Tricked: A Dark Protectors Novella (7 page)

She cried out, pain and pleasure blending into something that burned. Her nails scored his chest, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He started pummeling inside her, one hand across her ass, the other slapped against the wall, protecting her head and shoulders.

So easily…he held her upright.

Sparks lit her inside and she took more of him, her eyes closing. He moved her where he wanted her, his cock surging inside her, all power. The slap of flesh against flesh filled the apartment, and she could do nothing but hold on and feel.

Pure ecstasy.

She broke first, her body jerking and then exploding into miniscule pieces. To keep from screaming, she leaned in and clamped her teeth into his pec.

He growled and pounded harder, his entire body shuddering as he came.

Three more thrusts into her, almost lazy ones, and he stilled.

Her heart thundered against his chest. Little aches and pains instantly flared to life along her body. Holy crap. She leaned back against the wall, her eyelids half closed as she studied him. “So. Do we have those things straight now?”

“Not even close.” His lips twitched while his chest heaved out. “When I met you, I figured you needed saving.”

“I did.”

“Yes, you did. But that’s not what you need now.” His eyes somehow darkened even more. He kept her easily in his hold, his cock still hard enough to stay right where it was inside her.

Caution. She should feel caution, but she was too satisfied. “What do I need, Jared?”

“Why did you lie to me?” he asked, his voice a shade lower than mere curiosity.

“About what?” Desire roared inside her again, right where they remained joined. She moved a little, not surprised when he kept her in place. His strength was unreal, and the corded muscles along his arm only hinted at his power. “What did I lie about?”

“About your illness. You were poisoned.” He tilted his head to the side.

Oh. That. “It’s my problem, and I’ll figure it out.” Man, she owed him enough, considering he’d saved her life. Her father was wrong. She was smart enough to figure a good case out. For now, it would be nice if Jared started moving again.

“That’s not how this works.” He leaned down and nipped her lip—none too gently. “If you’re in danger, I handle it. Life really is that simple, and the sooner you figure that out, the better.”

She stilled. He was joking. A quick look at his face, at his hard expression, erased that thought. What year did he think it was? “Who do you think you are?”

“Your mate, baby. Apparently it’s time to teach you what that means.”

Chapter 6

Jared’s phone buzzed before he could finish making his point. Grabbing it with one hand out of the back of his jeans, which were down around his knees, he lifted it to his ear. Not once did he release Ronni’s molten gaze. “What?” he snapped.

“Meet at Grizio’s Pizza for a late dinner,” Chalton said without preamble. “I have news on Ronni’s condition as well as Saul’s case.”

Jared slowly withdrew from his mate. Her eyes widened, and her body clenched as if to keep him inside. His answering grin shot color into her pretty face and irritation into her stunning eyes. “We’ll be there. Call Theo.”

“I already talked to Theo. He’s pissed you left him with Ginny,” Chalton drawled. “Please tell me you’re not falling for her bullshit again.”

At the moment, there was only one woman on his mind. “I’ll see you at Grizio’s.” He clicked off.

Ronni’s feet hit the floor, and she pushed him with both hands against his stomach.

He decided not to move.

Her head snapped up. “What do you want?”

Now that was a damn good question. At the moment, he wanted to bend her over the back of the sofa and fuck her hard. Very hard. But they had work to do, and he’d have to calm himself until later. “I want to figure out who tried to kill you and also ensure there are no more threats coming for us. I’m thinking we’ll do that over pizza.”

Interest filtered across her face. “I could eat.”

“Good. We also need to get on the same page. No more hunting killers by yourself.” He slid both hands down her arms.

She shoved again. “How are those abs even real?”

He looked down. “Huh?”

“Nothing. We’ll talk about it later.” She sidled out from the side, and he allowed it this time. “I need to grab some jeans.”

“And a coat,” he reminded her.

She threw him the finger and stomped into her bedroom. He grinned, his body lighting with humor. Man, taming her would be fun. He paused. Where the hell had that thought come from? Oh, he didn’t mind the theme…but he hadn’t planned on sticking around.

Yet, why not? Glancing down at the rumpled dress and ruined panties on the floor, his smile widened. They obviously had something in common.

