Fallon left her sweater and jacket back at home because Brody seemed to like what she wore. She had touched up her lipstick and braided her hair to keep it out of the way before going to find him.
The ride back to the bar was too quiet. Brody snuck several lingering glances at her, leaving her flustered. She felt like a freaking schoolgirl for the first time ever.
As soon as he parked the truck, she climbed out, desperate to escape the awkward silence. Then she waited for him, feeling stupid all over again.
“You seem nervous,” Brody murmured.
Well, shit. Fallon couldn’t really lie to a werewolf. So she shrugged. “I’m not used to being around a lot of humans, and I know half your group is.” That was only a small part of her unease. The majority was her reaction to Brody who was getting under her skin, but she would never admit it. She’d get her wayward thoughts under control sooner or later.
“You know the guys already,” he said with a hint of smile and nodded to the door. “I think you’ll like the women. They’re all easy to get along with.”
Fallon really hoped he was right. She started for the bar, and Brody walked beside her. He even let her get the door herself, even though his hand twitched like he wanted to open it.
In 2 Deep was busy. She could feel the ambient energy from all the different Others. Everyone left traces of energy wherever they went, but Other energy was stronger. Fallon could feel the vibrations, and even use the energy to fuel her spells. There was a vibrant feel to the building’s atmosphere.
Jess was behind the bar serving someone, but she waved as soon as she saw Fallon, who waved back. Brody placed a hand at the small of her back and led her through the crowd to the table where Adam and company were set up at the corner pool table.
Brody lifted a hand. “Hey guys.”
“Hi.” Fallon nodded in greeting and took an empty stool. Brody sat right beside her, maybe a little too close.
“Hey, Fallon.” Tom grinned and began introductions. “Ladies, this is Fallon, our new artist. She woefully puts me to shame if you compare my enchanted tattoos with hers.” He mock pouted, his dark eyes twinkling.
“And this lovely lady is Darla, the love of my life.” Tomahawk stood just behind Darla, his arms wrapped around her waist. She was the quintessential girl next door, with soft brown hair and big amber eyes. Fallon expected Tom’s girlfriend to be more colorful, but she had no visible tattoos or piercings.
“Nice to meet you.” A flush crept up Darla’s cheeks.
“You too.” Fallon smiled back.
“And this vibrant woman is Danika.” Tom teased. “She’s marrying Adam in a couple weeks, if she doesn’t come to her senses and run screaming.”
Adam just rolled his eyes and kissed Danika’s temple.
Danika sat next to Fallon with Adam leaning beside her. Her hair was short, spiky, and dyed a vivid shade of blue to match her eyes. She rocked a funky tie-dyed dress and wore a vibrant half sleeve of tropical flowers, humming birds and butterflies.
Grinning, she nudged Fallon’s shoulder with her own. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” Her gaze flipped to Adam, then Brody and back to Fallon with a wink “You sound like my kind of woman. You don’t put up with Tommy’s bullshit, and the guys say you’re pretty stellar with the needles.”
Fallon had a feeling they were going to get along. “Yeah, I just roll with the punches, and flip their shit right back.”
“And here’s Jolene.” Tomahawk squeezed her arm with warm affection. “We’ve missed Jolene so much I almost feel like I should reintroduce her to everyone.” Tomahawk gave her a one armed hug and patted her round belly, making her giggle.
Dakota was cuddled next to Jolene who was beauty pageant stunning, with long platinum blond hair. She wore a pink empire waist dress that flowed around her and enhanced her warm glow. She met Fallon’s gaze. “Nice to meet you.”
“Thanks.” Fallon rubbed her hands up and down her thighs, feeling a little out of place. Darla and Jolene seemed so normal and conservative. She wasn’t sure she would fit in with them. At least Danika seemed to be a kindred spirit.
Then Fallon realized she wanted Brody’s friends to like her. She forced a smile and tried not to think about how pathetic she was over him.
Adam smirked. “Fallon tells me she’s going to school us at pool. I don’t think she knows what she’s getting herself into.”
Fallon arched a single eyebrow. “Oh, just wait until the games begin.”
