In Too Deep (15 page)

Fallon turned back to her.
“Yes, positive. Neither Robert nor Tremaine ever wanted to be in that situation again. There was enough guilt all the way around. They both have special wards. Hell, I’ve done the same for everyone I’ve tattooed since. That includes you, Jess, and all the wolves that have been in. I know I didn’t mention the extra ward, but I cast it on autopilot now.” Fallon shrugged and looked away from all of them. “I guess I’m a little paranoid.”
Or a lot.

“
I’m glad.” Jess squeezed Fallon’s hand. “I remember what happened.”

Jess was half the reason Fallon got involved with the Dales in San Francisco. Jess, Damon, and a few other friends were abducted. Fallon went to get them out. Robert and Tremaine tried to talk her out of going, but she was the only one who could resist the vampires gaze. All hell broke loose, but between the three of them, they broke up the ring, and freed everyone who wasn’t there by choice.

* * * *

Brody’s heart was breaking for his fiery druid. That monster forced her friends to
… he wasn’t sure, but by the look of shame on her face and her conversation with the mage, he was guessing rape. No wonder Jess was wary of the mage coming out. He couldn’t imagine being put in Robert’s position.

There was a knock on the door, and Slater turned to open it with a look back at Brody.
“Hayden called. He had some questions for you two.”

Hayden stepped inside. He looked worried, and gave Fallon a sympathetic look. His tone was even subdued, which wasn’t usual when he was getting down to the bottom of something.

Hayden said, “I saw something streak out of the parking lot, and when I came to investigate I saw you two back there. I know something happened but not what.” Hayden gave Fallon a long look. “I talked to some friends who know you. I know you’re solid, Fallon. Whatever left the parking lot has to be bad news.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Yeah, Malachi is bad news. He is one of the oldest Shadowstalkers and he’s not as dead as everyone wanted to believe. I tried to tell them all.”

“
We should have listened,” Jess muttered against Slater’s chest.

Slater cleared his throat.
“Fallon agreed to teach us how to deal with the Shadowstalkers.”

“
You’re going to want to be there,” Fallon told Hayden. “Bring anyone powerful enough to put up a fight, and all the healers. They’re going to go after the strongest first.”

“
I’ll call everyone I can think of who might make their list,” Slater promised.

Hayden sighed.
“You’re going to want to invite Dacia, but I’m not sure we can trust her.”

Brody wanted to protest, but Fallon’s eyes zeroed in on Hayden.
“Can I ask why?”

“
She’s a powerful witch and half fey. I know her father. He’s from the air kingdom. I’ve seen her pull some nasty magic when she practices.”

“
Explains the way her energy fluxes. She’ll be good in a fight against them if she’ll listen to me.” Fallon’s brow pinched as she shoved her hands in her pockets with a shrug. “No wonder she didn’t think much of me. Most fae think they’re better than everyone.”

Brody stifled a grin because she didn’t even attempt to apologize to Hayden for that comment. To his credit, he didn’t seem to take offense.

“Oh, she thinks plenty of you, Fallon.” Jess sneered. “It’s clear where you and Brody are headed.”

Her cheeks flooded with color, and Brody
had to smile when she muttered, “We didn’t even touch last night.”

“
Didn’t have to. We all saw the way you watched each other. Don’t try to deny it either. Plus, it was pretty obvious what you two were getting up to before we showed up.” Jess grinned at Fallon, and then winked at Brody.

“
What do you want me to say?” Fallon closed her eyes and leaned against the wall. “I wasn’t trying to start anything.” She looked so sad when she looked at Jess. “You know my track record. I’ll fuck everything up. You know I will. I just can’t resist him.”

Brody was determined to change her mind about fucking anything up between them. He ran the back of his knuckles along her cheek and her gaze found his. Her lip quivered, so he took her hand.
“Hey, don’t assume I’m going to be the last asshole who fucked up, or the one before. Somehow, I don’t think you were ever the problem, Fallon.”

She chewed her lip, probably looking for an argument. He smiled back at her, and ran his thumb across her bottom lip.

“Good.” Jess grinned. “About time the both of you found someone to make you happy.”

Brody wisely kept his mouth shut
and squeezed Fallon’s hand. She seemed to relax but still shot Jess a dirty look.

