4. Chapter Four

Behemoth rocked his hips for the millionth time, trying to get comfortable. Laying in the dirt, concealed by tall weeds, the soft ground seeping dew through his pants, did nothing to quell his raging hard-on.

He took a deep breath and settled into the rifle. He swept the area in a pattern, left to right, top to bottom, searching for threats. His focus sharpened on the glint of metal near the far corner of the building.

“Southwest corner. Roofline.”

“Got it,” came the immediate response through his earpiece.

He saw a shadow detach from the low wall directly behind the other sniper. It crept closer and closer before striking. Ghost finished in seconds, without a whisper of sound to give away his position.

They could all move silently when they wanted. Predators are born with that instinctual knowledge. Ghost, though? He was on another level.

Titan had been the one to welcome him first into the team. He saw it as a personal challenge to get Behemoth to talk. He’d eased the way with the rest of his teammates, but Behemoth felt closest to Ghost. He could see the cracks in the other man’s soul. Knew he had seen some of the same things, done some of the same things, lived with the same regrets.

He wondered if the medic had also served under Garrison.

Maybe one day he’d ask.

He moved the tip of the rifle, tracking Ghost’s movements through the building.

His breath caught and held as a twig snapped too close on his right. If he moved for the knife at his belt, he’d reveal his position. He couldn’t risk his opponent opening fire. Ghost was a sitting duck without Behemoth acting as his eyes in the sky.

He peeled his fingers away from the rifle one at a time, allowing his hand to lengthen and grow claws the size of steak knives. Pins and needles shot up his arm, the need to fully shift stinging his skin.

The drug dealer crept closer. Six inches from Behemoth’s leg, he stopped and pulled a walkie talkie from his waistband. “Fuck that prick sending me on a wild goose chase.” The radio squelched to life and the man barked into it. “There’s nothing out here, John.”

“Get to the loading dock.”

Behemoth wished he could hear the man on the other end clearly. The one standing almost on top of him snorted, “Fucker,” under his breath and moved away.

The Normals’ government requested this mission. Superhuman Security spent most of its time guarding spoiled heiresses and executives who felt more important than they were. Every once in a while, they took a mercenary job as cover to rescue a supernatural Society member who was in over their head. And even less frequently, those few who knew Society existed within the Normals’ government reached out for help on particularly tricky cases.

This was one such case. The Normals police force had been wanting to shut down The Level’s drug business in the states. They’d gotten close a few times, but they always seemed to be a few steps ahead of law enforcement.

The Level was the largest and most powerful drug organization in the region. They controlled and profited from almost every drug related crime in the area. They’d been a thorn in law enforcement’s side for years, but recently their operations ramped up significantly.

The police finally reached out after The Level introduced a new drug—more addictive than any that came before, more potent, and deadlier. The call for help came through channels established between select Normal institutions and Society’s council. The council made the decision to have Supe Sec handle the issue.

Even Society higher-ups couldn’t understand why The Level continued to flood the market with EZST, known to users as Easy Street. Why would a drug cartel kill their customers?

To be fair, it didn’t sound like the person in charge had a long-term plan. They had to have charisma, enough to get several disparate drug runners and peddlers to join forces into one organization. Sharing resources and assets doubled their profits, according to the DEA.

But it didn’t seem like whoever they were was a cunning leader. The Level’s expansion seemed haphazard, with their drugs scattered across the region and concentrated in odd pockets that made no sense. Behemoth didn’t think it would be hard to capture the person in charge.

Who was supposed to be inside the building. Behemoth was beginning to wonder if they weren’t too late. He listened to the drug dealer move down the small hill where he’d perched. Rocks skittered down the surface when he stumbled and almost fell on his ass as the walkie squawked to life.

“Where are you, Doug?”

“Heading to the loading dock, Matt. Like you told me to.” He grumbled an addendum after the radio clicked off. “Dickwad.”

“Well hurry up! I’m not waiting on your ass, and we’re leaving. Sean called and told us to get out. He’s going to blow the building.”

