Disciplining the Beast: Taming the Beast, Book 5 (3 page)

He stared at the Mississippi again. “I don’t like guys. Not like that.”

“Women either? What do you like?”

A reaper. “Ah, she’s a woman. That is, she’s female.”

“Someone I know? Ursula’s had her eye on you since the Dark Ages. She’s a looker.”

Yeah, if a man wanted someone sweet and wholesome. She’d never made Rafael’s skin tingle or his head swim during the times they’d hooked up at his place. “Not Ursula or anyone in our circle.”

Frank burped explosively. “’Scuse me.”

“No prob.”

“About your woman problem…we are talking another angel here, right?”

Technically, yeah. Reapers were angels that served Death. Heaven might have equal opportunities for lovers, but there were still class distinctions in everything else. Good angels were at the top, reapers at the bottom. The riffraff, if you will. A rebel reaper, as Wynona was, represented the absolute worse. Rafael might as well have courted Satan’s many daughters, all fallen. “Yeah, she’s an angel. As to my work, is there any way to bring a rebel around? Pull out the good that surely has to be there?”

Frank swiped a napkin over his mouth. “Rebels in general or Wynona specifically?”

His shoulders slumped. “She can’t be all bad. I don’t want to give up on her so soon.”

“You’ve lasted several hours. That’s commendable. Granted, most parole officers have made it through a second meeting with her before they questioned their sanity, but hey, we’re not looking for perfection. No one expects you to be like Xavier. Tenacious little bastard. He had her for nearly a year. If he’d been mortal, she would’ve driven him bat-shit crazy. He hung in there though.”

“How?”

At lightning speed, Frank fashioned his napkin into an origami butterfly, setting the design to the side. “Didn’t take any of her crap. Put the fear of God into her, literally, so she’d behave.”

“Are you serious? I read her entire file, several million pages. She offed several mortals while Xavier was in charge.”

“Believe me, the carnage would have been far worse if not for his chutzpah. Do double or triple of what he did and those casualties should go way down.”

“You ever meet Wynona?”

“Watched her during a focus group.” Frank whistled through his teeth. “You have your work cut out for you. Have fun.”

He slapped Rafael on his back and took off, winging his way to Heaven.

Rafael dragged himself back to the service.

Heather and a beefy guy kissed behind a fern as though the end of the world had come and they were saying their final goodbyes.

A hoarse giggle tore from the treatment area. Zoe dashed across the hall, her top unbuttoned. The black demon followed in hot pursuit, with the redheaded guy and Stefin taking up the rear.

Hand in hand, the vamp and the staffer with the hickey left their room, pausing to make goo-goo eyes at each other.

Did no one work here?

Rafael gritted his teeth, determined to battle Wynona’s most depraved urges. He wouldn’t break down, let her corrupt him, or drive him away. He’d pull out everything good in her if it killed them both.

A buxom redhead in a harem outfit advanced and put out her hand. “Hey, I’m Becca Salt. You must be Rafael. Wynona described you perfectly.”

He steeled himself for the worst. “Was it a good description? I don’t mean accurate. I mean good, as in not nasty.”

“You have nothing to worry about. A publicist couldn’t have done better.”

“Huh?”

“She said you were a total hunk with the most beautiful eyes in the universe.”

His legs went rubbery. “Where is she? I need to be with her. I mean, observe what she’s doing.”

“About that.” Becca slipped her arm through his and pulled him down a hall leading away from the treatment rooms. “How well do you know Wynona?”

Not nearly as much as he craved. He longed to experience her in every way, including a carnal sense. Saving her from herself was strictly business. “Why do you ask?”

She escorted him into an office with ornate furniture and countless plants. After closing the door, she faced him. “Wynona’s had a hard life. Being a reaper is really shit, if you’ll excuse my French. She didn’t ask for it. What she needs is support from all of us here. A kind word. A smile. And most definitely frequent hugs. The more the better.”

Lightheaded, he sagged against the door. “What?”

“When she performs well, show her. Embrace her like you mean business. A kiss on the cheek too. Trust me, she’ll love it.”

