Natasha opened her eyes. The room was dark and for a moment she didn’t know where she was. The bed was huge. It was a king size. The sheets were soft, a higher thread count than she was used to. They smelled freshly laundered. The room was pitch black because of the blackout curtains. Not even the light from the moon slipped into the space. She was just reaching for the switch to the lamp on the side table when she heard a noise. A creak of a floorboard and the sound of a whispered word. Maybe it was the wind. Maybe she was still half asleep. There was another creak, closer this time. Not her imagination!

The air seized in her lungs. She didn’t want to move for fear of alerting whoever it was on the other side of the door. There was definitely someone there and they didn’t belong.

The hotel had moved her to the eleventh floor. The penthouse suites were on the top floor. The best view and the most spacious abodes. This apartment had two bedrooms, a lounge and dining area and even a kitchenette. They turned down beds on the eleventh floor. They replaced those little bottles of shampoo and body wash daily. There was even a complimentary bottle of still water waiting for her when she got home and a robe folded neatly on the bed.

Whoever was in the next room was in her apartment … uninvited. If someone had whispered, it meant that there was at least one other person, possibly more.

Shit!

Her Glock was in a holster beside her bed. She had no choice but to get her hands on it even if it meant tipping the assholes off. Moving quickly, but as quietly as possible, she reached for her gun, unclipped the holster and felt instant calm as the cool metal of the weapon fit perfectly against her hand. She unclicked the safety just as her bedroom door slowly cracked open.

For just a second, her hand shook. Some of her more recent fears and self-doubts rose up in her but she pushed them down. Screw it! Whomever it was in her room was uninvited and here to cause her harm. One way or another, they were there to hurt her. If need be, she was fighting back and not taking any prisoners. The door opened further, slowly and quietly. They were hoping not to wake her. Too late, assholes!

Natasha could make out a silhouette, it was of a medium built man, there was a gun in his hand. It was her or him. Simple. She squeezed the trigger, once, twice, heart and head. Kill shots. He dropped. Dead before he even realized it.

There was a harsh snapping noise that reminded her of wood breaking, this was followed by a loud exhale and another crashing noise as someone fell as deadweight. It was a sound she had heard enough times.

What the hell? That didn’t make sense. The next silhouette to fill her door was huge. Her hand tightened on the trigger. He was familiar so she eased her hand off the trigger. No human could be that big.

“It’s me.” It was the deep rasp she’d come to know well.

“Titan?” Her voice was calm even though her heart beat like mad.

“Yeah.”

She pushed out a heavy breath and lowered her weapon. “I could’ve shot you.” She clicked on the safety.

“But you didn’t.” She thought she detected a hint of humor.

“We’d better call this in.”

“I’m pretty sure that half of this floor heard that shot.” He leaned up against the jamb. “The cavalry is on its way.”

“Still.” She fell back against the pillows. There were a ton of them, thick, soft and filled with clouds. At least that’s what they felt like. After pulling in a couple of much-needed breaths, she reached over and pushed the switch, turning on the light. The lamp gave the perfect glow. Enough to read and to … well, to see naked men with. Natasha felt her eyes widen and her throat close. Flipping hell, but you’re damned sexy naked.

His shoulders stiffened. Titan stood up straight. His gorgeous cock swayed slightly. “That’s not really appropriate.”

Oh shit! Had she really said that out loud? Oops! “You’re naked and in my room. Who’s the pot calling the kettle black?”

“What?” he frowned. “What do kitchen utensils have to do with it? I heard them break into your suite and here I am.” He opened his arms. “I sleep naked, I didn’t think I had time to get dressed.”

“You might want to …” She pointed at his dick ‒ so darned pretty. Long, thick, slightly curved ‒ he swallowed hard, forcing her gaze back to his narrowed eyes. “Before the cavalry get here.” She threw off the covers and got out of bed.

When she turned to Titan his mouth hung at half-mast and his eyes were tracking her body … hungrily. Shit! She looked down at her white t-shirt and cotton shorts. Oops!

Holy shit!

His dick twitched. The thing moved of its own damned accord. Not just that, it wasn’t hanging free anymore, it was semi-erect and growing fast.

Titan covered his junk with one hand. “I’ll go and change. I would suggest you do the same,” his voice was gruff. “I’m next door. You should wait there.”

Oh! He was next door. Natasha hadn’t known that little nugget of information. Was her being here, in this exact room, a coincidence? Somehow, she doubted it.