Tom smirked. “How about you and I first? I’ll rack”
“You’re on.”
* * * *
Brody leaned over, putting his mouth close enough to her ear to drown in her scent. It had to be a crime to smell as good as she did. “What would you like to drink, sugar?”
She shivered almost imperceptibly. “Beer. Whatever is fine, I’m not picky.”
“Sure thing.” He stood and made his way to the bar.
Adam caught up with him. “You know, I think you’re getting under her skin.”
“Why’s that?” Brody tried to sound disinterested. He failed.
“Anytime Tom or I mentioned your name, she’d get this little grin and look away like she was thinking something naughty.”
“Oh, just stop,” he snapped. His brother wasn’t helping. “I’m having a hard enough time keeping my hands to myself when she’s close. And having her in my lap for an hour with her hands right next to my dick didn’t fucking help.” But then again, he didn’t think it mattered where the tattoo was placed, just having her hands on his skin shredded his control. He rubbed the back of his neck.
“You’re the dumbass who chose your hip.” Adam laughed and glanced back at the table. “But don’t worry. I saw the look in her eyes when you leaned in to ask what she wanted.”
Brody shot Adam a look before ordering a pitcher of beer.
“Oh, get this. Clint was in the chair while Fallon worked a dragon into his ribs. That has to be the worst place for a tattoo, hurts like a bitch, and you know how he loves pain.” Adam shuddered.
“Do you have a point?” Brody asked through clenched teeth. The idea of her hands on that prick made his blood boil. Slater, Simons, even Mark, no big deal. All three of them were happily mated or married, and she had to touch people for a living. Clint, however, got off on pain, and he was such a little sleaze ball.
Adam laughed. “Well, he came onto Fallon, and she shut him down hard.”
That fact cooled his temper, until they got back over to the table where she was bent over, getting ready to break. Clint sauntered up behind her, leaning over her to whisper in her ear as he wrapped his hands around her hips and stepped into her body.
A deep growl rumbled low in his chest as he shot toward Clint in the blink of an eye. Slater caught Brody around the chest and hauled him back while Hayden stepped into his path with a raised brow and his arms crossed over his chest.
“Chill,” Slater snarled in his alpha voice, and Brody had no choice but to freeze, even though he desperately wanted to beat the shit out of Clint.
Fallon threw her head back into Clint’s face and he heard the sickening crunch of his nose breaking. Then she rammed her cue into Clint’s junk. He stumbled back, landing in a heap on the floor.
She spun around with fire in her eyes. “Don’t ever fucking touch me!”
“Come on, now. I meant no harm. I just wanted to get to know you better,” he purred, running the back of his hand across his bloody mouth. “Dance with me, I’ll buy you a drink. Hell, anything you want, Fallon.”
Her fists landed on her hips as her eyes narrowed down to slits. “Last warning. Take the hint and get lost.”
Frowning, Clint stumbled to his feet. “Come find me when you change your mind, red.” She gave him a fiery look and he limped away
Brody pulled away from Slater, and shoved Hayden out of his way in time for her to look in his direction. “You okay?”
Fallon rolled her eyes. “Now that the asshole is gone, just fine.” She bent back over the table, and broke, sending two stripes into separate pockets.
“Damn it,” Tom muttered as Brody fell into a seat. “Your girl’s a pool shark and doesn’t mind playing rough to get her point across.” He laughed, glancing toward the bar. “Almost makes you feel bad for Clint. He’s limping. Even a masochist doesn’t like his jewels crushed.”
Brody watched as Clint moved to the bar where Jess laughed at him. “Good. And she’s not my girl.” Yet.
Fallon was too busy steamrolling the table to pay attention.
“Yet,” Danika laughed. “You didn’t see the way she watched you walk up to the bar. She’s tempted all right.”
“Yeah.” Hayden glanced at Fallon and back at Brody with concern. “What in the abyss is going on with you?”
Brody wasn’t totally sure, but Fallon had him all twisted up inside. Slater raised a brow at him. There was a smirk on his face when he strolled over to the bar. Brody looked back to Hayden and shrugged. What the hell could he say without coming off like a jealous prick?
