Reese

Galen paces the room, muttering to himself. After a moment, I realize he’s having a conversation with Sariel. We’re in his living room, and I feel better than I have in weeks thanks to his blood. Even though the idea of drinking from him still makes me shudder, the memory of taking him into me, letting him heal me, sends waves of pleasure through my body. I want him so badly. But we’ve got more important things to focus on at the moment. Like killer angels and incubus babies.

“Does he do this a lot?” Galen’s friend Devin leans in and whispers.

I shake my head. “If he does, it’s never been around me.”

“He looks batshit crazy.”

“Yep,” I say in agreement.

Galen turns to us. “I can hear you, you know.”

I can’t help it. I laugh out loud. I laugh until tears stream down my cheeks and my sides hurt. Both men stare at me as though I’m the insane one, and when I finally calm down, I hold my hand up and try to pull it together. “Sorry, sorry. I don’t know what came over me. It wasn’t even that funny.”

Devin chuckles and puts an arm around me. “I like this girl,” he says, laying a sweet kiss on my cheek.

A deep growl comes from Galen’s throat. His irises flash silver before melting back to the brown I love so much.

“Whoa there, down boy,” Devin says, removing his arm and scooting away from me.

I shove to my feet, then cross the room and cup Galen’s cheeks, pulling him down for a deep kiss. I don’t care if Devin is watching, I need Galen to know I want only him. His hands slide around my waist, and he yanks me roughly against him, his tongue pressing into my mouth and making me moan. My nipples pebble and my breasts swell as arousal breaks down all my inhibitions.

Devin clears his throat once, twice, and finally speaks up. “Uh, guys. I’m still in the room, and we haven’t figured out what the plan is.”

Breaking the kiss, Galen looks over my shoulder and takes a deep breath. I can feel his raging erection digging into my belly. Just the thought sends a flood of warmth between my legs. Fuck, if he doesn’t take care of me soon, I’m going to have to spend some quality time with his massaging showerhead.

“Right,” Galen says. “Sariel says this Watcher who was controlling Trisha is named Gadriel. He’s one of the foot soldiers of the Fallen. Strong, but not stronger than Sariel at full strength.”

His gaze flits to mine and back to Devin. I know what he means, and at the moment, I don’t care if Sariel feeds. I need Galen to be inside me so bad, it hurts. My fingers play with the buttons on his shirt, twisting and turning as I focus on the feel of his strong chest under my hands.

“So, you two, uh, feed Sariel and then what? How are we going to find Gadriel? I doubt he’s wearing a name tag.”

“I’m sure he’ll try to find us first. He’s already gone after Reese once. He’ll be pissed she killed his emissary.”

My throat is suddenly tight as I think about Trisha. Years of friendship gone in one night. Had she really hated me enough to agree to kill me? Or by that time, was she just a mindless pawn for Gadriel’s use? I think about what Galen said. It takes years to regain the human part of themselves. Is that something he and Devin struggled with? Do they still fight it even now? I can feel Galen’s heated gaze on me. When my focus reaches him, an unmistakable wave of love passes between us. He cups my jaw in his hand and slides the pad of his thumb over my lips. His pained frown confuses me.

“Galen?” I ask. “What is it?”

A sad smile spreads his lips and he pulls me a little tighter to him.

“Okay, you guys. I’m going to get out of here so you can do … whatever it is you need to do.” Devin tips his head at me and winks at Galen. “I’ll be back at sunset tomorrow. We can try to figure out our next move.”

As soon as the door shuts, Galen brushes my mouth with his. His hands tangle in my hair, and when I press against his hardness with my hips, he groans on my lips. It’s been too long, and though I want to savor him, drive him to the brink over and over, I don’t think either of us can hold back.

“I need you,” he says, his voice breathy and filled with passion.

His fingers toy with the hem of my top, and my breath hitches when his cool skin grazes my bare waist. In one swift motion, he sweeps my shirt over my head. His gaze roams my body, landing on my lace-covered breasts. Trailing his fingertips over the swells of my cleavage, he bites his lower lip and closes his eyes as if trying to maintain control. I can’t take it. I need his hands on me. Reaching behind me, I open my bra and let the fabric fall to the ground before taking his hands and laying them on my breasts.

“You have to touch me, or I’m going to explode,” I whisper.

He presses his forehead to mine and begins massaging my tender skin, and I can see the battle he’s fighting inside himself.

