Six days later …

The car was small. Stiflingly so. Natasha sat in the passenger seat. So close that if he reached over, he could touch her … easily. Fuck! He wanted to touch her so badly. It wasn’t just her beauty, it was her. She was sweet, kind, funny, intelligent and bad-ass. Extremely bad-ass. She was also irritating. It was safe to say that she irritated him on an hourly basis. It was like she lived to make him suffer.

“Sheesh. It’s hot in here.” She removed her jacket. The top three buttons of her blouse were open. Her cleavage was deep and mouthwatering. Titan averted his gaze, rolling his shoulders. The female was irritating as fuck but he still liked her, which irritated him even more.

“So, you’re an Elite.” She raised her brows, folding her jacket over her lap. “What exactly is an Elite?” She asked all sorts of irritating questions as well.

“The Elite are generally the best proven warriors. The cream of the crop.”

“How do you guys prove yourselves?” She opened her laptop and powered it up. They had been outside one of their ‘suspect’s’ apartments for fifteen minutes. It was time to start going over the recordings of the previous day. It was great to actually get some sleep at night. He felt like a new male. Although they still hadn’t uncovered anything, Titan had a feeling it was just a matter of time.

“Do you take a written test or something?” she asked when he didn’t answer.

He smiled. A test? Yeah right! “No, we don’t take a written test. Vampires are a simple bunch. We fight … no holds barred.” He held up his fists.

Her eyes widened in awe. “As in, blood and guts and the whole nine yards?” Her eyes shone with excitement. Fuck, he liked this female … a little too damned much. This is what happened when you spent so much time together with another person.

The female was still sleeping in his spare bedroom, she’d moved her stuff in. Unpacked. They were living together. It was a fuck-up! He didn’t want her there and yet he couldn’t stand the thought of her leaving. She might be bad-ass but she was still human and if anything happened to her, he would never forgive himself.

“Yeah, blood and guts and all. We mostly spar, but once in a while it’s all-out. Limbs are snapped, lips busted and sometimes, we even kill one another.”

“No,” she said the word on a loud exhale.

Titan had to chuckle. “We are hard to put down, Natasha. We mostly come back from the dead.”

“You come back? So there are zombies amongst you? Vampire zombies?” Her voice was laced with shock.

He all out laughed and it felt good. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed like this. Titan cleared his throat and pulled himself together. “No, our hearts actually start to pump again. We don’t become zombies.” He rolled his eyes. “Where do you get this stuff?”

“I’m watching a zombie series, Nightmares Walking, have you seen it?”

He shook his head. “I’m not a big fan of TV.”

“What do you do for fun then?”

Titan could think of a couple of things he’d like to do for fun. It didn’t help that Natasha felt completely relaxed around him. She liked to wear these little boxer shorts that came with matching t-shirts or, even worse, strappy tops. No bra. Never a fucking bra. It was like the moment they got home, she couldn’t wait for the thing to come off. It wasn’t something he would normally care about. Vampire females didn’t wear the human covers. It wasn’t a big deal. Not at all! Only, it was. Fuck! It was a huge fucking deal where she was concerned. Even those little shorts were a big deal, her legs were amazing. Her thighs looked soft, perfect for squeezing, even better for straddling his waist … Shit!

Titan squirmed in his seat.

Natasha waved a hand in front of his face.

“Yeah, sorry … what was that?” Way to go Titan! Head out of the pussy-gutter.

“What do you do for fun?”

“I work.”

Natasha frowned. “No, really! There must be something.”

“I work out. I spar with the other males to stay on top of my game. Right now, I listen to the surveillance footage.”

She rolled her eyes. “You are a sorry case. There’s a reason why they call it working out, it’s work.”

“I enjoy the burn.” He flexed his muscles beneath the tight fitting collared shirt. How males wore this thing day in and day out eluded him.

“So do I, but that doesn’t mean it’s fun, as in real fun. Don’t you ever go out? Date?”

