Kissing Sin

There was nothing gentle about this mating. The prospect of discovery meant it had to be fast and furious, and that's exactly what I wanted, exactly what I needed. Pleasure spiraled quickly and my climax hit, the convulsions stealing my breath and tearing a strangled sound from my throat. He came a heartbeat later, his body slamming into mine, the force of it rocking the car behind us.

When the tremors eased, he leaned his sweaty forehead against mine, his breathing harsh, velvet eyes alive with amusement and surprise.

'Good God, that was fantastic.'

I grinned. 'There's something to be said for lovemaking under the threat of discovery.'

'There certainly is.' He cupped my cheek with a heated palm, and brushed a kiss across my lips. 'I'm so very glad I met you.'

'Well, if you hadn't, you'd still be a frustrated old stallion stuck in a stable.' I shifted my legs, and let him redress. 'Shall we get—' I stopped, looking upward at the brown shape soaring high in the sky. 'We're being watched.'

He squinted up. 'Could be just a bird. Not every winged creature is going to be theirs.'

'Do you care to take that chance?'

'No. Get in.'

He opened the driver's door, then leaned across the seat and opened the other one. While I climbed in, he did something to the ignition switch. The old car roared to life.

'Which way?' he asked, as he reversed out of the parking spot.

I pointed in the direction the cops had gone.

He raised his eyebrows, amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes. 'Care for a secondary bout of danger, do you?'

'Wouldn't mind, but the truth is, that way lies help.'

'Ah.' He pulled out onto the highway, and the old car began to pick up some speed. He glanced in the rearview mirror, then at me. 'So, what happens after we meet your boss and your pack-mate?'

'They'll want a debriefing.'

He nodded.

'And they'll undoubtedly want to try and find the place again.'

'Meaning we might have to lead them back there?'

I studied him for a minute. 'I don't know about the 'we' part.'

His brief look was hard, determined. It was totally different to anything I'd glimpsed of him so far, and was a quick reminder that I really did know nothing about this man. Not even if I could trust him.

'Sweetheart, those bastards stole two or three months of my life. I'm not walking away from the investigation until I'm sure whoever's behind that place is made to pay.'

'You may not have that choice.'

His expression was grim. 'No one can force me to do anything I don't want to.'

'Jack, my boss, can. He's a vampire, and a strong telepath.'

'It won't matter. Horse-shifters can't be mind-read—not by any race.'

'Really?' I dropped my own shields and reached out telepathically. I hit a wall as solid as the one that protected my brother's mind. Surprise rippled through me. 'How come?'

He shrugged. 'It's similar to the mind-blindness often found in humans.'

'So how can you be mind-blind, and yet have a psychic talent?'

'You tell me and we'll both know.'

I considered him for a moment, then said. 'This will be a Directorate investigation, and you're not Directorate personnel.'

He shot me a look. 'I thought you were just a paper pusher?'

'I am. Mostly.'

'Meaning?'

'Meaning this is part of an ongoing investigation that I was forcibly placed upon.' I hesitated, not wanting to tell him too much. 'They kidnapped Rhoan a few months ago, and that got me involved.'

'Then you'll understand when I say this is personal.'

I did understand. I just didn't think Jack would. But then again, he'd let Quinn in, and he'd all but roped Liander in. He might surprise again. After all, he was trying to build a new daytime unit —one that he wanted me to play a serious part in.

One that I had no intention of being hijacked into unless there was absolutely no other choice.

And that was looking more and more likely.

I rubbed a hand across my eyes and said, 'Let's just concentrate on one problem at a time.'

'Agreed. What hotel are we looking for?'

'A place called Blue Haven in Leura.' I unwound the shirt and put it back on. 'Let's hope we find the town before the owners of this car discover it's been nicked.'

'Let's hope we find it before our hunters find us,' he corrected grimly.

His words had me looking out the window, up at the skies. I couldn't see any soaring shapes, but that didn't mean they weren't there. Didn't mean we weren't being followed.

We drove on in silence. When we finally reached Leura, Kade slowed to a respectable speed and the old car stopped shaking. We drove along pretty, tree-lined main street, and I couldn't help admiring all the quaint but beautiful buildings. It reminded me somewhat of a postcard, and made me regret meeting here. A place like this didn't deserve an encounter with the sort of darkness that was following us.

I frowned at the thought, and pushed it away. We drove on, eventually finding the cabin resort on the far side of town.

A black van with tinted windows was parked down the end. I pointed toward it, and Kade drove up and parked beside it. We'd barely stopped the engine when the door of the cabin in front of us thrust open and Rhoan spilled out, red hair gleaming like fire in the sunlight.

Grinning like an idiot, my vision blurred with tears, I somehow climbed out of the car and fell into my brother's arms.

'God,' he said, his voice as hoarse as his hug was fierce. 'I'd thought I'd lost you.'

Tears crept down my cheeks. 'I'm sorry.'

He laughed softly. 'Try it again, and I'm going to chain you up and never let you out of the apartment.'

Kade came up behind us. I kissed Rhoan's cheek then pulled away. 'Rhoan, meet Kade. I wouldn't have escaped if Kade hadn't helped me.'

'A situation that was mutual,' Kade said dryly, and offered Rhoan his hand. 'Pleasure to meet you.'

Rhoan gave me a look that said, 'bitch,' and shook Kade's hand. 'Thank you for keeping her safe.'

Kade laughed, a warm, rich sound. 'Another situation that was entirely mutual. Your pack-mate is an amazing woman.'

'Isn't she just.' He threw an arm around my shoulder. 'Let's get inside before any patrolling bugaboos spot us.'

Rhoan motioned Kade forward, but his grip on my shoulder tightened a little, holding me back. 'There's something I need to tell—'

I didn't hear the rest of his words. Didn't need to.

Because a second figure had moved into the doorway.

It wasn't Jack.

It was Quinn.

My heart did an odd little flip-flop, and for several seconds all I could do was stare. He hadn't changed any— though given it had only been a month or so since I'd last seen him, that was hardly surprising.

But oh, he looked good.

His body was athletic, lean but powerful. His burgundy sweater emphasized the width of his shoulders, while the tight fit of his jeans drew the eye to the long, strong length of his legs His hair was night dark, longer now than it had been when I'd last seen him, and so thick, so lush It was also unkempt, as if he'd thrust his hands through it many times Those hands were currently in his pockets, and looked clenched His skin was not the white of most vampires, but a soft, warm gold, simply because unlike most vampires, he could actually stand a lot of sunlight. His