“I’ve never seen you like this,” Hayden said.
Probably because Brody never acted like that, he wasn’t the jealous type. This draw to Fallon was more intense than anything he had ever felt, and he didn’t know what to think. She needed time, and he’d give it to her.
Fallon called side pocket and pulled off some fancy triple bank.
Tom gaped at Fallon. “Well shit.”
Adam frowned. “I think you need to get her drunk so we might have a shot at winning a game.”
Fallon set her cue aside and walked back with a cocky grin. “Still have doubts about my pool skills?”
“Oh, I think you’ve wiped them all away.” Brody filled a mug that she took with a smile.
“Thank you.” She drank half of her beer in a few gulps and gave Adam a look. “I only get better with alcohol.”
Brody laughed. Man, Fallon was something else.
* * * *
Dacia fumed as she stomped up the front steps of her house. Fallon was going to steal Brody if Dacia didn’t stop her. Brody was meant to be hers. Not some hussy from San Francisco with a perfect fucking body, and magic so strong she could feel the hum of her power from across a room.
Fallon didn’t even look like Brody’s dead wife, and he was always into brunettes in the past. Dacia was beautiful. Plus, she had a similar build to his wife, tall, thin, and beautiful. She wasn’t as delicate as Sarah, but that didn’t matter. She was definitely prettier than Fallon.
Hell, the redhead was covered in ink. Brody only had one tattoo because Sarah didn’t like them. So why now?
The darkness seemed to close in on her, setting her hair on end as she walked up the steps to her porch. She froze, her instinct screaming at her to run, but she wasn’t a coward.
Dacia threw open the door and stormed inside. Her gaze swept through the living room. There was nothing there, nothing she could see at least, but she felt eyes crawling over her like spiders.
“Who are you?” Dacia demanded.
A shadow stepped out of the hallway. The sound of his laugh was low and evil. “Does it matter?” His voice was cold and hollow. Dark shadows danced and swirled over the shape of a man, distorting his features. Icy tendrils of fear threaded through her.
What in the abyss is that?
She forced her bravado and crossed her arms over her chest as she scowled back at the creature. “Of course. Why should I trust someone I can’t even see clearly?”
“Very well.” The shadows melted away and seeped into the floor, leaving a tall gangly man, whose blue veins were a stark contrast to his pale skin. “I’m Malachi.” When he smiled, she saw the pair of fangs coated in silver.
He was one of the Dales, the same group of vampires and dark mages notorious for running the illegal fighting ring a decade ago. They abducted all sorts of Others and forced them to combat against each other in cage fights whether or not they wanted to participate.
Her father had brought her to the underground arena to watch some of the battles. He told it was a lesson that groups like the Dales would sweep in and steal the strongest warriors who were too self-assured, just like her. As much as he used to warn her against her boastfulness, he was far worse than she ever was.
No one seemed to know who ran the Dales or how they even operated. One day, they just disappeared and no one heard from them until just a couple months ago.
She sneered, “And what do you want?”
“To work together, of course. You are a very clever and extremely beautiful woman, but someone is standing in the way of the one you want. I only want what you want. I want Fallon out of the picture. She belongs to me.”
Dacia kept her face blank. She may hate Fallon, but she wasn’t willing to hand her over to a Shadowstalker either. They were pure evil, and this one was ancient. His power resonated in her bones. “And why would I help you?”
“With Fallon out of the way, you can finally have Brody Dean. I can wipe away his misgivings about you. I can even make him want you and only you.”
Sure, the bastard could mindfuck Brody into wanting her. Tempting, but whatever Brody felt wouldn’t be real. He wouldn’t be the same. She wanted him to want her for her.
No matter what the vampire did to Brody, he was too noble. Handing Fallon over would land Dacia on Brody’s shit list. Not to mention that the Dales already tried to take him, and according to everyone, Fallon saved his ass. Dacia felt like she owed the woman something.
She shook her head. “The only thing I want is for you to leave me the fuck alone.”