“It’s just you and me. Tell Sariel he can feed, but I only want you here with me now.”

At my words, a fire is lit within him. He claims my mouth with long, passionate kisses, lifting me up and carrying me to the closest surface, which happens to be the kitchen island. I love this side of him, and I want him to know that it’s not just Sariel who sparks the lust between us. I may have let him fuck me because Sariel drew us together, but I made love with him because of the man Galen is.

He deposits me on the white marble, laying me back while he stands. The chill of the stone on my bare skin makes my nipples tighten, and I cry out in protest.

“Hush, save your cries for me,” he says. It comes out a dark rumble from deep in his chest.

Suddenly, my yoga pants seem like the most annoying article of clothing in the history of the world. All I want is for us to be skin to skin. I reach down to start sliding them over my hips, but he stops me, shaking his head.

“That’s my job.” His grin is wicked, and for a moment, I wonder if Sariel has taken over. I have to force myself to look at him, afraid of what I might find. Warm brown irises greet me, and my ardor returns.

“Then fucking do it,” I whine.

He lets out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “Testy, aren’t you? Maybe I should make you wait.”

“Galen, if you don’t fuck me right now, I will go take care of myself and leave you to deal with your blue balls on your own.”

His eyebrows rise, and I can see the amusement in the slight smirk turning up his lips. “We can’t have that. But I’m not going to fuck you, a ghra. I’ll never be able to fuck you again. No matter how hard I try.” He grips the waistband of my pants and yanks them down taking my panties with them. “No matter how rough we are, or how frenzied, I’ll never do anything but make love with you.”

My heart swells, but before I can say anything, his shoulders are between my knees and his tongue is on my clit. I cry out in surprise and pleasure, the sensation so good even before the orgasm begins to build. He sucks and licks until my knees are shaking and I’m chasing my release but never quite catching it.

“I need your fingers,” I say on a groan.

Looking down my body, all I see is his dark head of hair and his long fingers wrapped around my thighs. When he shifts and one hand disappears from view, I know he’s going to give me what I want. Two long fingers push inside me while his tongue continues to work magic on my clit. Pumping hard into me, he moans against my tender flesh, and I come, screaming at the intensity. He pulls out of me while I’m still coming, and for a moment, I’m worried he’s gone, but then the blunt head of his cock enters me, sliding deep.

“Oh, fucking hell,” he says through gritted teeth. “I’ve missed being inside you.”

When he’s fully sheathed and I’ve come down from my orgasmic high, he starts moving in long, slow thrusts. I’m so wet, there’s barely any resistance as he fills me over and over. The soft grunts he makes each time he bottoms out inside me send waves of pleasure rocketing through me. I can feel the orgasm building again. Needing more, I wrap my legs around his waist so I can take him even deeper.

“I’m so close … so … close,” I bite out.

“Fuck.” He draws out the word, almost a hiss as he picks up the pace and pounds into me.

He gets even larger, his tip kissing my womb with each movement. It’s just over the line of pleasure and pain, and I love it. Just as my pleasure crests, I stare deep beyond the surface and watch as the brown flashes to silver. My throat clenches as I realize Sariel is taking this moment from him. Anger burns in my chest, until Galen’s eyes settle back to brown and he’s pressing his hips forward, a determined look in his gaze. “Come for me, Reese. Now.” I do. My toes curl as the sensations take over my body. Gaze trained on him, I fight the urge to give in to the pleasure and send my focus inward. An almost pained grimace crosses his face as his irises swirl, a mixture of gray and brown, and he falls over the edge with me.

Coming hard and with a harsh cry, Sariel feeds.

* * *

Galen

Sunrise threatens on the horizon. Pulling Reese closer to me, I run my hands over her naked skin. I made her come twice more after I took her on the kitchen counter, ending the night on the floor in the living room. My cock hardens just thinking about the feeling of her wet heat covering me.

“Reese?’ I ask, wondering if she’s asleep.

“Hmm?”

“The sun is rising. I need to get downstairs.”

She snuggles against my chest and throws a leg over my hips. “But I’m so comfortable. Do we have to move?”

I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me. “If I don’t want to go up in flames, yeah, we do.”

Sitting up, she grumbles, “You should invest in blackout curtains or storm shutters or something.”

I rise and take her hand, pulling her to her feet. “Or a light-tight basement suite.”

