My Immortal (10 page)

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be, Storm.” Her voice cracked.

Storm wasn’t sure what to say and let the first words fall from his lips. “If you’re planning to leave, then why are you folding my clothes?” He bit his tongue.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Tell her you love her.

Stevie dropped her head and shoved a lock of hair behind her ear. “I needed busy work. I can’t hold still when I know something ghastly is about to happen.” Her hand trembled and a tear spilled down her cheek.
“Us.
That’s the dreadful thing. We shouldn’t have happened because we work so close together. Look, I don’t want to walk away, but you do, so we’re at that juncture. I’m a big girl, pardon the pun. I can handle the heartache if you break me quickly.”

Storm reached out to dry her tears, but she elbowed him away. He clenched his fist and made himself think through what he needed to say. Her reasons weren’t the reasons they shouldn’t be together. He was a creature of the night and she was his angel. Dammit. Breaking her heart wasn’t on his list. Her spunk endeared her to him more and more each day.

“What if I told you that I need you more than the air I breathe, Stevie?”
Or the blood I drink?
“What if I came clean about the bad things you think are upon us?”
And told you what I am?

She sat on the edge of the bed and crossed her arms. “I’ll listen.”

Storm choked back tears. Her nerve and determination would be the end of him, yet he wouldn’t have her any other way. The truth would set them free or sentence them to death. He knelt before her and took her hand, twining their fingers together. “Honey, there’s a man who wants me dead.”
Well, as dead as the undead could be…

“Dead?”
Her face paled. “Why?”

He stared at the ground. How to tell her about the devil’s most determined minion?

“There’s a man named O’Toole who, shall I say, isn’t real fond of me. A few years ago, I went against his orders and helped some people who needed assistance.” He gazed at her angelic face. “He vowed revenge and I stay out of his way to keep my being intact.”

“
Jamison
O’Toole?” A lock of her rich, dark hair fell over her eyes. “Thinning blond hair, ice blue eyes, and a scar on his cheek—like someone tried to bisect the side of his face with a blunt knife?”

“The one.”
This time, Storm felt the heat rush from his cheeks. His knees weakened. He sat down hard on his feet, shocked to hear her describe his arch-enemy. She knew him! “
How
do you know that monster?”

Stevie shrugged. “Mother set him up with Gypsy. Although he’s not much to look at, he has money and she wanted one of us set for life. Gypsy and Jamison had a fling, but it never went further, she didn’t jive with the twelve-year age difference. He gave me the creeps when he came to the house, but I never said anything. I didn’t think it mattered. They hook up from time to time for friends with benefits purposes. I think I saw him at the Chatty Catty. He likes to dance and hit on women.”

Storm’s mind worked overtime. There was the damned link. Jamison knew about Storm because Jamison was his sire. He knew to warn Stevie because he’d befriended her mother and father. He fucked her sister and had seen Stevie and Storm together at the club. Could that be why Gypsy made amends? The need to be with Stevie and protect her trumped any open cases they had and any ill will he felt towards Jamison. The bastard wanted to change Stevie for his own use or at least to taunt Storm.

Like hell.

“How often does he visit your sister?”

She shrugged. “You’ll have to ask her.” Stevie bit the corner of her mouth. “I avoid him at all costs. Why?”

The unanswered question sat between them like an unwanted guest.

“She’s got a thing for you, you know.” She folded another pair of navy boxer shorts and balled a pair of socks. Her lips formed a tight line.

Sleep with Gypsy? He’d rather drink straight wine. “I disagree.”

“Should I call her for you? I know I’m not as exciting as she is.” Stevie cocked a brow and tossed another ball of socks into the basket.

Enough was enough.

He refused to wait or give her more line. Storm removed the T-shirt from her hands. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you, but it makes me feel ten feet tall.” He brushed a damp lock of hair behind her ear, stroking the smooth skin of her jaw.

“Why? Because you know you’re sexy and women want you?” She furrowed her brow.

