Free Alabaster Nights (The Josie Hawk Chronicles) by Elle J Rossi Page B

home.”
    Eyes narrowed, she chewed on her lip. “And?”
    “Let’s just leave it at that, shall we?”
    “For now.” She chewed on her lower lip. “I like how you fight.”
    Keller smiled. “Do you, now?”
    Josie sauntered toward him, her hips swaying seductively. “Yeah. I do. You’re all up close and personal about it. Yet… there’s a mechanical feel to it. You’re kind of ferocious.”
    Her scent wrapped around him, pushing away the stench of the magickal burn and demon death. Aroused, Keller watched her closely, memorized the exhilarated look on her face. He’d hold it close while doing whatever dirty work his sire demanded.
    “Too bad we have to clean this up.” She gestured to the dead strewn around the small park.
    “The warlocks will take care of it.” That was part of the deal Keller had made with the last man standing. Something wicked flashed in her eyes. Whatever Josie was up to, Keller wanted to play a part. “Got somewhere you need to be?”
    Keller stilled when Josie wrapped her arms around her neck. “I need a favor, Irish.” Now it was her turn to command. “You took a part of me into you. Now I want you inside me.”
    Smiling, Keller teleported Josie from the carnage. Not knowing the city, he decided taking her to her apartment was his best option. At least there she would be inside, close to her weapons, when he left. She wouldn’t have any trouble with the warlocks anytime soon. But being a Huntress meant she was never far from danger. Though Keller didn’t like that aspect of her life, he might have to learn to accept it.
    Once inside her apartment, she slammed him to the wall and kissed his brains out. Jacked up on adrenaline from the fight and the lingering effects of his bite, no doubt. Keller didn’t care. He took everything she was willing to give.
    Josie pulled off his jacket and dragged her tongue across his abs. Keller groaned with the need for control. She nipped. He throbbed. The shrill whistle nearly bore a hole through his head. He had to warn her before they went too far.
    Hands clasped behind his head, he said, “Josie.”
    When she didn’t respond, he cradled her chin in his palm and lifted her gaze to his. She blinked up at him. Breathless, her breasts heaved against his thighs. “You don’t want this.” She stood, turned away.
    Keller grabbed her arm and pulled her against him. “I want you more than anything.”
    She angled her head. “Then what’s the problem?”
    If Keller didn’t go, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt his sire would summon one of Keller’s brothers or sisters. Maybe even Sage, who’d only recently found something that made her happy. Keller wouldn’t do that to them—to her. He’d go and follow orders, and he’d do it to save those he considered family. Equally, or perhaps more importantly, if he didn’t leave soon, his sire would send a crew to get him. That crew wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate whatever and whomever they deemed a distraction. “I can’t stay. I’m being… I have to go soon.” One day, that would all change.
    Emotion flickered in her eyes, but Keller couldn’t name it. “So go,” she said with another shrug.
    He slid his thumb across her lower lip in a soft caress. “Not like this. I’m not leaving because I want to.” He had to protect her, somehow find a way to keep her a secret from his sire.
    “Doesn’t matter, Keller. I get it. You gotta bolt. If you’re worried about my feelings, don’t be. I’m a big girl.”
    Keller palmed her cheeks and covered her lips with his. He licked, teased until she opened. When she relaxed into him, he deepened the kiss, blocked the whistle from his mind. He’d go. Just not yet.
    The seconds turned into minutes. They shed their clothes and Keller carried her to the bed. She’d wanted fast and furious. He’d give her slow and delirious. He feasted on her skin, her mouth, her breasts. She scored his back with her nails, tugging him closer. Keller waited