Oh, yeah. He jerked up his pants, wincing as he shoved his dick back into place and zipped. Even now, the smell of her wrapped around him. Warmed him. Tempted him.

It took him several seconds to realize he’d forgotten all about Ginny.

Veronica emerged minutes later in dark jeans and a green sweater that hugged her breasts perfectly. Her thick hair was up in a ponytail, and lip-gloss covered her sweet lips.

Man, she intrigued him. She was all spunk, intelligence, and courage. It shocked him how much he liked that combination.

She took a brown leather jacket from a clothes closet. “How about we take my car?”

He shrugged and followed her outside. “So long as I drive.”

“God, you’re a throwback,” she muttered, her sweet ass swaying down the steps.

“Yep.” When they reached the car, he held out his hand for the keys.

“Fine.” She threw them at his head, and he snagged them easily out of the air.

“Thanks.” He slipped into the compact and put the driver’s seat as far back as it would go. While she thought he was being a jerk, in truth, his reflexes were a million times faster than hers. If danger came near, he’d handle it better. Whether she liked it or not.

She huffed into the seat and secured her seatbelt.

He ignited the engine and drove out of the carport, heading even farther away from the city. “My brother has all the files about your case, and we can review them together at dinner. We’ve already sent a sample of your blood to our lab in Idaho, and we should have those results soon.”

She dropped her chin. “How did you get my blood?”

“I texted an associate when I left the bar earlier, and he broke into the evidence locker at the station,” Jared said. “Then it went on private plane and should be there today. We don’t mess around.”

She shook her head. “That’s crazy.”

“Was necessary.” It would probably take some time for her to realize she was no longer human and subject to their laws. “Any clue who wanted you dead?”

“No,” she said. “I think it had something to do with the death of a cop, a guy named Walt, who I saw as a patient, but I have no proof. No leads.” She curled her fingers into fists on her jeans. “I also don’t know how they poisoned me. I mean, many patients bring me coffee and tea, and I also drink at the station. Plus, we go out a lot as a group to a bar…”

Well, those days were over. He’d explain that to her later. For now, he had to figure this out. “Why did you become a shrink?”

“I wanted to help people.” She wiped snow off her jeans. “My dad was a cop, and he said I didn’t have what it took.” She hunched her shoulders inward. “I guess I kind of wanted to prove him wrong. Plus, I have a knack for figuring people out.”

She had a knack because she was empathic. So she was driving herself so hard just to prove herself? That wouldn’t do. However, he liked that she wanted to help people. Smart, spirited, and sweet. That was her. He glanced at her, his hands easy on the steering wheel.

“What?” she asked.

“You’re very likable,” he said, taking a corner.

She blinked. Color tinged her cheeks. Her lips pursed. “Thank you.”

Yeah. The woman knew how to take a compliment. He liked that, too. Her scent of spices and berries wrapped around him, providing comfort with a jolt of energy. The idea that somebody wanted to harm her tightened his muscles. He’d never been a nice guy, and a battle was a battle, but he’d make the asshole who’d poisoned her bleed before dying.

He pulled into the back lot of the tiny restaurant. “You ever been here?”

She craned her neck to check out the innocuous brick building. “No.”

“Best pizza in the world.” He jumped out of the car and crossed to assist her. “Careful. The lot is icy.”

She nodded and allowed him to lead her through the back door. The smells of garlic, cheese, and pretty much heaven hit them both. She breathed in. “Wow.”

“Yeah.” He grinned. “You’ll love it.” Taking her hand, he led her through the hallways to a small private dining area and gave a nod to Theo before surveying the room. Ah, shit. Theo had brought Ginny.

* * * *

Ronni’s stomach rumbled like she hadn’t eaten in months, which she pretty much hadn’t. If the pizza was half as good as it smelled, she’d be in heaven in about ten minutes.

Olivia rushed for her, enveloping her in a hug complete with a happy hop. “You look even better than this morning. Alive. So well.” Joy filled Olly’s laugh.

Ronni hugged her back, tears pricking her eyes. They were alive and would be for possibly forever. The two of them. She leaned back, smiling at the wonderful sparkles in Olly’s eyes. “You look even happier.”

“I am.” Olly pulled her toward an empty seat. “You know Chalton and Theo.” She nodded toward a stunning blonde sitting between the men across the table. “This is Ginny.”