He chuckled. “It has nothing to do with my looks. It’s because you care enough about me to feel jealous. You don’t want to share and it’s a damn good thing. I refuse to share you. You are the only one I want.”

“Then why the hush-hush call? You have to trust me if you want a personal relationship with me.” Stevie toyed with the rim of the tan basket.

He pulled her close, stroking her hair and kissing her temple. “I trust you more than you know.” His heart thundered in his chest. “I’m afraid I’m the reason Jamison wants to hurt you. I think he’s the one who attacked you. I’d give my life to make sure you’re safe because you mean too much to me.”

She stared deep into his eyes. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Although he is creepy, Jamison’s not violent.”

“He’s very violent, babe.” Storm dragged air into his lungs. He sat on the bed and tugged her onto his lap. “And he’s got a jealous streak a mile wide.”

She straightened her spine and licked her lips. “So how do we stop him? He’s not allowed to take you out on my watch.”

Storm nudged the clothesbasket to the floor, spilling the contents. “Oops.”

“Storm.”
Stevie shrieked.

He kissed away her protests and she melted into his embrace. Her hands twined in his hair, cupping the back of his head and pulling him closer.

Storm nipped and nuzzled a path from her lips to her throat. Her jugular vein pulsed under his tongue. He shivered at the temptation. Not yet.

“Storm, how do you do this?” She whimpered in his arms. “How do you make me want you when just moments ago I wanted to leave you?”

“I only give you the same reaction you elicit in me. I can’t breathe without you.” He slipped a hand under her shirt to caress her breast and tweak her nipple.

Stevie groaned and arched into him. Her hands clawed at his T-shirt. Despite the thin barrier of cotton, her nails left shallow scratches on his bare back. He flipped her onto the bed and popped the button on her jeans. “I need you, Stevie.”

She wriggled the denim past her hips, down her legs, and kicked them out of the way. She wrapped her legs around his waist and drew him to her. “Make love to me.”

Storm ripped the shirt over his head in lightning quick speed and disengaged from her grasp. “Indeed, babe. Indeed.”

He stepped out of his boxers and jeans in one swift move. Before she could breathe, he entered her, pushing to the hilt. Storm grasped her hips, thrusting and savouring her body. She gasped and bit her bottom lip. The skin turned white from the force. He kissed the corner of her mouth. His tongue swiped over the tiny knick on her lip. The sweet taste of her blood rolled around on his tongue. His hips jerked forward, driving towards an instantaneous orgasm. He licked his teeth to stave off his hunger. His fangs elongated and his mouth watered.

Tell her.

Storm surged into her once more. The head of his cock kissed the entrance of her womb. Stevie screamed and bucked beneath him. She gripped his bare shoulders.

A bead of sweat trickled down his temple. He gasped at the force of the second orgasm and joined her in falling over the ragged edge. “Fuck, Stevie.”

She closed her eyes and panted. Her breasts heaved with her shallow breaths. Her nipples teased his sensitive chest. He tumbled to the mattress next to her, processing the thoughts in his head. One taste of Stevie would never be enough.

Storm grabbed the comforter. He tossed the thick covering over their fevered bodies and wrapped his arm across her stomach. She nuzzled his neck, snuggling into his embrace.

God, he loved making love to Stevie. He kissed her forehead. Make-up sex rocked him to his core and this wasn’t even a major argument. Then again, he hoped they never had a serious fight.

Stevie wriggled in his arms then settled. Her soft breath warmed his neck. He stroked her hair. Screw O’Toole. If she left him, he’d worry about her and follow as a shadow—for her protection.

Storm rubbed his eyes. The clock on the nightstand read four-oh-six a.m. Not quite his bedtime, but after making love to her, he needed the rest. He blew out a long breath. Tonight, he’d put his heart on the line and confess his love. She’d know the truth and they could move forward with their lives—together.

Tonight.

