Shifter’s Valentine, page 7
part #3.60 of Fada Shapeshifter Series
Jenny swallowed. She’d heard the stories, of course. Night fae were dark fae who fed on negative emotions. Fortunately, they rarely took an interest in humans. Because when they did, you were fucked. “A night-fae rock star?”
Kym nodded. “It makes a strange kind of sense. Her songs are…intense.”
Lita’s songs were dark, angry—or so sad they broke your heart. Jenny thought of Lita with a whole crowd to feed on and shivered. It would give the woman power to burn.
“I think she tried it on me.”
Kym’s dark brows shot up. “The energy-sucking thing?”
“Yeah.” Jenny rubbed her upper arms, chilled. “It felt like a black pool sucking at me—and I had to fight to keep from falling in. But somehow I did, and then she backed off and ordered a couple of cappuccinos.”
Kym snorted.
Jenny shook her head—and then gave an unwilling smile. “Bizarre, right?”
“But why mess with you? You don’t even know her.”
“I have no idea. I’ve never even seen her before—not in person.”
“Well.” Kym wrapped an arm around Jenny’s shoulders. “She’s gone now, and Grace Harbor isn’t exactly a hangout for the rich and famous. Chances are you’ll never see her again. And if you do, run like hell in the opposite direction.”
“Oh, I will.”
Kym squeezed Jenny’s shoulders and then plopped onto a counter stool. “Holy bad timing.” She propped her chin on her hands and gave a mournful shake of her head. “I’ve been working here two years, and the most excitement I’ve seen was a fire in the trash can—which Tyler put out with the extinguisher, so we didn’t even have to call 911. Take one day off, and a freaking rock star stops by for coffee.”
Jenny’s mouth twitched. “Next time I’ll text you the minute somebody famous walks in the door.”
“You do that.”
“Not to change the subject, but why are you here anyway? Isn’t it your day off?”
“It’s the end of the month. I stopped by to get my check.”
“Is that Kym?” Tyler emerged from the back room with a couple of envelopes. “I have both of your checks right here.”
Her friend hopped off the stool. “You’ll never guess who was in the shop.” She paused for effect, and then said, “Lita.”
Their boss’s jaw dropped. “You’re fucking kidding me. Did you get a picture?”
“Jenny waited on her.”
His gaze swung to Jenny, who made an apologetic face.
“Sorry. I didn’t recognize her.”
Tyler groaned.
Kym had her phone out and her thumbs working. “I’m tweeting it.”
“Excellent,” he replied, but Jenny barely heard.
She rubbed her upper arms again, seriously creeped out by the whole thing. Then she gave herself a shake. So Lita was weird with some kind of dark cloud following her around—or maybe even a night fae. What did it matter?
People like her stayed in their own little world. A small town like Grace Harbor wasn’t even on their radar.
As Kym said, with any luck, Jenny would never run into her again.
11
Chico’s animal was uneasy.
For some damn reason, it was worried about Jenny. And sure, Chico didn’t like the idea that she lived alone either, but his animal had gone into full protector-mode.
Chill, he told it, but the dolphin moved under his skin, agitated, until on Wednesday, he rearranged his sentry duty with his friend Eliana so that he could drive into Grace Harbor by lunchtime. He’d pick up some coffee and check on Jenny.
It had snowed overnight, just enough to dust the cars and sidewalks white. Above the sky was blue with just a few cottony clouds, and the noon sun was already melting the snow.
He pulled open the door to the Java Shoppe. Jenny’s face lit. “Hey, Chico.” She handed a coffee to a customer and leaned over the counter to give him a kiss. Their lips clung for a moment and his animal settled down, content.
Jenny’s pixie-faced friend flashed Chico a grin from where she was wiping down the counter. “Hiya. I’m Kym, by the way.” She reached over the counter to give his hand a firm shake.
“Nice to meet you, Kym.” He shook her hand and smiled back. The energetic little blonde was on his side—he’d noticed that she always made sure Jenny waited on him.
