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“Shit!” Craig hollered from nearly walking into her. “Where you come from?” He heaved the large box he carried up on the counter. “If you’re looking for Troy-”
“I’m right here,” he said at the top of the stairs that lead up to the offices. Velvet studied him silently. Still gorgeous and wearing jeans, and he wasn’t scowling at her or about to change at the mere sight of her. Nope, he just looked wonderful. His hair appeared freshly trimmed and styled. His eyes even seemed brighter than she could recall ever seeing them. “Come up,” he invited, turned and disappeared.
“Go on,” Craig encouraged at her hesitation. “He’s doing great these days.”
Troy waited for her just outside his office door. “So,” he said, crossing his arms making the silky fabric of his sweater outline the shape of his broad chest. “Velvet Washington returns.”
“You didn’t really believe I was scared of you?” She entered the office first.
“You look good.”
“So do you.”
They stared at each other a few seconds until Troy moved over to the coffee service on the table. “Would you like some coffee?”
“Sure.” She took off her coat, then unbuttoned her blazer.
“Sugar and cream?”
“Lots, please.” She sat on the sofa crossing her legs, she noticed him looking. He wasn’t exactly sneaking a peek either. She smiled at Troy when he offered her a cup and saucer. Surprising her, he hitched up his jeans and sat beside her with his own mug. Okay, so good so far, she thought. Looking at him was a wonderful delight. She checked out his profile as he sipped from the hot brew. His golden skin was perfect, no signs of where she sliced him with her dagger, and his blue black hair was so shiny. “Are you feeling as good as you look?”
“Well, that depends on how good I look to you.”
“I already expressed that you look good.” She drank from her coffee and nearly choked. It was strong enough to give a gorilla a heart attack. “I’ve wanted to thank you for taking over that night at the Grove. I was kind of worried it was taking me so long at the mansion, until Devon called to tell me you were down there.”
“Of course, I was there. Not my style to send people where I won’t go. And thankfully we all got out alive.” He set his mug on the table before them. “Now, how did you after all these years get the press down at the Grove?”
“Just talked to the right person at the right time.”
“No hocus pocus?” Troy grinned.
“Normally, never on anyone’s will.”
“Taboo or something?”
“Just too risky and invasive to justify.” She gave up on the rich thick brew, placed her cup next to Troy’s mug, then got to her feet. “I told Tyra I’d be along directly, so I’ll be getting out of your fur.”
“Velvet, if you don’t have to rush off, don’t. I’ve come a long way since the last time you came to see me.” He tugged at her skirt, inviting her to resume her visit. “I’m ashamed of my conduct over the last few weeks. I’m sorry for taking it out on you when you were trying to be decent.”
“I understand.” She lightly touched his hand between them. As usual, there seemed to be a charge. She wasn’t sure it was from him or her, maybe it was the two energies meeting.
“The only times I could think clearly was when I fought you or Tyra.” He slumped back into the sofa stretching out his legs. “I was a fool. You tried so many times to tell me.”
“I was an enemy, why would you listen to me?”
“Because you were right.” He covered her hand that still touched his.
“When we helped the police round up those vampires, I wasn’t thinking what would become of them.”
“Me either.”
“You know Jerome is going to hold any and all deaths against you? I don’t think even Wilder can hold him back this time.”
“It was coming anyway.” She let out a breath and leaned back further into the sofa. “Milton is gone, Jerome isn’t scared anymore.”
“You think it was Milton, not Wilder that held Jerome back?”
“I don’t know. I just know this mess has to come to a head soon.”
“Are you scared?”
“Of Jerome? Please.”
“Scared or not, you should know I got you, if you and your team need some backup. I helped round up those kids, so I’m just as responsible.”
“Are you serious?” He seemed solemn enough and looked her dead in the eyes. He was on her side? “You are, aren’t you?”
“Jerome used me. Made me think we were friends and partners when he was actually compelling me.” He looked down at their hands between them. “You and I could have been allies a long time ago.”
“That’s what you want, Troy?”
“I have to admit, I enjoyed taking out the Grove while you handled business with Jerome. It was great teamwork.”
“Go take a look out your window.”
“What for? I just got comfortable.” Even so he went to the window and pushed it open. “What the hell? You do that,” he asked, gazing up at the dark sky.
“Neat huh?” she bragged.
“It’s amazing!” He came back grinning at her. “Always thinking,” he complimented. He moved his body a bit closer, closing the space where their hands met. “One day, I think you will beat him.”
“You think so?” Was he impressed or what?
“So, how did Wilder take what you and that cop did to Jerome?”
“Wilder is cool. We didn’t kill him, so what’s to complain about?”
“But one day you will. What then?”
“We’ll see about that then.”
“Strange.”
“What?”
“The way you seem to know who to trust, and what move to make. Look at you sitting her with me after the ways I’ve treated you. And you and Wilder were once enemies. Now, you are so damn tight.”
“I just get to know people. You aren’t so hard to understand, neither was Wilder.”
“Think you and I can be tight like that?” His voice was sounding low and sexy and she didn’t want to stop looking in his black eyes.
“I don’t know, maybe.” He pressed his thigh against hers and her heart began to pound. He had to hear it, she thought, with his wolf hearing. Him naked in her office flashed through her mind and she knew she needed to leave. But his eyes held her on the sofa. He was going to have to get up first to break the spell he was weaving on her. “You must have a lot to do today. I should be heading back anyway.”
“No. I don’t have anything that Craig isn’t already doing.”
