to worry about it soon enough.
Knight had already made his way into a clearing between the trees, and he'd thrown his leather vest to the ground. He stood naked except for a pair of black jeans and a grimace.
“Come and get me, Dulcie.”
I couldn’t entirely rely on my physical abilities or I'd be dead, Knight being way stronger than I. And, he couldn't be entirely immune to magic; otherwise, I couldn't have dressed him, right? Hopefully the answer was a resounding yes.
I braced myself in front of him and shaking my hand until a mound of fairy dust appeared, I imagined a pair of solid, silver handcuffs. When I felt the cold metal in my hand, I knew what I had to do. “It doesn't have to be like this, Knight. You can come willingly.”
He laughed, and in a split second, was on me, pushing me into the ground. I tried to throw him off with a bolt of energy, but he acted like I'd just blown on him. He pushed on my arms until they were immobilized against the dirt. Then he straddled me, holding my legs to the ground until I was as helpless as a turtle on its back. “I'm not the creature's master, Dulcie.” I squirmed under him, outraged when I realized he wasn't going anywhere. I was a goner. “It all fits, Knight.” “It fits if you're looking for it to fit. Don't throw it on me because you're looking for a scapegoat.”
“Then what was that part with you rubbing her blood?” I insisted. Remembering the obscenity, I glanced down at his hand which still bore the red stains. “Or was that just some sick, twisted fantasy of yours?”
He chuckled. “I needed her blood so Sam could do a tracking spell on her. I ‘spose you could say I'd guessed the night might not work out exactly like I'd planned. Guess I'm getting to know you well.”
Boil his brains for thinking of every possible angle. There was a reason he was such a big wig of the A.N.C. And he hadn't gotten there with his pretty face. Embarrassed though I might have been, I was also relieved to find Knight wasn’t the creature’s master because I had to face it-I sort of…liked him.
He chuckled, drawing my attention away from my inner monologue. “I believe we've been in exactly this position before. I'll have to ask you again, are you going to behave if I let you up?”
“And I'll have to again say yes,” I snapped.
The smile disintegrated from his lips. “I prefer you underneath me anyway.”
A thrilling tingle crawled up my spine and wedged itself in my stomach. I knew he was going to kiss me, and I wasn’t about to stop him.
His lips were forceful and demanding, almost lacking in tenderness. I wrapped my arms around his neck and welcomed his tongue, meeting it with my own thrust for thrust. He pounded his pelvis against me and kissed me even harder. The fingers from one hand entangled themselves in my hair while his other hand tiptoed down my neck and chest until it found my breast. He teased the hardened flesh of my already erect nipple through the vinyl of my cat suit as I arched underneath him.
I palpated my fingers across his chest, reveling in the ridges of valleys and mountains of his abdomen. I paused above the scar that ran the length of his chest.
He pulled himself from me, and I licked my lips, savoring every last taste of him.
“I hope you killed whoever did this to you,” I said as I traced the scar.
He chuckled and pushed his pelvis into me once more, as if trying to draw more attention to the bulge in his pants. He didn't need to. “Yes, Dulce, he's long gone.”
He hovered above me, just watching me. I didn’t know what to say or do. Anxiety welled within my stomach when it seemed he might kiss me again and I pushed myself out from underneath him, suddenly scared to death that we’d gone as far as we had.
Knight chuckled. “And where do you think you’re going?”
I didn’t know. All I did know was that I had to get away from him-I couldn’t handle the anxiety pounding through my veins but I also didn’t want him to know that. “We shouldn't be doing this. What would the Relations Office think?” It was the only excuse I could think of. “You’re not my employee.” Damn. “I, uh, I’m just not…” “You really know how to ruin a good moment, don't you?” he interrupted and stood up, starting for the Wrangler. “You'll thank me later,” I said, but Knight just shook his head and tossed me the keys.
SIXTEEN
Launching myself up my front stairwell, I opened the door to find Bram and Trey sitting side by side on the sofa, watching Nosferatu.
I couldn’t find the wherewithal to come up with a snide remark.
“Sweet, you have returned,” Bram said with a leer while his eyes traversed me from head to toe. “And what a sight you are.”
He stood up and approached me, extending his hand as if he wanted to run it down the red vinyl covering my torso. I dismissed him with a wave. “Not now, Bram, I have work to do.”
I grabbed the phone, about to dial Sam, then realized I really didn't want Bram hanging around for the rest of the evening. Not when it involved A.N.C. business. Neither, for that matter, would Knight. And he'd be way less polite about it.
“Bram, thanks for watching Trey, but I can take care of things from here.”
He bowed, his fangs just cresting his lip as his eyes still danced with unabated lust. “I am happy to assist you, Sweet.” He paused. “Do not forget the favor you owe me.”
I nodded, knowing I wasn't about to forget it anytime soon. Hot Hades, it wasn't good to owe favors to anyone, let alone Bram. “Yeah, I won't forget.” “Well, I see you are busy.” He motioned toward the door. “Shall I show myself out?” “Yeah, thanks,” I said as I dialed Sam's number. “Bye, Bram, cool movie, man,” Trey said, extending his bent knuckles like he thought he and Bram were gang brothers.
I didn't hear or see Bram's response, but I did notice the less-than-pleasant salutation offered by Knight and the equally less-than-polite response offered by Bram. Men… “Hello?” Sam said groggily. “Sam, I need a big favor.” “Dulce, what time is it?” I checked my watch. “Two in the morning. Can you come over? I need you to do a locating spell.” “Right now?” she squeaked in a hoarse voice. “Yeah, Knight has the creature's blood on his hand, but he isn't sure how long it will last.” “Oh, wow,” Sam’s voice perked up. “Okay, give me a little time to get my stuff together.” “Thanks, Sam.” “Yeah, yeah.”
I hung up and turning toward the living room, discovered Trey gawking with horror at Knight who stood in his black pants, the red blood staining his hand.
“What the heck happened to you guys?” Trey asked, fear trembling just beneath his bravado.
I shook my head. “It's a really long story.”
An hour later, Sam arrived, carrying a brown leather satchel of potion ingredients. Her hair was in a ponytail, and she plodded into the house still wearing pajama pants and a sweatshirt. The expression on her face wasn't welcoming, rather, it screamed: I want to get the hell back to sleep.
“Hi, Sam,” I said apologetically.
“Hi, Dulce.” Then she glanced at Knight and Trey. “Guys.”
They both said hello, and I followed Sam to the kitchen table where she unloaded her bag of tricks-a stone bowl, a wooden spoon and two vials of…something. “We'll need four people for the spell to work,” Sam said. “Then we'll have to use Trey,” I answered, more to Knight than anyone else. He just nodded. Sam faced him. “Where is the blood?” He held up his hand. She narrowed her eyes and frowned. “Might be too old, but we can try.” “Should we rinse it into a glass or something?” I asked.
Sam shook her head. “No, that will dilute the power of the blood, and the chlorine could kill any chance we have of making it work. Nope, the best thing is to see if we can scrape some of it off.” She held his palm and rotated it, as if searching for the largest smear specimen on the top of his hand. “Looks like some is caught under your fingernails; that might be the best sample.” Sam paused, then glanced at me. “Dulce, can you get a knife, and see if you can shave some of the blood off him?”
I frowned, that sounded painful. Thankfully it wasn't my hand. “Yeah, okay.”
“Make sure you don't cut him. That'll ruin the spell, and we'll just end up tracking him.”
I nodded and went for the smallest knife in my selection. When I approached Knight, I held it up with as