“Here you go.” Jenny handed over his usual café mocha but refused to let him pay. “You’re not here to cancel on me, are you?”
“No. I had some stuff to do in town”—like make sure you’re okay—“and thought I’d stop by.”
“You’re always welcome. But I’m not off until one.”
“That’s okay. I can wait.” They smiled at each other, and a few feet away, Kym started humming a sappy love song.
Jenny scrunched up her nose at her friend. “You don’t have to watch, you know.”
“It’s okay,” Kym returned. “It’s February. I can practically see Cupid notching his arrow.”
Chico’s mouth curved. “Should I be afraid?”
“Ignore her,” Jenny advised. “She’s always trying to fix me up.”
“Not any more, she isn’t.” Chico replayed what he’d said and stilled.
But he didn’t take the words back. Because he didn’t want Jenny to see anyone but him.
Kym sent her friend a speaking look.
Jenny swallowed. “No?” He scented her confusion, but she was happy, too.
“No,” he replied. “She doesn’t need to, right?”
Jenny shook her head slowly, her gaze locked on his.
The door bells jingled, and several people entered, stamping their feet to get the snow off. Jenny sent him an apologetic look. “I have to wait on them.”
“De nada. I’ll just run a few errands and come back at one to drive you home.”
“That would be nice.”
Chico downed his coffee and headed back outside. The two of them were going to have to talk, but this wasn’t the time or place.
He returned promptly at one and escorted her back to her apartment. As she changed into warmer clothes, he strolled through the rooms, checking the security. A woman alone was too damn vulnerable, but at least she was on the second floor and there were deadbolts on both doors, including the one to the balcony.
“I’ll be right there,” Jenny called.
“Take your time,” he returned. “We have all afternoon.”
The uneasiness was still niggling at him. In fact, it was growing stronger. He slipped his stiletto from its sheath in his right boot. The blade was iron, poison to both fae and fada, but his hand was protected by the leather wrapped around the handle. He cracked open the balcony door and inhaled, the knife ready at his side.
He pushed the door the rest of the way open and scanned the area. The balcony was enclosed with no exit to the first floor. The only way to reach it would be with a ladder, although a fada could simply jump high enough to grab the railing and then swing up onto the balcony.
But why would a fada be after Jenny? No one in the clan even knew he was seeing her, and even if they did, they wouldn’t care. There was no law against a fada dating a human. Hell, a couple of Rock Run men had mated with human females.
Max joined him, and the two of them stared down at the overgrown backyard. At night, it would be easy for someone to hide in the bushes or behind one of the trees.
“Too bad you’re not a dog,” he told the tabby. “At least then, you’d be some protection.”
The big cat curled his lip disdainfully and continued gazing out over the yard.
Chico slipped the iron stiletto back into his boot and decided he’d sleep at the apartment tonight. He had a powerful Gift. If he ignored it and something happened to Jenny, he’d never forgive himself.
12
To reach the waterfall, Chico took a narrow dirt road that followed the Susquehanna. Jenny gazed around, interested, as they passed through a hardwood forest, the river a wide silver ribbon on their right, and then entered an open area of fields and vineyards.
“This all belongs to the clan.” Chico indicated the gnarled grapevines snaking over the brown hills.
“The vineyards?”
He nodded. “And those fields we just passed. Also a big section of the forest along Rock Run Creek.”
“It’s beautiful,” she said sincerely.
“Obrigado.”
“Which means?”
“Thank you.”
“Obrigado,” she repeated.
His sexy mouth quirked. “Actually, as a woman you’d say, “Obrigada.”
She tried it out. “Oh-bree-ga-duh.”
They rounded a curve and entered an old-growth forest of towering oaks, maples, and sycamores, their bare branches stark against the winter-blue sky. Chico halted the SUV in a small parking lot and rounded the vehicle to help her out.
