In three weeks, I am to create a line of clothing from his pelt.
Create, not debut. A line of clothing. From Johns . . . pelt.
Realization struck, and struck hard. John wasnt being used as a sex slave, as Blue first feared. The males golden skin was to be peeled from his body and given to Tiffany. Then, after his skin had regrown, it would be peeled again . . . and again.
He would be a never-ending gold mine. Literally.
If Star had once sold organs on the black market, as rumors claimed, he would have the right contacts . . . and he was just monster enough to do it.
Fury rode the tides in Blues veins before spilling out, filling him up, consuming him. Behind him, chairs and tables toppled over. Glass shattered. People yelped and raced for cover. John did not heal as quickly as Blue and was probably still injured from the explosion, his skin unusablehence the three-week wait. There was still time to save him.
Anything else? he demanded.
A small patch of the hide has already been removed for testing. Ribbons were made. Those ribbons are being sold at auction tonight.
A part of John had already been skinned. Blue barely contained his roar. Where is the auction being held?
She rattled off the details.
No oneno one!was going to own a piece of John. Blue would make sure of it. Do you know where your father is keeping the Rakan?
No.
No. Then she was of no more use to him. For now. Before he destroyed anything else, Blue pushed to his feet. Im going to send you an invitation to a postgame party, and you are going to accept and do whatevers necessary to attend. Say yes.
Yes.
Good girl.
Blue leaned down, saying, You will forget the questions about the Rakan, Tiffany, but remember the invitation and your acceptance. You will also speak to your father about me. You will tell him you are interested in me romantically, and youd like him to meet me.
Yes, she said of her own accord. If he refuses
Youll tell him again. Blue confiscated her phone and programmed in his number. Call me when your father issues his invitation. He tossed the device on the tabletop and stalked awaybefore giving in to the urge to kill her.
* * *
Blue drove to Evies house, careful not to be seen, his temper only escalating. By the time he found her in the office, every muscle in his body was locked tight on bone. Looking at her didnt help. Anger morphed into dangerous lust.
She sat at her desk, dark waves cascading down her back. Perfect white teeth nibbled suggestively at the end of a stylus. A red tank top displayed toned arms with small but definite ropes of strength. She was fit. He remembered how good she felt pressed against him.
Power seeped from him, the desk and chair lifting several inches above the floor. Gasping, she turned to face him. As she took in his battle-hardened stance, her eyes hooded . . . with desire?
Blue, she said, her voice husky with, yes, desire. She dropped to her feet with the grace of a cat and slowly approached him. The sway of her hips transfixed him. I know youre furious and frustrated, but you cant go to the auction this way. So take your emotions out on me. I can handle anything youve got.
An invitation.
One he would not decline.
Forget Michael and the job. He had to have this woman.
He grabbed her by the waist and spun her, slamming her face-first against the wall. He braced her hands over her head and kicked her legs apart, the need to dominate her overwhelming everything else.
Yes, she hissed.
With his free hand, he tore away her top, but didnt bother removing her jeans or undergarments. Just ripped at the fastenings. Her bra gaped open, freeing her breasts. The jeans bagged on her hips.
Not sex, some part of his brain screamed. Not yet. Not like this.
Rational thought.
He heard and acceptedbarely.
Needing flesh-to-flesh contact, he let her go to wrench off his shirt and meld his chest to her back; the heat of her skin drove him toward the best kind of mindlessness. When she rubbed her taut little ass against him, he pushed her jeans below the curve and his throbbing erection found its way between the cleft. He hissed at the pleasure. She squeezed at him and, oh, hell. He bit the cord of her neck. Have to have my mouth on her. Her groan of rapture filled the small enclosure.
His hands moved to her breasts, cupping and kneading, causing her nipples to harden into perfect little points. Points he pinched.
Blue!
He kissed and licked at the sting hed caused in her neck, still rubbing . . . rubbing into her ass, unable to stop. Felt so good. His fingers glided down her belly . . . slid under her panties, and played for a moment at her small tuft of hair, before sinking lower.
He almost blew. So warm and wet, baby.
Always that way for you.
Killing me. Shouldnt have told me. May not be able to keep myself off you now. He circled . . . circled . . . where she needed him most, and as she trembled, she followed him with her hips.
Do it. A command she expected to be obeyed. Please.
Always begs so prettily. He pressed the heel of his hand against her and thrust a finger in deep.
Yes! She groaned, her head falling onto his shoulder. More.
As he fed her a second finger, she reached back and wound her arms around him, her nails digging into his ass. She urged him to move against her harder, faster, until he was practically grinding her through the wall.