* * *

Titan had never felt so tired in his whole damned life. To make matters worse, he was behind on checking the surveillance recordings and videos. He’d been changing tapes when he’d heard the noise next door. He thanked the gods for his decision to move her close to him, then again ‒ Titan smiled ‒ Natasha could handle herself, she would probably have been just fine. Her ability to take down an enemy was seriously fucking arousing. Almost as arousing as her body. Fuck! Best he not think about it right now. Best he not think about the scent of her arousal while she had eye-fucked him earlier either.

He didn’t understand the female. He’d explained to her what she was dealing with. What kind of a male he was. Who he was and what he had done, and yet she was still attracted to him. Then again, just because she scented of arousal didn’t meant that she wanted him in any way. He knew that a human female’s mind was not always in agreement with her body. He eased out a pent-up breath.

There was yellow tape across her door with the words ‘No Entrance’ and ‘Police Investigation’ written on it. “Shit,” she announced, fingering the tape. “What now?” Natasha looked at her watch. “I guess it’s almost morning. We may as well have stayed at the office and grabbed breakfast there.” They’d filled out reports and answered a whole lot of questions. The bodies had been identified. They were both small-time criminals, both locals to Sweetwater.

Titan shook his head. “We need to catch a few hours’ sleep. I have a spare bedroom.” He hadn’t just said that. No fucking way. The last thing he wanted was her in his space. It was bad enough that they were together all day. This female would get in the way. Not just physically but … in other ways as well. “Just for tonight,” he added in a gruff tone. He should get her another room and right this second, but he couldn’t help but worry about her safety. Sure, she was strong and well-trained but what if they sent more armed males next time? What if they sent too many for her to tackle alone? Fuck! This was fucked up on every level.

“I can see you hate the idea. I’ll try to see if they have another room for me.” She started to turn.

“No!” A soft growl.

“Shhhh.” Natasha put her finger to her lips. “We’ll wake up the neighbors … again.”

“I don’t relish the idea of sharing but we don’t have too much of a choice. I have two rooms in my apartment so it makes sense,” he added when she looked skeptical.

Natasha put her hands on her hips. “Are you sure about this?”

“It’ll only be for a couple of hours. Look,” he pulled in a breath through his nose, “if you don’t feel comfortable being in the same …”

Natasha rolled her eyes. “I told you, I think you’re a good guy. It’s you who has the problem, not me. I’m more than fine sharing.” She yawned. “I’m totally beat and you look like hell.”

“Thanks,” he grumbled. He felt like hell!

“No, really. I’m a bit worried about seeing your apartment. It can’t be anything as lovely as mine. The pillows can’t be as comfortable and the sheets as soft.”

“It’s perfectly fine.”

“Why aren’t you sleeping then?”

“I’m sleeping fine.” It wasn’t an outright lie, he was sleeping great, when he actually allowed himself to sleep. He shouldn’t sleep though, he had work to do. Titan would catch a power nap and then it was back to work.

She sighed, rubbing her eyes. Titan used the keycard and they entered his apartment.

Natasha walked a circle in the living area. “It’s exactly the same as mine.” She opened one of the bedroom doors. “Same bed even. You should be sleeping like a baby.”

Titan ignored the human. He slipped the chain across the lock. Then he picked up the wingback chair and put that against the door as well. By the time an intruder breached that, he’d be ready and waiting.

“I’m assuming you’re doing that because there were no signs of breaking and entering at my apartment,” Natasha said from behind him.

“Exactly, they managed to get their hands on one of the keycards. It could happen again.”

She made a sound of agreement. “I don’t know if I buy the whole armed robbery gone wrong thing.”

The officer handling the case was convinced. Titan had his reservations as well though. “I don’t believe in coincidences. First the spray paint on your door and then two armed males decided to enter your apartment. I don’t buy it.”

“Yeah, me neither. Especially considering my purse was on the coffee table in the living room. The flat screen television was in there as well. They were both armed to the teeth. Not the normal MO for petty crime. I’m sure they were after me.”

Titan clenched his jaw. He had an unreasonable urge to pull her behind him. To protect her from this unseen, unknown foe. He gulped in a few much-needed breaths.

“Are you okay?”

“Just pissed that they were right here. You could have been seriously hurt.”

She shook her head. “They were amateurs. I actually feel a bit bad they’re dead. I have this bad habit of going for the kill shot.”

“Good! You were right to do so.” Titan shook his head. “They would not have hesitated to hurt you. If anyone comes after you again and I can’t protect you, you need to promise me that you’ll take them down.”