Fallon said,
“I still don’t think we should take whatever this is public, yet. I don’t want Brody in more danger. And I want to make sure Dacia doesn’t start something, because I don’t want her crying foul when I hand her ass to her.”

Hayden actually chuckled.
“Oh, when you used her own element to knock her off her feet, she realized you were more than you appear. She left faster than you did. She’s not going to start something.”

Fallon shook her head and gave each of them a pointed look.
“Why didn’t anyone warn me beforehand?”

Brody was just as surprised as she was.
“I just found out.”

Hayden spoke up,
“I think Dakota and Tomahawk are the only two who know, besides me. Dacia’s kept it a secret. Her brother doesn’t even know. Her mother claimed she didn’t know who the father was and everyone assumed he was human.”

Fallon nodded.
“Then there’s a chance Malachi doesn’t know and we want to keep it that way if possible.”

“
I wouldn’t count on that. Her father is well known among the fae.” Hayden explained

Jess snorted.
“You okay with Dacia being there?”

“
If she behaves herself, I will too.” Fallon shrugged.

It didn’t matter that the vampires had their sights on Fallon
for years. They wouldn’t have known she was in Edenton if she hadn’t gotten involved with him in the first place. That tore Brody up.

“
What did I get you into?” Brody backed away.

Fallon caught his arm before he could move out of reach and dragged him back with more strength than seemed possible. She took his face in her hands.
“Trust me, Brody. Malachi has had plans for me for a very long time. You didn’t do anything to encourage him to come after me.”

That didn’t make him feel any better.

Fallon wanted to get rid of Jess, Slater and Hayden so she could chase that fearful look off Brody’s face. He barely knew her
. He shouldn’t be so scared for her. She needed to make him forget about the fear, and maybe forget hers in the process.

She turned back to Slater.
“When can you get people together tomorrow? You’ll need a space big enough I can teach them some techniques to use against vampires and dark mages.”

“
Noon.” The alpha shot Brody a smirk. “I hear you aren’t much of a morning person.”

She laughed out loud.
“We were drinking until what? Like four in the morning? Your man Brody woke my ass up at eight after less than four hours of sleep. Was I supposed to be all peaches and cream?”

“I suppose not.”

Hayden cleared his throat. “I have a few things to check on. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He let himself out.

There was a sexy little smile on Brody’s lips as he looked over at her.

“Right,” Slater said. “We’ll be leaving.” He started for the door.

Jess hugged her tight and rose up on her toes to whisper in her ear.
“Enjoy, but I want details tomorrow.” Slater pulled Jess out of the house as Fallon dissolved into giggles.

The door shut loudly
, and Brody flipped the lock before looking at Fallon.

She licked her lips,
and wondered what he was going to do. She hoped he’d pick up where they left off before the interruption.

He stalked toward her, his eyes caressing her body.
“You don’t think this is too fast?”

“
Not sure I care.” She whispered as she grabbed his belt loop and dragged him into her. She swallowed hard and tried to think as she looked into his smoky blue eyes. “Unless this is too fast for you?”

“
I feel like I’ve been waiting an awful long time for you, sugar. If I change my mind, I’ll tell you. But you’re going to have to stop me if I go too far.” His mouth descended on hers in a burning rush and his fingers swept her hair away from her face.

She sucked his tongue
, and he groaned as his hands smoothed down her back, pressing her into his body. No, there was no stopping. She needed him, all of him, any way she could get him.

Fallon got to his buttons, but he gripped the bottom of her shirt and yanked it up, leaving her arms tangled above her
covered face as he popped the front clasp of her bra.

“
Mmm, like icing on a really good cake.” He flicked his tongue over her nipple ring, before taking her taut bud into his hot, wet mouth. He caressed her other breast, rolling her tip between his fingers, tugging just right on the ring.

“
Brody.” She gasped, but was too lost in the pleasure to think straight. He had her so worked up she had trouble getting her damned shirt off, but she wanted to see.

“
God, Fallon, you sure do taste sweet.” He sucked her into his mouth and gently pulled the ring with the tip of his tongue. That felt really damned good.

Finally free, she dropped her shirt and bra to the ground and looked down. She couldn’t resist combing her fingers through his golden blond hair. He purred against her, suckling, driving her crazy.