“Yeah, something like that.” Her smile makes my knees a little weak. It’s so genuine and trusting. I wish she understood how deep my feelings are for her. But I can’t tell her. She may not agree, but I know just as Sariel does. She is his. I’m the stand-in.

She sways on her feet, going a little pale and closing her lids tight. “Are you okay?” I ask, hoping she’s not suffering from the aftereffects of Sariel feeding.

Taking shallow breaths through her nose, she holds up a hand and the color returns to her cheeks. “It’s just morning sickness. You know, they really should call it all-freaking-day sickness.”

A jolt of nervousness runs through me when she mentions her pregnancy. How am I supposed to talk to her about this? The baby isn’t mine, but I don’t think she’s letting herself acknowledge that part of the equation. Instead of speaking, I run my hand over her cheek and cup the back of her head, pulling her in for a slow kiss. I have to take as much of her as I can before I lose her. Forever is a long time, but if I can keep the memories of her with me, maybe my heart will survive.

Tension makes her shoulders stiffen, and she pulls away from me. “You haven’t said anything about the baby since I freaked out on you. Are you worried I’m going to leave again?”

I freeze, not knowing how to respond. We’ve had such a hard road in the short time we’ve been together. Do I risk it all again by pushing the baby away and reminding her of the hold Sariel has on both of us?

“It’s just … a lot to take in,” I admit. “How are you doing?” I figure trying to redirect the conversation to her might be a better angle. I can talk about her. That doesn’t make the baby as real.

“I’m coming to terms. I mean, it’s kind of a miracle, right? As long as it isn’t going to kill me or something.”

I can hear the fear behind her joking tone. As much as I hate mentioning Sariel, I have to ease her mind.

“Sariel said you’ll be fine,” I say, unable to meet her stare. “You’re made for this.”

“Right. Sariel. What are we going to do about him?”

I can feel him, anger blooming and causing him to push at me.

Why are you doing this, Galen? Why prolong the inevitable? She has to understand what carrying my child means. She’s mine, not yours. Sooner or later, she’ll figure it out. She’ll remember what we had before He took her. You’re making this harder for everyone.

I shake my head, knowing he’s right but not willing to let go just yet.

A soft hand touches my cheek. “Galen?”

Offering a wan smile, I take her hand, and we head down to the safety of my room. She curls up beside me, sighing when I wrap my arm around her waist and press as close to her as I can get.

Hours later, as the sun sets, I wake with her warm body still cuddled against mine. I must be wreaking havoc on her internal clock. She’s adjusting to my hours almost without a thought. My hand must have drifted over the nonexistent swell of her belly. It sits, protectively cradling the new life growing inside her. She lets out a happy little noise and presses her round ass into my crotch, moving just enough to send a harsh jolt of arousal through me. I want her again, but she’s not strong enough. Rising, I press a soft kiss to her temple and pull on some clothes. I need to go out and feed. It’s been almost two weeks since the last time I fed from her, and I need to be at one hundred percent in preparation for our confrontation with Gadriel.

“Where are you going?” Her sleepy voice brings warmth to my chest.

“I have to feed.”

At her sharp intake of breath, I run my hand over my jaw, attempting to push away the guilt. “From someone else?”

Turning toward her, I try to brush it off. “It’s just that you’re not strong enough. I can’t feed from you without it taking too much from you.”

“Yes, you can. You’ve done it before.”

Shaking my head, I sit on the side of the bed and stroke her hair. “I’ll need to take a lot more than last time. I have to replenish my strength from healing you.”

She frowns, before yawning and stretching. Fucking hell. The way her breasts press up and out as she arches her back makes me harden instantly. I have to fight the urge to keep from tearing her panties off her hips and sliding myself inside her right there. She must have seen the barely contained lust in my body, because her lips twitch as she hides a smile.

“What time is it?” she asks.

Glancing at my phone, I check the time and see I’ve already missed two calls from Devin. “Six. Sun’s almost completely down.”

She sits bolt upright with shock. “Six? Shit! I’m late for work.”

“A ghra, don’t you think work is the least of your worries right now? I’d really rather you stay here where you’re safe.”

Shaking her head, she throws her feet over the side of the bed and stands. “I still have a life, Galen. Sariel came with me to work every day while you were gone. If you want to do that, I guess I don’t have a problem with it, but don’t eat any of the customers.”