Pictures whizzed through his mind. His face buried in Wynona’s soft, fragrant hair, lips pressed to her cheek and neck, her top and pants on the floor, his mouth on her breasts, torso, navel, and lower, straight to the depths of depravity. “Uh…”

Becca patted his shoulder. “I know it’s hard for a parole officer to be hands on, so to speak. But if you want to pull the best from Wynona, you need to do this. Trust me. She’ll respond to affection far more than you being a dick, if you’ll excuse my French again.”

“No prob.”

“She’s in treatment room thirteen with a were. Have fun.”

That again. Rafael plodded to the room but couldn’t go in yet. Hugging Wynona was out of the question. Kissing her wasn’t going to happen either. Too much temptation. However, if he patted her back, shook her hand, or smiled and then ran like hell that might get the job done.

After hauling in a huge breath, he walked through the door.

The were was curled in a fetal position on the floor, arms cradling his head. Wynona leaned against the wall, tapping her long fingers against her thigh.

Her leather pants were amazingly nice, but her skin was surely softer.

She glanced over and smiled. Not the cold, screw-you kind, but one that was quick, unexpected, and reached her eyes. “Hey, you’re back.”

He joined her, intoxicated by her lavender fragrance, the musky scent of woman beneath. “Hi. What happened with him or it?”

The were moaned. “It’s him. I am
not
an animal.”

“Fine with me. What’s the matter with you?”

“She’s gonna kill me and take my soul.”

Wynona smiled. “In a New York minute.”

Rafael snapped out of his brain fog, lust replaced by common sense, which she obviously lacked. He leaned in so the were couldn’t hear them. “Do you want to go to Hell?”

“Only the good places.” She spoke as quietly as he had. “Before you go ballistic, I told him to get on the table. He refused. For some reason, he thinks if he can’t see me, I’m not here any longer.” She rolled her eyes. “If I haul him where he should be, I’d have to touch him. Since he’s more mortal than supernatural, that’d be the kiss of death for him. I had no other choice except to threaten. If you know a better way, I’m all ears.”

So she hadn’t been bad. Yearning battered him again. “Give me a sec.” He turned to the were. “On the table. Now.”

“No. I like it down here.”

Wynona threw up her hands.

Rafael grabbed the guy by the scruff, lifted him as easily as he would a sheet of paper and tossed him on the table.

Her eyes sparkled. “Whoa, that was legendary. Can you get the restraints on him?” She wiggled her fingers. “Again, if I touch, nothing good’s going to happen.”

“If you can’t get physical with the clients, how can you do this work?”

“I usually handle reapers. Occasionally, I get vamps and zombies, the living dead and the walking dead, so to speak. This is my first were. One of the other enforcers should have been in here to help.”

“Where are they?”

“Hiding out.”

“Why?”

“They don’t like me.”

He frowned. “Why not?”

“I’m a reaper.”

A damn fine one with hurt in her eyes and an eternity of exclusion in her past. That crap was going to stop now. In a jiff, Rafael had the were strapped in. He glared at the creature. “You do whatever Wynona says from now on, understand?”

“If I don’t?”

“I might let her take your soul.”

“No shit?” She bounced on her heels.

The were cringed. “I’ll be good.”

“Wow, you’re the man.” She patted Rafael’s shoulder.

Bursts of heat traveled from his arm to his gut, the warmth pooling in his groin. The pleasure was so intense he could barely breathe. “You were great too.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Exactly. You didn’t reap. You restrained yourself.”

She beamed. “Yeah, I did.”

“Good for you.” He pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair.

She stiffened and then slumped against him. “You all right?”

Her hair was a wonder, amazingly silky, more fragrant than the laws of the universe should have allowed. “A little dizzy.”

“Me too. But I meant, touching me isn’t hurting you?”

His cock was huge, the skin ready to split, his balls aching. “Never felt better.”

She wreathed her arms around his neck. “Don’t stop. Please.”

He hugged her even harder, turned her face to his, and slanted his mouth over hers.

Chapter Three

The world stilled.

Wynona’s longing exploded. She melted into Rafael, desperate to get close, and parted her lips to welcome his tongue.

On a restrained growl, he slipped the sweet thing into her mouth, filling her, exploring, his bristly cheeks rasping her skin.