“Shit, shit, shit.” The drug dealer chanted as he half-jogged, half-slid down the embankment and took off across the parking lot.

“Problem, Ghost. Time to go.”

Static flared in his earpiece before the wolf answered. “Ten-four. Heading to exfil.”

Behemoth zeroed in on the shadow moving to the back of the building on the third floor. Too slow. “Double time it. They’re blowing the building.”

The shadow sped up and disappeared from sight when he passed by the last window. Behemoth swung the tip of his rifle toward the loading dock, watching the frenzy of activity as they scrambled into a large van to leave.

Doug the drug runner was almost there when the explosion rang in Behemoth’s eardrums. The aftershock flattened the grass around him and left a gaping hole where the building had stood. “Check in.” He waited for Ghost’s voice in his earpiece.

A hand fell heavily onto his shoulder, and he rolled, grabbing the knife from his belt and bringing it up to defend himself.

“Damn, Bee. You need to relax.” Ghost grinned as the explosion danced in his eyes.

He growled and gathered his things. “Sean.”

“What?”

“The top dog. His name is Sean.” He waved a hand toward the parking lot, where just outside the ring of rubble Doug’s battered body lay still. “Heard it on the walkie.”

“I take it he wasn’t in there.”

“Nope.”

Ghost shook his head and laughed. “The hunt’s not over then!” He shuffled his feet, adding a little dance to his unhinged cackle.

Behemoth couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “Nutjob.” He hoped his friend asked for help before he got himself killed. In the meantime, whatever he needed to do to keep the demons at bay was fine as long as it didn’t put Gaelynn in danger.

She was in so much danger.

River showed up not long after Behemoth’s SUV drove out of sight. The compact, muscle-bound woman had rolled in like she owned the place, threw her bag down the hall to the bedrooms and declared they’d be watching a sappy movie. First one to cry lost.

Gaelynn had no idea what she’d lose, but she was determined to win.

Only the movie was about a boy and a dog and the bond they formed over a lifetime and she’d already had to blink back tears several times. Damn it.

She glanced at the woman on the other end of the couch. River’s eyes didn’t look the least bit watery. Outrage bubbled in her chest. “You’ve seen this before!” She caught the quirk of River’s lips and threw the nearest throw pillow at her. “I can’t believe you cheated.”

“I never said it was going to be a movie neither of us had seen before.”

Gaelynn huffed and turned away. “And here I thought we’d be friends.” She scrunched her nose up and stuck out her tongue.

River shot her a sheepish look. “I made popcorn.” She held the overflowing gigantic metal bowl they’d barely touched in front of her like a shield.

Gaelynn snatched it. “Popcorn’s not for cheaters.” She scooted to her side of the couch, tucked her feet under her and settled the blanket she’d stolen from Behemoth’s bed around her legs.

River threw her head back and laughed. The other woman disappeared behind the couch and Gaelynn heard her walking down the hall. She reappeared and plopped a box of tissues between them.

“I wouldn’t have made it to the end, for what it’s worth.” River winked and settled under her own fuzzy blanket.

Forty-five minutes later, crumpled tissues surrounded them as the credits rolled. Both of them looked at each other, tears streaming down their faces, and dissolved into giggles.

Gaelynn yawned and started cleaning the mess they’d made of the coffee table and the couch. River helped, and in no time they had the tissues thrown away and the popcorn bowl emptied and cleaned.

She was in the doorway to her chosen room when River spoke from the hall.

“He really likes you, you know.”

She looked over her shoulder. “I know.”

River nodded and closed the door to her room.

Gaelynn tried to sleep, but she was restless. Every time she checked the time on her phone her worry grew. Behemoth wasn’t back yet. At four in the morning, she got up and went to the kitchen. Maybe a glass of milk and some peanut butter would help her sleep.

She scooped a big spoonful of peanut butter and licked at it while she wandered to the windows in the living room. The moon was full, but the trees blocked most of the light. It gave the forest a still, creepy vibe.

