Dangerous Promise by Gwendolyn Cease Read online

  “Do you know what I want, Quen? I want to pin your superb body to a bed and fuck you until we both can’t think. So how about we make a deal…” He glanced over at his silent passenger. “You say you don’t want to submit. Well, guess what, neither do I. So what if we both do?”

  “Are you suggesting we take turns?” Quenton asked, a smile playing around his lips.

  “If that’s what it takes. I want to fuck you, and if that’s the only way I can then what the hell.”

  “Let me think about it.”

  Reaper nodded and Quenton settled in for the ride. What if Reaper didn’t agree to his proposal? Could he just say fuck it and give in? He glanced over at the Hunter—yeah he could. No matter what lies he told himself, he wanted Reaper. He wanted the big Ancient to take him and use him until he was weeping. Shit, did he sound like some woman from a bawdy novel? Probably, but he truly didn’t care.

  “Where are we meeting them?” Reaper asked as they approached the airport.

  “Just pull up to Arrivals. They said they’d be waiting.”

  Reaper did as Quenton asked. He eased the vehicle along the curb until he stopped abruptly. “Stay in the car,” he ordered as he got out.

  Quenton watched as Reaper instinctively approached another equally large man. Quenton wasn’t sure how Ancients did it, but they always knew if another was in their territory. Probably had to do with how aggressive the whole race was, but he didn’t want to agitate an already poor situation by getting out of the car until he had to. Reaper was already in a combative mood. Quenton didn’t need anything to push the man over the edge to violence.

  Quenton watched as Feral eased forward, slowly. He stood a good six-two maybe a bit more. His hair was short and dark, cut close to his head, and he sported a goatee and mustache. The two men stared at one another until someone stepped out from behind the Ancient. The man was no more than five-six with wind-swept blond hair and sparkling green eyes. He smiled broadly and held out his hand. “Hello, you’re not Quenton.”

  “No, I am,” Quenton said, as he finally stepped from the car. “You must be Lucian. It’s lovely to meet you.”

  The two men shook hands as Lucian rolled his eyes. “Likewise. The glowering gentleman behind me is Feral. And your companion would be…” He trailed off in a questioning tone.

  “This is Reaper, one of the Hunters with the PIA.”

  Reaper nodded at Feral, who nodded back coolly.

  Lucian sighed. “Obviously, all Ancients are such chatterboxes it’s difficult to get a word in when they’re around.”

  Quenton smiled. “Yes, and such manners, too. Why you’d think they were meeting royalty the way they’re gushing.”

  Lucian and Quenton burst out laughing as Reaper and Feral both shook their heads.

  Yes, that’s right, bond over the fact that you’re both acting like asshats.

  Not that they thought they were. Oh no, they were too manly and tough for that.

  “And you should know better than to leap out without checking your surroundings,” Feral finally spoke, aiming his comment at Lucian.

  “It was obvious who they were,” Lucian replied with a smile. “Come, love, let’s get our things. I’m exhausted after the flight.”

  Feral grabbed the bags and Reaper opened the back of the SUV so everything could be stowed. The two men didn’t openly growl at one another, but neither spoke. Quenton hoped this didn’t go on. He was the one who’d insisted they invite the Ancient and his Liaison. He knew they could help, but if no one gave them a chance, what good would it do? And if this was the reception from Reaper, what would Talon be like? The man was crazed on the best of days, on the worst… Couldn’t worry about it. It was a done deal now. They were here and everyone would have to deal with it.

  Chapter Five

  Kate quietly led Grimm into the kitchen. The girls had finally worn themselves out and were sleeping wrapped up in blankets on the floor. The power had yet to come back on, but the power company had assured her they were working on it. A transformer had blown and taken out a huge area. Kate wondered why the hell the electric cables weren’t buried. She also wondered why the generator hadn’t started up. She’d have to check on it tomorrow, but right now it was dark, and she was finally alone with the man who occupied most of her thoughts lately.

  “Do you want some tea?” she asked him as she filled the kettle. “The stove is gas, so I can at least offer you something hot.”