“We have to hike from here,” he said as his hands closed around her waist. Then his eyes sparked green, and the next thing she knew she was up against the door, his mouth hard on hers.
Her knees weakened. She twined her arms around his neck and kissed him back. His mouth was hot and wet. His tongue glided over hers, sending need licking up and down her spine.
When he lifted his head, she smiled up at him. “Mm. What was that for?”
“I missed you.” His eyes were heavy-lidded, the irises a stunning mix of jade and brown, like a summer river.
She traced a finger down his cheek. “Missed you too.”
That earned her another kiss. A slow, sensual kiss. His hands slid under her coat, pulling her up against his hard body. Her heart sped up. Heat gathered in her stomach, between her thighs.
Chico moved his mouth to her face, kissing the bridge of her nose and each eye in turn before resting his forehead against hers. For a few heartbeats, they simply stayed there, breathing together.
His chest heaved. “Ready?”
When she nodded, he grabbed a backpack and a blanket from the back seat, and they headed into the woods. The waterfall was a fifteen-minute hike from the parking lot. Even bare of leaves, the tall trees shaded the forest floor so the path was icy in places. Chico had the balance of a cat. He slipped an arm around Jenny’s waist, steadying her through the slippery spots.
They walked up a hill and then turned off the path. Jenny heard the rushing water before she saw it. Chico guided her into a small clearing—and there was the waterfall, tumbling down the hill. Low and wide, it descended in a series of steps through snow-dusted banks before leveling off into a small, winding creek. To the west, the afternoon sun slanted through the trees, splashing the water gold.
“Oh.” She bit her lip. “It’s like a fairyland.”
“I knew you’d like it.” He smiled down at her. “I found it when I was a kid. I’m sure other people in the clan know about it—I’ve scented them from time to time—but I’m the only one who comes here regularly. Me and Tiago, that is. He’s my best friend.”
“It’s beautiful.” Sorrow squeezed her throat. Her dad would’ve loved this creek; at the base of the waterfall, there was even a pool that looked deep enough to swim in. But it was a good sorrow—healing, like happy memories are.
She leaned her head against Chico’s shoulder. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
He kissed her temple. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever brought.”
Her heart leapt. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Spreading the blanket on the ground, he sat down and pulled her onto his lap. “Are you cold? I can light a fire.”
She snuggled up against him. “I’m fine. Perfect.”
“Good.” He wrapped his arms around her, and together, they watched the water flow by, the only sounds its low gurgle and the rustling trees. On a nearby oak, a squirrel appeared and eyed them before disappearing into its nest.
Jenny’s breath sighed out. The pressure that had been lodged in her chest ever since her dad’s death eased, and in its place, a cautious joy unfurled like new green leaves.
When Chico unzipped her coat, it seemed so natural to turn into him. Open to him.
“Tell me if you get cold.” His fingers delved beneath her sweater, teasing her nipples into points. One hand went to her mound, caressing her through her jeans.
She set a hand on his face and kissed him. Sliding her tongue over his, nibbling at his lips.
He gave a low groan and leaned her back over his arm. Her lashes drifted shut. His kiss was deep, hard, his tongue dancing with hers in a tantalizing pattern. His hands continued to move over her body, building her arousal until she was drugged with sensation. His spicy male scent. His warm mouth on hers. The fingers playing her most sensitive places like a musician would an instrument.
When he lifted her off him, she moaned in protest.
“I want to be inside you.” He dragged off his boots and clothes.
She nodded and fumbled with the laces on her own boots. He brushed her hands away and undid them for her, then eased the boots off and helped her undress. When they were both naked, he lay back and lifted her to straddle him, and then draped her coat around her shoulders. Making sure she didn’t get cold.
An ache spiraled through her heart. He was so good to her.
He made her want—too much.
A tiny crease formed between his thick black brows. “What’s the matter, baby?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just so happy.”
He looked skeptical, but she stroked her hands over his wide, heavily muscled chest and his eyes slit with pleasure. She teased his flat brown nipples and his breath hitched.