She turned to get her milk and floodlights lit the room. They must be on motion detectors. She scanned what she could see of the backyard, now illuminated to the edge of the clearing. She didn’t see anything for the longest time. Just as she chalked it up to a raccoon or fox, a polar bear climbed onto the deck and stared directly at her.

She dropped the spoon and froze. Every muscle in her body locked, but her mind raced. Damruck was too far south for polar bears. Hell, it was too far south for black bears. There was the odd rumor of a cougar sighted in the area, but nothing verified. As far as she knew, the largest predator they had was a bobcat.

Her heart pounded and tremors started in her fingers as the beast stared. Time stretched until it sauntered away. Gaelynn didn’t move until the floodlights clicked off. She picked up the spoon and made her way into the kitchen. When she’d drank the glass of milk and rinsed it and the spoon, she went back to bed.

Her heart was still pounding and she refused to look out the bank of windows. She was tired. Being followed and pawed by Elliot traumatized her. She was worried about Behemoth, probably more than she should be.

Ergo, the polar bear was a hallucination.

Yeah, she’d go with that.

The alternative was what? It escaped from a zoo? Damruck didn’t have a zoo. She seriously doubted anyone could hide a polar bear pet from the authorities and it had to be illegal to keep one. Not to mention seriously stupid.

Hallucination it was.

She took deep breaths and snuggled into the blankets on her bed. She told herself she wouldn’t dream of polar bears ripping her apart, or man’s best friend dying too soon.

As sun streamed in the windows, she struggled to free herself from the sheets tangled around her body. She didn’t remember dreaming, but from the state of the covers, she’d been restless.

After a quick trip to the bathroom, she padded down the hall to Behemoth’s bedroom. The door was open a few inches, but the curtains were closed. Try as she might, she couldn’t see through the gloom enough to tell if he was there.

Hoping the door’s hinges were silent, she pressed a finger against the wood. It swung enough for her to see the acres of skin displayed by the naked man in the bed. He was home safe. She should turn around, pull the door closed, and leave him to sleep.

She didn’t. Her feet carried her to the edge of the bed and her eyes roamed from his wide shoulders down the relaxed muscles in his back to the corner of a blanket thrown over his ass and upper thighs. It did little to conceal the strength and power of the man.

She shivered and licked her lips. She was being creepy, and she knew it. She couldn’t seem to turn away. Even asleep, he was mesmerizing.

A low growl came from his chest. Her eyes snapped to his head, but he still faced away from her. He hadn’t moved.

“Either crawl into bed with me, or leave, Gaelynn. I don’t like people standing over me.”

She squeaked at being caught. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I’ll go now.”

“I’d prefer you get in bed with me.”

She felt the zing those words caused from her head to her toes. “You must be tired.”

“I am. Relax, little rabbit, I only want to cuddle.”

He wants to … cuddle? Her brain short-circuited. Men didn’t like cuddling, did they? Did she like to cuddle?

Only one way to find out. Before she could think herself out of the idea, she raced to the other side and slipped beneath the covers. She felt him shift and his huge arm snaked around her waist. He pulled her across the sheets, fitting her back snug against his chest.

The warmth seeping from him and the lull of being rocked by each breath he took soon soothed her into sleep.

Why the hell had he invited her into his bed?

He’d thought he was tired enough to just hold her as he slept, but as soon as she was in his arms his body vetoed that idea.

Her intoxicating scent wrapped around him. His dick was rock hard. He’d had to angle his lower body away from her so he wouldn’t be tempted to thrust against her. He wanted to lick every inch of her delectable skin.

He followed the curves of her body, memorizing each hill and valley.

After what seemed to him like an eternity, he heard her whisper, “Are you asleep?”

“No.”

She spun to face him. “Can I have another kiss, please?”

His whole body flushed hot. “Can I touch your back?”

She nodded.

He slid his hand under the satin pajama top she wore and rubbed up her spine to between her shoulder blades. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. This time he directed the kiss, licking along her bottom lip until she opened for him. He kept it slow and easy.

