Bear Claw (11 page)

The lives of the missing boys were more important than a date. He was dying to see Brandy but he knew she would understand.

Brandy had been more than willing to change their plans. In fact, she’d offered to pick up dessert for the two of them and bring it over to his apartment. She’d already eaten dinner with her family.

Having Brandy in his personal space was going to be both exciting and torturous. Jamie couldn’t wait.

It was so important for her to be able to deal with his job. There would be nights he wouldn’t come home and weekends canceled. Brandy had taken this time in stride with no complaint.

If there had been any way not to screw up his night, he would have done it, but the case was finally moving along.

Minutes later, after he’d finished showering and changing into fresh clothes, he hurried to his truck then drove out to the alley where the teenager had been dumped. Jamie couldn’t help but worry about the other two missing boys. There was no question that the cops hadn’t taken the scene at face value.

What was supposed to have been set up as a drug overdose hadn’t been convincing. The boy had no history of drug abuse, no track marks or any other indication of prior addiction. The theory just wasn’t playing for the police or for him and Aubrey.

The people who were taking the kids were dangerous. Hopefully the teen would wake up soon and be able to tell everyone what had happened.

His phone rang as Jamie finished pulling on his jeans. Yanking the denim up while trying to hop over to the bedside table wasn’t working. Finally, he got his pants on before he scooped up the small cell phone.

“Hello?”

“It’s me.”

Like he wouldn’t know the second she spoke. He’d fantasized about her voice for so long. “Hey, you still coming over?” he asked while chanting silently
please, please, please
.

“Of course. I’m a block away. I wondered where you wanted me to park.”

Since his building was one of the older ones in the neighborhood, they didn’t actually have enough space for all the residents’ vehicles. It was a common problem throughout the poor side of town.

“I have a marked visitor space behind the building. Number two-B. I can meet you down there.”

“Don’t be silly,” Brandy said. “I can walk up one flight of stairs.”

Jamie chuckled. “Hey, just trying to win good points early in case I get called in.”

“Well then, you can treat me like you would any other guest and wait for me to knock on your door.”

But she wasn’t like anyone else. Jamie was certain of it. Still, he knew better than to argue with her. “Fine, I can do that.”

“Good. Now I’m pulling around back so I’ll see you in a minute.”

“Sounds good.” He dropped his phone down and rushed to the dresser to grab one of his T-shirts. He pulled it over his head then slipped his arms into the sleeves. Next, he snatched up a pair of black socks.

Finished with dressing, Jamie quickly ran through the hall into his living room. Luckily, he’d cleaned up during his weekend off and the place was in decent shape. Well, the front anyway. If Brandy saw his room, she probably wouldn’t be too impressed.

He hadn’t expected company. At least not tonight. And as much as he wanted Brandy, he couldn’t move too fast and scare her off.

He and his cock would have to be on their best behavior.

Which was a lot easier said than done. Inside, his bear was practically clawing at him. His animal was tired of waiting. It wanted Jamie to claim their mate.

It was getting harder and harder to hold himself in check. The real test would be tonight with Brandy in his home.

The knock at the front door pulled him from his thoughts and he sprinted forward. His breath was still a little quick as he opened the entry.

It was then that he lost any air left in his lungs.

Brandy stood in front of him, more beautiful then he’d ever seen her. She was also more casual than he was accustomed to. Her soft cotton pants fit her curvy figure perfectly while the V-neck shirt gave him a peek at her full breasts. Her gorgeous hair curled around the side of her face and cascaded down her back.

“I stopped off at home and changed clothes. I hope that’s okay?”

Jamie nodded. He wanted to tell her that it was more than okay but he couldn’t manage to get any words out.

Jeez, he was totally fucked. Brandy looked absolutely edible, and he was supposed to behave?

It didn’t seem possible.

She lifted an eyebrow and tilted her head. “Jamie?”

“Christ, you’re hot.” Oh shit, he hadn’t meant to say that.

But Brandy smiled widely before laughing. “Well, thank you. And I can return the compliment.”