She cocked her head to the side and folded her arms. The female looked at him like he’d just grown horns and a tail. “I can take care of myself.”

Titan snorted. “I know that. Fuck! It’s one of the things I really like about you, but …” What the fuck had he just said? He didn’t want to give her the wrong idea. Titan chose to ignore his words and continue instead. “If need be, you take them down. You do what it takes to stay safe.” He caught a look on her face that told him she thought he was full of shit and quite frankly he wasn’t sure why he was harping on about this. “Just promise already, damn it!”

“Goes without saying.”

“Promise.” What the fuck was wrong with him? He needed to drop this. What difference did it make?

“Yes … okay … yes. Of course I will!” She smiled at him.

Something eased in him. Titan nodded. “Good.” He paused. “That’s the spare bedroom. If you want that one,” he pointed to the room he had been sleeping in, “you’re welcome to it.”

“I didn’t take you for the cuddling type.”

“What?” he frowned. “No! I meant …”

She burst out laughing and walked towards the kitchenette. “I’m messing with you. Relax! The spare room is fine. Although, if you’d like to cuddle I would be game.”

What the hell?

She laughed some more. Her whole face lit up. “I’m kidding. You should see the horrified look on your face. I might get a complex or something.”

Titan could think of nothing better than sharing a bed with this female. Of holding her close. Molding her soft body to his. Doing so much more. “It’s not you. It’s …” he sighed. “Do you need something to sleep in?” He took in her attire. She’d put one of her pants suits on before they’d headed into the Sheriff’s office.

Natasha nodded. “That would be great! I’ll send for some basic toiletries in the morning.”

Titan nodded. He went into his room and rummaged in the closet, grabbing one of the new shirts he’d picked up the other day. It was a light grey t-shirt. The tiny human would drown in the thing but it would work as a sleeping garment.

As he walked out of the bedroom, he spotted the female opening the fridge.

“Wait, I …”

Too late. “Holy mackerel! What the hell is …?” She grabbed the side of the fridge with one of her hands, her mouth gaped. Natasha turned, looking over one shoulder, she shrugged and raised her brows. “I suppose you’re a vampire so I shouldn’t be surprised. Right?”

“Right.” This was the part where she made noises that told him she was disgusted or changed her mind about staying in the same apartment as him. “A vampire has to … eat … I guess.”

Instead of leaving, she leaned into the fridge, staring at his bags of blood. “And I suppose chomping on humans would be considered rude and that raiding a blood-bank was the next best solution.”

He had to smile. “Chomping on a human, as you put it, would be against all of our lores.”

“Ah,” she nodded, “yes … you mentioned that the other day.”

She picked one of the blood-filled bags up. “Hmmmm. Interesting. I see you have different blood types stocked. I can’t help but notice that A-positive is most prominent. Is that a coincidence? Or, is it all you could get?” She looked back over her shoulder.

Titan folded his arms. “The different types to vampires are like different flavors to humans. A-positive is my favorite.”

Natasha smiled, standing upright. “A-positive is my blood-type, should I be worried?” Her smile turned into a cheeky grin and she clasped both of her hands around her neck, pretending to guard herself from him.

The air between them seemed to thicken. Not only that, it all-out sizzled. The space between them seemed to diminish. The apartment suddenly felt tiny. Her heart-rate picked up. He could hear each beautiful beat as if it were his own organ. Of course her blood was A-positive. It made perfect sense. It was why her scent enticed him so. He wanted to drool, swallowed instead and tramped down the urge to wipe a hand across his mouth. His teeth felt sharp, especially two teeth in particular. The need to pierce her soft skin, to drink her hot blood hit him. It hit him hard.

The cheeky grin turned serious, her eyes turned hooded.

“Yeah,” Titan was sure to look her in the eyes as he spoke, “you should be worried.”

She pulled her lower lip between her teeth and bit down for a second. He could see her teeth denting her pillowy flesh. “Well I’m not.” He was sure he detected a hint of sass. Her words sounded too much like flirting for his liking.

“You should be.” He’d never wanted a female more. Giving up sex had felt easy. It had felt right. Right now, eighteen months felt long. Too damned long. “Good night.” He strode into his bedroom and closed the door behind him, leaning up against the cool wood.

There was something very wrong with that female. Instead of being afraid of him, she was aroused. He’d just looked at her like she was a turkey dinner on Christmas day and she was aroused. Confusion washed over him.