So my question is, why have you allowed Michael to leave you in the hobaggery department? the female continued. You rock with guns, blades, and even swords. Youre amazing in hand-to-hand. Compared to anyone but me, of course. And I was particularly impressed with your undercover stint as a cage fighter. Taking down six Bree Lians at the same time? Delish.
He wanted to pound his chest with his fists. She was impressed by him. For some reason, that mattered.
Ugh. Why am I complimenting you? Youve already got an overinflated ego. And I bet thats because no one has ever told you how much of a pain in the arse you are. No female wants to offend the man responsible for her orgasms. Or are you a selfish lover? Do you forget all about your partners pleasure?
Ill never forget yours. He wanted to tell her. Tried to tell her. Failed.
No response? No witty comeback? Come on, Blue! Talk to me. The mattress tilted on one side. The covers rustled. The scent of honey and almonds intensified, and his mouth actually watered. Heat wafted from her with furnace-like intensity, enveloping him. It was exquisite, better than exquisite, and he was suddenly as hard as a steel pipe.
I hate yammering to comatose Arcadians, I really do. Im giving you a few more days to wake up, and then Im dumping you right out the window, just see if I dont. Because you, Mr. He-slut, are a freaking cover hog, and Im tired of it.
He-slut . . .
The word reverberated in his head, irritating him. Who would call him
In a split second, he remembered sneaking into a fancy two-story belonging to . . . Evangeline. Yes. Evangeline Black. Evie.
His caretakers identity stunned him. Angered him a little, too. Here he was, pussing up over the Black Plague and actually feeling affection for her. Hed even considered pleasuring her. Was still freaking hard for her! What kind of madness was that?
Maybe the explosion had fried the wires in his brain.
When this is over, she muttered, Im probably going to need a tetanus shot. The proverbial they say that inviting a man into your bed is the same as inviting all of his previous lovers. That would explain why I feel so freaking crowded right now.
The anger sharpened and clawed at his chest. He was desperate to strike back at her. But though his muscles twitchedfinally, movement!he remained in place.
He wasnt worried about his inability to act. His body was in the process of re-creating itself, and was now in the final stages of the healing. Sometime soon, an electrical current would rush through him, bringing new nerves and cells to vibrant life. He would be back to his . . . old self and . . . he would make Evie . . .
Her insistent warmth drugged him, lulling him deeper and deeper into darkness. . . .
* * *
Evie sighed into her pillow. The past week had passed in a blur of activity. She worked at the hospital. She took care of Blue. One night, she finally scouted the military compound where she suspected her father was being kept, but didnt break in. Theyd beefed up security, and she was out of practice. She couldnt risk getting caught while she had a two-hundred-and-fifty-pound manimal to feed.
What would happen when he woke up? How would he react? He couldnt
A massive burst of energy swept through the room, electrifying the air. Goose bumps broke out over her skin, and her adrenaline spiked, every cell in her body waking up to say hello. She gasped, startled.
Smell good, Blue muttered.
They were the first words hed spoken since the night shed found him, and his voice snapped her out of her shock. Excitement slithered through her. Was he finally coming around? Would she soon be rid of him and the annoying sense of awareness his mere presence elicited? Never had she been more conscious of her breasts, or the quiver in her stomach, or the ache between her legs than she had these past few days. And she didnt like it!
Before she could turn over and check on him, he threw a heavy arm over her middle and tugged her into the hard curve of his body, spooning her. Warm breath tickled the back of her neck . . . and, blimey, she melted against him. So good.
Uh, Blue, she said, embarrassed by the tremor in her voice.
Mmm, you feel even better. As he rubbed his erection into the cleft of her bottomno way was that thing as big as it seemed to behis fingers reached around to slide under her T-shirt. Suddenly she was skin to heated skin with her greatest enemy. He cupped one of her breasts, purring, Sweet little teacup. Cant wait to put my mouth on it.
