Night Games Read online

  “See?”

  “Shut up.” Her dark eyes narrowed. “I was a man’s mistress for a while, which is almost the same thing, but that was when I was going through my starving artist phase. Only I didn’t like starving, so I let my lover be my patron, which basically made me his mistress.”

  “Starving artist? You?” No way. Her tough-as-nails exterior did not scream an artistic personality.

  She waved to a large abstract painting over the fireplace. “Behold, my masterpiece.”

  “It’s ... nice.” He tilted his head this way and that. “Uh. What is it?”

  “Yeah, exactly.” Her chuckle was soft and rueful. “I wasn’t very good at it, but I guess every Magickal gives art a go at one point or another. We have time to test-drive everything at least once.”

  “I can’t imagine being anything other than what I am. It’s what I love to do.” He grinned. “I guess it’s good I only get one shot at this.”

  “And that you got it right the first time.” She winked at him. “Are you hungry?”

  He knew his grin turned into pure wickedness, and she rolled her eyes when he looked over her naked body. She was slim and totally unselfconscious in her nudity. The woman was comfortable in her own skin, and that confidence was a sexy thing. Everything about her was sexy, intriguing. So she was more than just a sex partner. So what? He’d had friends with benefits before, and that was all this needed to be. He’d maybe freaked out about it too much earlier. Everything would be fine. He was in no more danger of falling for her than he was with any other woman he’d been with since his wife died. They’d keep it light, they’d have fun, they’d have some great sex, they’d do good work together, and that would be the end of it. See? Fine.

  “Food sounds good, yes. Who delivers to this neighborhood?” He waved a hand to indicate the world outside her house. “Or I can make French toast if you have bread, eggs, milk, and some spices.”

  “Mmm. French toast for breakfast, I think. Assuming we don’t get called in for another murder.”

  He got to stay for breakfast, huh? Well, all right then. He didn’t mind that at all. Bringing a gorgeous woman breakfast in bed was definitely a good way to start a day. Assuming they didn’t get called in for another murder. They still had a lot of paperwork to go through before he had all the information he needed to even begin to put enough pieces together to solve this case, and the New Orleans files wouldn’t arrive until the department down there managed to unearth them. Digging up a decades-old cold case took some time, especially after the damage Hurricane Katrina had done to that city. He tucked away any frustration he might feel over the delay. There was nothing he could do to speed things up, so he focused on what was in front of him. Selina.

  She meandered into the kitchen and opened a drawer filled with take-out menus. “There’s an Italian place that’s good, a Japanese restaurant with amazing tempura shrimp, a Thai place I love, and a Chinese hole-in-the-wall with the best chow mein I’ve ever had.” She grinned at him. “What? I order in a lot.”

  “Apparently.” He scooped out a handful of at least ten menus, and that didn’t even make a dent in the pile she had accumulated.

  “Don’t judge.”

  “I’m not.” He held up his hands to ward her off, but considering he still held the menus, he doubted he did much to deflect her. “I like take-out food as much as the next bachelor. I got used to having food served to me in the marine corps. I just went to the mess hall and there was something to eat. No need to cook.”

  She snagged the folded papers from him. “I’d say we need one of those in the PD, but I understand the food isn’t the best.”

  “We do quantity over quality.” He made a face. “Don’t even ask about MREs.”

  She chuckled, sorting through the menus until she had five lined up on the counter. The rest she stuffed back in the bottomless drawer. “Are they worse than the K-rations we had in World War II?”

  “You were in World War II?” He blinked. The age thing with Magickals always tripped him up. He understood intellectually they had a five-hundred-year life span, while humans only had about a fifth of that. But it still threw him off when a woman who looked his age claimed to have been involved in a war that ended decades before he was born, let alone old enough to serve in the military.

  But she was nodding. “I was a nurse in the war. I was stationed in Hawaii during Pearl Harbor.”

  “No way.”

  “Yeah.” She grinned. “I’m old, remember?”

  “Not too old to have a good time.” He winked at her and picked up the take-out list from the Chinese food place she’d mentioned. “I like chow mein. And every time I eat it, I end up wanting more immediately. Kind of like sex.”