The shadows swirled up and around the vampire. “Think about what I said.” His shadowed fingers traced the curve of her cheek, leaving an icy sensation that made her skin crawl. “I have ways to help you win Brody, but not if he has Fallon. I’ll be seeing you.” The darkness streaked out of the house and up into the sky.
With quaking knees, she shut and locked the door before taking a seat on the couch. She would get Fallon out of the picture without pissing off Brody.
* * * *
Fallon was pleasantly buzzed, waiting for her turn while she watched Brody bend over the table to line up a shot.
Danika hopped onto the stool next to her and smoothed out her skirt. She leaned over and placed her shot glass in Fallon’s hand as she asked, “Like what you see?”
Fallon arched a single brow and whispered back. “Pregnant? Is it a secret?”
She nodded, and her gaze slid back to Brody. “I answered yours. Now answer mine.”
Feigning innocence, Fallon batted her lashes. “Hmm?”
Twinkling blue eyes cut to her. “Don’t play coy. He’s obviously into you. This is the first time he’s been interested in anyone since Sarah. He looks at you like you’re the only woman who exists. Before you showed up, he didn’t look at women at all.” She motioned around the room. “In case you haven’t noticed, he gets more than his fair share of admiration.”
Fallon had. Two different women had offered to buy him a beer but he brushed them off. Another asked him to dance and he turned her down.
She knocked back the whiskey and looked Danika in the eye. “I just got out of a fucked up relationship. I’m not looking to be the rebound girl for a wolf who still misses his dead wife.” She looked over at the man in question.
Brody was a great guy, and she’d be a fool not to realize that. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin him. “He needs a good woman. I’m not her.”
“All right,” Danika replied. “I’ll drop it right after I say that I thought the same thing about Adam before I admitted what I felt for him.” Dani nodded at the pool table. “Now go take your shot before Brody accuses me of meddling.”
“You are.” Fallon smirked but grabbed her cue.
Brody gave her a sexy grin as she walked past him. “Good luck with that shot.”
He left the cue ball in a bad place, but she wasn’t worried. No problem. She smiled back. “Hate to break it to you, but I don’t need luck.”
She glanced toward the door and watched Dacia walk in with an uppity blond. Fallon was having too much fun to worry about her.
The eight-ball was the only one she had left. She called corner pocket and made the shot in time for Dacia to walk over and sling an arm around Brody. Fallon wanted to slap her silly, but pretended not to see.
He threw Dacia’s arm off and snarled something at her. Then the dumb hooker tried to run her hand over his chest, but Brody batted her away and backed up with a scowl.
Hiding her smile, Fallon set her cue against the table and told Danika, “I’m going for a drink.”
Danika finger waved.
Fallon took the corner stool as Jess walked her way with an icy look pointed at their table.
Dacia only seemed to infuriate Brody, and that probably shouldn’t have amused Fallon so much. Maybe if he was interested in the bimbo Fallon wouldn’t be so tempted by him. Yeah, right. She had a feeling that seeing Brody with any woman would piss her off.
Jess snorted. “Dacia will never give up. She’s pathetic.”
“So I’ve heard.” Fallon shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “I need a Long Island, pretty please.”
“Sure,” she tucked her hair behind her ears, “but are you sure you want something that strong? You had what? Five beers and two shots?”
Four shots spread out over almost three hours because Danika handed hers to Fallon, but she’d keep that to herself. “I’ll be fine. Brody promised to get me home safe and sound.” She winked.
“All right, and he will.” Jess mixed her drink. “You two sure have some chemistry you know.”
“Don’t start. Danika is already on my case.”
Jess slid her drink her way. “Give him a chance.”
Fallon swiped her drink off the counter and glared at her best friend. “Maybe I need some time.”
“Isaac is an ass.” Jess drummed her fingers on the counter and narrowed her eyes. “Brody’s different.”
She was so over men and all the bullshit that came with them. Fallon threw some money on the counter, and stood. “Do me a favor and drop it.”
“Fine, fine. Just don’t let one bad relationship ruin something with so much potential.” Jess glanced over at Brody, and opened her mouth to say something.