Her nipple beaded, craving exactly what he promised. Mouth, with tongue and teeth.
More.
Blue, she gasped. Stop. Dont you dare stop. Im not one of your women, and Im not here to service your every whim. Youre engaged to another woman. Thats right. Oi. Shame beat through her. And while I know that doesnt mean anything to you, it does to me.
My woman. He tweaked her nipple and kissed her nape, his tongue flicking out to taste her. It was ecstasy. It was agony.
It was wrong.
Reaching back, Evie grabbed Blue by the hair and yanked. I said stop.
Ow, he yelped, his hold on her at last loosening.
Though it nearly killed her, she rolled from his heat, moving on top of him and pinning his shoulders to the mattress with her knees. I think its time for us to chat, yeah?
Four
BLUE SNAPPED OUT OF the most spectacular sensual daze of his life. Used to having to think and act fast, he took stock of the situation in an instant. Moonlight filled a spacious, femininely decorated bedroom.
Evie Blacks bedroom.
Every piece of furniture hovered over the floor, even the bed.
With a sharp mental command, every piece crashed into place. The bed shook, and Evie almost tumbled over the side. He grabbed her by the waist to steady hersuch a slender, perfect waist. His palms flamed at the contact.
Hed noticed their fit before. Somehow, it was better now.
She slapped at his wrists with enough force to let him know she meant business, just not enough to actually break his hold. He released her of his own volition. But rather than reward him for good behavior, she glared at him.
Whats going on? he demanded. Hed been living with her, he recalled, and shed been taking care of him. Why are you on top of me? Why was his body already aroused to a fever pitch?
You made a pass at me, she spat at him. Put your hands right on my wee breasts.
Horror filled him. Horror . . . and a more intense arousal. No way.
Yes way. Want me to write up a review of your performance? Done. First line: Mr. Blues rendition of Grabby Hands did not earn a standing O.
O as in orgasm? Annoying baggage. Youre lying.
Are you suggesting you did give me an orgasm?
Filthy-minded girl. No. But Id like to. Im saying I didnt grab you.
Lets look at the evidence. You have a python between your legs, and its poking at me right this very second.
He bit the side of his tongue. To keep from cursing or laughing, he wasnt sure. A python? Thank you. Thats not evidence I touched you. Thats evidence Im a man. What disproves your grabby hands theory? You arent my type, and my fingers arent suffering from frostbite.
For a moment he felt the sting of rejection and frowned. She hadnt rejected him, so
Her sting of rejection, he realized. He tried to turn off his empathic ability, but still the sense of rejection remained, hurting him. But . . . she was an emotionless harpy, concerned only with the destruction of all mankind. Nothing he said should bother her.
Well, she announced, her tone now flat. I can honestly say thats the first time Ive ever been rejected for being too awesome. Because your type sucks. Blondes with breasts so big they can be used as flotation devices, and heads so filled with air theyre comparable to balloons. Cliché!
Yes, he did prefer that type of woman. Even though one had never turned him on the way Evie did. And why the hell did he want to beg for her forgiveness? Shed dished worse to him.
And damn it, why was he now focusing on her perfect teacups, practically salivating, definitely desperate to draw her hard little nipples into his mouth? As if her wee breasts were the sweetest treats hed ever had the privilege of touching.
They were. He knew it soul deep.
All right. So there was no denying hed touched them . . . or that he wanted to touch them again.
Danger. He gripped her by the knees and shoved her to the side of the bed, away from his mouth, and, worse, his throbbing erection.
Lights, she said, and golden light cascaded from the overhead lamp.
He sat up and looked himself over. He was completely healed and dressed in a pair of large sweatpants. Mens sweatpants.
To whom did they belong?
His gaze arrowed to Evie, and his chest constricted. She wore a pink tank top and a pair of mens boxer shorts.
Did the boxers belong to the owner of the sweatpants? A . . . boyfriend?
For some reason Blue suddenly wanted to punch a wall.