Her nerve endings fired wildly, creating currents of heat followed by a flood of comfort and renewed excitement that had her panting for more. He deepened the kiss, not allowing her one breath or the faintest sound. Her mind turned to mush. She surrendered fully, suckling his tongue deeper, adoring his taste, as fresh and innocent as a new day, rich and seductive to match the most shameless night. Crazy good.

She tugged off the leather cord confining his hair. Freed, those silken waves glided over her hands, thick and wavy, scented with something divine she couldn’t quite place. She imagined the scent was how a sunbeam or a shooting star might smell. Otherworldly and unmatched. Yet he was also of this earth, a passionate being, no different from her.

Indulgence was on their menu. Control not allowed.

She buried her fingers in his mane, hopped into his arms, and wrapped her legs around his lean hips.

He teetered from her weight but righted himself quickly like the strong guy he was. All lean muscles rippled with power, biceps and shoulders bunching, cock thickening. His rod wiggled a little too against her cleft.

She moaned for all she was worth, the base noise muffled by his tongue, which transformed the sound into a softer, more feminine response. Already, he’d conquered her and she didn’t mind. He could freaking tame her all he wanted during moments like this.

Cupping her ass, he turned a slow circle. A sensual dance she couldn’t resist. From the moment she’d come into being, she’d yearned for intimacy fueled by lust but also laced with tenderness.

His kiss was less frantic now, more searching, reaching beyond the façade of her leather outfit, outrageous bravado, and smartass comments to the real woman beneath.

Lonely, wanting, horribly insecure.

A flicker of unease ran through her. Walls went up. Submitting to carnal hunger was one thing. Craving anything beyond that was certifiable. She was a reaper, lowest of the low, more hated than politicians, lawyers, and used-car salesmen.

This had to stop.

Rafael wrapped his arm around her waist and coaxed her closer.

Fevered and reckless, she pushed his tongue from her mouth and filled his with hers.

He groaned heartily.

The door flew open, smacking the wall. Shoes slapped the linoleum. A blast of sulfur hit. “Stefin here.”

Big deal. Wynona wasn’t about to stop now. She cupped Rafael’s face and kissed him hard.

Stefin sighed. “I see she’s attacking you, just as I feared. I warned you about getting rid of her, but did you listen?”

Rafael sucked her tongue deeper.

The were’s restraints rattled. “Hey you, Stefin, unbuckle me.” The were jiggled his fasteners again. He moaned. “They both threatened me. He’s going to let her take my soul.”

“Relax. For a small fee, I can protect you.”

“Screw that. Additional fees aren’t in the contract.”

“Then get ready to die. Your choice.”

The were growled.

Stefin clucked his tongue. “You disappoint me, Rafael. How could you have let her corrupt you so easily?”

Rafael stilled.

Before Wynona could get him back in the mood, he pulled his mouth from hers and let go. She held on, clinging to him like the worst sort of fool who didn’t want good times to end. He, on the other hand, was ready to ditch her without a second thought or a first regret because of Stefin’s stupid comment.

If Rafael believed these last minutes had corrupted him, his head was going to explode when she really got down and dirty.

Stefin circled them. “Do you want me to pry her from you? It would be my pleasure.”

“Go on.” She smiled sweetly. “I dare you.”

He rocked on his heels. “You don’t think I will?”

“Not unless you’d enjoy a few months in traction.”

“That’s enough, both of you.” Rafael pulled her legs from him.

Her heels hit the floor with a whack that jarred her bones. Tottering backward, she pulled him with her. He pried her arms off him, settled them both and then put as much distance as he could between them.

His color was high, eyes glazed, hair deliciously mussed, those dark waves grazing his shoulders. During their kiss, she’d released several of his shirt buttons. Each time he breathed, the fabric pulled apart, providing a peek of his chest. An endless expanse of smooth, bronze skin, sculptured pecs, and abs.

Her knees sagged.

Stefin gestured to Rafael’s shirt. “Better get decent. Becca gets pissy whenever she sees skin, even if it’s during our breaks. Closing the door doesn’t matter either, believe me, I’ve tried. Go figure, huh?”

Rafael’s face went from red to maroon. He fumbled with the buttons, his hands shaking so badly he couldn’t get them to work.