Fallon flipped her off as she turned. She walked back to the table, slurping down her drink as she went. Dacia stepped in front of her about halfway there, she wore a deadly glare. Her sidekick stood right next to her with a matching expression.
“What are you doing here?” Dacia snapped.
Between Jess and Dacia, her mood was ruined. Fallon sighed. “Enjoying a few games of pool.” She moved to walk around the snotty, obsessed woman until Dacia put her hand on her shoulder. Fallon glared at the offending hand until Dacia removed it, and then in a low icy tone said, “You don’t want to touch me.”
“There a problem?” Brody asked in a low and deep voice. Fallon hoped ignoring Brody would diffuse the situation before it blew up.
Hayden stood next to Brody like he expected trouble. She had to wonder if Dacia was really stupid enough to think she would actually play along with the sheriff right there.
“About to be. The new slut wants a fight.” The blond bimbo sneered.
“No.” Fallon stepped to the side and met Hayden’s dark gaze. “Actually, I have every intention of simply ignoring these two.” Without looking back, she walked to their table.
Maybe the sheriff would keep Dacia in line. Okay, maybe not. The woman was deranged.
For half a second, Fallon entertained the idea of flirting with the sheriff to throw Dacia off the scent. He was big and brawny, with dark wavy hair and deep dark brooding eyes. He was one of those men who had perpetual five o’clock shadow. However, there were a few problems with that scenario. One, she had a problem with authority, and he was the sheriff. Two, the man did nothing for her. Three, she wasn’t a good enough actress to pull it off.
Tom laughed as Fallon made her way back to the pool table. “She really doesn’t like you.”
“No shit,” Fallon muttered.
Someone grabbed her braid, yanked her head back, and didn’t let go. Fallon sat her empty glass down, grabbed Dacia’s wrist and spun around, pressing into her pressure point. She squeezed harder as she glared back at Dacia, who finally let go with a cry of pain.
Fallon dropped her wrist. “Really, Dacia, you’re embarrassing yourself. Brody is a big boy. He can make his own decisions. If you haven’t noticed, I’m not standing in your way.”
“Liar!” she screamed.
Closing her eyes, Fallon took a deep breath, and reminded herself that hitting this woman would only land her in jail. “I haven’t had nearly enough alcohol for this.” She glanced over at Brody, who now stood next to her. “I’ll catch you guys later.”
“What? Too chicken to fight a real woman?” Dacia barked.
With a cold laugh, Fallon moved right past them and started for the back door. The blond roughly grabbed her arm as Dacia stepped in front and tried to push her. Fallon closed her eyes, took a deep breath, drawing in all the loose ambient energy. She pushed it out in a pulse of power. Both women were knocked to the ground.
“Really, ladies, I’m not playing games. I’m just leaving.” Fallon felt the weight of everyone’s eyes, and she just wanted to escape. She turned toward her new friends. “It was a pleasure meeting all of you, but I’m going to bounce.” And she did, right out the back door.
She stepped into the parking lot with Brody on her heels.
“Stay,” she told him, not bothering to look back. “Hang out with your friends. I can get myself home.”
“How?” he demanded and she was caught somewhere between pissed off and turned on. The alcohol might have had something to do with that.
Shaking her head, she turned toward him with her arms crossed over her chest. “I’m not going to walk.” But she wasn’t ready to tell him how she’d get home.
“You would have to call and wait for a cab. No sense in that when I’m ready to go home.” He stepped closer, his voice dropping lower. “I don’t want to be around her either.”
She sighed. “Fine. But I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I would have made it home.”
“I know, but I feel better driving. I have plenty of beer there if you still want a drink.” He nodded toward the truck. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
Gritting her teeth, she muttered, “Fine.” At least he didn’t bother trying to open her door this time. She still couldn’t believe he slept with that psychopath.
* * * *
Before Brody drove three blocks, his phone rang. “Hey.” He listened for a moment. “Sure thing.” He set the phone down, and gave her a grin. “Looks like the party is moving to my place. Jess and Slater are coming too. Even Hayden.” He pulled into his driveway and parked.