Kiss me. She turned her head and he angled his, their mouths meeting in a scorching tangle of tongues and need, possession and domination.
There was aggression in the kiss. His. Hers. He loved it. It was a claim. A branding. On both their parts. Hed never felt so . . . desired, so necessary, and it was a heady thing. He knew hed need it again and again.
Would need this honey in his mouth, down his throat, intoxicating him. No one else had ever tasted as sweet, or wine-rich. It was as if she had been made for him, and him alone. A sweet little puzzle piece for his life . . . his bed.
She climaxed with the hard thrust of a third finger, clenching around him, and it wasnt long before he joined her, emptying his body of the fury and frustration, and filling it back up with unending satisfaction.
And fear.
He wanted her too much, and the craving wasnt going away. Wasnt even muting. He was falling for her.
Falling hard.
Fifteen
BLUE AND EVIE CROUCHED in the rafters of the old barn where the auction for ribbons of Johns skin was to be held. Theyd been here for almost an hour, still, quiet, waiting, hidden by thick wooden beams and moldy hay.
He held at bay memories of the aftermath of their explosive encounter . . . until the second hour, when they knocked on the door of his mind, demanding entry.
Uncomfortable silence as theyd dressed.
Evie unable to meet his gaze.
A murmured Well, that was fun, thanks from her before she strode from the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts. She hadnt claimed him, after all.
Didnt matter. Hed claimed her.
The time before, hed felt horror that hed betrayed Michael, and guilt. That time, hed felt resolve. He wanted more. And so, more he would have. He couldnt resist her. Fighting the attraction had done no good.
Now he would go after her. Win her.
Finally, the back doors of the barn creaked, signaling they were being opened. A short, wiry human with thinning hair, a great-white-shark tattoo coming up the collar of his shirt, and a man-baby belly, strutted inside with two armed men at his sides. One had a rifle. The other had a pyre-gun. Both were human.
Behind them, another male carried a small lacquered box with the Chinese symbol for revenge lining each side. There was no sign of Gregory, Tyson, or Tiffany, but Blue didnt care.
This was happening.
gonna go crazy for these, Shark was saying. He swiped his arm across the items on the nearest table, scattering everything to the ground.
The male placed the box on the surface. He was an Agamen, with huge white horns protruding from his skull. Bona fide ivory towers. Seriously, a colony of fairies could live inside those things.
Hell, maybe they did.
Im to remind you that theres major heat on these, Horns said.
Shark nodded and rubbed his hands together. Consider me reminded. Now show me what Im gonna be selling.
Horns fiddled with the locks on the box. The lid was flipped open.
Blue saw three golden ribbons resting inside and nearly vomited. The pain John must have suffered . . . must be suffering. He had to swallow back a roar of fury, had to lock his power down tight.
Pretty, arent they? Horns said with a crooked grin.
Are you kidding? Theyre gorgeous, Shark exclaimed. When the Star girl finishes her designs . . . people are gonna go insane.
Across the expanse of the rafters, Blue met Evies gaze. Determination radiated from her.
They die, he mouthed. Hard.
Gripping two daggers, he dropped from the ceiling and landed on his feet. Evie did the same, and together they surged forward. The men noticed and reached for weaponsbut they were too late. Blue threw both of his daggers, one finding a home in Sharks right eye, the other in his left. Howling with pain, the guy dropped to his knees. Meanwhile, Evie savagely knifed one of the humans across the throat, his skin ripping and blood spraying.
Horns tried to sprint out the door, but Blue caught him with a thread of poweran invisible ropeand dragged him back, kicking and screaming. When Blue reached out, intending to slice through the horns to take them as a memento, the male bucked in an effort to jab him with the poisoned tips.
A swift stab, stab, stab deflated all three of the Agamens lungs. Alien anatomy classes came in handy sometimes. The male flopped forward, allowing Blue to break his neck with a vicious jerk.
The last remaining target managed to get his hands on a pyre-gun and fire a shot at Evie. She ducked, the laser soaring just over her shoulder. Blue closed the distance in a blink, grabbing the humans arm, twisting, breaking the bone, and swiping the gun. He fed the barrel into the mans mouth and pulled the trigger.
Yellow lights sparked from every orifice the human possessed, and blood quickly followed. He crumbled to the ground.
You think you can take out my woman? Blue spit on the body.
Your woman? Really?
Whatever. He spun, desperate to fight someone else, but the battle was over. He stomped to the table, and Evie tagged along. They peered at the glittering golden ribbons curling so prettily against the velvet.
Im sorry, she whispered.
He nodded to let her know hed heard.
Well find him.
Yes, they would. They would never stop searching, never give up. He didnt care what they had to do or who they had to kill.
