Nights Embrace (Others of Seattle) (12 page)

His voice took on that purr. “For you? Hell yes. You belong in my arms, and I feel empty when you aren’t there.”

Her heart slammed against her ribs. She managed to start walking, needing to be off the street.
“I have some tea if you’d like. I have brownies, too.”

“Sounds divine.”

She let him into the building and led up the stairs. “If you decide not to stay, I’ll understand. I’m likely to be horrible company.”

“You couldn’t be,
A Chroí
,” he murmured.

A crooked smile lifted one side of her mouth as she unlocked
the door. She couldn’t shake the lingering sadness at the loss of her first friend, but she wasn’t screaming and crying. She felt content to be next to Trevor, to soak in the peace he exuded.

* * * *

Trevor could feel her pain, even if a hint of smile graced her lips. Whatever Jordan said cut her deep. It made his decision to wait easier to handle. He’d been ready to lay claim on her back at his place, without telling her any of it.

He wanted to give her the choice. Even if it killed him.

Roxy went to the kitchen and filled a kettle that she set it on the stove. She set a box of chamomile tea on the counter and put a prepackaged tray of brownies in the oven.

She turned back to him with big sad eyes.
“Sorry, they aren’t gourmet or anything, but I don’t have the energy to make them fresh. Plus, I’m a sucker for the little girl down the hall. She had a fundraiser, and I can’t ever say no to chocolate.” Her eyes slid away as she lifted a single shoulder in a shrug.

Adorable, sweet, and
she deserved so much better than she ever received. She was
his
Roxy, and in that moment he vowed to spend his life making sure she received everything she desired and more.

He closed the distance and gently took her face in his hands, running his thumbs down her cheeks.
“Go change into something comfortable. I’ll be right here. I won’t leave until you ask me to.”

“I won’t ask you to leave,” she whispered, her dazzling eyes delving deep into his.

“Then I’ll be holding you all night, and I can’t think of a better way to spend my time.”

He felt the heat of her blush under his hands. Trevor leaned forward and placed a tender kiss to her forehead.
“Go, change, and I’ll get everything ready.”

She nodded once and left him there.

By the time the kettle went off, she came out in soft fluffy sweats, and a tank top without a bra. He desperately tried to keep his eyes on hers. “Go sit. I have the tea covered.”

To his surprise, she didn
’t argue. She curled up on the couch, and put the TV on a music station.

Stalling, he
took his time filling the mugs. By the time the tea had steeped, the brownies were ready. He pulled the tin from the oven, cut and plated them. Trevor brought everything to the coffee table.

“I have an idea,”
Trevor told her. “Why don’t you lay back and put your feet in my lap. I’ll massage them, while you enjoy a brownie and some tea.”

“You’re going to spoil me,” she
protested weakly.

“Maybe that’s what you need right now. Some TLC.” He settled
in and patted his lap. She laid back and stretched out, giving him her feet.

Trevor caressed her instep.
She moaned low as she sank further into the cushions while he worked the tension out of her cute, little feet.

Roxy managed to finish half her tea before she went out like a light. With a sigh
, he moved back to the bedroom to make a call.

He paused when he
shut the door, closing his eyes and breathing deep. Her scent was everywhere. Trevor looked around. The furniture was simple, the colors warm and inviting, but not exactly matched. Roxy chose things for comfort, not style. Her Kindle lay on her nightstand with a couple more notebooks.

Trevor smiled as he called Joey.

He answered on the first ring. “She okay?”

“Roxy’s
sleeping. That bastard is lucky I haven’t snapped his neck for the shit he pulled on her.”

“You haven’t had her
yet, have you?”

“No. I want to wait until I can explain.”

Joey laughed out loud. “Dude, you’re never going to make it that long. You can’t resist your mate. No one has that kind of willpower.”

“You’re probably right.” Trevor sighed.

“Well, think about the fact I have yet to meet a mated pair who weren’t perfect for each other.”

“Dina thought we would mate,” he answered harshly.

“That was wishful thinking. You’re nothing like Dina. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t be a saint. And really, it’s better if you don’t. You’re more likely to hurt her if your beast is that close to the surface, and I know you would never forgive yourself.”

“
I’m scared to death she’ll run,” Trevor admitted. “How the hell do I tell her there’s a beast living inside of me?”

“Why are you asking me? Shane’s the one who figured that one out
. I waited until I was about to lose Sorcha, and then I didn’t give her a choice. I just changed her.”

Trevor sighed. “You’re easier to talk to. Most of the time.”

“I wish I knew. Though, I think your girl will get over it for you. She’s got brass balls bigger than mine. You could tell her that you were some cum-guzzling demon and she would forgive you.”