She moaned into his mouth and the sound loosed all his restraint. He broke the kiss to regain some measure of control.

Her eyes were closed and a small smile graced her lips. “Can… can we keep going?” She shook her head. “That’s selfish. I know you must be tired. I’ll leave so you can sleep.”

She tried to slide out of bed but he caught her hand and tugged her back. “I’m not that tired.” He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “What do you want next?”

“I think…” Her eyes darted anywhere but him. “I think I’d like to touch you.”

He rolled onto his back and tucked his hands behind his head. “You’re in control. I won’t move unless you tell me to.”

She put a hesitant hand on his chest and smoothed it over the bumps of his abs. He could see her confidence build with every inch, but she still avoided touching his cock. She went down one thigh instead.

She started up the other and then a tentative finger touched the tip of his dick, sliding down the underside and making it jump as if it reached for her.

Her whisper was full of awe. “It’s so soft.”

He chuckled. “It’s far from soft, little rabbit.”

She giggled. “I mean the texture of the skin. I thought it would be… I don’t know… rougher? Like the skin on your arm.”

His hum turned into a hiss when she fisted him and squeezed.

“Oh my God, did I hurt you?”

“No,” he bit out, fighting the urge to flip her back to the bed and ravish the shit out of her. Her sweet innocence was going to kill him. “It feels good. Great. I’m trying to stay still for you.”

“Oh.” She grabbed him again, moving her hand up and down the tiniest bit.

As hand jobs go, it was fumbling and awkward, but damn if he wasn’t close to coming.

“Can you tell me what you like?”

Her breath was coming faster and he could smell her arousal. It was driving him insane. He stared into her eyes as he answered. “What I’d like is to lay you down, strip off your clothes, and feast on your pussy until you scream my name.”

She sucked in a breath.

He watched her inhale, her lips parted and wet from where she licked them. She’d spread her knees, but he didn’t think she was aware she moved. If she told him no, he’d be taking a very cold shower.

“Okay.”

He moved faster than he ever had. He loomed over her, caging her in with his arms and legs, but keeping his bulk off her so he didn’t crush her. “Do you trust me?” His voice was so full of growl he almost didn’t recognize it.

She blinked up at him and thought for several seconds. “Yes.”

“Remember, you’re in charge. If at any point you want to stop, I stop. Understand?”

She nodded.

He slid her night shirt up, bunching it around her waist and revealing the lacy panties underneath.

She squirmed, but he didn’t give her time to get in her own head. He leaned forward and kissed her, a little harder and more demanding than before. When her hands snaked behind his head he felt free to move.

He slid down her body, kissing the exposed skin of her belly. When he felt her tense, he moved to her thigh and worked his way to her knee. Switching to her other leg, he blew warm breath on her center and smiled when her hips lifted a fraction. Her muscles beneath his lips were soft and relaxed. Her knees fell open easily as he pushed to give himself room to work between her thighs.

He rubbed his nose up her lace covered slit, following it with his tongue. Now she squirmed in pleasure instead of apprehension. He didn’t want to give her a chance to overthink, so instead of taking them off, he hooked a finger under the side of her panties and pulled them out of the way.

His next lick was slow and thorough. They both moaned. “You taste so good.”

He pushed his tongue inside her a bit to lap at her arousal before sliding it up and over her clit. Her sharp intake of breath and hip-wiggle tried to direct him back to the little bud, but he continued to lick her entire slit methodically.

“Please…”

He hummed his question against her and smiled when her restless movements increased. “Please what?”

“I need you to suck me.”

“Atta girl.” He latched on to her clit and flicked it with his tongue while he softly drew her into his mouth. She nearly bucked him off as her back bowed and her legs tightened around his ears.

He rode her orgasm, drawing it out as long as he could. When her breathing evened out, she whispered, “Fuck. Thank you. That was… I don’t know. Something.”

He chuckled. “That was just the beginning.”