Page 19 of Pleasantly Undead in Dark River

Dear Lord, was this what it was always going to be like? “We should at least put it to the group. Besides, Nico will be with me most of the time, and he is more than capable of smacking down some old vamps who get a little too fangy, right?”

Lucius seemed a little hurt again, and I sighed. “I talked to the guys. We are going to discuss your proposal when Brody returns so I can give you an answer. I’m not trying to string you along, I promise.”

He looked into my eyes, doing that weird soul searching expression he did that always made me feel naked. “That will be fine. I will leave you with your lover.” With that, Lucius left in a small movement of air.

I stepped into X’s arms, and he held me gently. With more tenderness than I thought any man with so much blood on their hands could possess. “I didn’t need this, you know. I was just getting used to my life as it was. Not perfect, but I could have done without the sex magic juju and the weird creeper version of Succubus Bachelorette.”

He chuckled low, his chin resting on the top of my head. “Word will spread, and both Nico and Lucius have reputations that precede them. Eventually word will get out that they have both claimed you as theirs, and while some might take on one of the original twins, no one would dare take on them both. We just have to ride out this craziness.” He kissed my temple. “You know what else is fun to ride?”

Heat flooded to my core, and he chuckled low. “Walker’s motorcycle. Raine, what were you thinking, you dirty girl?”

I curled my body against his. “Well, sure the bike is hot, but I’m pretty sure I can wrap my thighs around something that’s just as growly but much more pleasurable.”

He growled, bending forward to capture my lip. He bit it hard, piercing the skin, and then sucking my lip into his mouth. Then he released his orgasm venom, and my knees went weak.Oh, that was cheating hardcore,I thought as I moaned, my legs turning to jello.

“You know, I quite like you like this, Love, all wet and lax in my arms. I bet you would taste amazing,” he said, his lips scraping at the column of my throat.

A throat cleared from the front door of the bakery. “Am I interrupting?”

Walker’s smile told me he was glad that he could give X a taste of his own medicine. X was notorious for waiting in the wings and interrupting me pre-coitus. Asshole. As his venom continued to course through my body, I bit my lip to hold back the moan. X grinned down at me.

“Not interrupting at all, Sheriff. I could actually use your handcuffs and baton if you have them? Raine here has been very naughty, and I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t mind a good caning.” He smirked at Walker. “Though you are welcome to join. I bet you’d enjoy a good spanking too, am I right?”

Walker actually flushed and I held back a laugh. “Thanks for the offer, but I was wondering if I could borrow Raine for the rest of the night.”

My heart thudded in my chest. X squeezed me closer, as if he could sense my anxiety. “Well, that sounds ominous. Do you want to go on a date with Mr. Tall, Dark and Pouty?”

I nudged him with my elbow, but kissed his cheek. I appreciated the hell out of the irreverent Brit, who saw more, felt more, than any of us gave him credit for.

“Maybe we could three-wheel it? I’ll even let the Sheriff be top. I’m generous like that,” he growled and I shook my head. Okay, maybe not.

I stroked my hand down his tattooed bicep. “Maybe next time. Can you tell Nico that I’ll have to raincheck lunch, but I’ll see him tonight?”

X wasn’t really done though. He kissed me hard, his tongue tracing my lips like he was trying to savor my pleasure. When he dipped my body backwards, I knew he was just showing off for Walker and I pushed his chest. “Later.”

He chuckled as he stepped away, tipping an imaginary hat at Walker. He turned his face to me, his eyes serious now. “We’ll talk about the Succubus Bachelorette situation tonight.” His voice was pitched low, but Walker would have heard.

Then he was gone and it was just me and Walker in the empty bakery.

Chapter Ten

Walker indicated the door. “Want to take a walk?”

No. No I didn’t. Louis could still be out there, lurking in the shadows. I didn’t think that either X or Lucius would permit that, but the whole thing had shaken me. “Can we just stay here?”

“Sure.”

I dimmed the lights and locked the doors, leading Walker to the big couches in the bookstore area. I sat on the leather couch, tucking my feet underneath my butt. Walker sat opposite me, not too close, and I tried not to overthink what that meant.

“You smell stressed. Are you okay?”

I waved a hand. I didn’t want to add more drama to the situation. Let him deal with one Raine-orientated disaster at a time. “I’m fine. I’ll explain later.” I took a deep breath. “Look, Walker, if this whole thing is too-”

“Raine, stop. It’s not like that at all. I was just giving us both space to... process. My feelings for you haven’t changed. Whether they are real or a byproduct of your DNA doesn’t matter. I fell in love with your smile, and that’s a product of your DNA too, right?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my eyes grazing along his sharp jawline and pouty pink lips. He was so fucking hot, like three alarm, call the National Guard because the heat is out of control, kind of hot. He was kind, and thoughtful, and dependable as hell. He cared about me. And I didn’t deserve him.

He shifted on the couch and his shirt stretched precariously across his chest. I was a little worried that one of the buttons would burst off his shirt and I’d lose an eye. Maybe he should take it off. As, you know, a workplace health and safety issue.

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