Trevor
’s eyes widened. “Wait, what did you say?”

“She’ll forgive you anything. She’s
falling for you just as sure as Sorcha fell for me. I’m still the luckiest bastard alive.”

“No, dumbshit, about the demon,” Trevor barked.

“Oh, what?” Joey asked, confusion ringing in his tone. “You aren’t a fucking incubus.”

“No, but think about that piece of shit drummer of hers. He smells of sulfur, not strong, but enough to know he’s a demon. She said he couldn’t stop cheating on her. What if he’s an incubus?”

“She left his sorry ass, right? What would it matter if he was? Obviously he wasn’t doing his thing right because women can’t seem to resist those damned demons, yet Roxy doesn’t want anything to do with him.”

Trevor plowed his fingers through his hair. “What if he’s like her in that he doesn’t know what he is? Shit, that actually makes sense. How the hell
did I miss it?”

“Hey, I haven’t been around the asshat to know. If he is, he needs someone to show him the ropes. Otherwise, he’s going to drift away, and I have a feeling your girl, as pissed as she is at him, would go to his aid.”

“I know. I hate it. He’s going to hurt her again, I know he will. I get it though. They were friends.” Trevor couldn’t stop the growl in his voice. “She trusted him. She misses the funny, sweet guy he once was.”

“Yeah, but are you cool with that? Can you handle knowing she still considers him a part of her life?”

“I trust her, Joey. She hates what he’s become. It doesn’t sound like she misses them together, only what came before.”

“She fell for him when he was like that though. Don’t you think there is a chance she could fall again?”

“No. I don’t believe so. I think once she loses trust in someone, it’s gone, and doesn’t come back. It’s why I’m freaking the fuck out.”

“Okay, okay, yeah that makes sense.” Joey
answered. “Well, you haven’t lied to her. You left a few things out, and when you do get to explaining it to her, I think she’ll understand and cut you a little slack.”

“I fucking hope so. I can’t lose her
,” he mumbled. “I need another favor. I hear Leanan is up here. Think you could contact her? Maybe convince her to help Jordan with his predicament.”

Joey groaned. “Yeah. I can. If Sorcha kicks my ass, I’m blaming you.
”

“Tell her you’re doing me a favor so I can keep her new best friend
.”

Joey laughed. “That might work.”

“Thank you, man. I’m going to put Roxy to bed. I’ll be here all night. I need to know that she’s okay.”

“Don’t hold off until you find words to explain. That’s never go
ing to happen the way you want, unless you can figure out how to tell her when you both wake up.”

“Have a good night.”

“You know we will. I’m sure you’ll have a great morning.” Joey hung up and Trevor groaned.

Dina stared out her hotel room window, combing her fingers through her hair for the millionth time. Her stupid fucking mate landed himself in jail, and she had to disappear before they took her too.

Roxana had Trevor’s smell all over her. Dina wanted to shred the bitch in front of Trevor. She wanted her revenge. First, she needed to bail
Boyd out.

Her phone rang, and she looked at the display. William, of course, finally getting back to her.

She answered her alpha’s call. “Hello, William. I have bad news.”

“With you, there always is. What is it now?” His tone was dismissive.

“Boyd got himself into a fight. He nearly killed a guy out here. I may need you to do some persuading to get him off.”

“Tell me everything,” he snarled.

Dina relayed everything that happened in the bar.

“Wait. Who was the girl?”

“Roxana Nights,” Dina growled. “There’s something about her. She possesses magic that feels an awful lot like yours, only muted. It seems to be purely defensive. She gave Boyd one hell of a shock.”

“Find out what you can about her and her family. I need to know everything. I want you to keep her away from Trevor, but don’t you dare harm her, either one of you,” William warned.

“Fine,” she growled and hung up the phone.

* * * *

Jordan’s eyes snapped open as orgasm rocked through him. He felt bones mending as he bit back his cry of ecstasy. His heart hammered in his chest and he tried to grasp onto reality.

That dream was so damned real, but it wasn
’t. He couldn’t get it out of his head.

Fucking red skinned demon forcing him to eat her out until she finally turned to take him into her mouth. Every time he stopped sucking her clit, she would slap his cock.

“You draw power from my pleasure, asshole. Mine, not yours. Now fucking make me come,” she snarled.

He dove back in, and her heated mouth clamped around him as she swallowed his cock. She bathed him
in scalding cum and he finally found his release, jolting him right back into wakefulness.

Bruises were fading, the throbbing gone.

When Jordan could finally focus, Kevin was standing over him with a scowl. “Little old for nocturnal emissions, aren’t you, Jordan?”

“Weirdest fucking dream ever,” he
uttered.

