Free Wolf in Plain Sight by Delilah Devlin Page B

straightened her skirt. He shoved his engorged cock back into his pants, and then he turned to face the vampire behind him.
    Joe’s face was a mottled red. “Pia, get behind me.”
    “So you know each other,” Max said quietly, feeling his stomach clench that his suspicions about Pia might be true.
    “Just met today, partner .”
    “I’m not in any danger, Joe,” Pia said.
    “You don’t know Max, sweetheart. Get behind me.”
    Feeling like a bear protecting his mate, Max stepped between Joe and Pia, clenching his fists. “I gave her my word I wouldn’t harm her here.”
    “No, you didn’t,” Pia said.
    Max leveled a narrow glance at her.
    Pia shrugged. “I asked, but you never promised.”
    Joe’s shoulders bunched like he was ready to take a swing. “We’re still on the fucking job.”
    Max shrugged. “So, we were blending in.”
    “You went too far.”
    Knowing Joe was right didn’t ease the ache in Max’s groin. He turned to Pia. Unfortunately, looking into her face didn’t help matters any either. Her lips were still dewy and reddened from his kisses, and her nipples poked at the fabric of her miniscule top. He forced his shoulders to relax. “I have to get back to the station,” he muttered.
    “Can I ride along?” she asked, leaning into him, her eyes wide and pleading. Her nipples scraped his side, and it was all he could do keep from sliding his palm over them again.
    “No!” He almost shouted the word. “It’s probably best this way. This thing between us won’t work.”
    “Because I’m a vampire?” she asked, her eyes glistening.
    “That’s just the beginning of our problems.”
    Her expression fell, but she nodded. “I understand.” Turning to Joe, she said, “I’ll just get a taxi.”
    “We can drop you off on our way.” Joe gave Max a searing glance and then spun on his heels.
    Pia followed him out of the bar with Max trailing them at a distance. Distance he needed to get himself back under control. Moonlight from a full moon in a cloudless sky drew his gaze, but he shrugged aside its allure. He’d had enough moonlit madness for one night.
    At their sedan, Joe tossed Max the keys. “You drive. I want your hands occupied.”
    Max twisted his mouth into a hard smile. “What’s your problem? Gone all righteous, have you?”
    Joe opened the back door for Pia while Max climbed inside.
    “Whoo!” she gasped as she settled on the seat. “The vinyl’s a little cold.”
    Remembering she wore no underwear beneath her short skirt, Max closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Then he jammed the key into the ignition and cranked the engine into life. Before Joe could close his door, Max stomped on the gas and the car leaped forward.
    “The sooner we get there the better,” Joe mumbled, slamming the door closed.
    Pia clutched the back of their bench seat and leaned forward. “Do we have to go straight back?”
    “Yes!” Max and Joe shouted.
    “Just asking.”
    Max’s fingers gripped the steering wheel hard. “Where am I taking you?”
    “To The Compound. My rental’s there. I’m already packed.”
    Max grew still. “You’re leaving Vero Beach?”
    “The climate’s a little too sticky for me,” she said, her breath licking at his neck.
    “Good.” Joe’s response was more of a grunt.
    Max told himself this way was best. Let her go. Save him the bother of dusting her later. Because he knew if she stayed, he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off her. Eventually, she’d show her true colors, and he’d never allow a vamp to take a drop of his blood.
    The radio squawked, and Phil Carstair’s voice broke over the channel reserved for SU business. “I need back up. Wolves have been spotted at the Piki Tiki. Anyone in the vicinity?”
    Max’s body grew rigid while adrenaline shot into his veins. Not fucking again!
    Joe grabbed the handset. “Max and I are on our way. How many do you ha—”
    “We have to drop off Pia first,” Max