Realizing she was still standing outside holding a bag and a carrier with two cups, Jamie jumped forward. “Damn, I’m sorry.” He took the food and beverages from her. “Come in. Come in.”

The amused expression stayed on her face as she stepped inside his apartment.

Jamie closed and locked the door. “I thought we might sit in the living room and talk.”

“Perfect.”

Leading her to the couch, Jamie glanced around trying to see his place the way Brandy must. Sure, the space was small but he liked it. After a person walked in from the door, the kitchen was to the left. At least that light was off so she couldn’t see the dirty dishes in the sink. To the right was the short hallway that led to the bathroom and two bedrooms. Straight ahead was the living room.

Brandy sat on the large black leather couch that faced the sixty-inch television. His bookcases stood beside the set. He’d had more in his office but he kept his favorites in the front room.

“Nice collection,” she praised, leaning to see some of the titles.

“I have more. These are the ones that I reread or have special meaning,” he told her, placing the treats she’d brought on the coffee table in front of her.

Turning her head, she smiled. “I knew you read a lot but this is impressive.”

A little embarrassed, Jamie started to dig around inside the white bakery sack. It was a bit excessive having four large bookcases in one room and another six elsewhere but he loved information. He was addicted to the written word whether for pure enjoyment or to learn something new

“Hey,” Brandy said, lightly placing her hand on him.

He froze at the touch on his arm.

“I wasn’t making fun of you. I think it’s sexy.”

Jamie didn’t know how to respond to that. So he went with his gut. “Well,” he drawled, grinning, “if you think that’s hot, I’ll have to show you the office later.”

She laughed. “You just might.”

The easy flirtation actually relaxed him. He knew what he was doing. He’d had plenty of dates and he’d never had any issues scoring in the past. He knew though that his future with Brandy would depend on what happened at this very moment.

Craving her had become his other addiction. He wanted to know more about her—to know everything. He stopped messing with the food and sat close beside her.

“That’s better,” she said as she ran her palm over his wrist and twined her fingers in his. “Relax, Jamie. I’m pretty sure we’re on the same page.”

“Yeah,” he agreed.

“Then that’s all we need to worry about. If you knew how long I’ve been wanting and waiting, you would probably laugh.”

No, he wouldn’t. All that wasted time. He couldn’t believe it. “I wanted you the first time I walked in the library and saw you smile at me from behind the desk.”

“The big bad biker walking in. I wasn’t sure what to make of you,” she admitted.

Jamie tensed. That wasn’t really who he was.

“But then I looked into your eyes and I saw so much more. I knew then that I would never forget you, even if you never came back to the library.”

No one had ever said anything like that to him. Drawing closer, Jamie cupped her face. “How could I not come back?”

Brandy closed the distance and their lips met. Shutting his eyes, Jamie gave himself over to the sizzling electricity that sparked between them.

Chapter Nine

Brandy’s entire body trembled as Jamie’s mouth moved against hers. She wasn’t normally so bold, but after the fight with Colby and her disappointment with her family, she needed Jamie.

It was more than a physical release that she was looking for. There had always been something about him that called to her. It was time to take a chance.

As Jamie slid his hand around the back of her head, Brandy scooted closer to him. Anymore and she would be on his lap. Not that she would complain about it.

Their tongues touched, shooting tendrils of desire through her. Unable to resist touching Jamie back, she gently laid her palm over one of his pecs. Finally getting to touch his muscular chest was enough to make her want to rip off his T-shirt and see the amazing sight of his broad, strong body.

He nipped her bottom lip then slowly backed off. She immediately missed his heat.

“I could kiss you all night,” he whispered.

“I don’t have a problem with that,” she confessed.

Jamie grinned but didn’t move to recapture her mouth. “Coffee first?”

As much as she was completely addicted to the brew, she wanted more of Jamie’s lips, not a beverage.

“Then we’ll get back to the kisses.”

Oh yeah, she could get behind that plan. Accepting the cup that Jamie passed her, she raised the lid and took a deep whiff of the strong coffee. He did the same thing. He lifted his head and, their gazes meeting, he shrugged.

“At least we know we have this in common.”