Chapter Nine

Fourteen hours later, Storm drummed his fingers on the steering wheel of Todd Falco’s dusty grey surveillance van. He yawned. Spending the last couple of days making love to Stevie without slaking his bloodlust wore him out. Thanks to preplanning, he had a stash of blood wine at home to get him through.

As soon as he closed the case, he planned to spend an entire week in bed with her to prove his devotion. She meant more to him than anything.

“How much more proof does she need that Bruce is cheating?”
Stevie fidgeted in the passenger seat. “I mean, we gave her the pictures and the video footage. We caught him practically in the act of doing it.”

“The checks are good and we’ll keep on until she’s convinced.” Storm shifted to stretch. The truck had more leg room, but the marks knew his vehicle. “I just hope she believes us soon. I’m tired of spending every night watching them when I could be enjoying you.”

Stevie dropped his hand. “I agree.” She raised the camera from her lap and adjusted the focus. “Soon, we can spend quality time together.”

“See something?” Storm licked his lips, dying for a taste of her and not the scent of frying chicken coming from the convenience store. Soon wouldn’t come fast enough.

The shouts of revellers and gun shots from a block over rumbled in the air. The acrid scent of someone peeling out of the parking lot hung in a thick cloud. Go figure; too many people drunk with guns and wanting to party.

“Beside the regular party crowd and the tire smoke, I see Todd on the stoop next to their favourite room and a clear shot of the lobby if I pan to the right.” She nodded and twisted the lens. “He’s a great passed out drunk, but he’s almost too handsome.”

“Handsome, huh?”
A twinge of jealousy swirled through his brain for a moment, but he forced it aside to act nonchalant. “I didn’t think you noticed him.”

Stevie snickered and patted his leg while looking through the camera. “Just because I look, doesn’t mean I want to buy the goods.”

Storm shifted again. He needed food, but not snack cakes or soda. He needed a full helping of her. Caffeine would have to do. “Want a soda or something?”

“Something cola sounds good. You’ll have to hurry. They usually arrive in about fifteen minutes.” She furrowed her brows and gripped the camera tightly. The parking lot lights glittered in her eyes.

He peered into her mind. Besides the hunger gnawing at her stomach, fear rippled through her being. The nonchalance was an act. “I won’t leave you long. Lock the doors and I promise no one will hurt you.”

Her eyes widened. She dropped the camera into her lap and laced her fingers together. “What makes you so certain I’m scared?”

He fumbled for an answer that wasn’t the truth. Shit. A ripple of his own brand of fear skittered along his spine. The vision of O’Toole shattering the window to grab her floated into his mind.

“After the visit from your gunman the other day, you’re afraid and you have every right to be. You think I let that encounter with Adam Guroni roll right off my back? I shit bricks for a week, sure he’d come after my ass like he threatened.”

Stevie giggled. “I remember because he made a fool of himself over that call girl. But I also remember that you told me you were fine.” She swallowed hard. “Why don’t we sit tight? I’m not sure I want you to leave. Please?”

He drew a long breath. Yes, sitting tight sounded wonderful. “I’m stuck to you like glue, babe.” He didn’t have to fidget much longer. Todd shifted, crossing his ankles to give them the signal.
“Showtime.”

Stevie angled to aim the camera at the lobby. Sure enough, Bruce strolled into the building. Cherylyn waited in her car by the handicap spot.

“You got enough room to snap the shots?” Storm leant in to peek at the viewfinder screen.

“Crystal clear and damning enough that Edie should get the hint.”

He kissed her cheek. “Good girl. I knew I liked you for a reason.” He buried his face in her neck as Cherylyn sped by.

“Storm, we have a job to do.” Stevie clicked more images and whimpered. “But I’m not sure I want you to stop.”

His heart raced. Damn the job. Was there enough room in the back for a quickie?

Cherylyn’s voice broke the mood. “When are you going to let her know about us? She’s got PIs tailing us where ever we go.”