It was just after midnight when Alek pulled up to Petal Memorial Hospital with his two cousins: Darius and Cristian. He parked in a spot near the entrance and smiled. The woman who had occupied his thoughts all day long stood leaning against her car.
Nicole.
Her bright hazel eyes caught the light from his headlights, making the irises blaze. Her light brown hair, that wild beautiful hair, had been fanned across his pillow this morning. She licked her lips, and Alek forgot himself for a minute, remembering his lips on hers.
God, he craved this woman.
She wore one of her favorite tank tops—black, cleavage spilling over the top—and black jeans so tight, they looked molded to her skin. Her arms were crossed, so she’d most likely been waiting for a while. She wore a look of frustration until her eyes locked with his. Her smile was slow, but he took pleasure in knowing it was for him. Cristian made a sound of appreciation, and Alek turned to him. “Mine,” he said, then he opened the car door. A simmering heat greeted him as he stepped out into the night.
A slight breeze blew over the parking lot, bringing the smell of the ocean with it. The hospital sat in the middle of a residential area on the southern border of Pleasanton, just a few miles from Theresa’s house. The EMTs had originally taken her to Rome General in Alice, but someone had called in a request to transfer her. Rachel was still trying to figure out who.
“Nicole,” Alek said, making his way toward her. The wind picked up her hair, sending the fragrant scent of jasmine toward him. He closed his eyes and inhaled. When he opened them, she had moved closer and was staring up at him.
“I thought I might—”
His crushed his lips to hers, cutting her off. She moaned as he pulled her to him. When he’d satiated his need, he stepped back and stared down at her. “What were you saying?”
She blinked at him. “I forgot,” she whispered, then touched his cheek. “What happened?”
He took her hand. “Just a fight. We can talk about it later.”
She stared at him for a minute as if she were going to press, then turned to his car.
He followed her gaze. Darius and Cristian had gotten out. “My cousins, Darius and Cristian,” he said, returning his gaze to her.
She looked up at him. “Okay.”
Cristian chuckled. “You two need a minute?” he asked.
Alek smiled and took Nicole’s hand. “No. Let’s get this done.”
A uniformed officer stood outside Theresa’s room, his head pitching forward every few minutes, only to jerk back at the slightest noise. It would be easy to push him over the edge and send him to the sleep he obviously craved, but the security cameras were a problem. And so was the man trying to blend in with the rest of the people lining the halls.
Unrie Nevsky.
If he was here, chances were, Logan Magellan was as well, only Logan chose to remain out of sight, making Unrie the bait. Which meant they knew Alek would come for Theresa. So why the ambush at the police station?
“Shouldn’t we be doing something?” Nicole asked, her voice filled with irritation.
He turned and looked at her. She looked worn. He knew firsthand she hadn’t been sleeping well. She should be at home, waiting in his bed for him to return. And as soon as he thought it, he pushed that image down. Nicole was no one’s little woman, sitting at home and waiting for her man to return. She had fire in her. And that’s what he really loved. Not some docile girl who couldn’t handle herself; although, her being in his bed was a nice image.
He smiled, trying to put her at ease. “We will. But first”—he pulled her closer—“look.” He jerked his chin toward Unrie. “He’s a problem. We can handle him. It’s his partner I’m concerned with.”
He signaled to his cousins. “Subdue both Unrie and the guard. I’ll send Nicole in first while I look for Logan. Give her five minutes, then I’ll head in, and you two follow.”
His cousins nodded and started down the hall.
Nicole tapped her head. “Why can’t you find Logan?” she asked.
“He’s guarding against it.” He didn’t tell her he already tried and came up with a void. Logan was masking his presence.
He stared down at her. He wanted to kiss her again. Before he realized it, he’d inched forward. Her breath feathered across his skin as she let out a sigh, moving forward as well.
“You are driving me crazy, Nicole,” he whispered.
Leaning forward, he placed a soft kiss on her lips. Hunger for more rose inside of him. He had every intention of pulling back, but her moan sent him over the edge.
He deepened the kiss and could taste the smoke on her tongue. It sent a surge of need through him. This woman completely undid him. If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear it was magick. The mere thought of her made his heart skip a beat. Her touch was like liquid fire, engulfing him in so much heat and desire.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in even closer.
“If we don’t stop,” he mumbled, his tongue tracing the side of her mouth, “I might forget myself and take you in one of these empty rooms.”
She pulled back and stared up at him. “Promise?”
“Damn, woman, stop looking at me like that.”
She gave him a devilish grin he knew was meant to unarm him. He leaned forward, placing his forehead on hers. “Be careful. Don’t try and wake her.”
Nicole didn’t move, just continued to stare at him. Those eyes seemed to penetrate his soul.
Finally, she said, “I will,” and walked away.