  Her eyes went round. “You want more sex now?”

  A laugh rumbled out of him. He couldn’t help it. The ice queen was nowhere to be found when she wasn’t at work. He liked that only he got to see this side of her. “I’ll let you regain your strength a bit. Let’s have dinner. Then I’ll have you for dessert.”

  A flush rose to her cheeks and her eyes darkened with passion. He watched her nipples tighten, and his cock responded to her arousal. “Maybe I’ll have you for an appetizer, too.”

  She didn’t say anything in return, just licked her lips, and he stared at her mouth. Damn, she got to him in the worst way, and he wanted her under him. He hadn’t gotten this hard, this often, since he’d been a randy teenager. But he’d been insatiable the night before. They’d both needed the distraction, and tonight? He had no idea how he’d have the energy for a repeat performance, but he knew without a doubt that he wanted her again.

  As if she’d read his mind, she said, “Sex is a big yes, but a sex-a-thon like last night is not going to happen. I need to sleep and be sharp tomorrow, not running on adrenaline and caffeine like today.”

  “Agreed.” He laughed. “I might be younger than you, but I’m not a kid anymore. Sleep is my friend. I don’t get as much as I should, so I take it when I can.”

  “Gods, yeah. I think I’ve missed more sleep since I became a cop than I did in the entire century before that.” She sighed. “I wouldn’t trade it, though.”

  “You really love it, don’t you?” Having done everything else, he would have guessed that the stress-inducing, sleepless, adrenaline-fest of law enforcement wouldn’t be that high on her list. Then again, it wasn’t as if she had to do this. She was old enough and had other skills to make a living off of. Why else would she be doing it if she didn’t love it?

  It was a little odd to think he had something that fundamental in common with a woman who outstripped him in age and experience by about fifty miles. Odd, yeah. But he liked it anyway.

  “Of course. I could be retired if I wanted to. I might not be rich or powerful like Millie Standish, but even modest savings for a couple of centuries adds up.” She lifted her hands, her thoughts clearly following the same lines that his had. Again.

  He narrowed his gaze at her. “Are you a telepath?”

  “Nope. Should I buy you a tinfoil hat?” Her grin was sharp and wicked.

  “Ha, no. I was just making sure. You Magickals can be weird like that.”

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “No problem.” He reached for the cordless phone on her counter and flipped over the Chinese menu. “What do you want?”

  She ran her nail across his collarbone and down his chest to flick his nipple. Her voice was almost a purr. “You mean, what do I want for food?”

  “Yes.” Even he didn’t know if he was answering her question or approving the way she touched him. He loved that she wasn’t shy about letting him know what she wanted. Guessing games in the bedroom weren’t his idea of a good time.

  “Chicken chow mein, shrimp fried rice, and an order of egg rolls.” Every word was punctuated by her swirling her finger through his chest hair and around his nipples. Her gaze danced with mischief when she peeked up at him through her thick lashes.

  He shudder
ed, punched in the number for the restaurant, and placed their order. Her hand drifted lower, circling his navel when he hung up. “Let’s get dinner delivered before my good intentions go out the window and I do you on the counter.”

  “You’re assuming I’d be opposed to that.”

  “Says Detective I-Need-My-Sleep.”

  “Yeah, but it’s not bedtime yet.” She managed to pull off a completely innocent expression.

  Innocent, his ass. He snorted. “Maybe I’ll enjoy making you wait.”

  Her eyes slitted in challenge. “I could change your mind about that.”

  He had no doubt. Time for a distraction or he’d be banging her when the food showed up.

  Being naked wasn’t going to help his cause at all. Her slim, bare curves were more temptation than he cared to resist. And his cock sticking out like a flagpole wasn’t going to convince her he wasn’t obsessed with getting inside her. Again.

  Returning to the living room, he pulled on his pants and shirt, but left it untucked. He scooped up her pajamas and brought them to her.

  Amusement twinkled in her gaze and a wry grin curved her lips. “You don’t like me naked, Agent Laramie?”

  “I love having you naked, and I’ll show my full appreciation after dinner. For the moment, I need you dressed.”