“Deus. That goes straight to my balls.”
She traced a finger down the ridges of his abdomen to where his cock jutted, long and flushed, the veins straining purple against the smooth skin. She worked him for a minute, and his muscles locked.
He pushed himself into her hand. A spurt of pre-cum covered the cap, and she spread it around, then continued moving down his body. She had to taste him.
“Jenny,” he rasped.
She licked her way up and down his cock. “What?” she said against the heated skin.
He swallowed and shook his head.
She’d rendered the man speechless. She smiled and fisted her hand around his base. He was long and thick, bigger than any man she’d ever been with. Her smile turned wicked. No wonder women dreamed of having a fada lover.
He cupped her skull. “Suck me,” he said in a gravelly voice that made her bones melt.
“Yes, sir,” she replied smartly, and took him deep into her mouth.
He muttered something dark.
She sent him a sultry look from under her lashes, and sucked harder. His taste was rich, male, a little salty. She moved her hand down to tease his balls, and his indrawn breath told her he liked that, too.
She continued sucking and playing with him while he watched with a heated intensity, until he gave a tug on her braid. “Come up here.”
She gave him a last suck and sat back up, straddling his thighs. He slid his hand between her legs and stroked her sex.
“You’re so wet,” he murmured as his fingers slid over her. The slight roughness just turned her on even more.
Her arousal built. Sparks skittered up and down her spine. She drew a shuddering breath, her entire body humming.
Chico gave her a last stroke and withdrew his hand. When she whimpered in protest, he said, “I want to be inside you when you come.” Removing a condom from his pocket, he ripped it open with strong white teeth and handed it to her. “Here. You put it on.”
He watched, his hands grasping her hips, as she worked it onto him.
She raised up higher and rubbed herself up and down his long, hard length without taking him inside. She was so hot and ready, she slid easily up and down.
His breath hissed out. His fingers dug into her hips. “That’s it, minha linda. Use me any way you want.”
“Mm.” She wriggled around on him, enjoying how his body went rigid.
He licked his thumb and set it to her clit, caressing her in easy circles. Her pleasure ratcheted up.
She couldn’t wait any longer. Reaching down, she placed his tip at her entrance, and then set her hands on his shoulders and eased down until she was completely filled with him.
Chico’s jaw tightened, but he kept his thumb moving over her clit. She lifted up and then slid down on him again. He gripped her thigh with his free hand and began to move with her.
Together, they found the perfect rhythm, slow at first, and then hard and fast. She rounded her back and buried her face in his throat. The tips of her breasts brushed over his wiry chest hair, sending a delicious tingle over her skin.
The good sensations intensified and then burst behind her eyes like fireworks in a night sky. She gripped his shoulders and convulsed around him, pleasure filling her from her head to her toes.
With a growl, Chico grasped both her hips and thrust into her until he came with a groan that sounded as if it had been ripped from somewhere deep inside.
She collapsed onto his chest. Beneath her cheek, his heart hammered. She nuzzled his shoulder and released a contented sigh.
“Damn, woman.” He drew a harsh breath. “You’re going to fucking kill me.” He snagged her coat with one hand and tucked it around her, a hand on her ass.
She smiled against his skin and straightened out her legs so that they were on either side of his. She tangled her fingers in the hair on his chest and listened to the hammering of his heart. Gradually, it slowed down to a steady thump.
Her muscles went slack and she drifted, relaxed and comfortable.
Her dolphin pendant had fallen forward onto his chest. He touched it. “Tell me about a spirit animal. What does that mean, exactly?”
“A spirit animal?” She roused herself from her post-sex stupor. “My grandma said they’re kind of like guardian angels—they appear in your life whenever you most need them. Maybe you need a helping hand, or maybe there’s a lesson your spirit animal has to teach you. And a person might have different spirit animals at different times.”
“And yours appeared last fall, after your dad passed.”