I can’t help but tense as frustration rolls through me. Does she really think I want to hear about anything Sariel did? “You’re the only one I can’t seem to control myself around, and that’s much more of a visceral and … carnal reaction.”

Heat flares between us, and I pull her to me as she walks past. “Galen, I’m la—”

I silence her with my mouth, crushing her lips to mine, needing a taste. When I let her go, her breathing is ragged and her cheeks are flushed.

“I’ve got to say, this is a fantastic way to wake up.” Her tone is husky with arousal. “I need to shower. Can you drive me to the club?”

Nodding, I resist the temptation to join her in the shower, and head upstairs. She’ll need to eat, and I need to call Devin.

As I put together a sandwich for her, I pull my phone from my pocket and dial Devin’s number. He answers on the first ring.

“Took you long enough,” he says, sounding stressed.

“What’s wrong?”

“So far, I’ve got next to nothing on Gadriel and the other Watchers. However, Andrea was able to tell me what little she knows. She said they usually travel in pairs and that once they take full control over the vampire they inhabit, they can feed on blood or sex, so that doesn’t help us narrow down the pool of possibilities as far as finding him. I’m pretty sure we’re only going to find him when he wants us to.”

Fucking hell. Aside from Sariel being able to sense them, I don’t know what else we can do. After hanging up with Devin, I pace the kitchen, waiting for Reese to emerge from the bathroom. I don’t want her to go to work. The bathroom door opens, and she steps out looking fresh and vibrant. She’s smiling, and my heart clenches at the sight.

“Ready to go?” she asks, eyeing me as if she’s worried I won’t take her.

Pushing the sandwich I made at her, I fight off a frown. She doesn’t need me being a prick all the time. “You need to eat something first,” I say, taking her hand and pulling her to the chair.

Annoyance clear in her gaze, she sighs but takes a big bite, and from her posture, I can tell I messed up. Eyebrows drawn together as if in pain, she chews and swallows, fighting off a grimace. “What did you put in this sandwich, Galen?”

“I thought it was peanut butter and jelly. Oh, fuck, you’re not allergic to peanuts are you? You bought the groceries. Why would you buy something you’re allergic to?”

She pulls the bread apart and laughs when she sees the creamy peanut butter mixed with the jam I’d added. Lifting the bread to her nose, she sniffs. “No, I’m not allergic. I think you put chili pepper chutney on here.”

“No. I put strawberry jam. I found it in the fridge.”

She chuckles as she walks to the refrigerator and pulls out the container I’d used. “Is this what you used?”

As I nod, she erupts into uncontrolled laughter. She puts the jar of chutney away and grabs the sandwich, tossing it into the trash before wrapping her arms around me.

“In the future, I’ll make the sandwiches,” she murmurs against my ear before placing a soft kiss on my cheek. “Come on. I can eat at work.”

When we arrive at the club, I’m surprised to see the neon lights aren’t humming the bright red I’m used to seeing. “Are you sure you’re supposed to work today? It doesn’t look like anyone is here.”

Flicking her finger across her phone screen, she nods. “Yeah, there’s a show at nine thirty. Barnes should be here by now.”

An overwhelming sense of dread has the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. The door to the club is unlocked, and lights burn brightly inside.

“I’m sure Barnes just forgot to turn on the sign. He does it all the time.”

I walk the floor, surveying the room and trying to find the source of my unease. Over the course of a few minutes, I’ve swept the entire building, not seeing anyone. That alone is enough to make me want to grab Reese and get her out of here.

“Reese? I think we need to go. Something’s not right here,” I call, as I move down the hall back to the dining area.

I don’t get an answer, but I can feel the pull of her heart on mine. It’s hammering so hard, I can hear it like a drumbeat. She’s terrified.

“Looking for this, Sariel?”

My gut clenches as I take in Reese’s wide, terror-filled eyes. Barnes has her by the throat, his fingers digging into her sensitive flesh. But he’s not Barnes anymore. He’s been turned.

“Barnes, let her go. I can show you how to feed.”

He laughs, a dark and malicious sound. “I’m not Barnes. He’s long gone. He was such a weak creature. Where’s Sariel? Let him out to play, vampire. He’ll want to say hello to his brother.”

“Gadriel,” I hiss.

“Nope. Guess again.”

Sariel surges forward, and the name flashes in my mind.

Orus.

A Watcher has found us.