Titan shook his head. “No and no.” Why did she insist on going down paths he didn’t feel comfortable with?

“You never go out and have a drink, you never just unwind?”

“No, I enjoy working. It’s my way of unwinding.”

“No wonder you’re so tightly wound then.”

“I’m not!” What the fuck!

She giggled. “Do you have any idea how uptight you sound right now? Look,” she put up a hand trying to placate him. “It takes one to know one. I hardly ever go out myself. I work far too much. I don’t have any hobbies… That’s not true ‒ target shooting is my hobby. That and collecting guns but it’s technically all work-related.”

“I collect swords.” Why the fuck did he tell her that? This was getting far too cozy and he was enjoying their little chats far too much.

“You should show me your collection some time.” She looked animated.

His first instinct was to agree. He would love to show a female like Natasha his weapons. She would appreciate the craftsmanship. Then he realized what he was thinking. Not a fuck! “You can show me yours and then I can show you my collection. I’ll even teach you how to wield a blade.” He laid it on thick, making sure she knew he was being sarcastic. “You can teach me how to shoot. How fun would that be?” It wasn’t going to happen.

“I love the idea. I think it would be great fun but since you aren’t being serious.” She sucked in a deep breath. “We should go out for a drink instead.”

Titan narrowed his eyes. “Why the fuck would we do that?”

“To get out, to unwind a bit. Why else?” Then her eyes widened and she looked shocked. “Oh, you didn’t think I meant like go on a date or anything?”

“No! It didn’t cross my mind.” It was the first thing he had thought of. “I don’t need to go for a drink to unwind.” Unfortunately, he could think of a couple of things that would work well. They all involved Natasha. Only, they would need to stay home … in his bed. He was such an asshole.

“Let’s just do it anyway, tonight. We can go to The Dark Horse.”

“No!” He shook his head. It was a terrible idea. The worst.

She sighed. “It’s Saturday. We’re actually supposed to be off duty. Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t mind working, but there has to be a balance.”

“Thanks for pointing that out.” He was sure to stay deadpan. She needed to know that he was serious.

“I’m going.” Problem was, Natasha was just as deadpan, just as serious.

“No, you’re not!” Fuck that! He needed her where he could keep an eye on her. Natasha wasn’t safe. That much was clear.

“Excuse me! What I do outside of work hours is my business. I’m going to The Dark Horse tonight.”

“It isn’t safe.”

“Come with me then,” her voice was pleading. Her big eyes also pleaded with him.

“No!” He shook his head.

Natasha shrugged. “Oh well! I would prefer it if you joined me but I’m quite capable of taking care of myself. I am going, so unless you tie me to my bed …”

“I might just do that,” he snarled. “I’ll spank you for your insolence while I’m at it.”

Natasha cracked up laughing. “Not into BDSM … yeah right! I think Big Bear and his girlfriend have rubbed off on you.” Still laughing, she nodded once, pretending to think things through. Even scratched her chin. “Okay.”

Shit! Titan felt his lips twitch, there was no way he was laughing. It wasn’t funny. “Okay what?”

“Okay, you can tie me to the bed and spank me, but you need to know that I might just like it.” Her voice was husky. Her eyes hooded. Was she flirting with him? No damned way! It couldn’t be. He was reading this all wrong. Then he caught the scent of her arousal. Natasha licked her lips. Even the tip of her tongue was a thing of beauty.

Fucking hell! Fuck! “You shouldn’t say things like that to me.”

“Why?”

“You know why.” Damn, his own voice was husky. His dick felt hard, it pushed up against his zipper. So fucking uncomfortable yet something he should be used to. Especially since he spent so much time around this female.

“No, I don’t. Why don’t you tell me why exactly?”

“Not happening.”

“Why do you insist on punishing yourself?”

Titan groaned, he rubbed a hand over his face. “You won’t let up, will you?”

“No.” She shook her head. “I think you’re too hard on yourself about everything. I want to hear your story.”