Odd reaction. One he didnt fully understand.
She tucked her long, slender, and so lusciously pale legs around her, sitting in that crisscross way only a female could manage. Hair of the deepest jet hung wildly around a face he used to tell himself wasnt really pretty, as hed first assumed. But he couldnt tell himself that anymore.
Maybe, after their first interaction, hed never let himself look past her attitude; but now, in this moment, that prickly layer had been peeled away and he could see her, really see her. Large velvety brown eyes drew him in and refused to let go. Lush porcelain skin flushed to the most erotic shade of pink. Heart-shaped lips red and deceptively kiss-swollen, practically begging for more.
He had to fist his hands to keep from reaching for her.
Arousal he could comprehend. But straight-up attraction? To her?
Really, Blue? Really?
The very idea appalled him.
Michael was more than a boss. Even more than a mentor. Blue considered the man a surrogate father. Michael had found him at his lowest, picked him up, given him friends, a purpose. A reason to go on. And hed never forgotten Michaels warning to leave Evie alone.
What father would want his daughter to be with a man like Blue? Not a good one, and Michael was better than most.
It stung to be considered completely unworthy, but thats just the way things were. The way they would always be. He got it.
Blue wouldnt destroy his relationship with the man just because his treacherous body wanted to spend a bit of quality time inside the Black Plague.
More than that, Blue hadnt suddenly started liking her.
And more than that, he was engaged, and Evie wasnt a job.
Update, he demanded.
She gaped at him. Seriously? After everything Ive done for you, you cant start with Thank you? Instead, you have to bark a one-word order as if Im a robo-dog thats just supposed to obey?
Could she never just let things roll? Did she have to make everything a freaking challenge?
Thank you, he gritted.
You arent welcome, she reportedand, strangely enough, it doused his irritation.
Despite everything, she sometimes amused him. The little spitfire was as unpredictable as a storm.
She crossed her arms over her chest. Id like an update, too, you know.
Ill tell you everything, he said with a nod. But me first. Please. He had to know.
Her eyes narrowed with suspicion as she said, I have a feeling you say me first to a lot of girls. And in this case, I doubt you know anything, anyway. But, fine. I havent heard from my father, but I do know a man was found at the explosion site and taken to the nearest hospital. That same man was soon moved out without any civilians knowing how, why, or where.
You think that man is Michael?
Yes. I also think hes at a government-owned medical facility
I know the one, Blue interjected. If he was taken there, he wouldnt have stayed long, because he wouldnt have known who to trust. The moment he was stabilized, he would have found a way out.
She pinched the bridge of her nose, a wave of despair drifting from her. I havent let myself worry about himmuchbecause I know hes wily and strong and unbelievably determined, but its not like him to leave me in the dark.
Yeah. That didnt bode well. Have you heard anything about John and Solo?
No. Im sorry.
She sounded sincere.
He nodded to let her know hed heard her. Then he told her everything he remembered about the explosion. As he spoke, she turned her face away from him, as if she couldnt bear for him to see whatever emotion shined there. He didnt tell her that he could feel her sadness.
Was she thinking about her father in pain?
So hows the security here? he asked, changing topics as an act of mercy.
She drew in a deep breath, and when she next met his gaze, he thought he saw a hint of gratitude. Its amazing. Of course. You havent been ambushed once, have you? Youre welcome, by the way.
Dont respond. Youll only encourage her. What do you use?
Her shoulders squared with pride. A system of my own creation.
So . . . she was a skilled killer and a surgeon as well as a wire tech? Why was that so sexy? Honey Badger, youre clearly not as good as you think you are. I managed to get through your window without any problems.
Honey Badger? Did you just call me honey badger? She waved her fist at him. Do it again and Ill cut out your tongue to wear as a charm on my necklace. And Ive already fixed the flaw that allowed you to break in.
So there was a flaw. Meaning . . . what? Say it with me. Youre not as good as you think you are.
