Free Hell's Belle by Karen Greco Page A

supernatural forces were building in this City, and I was here to battle them. But I wasn't expecting these forces to hit so close to home. Everything was about to change. This could be my last night to feel more human than beast.
    Max touched the side of my face. "Why don't you try to lie down?"
    "Will you stay?" I was too tired to hold on to my bravado.
    Max picked me up in his muscular arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he carried me to the bed. His touch was strong and reassuring, but also surprisingly gentle.
    "I'll stay as long as you want," Max stroked the side of my face again.
    "Thanks."
    Our eyes locked. I willed myself not to pull away this time, and he bent into me.
    I parted my mouth and he slowly slid his tongue in. We began exploring each other gingerly, and then our tongues began to dance with greater urgency.
    I yanked at his t-shirt and he smiled and pulled it off. I drank in his golden, rock-solid form, chiseled to perfection by years spent chasing the waves.
    I wrapped my hands around him and pulled him on top of me. He moved his hands down the sides of me body, feeling each curve from my breasts down to my hips.
    I guided his right hand under my tank top and to my breast. Running his fingers lightly over it, he caressed me softly, teasingly. My mind was screaming at me to get off this runaway train, but my body refused stop.
    I trained my hand lower until I found his zipper, and began pulling at it. My hands fumbled a bit at my urgency. It finally relinquished. As I began to slide it down, a knock on the door interrupted us.
    Max stopped and eyed me curiously. I shrugged and ignored it.
    The banging became louder, and then Frankie's voice called out, "Come on, Nina! Open the bloody door!"
    I sighed and pulled away from Max. Talk about a mood breaker.
    Adjusting my disheveled clothing, I strode across the apartment and flung open the door.
    "What, Frankie?" I growled.
    "That's a hell of a greeting, Love," Frankie took in my appearance and smirked. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"
    "I have to think about that." I glowered at him.
    "That's a fine thank-you for bringing your bike home." He dangled the keys.
    "Shit, Frankie, where'd you leave it?" This was a crappy neighborhood and the bike could get stolen.
    "Relax!" He moved aside and I saw it gleaming in the hallway.
    "You rode it down my hallway?" I shook my head, incredulous. I suppose scuffmarks on the recently restored hardwood floors were better than a stolen bike.
    "Now doesn't that merit an invitation?" He laid on the puppy dog eyes a little thick.
    "Frankie, please come in," I sighed and walked down the hallway into the kitchen. Max was pulling on his shirt. His expression darkened when he saw Frankie behind me.
    "You leaving?" Frankie grinned at Max like a Cheshire cat, shrugged his backpack off and plopped himself on the sofa. He unzipped the bag and began pulling out large, leather-bound books that were a few birthdays short of ancient. "Because I need Nina's help...with...work."
    Frankie nodded at me, like he was looking for some sort of expression of gratitude for not blowing my cover.
    "Did you want coffee?" I pulled a bag of coffee from the fridge.
    "No, thanks," Max said, eying the strange tomes. "I'll let you get to it."
    I followed him to the door. "Sorry about this." I motioned towards the living room where Frankie was flipping through a magazine.
    Max turned and leaned against the doorframe. "Make it up to me."
    "How?" I smiled slightly, and felt my lower body tingle.
    "Let me take you to dinner." He snaked his arms around my waist, and I leaned into him and nodded.
    "I'll pick you up at 8:30." He kissed me on the forehead and walked towards the garage. I enjoyed his perfect ass for a minute, then shoved the door closed.
    Frankie and I had work to do.

 
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 9
     
     
     
    I shuffled lazily back into the living room, yawning. It wasn't that late, but I was exhausted. Frankie hid behind one of his enormous