“Oh.”
“You think it’s too soon, don’t you?”
“What is?”
“Me being interested in someone after Jasmine’s death?”
“I-I can’t judge that, Troy. You have to decide.”
“It’s harder now, Velvet. Not being married.”
“You’ll get it back. It just takes time.”
“I’m talking about the crazy feelings I get from you. It’s hard to hold back now.”
“Hold back what?”
“You know what I’m talking about. You know I want you.”
“Troy-” She shot up from the couch. That last thing she expected was him to blurt it out like that. And what was she doing anyway? Why did she come in the first place? Oh yeah, Omar hurt her feelings and she wanted someone to understand and appreciate her efforts for the young vampires. Troy did understand. He had a pack to take care of and she had the city. Now, Troy was talking about something else. Was she ready for it? Could she make it with a big horny werewolf and then just act like her regular self? Then she wondered if he was really his normal self? Or was it his wolf still wanting her? She grabbed her coat and purse. “I’m sure they are looking for me at the office.”
“Velvet.” He stilled her with an arm around her. “I get going every time I touch you. You feel the same way. I feel it, Velvet.”
She took a swallow before she lied. “No.”
“You telling me you don’t want to get it on right now, in this office, on the floor, or up against the wall? You came to me all feminine and you touched me. You know what touching me does to me.”
“I didn’t come here for that.”
“Well, next time you decide to visit wear your battle suit so I won’t misunderstand your intentions.”
“Or maybe I just won’t come again at all.”
“What did you want, Velvet, a date first, or some flowers and some begging?”
“Yes, you idiot! Is it too much to want you to be romantic? Is it too much for a woman to expect to be held and kissed? I wanted you to act like a man that likes a woman, not a beast that just wants to do it.”
“You think because I want to screw you into next week that I don’t like you too?”
“I have to go.” Growling, he picked her off her feet. “We’ve done this before! Put me down.” He lay her down with him on the floor next to the coffee table. “You’re wrinkling my suit. It’s brand new.”
“Pretty too.” He observed her overall appearance while running a hand up her thigh over the fabric. He stopped at her hard belly, pushed back her jacket to admire the smooth look of her waist. Then his eyes roamed slowly over the rest of her. “I’m not the mess I was the last time you were here. It was a struggle, but I’ve overcome the beast. I’ve been waiting for you to come back. That’s how I got through it. I knew you’d come back.”
“Troy.” The embers in his eyes took her breath away. He kissed her face and lips softly, then he took her tongue in his mouth and offered her his to taste. Holding his shoulders, she kissed him back as he covered her body, pressing her into the floor. Instant heat shot through her belly then down low inside her loins. She raised her hips meeting him, pushing up to the hardness that was evidence of his desire for her. He kissed her throat then sucked her mouth before he backed off her. He removed his shirt and pants from his body by simply pulling them apart. “Troy?” She swore his body was bigger now. God, was he about to change?
“Velvet,” he said. “Don’t be scared of me. I won’t go animal. I promise.” On his knees, he gathered her in his arms, holding on, catching his breath as if to calm down. “If you knew how good you look and smell.”
She breathed his name before he devoured her lips, invaded her mouth. He laid her gently on her back and pushed up her skirt, then peeled her panties down her legs. She kicked out of her shoes and made quick work of shedding the rest of her clothing.
“Mmm,” she moaned as he kissed and sucked her skin from her toes up to her thighs. Then he used his tongue to taste the sweetness inside her to tantalize her senses for the briefest of moments. She gasped loudly when he began to push inside her, gently at first, then he grabbed underneath her buttocks and thrust in deeper. He held her and kissed her as she began pumping wildly along with his vigorous pace. “Oh God... Troy...” It was indescribable the sensations she was experiencing. It was pure physical pleasure like nothing she’d experienced, for a long, long time. Soon she was caught up in the fervor of the moment. Nothing else mattered, except that she somehow kept feeling him deeper and deeper inside her.
“Velvet...” He began to moan and groan as his ardor began to build with each thrust of excitement and pleasure. “Baby, you feel... so good...so good!” His face began to contort and change back again, as if he was both in control and out of it. “Ah, Velvet,” he whispered near her ear. “There, baby... there.”
She felt her own body beginning to climb for its peak. She opened her eyes as white blue light flooded the office. Head back she let out a scream, clutching at her hair. “Troy!” She held his shoulders trying to control the chain reaction going on inside her. Body quivering, she began to scream again.
“Jesus, baby!” He licked her face and throat, growling during his own orgasmic episode.
“Hey!” Craig pounded on the door. Worry was etched in his voice. “Y’all all right in there?” He waited for a response. “Velvet?”
“She’s fine!” Troy answered for her while she caught her breath and composed herself. He picked her up in his arms and carried her to the sofa. He kissed her passionately while squeezing her nipple. She sighed, hugging his neck, reclining against him.
“Boss, she was screaming her head off! Let me hear her, man!”
“Craig, I told you-”
“I’m fine, Craig,” she called out.
“You sure?”
“Leave us alone, okay?” Finally, his shuffling feet faded down the creaky stairs. “Wow, how embarrassing.”
“Babe, that was great! Don’t you be embarrassed about anything.” He let out a short howl and hugged her.
“Troy.” She laughed with him thinking what a hunk he was. “I can’t believe this happened.” Or that he really seemed happy.
“Believe it.” He kissed her softly. “Spend the day with me.”
“I wish I could.”