Her gaze threw daggers at him. Anyone on Michaels payroll was flagged in the system as permissible, just in case someone ever needed to come in and hide while I was away.
A bona fide act of kindness. He didnt want to think of her as the caring type, but did so anyway and responded accordingly, expression and voice softening. Thats an excellent excuse for a subpar system, he teased.
She hissed as if hed stabbed her. How dare you sink so low and insult my software! You take that back.
Wow. She actually looked capable of murder just then. He realized hed just found the line shed drawn. The one he wasnt ever to cross. Or bad things would happen. Fine. I take it back.
A moment passed before she got herself under control. You may live.
Thank you. He meant that. Now, would you mind if I had a look around, checked things out?
Though her expression remained blank, he felt a thrum of anger radiate from her. Do what you want. But Ill expect breakfast and a full report about how impressed you are when youre done.
Breakfast I can do. I guess I owe you.
You guess?
And a report . . . why not? I just hope you can handle an honest critiquesince you certainly know how to dish them.
Hot color spread across her cheeks, and he once again had to deal with a throbbing hard-on.
Gotta stop reacting to her. Especially over stupid crap like that.
He rolled from the bedand what the hell. It was difficult to leave her. First he swept through the entire house, inspecting it for cameras and bugs as well as any indication an uninvited guest had come through unnoticed. All was well. And, okay, all right, he had to give Evie props. Her system was utterly badass.
So was her home. There were four bedrooms and an office. She preferred bold colors, antique furniture, and modern finishes. She had hung pictures of her father, her sister, Claire, and her adopted sister, Eden, all over the walls. Blue had always considered Eden one of the most gorgeous women in the world, but just then he would have said Evie was the sexier of the two. By far. Something about the fragility of her bone structure, the humor lighting those mysterious, dark eyes. The mischievous curve of her smile.
A mischievous curve never more apparent than in the photos of Evie and Claire. . . . The girl died three years ago, yes? Yeah, he thought. Three years. Shortly after, Evie left the agency to work at the hospital.
Hed always wondered why.
Michael kept details about Claires death hush-hush, so Blue had no idea what had happened. And he didnt like that he didnt know, he realized.
Frowning, he turned away from the pictures and entered the game room. There was a pool table and a poker table, a dock for a large-screen television, and a huge sectional couch. The smoked-glass door in back led to a massive greenhouse.
Lucky girl.
From what Blue understood, the earth was nearly destroyed during the human-alien war. Plant life was compromised, animals were almost wiped out, and huge bodies of water either dried up or turned to sludge. Now all three were expensive commodities.
Had Michael paid for the greenhouse, spoiling his precious princess just a little more, or had Evie? As one of the most skilled surgeons in New Chicago, she had to make bank. Not that hed kept track of her career or anything. Hed just saved a few articles. In case Michael wanted to read them. No big deal.
Agent Dallas Gutierrez requesting an interview, a computerized voice said over an in-house intercom system.
Blue exited the game room and headed toward the bedroom. Evie, in the process of anchoring the length of her gorgeous hair in a high ponytail, met him in the hallway. Shed pulled on a long-sleeved tee and a pair of figure-hugging jeans.
Hello, erection.
He looked down at the Python. Keep it up, I dare you, and Ill hack you off. I wont even hold a funeral. Because no one would . . . come.
One day, Ive got to mature. Whats going on?
The agent is at the door, Evie said, pink color flooding her cheeks.
Had she checked out his package? Wished for a special delivery?
Idiot.
Any idea who he is or what he wants? she asked.
Was her tone breathless? Who he is? Yes. What he wants? No.
Come on, then. She led him back to the game room and flipped on the TV. Record and reveal from the living room cameras.
What
Not you, she muttered, as if he were a few brain cells short.
No. Her tone was not breathless.
A large holoscreen appeared above the dock, the air crystallizing to reveal a picture of the living room hed just searched. By the way, Im ready to give my report, he said. Cool.