Lets get the box to Michael, he said.
* * *
The next few days were packed with activities. Evie held a press conference to announce she was taking over Black Industries and that shed set up an exhibition game for the Invaders and Strikers at the end of the week. She called Tyson Star and set up a tour of the Star Light Hotel, but he wasnt the one to give her the tour. His personal assistant did the honors.
She almost threw a tantrum.
Also, Tiffany had yet to call Blue and ask him to meet her father.
But at least no one had tried to kill him. Or Evie. It was safe to assume his cover was solid, he wasnt a target, and whoever had ordered the car chase had changed hisor hermind.
Even so, Evie was a bit on edge. She and Blue had not had their chat about expectations and had not made out again. Was he done with her?
No. Impossible. Last time hed been totally on fire for her. Flames that hot couldnt have just died out.
Really? Reeeally? Have you ever witnessed a fire burning? Flames die out all the time, moron.
She could hear him puttering around in the kitchen, and shivered. Hed snuck over a few hours ago. Hed snuck over every night, actually, secretly staying in the guest room, just as hed promised Michael.
Have I lost my appeal?
No, she thought again. She wasnt a raving beauty like the women he was used to, and she had the wrong hair color . . . and the wrong boob size. . . . Hey. She frowned. What had he ever seen in her?
She didnt know. But she had not fallen from the ugly tree and gotten hit by every branch, thank you. Blue had felt an attraction to her, and it had been strong enough that hed forgotten his dislike of her.
Maybe . . . the stress was getting to him? He worked constantly, and rarely slept.
To be honest, she was having trouble keeping up with him.
Dinner, Blue called.
Hed offered to cook, and she hadnt even given a token protest. Her culinary genius was limited to boiling soup and thawing the frozen dinners her father sometimes sent over.
Be right down. She had left him alone about half an hour ago; the sight of him preparing a meal, acting all domesticated, had nearly sent her into a euphoric state of shock.
Translation: shed wanted to jump him.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket as she padded to the kitchen. She checked the screen, saw Michaels name, and grinned. Hey, you.
Hey, sunbeam, he replied. He called her once a day to check in.
How are you feeling?
Better.
He offered nothing more, so she said, Did something happen?
Nope. Just wondering if the exhibition game was set.
A lie. He knew it was. He watched the news. In two days, as planned. Ive finalized all details for the after-party as well. A party where Blue would probably have to seduce the pants right off Tiffany Star. Nothing else had worked.
He would always do anything necessary to get what he needed from a target, so maybe their aborted romance was for the best. Evie hadnt changed her mind. She would never be okay with her man bagging other women, no matter the reason.
Good, Michael said. Thats good.
Blue stood behind the counter and, without moving a muscle, used his power to push a plate of spaghetti across the counter.
Thanks, she mouthedand had to force herself to look away from him before she started drooling. Could the man never wear a shirt?
Ive had that chest pressed against mine, but I failed to touch or taste it. Bad Evie!
It would be a lifelong regret.
I wanted to ask . . . how things are going with Blue? There was something odd about her fathers tone.
Fine, she said, grateful he couldnt see the sudden color in her cheeks. Why?
Are you two . . .
She stifled a groan. Fighting? No.
Thats not what I meant.
Too bad for you, because thats the only question Im willing to answer.
Sorry, sunbeam, but this is important. I love the man, I do, but hes not right for you.
You think I dont know that? And anyway, what brought this on? she asked.
I keep remembering the way you looked at him.
How had she looked at him?
Blimey. Had Blue noticed?
Blue stepped around her, getting in her face, clearly concerned. He mouthed, Something wrong?
My father is butting into something that is not his business, she said, loud enough for both men to hear.
Blue straightened with a snap and paled, confusing her. Had he guessed what she meant? Was he offendedhurt by her fathers lack of trust?
The thought of Blue hurt . . . upset her.
Michael sighed. All right. Ill let it go. I just . . . I care about you, want the best for you.
Then why did you visit me only seven times while I was overseas? The question left her before she could stop it, the neediness of her tone embarrassing her.
He heaved another sigh. Your mom . . . are you sure you want to hear this?
Mum had interfered? Yes.
She threatened to hide you from me, and she was a good enough agent that I knew she could do it. I took whatever scraps she let me have, and pounced the moment you were legal.
Oh. Oh? Thats all you have to say? Her entire outlook had just been turned inside out. Years of upset, for no reason. Dad she croaked.
No, its all right. Its okay. I knew why you were holding me at a distance, and I couldnt blame you. Ive often thought I should have risked everything and just taken you away.
She blinked away a prickle of tears. Just knowing you wanted to . . . thank you, she said.