“You’re the boss and you did more than your share today already. Take the day off and take care of you own needs for a change.”
“I just did.”
“Okay.” He kissed her throat then began sucking and licking her skin.
“Then stay and help me take care of my needs. I haven’t had near enough of you.”
~*~
Troy’s raised voice in the hallway woke her up from a light snooze on the sofa. Still naked she lay under a light blanket. She noticed her clothes were on hangers hanging from the window sill. Troy must have done it when he got up. He was probably a neat freak, she thought lying back down. Her body was still tired from screwing the whole afternoon away with Troy. She smiled thinking how good it was to feel a lover’s touch, and have him all over her, kissing, tasting, and sucking every part of her body. “Mmm,” she sighed, recalling how nicely his body fit with hers, how amazing he felt inside her. “Troy Tanaka.” She’d said his name over a hundred times before, but never with a smile on her lips or with warmth flooding in her belly. He was always hot and sexy, and strongly affected her own sensual nature, but this feeling coming over her was something else.
“I’m going to see her!” An angry male voice insisted from just outside the door.
Wilder? How did he know where to find her? She’d come over on impulse. She got up, slipped on her underwear.
“I told you she is not to be disturbed. Now, unless this is an emergency-” Troy grunted upon impact to the wall. And Wilder burst into the office. She stood frozen under his wide eyed stare. Then he slowly observed the room. The blanket on the sofa, her clothes hanging on the window sill and herself only half dressed. Guiltily, she pulled on her skirt and found her shoes to step into them. But what did she have to feel guilty about?
“I see you haven’t been harmed,” he said. “Devon was sure you’d been kidnapped. He actually sniffed you out of the air to find you.”
“No, I wasn’t kidnapped. I was- I was here.”
“All day?”
“Yes!” She pulled the blouse down her chest. I didn’t do anything wrong, she told herself. Wilder had no reason to be looking at her like he was a disapproving father. “Where is Troy? Did he leave?”
“He’s out cold on the floor outside.”
“You hit him that hard?”
“He was blocking you.”
“He’s going to be pissed.”
“He ought to be ashamed. Both of you,” Wilder blurted out. “Poor Jasmine, barely cold in her grave.”
“Shut up. Just shut up, right now.” She put on her blazer, then went into the hall to check on Troy. He was sitting up on his own. “Are you all right?”
“Sucka, sucker punched me,” he complained, rising with her under his arm. “What the hell is wrong with you, man?” Wilder said nothing, but pulled her out from under his arm. “Hey!” Troy took her other arm and pulled her back with him. “Don’t be grabbing on her. Let go of her arm.”
“You get off her and stay off her.”
“Wilder, cut it out,” she said. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
“All right, a minute.” He looked at Troy when he said it. Then he softened a little speaking to Velvet. “Devon is downstairs. I’ll be discreet about this if you care what the boy thinks of you.”
“Man-” Troy made to lunge after the retreating vampire, Velvet held him back. “He can’t be talking to you like that.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She pushed back her locks and let out a deep breath. “He’s just upset to find me here like this.”
“Like this is even his business.”
“I guess he had me on a pedestal, and I let him put me there.”
“As a result, you’re not entitled to get close to someone, or is it just me?”
“I don’t know, Troy. This never came up before.”
“Velvet, if I’m stepping on ole boys toes, tell me now.”
“No, you aren’t stepping on anybody’s toes. It’s something else. I just need to talk to him.”
“Why do you need to tell him anything?”
“Because he’s my friend and I care how he feels. You know how vampires get about people they connect with.”
“Possessive,” Troy said thickly. “He sees you as his. Talking to him won’t change how he acts. You’ll have to step away from him completely.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“I can’t see any reason to do that to him.” Not after all he’d given up for her just to be at her side. He’d given up his brood, his home, his standing among his coven and most of his fortune. His one treasure had been her. “I can’t abandon him.”
“You can’t see any reason to be independent of him?”
“Just let me handle him.”
Troy leaned against the wall, silent for a moment. “I won’t have him coming after me every time you and I are together. If he isn’t your man, keep him out of our business. Or I will take care of him my way.”
“I have to go,” she said. Things were going downhill fast.
“I’ll call you later tonight.”
“Don’t call me.”
“Are you working tonight?”
“No.”
“Then why can’t I call you?”
“This was a mistake.”
“Because of a jealous vampire?”
“Because I don’t want you two fighting over me. One of you might get killed.”
“I guarantee it won’t be me.”
“And he feels the same way.”
“So? You going to live the rest of your life according to what Wilder wants from you? You going to let him play you like that?”
“Troy, I just need to deal with him first.”
“I guess you were right about this being a mistake. I thought I was with a woman, not a chump.” He pushed off the wall and walked past her to his office doorway, he paused when she said his name.
“I’m not a chump,” she shouted at his back.
“Your associates are waiting, Velvet.” He walked inside this office and slammed the door shut.
~*~
“You’re better off,” Wilder said, trying to put his arm around her. She pushed him forcefully into the bar, then swung her purse at him, striking his shoulder.
Devon looked up from the table he shared with Craig and another young female wolf. Velvet kept striking Wilder with her purse. He and Craig exchanged puzzled glances. The girl laughed.
“Chill it, Reiko,” Craig warned the laughing girl.
“Wilder, I want you out of my house,” Velvet said. “Tonight.”
“Calm yourself and see reason. You made a mistake, now move on.”
