CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 8
"Alright."

I cautiously slide one of the curtains open and look in awe at the old car parked in back of the room. "What in the actual hell?"

Natalia struggles with a laugh, and I turn to face her. "She sent us to a car."

"Who?"

"That woman. She must have overheard me announce you as Jack."

"What does that—" Of course. I promise, usually I'm as sharp as they come. But Natalia—hell, she's making it hard to focus on anything.

The instant Natalia appears however, the black drapes turn into a solid, the appearance of a solid wall manifesting. My heart is racing, and I stretched out my hand. When I put my hand on it, it begins to ripple, the soft fabric of the drapes manifesting again.".

Trying it out, I step back and it sets.
"Good of her to leave us alone," Natalia breathes, as she moves further into the room. I step behind her, as light comes on in sconces that line the walls. The new light dances over her features, lighting up her face with a warm glow. She's so fucking beautiful it's like a drunk.".

I want to devour her as I also know that we are enemies. I should hate her. Her people have murdered my people for centuries and vice versa.

But you can be damn sure this—what I want to jam into her isn't my sword. And yeah, I know how fucking lame that is.

She stares at me with rosy cheeks.

"Do you know what I am?" I blurt out before I can stop myself. I'm an asshole—guaranteed—but not a lying one, and if she's seeking what I think she's seeking, Natalia must understand who and, better, what I am.

Natalia leans her head to the side. "No. I haven't been able to get a read on you. I guess your royalty of some kind. Possibly berserker?"

I snort. I just can't help it. Royalty? Not a chance, unless royal pain in the ass. And every now and then, I can be that one. Just ask Marcus Reed. "I'm not royalty."

"Then what are you?"

Her eyes expand as she stares at me more intently. If she doesn't want to have anything to do with me, I guess I can at least get some information— Oh hell, kidding myself. If Natalia is leaving this room, I won't say anything because I'll be too damned let down. "I'm a Supernatural hunter."

She takes a step back. "A hunter."

"Yes."

"As in—"

"Like I hunt paranormal entities."

"Like you."

"Yes."

Natalia crosses both arms over her chest, the sight of her cleavage threatening to spill over the top of the halter making my blood throb through my veins. "Are you going to kill me?"

"No," I say firmly. "I would never harm you.".

She's tall, not intimidated one bit by me. It's fucking hot. "Oh, really?" Her voice is heavy with doubt. "So if we'd run into each other on the street." She trails off, and I realize where she's leading.

"I don't kill innocents. I know supernatural creatures can't help being what they were born as—but I don't permit the murder of humans. So if you kill humans for sport, then yes, I'd probably kill you."

She leans in closer to me, and my mouth goes dry. "Or at least, you'd try to."

I nod.

"Good thing I don't kill then, huh?" She walkies forward to me.

What do you want from me?" I demand, praying like a sinner it's any arrangement of heavy petting, sex, or tongue. All of the above would be nice.

"What do you plan on giving me?" Natalia steps closer and reaches up to run her hand through the side of my hair. I close my eyes, savoring her touch. It's been years since I had such a reaction to a person. And as bad as it makes me feel—even then, it wasn't like this.

Natalia is dangerous.

Killer.

And I've never needed anyone the way I need this woman who's supposed to be my enemy. I take hold of the back of her head and yank her close, taking her mouth like I'm going to take her body. She opens for me, her fists in my hair as I devour her.

She's sweet, similar to the Kiss This the succubus gave us before—but with a much more potent kick. I can sense a much darker side to Natalia, one that isn't allied with the smiling, sunny woman I've encountered so far this night.

Her throaty breath makes me draw back, and I glance down into chocolate eyes that burn with lust. "Why'd you stop?

Do you really want to do this?" I ask. I need to hear it from her, need to hear that she wants me as much as I want her—that this isn't one sided.".

I want you. I want to forget everything about the wedding I escaped and the kidnappers who have held me for the past several months. I want to pretend that I'm not a wolf and you're not a hunter. That we're just two people with an evening to murder. Please.

Her mouth puffy, she stares up at me, and I know there's no hope in hell I'm going to be able to get away. Not now, and who knows—maybe not by the end of the evening, either.

"No promises," she says. "Just tonight."

No promises," I tell them, though I make one to myself. Whatever the outcome tonight, I will have a means to rescue Natalia. "But I want names," I tell her, "and a location if you can give them to me because I will be going to get you out, even if it's just so you can disappear.".

She smiles, the bright light in her eyes more than enough to seal my solemn promise. "I'll tell you everything. After."