Yes, well. He cleared his throat as if he were having a little problem with tears, too. I trained you to be an agent so that I could have more time with you. And you far surpassed my expectations. You should come back to work for me.
No. She hadnt changed her mind. When this was over, she was going back to her old life, where the lives of strangers rested in her handsnot the lives of loved ones.
Stubborn, he muttered. Look, Ive been watching the video and listening to the feed you sent me. I found a clip of Star at the Lucky Horn the day before the explosion, but theres no audio, so I can only guess thats when the bombing was being planned. Then, in the live feed from his estate, I heard something interesting.
What?
Ill text you the details. Tomorrow morning, you and Blue have a new mission.
The line went dead.
She set down her phone, scooped up her plate, and settled in at the table where Blue waited. He hadnt yet touched his food. Had waited for her like a proper gentleman. She would have thought him calm if not for the tendrils of power now falling over her.
They were strongest when he was upset . . . or aroused. Right now, they were very strong.
So which was he?
Trembling, she picked up her fork. He picked up his, and she was momentarily blinded to all but his long, blunt-tipped fingers. Ive had those inside me.
Tell me about Claire, he said, voice flat, utterly emotionless.
Instant mood killer!
Why did he want to know? Why was he pressing this yet again? No, she said.
He stared at her, unwavering. Have you ever talked about it with anyone?
No. And she wouldnt. Couldnt.
His nod of acceptance was stiff.
Silent, they picked at their food for a few minutes. He was a good cook, and that kind of sucked, because it meant he was good at everything he did. That he had no deficiencies.
Soon the tension got to her, his power still stroking over her, revving her up so much that liquid heat began to pool between her legs. Her voice was raspy as she said, Are we ever going to talk about what happened in my foyer . . . and my office?
Yes. But not now.
What? Why? When?
Soon. I hope.
Not good enough. She dropped her fork and glared at him. Why wait?
His gaze raked over her, and heated, the lavender darkening to a deep, rich plum. Feeling needy, princess?
Yes!
Cant lie to him. So, instead of answering, she hopped to her feet. If you dont want me anymore, just say it. Im a big girl and I dont need coddling.
He remained silent.
Figured. She stepped around him with every intention of storming off. But he grabbed her by the waist and jerked her onto his lap. Those thick, muscular thighs. But he didnt keep her there. He pushed the plates aside and set her on the table.
I want you. I always want you. He unfastened her pants and tugged them and her knickers down her legs, leaving her bare from the waist down. Now spread your legs.
She obeyed, but not quickly enough for his taste. He placed his palms on her knees, his skin so hot the contact burned, burned so good, and pushed her thighs apart, as wide as they would go. Exposing her. Making her vulnerable to his view.
He just sat there, looking at her. Heat in his glowing eyes. Expression taut. A charge thickened the air, and she found it difficult to breathe. She trembled, almost violently. Waiting was a beautiful agony . . . and then just agony.
Please. Begging him again? Yes. If thats what it took.
Oh, Ill give you something.
Will you give me everything?
Youre so pretty here, he said, ignoring her question. I think its time for dessert. And then he was on her, his mouth where she needed him. Hot and insistent, stoking her desire higher and higher with every flick of his masterful tongue. He licked up and down, from side to side, and all she could do was roll her hips and seek more.
Her fingers tangled in his hair. Blue! And then she was lying down, resting her feet on the arms of his chair, and he was reaching out, his hands cupping her breasts, as he ate and ate and ate. Pleasure spiraled through her, strong, insistent, demanding, building, building. She wasnt going to last. Had wanted him too much, too long.
A scream ripped from her as she climaxed.
Blue tugged her upright and stood. He tore at the button and zipper on his pants. His shaft, so long and thick, stretched past the material. The head glistened, proving just how badly he wanted her.
Know how good you taste, baby? Never had anything like it. But now I need you to suck me.
Yes. She dropped to her knees, with no hesitation, and took him deep into her mouth. He moaned her name, a plea, a curse, then moaned again, whatever he said next unintelligible. He was so big he hurt her jaw, but she didnt care. She moved on him, again and again, until his hips were pumping in rhythm with her mouth. Faster . . . faster . . . she pressed her tongue against his shaft with every upward glide, and when she reached the top she gave a little suck . . . again and again . . . and it was so good, so bloody good.
About to . . . Baby, I want you to swallow me. Every drop.
Then they were on the same page.
She gave another suck, a harder one, and that was it, that finished him. He came, roaring with his satisfaction.
After shed taken everything he had to give, she rose to shaky legsonly to realize she and Blue were floating in midair.