“Hi.” Ronni smiled.

Ginny smiled back, but the greeting didn’t meet her eyes. Was she nervous? Ronni tuned in her senses and nearly lost her breath. Tension. It was all around her. She glanced at Jared, who took the seat next to her without meeting her gaze. Interesting.

Ginny smoothed back her long hair. “Theo has been taking such good care of me.” She patted his hand on the table. “I don’t know what I would’ve done.” Her voice was soft and a little timid.

“You were fine,” Theo said shortly, taking a drink of what looked like beer.

“Oh, no.” Ginny shook her head, her eyes widening. “We had an attack at the hotel.”

Jared stiffened next to Ronni. “An attack?” He focused on Theo.

Theo rubbed a hand through his shaggy hair. “No. It was probably just a car backfiring.”

The redheaded waitress entered, her notepad ready to take orders. During the hustle, Olivia leaned over to whisper. “Ginny’s a witch.
The
witch from Jared’s past.”

Ronni stiffened. Wind whirled through her, and it took a moment for her to pin down the emotions. She was jealous? Why? She’d just met Jared. Of course, her skin held the heat from his, and her body still tingled from him taking her up against the wall. “Well, she is beautiful,” Ronni whispered.

Olivia rolled her eyes. “If you like that look.”

That look? Long blonde hair, bright blue eyes, flawless skin? Yeah. Who’d like that look? The woman sat directly across from them and was no doubt even more beautiful closer up.

Chalton gave them a look. Oh, yeah. Super vampire hearing. Well, who cared? Ronni and Olivia weren’t changing their lives just because they’d joined up with the supernatural. “Where’s her mate?” Ronni asked.

“Dead. She took some virus and came running for Jared,” Olivia said, taking a sip of water from a thick plastic glass.

“Oh.” A rock smashed into Ronni’s stomach, heavy and painful. She reached for her own glass, and her thigh brushed Jared’s hard one. Desire poured through her. One little touch and she wanted to get him naked again. But he’d done her an unbelievable favor in saving her life. If he wanted his freedom now, she had no choice but to give it to him. That had been the plan, right?

Ginny fluttered her hands together. “I just don’t know what to order. What do you recommend, Jared?” From across the table, she gave a helpless shrug.

Ronni frowned. “Pizza?”

Oliva coughed next to her.

Jared nodded. “Definitely pizza.” He leaned toward Ronni. “What kind do you like?”

“Loaded,” she said, trying to appear nonchalant when his breath brushed her ear. Her nipples peaked beneath her sweater, and she hunched forward.

“Excellent,” Jared said, his voice calm and soothing. “The fact that your appetite is back has to be a good sign.”

Ginny sighed. “How nice to be able to gain weight. No matter what I eat, I stay petite.”

“How sad,” Olivia said sweetly.

Ronni kicked her sideways under the table. “Not me.” Did Jared like the helpless and tiny type? She frowned. How irritating.

“Good. Eat up and regain those curves I saw in your pictures,” he said, as if reading her mind. The waitress brought breadsticks and pitchers of beer, and he plopped two sticks on her bread plate. “I didn’t ask. Do you like beer?”

“Sure,” Ronnie said, nodding when he poured her a glass.

“Not me.” Ginny pouted out her red lips. “Do they have wine?”

For some reason, she kept asking questions of Jared. Ronni shrugged off the desire to punch the blonde in the nose. Was he still in love with her? How the hell had he been in love with her? If that was his type, she’d give him his freedom the second she tracked down that mysterious virus.

Jared nodded. “The wine list is on the back of the menu.”

Ginny’s eyelashes fluttered. She made some sort of odd noise. “What do you recommend, Jared?”

Theo took her attention and drew a menu up to her face.

Oliva leaned close to whisper, “Did she just simper? I’ve never seen a simper before. I think that was a fucking simper.”

Ronni bit her lip, trying not to laugh.

Jared turned and patted her on the back, nearly knocking her into the table. “You okay?”

“Yes,” she gasped, reaching for her water.

He eyed her, his gaze dark. “You sure? Maybe you should still be resting for a while. It might take time to get better. Perhaps this was a bad idea.” He moved to stand.

She grabbed his hard thigh and pressed down. “I’m fine. Really. Starving.”