“Oh, I’m certain there is more too.”

Raising an eyebrow, he smirked. “Yeah?”

This would be a good time to confess her other career but she wasn’t ready. Chris was the only person she’d ever told, and while he was supportive, he was also her cousin.

“Books,” she said. “We have very similar tastes.”

Holding his cup up in a salute, he nodded. “Very true.”

“Plus, we both have good friends, jobs that we enjoy, and we’re attracted to each other.”

Jamie slipping his arm around her gave Brandy the opportunity to cuddle close.

“I have to say, I didn’t expect you to be so straight with me.”

Brandy blushed and looked down at her drink. It was out of character but she knew what she wanted. “It’s been a year. You move pretty damn slow,” she teased.

He chuckled, the smooth sound washing over her.

“I guess I do.” He reached over to place his cup back on the table. He shifted and she could see in his face that he was speaking from his heart.

To her delight, he left his arm over her shoulder. “To be honest, I didn’t think you would be interested in me.”

It was strange how his thoughts had been the same as hers. “Why not?”

“Look at me. I’m not exactly the type of man you bring home to Mom.”

Brandy snorted. She would never take Jamie to her parents’ for dinner but that would be to protect him from the craziness of her family. “You’re a handsome man and I like the way you dress too. I love those faded jeans that have holes in the back pockets.”

“Really?” He offered her a mischievous grin.

“You wore those on purpose?” she guessed.

“Yep.”

Shaking her head, she giggled. “I’m glad you did. But it’s not your appearance. I love the way you’re so passionate about what you’ve read. There aren’t a lot of people I can share that with.”

“Me neither. I love my friends but we don’t exactly have the same hobbies. Plus, they have their own lives. Cody just moved in with Aubrey, and Zak, well I’m not sure what Zak does, he’s still pretty private. But I’ve never had a long-term partner who I could simply relax with.”

“Is that what you’re hunting for?” Brandy asked, holding her breath. While they were on the same page about wanting each other, she was afraid to hope he was looking for more.

“It is. I’m tired of bars and one-night stands. I want someone to come home to every night. Make dinner and talk about our days. I want an equal who wants me as much as I want them.”

That sounded like heaven to her. Carefully, she set her coffee beside his. “Jamie…”

“I know we have a long way to go, but for the first time, I think I’ve finally met my match.”

She was so pleased to hear him say those words she took a bigger chance. It seemed like it was a night to throw caution to the wind. She laughed and swung her leg over him to land on his lap.

He jerked in surprise.

Brandy placed both hands on his face and brought her lips close to his. “Kiss me, Jamie.”

He did.

Passion engulfed her as he slammed his lips against hers. She opened for him, loving the taste of coffee added to his unique flavor. He brought his hands down on her thighs to pull her closer. She moaned, rubbing against his erection. Oh, God. She delved her tongue deeper into his mouth.

She pushed his shirt up. Ripping her mouth away, she gazed down at the gorgeous sight of his chest. “Jeez, for the longest time I’ve wanted to get see you without a shirt.”

“Let me help,” he told her and yanked the cotton garment over his head.

Brandy rocked back, rubbing on him and running her hands over his shoulder then down. The tattoos covering his arms went all the way across his wide torso. Tilting her head, she traced her tongue over the colorful decoration.

Jamie’s head fell back as he groaned.

Empowered, she kept up her assault with her hands and mouth, until Jamie gripped her ass and yanked her more firmly to his body. She glanced up and saw the heat in his eyes. Her breath caught at the intense need in them. Grabbing the back of his neck, Brandy kissed him, hard.

Jamie’s reaction was instantaneous. He bucked up, pressing his erection against her and wrapping one hand in her hair, holding her head still.

“I’ve wanted to rip that clip out of your hair and have my hands full of your silky tresses so many times,” he told her once they broke apart to breathe.

“Yes,” she hissed, still rocking on him.

Lowering his head, Jamie licked down her neck to her chest. She knew wearing the V-neck would come in handy. She was glad she’d been brave enough to wear it. The thin material of her pants had also been brilliant. She could feel how hard Jamie was for her already.