Uh, do me a solid and ease us back down, she said even as she tensed, expecting a crash.
He tucked himself back into his pants and frowned. Then they were drifting to the floor, landing.
She pulled on her jeans and opened her mouth to say . . . what? That cant happen again? Or: Why wont you just do me already?
Her phone beeped, saving her from having to decide.
Michaels text. The new mission. Were to intercept one of Stars employees tomorrow morning.
Blue nodded. Then, without a word, he stalked from the kitchen.
Im getting tired of watching you walk away, she called.
He offered no response.
What did he want from her? What were they to each other?
What would happen next between them?
Despite everything, she almost couldnt wait to find out.
* * *
He wasnt having sex with Evie until she trusted him enough to talk about Claire. The more he had of her, the more he wanted from herand the less she offered. She had things backward, and it was time he turned things around.
Judging by the one-sided conversation hed heard when Evie was on the phone, he suspected Michael knew something was going on.
Blue planned to nut up and tell the man all . . . just as soon as he knew what all encompassed. What, exactly, did he want from the girl?
What would she give him?
Right now, not much.
Would disappointing Michael be worth it? Should Blue change his mind about going after her yet again and walk away before anything else was added to his all tab?
His gaze strayed to Evie, who sat across from him in another unmarked sedan. She distracted him, obsessed him, angered him, frustrated him . . . delighted him. With her, he discovered a rare ecstasy.
Hed once considered her a momentary pleasure. But she wasnt. She was more than that. So he asked himself again: Would disappointing Michael be worth it, no matter how little Evie wanted from him?
Yeah.
So no, there would be no changing his mind.
Think carefully. His game was tomorrow, and the party the day after that. Which meant, in two days he would be turning up the heat on Tiffany Star. The thought left him cold, even disgusted, but hed never been more determined to break a case.
His stomach twisted in a thousand tiny knots. In private, he could compel Miss Tiffany to do and think whatever he wished. Sex could be taken off the menu. But in public, he would have to play the part of besotted suitor. There was no way around it.
How would Evie react to, say, a kiss? End things with him then and there?
Would oral sex at dinner be nothing more than a fond memory?
He wanted to howl.
He would talk to her before the party and make her understand. And he would talk to Michael when things calmed down. He wasnt a coward. He would deal with everything thrown his way.
Concentrate.
He and Evie parked their car at the end of a neighborhood street, waiting for their target. Their windows were tinted. No one could see inside, but they could see everything outside. Blue was anxious to get the ball rolling. Apparently, an employee of Stars was supposed to deliver a message to a human named Tyrese Cooper, the owner of the house they were watching.
Why hasnt Solo revealed himself to you? Evie asked, probably to fill the silence. Hed noticed she always cracked after a few minutes, as if she couldnt bear to be alone with her thoughts. I mean, he knows youre alive. The entire world does.
Blue had spent a lot of time mulling over that particular question. Two possible reasons. He thinks hell draw heat to us, or that well draw heat to him.
Yeah, okay. That makes sense. I just wish hed send a text, you know. You deserve a text at the very least.
She used her hands to punctuate her words.
Just as shed done the night hed met her.
He wanted to grin. It was as if shed lost that part of herself, but now it was back.
But what had brought it back? Blue?
I want to be the reason.
He has Car! Evie said, suddenly eager. Thats gotta be our guy.
His gaze landed on the SUV easing into Coopers driveway. After parking, an Arcadian emerged. Oh, yeah. That was Stars man. Stay here. We dont know what supernatural abilities he possesses.
Miracle of miracles, she didnt offer an argument. He exited into the light and heat of the day. Just in case anyone was waiting in the SUV, Blue wrapped a stream of power around it, ensuring the doors would stay closed. He also wrapped a stream of power around the Arcadian, trying to hold him in place, but the male easily broke free with his own power, whipped around, and searched for the culprit.
Their gazes locked. Lavender against lavender.
At first, the male appeared awestruck. He was seeing football legend Corbin Blue. Then the cogs in his brain started turning, and it was clear hed realized a football legend would not be here, clearly armed and ready for war.
The male shot across the lawn, down the street. Super-speed. Blue used his own, following, closing in. Around a corner. Over a parked car. Evading several fake trees.
They were going around the block, Blue realized. Heading back to Coopers. Guy planned to jump in his car, most likely, and grab a weapon or phone for backupbecause there was no way the SUV could move faster than Blue.
Coopers house came into view.
Closer . . . Blue released a stream of power to trip the male, but he dodged it. Have to pick up speed
A shovel came out of nowhere, smashing into the males chest. He ricocheted backward and landed on the street, air gushing from him in one mighty heave.