“More,” she groaned as his hand slid down her stomach. “Please.”

Brody took a detour, his mouth trailing kisses down her stomach and she almost prot
ested, but it felt so damn good that the anticipation of where he was going drove her crazy. He opened her jeans, and got rid of the rest of her clothes while he licked into her navel and toyed with her belly ring. He looked up the line of her body, meeting her gaze. There was such primal heat in his eyes that she froze, feeling like prey. No one had ever made her feel so desired. She was totally nude while he knelt at her feet with all of his clothes still on. Something about that just revved her engine.

His lips were moist and parted, and desire burned in his smoky blue eyes. A rush of warmth coursed through her as he pulled one leg over his shoulder then spread her open with his thumbs.
“This okay?” he whispered, devouring her with his gaze.

“
Yes.” If he didn’t get with the program she was going to die. “Please Brody,” she begged, and would have continued but his tongue brushed over that tiny bundle of nerves. She nearly fell apart, it was so good.

He explored her slick heat with long sure licks circling smaller and smaller around her clit. With one long finger he pushed his way inside, bringing a strangled cry from her lips. He fell into a rhythm between his tongue, mouth and fingers, driving her crazy. Her hips rocked against him as she grabbed a fistful of his hair to hold him there. His satisfied growl vibrated through her, shattering and rebuilding her in a white, hot inferno of bliss. The pleasure was so intense she struggled to stay upright with one hand on the counter while he lapped up her honey.

He picked her up and carried her upstairs and into his room. “Still with me?” he purred.

She could only nod, totally incapable of words.

Brody laid her down and took a step away from the bed. She propped herself on her elbows to get a better view as he pulled his shirt over his head. His abs flexed and relaxed as he tossed his shirt away. He slowly opened the buttons of his fly, her body clenching with each
pop.
He pushed his jeans down his strong thighs and kicked the rest of his clothes off.

* * * *

Brody stared down at Fallon, lost in her beauty. Her skin was flushed, her nipples pebbled, and she was still glossy and wet as she lay there totally open to his gaze. Her skin was so soft over her long lean muscles and dangerous curves. He loved her tattoos and even the piercings because they were another part of her. “Look at you, Fallon. I’ve never seen a woman as sexy as you.”

Climbing to her knees, she licked her luscious lips.
Her demand was low and sultry. “Shut up and come here.”

He knelt on the bed, and she moved lightning quick as she pushed him onto his back and bent over him, taking his hard length into her mouth.

“Fallon… don’t… wait,” he panted, but she wasn’t stopping as her tongue swirled around his tip before enveloping him in the heat of her mouth. “Oh yes,” he groaned as she pulled off him to lick him from base to crown before taking him back into her mouth.

Watching his cock disappear between her lips over and over again was the hottest thing he had ever seen, especially with her stellar ass swaying. Her nails lightly scored over his balls and down his perineum. He nearly came down her throat when her finger traced over his asshole and back up to his balls, only to repeat her path over and over again.

He was about to explode and he needed inside her in the worst possible way. His hands tangled in her hair as he pulled her off with a pop. “Fallon, please… Fallon,” he pleaded as she looked up at him.

Her lips were swollen and glossy, her eyes half open, those long lashes so pretty.
“What?” she whispered as she climbed into his lap and licked around one of his nipples.

His head fell back.
“Christ, you undo me,” he answered in a rush of breath. Her hand wrapped around his base and she slid over him, so tight. “Fallon, oh sweet heaven,” he cried but thrust into her because he needed to. “You feel so damned good.” He held her there, loving the way she gripped him deep inside.

Then she began to move, her hips gliding up and swirling back down until he was dizzy from the pleasure. Just before he spun out of control, she melted against him and stilled. She took his face in her hands as she kissed him long and deep, until he was crazed with need.

He wrapped his hands around her hips, and drove into her slick heat. Groaning, she began to ride him slowly. He sat up to touch more of her. His hands traveled up her back to tangle in her hair as he kissed down her throat.

Her hips rocked faster, taking him deeper.
“Please, Fallon.” he begged between gasping breaths because he was seriously losing his goddamned mind.