She rolled her eyes. One word to describe my homes utter magnificence? Youre usually more eloquent. But I shouldnt be surprised, I suppose. Sentences hard for caveman, she said, banging her chest like a gorilla. Just . . . stay here. Watch and listen. And who knows? Maybe youll learn something.
The little witch always had to have the last word, didnt she. Well, not this time. You might want to take a breather before you face the agent, Miss Black. The more time you spend with me, the harder your nipples get. Im beginning to think you dont hate me as much as youve always claimed.
Five
TRYING NOT TO TREMBLESTUPID nipples, and stupid Blue for noticing!Evie opened the front door, revealing a tall, handsome man with dark hair, dark skin, and freaky eyes so pale they were almost devoid of color.
He wasnt Arcadian, but he crackled with a muted version of Blues power.
Miss Black? the agent said.
She nodded. The one and only.
The corners of his mouth quirked up the slightest bit. Im Agent Dallas Gutierrez, and Im with AIR.
Alien Investigation and Removal. Interesting, but irrelevant. Im human and therefore not under your jurisdiction.
Well, that depends on certain circumstances, doesnt it?
She peered at him steadily, refusing to back down. Do tell.
Far from intimidated, he said, Im here to ask you a few questions.
About?
Your father.
Heart suddenly racing, she moved back, allowing the agent inside. Next time, dont bury the lead. After shed shut and locked the door, she showed him to the living room. And it was weird, knowing Blue was upstairs, watching her every move, listening to her every word. Weird and exciting. Almost . . . arousing.
Stupid hormones. Now that theyd woken up, they were determined to gain her attention.
Let us have Blue, just once, they shouted, and well go away again. Promise.
Liars!
I would rather give myself to an Agamen. The males had poisonous horns and barbs at the ends of their penises. Shed heard tales of human women dying within seconds of orgasm.
Id offer you a beverage, but I dont want you staying any longer than necessary, so lets get to it, shall we?
Lets, Dallas said as he settled on the couch.
You mentioned my father.
I did. Its funny, but as wealthy and successful as he is, not a lot is known about him.
Okay, not a great start. Where was he going with this? The world knew Michael as an arms dealer trying to go legit.
She eased into the chair across from him. Hes a businessman who owns half of New Chicago, as well as a few other states. The typical spoiled-girl response. Who cares about anything else?
No quirking of his lips this time, just a cold, hard stare eerily similar to the one shed received from Blue only a few minutes ago. She wasnt sure what it meant. Well, she had some ideanothing good.
When did you last speak to him? Dallas asked.
The day before his house went boom, boom. Why?
Tone just as cold as his stare, he said, How about I ask the questions, all right?
How about . . . not.
Have you ever met Gregory Star?
She thought for a moment, recalling Blues first night here, when hed mentioned a bomb and a star. Could he have been referring to a person? Yeah, she said. Ive met him. Several times. Then, just to be contrary, she added, Why?
He ignored her question. Of course. Where did you meet him?
Social events. I dont remember when or where. Our conversations were limited to the usual hello, how are you, how have you been. Oh, except for the time I told him to brush his teeth, because he had coffee breath. And now Im done talking, Mr. Gutierrez, until
Agent Gutierrez.
Whatever. Im done talking until youve explained why you want to know about my father, why AIR cares about Mr. Star, and whether or not Mr. Star could have played a part in the explosion.
* * *
Smart questions, Blue thought. Maybe he shouldnt have given her so much crap over the years.
Why was AIR, rather than the local PD, interviewing Evie about the bombing? Some kind of otherworldly evidence must have been found at the scene. Something to implicate Gregory Star, the very man Blue, Solo, and John were suppose to investigate for the disappearance of seventeen peopletwo of whom were AIR agents, and one a U.S. senator.
Had Star set the bomb?