  He raised an eyebrow, and she blushed. She wasn’t some silly teenager, but the man seriously made her stupid. He was so handsome, and he was choosing to be here with her. She still didn’t get it, but maybe she should just enjoy it before he came to his senses. How many men who looked like him would stick around with her and two little girls?

  “Come here,” he said and held his hand out to her. “I’d love to know what’s rolling around in your head.”

  “It’s nothing,” she said, trying to move past him, but he snagged her arm.

  She found herself pressed between him and the counter. He was large and handsome and hard, and if she weren’t a modern woman, she probably would have swooned.

  He leaned close and nuzzled her neck. Kate cocked her head to give him better access as she lightly placed her hands on his waist. The man could be a lethal weapon. All he did was barely touch her and she was ready to drop her panties. Damn, she needed to get out more if this bit of attention rocked her world.

  His mouth was hot as his teeth and tongue skimmed over her skin. She shivered and leaned closer. Without taking his mouth from her neck, he lifted her until she was sitting on the counter. He eased his hips between her legs until she felt his erection nudge against her. She gasped as he rocked against her, making sparks flash through her body.

  “Do you feel what you do to me?” he murmured against her neck. “No one else, Kate, no one has ever affected me the way you do.”

  She opened her mouth to say something, but his lips covered hers. He slid his tongue into her mouth, and Kate wrapped her arms around his neck. The man kissed as if she was water and he was dying of thirst. He suckled and licked at her mouth as her head swam. He was addictive like fine chocolate. If he was this thorough with a kiss, she wondered what he’d do to her in bed.

  He eased away, and they stared at one another, panting for breath. She realized she had her legs wrapped around his hips, and she’d been grinding herself against him. Well shit, he probably thought she was some sex-starved crazy. All he’d done was kiss her, and she was pretty much dry humping him in the kitchen. She began to ease away, but he clamped his big hands on her hips.

  “No, stay where you are. I like having you wrapped around me.”

  “I don’t get it,” she said, shaking her head.

  “What?” He leaned in to nuzzle her neck again.

  “Why me? I mean, let’s be honest, I’m not some supermodel. I’m fairly ordinary, I carry a few extra pounds I’d love to lose but don’t have the initiative to really exercise. I have two kids who I love so much, and they’re number one with me. And you? Well, you’re beautiful.”

  He pulled back to watch her, his gray eyes steady. “First, like I tell the girls, you can blame my parents for how I look. I didn’t have anything to do with it. Second, and most important, I don’t want a supermodel. To me, you’re way more desirable. It’s everything about you, Kate. I love the way you smell and feel and how you talk to the girls. I love that when I kiss you, you make these little noises that tell me you are so loving what I’m doing. I love the feel of your body against mine, and I can’t wait ‘til I can get you naked.”

  “Wow,” she said, not sure what else to say. “Okay.”

  He ran his hands up her back on the inside of her shirt. His skin was rough against hers, and she shivered. She didn’t even know what he did, but he had to work with his hands since they were callused. She didn’t mind at all since they felt so good on her body.

  Grimm ran his hands over Kate and fought the urge to sink
his fangs into her neck. Fuck, it was so tempting. She was so tempting. Her scent was intoxicating and that, along with the feel of her under his hands, was driving him crazy. But he refused to back off. He wanted to get as close to her as he could. He knew now wasn’t the time for sex, not with the girls in the next room. Besides, he had to tell her what he was before they made love. He couldn’t see taking that kind of step with her not knowing the truth. Shit, how could he build anything with her unless she knew everything about him? He couldn’t have a real relationship with her unless they were both honest with one another. And he’d never told any mortal who and what he was, it just wasn’t done. But with Kate, he was going to have to if they were really going to be together.

  But none of that would stop him from giving her pleasure, not when she was so eager and hot. He eased his hand around and untied her pants. She had changed after they’d gotten home, and he loved the fact the fabric had such give. She pulled away from his mouth and looked startled but didn’t stop him. She wanted his touch as much as he wanted to touch her. Gently, he eased his hand down the front of her panties and cupped her wet heat.