“You be gone by midnight. If I return and you are there it won’t be a good scene. Devon!” She swirled around and went to the table. “Tell Tyra I said, I want him gone.”
“Tyra? Velvet, I don’t know what happened up there, but I know you don’t need to be getting Tyra involved.”
“Do like I tell you!”
“Naw, I think I ain’t getting in this.”
“Where’s Troy?” Craig got up to ask. “Velvet?”
“In his damned office.”
“You okay?”
“Do I look okay, Craig?” She snapped at him and snatched a beer bottle off the table. She held it tight, but didn’t drink from it. She hated how she was feeling, all furious and disappointed after such a mind blowing afternoon. What hurt the most was him slamming the door practically in her face. But she was a big girl, and wasn’t going to cry or anything.
“He did something to you?” Devon asked, taking the bottle from her hand. “Tell me.” He urged her by shaking her a little.
“Troy ain’t done a thing,” Craig clued him in. “Everything was peachy between them all day. Things got tense when Mister Personality marched up in here.”
“What happened up there,” Devon demanded of Wilder. “Something heavy, if she’s throwing you out.”
“She’s not throwing me out, and it is none of your business.”
“Damn,” Reiko said with urban attitude.
“Yo, Vee.” Craig got on the other side of her. “Don’t let that clown over there ruin things. Whatever he said or did, don’t mean Troy ain’t into you.”
“What are you talking about?” Devon asked.
“The vampire did something,” Craig accused. “Ruined their groove.”
“No way,” Devon laughed. “Velvet ain’t interested in your boss, man.”
“Sure she is,” Reiko butted in. “They knocked them boots all afternoon!”
“Reiko,” Craig growled at her.
“Well, I’m glad he broke it up. Jasmine must be spinning in her grave.”
“Reiko, you’re fired,” Troy said from the top of the stairs. He leaped from over the side to the floor. His feet touched down right in front of Velvet. He locked eyes with hers.
“Wait a minute,” Reiko said. “I just said what you know everybody is going to be thinking when this gets around.”
“Shut up,” Craig advised her and forced her back down into her chair. “Troy, she was just running her mouth as usual.”
“Just get her out of here,” Troy ordered. He kept his eyes on Velvet’s hot wet face. “Sorry for what I said and the attitude. Don’t leave upset, okay?"
“Velvet, he already showed he doesn’t care how you feel. Don’t be foolish. Let’s all go home and forget about this.”
“Wilder, this is between us,” Troy said. “Keep your mouth shut or I will toss you through a window.” He used a napkin from the table to wipe the tears from her cheeks. “Do you want to leave with them, or do you want to stay with me?”
“I-”
“You want to take back what happened?”
“No.”
“Velvet!”
“Wilder, this doesn’t have anything to do with you. Tell him, Vee.”
“Leave her alone,” Wilder snarled.
She took a deep breath and turned to face her vampire. He had to let her be free to explore what was in her heart. “You and Devon go on without me. I’ll be along directly.”
“That’s what you said earlier, and look what happened.”
“Yeah,” Troy snickered. “Look what happened.”
“Damn you, you beast,” he ground out from his bared fangs. “I should kill you.”
“Anytime you want to try.”
“Stop it!” She was on the verge of pulling her hair out. Was this what being with Troy was going to be like? Was Troy worth hurting Wilder? She looked at Troy. He was ready to fight for some more time with her. And God knew she sure wanted some more of him.
“Wilder, let’s go,” Devon suggested. “Vee’s fine. She made her choice.”
“Darling, please,” he implored her again. “Not him. Please.”
He had not called her darling in years, not since she tried to cut out Jerome’s beating heart. He was using his special endearment now to get to her. Like the vampire he was, he’d do anything to get to her to get his way. And it wasn’t all about her, it was Troy. He disliked Troy and didn’t care how she felt about the man. Didn’t even care she was happy today. She hadn’t been this happy in years. “Wilder.” She paused to wipe her face dry. There was no reason to be crying after all. “Wilder, I want you to leave.”
“I can’t accept this.”
“You don’t have a choice.” She moved back to Troy’s side, and put her arms around his middle. He welcomed her back by holding her closer, putting his face against her neck.
“No!” Wilder snarled and his hands became claws. His face foiled then went demonic. His brow furrowed, his eyes shined yellow. His teeth and fangs elongated, pushing out of his mouth. “Velvet.” His voice was thick with emotion. “Step away from him.”
“Or what?” She deliberately placed herself in front of Troy. He was just a few seconds from transforming, holding back simply for her sake. “You aren’t going to fight him over me! Get out of here or I will send you away!” She burst into screaming blue light, her eyes went white.
“Glory be!” Devon exclaimed, watching the light bounce off the ceiling, then come back around her body. “Geez.” He stepped up to the raging vampire, touched his shoulder in a gesture of sympathy. “Bring it down, Wilder. This ain’t helping. She’ll come to her senses in her own time.”
“Get him out of here,” Troy said. Unmindful of her light display, he put his arms around her from the back and held her.
“Velvet.”
She didn’t want to hear anymore or see his face. Turning, she threw her arms around Troy’s neck and powered down. She waited until he relaxed to be sure Wilder had left. “Oh God.”
“You had to do it,” Troy whispered above her head.
“I never saw him like that.”
“He’s a grown man that’s lived several lives. I’m sure this isn’t the first time a woman told him to get lost.”
“He’ll be all right,” Craig said as if anyone asked him.