“Let me help.” Wynona crossed the room to him.

He danced back, his ass and shoulders going through the wall. On the other side, a creature wailed. Rafael pulled back into this room and turned to her. “Stay where you are. Not one step closer.”

Her cheeks burned. She lowered her hands. “This good enough or would you like me to go to the next building? Possibly the next state?”

“You can’t leave now.” Stefin tapped his watch. “Not time for your break.”

She leveled her gaze on him. “Do. You. Mind?”

“I already said I did, weren’t you listening? I’m not going to do all the work while you’re gone.”

God. “Beat it. I want to be alone with Rafael.”

“Oh, yeah?” Stefin glanced past her. “Better make it fast. I think he’s about to black out.”

Rafael cleared his throat. “I’m good.”

He sounded turned-on, his baritone ultra-deep and breathless.

She couldn’t haul in enough air either. “Stefin?”

“What?”

“For the last time, leave us alone.”

“Tell me how that’s possible with the were still in here.”

She’d forgotten about him, blocked out his endless bellowing. “Knock it off or you’re history.”

His cries died in his throat.

Rafael finished with his buttons and straightened his collar. She’d shoved it down to touch his neck while they’d made out. His pained expression said he wasn’t pleased.

She cleared her throat. “Let me make a wild guess, you regret kissing me.”

He lifted his face and lowered it just as fast, ignoring her to smooth his clothes. He paused on his fly, flushed hotly, and tugged up the zipper.

She’d been a bad, bad girl with him enjoying every second, no matter how he acted now. Her beard-scoured cheeks, his taste on her tongue and lips were all the proof she needed of his desire. Still, his current behavior disturbed. She wanted to make certain guilt, not something else, caused his reaction. “Can I ask you something?”

He faced her but didn’t meet her gaze. “No matter what you do, I’m not going to resign as your parole officer. I intend to watch you closely and ride you exceedingly hard.”

She stroked the tops of her breasts. He couldn’t seem to look anywhere else. “Yeah? Promise? Especially the riding-hard part?”

He shoved back his hair, his attention dipping to her thighs. “I’m going to work you hard. Here. In this service.”

“That’ll do too.”

He studied the floor and frowned.

She swiped his leather tie from behind a chair. “This what you’re looking for?”

He reached for the thing. Their fingers touched, and a jolt more powerful than the Big Bang coursed between them. He shuddered.

She trembled. “Tell you what, we could talk about your plans for me in my office. I’ll throw the lock so no one disturbs us.”

He snatched the cord and put more distance between them. “No.”

Stefin tapped her shoulder.

She turned on him, teeth bared. “What?”

“A little advice. He’s not that into you.”

She elbowed Stefin away and focused on Rafael. “I still need to ask you something.”

“Not now.”

“When?”

“Later.”

“How much?”

“When we’re alone.”

That could be on the far side of never. “No can do. You’re obviously unsettled by what happened, so I have to wonder, why did you kiss me to begin with?”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Stefin waved his hands and turned to her. “He did you first?”

“Yep.”

“You’re sure?”

She gave him a look and then pointed at the were. “You, what happened in here?”

“Now you want me to talk?”

“Either that or scream when I push my fist down your throat and rip out your soul. Up to you.”

“That’s not going to happen.” Rafael pointed at her. “Your reaping days are over. Especially here.” He turned to Stefin. “I kissed her first, all right?”

Stefin’s eyebrows shot to his hairline. “No shit? Hold on.” He scrunched his face. “I don’t understand. Are you seriously that horny? You don’t get any in Heaven?”

Wynona pinched the top of her nose.

Rafael yanked down his shirt cuffs, checked his specs, and patted his pockets.

She held back a sigh. “I steal souls, not glasses or smartphones, so there’s no need to see if anything’s missing. Getting back to my question you still haven’t answered.”

He rubbed his temple.

“You’ve already forgotten what I asked? Need me to repeat it?”

“No. Becca and I had a talk. She told me to kiss you.”

“What?” Stefin gaped. “She bitches at me, Zoe, Anatol, and Taro for doing what comes naturally, but for you two it’s all right?” He crossed his arms and tapped his foot. “That’s not fair.”