Fallon groaned. “You should have let me leave on my own. I don’t want to ruin anyone’s night. Besides, who’s going to work the bar?” Her hands dropped to her lap, and her frown was a little too adorable. He was tempted to kiss the pout right off her luscious mouth.
“Jess has it covered. Besides, Tomahawk wants a rematch.” He hopped out and she followed him outside.
She paused and took a step toward her apartment. “You should just go back to the bar.” Her tone was cold. “I don’t care if one crazy bitch hates me. I just didn’t want to get into a bar fight in front of the town’s sheriff. My tolerance for bullshit only goes so far, and she was working the tail end of it.”
“Hayden wouldn’t arrest you for knocking some sense into her.” But Brody loved her attitude. Fallon knew who she was and didn’t care what anyone else thought of her.
“In case you didn’t figure it out, Dacia wanted me in cuffs.”
“Yeah, but no one in their right mind would ever side with her. Besides, she dragged Bridget out the front door at a dead run before you got out the back.” Fallon took another step toward the stairs. “No one knows what you did to those two bimbos, but everyone thought it was pretty damned funny.”
Her eyes slitted and she shook her head. She was mad and that was hot, but he couldn’t help wondering why.
“Come on,” Brody told her, hoping to lighten the mood. “I have a pool table and you can get back to kicking my ass.”
“Fine,” she muttered, rolling her emerald eyes as she marched past him to his back door, which he opened quickly. She stepped inside and turned toward him with a vicious look and acid in her words. “You really slept with Dacia?”
Shit, her glare shot straight to his cock, which hardened in a rush. Trying to ignore his dumb tool, Brody shrugged. “Once, when I was young and stupid and didn’t realize what can of worms I was opening.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Apparently I was too good because she won’t leave me alone.”
“That, I can see.” A blush crept across her cheeks as she wiped her hands down her thighs. “And now I’m trying not to.” Her eyes skittered away. He could see her heartbeat strumming in her jugular as her breath sped up.
She smelled so damned good he couldn’t help but lean in closer, and trail his nose along her collarbone and up her throat to the hollow behind her ear. He heard her breath hitch as her hand tangled in his shirt.
“Christ, that’s a turn on,” he purred into her silky soft hair. Every time she was turned on, her scent intensified.
“What is?” A breathy rasp laced her words.
“You smell just like caramel.” He leaned into her and just breathed her in.
Fallon pushed him away and shook her head with wide eyes. “Okay whoa, slow down, big boy.” Her gaze dropped down to his fly and went wide before popping right back up to his eyes.
“Sorry.” He took a couple steps back, and put his hands up in surrender. Closing his eyes, he took a few deep breaths but all he could smell was her scent. “I’m sorry, Fallon, I really didn’t mean to get carried away.” And he hadn’t, yet. But all he could see behind his closed lids was her laid out on the counter, his hands spreading her wide as he went down on her. Would she taste as sweet and delicious as she smelled?
“I know.” She admitted hesitantly. “I’m not ready, and I’m a mess. I can’t right now… but maybe later....” She shook her head.
He glanced up. Her chest still heaved with her heavy breaths and she was looking anywhere but at him. Fallon just admitted they had possibilities which made him feel about a thousand times better.
Before she could backtrack, he said, “You’re not a mess, but you’re right. I’m sorry.”
Her chin dipped down but she swung her gaze up to his. “Don’t Brody. I feel the connection too.” She swallowed hard and took a step toward the door. “Maybe I should just go to the apartment, and get my head on straight, because now I just feel like shit. I didn’t mean to mess with your emotions, and I didn’t want to wreck everyone’s fun.”
“Don’t, please. Don’t go. I’ll behave. You haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Neither have you.” She closed her eyes a second. When she opened them, there was a hint of a smile on her face. “I’ll stay, but please tell me you have something hard…” she glanced at his crotch and swallowed hard as her eyes bounced back to his. “Um, stronger than a beer, because I could use a shot.”
“You good with whiskey?”
She nodded. “Absolutely. Hit me with a double.”