But what if he wasn’t all right? What if his demonic display wasn’t just a show? “Oh no,” she moaned. “What did I do?” She untangled herself from Troy’s arms.
“Velvet!” She was running for the door. “What are you doing?” He sprinted ahead of her to block her progress into the street. She sidestepped him going toward the parking lot. “Talk to me. Why are you running away?”
“I can’t do this. I thought I could.”
“Yes, you can, baby. You chose me, now stick with me. Give us this chance.”
“Troy, I like you and I had a wonderful time today.”
“So did I.”
“I can’t hurt him like this. I have to talk to him alone.”
“Fine, do what you have to do, but later. I can’t have you in my arms and then a split second later, you’re running to him over his hurt feelings.”
“You don’t understand.”
“What do you think he’s going to do?” Troy asked. He regarded her as he chose a car to lean against. “You think he’s going to kill himself?”
“No! Just something reckless!”
“Like what?”
“Troy, you know how vampires get.”
“I’m tired of hearing about vampires. All I care about is how witches get.”
“Troy, I’m too worked up. I should go home.”
“Naw, you should stay with me.”
“We should stop and think about what we are doing.”
He had her all up against him kissing the words right out of her mouth. Her hands went around his neck and shoulders. Her body began to faintly glow. His body seemed to vibrate with hers. Real chemistry, she thought.
“Baby, let’s go somewhere before I do you here in private parking.” As if to prove he would, he backed her into the hood of the car.
“No, I should... mmm.” His mouth was too delicious. “Troy?” His hand was going up her skirt. “Troy!” His fingers continued inside her panties. “Troy, don’t.”
“I want you now. And I know you want me too. Me, Velvet. Nobody else is all up under your skin like this.” He pushed her skirt up over her hips and dropped to his knees.
No, they weren’t. Nobody else made her want to throw her better judgment to the wind and just give in to his desires. Who else but Troy would she let put his mouth between her thighs in a public parking lot?
“Okay, let’s go somewhere.” He wouldn’t stop tasting her. “Troy,” she moaned, moving her hips, maximizing the pleasure.
Finally he rose, took her by her hips and placed her on the hood of the car. Holding her face with both hands, he crushed her lips, devouring her mouth. Her legs wrapped around his hips and lower back, holding him against her as she tried to return the hot passion he was putting on her.
He backed off to catch his breath and unzip his jeans.
“Here?” She looked around the lot. It was dark, but the street lights were on. “Let’s go somewhere.”
“It’s too late for that, Vee.” His body trembled in her arms as he kissed and held her. “Oh baby, come on. I know you want to. You’re already glowing. I want you so bad. Let me feel inside you.” He began sliding his jeans down his hips.
His eyes on hers were so mesmerizing, she couldn’t break contact even when he eased himself inside her. So heady and surreal, she thought staring back at her reflection in his intense eyes.
“Velvet,” he said so low and softly that she barely heard it “Oh Jesus.” His head went back as he began to thrust slowly and deeply. “Vee,” he said and wrapped her snuggly in his arms. Each stroke he made rocked the car with her. “Kirei dayo...” He began to whisper and sigh against her cheek. “Hano no... youni kirei.”
“Oh Troy...” What was he saying that sounded so sweet? She’d never heard him speak Japanese before. In fact, she didn’t know anything about him, except that he felt wonderful and made her spirit lift from just the sight of him. And he wanted her. He had begged her to stay with him and let him pleasure her again. “Oh Troy,” he moaned and wrapped her legs around him tighter.
~*~
Every light was on in her house, which meant she wasn’t going to be able to just slip in and go to bed. Everyone was going to be in her face confused about why she’d do such a thing with Troy of all people. She turned to look at him to find he was already looking at her expectantly.
“You can always come home with me,” he offered.
“No, I can’t.” The guilt was starting already. Why was Jasmine’s face before her now? He wasn’t Jasmine’s husband anymore. It wasn’t wrong to let him thrill her body anyway he wanted. Was it? If Troy was good to go with things, why was she suddenly self -conscious about it? “I don’t think I’d be comfortable there.”
“We can go someplace else.” He slipped a hand between her thighs. “I know a few nice places.” He leaned in to kiss her throat.
“I bet you do,” she muttered and regretted it when his body stilled against hers. He backed up all off her to hold his steering wheel. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”
“If you listen to rumors, I guess you think all I do is get around.”
“What?”
“Jazz and I were married eight years and I never cheated on her. And I’m not cheating now,” he shared rather thickly. “Maybe in my single days I was out there,” he admitted. “I never saw a reason I should deny my passions.”
“Then why are you acting like I insulted you?”
“The way you said it, Velvet.”
“What about it?”
“Okay, maybe I’m just a little sensitive about it. I want to ask you something, Velvet.”
“Okay.”
“What about Wilder? Word on the street is you two are bonded. Did he do it to you or did you hex him?”
“We fell in love when I was young. I’m not in love with him anymore, but he’s special to me. Always will be. And I’m reconciled to the fact that he probably won’t leave my side.”
“Damn.”
“You already knew that.”
“Yeah, but to hear you say it.”
“My grandmother tried to warn me about vampires. So did Milton.”
“That’s right, his father became a vampire. You helped Milton finally kill him.”
“Yeah, it was rough too.” Her mind went back ten years to the town of Obion. The vampire and his brood had claimed the whole town. Seemed like each and every citizen had tried to kill her to protect the vampire.
“Velvet?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s crossed your mind not to see me again, hasn’t it?”