Kevin rolled his eyes and flipped his book open.
“You have a statement? You want to press charges?”

Jordan thought about it. What was it the demon said?
Something about letting the Scottish bastard go.

Wait. Am I really taking the advice of a dreamed up monster? Yup, it felt too damned real.

“No. I’ll avoid the fucker. I was probably in the wrong. I can’t remember.”

Kevin tapped his foot, and shook his head.
“You realize your smart mouth nearly got you killed? Roxy too?”

Fuck
. That was right. If he let the bastard go, he could go after Roxy. He rubbed his head, and that whiskey smoke voice spoke to him.
Let it go. It’s the only way to save Roxy’s life.

Jordan
pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m not pressing charges. I’ll steer clear of both of them.”

“Seriously? You have a ton of stitches, busted ribs, and you want to let him walk?”

“Yeah. That’s what I said,” he confirmed, starting to shake violently. Whatever that demon bitch did, he was headed straight to detox way too fucking fast. “Just go.”

“Fucking asshole,” Kevin muttered as he turned to walk out of the room.

The pain started, the crawling legs, the buzzing sounds. Too much, too fast, and it was all that demon’s fault.

* * * *

Fiona paced through her room. Nick sat at the end of the bed watching her. “What is it, Babes?”

“She’s like me,” she whispered, shaking her head. “Trevor’s mate is like me.”

“Are you sure? There is magic in her scent, but it’s dormant. Like she’s never used it.”

She spun and nodded vigorously. “Exactly. Like it’s there,
only a layer below the surface, waiting to break free. She’s never been trained. Probably taught magic didn’t exist. But why?”

“No clue. Maybe we should do some digging.”

“I know a druid who knows everyone. He might know.” She rushed to her phone and found Gabriel Sharpclaw’s number. Fiona didn’t stay in contact with most druids, but she trusted Gabe.

She dialed his number.

Three rings later, she heard a bed shifting.

“Gabe?” she
tested.

He let out a big yawn.
“Fiona? Is that really you?”

She sighed heavily.
“Yes, old friend. I have a predicament. One of my clan has fallen for a young woman, who I believe is a druid, but doesn’t know it yet. Do you have any ideas?”

“Who
?” he asked quickly.

“Roxana Nights
.”

“Not off the top of my head, but I can find out. I’ll need some
time. I’ll call you back once I learn something.”

“Please. Hurry. I have a bad feeling about what’s coming our way, Gabriel. She’s meant to be with Trevor, but
something more is going on.”

“I’ll give you answers as soon as I have them.”

* * * *

Dina glared at Boyd who now sat
docilely beside her in the old Buick. She drove downtown to their hotel. The location was busy enough they wouldn’t be easy to sniff out.

Pissed didn’t begin to cover her
anger at Boyd and his attempt to beat the living hell out of the half-demon snot who hit on her. Dina was perfectly capable of dealing with him without landing herself in jail. But no, Boyd had to step in and fall into a rage.

It would make things so much easier to leave
Boyd in jail, but they released him. As much as she hated Boyd, she craved him, needed him. He was a part of her.

She received her
alpha’s call that morning. William had plans for Trevor’s little bitch. Then he forbade Dina from killing Roxana. If Dina wasn’t scared shitless of the blood druid, she would have ignored his command.

Most druids could manipulate earth and air magics. He could as well, but his magic was darker, drawing power from blood and pain. His beast added
another layer of power with its sadistic spirit.

Dina took a deep breath.

“So, let me get this straight. This little bitch is somehow part of William’s plan?” Boyd asked again. She had already relayed the entire conversation several times.

“Yes, for the love of
god, yes. He wouldn’t elaborate. We’re to wait for his instructions.”

“What about that dickweed she stopped me from killing?” he sneered.

She took a deep breath, glaring at the road. “Killing a human in public is not only reckless for yourself but can land me in as much trouble as you. Do you want to be locked up in one of the Council’s cells? Especially this close to the full moon?”

“Shit, no.
But he was asking for it. Trying to get up in your skirt,” he growled. “He wasn’t invited.”

Dina shot him a dirty look.
“I can handle myself. You could have caused more problems.”

“I didn’t. Stupid fuck didn’t even press charges. So now what?”

“We can hopefully get information from him. William did request a full report about what she does, and how she spends her time.”

“I think that shitbag is a good direction then. Did you happen to catch his name?”

“Jordan Long. I didn’t get much else. I had to disappear before anyone decided to point me out to the cops.”

“How long do you think it will be before she figures out
that I’m not still locked up?”

Dina shrugged.
“I don’t know, but do you have an idea of how to pump him for information?”

“I may,” he sat back in his seat and pulled out his phone.