  She laughed outright at that, but gamely slid her clothes back on. It was a damn shame to have all of her creamy skin covered up, but he wasn’t interested in sharing the view with the delivery guy. Her stomach rumbled loudly, and Jack chuckled. She slapped a hand over it and shrugged. “Hey, I was just going to have a carton of ice cream before you showed up.”

  “Looks like I got here just in time to whet your appetite for something more substantial.” He gave her an easy smile and she just shook her head at him.

  “You’re incorrigible.”

  “And you like it.” He winked at her and went over to sprawl on her couch, taking the time to really look around for the first time. He was usually pretty observant—it was a job qualification—but he’d been too distracted until now to observe anything other than Selina.

  The house was old, the architecture maybe turn of the century. The inside seemed more spacious than it appeared from the tree-lined street outside. She lived in the eclectic Capitol Hill area of Seattle, not too far from Volunteer Park.

  He liked her house. It felt good, which sounded lame even in his head, but that was the best way he could explain it. It wasn’t too girlie or fussy, it wasn’t overloaded with crap, like some of the women’s homes he’d been in. Yet, it felt warm. Unlike how she presented herself at work. She had a definite separation of work and home life. He’d bet none of her co-workers had ever been invited over.

  She petted her familiar while Jack looked around, and followed him into the living room slowly, her eyes going between the couch and an oversized chair. Deciding on the chair, she moved past him.

  “Yeah, no.” He snagged her arm, and tugged her down on the couch with him.

  Grim barked, rising from where he’d just lain down in front of the fireplace. His hackles stood on end, a low growl issuing from his throat.

  “I’m not hurting her. She’s okay.” Jack looked the dog in the eyes. The animal was a familiar, something he didn’t know a lot about. They had some magical powers, like their owners, and the ones he’d met seemed to have more awareness than regular pets, but ... he still felt a bit stupid chatting with a dog.

  Grim tilted his head, ears cocked forward. His blue/brown gaze went from Selina to Jack and back again. His hackles smoothed and he snorted. Lying back down, he rested his chin on his paws.

  “That dog has attitude.”

  Grim’s blue eye opened and focused on Jack, a growl rumbling out. Message received. Jack was being watched, and the jury wasn’t out yet on whether or not he was getting a chunk taken out of him.

  Scooting around on his lap, Selina tried to get off of him. Her squirming made him grit his teeth and grab her hips to still her. Just like that, his cock was as hard as blue steel. The feel of her, the feminine scent. He groaned, pulling her around so she straddled his hips.

  Her eyes widened when she felt his erection, but instead of pulling away, she arched forward to slide her sex over his cock. Even through their clothing, the effect was electric, heat shooting through his body. There was magic in her touch when she grabbed his shoulders for leverage. He groaned, rocking his pelvis upward. Shoving his fingers into her short hair, he pulled her down for a kiss.

  She tasted as sweet as she smelled, like one of those fancy coffees with caramel in it. He licked into her mouth, twining his tongue with hers. Releasing his grip on her hair, he slipped his fingers down her back. Her slender body flexed and bowed as she thrust her sex against his, the stimulation so erotic, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to hold back. And he still had his clothes on. It was insane, but there was no way he’d stop this runaway train.

  Reaching between them, he feathered his thumb over her clit through her pajama bottoms. She whimpered into his mouth, a pleasure spell wrapping around them. He didn’t know if she could feel his passion for her, but he sure as hell could feel hers. The heat they generated together was likely to set the house on fire, and it built to a towering inferno. He continued to tease her sex with one hand, and moved the other around to fondle her breast. When he pinched and twisted her tight little nipple, he knew she was close to orgasm. The spell intensified its grip on him, her body went tight, her breathing hitched, and her fingers dug into his shoulders.

  He wanted her to come for him. Jesus, the explosive spell spinning between them might just drag him under with her. His cock throbbed, and he thrust his tongue deeper into her mouth, stroked her clit harder and faster.

  Every muscle in her body locked, and her hips jerked. He could feel climax thrumming through her, and the blast of magic that hit him, centered right where she ground her sex down into his, brought him right to the edge of orgasm. Another few seconds and he might come in his pants.