Star was a fifty-three-year-old self-made billionaire. Hed grown up dirt poor in a part of town known as Whores Corner. Speculation was rampant about what hed had to do to survive. The front contender: black-market organ sells. If that was true, hed had to slice open his victims while they were still alive. Talk about hard-core.
Over the years, the male earned the ear of some of the worlds greatest leaders. He developed an eye for the pretties, and a weakness for gambling. He changed mistresses as easily as Blue changed underwear. He dabbled in recreational drugsthe snorting and the sellingand he would not leave his house without armed guards.
What reason would he have to harm Michael? How could he have known about Michaels real job?
He couldnt have. Right? So . . . what if the bombing had nothing to do with the case? What if the culpritStar, or someone like himsimply hoped to get rid of a business rival?
Made sense. But that wasnt enough for Blue. Because, as much sense as it made, it failed to explain the coincidences. And Blue didnt believe in coincidences.
As Evie showed the flustered agent to the doorguess the male had never come across anyone like the Black Plague beforeBlue returned to her office and logged on to her computer. Priority one: finding his friends. They had to be alive or he would . . . he would . . . He banged a fist against the keyboard, cracking the casing, and cringed.
Deep breath in. Out.
They were alive.
Evie came up behind him. He didnt have to see her to know she was there. He sensed her. The heat of her. The scent of her. Every muscle in his body tensed.
Good job, pudding pop, he said, trying to keep things light. He got nothing out of you, but you got a few things out of him.
I know. And dont call me pudding pop or Ill empty out your scrotum and make you enjoy it.
He covered a laugh with a cough. The little firecracker had these moments of utter hilarity. Although she wasnt as animated as shed been four years ago. She no longer used her hands to punctuate every word. He wondered what had changed. Because honestly? Hed liked the hand gestures and kind of missed them. If Im going to enjoy it, I might as well keep calling you names. Like pinkie pie.
She waved her fist at him. Okay, so that was a hand gesture she hadnt lost. A habit?
He hoped so. One day he might grab that fist, jerk her into his lap, and
Nothing.
Hed do nothing.
What are you doing in here, anyway? she asked.
Looking for clues.
Oh, well, Im one step ahead of you. As always. She jimmied open a secret drawer hed missed and handed him a digital reader. Check out the most recently downloaded articles.
He did. Apparently, a body was found at the explosion site, one burned beyond recognition. Testing was done, and though the identity was unknown, it was clear the bones belonged to a Caucasian male with a broken spinewho was not Michael Black. Has to be my Fry Guy.
Michael Black was missing. Assumed abducted.
Two days ago, his former assistant had been found dead in her home. Drug overdose.
Blue knew the woman. Three months ago, at the age of forty-one, she quit working for Michael to become a stay-at-home mom. If shed had a drug problem, he would never have sex again.
Blue inhaled a waft of honey-almond and nearly snapped the e-reader in half. Guaranteed, he was having sex again.
Just not with Evie Black.
Right. Right?
Michaels former assistant must have been killed, the death made to appear accidental. But why kill her?
Perhaps she came to see Michael, spotted the killer, and was eliminated as a precaution. Or perhaps she aided the killer for money? After all, stay-at-home mothers made less than slave labor. And if shed aided the killer, she would have been eliminated as a possible witness.
Her aid would explain how the killer had gotten the bomb inside Michaels.
He turned to the computer, and typed in Corbin Blue. He needed more data.
Oh, youre going to like this, Evie said, her arm stretching over his shoulder. She pressed a fingertip against the holoscreen, selecting a gossip website. This is a particular favorite of mine. Fascinating stuff. Really delves deep into the past and current antics of the worlds most famous Romeo. But who knew the press could actually print the truth?
Cant choke the life out of her. No longer so amused by her, Blue scanned the websites report. The writer listed every female Blue was thought to have bagged over the years, and claimed he had panicked about his upcoming nuptials and was hiding out in Bangkok, sleazing his way through the female population.