“No.”
“Then why did you want to come home when the night is still so young?”
“Because it is time for me to take control. The way I’ve been acting isn’t me. My body was just doing what it wanted. I wasn’t thinking about how it looked to other people.”
“You are in control, Velvet. The way you’re acting is you when you have too much pent up desire. You’ve just never felt this way before.”
“How do you know how I feel when I don’t? One minute all I want is to have you, then I think Wilder and that girl are right. We should be ashamed of ourselves. But I’m not.”
“Baby, we had an amazing time. You shouldn’t feel guilty.”
“I don’t understand why you don’t. Jasmine has only been gone barely a month.”
“Six weeks, Velvet. I haven’t forgotten about Jasmine. I miss her and I’m going to always cherish her memory. But I’m never going to feel guilty for making it with you. I was faithful to her, even when lust for you was about to drive me insane. We don’t have to deny what is going on between us any longer.”
“No, we don’t,” she quietly agreed. “But there are other people’s feelings to consider.”
“You mean, Wilder?”
“Not just him. You saw how Devon looked at me.” He couldn’t have been more shocked and bewildered, if she’d suddenly changed into a werewolf. “I bet he’s so disappointed in me.”
“So what are you telling me?” Troy turned in his seat, moving his body practically on top of hers. His eyes were big and eager. “You want to put on the brakes because a kid knows you are a normal woman that likes to sleep with men? You can’t take it back, even if you never want to see me again.”
“I know that, Troy. That isn’t what I’m saying. Maybe we should have let more time pass.”
“There’s no point in saying what should have happened. You came to me and I was ready for you. Some people don’t like it, I don’t care. I believe Jasmine might be surprised it was you I moved on with, but she wouldn’t want me to be lonely and unhappy.”
“You really believe that?”
“Yes, Velvet.”
“And you are ready to be with someone?”
“I’m ready for you. Nobody else has to approve. Velvet, if you aren’t ready or don’t want to explore this, tell me now. Do you want to quit this?”
“No, I don’t want to quit this. I’m just tired, and a little confused with this happening so fast and people knowing about it.”
“You wanted this to be a secret?”
“No. I just wanted it to be sweet. ”
“It was sweet,” he said. His eyes were on her mouth, and an arm went around her shoulder. “It is sweet. Everything else that happened doesn’t matter.” He kissed her long and deeply. “Baby,” he murmured between drawing a breath and claiming her mouth again.
“Troy.” She had to pull away and push him off her. He was getting worked up again. She felt the heat and the energy radiating in his body. He was such a turn on, but she had to take control before he did her right there in her driveway. “I have to go inside.”
“Not now.”
“Good night, Troy.” She got out of the car feeling the workout he’d put between her legs. She walked up to the house and stopped. Troy was coming after her. The look in his eyes told her he wasn’t about to give up so easily. He had her all up in his arms, absolutely devouring her mouth, squeezing her derriere and backing her up against the front door. “Goodness, Troy.” He was so out of control and hot, and arousing her senses and passions so easily. Up against the door, he kissed her like he was punishing her lips and tongue. “Troy, please stop,” she whispered, yet she didn’t free his neck from her arms.
“Come with me,” he said.
“Troy, I can’t.”
“You know you want to.”
“Troy, you need to calm- mmm...” Damn, why couldn’t she resist his delicious kisses, or the smolder in his eyes for more than two seconds?
“What are you a sex maniac?” She found the strength somewhere to push him off her. She caught her breath, checking him out. He looked like he was about to jump her again. “Stay back.”
“Let’s spend the night together, Velvet. Sweep us anywhere you want to go.”
“Don’t touch me.” She evaded his hands for a few seconds by sidestepping him, then found herself up against his pounding chest. “Okay, you caught me.” She smiled up into his face and kissed him. “Mmm, baby.”
“You trying to drive me crazy tonight, or what?”
“I think we are both a bit crazy already.”
“Tanaka!”
Wilder was suddenly standing on the lawn behind them. He had his vampire face on, furrowed brow and long fangs. He wasn’t snarling as he seemed in control of his emotions. He held a sword. He raised it at Troy.
“What are you doing?” She exclaimed in a low voice. And she wondered how much he’d seen before he came out.
“I told you I was not going to accept this.”
“And I told you-”
“If you don’t want him killed, I suggest you send him away and never let him touch you again.”
“Have you lost your mind?”
“Velvet, step aside,” Troy said. He watched Wilder as he took her arms from around his neck. “He’s serious.”
“Troy, don’t do anything. He’s just-”
“Naw, he’s not going to quit until we have it out.”
“Let’s just go.”
“You know I’m not going to walk away from a direct challenge. And Velvet, don’t you interfere, you hear me?”
“I hear you, Troy. But that sword is endowed silver and Wilder is- Troy!” He was airborne from a mighty standing leap, attacking Wilder. “No!” He was going to get killed. Alpha werewolf or not, he was no match for Wilder with a sword. Or was he? In wolf form his arms had a long reach, and he was letting himself get slashed in order to get upon Wilder. He attempted to swipe the weapon from the vampire’s hand. But Wilder held on to it, and got a slash of claw on the right side of his face. Troy didn’t care about the sword because he was working on tearing Wilder apart! Wilder took flight and used his super speed to take the fight back to Troy. He succeeded in running the sword straight through Troy’s hump, penetrating it into his chest. Troy growled and turned, taking hold of Wilder by his hair before he thought to let go of the sword in order to evade Troy’s reach. He slammed Wilder face first into the ground. With a foot claw, he slashed Wilder deeply across his back, tearing flesh down to the bone.