  They both groaned when the doorbell rang. He let his head drop back against the couch, lungs heaving for air. So close, and his body ached with the missed opportunity. “Fuck.”

  She whimpered, collapsing against his chest.

  Another knock sounded, louder and longer this time, and both Grim and Jack growled.

  “I’ll get it.” He laid her limp form on the couch next to him, watching her sigh with contentment.

  He kissed her bent knee before he rose to his feet and walked unsteadily toward the door. He tugged his shirt forward to hide his erection, hoping he wasn’t about to shock some teen. Opening the door, he fished out his wallet and paid the middle-aged delivery driver, then brought the bags back to Selina. The scent of Chinese food had both their stomachs gurgling. Loudly.

  “I guess we should eat.” He laughed as she slapped a hand over her belly.

  “Yeah, or else my stomach is going to start digesting itself.”

  “There’s a nice mental image.” Setting the bags on the coffee table, he sat down and dug through the bags until he found napkins and wooden chopsticks. He handed her a set while she sat up and snagged the white carton with the chow mein in it.

  A deep moan filtered out of her when she took the first bite. “Oh, gods, I’ve had orgasms that weren’t this good.”

  “Hey!” He laughed.

  “Not with you, sheesh.” She waved her chopsticks between them. “This is good sex, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

  “I had noticed, actually.” He stabbed apiece of chicken with his chopsticks and forked it into his mouth. Not their intended use, but whatever. The spicy flavor hit his taste buds, and he groaned. The food was just as delicious as Selina had promised.

  “Awesome, isn’t it?” She gave him a smug look before she took another bite of chow mein.

  He nodded and stole some of her noodles, offering her his carton in exchange. They fell into a companionable silence as they ate, and it felt ... nice.

  “So.�
�� She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. “You’ve mentioned the marines. How long did you serve?”

  She was curious about him. The thought warmed him in a way that it probably shouldn’t. He shut that down. She was a cop and she was stuck working with him for a while. Of course, she was curious. Even if they weren’t sleeping together, she’d want to know what kind of person she was dealing with.

  “I was in ROTC in college, then I served as an officer for fifteen years. I did a couple of stints in Iraq and Afghanistan. When Cavalli recruited me, I took an early retirement from the corps.”

  Three sentences to describe the bulk of his life. There was so much history piled into those years—events that had shaped the man he’d become.

  “What made you want to become a marine?”

  “My dad was a marine.” He rooted around in the plastic bags until he came up with their order of eggrolls. He offered her first grab. “It just seemed to fit. I always knew I was going to be a lifer in the corps. It was the FBI that was a surprise, but it fits me, too.”

  “Why did you make the switch? You didn’t wake up one day and say, ‘I think I’ll join the FBI,’ right?” Her brows drew together, a thoughtful expression on her face when she bit into the flaky shell of the eggroll.

  “No, I never considered it until Cavalli approached me.” He shrugged. “It was something different, interesting. It let me wash the taste of war out of my mouth.”

  “How did Cavalli even find you? I mean, I know Normals who know about magic are registered with the All-Magickal Council, but—” She waved her hand to indicate she couldn’t explain it.

  He set the eggroll container down without taking one. “My mom and stepdad moved to Seattle for his job about ten years ago. I came to see them when I was on leave a few years back and met Cavalli through a mutual acquaintance.”

  “That tells me not much.” She nudged him with her elbow. “What kind of mutual acquaintance exists between a vampire FBI agent and a Normal marine? Is your stepdad a vampire?”

  He snorted. “Exactly the opposite, actually.”

  “Werewolf?” There was only one species diametrically opposed to vampires. The two fanged races had a serious hate on each other. Open warfare had existed between them for centuries until the All-Magickal Council had put the kibosh on it in the late 1800s. It was too dangerous for every Magickal for the war to continue. The hatred still remained and occasionally caused skirmishes, but they’d managed not to degenerate to that kill-on-sight kind of war again. So far. Jack was as aware as anyone else in the Magickal community how tenuous the peace was at times. He’d had to clean up the mess of their fighting before. He wanted no part in more war.