* * *
When we returned to the Inked Guerilla, Lanore had tasked me with the job of researching all the powerful Vampire families while she took a shower in my office bathroom.
Instead, I typed brimstone and allergies into my computer.
Four results discussing supernatural species came on the screen: Sprites, Demons, Dark Elves, and Mountain Trolls.
“So what did you find out?” Lanore peeked her head into my office. “Anything on the Vamp lead.”
I quickly shut off the computer, knocking over my cup of pens. I slung my sketch pad into my top drawer. I’d been doodling images of her with no clothes on.
She stepped out, wrapping a turquoise towel around her head. “Thanks for letting me clean up here. My roommate would freak out if I came home covered in Vamp blood and smelling of Hemo Drop.”
She wore a black dress with tiny straps. “Sorry about the unprofessional outfit. Quinn said this was the only extra clothes she had here.”
The dress barely went to the middle of her thighs. It stuck to her as if an artist had taken a careful amount of time to paint the dress on her skin.
I licked my lips. “Quinn is going to get a raise.”
“What’s that?” Quinn strolled in, holding a joint and passing it to Lanore. “I’m getting a raise?”
I glared at the joint. “Are we all going to just ignore my no drug policy?”
“Sorry.” Lanore quickly inhaled and gave it back. “I’m trying to quit, but it’s been difficult.”
“I’m sure that’s impossible since MeShack grows the stuff in his closet.” Quinn took a hit and returned it to Lanore. “Shango only knows that man is drop-dead gorgeous. How you’re not butt naked, on your knees, and in front of him right now, I’ll never know.”
Lanore choked on the smoke as she grabbed one of the many folded MFE shirts on a table across from my desk, put it on, and tied a knot at the shirt’s bottom.
“Is MeShack your roommate?” I raised my eyebrows. Under my desk, my claws came out of my fingertips.
“Yes, he’s my roommate.” She scowled at Quinn.
“So he’s the Shifter I always smell in your hair?”
Quinn laughed. “Zulu the Heart Ripper is smelling Lanore’s hair?”
“Why don’t you go maintain the books or maybe get rid of the pot,” I said to Quinn.
Lanore gave the wretched joint back.
I continued to focus my eyes on her.
“Okay so…thanks for bringing me along. I’m going to leave,” Lanore said as Quinn walked out.
She stuffed a plastic bag full of dirty clothes into her satchel and then paused. “I’m not with MeShack anymore. We just live together.”
I retracted my claws. “Okay.”
She went back to packing her bag. “I mean, not that you would care or anything.”
“I do,” I muttered.
“Well, I just wanted to clear that up.” She pulled off the towel. Her dreadlocks fell down past her shoulders. “It’s weird but it works for us. We’ve been living together most of our lives.”
I stood up and came around to her. “Is he the reason why I can’t date you? Are you still in love with him?”
“He’s not the problem.” She faced me. “You’re exactly my type, but I have a lot of issues that I have to take care of right now before I start dating anybody.”
“Lanore, you know I like you a lot. I get excited any time I know I’m going to see you.”
She sighed and glided by me, folding my towel and placing it on my desk. Her arms brushed by my cords. Tiny sparks burst around our arms then disappeared.
“You’re the only woman that makes my cords react that way.” I sat on the edge of my desk so I was at face level to her.
“I bet you tell all the girls that.” She smirked and rolled her eyes.
I reached for her soft hands and pulled her to me. “You may not know this, but I’m difficult and tend to not listen to others.”
“Nope. I definitely know you are hardheaded and closed-minded.” She flashed me a smile.
I brought her to me until her soft breasts pressed into my chest, surprised that she hadn’t stopped me. The earthy scent of marijuana mixed in with her creamy lavender surrounded me.
“I listen to you when you tell me things. Right?” I said, wanting to nip at her chin or feel that smooth skin under my tongue.
“You do,” she whispered and placed her arms on my shoulders.
So far, so good.
“I want to be the type of man you could fall in love with.”
She sighed and looked into my eyes. “Trust me. You are my type. Like I said, I have some personal issues I need to work on.”
“I don’t want to wait,” I said in a low voice.
She touched my forehead brand with her fingertips and moved my dreadlocks to the side. “Zulu, I’m not going to rush into a relationship right now.”
“Then give me a few dates.” I kissed her.
She parted her lips to take my tongue and suck on it.
A deep rumble came from the center of my chest.
I picked her up and flipped her over onto the desk, devouring her neck. “You know how hard it is for me not to touch you?”
“We should stop,” she groaned as I tore the MFE shirt off her, pulled the top of her dress down, and exposed one taut chocolate nipple.
I licked its peak.
She moaned. Her body trembled in my arms.
“It’s hard to resist you,” I said.
“I feel the same way,” she said in a low voice. Her hands went to the back of my head pulling me closer to the nipple.
I used my right hand to slip her dress up those luscious thighs.
Without a knock, Ray burst in my office. “Zulu, the sewer is completely clean and—”
He stopped in the doorway.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” He turned, stepped out, and quickly closed the door.
Lanore began to sit up, gently moving my hand away.
My eyes shifted to black as I said, “We’re not stopping.”
“I’m sorry.” She pulled the top of the dress up and whispered, “But, yes, we are.”
“So, how long are we going to do this back-and-forth tease crap?” I jumped off the desk and took several steps back. I couldn’t trust my hands right now. They wanted to hold her down and tear that dress off.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, sliding off the desk. She grabbed her satchel and rushed out of my office. The door swung back and forth, never stopping.
“Fuck!” I kicked a hole in my desk. “Ray!”
He stepped around the corner. “Don’t be mad at me. I haven’t seen you with a woman in six months.”
“Because I met her.” I pointed to the empty doorway.
Ray shrugged. “I never thought I would walk in on you with a woman on your desk. You’re pretty restrained and—”
I glared at him.
“Just give her a day, and then try again,” Ray said.
“No. She’s constantly doing a cat-and-mouse chase with me.” I unbuckled my belt and hit the button under my desk to open up my ceiling. Only Ray and I knew about the secret opening.
“Now, wait a minute.” Ray marched over to me. “Zulu, what are you doing?”
A hole appeared in the middle of the ceiling and expanded.
I pulled off my jeans and began to shift.
“Zulu, seriously. Do not go after her.” Ray stepped forward, holding his hands out.
My body finished forming. “I’m done chasing her. I’m going to claim her now.”
I leaped up into the air.
Ray caught my foot and pulled me down.
Strong bastard.
“Boy, I helped raise you. I’ve seen you mess up a lot in your life with your drug addiction, burglaries, and underground fighting.” He brought me back down into my office. “I am proud of you for changing your life these past three years. Even though you have some darkness within you, but I like your orga
nization—”
“Get on with it, Ray.” I stared at the midnight sky.
She’s probably already on the tram now.
“You can’t force her to do whatever you want. She’s not some Shifter you can magically control. She’s a woman, and believe me, women are difficult.” Ray rubbed his bald head. “Be patient.”
I closed my eyes. Rage burned within me.
“You’ll push her away,” Ray insisted.
I swallowed down some of the anger and opened my eyes. “You’re right.”
I leaped back into the air.
“Now where are you going?” Ray tried to grab my foot but missed.
“I’m not going to do anything crazy.” I hovered in the air above him. “I’m just going to follow her home. Keep to the sky so she won’t see me.”
Ray covered his face and cursed in Fey.
“What?” I asked as I rose toward the sky.
“Nothing.” He shook his head and walked off. “I give up with you. I’m going to get a drink.”