In the blink of an eye, both men were seriously wounded. Troy howled and sank to his knees, attempting to get a grip on the hilt of the sword stuck in his back. The silver in the sword was making him weaker by the second.
“Troy!” Velvet ran to him and pulled the sword out of his hump. He collapsed falling to his side and panted. Wilder had not made an idle threat, he meant to kill Troy. “Wilder, look what you did to him!”
“I warned you,” he mumbled. He was losing blood and barely able to raise his head.
“Bastard, if you weren’t already hurt.”
“Vee?” Troy had transformed and now lay spent on his back. His wounds were closing before her eyes.
“Troy?” She put her arms around him, cradled his upper body against hers and let her aura surround them. It would comfort him as well as speed up the healing process. “Troy, it didn’t get your heart, you’ll be fine in just a few minutes.”
“You see he’s crazy, don’t you? You can’t keep a guy like him in your life.”
“Troy, just relax for now.” She blew a light breath on his face and he closed his eyes. “Troy?” He was out.
On her lawn, she noticed all her associates were collected at a distance. She also noticed the disappointment and disapproval on their faces, except for Suzanne. She ran right over to Wilder and immediately began to administer to his wounds.
“Sprite, go back into the house.”
“But what about Wilder?” She kept giving him her energy through her small hands.
“Screw, Wilder! It’s not like he’s going to die! Pull it back and go inside!”
“Y-yes!” She got to her feet and ran back inside the house.
Wilder rolled from his stomach to his back with a loud grunt, then sat up on his own. He eyed Velvet with his vampire face and frowned at the sight of Troy in her protective arms. “So, he won’t die tonight.”
“You better stop this madness, Wilder.”
“Or what? You’ll hate me forever?”
“I’ll think of something appropriate.”
“Are you sure he’s worth it, Velvet? What do you even know about that guy?”
“A lot more than I knew about you when I foolishly thought I was in love with you!”
“Ouch.”
“Bastard! If you raise your sword to him again, I swear, I will strike you down!”
“Fine, then! Because I’d rather be dead than endure you lowering yourself to a whore like him!” Grunting, he got to his feet and was able to stand over her. “Ask him about Osaka, and why he had to marry Jasmine! Then ask him about what happened in Las Vegas!”
“Hey!” Tyra marched right up to the ranting vampire. “Get out of her face,” she said. “And don’t you dare tell me to mind my own business, you lunatic. Why don’t you tell her all the vampire crap you’ve done over the years?”
“There is nothing in my past I am ashamed of because it has led me to this evening in which to protect her from trash like that wolf man!”
“If there was ever a man full of bullshit!” Tyra gave him her back to kneel with Velvet. She viewed the faint traces of Troy’s wounds then to Velvet’s worn out face. “Had it rough today, huh?”
“Tyra, I feel like I’m going to fall apart.”
“I have to say, I didn’t see you getting laid out the blue like that.”
“Devon told everyone?”
“Naw, we heard him and Wilder arguing. For what it’s worth, Troy is one hunk of a man. If he’d turned the charms on me, I doubt I’d hold out more than a minute.”
“Tyra, you have more willpower than anyone I know.”
“All that crap that bastard’s been saying, don’t pay it any mind. Leave people’s past in the past, Vee. We all got stuff we want to forget. Sharing and disclosing information is overrated in my opinion. But what is all that about to fall apart stuff?”
“I’m all over the place. My emotions are a wreck.”
“Hon, if you like Troy, don’t let Wilder get in your way. Unless you still have it for him.”
“It’s not like that anymore. It was for a long time, but I’ve moved on now.”
“But are you ready for Troy? It seemed for a minute, you were starting to dig Omar Henderson, and he really likes you.”
“I know, but something turned me back to Troy’s direction. I can’t explain it. And I keep thinking what if I wake up tomorrow and the feeling is gone?”
“Then it will be gone, and the drama will be over.”
“Life is never that easy, Tyra.” She gazed down into Troy’s face. He’d be rousing in a minute or so, and the last thing he needed to see was Wilder standing over them making more threats. “Wilder, I want you to leave Troy alone. Being with him is my choice. He hasn’t made me do anything I don’t want to do. If you cared about my happiness, you’d leave him alone.”
“Velvet, you already know I much I cherish you. These past twenty years nothing has changed. I can’t allow this association with Troy. If you must have a lover, choose someone else.”
“Wilder-” Troy began to move around in her arms. He opened his eyes and blinked a few times then smiled up at her tired face.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey.” His smile was contagious. “Welcome back. How are you feeling?”
“Absolutely wonderful,” he growled and pulled her in for a kiss. “Baby, I- oh, wow.” He seemed to be recalling the events leading up to him waking up in Velvet’s arms. He quickly scanned his surrounding and was up on his feet so fast Velvet hadn’t time to react. His claws came out and he covered himself in black fur, ready to engage Wilder once again.
“Troy!” Velvet stepped in front of him, her back to Wilder. “Calm down.”
“Come here.” She went to his side and let him hug her. “What’s going on? Your whole crew is on the lawn.”
“Nothing is going on. Come on, let’s get you home, okay?”
“Sure. Um, I just need to find my keys.”
“I have them.” They materialized in her hand.
