looked like him would stick around with her and two little girls?

“Come here,” he said and held his hand out to her. “I’d love to know what’s rolling around in your head.”

“It’s nothing,” she said, trying to move past him, but he snagged her arm.

She found herself pressed between him and the counter. He was large and handsome and hard, and if she weren’t a modern woman, she probably would have swooned.

He leaned close and nuzzled her neck. Kate cocked her head to give him better access as she lightly placed her hands on his waist. The man could be a lethal weapon. All he did was barely touch her and she was ready to drop her panties. Damn, she needed to get out more if this bit of attention rocked her world.

His mouth was hot as his teeth and tongue skimmed over her skin. She shivered and leaned closer. Without taking his mouth from her neck, he lifted her until she was sitting on the counter. He eased his hips between her legs until she felt his erection nudge against her. She gasped as he rocked against her, making sparks flash through her body.

“Do you feel what you do to me?” he murmured against her neck. “No one else, Kate, no one has ever affected me the way you do.”

She opened her mouth to say something, but his lips covered hers. He slid his tongue into her mouth, and Kate wrapped her arms around his neck. The man kissed as if she was water and he was dying of thirst. He suckled and licked at her mouth as her head swam. He was addictive like fine chocolate. If he was this thorough with a kiss, she wondered what he’d do to her in bed.

He eased away, and they stared at one another, panting for breath. She realized she had her legs wrapped around his hips, and she’d been grinding herself against him. Well shit, he probably thought she was some sex-starved crazy. All he’d done was kiss her, and she was pretty much dry humping him in the kitchen. She began to ease away, but he clamped his big hands on her hips.

“No, stay where you are. I like having you wrapped around me.”

“I don’t get it,” she said, shaking her head.

“What?” He leaned in to nuzzle her neck again.

“Why me? I mean, let’s be honest, I’m not some supermodel. I’m fairly ordinary, I carry a few extra pounds I’d love to lose but don’t have the initiative to really exercise. I have two kids who I love so much, and they’re number one with me. And you? Well, you’re beautiful.”

He pulled back to watch her, his gray eyes steady. “First, like I tell the girls, you can blame my parents for how I look. I didn’t have anything to do with it. Second, and most important, I don’t want a supermodel. To me, you’re way more desirable. It’s everything about you, Kate. I love the way you smell and feel and how you talk to the girls. I love that when I kiss you, you make these little noises that tell me you are so loving what I’m doing. I love the feel of your body against mine, and I can’t wait ‘til I can get you naked.”

“Wow,” she said, not sure what else to say. “Okay.”

He ran his hands up her back on the inside of her shirt. His skin was rough against hers, and she shivered. She didn’t even know what he did, but he had to work with his hands since they were callused. She didn’t mind at all since they felt so good on her body.

Grimm ran his hands over Kate and fought the urge to sink his fangs into her neck. Fuck, it was so tempting. She was so tempting. Her scent was intoxicating and that, along with the feel of her under his hands, was driving him crazy. But he refused to back off. He wanted to get as close to her as he could. He knew now wasn’t the time for sex, not with the girls in the next room. Besides, he had to tell her what he was before they made love. He couldn’t see taking that kind of step with her not knowing the truth. Shit, how could he build anything with her unless she knew everything about him? He couldn’t have a real relationship with her unless they were both honest with one another. And he’d never told any mortal who and what he was, it just wasn’t done. But with Kate, he was going to have to if they were really going to be together.

But none of that would stop him from giving her pleasure, not when she was so eager and hot. He eased his hand around and untied her pants. She had changed after they’d gotten home, and he loved the fact the fabric had such give. She pulled away from his mouth and looked startled but didn’t stop him. She wanted his touch as much as he wanted to touch her. Gently, he eased his hand down the front of her panties and cupped her wet heat.

Her eyelids fluttered closed as she tilted her head back, exposing her throat to him once again. Oh fuck, he wanted to bite her. He clenched his teeth to hold his fangs at bay, but he didn’t take his hand away. Hell no, she was too soft and so perfect. She slanted her hips back to give him more room, and he pushed her thighs farther apart.