“
Yes, oh Brody” she moaned, her head fell back. She rode him hard, not stopping even when he lost his rhythm. And then he rocketed over the edge as he called out her name. Her release milked his, drawing the pleasure out forever. An eternity later, she collapsed on top of him.

Brody took her hands in his as she laid there, her head over his heart, her hair spread across his chest and arms. They stayed there, losing track of time. She was his, she was meant to be with him, a part of him. He just had to convince her
that
he
belonged to her.

* * * *

Fallon’s body still rung with pleasure so intense she couldn’t move. She felt at home sprawled on top of Brody with her ear over his heart.

At least until the phone rang. He groaned and reached for it with one arm, but the movement made her inner muscles clench. Okay, that made her panic a little. She felt him harden, and then he wrapped his free hand around her hip to keep her there.

He purred. “Hello?” Yeah, not a good place to stay with him on the phone with Goddess knew who. She climbed off him and the bed. “Oh Fallon. Please stay, sugar.” He reached to pull her back but she shook her head, and backed toward the bathroom.

“
Excuse me?” he growled into the phone and sat upright. She couldn’t blame him for the attitude when she just wanted to make love to him all over again.

Shit. They didn’t just have sex. They made love.

Fallon’s heart stopped for a second and then started pounding. She closed herself in the bathroom, and started the shower so she could think.

Maybe he was right, maybe he wasn’t like all the other assholes in her past. He certainly seemed to want her as is. Maybe he was strong enough
that she wouldn’t change him for the worse. He was so different than anyone that came before.

* * * *

Brody was ready to strangle Adam. He should have ignored the damned phone. He expected someone calling to update him about Jolene and the baby. But no, Adam was being a nosy intrusive dickhead.

“
Really? You aren’t going to tell me what happened, dude?” Adam snorted. “You’re going to hold out on me?”

“
Fuck Adam, did you have a real reason to call? Or do you just want to seriously piss me off? ‘Cause you are.” Brody quietly snarled. He had a feeling Fallon was going to bolt, and he needed his dumbass brother off the damned phone so he could stop that from happening.

“
Okay, okay.” He sighed in exasperation. “I just wanted to give you the good news. Jolene finally had the baby. They had a boy, they named him Jacob. He’s adorable.”

Brody glanced over at the picture of Sarah. He couldn’t breathe for a moment as the past washed over him, leaving him hollow. His chest ached and his eyes flooded with tears.

He remembered her last call. God, he couldn’t breathe and he felt so damned empty. She told him she was pregnant, and he was so happy. The next morning, all of his hopes and dreams were eradicated when he got the call that she was dead.

Brody heard the water shut off, bringing him back to the present. A present filled with a fiery redhead who brought him back to life. He wasn’t alone anymore. But she started to distance herself as soon as the phone rang
. He had to stop her from leaving.

“
Hey, Brody. You there, man?” Adam asked softly. “You okay?”

“
Yeah. Sorry.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and took a deep breath. “Tell Dakota and Jolene congratulations. I have to take care of something. I can’t come out tonight but I’ll see them soon. Send them my love.”

“
Okay. I’ll send some pictures.” Adam hung up.

Brody sat on the edge of the bed for a minute and tried to get his thoughts in order. He knew she always walked away from men and she didn’t look back. Maybe no one
had ever chased her before, but he sure as hell would. They shared something. Something she might not be ready to admit.

His phone pinged with a text. He made the mistake of opening a picture of the baby.
Tears spilled over as he looked up at Sarah’s picture, and memories drowned him in the past.

* * * *

Fallon paused with her hand on the doorknob, planning to do something she’d never bothered to do before. She was going to go in there, and climb back into bed with Brody, and just dive in. Not into sex, but into
this
, whatever this was.

She stepped
into his room and froze. His gaze was locked on a picture where he was holding his wife. Tears streamed down his face. All of her doubts came flooding in.

How could she let this get so out of hand? Brody was still hung up on Sarah. He looked so devastated, probably regretting what they just did. In the bed he shared wi
th her. Her picture right there, watching.

Oh Goddess, she felt horrible. There was no way in hell anything could ever work between them. Brody was exactly what every man should be but never was. He’d probably chase after her and try to convince her he was ready. Obviously he wasn’t.