  Her eyelids fluttered closed as she tilted her head back, exposing her throat to him once again. Oh fuck, he wanted to bite her. He clenched his teeth to hold his fangs at bay, but he didn’t take his hand away. Hell no, she was too soft and so perfect. She slanted her hips back to give him more room, and he pushed her thighs farther apart.

  He eased his fingers between the wet lips of her pussy and lightly pinched her clit. Her eyes popped open on a gasp as he slid his fingers down to slowly penetrate her. Damn, she was so tight. The thought of her taking his cock almost made him come in his pants. He’d have to be careful with her the first time. He was big, and he wanted her to enjoy what they did.

  “Grimm,” she whispered as she moved her hips against his hand.

  “That’s it, sweetheart, ride my fingers.” He leaned in and whispered against her ear, “You feel so good. I can’t wait ‘til I can put my mouth on you. I know you’re going to taste so good. Then after you’ve come, I’m going to ease my cock into you. You’ll squeeze me in your pretty little pussy, and I can’t wait.”

  Kate shuddered against Grimm as he spoke softly and stroked into her body. He loved how responsive she was, loved the sounds she made. He couldn’t wait until he could strip her bare and lick every inch of her body. She panted and trembled against him as she gripped his shoulders tighter.

  “One more finger, sweet,” he muttered against her ear. “I need you to take one more.”

  She pressed her face into his neck and spread her legs farther as he eased three fingers into her. She was so tight, but he rubbed his thumb against her clit, and she squirmed against his hand.

  “Tell me, Kate,” he murmured. “Tell me how it feels. Talk to me, sweetness.”

  “Tight, so tight,” she said, her hot breath caressing his skin. “Good. It feels so good.”

  “That’s good. Now come for me, Kate, come on my hand, sweet.”

  He found her G-spot, and Kate instantly flashed into an orgasm. She shook and moaned, pressing her face against his shoulder. She couldn’t yell out. They couldn’t wake the girls. But she’d come hard, and he wanted her to do it again. He twisted his fingers inside her and flicked her clit with this thumbnail causing her to bite down on his shoulder and shake through another orgasm. She practically sobbed against his shoulder, and he held her close. He wanted to be with her like this always.

  “You okay, sweetheart?”

  He tilted her face up and kissed her. It wasn’t the mad tangle of tongues like before, this was slow and thorough and easy. She clung to him, still shaking occasionally from all they had done together. Grimm could feel her vagina flex and flutter around his fingers and didn’t even want to think what it would feel like around his cock.

  Finally, he leaned back so they could look at one another as he withdrew his fingers. She sighed as he raised them so she could see her wetness coating his skin. Slowly, he stuck each digit in his mouth and sucked. Her eyes widened as he winked at her.

  “You taste so good, sweet. I can’t wait ‘til I can have you again.”

  “What about you?” She tentatively cupped the erection straining against his pants.

  “Damn, your hand feels so good, but this was all about you. I needed you to understand how much I want you.”

  “I want you, too.” Kate stroked him and squeezed.

  He hissed out between his teeth and bucked in her hand. “Kate, if you don’t stop, I’ll come in my pants. That’s not a good look for a guy, you know.”

  “But I want to see you and touch you.” She moved to undo his belt when the lights suddenly snapped on.

  They looked at one another and she blushed. In the bright light of the kitchen, she sprawled on the counter with her legs open wide and her pants untied and shoved down. He could almost read the thoughts rolling around in her head.

  “Don’t,” he said.

  She looked up to find him watching her. “Don’t what?”

  “Don’t try to make what happened between us something to be embarrassed or ashamed about. I want you, and you want me. That’s not going to change. I’m here, and I plan to stay.”

  He leaned in and took her mouth again. Kate wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss.

  “Momma? Grimm?” Olivia called from the other room. “Are you there?”

  “We’re here,” Kate called.