Didn’t make sense either. “Our Becca said that? The half-witch who owns this place. Or is there another Becca in Heaven who oversees you riding female reapers exceedingly hard?”

Rafael clenched his jaw. “Your Becca told me to praise you when you did well. To offer a hug and a kiss so you’d feel good about yourself.”

A punch to the gut couldn’t have hurt more. Wynona staggered back. “And good boy that you are, you simply followed her advice.”

He averted his gaze.

What the fuck was that supposed to mean? She was right? Wrong? Not even close? “Look at me, dammit.”

He did, for a split second. “You behaved yourself and didn’t kill and reap that.” He gestured to the were.

The guy showed his teeth. “I’m not a that. I’m a him, okay? How hard is that to remember?”

Rafael shoved his hands in his pockets. “I was supposed to show you how pleased I was, so I did by hugging and kissing you.”

Tears welled in her eyes. She blinked them away. “I want another PO. Now.”

He stared.

“Get out of here.” She pointed at the door, the walls, the ceiling, whatever way he wanted to leave. “Don’t ever come back.”

He didn’t budge. “You’re not the one who makes those decisions.”

Of course not, that would be too fair and easy for a crappy reaper. White-hot hurt leached from her, replaced by an icy chill and resolve. “Fine. Stick around if you want. But I’m warning you, stay out of my way. Don’t look at, talk to, or dare touch me again. If you try, I will make every second of your existence seem like the bottommost pit of Hell, and that will be on a good day.”

She stormed from the room.

Rafael wasn’t sure what had happened. One minute Wynona was in his arms, her lips as soft as a sigh against his, her breath warmer than new life, her scent fresher than spring. In the next, she was biting off his head, spewing one vile threat after the other. Each oddly sexual, completely enticing.

His rod stiffened even more, making it difficult to walk. Despite the hurt and the danger she’d threatened him with, he had to follow her, as her PO, nothing else.

The moment he reached the door, Stefin stepped in his way. “Great job.” He clamped Rafael’s shoulder.

He stifled a gag at the demon’s sulfur stench and gritted his teeth at the searing heat from his hand.

Stefin leaned close. “You got rid of her faster than I’d ever dreamed possible. If I’d only known it would be this easy, I would have kissed her first. As head of the enforcers, I should have.”

A snarl erupted from the hall.

Stefin flinched and turned.

Zoe’s expression was murderous, hair smoking, flames soaring in her eyes.

Stefin folded his hands and lowered his face. “I was just kidding about the kiss. I’m not that brave.”

“Good thing. What about being head of the enforcers?”

He sighed. “That too. You’re the manager and in charge here.”

“Of what?”

His face flushed. “All the enforcers, including me.”

“What about when we’re home?”

He growled. “We both know who runs things there.”

Her cheeks flushed. She looked down the hall. “What happened with Wynona?”

“Not my fault. Rafael kissed her and she took off. Could be for good.”

Zoe glared at Rafael.

He stepped back. “I was simply following orders.”

“Whose? Wait.” She turned to Stefin. “Yours?”

“Not me, I swear. I came in while they were doing the deed.”

Rafael made a face. “We were simply kissing. It was Becca’s idea. She said to hug Wynona and kiss her if she did a good job. She did, so I did.”

Stefin nodded. “He told her that too. Made it perfectly clear he was only kissing her because he had to.”

Zoe regarded them as she would a creature with three heads. “Are you two for real?”

Rafael lifted his shoulders. “I’m not following.”

“Clearly. Stay away from Wynona, understand?”

“How? I’m her PO.”

Stefin slung his arm around Rafael’s shoulders. “Wynona asked for another parole officer but he stood his ground. Good man.” He shook him. “He has every right to mount and use the reaper whenever he wants.”

Rafael breathed through his mouth and tried not to wince at Stefin’s scalding heat. “That’s ‘ride and work her at her job’.”

“Same difference.”

“Not to a woman.” Zoe grabbed Rafael’s shirt and yanked him into the hall. “Cool your heels in the break room. Do not leave there until one of us tells you to. Stay away from Wynona until we can undo what you’ve done. If you’re lucky, you can be in the same room with her in a month or two. Being able to talk to her will probably take longer.”