“Why? Why the fuck is it so important to you?”

“I like you, Titan, that’s why.”

“That’s not a good enough reason.”

“Well,” she shrugged her shoulders. “It will have to do.” Then she opened one of the sound bites and Milly’s voice filled the tiny space. Titan had finally managed to get a bug into the receptionist’s phone.

“Sweetwater Sheriff’s Office,” the elderly female said.

Titan settled back into his chair. Thank fuck she’d let the whole thing go … for now. He was under no illusion Natasha would let this rest forever though. He had a feeling she was right. If he spilled his guts, he might just be able to put the whole thing behind him and move on with his life. Only, he didn’t feel he deserved to be allowed to move on … not yet. Not even close.

* * *

Mother fucker!

Titan sat bolt upright, his back coming off the sofa in less than a fraction of a second. He dropped the bottle of water he was holding and scrambled to pick it up before too much leaked out onto the tiled floor.

“I take it from your reaction that you think I look good?” Her brows were raised. One edge of her full, very red lips pulled up in a half-smile.

Titan could feel that he was gaping. Her delectable scent filled the room together with the smell of a fruity shower gel and the minty scent of toothpaste.

“This had better not be what I think it is.” He shook his head.

Natasha rubbed her hands together. “Is this the part where you throw me over your shoulder, tie me to the bed and spank me?” She wore skin tight jeans and a cream sweater. It was an off-the-shoulders number. Her neck was long, her collarbones were a thing of beauty. Collarbones? A thing of beauty? Since when? He was losing his mind. The fine knit of the sweater molded her breasts. So plump, so fucking stunning. Not looking! A pair of fuck-me boots completed the ensemble. This female was fucked if she went out to a bar looking like that. Quite literally!

“Hello.” She did a little wave. “I’m waiting for my spanking.”

As in, put her over his shoulder, tie her to the bed, spank her until her pussy glistened and then … “Don’t make jokes like that. It’s not funny.” A deep rumble.

Natasha cocked her head. “You were the one who offered earlier,” she laughed. “Take it easy … you should see your face. You’re going to have a heart attack if you don’t calm down.”

“You’re not going out on your own!” His words came out sounding more like a low growl.

“Good! I was hoping you would say that. Are you going dressed like that?”

Titan looked down at his grey sweat pants and plain black T. He scowled.

“I think you look great but I’m not sure if they have a dress code or not. You should probably wear those jeans we picked up for you the other day. But,” she gave a low whistle that had his dick twitching, “if you decide to keep the sweats you might want to wear jocks. Going commando in sweats is not the best idea. Everyone will get an eyeful. You’re not exactly the smallest in the dick department.”

Infuriating female. “I’m not going.”

“Okay.” She nodded. “I’ll see you later then. You shouldn’t disturb me if there’s a sock on my door handle”

“What the fuck!” An all-out growl. “You can’t go and you definitely can’t bring any males back …” Titan sucked in a deep breath. He needed to calm the fuck down. At this rate, she might think he was jealous. “There was an attempt on your life. You seem to have already forgotten that.”

“I have my gun.” She put her purse over her shoulder. “Look, I’m going, so either you can change and come with me, or you can stay here and sulk.”

Sulk? Like hell! Titan put his feet up on the coffee table and folded his hands behind his neck. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” What the hell was wrong with this female?

“Fine!” She looked angry. “Suit yourself.” Calmer. She walked towards the front door and opened it. “I’ll grab an Uber to the bar. Don’t wait up and remember, if there’s a sock on …”

Titan snarled. Natasha chuckled as she closed the door. The female drove him crazy. He picked up the television remote and turned it on. Titan changed the channels, going through the same programs over and over again and not finding anything he wanted to watch. Big surprise. He threw the remote down on the sofa next to him and put his head in his hands for a few seconds. Then he rose to his feet

“Fuck!” he snapped. The female could look after herself. She would be just fine. Better than fine. Titan began to pace.