“Velvet.” Wilder stepped up behind them and planted his feet. He had command in his voice. Velvet heard it and felt obliged to stop. She hated when he did that to her. He had no real command over her, she could easily continue down to Troy’s car. But she was afraid Wilder would freak or something. And she knew he knew that. “What, you rotten bastard?” She didn’t turn around. “More threats?”
“I just want a word with Troy before you leave.”
“No. I’m taking him home and you are going to stay here and mind your own business for once!”
“Velvet,” Troy said and pulled back. “I want to hear what he has to say after trying to kill me.” He turned and walked the few steps between them. Wilder crossed his arms giving him a smirking smile. “You going to say something or not, you little runt?”
“No matter how far or fast you run, life will always catch up with you. There are no secrets, Tanaka.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about Osaka. Isn’t that where you met Jasmine?”
“Don’t bring her up again, Wilder. I’m warning you.”
“And I am warning you.” Wilder sidled up a little closer to the tall man. “Does your pack know that you turned Jasmine on purpose to save your own worthless hide?”
“That isn’t true. It was an accident.”
“This report is from the Talon Group. Everyone here knows their reputation.” Wilder reached inside his jacket and pulled out an envelope covered with his own blood. “This is just a summary. I have the complete package in safe keeping.”
“Are you blackmailing me?”
“Yes. You tell Velvet what you did in Japan or I will.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“Very well.” Wilder began opening the envelope and Troy snatched it from his fingers.
“Troy?” Velvet watched him crumple the envelope in his fist. His eyes dropped refusing to meet hers. “Troy.” She held his face in her hands, his black eyes slowly came up to meet hers. “Whatever is in that report is your business. I don’t care.”
“Maybe you should care,” Rankin said.
He was standing alongside Wilder. They couldn’t stand each other, but were teaming up against Troy? What the hell was going on?
“You know what the Talon Group is about. If there was nothing to report there would not be a report.”
“And look who’s talking, Vee!” Tyra came to stand beside her. “Boy, Rankin, you got a nerve trying to bust a man’s past in front of everyone.”
“Tyra, you haven’t even seen what’s in that report!”
“And I don’t intend to either.”
“Velvet,” Troy began in a strangled voice. “I...”
“Yes?”
“I left all that behind me. I did. I came back home and forgot about it.”
“I told you I don’t care about it. When I was young I did things that got me excommunicated from the Sisterhood. I’m not going to turn on you for your mistakes.”
“Thanks for saying that, but this is different.” He kissed her lips then backed out of her hands. “Wilder wins. I’m sorry.”
“Didn’t you just hear what I said?”
“Velvet, I wasn’t prepared for this. That report can’t get out. It isn’t just about me. Other people, some innocent, are involved.”
“Wilder is bluffing.”
“I never bluff, Velvet. I may not like what I have to do, but I will.” He pulled the envelope from Troy’s fist. “Now, that I have your real attention, I suggest we go someplace and discuss our differences like men.”
“Wilder, you’ve won for now. Don’t presume you can punk me.”
Velvet watched him in utter amazement as he walked away from her to his car. He got in without even giving her another parting glance. “Troy?” He was backing out of her driveway! “Troy!” She ran down her driveway forcing him to acknowledge her. He stopped and rolled down the window. “What the hell are you doing? After everything we said and did tonight, this is how you end it?” She snatched open the door and pulled him out to stand before her like a man. “You going to let someone else call the shots?” And leave me looking like a fool, her eyes asked. “Say something!”
“It’s not me doing this! It’s that vampire that just tried to kill me!”
Wilder rushed up between them and pushed Velvet to the side. “Believe me, if I wanted to kill you, you’d be dead!”
“The only reason I didn’t claw your dead heart out was for her sake! But you try that shit again-”
“Stop it!” Velvet screamed. “Wilder, you step off right now! Everyone go on about y’alls own business!” No one moved. They stared at her like she was a crazy person talking gibberish. “Fine!” With a clap of her hands they all vanished. She turned on Troy, the fury was rising in her now. “You made me look like a fool!”
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
“Is that all you can say?”
“Wilder is out of control, what do you want me to do? You know if we go at it again, I’m going to kill him because I’ll have to. Is that what you want?”
“I can take care of Wilder.”
“Can you take care of that report, Velvet? That’s on me and right now I can’t allow him to use it.”
“Okay, fine. I get it. Leave! Don’t show your punk ass around here again.”
“Why are you so mad at me? It’s Wilder coming between us. He’s blackmailing me, for crying out loud!”
She turned away, hating the sick feeling building low in her belly. What a fool she went and made of herself today. Thinking Troy Tanaka had feelings for her. What kind of man was ready to start a relationship just six weeks after his wife was murdered? She was just an easy lay, a bit of fun!
“Wait.” Troy reached out and took her arm. He spun her around and held her gently by her waist. “I meant everything I told you today. Please, try to understand.”
“I understand. We had fun today and now it’s over.”
“No, Vee. It’s not like that. I don’t want it to be over. But when Wilder tells you everything you won’t want me anymore.”
“I told you I don’t care about any report.”
“You won’t see me the same, Velvet. I’m sorry, but I’d rather say goodbye now while you like me.” He kissed her lightly on the lips then hugged her close. “Goodbye, Velvet.”
“You’re making a mistake,” she said and pulled away.
He waited until she entered the house before getting inside his car. After she closed the door, she heard him turn the ignition and motor away. She watched his taillights disappear from the front window, then she let the curtain fall from her fingers. “Goodbye, Troy,” she said in her dark empty house.