  Grimm righted her pants and retied the string that held them up. Then he untucked his shirt to hide his still sizeable erection. The two of them gazed at one another for one long, last minute, and she smiled. He smiled back at her.

  “Let’s go see what the munchkin wants.” He took her hand and pulled her off the counter.

  They found Olivia sitting up rubbing her eyes. Her hair tangled around her face and she yawned widely then smiled.

  “The lights came back on,” she announced to them. “It woke me up. Nothing wakes Abby up.”

  Abby still lay curled up snoozing, totally oblivious to the lights or the conversation. She was so sweet and innocent, they both were, and Grimm felt a stab to his heart. Yeah, he’d not only kill to defend them, he’d die for them. They were his, no arguments.

  Olivia stood up and picked her way out of the blankets. “Can Grimm take me up to bed?”

  Kate squatted down to pick Abby up. “Only if he wants, but then I’ll be in to kiss you good night.”

  “Cool,” she said, and took his hand. “You can tuck me in.”

  Grimm followed Olivia up the stairs to her room. He didn’t understand how this tiny human, knowing what he was, trusted him. Did she believe him when he told her he was a vampire? Or did she think he was joking? Hell, he wasn’t sure and wasn’t positive he wanted to find out.

  “This is my room,” she announced as she waved her arms around to encompass the pink and purple painted space.

  Bookshelves ran along one wall and were packed with books, dolls and stuffed animals. The walls contained posters with Monster High written on them with pictures of girls with fangs and tails. Two windows faced out toward the street, and he moved to them to check how secure they were. There wasn’t anything anyone could climb to break in, but then again the blood-addicted didn’t need anything, did they? He watched the little girl as she climbed into bed. He would do whatever it took to keep her, Abby and Kate safe.

  “I’m ready,” she said, staring up at him. “You can tuck me now.”

  He squatted down next to her bed. “You’re going to have to tell me what to do. I’ve never tucked anyone in before.”

  “Okay, so you need to hand me Mister Tiddles.” She pointed to a black and gray stuffed cat sitting at the end of the bed.

  Grimm handed her the fluffy toy and she stuck it under the covers.

  “Now you need to just shove the comforter and sheets under the mattress. I don’t want it too tight since I’ll have to get up and potty. But tight enough so I
’m snug.”

  Grimm followed her directions until all he could see was her small face and Mister Tiddles’s head. “Is that okay?”

  “Perfect.” She glanced over to the half-closed door and dropped her voice to a whisper. “Can I see your fangs?”

  “I don’t want you to be scared,” Grimm said equally as quietly.

  “I won’t be. I promise.”

  He shrugged, they’d have to get used to it anyway. He wasn’t preparing to go anywhere, and in fact, he planned on them moving in with him in the near future. He looked over his shoulder to make sure Kate wasn’t watching and let his fangs drop. Olivia’s eyes rounded, but then she smiled.

  “Okay, that’s super duper cool.”

  “Thanks.”

  “My first mom died,” she said suddenly.

  Grimm waited for a minute since her abrupt changes of topic always forced him to rethink what he was going to say. “Your first mom?”

  “Yes, the lady who gave birth to me. She was Momma’s sister, and she couldn’t take care of us—me and Abby. So we came to live with Momma. Somebody killed the lady who gave birth to us.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I didn’t know her very well. I mostly lived with Momma. But after the lady died, these bad people came around and tried to take us. We had to move because they wouldn’t leave us alone.”

  Grimm now understood about the security system, and the fear. If what Olivia was telling him was even close to the truth, the girls’ birth mother was murdered. But who would try to take the kids? The people who killed Kate’s sister? It didn’t make sense, unless the woman had been mixed up in some heavy shit. But even then why take the girls? Sell them? Use them as leverage? Whatever it was, it didn’t matter. Grimm was going to make certain they stayed safe.

  “You’re never going to have to worry about anyone bothering you again.” He ran his fingers lightly over her cheek. Damn, she was so small and fragile.

  “You’ll protect us, right?”

  “You all are mine, now, and I protect what’s mine.”