Courted: A Paranormal Romance (Midnight Huntress Book 2) Read online

  “You go do that, kitty cat. We’ll take good care of Ryanne while you’re gone.”

  I shake my head as the door slams behind Gage. “Can you two just knock it off? I’m not going to be yet another wedge between you. I have more than enough going on without hearing the two of you fight over me.” I get up and walk over to Tyler. “If you can’t figure out how to play nice at least when I’m around, then Tyler and I can figure this shit out on our own, just like we’ve always done.”

  Tyler wraps his arm around my lower back, and I curl into him, leaning on his calm, steady demeanor to smooth over the bristly points between Brandis and Gage.

  “I’ll try.” Brandis sighs as he starts clearing the table, stashing leftovers in the fridge. “I can’t make any promises for Gage though.”

  Gage will just have to figure it out.

  I look up at Tyler and smile softly. “Let’s get to town, so we can get everything packed up.”

  “You’re not worried about running into the incubus again, are you? Or any other ex-cons who might still want you dead?”

  I shrug. “Hazard of the job, right? I can’t stop living my life just because one day someone might decide that I’m worth risking more jail time just to earn a little retribution.”

  If anything, it’s Eranear I’m concerned about. He left the bar before the worst of it went down. He doesn’t know what happened.

  And there’s still a bounty on his head.

  Mentally shaking off my thoughts, I slip on my shoes and jog across the room to kiss Brandis on the cheek. “I don’t know if I’ve said it yet, but thanks for saving me last night.”

  His hands snake around my lower back, pulling me in closer, until our bodies are flush against each other. “You don’t have to say thanks. I would’ve done it for anyone in your situation. I’m just glad that in this instance, it worked. The world would be a bleaker place without you in it.”

  I pull away before he can kiss me. I’m not sure I’m ready for another layer of confusion where my relationship status is concerned. At this point, “It’s complicated” doesn’t begin to cover it.

  Left Unleashed

  RYANNE

  Tyler’s waiting by the front door, his eyes averted away from where Brandis and I were, like he didn’t want to see what was going to happen any more than I was ready for him to see.

  Gage jerks his chin up toward me as we walk past, but he doesn’t show any other indication of a good-bye or a see you soon. Whoever he’s talking to has his brow furrowing and his jaw tight, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s giving them everything he knows about me, about Eranear, about all the events of the past couple of days, or if he might have some not-so-by-the-book to him.

  Tyler’s quiet as we head toward town, not even bothering to turn on the radio as we drive.

  “Is everything okay with you? You seem… tense.”

  “I don’t know why you’d think that, Ry. You don’t seem to pay much attention to my emotions any other time.” He jerks the car into a hard left turn, not even looking over at me. “Why shouldn’t I be okay, knowing my best friend fucked a condescending panther? Or flirted with an incubus? Or chose a bear she barely knows over me to take to bed last night?”

  I frown as I study his profile.

  “Are you really going to sit there and pretend like any one of those guys is good enough for you?”

  “What do you want me to say, Tyler? The incubus was a job. One that I failed epically, by the way. He didn’t even try to work his mojo on me. Brandis was generous enough to offer his bed to me. I can’t help it that you were so completely jazzed about sleeping on the couch that you didn’t even try for a space in the room.” I drop my tone a little as I add, “Who says I fucked Gage?”

  “Please. I could smell it on you when you came over yesterday. You let that cat rub all over you.” He whips into a spot outside my building and throws the car into park. “And now you want them to train you? These strangers, who fight and act like you’re something to be passed between them? Like you’re not better than all of us put together?”

  I shove my door open and hop out of the car, feeling my pulse quicken and my anger levels rise. “You didn’t even tell me what you were, Tyler. You could’ve let me in on this whole world years ago, but you kept me in the dark. You let me think that you were human, just like everyone else in my life. Like I thought I was.” I shake my head as I cross my arms over my chest. “Maybe I could’ve known what I was in for, if you’d been honest with me.”

  “Oh, that’s rich. You lie to me all the time. Lies about how you get these bounties you’re so proud of. Lies about whether you’re being safe. And you’re going to stand there and yell at me about one thing that could’ve made you run from my life faster than anything else? The one thing that I thought made me a freak, a monster?”

  I sigh and close my eyes, trying to rein in my emotions. “We should go inside.”

  “Yeah, let’s do that.” He brushes past me as he climbs the steps in front of me, pushing his way toward my apartment before I can get there.

  I guess he and Gage at least have this one thing in common. They’re both going to be the brash, bold one, when it comes to checking out spaces before I can go in them.

  Once he’s cleared the apartment and the door’s shut behind us, I reach for him and pull him close. “Look, I’m sorry. I don’t like it when we’re not talking. I don’t want you to be mad at me. Gage was…a vulnerable moment, one that I haven’t even decided if I want to repeat. I should’ve told you.”

  “We’ve been friends a long time, Ry. I’m not going to stop talking to you just because you have a man in your life. I just want to know that I’m still going to have a place in it, when it’s all said and done.”

  “Are you kidding? You’re the main man in my life. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I rise up on my toes and kiss his cheek. “You’re my go to. You know more about me than anyone else on the planet. And you put up with all my crazy. Even the parts where I run into things half-cocked and end up flirting with an incubus.”

  “How were you unaffected by him, by the way?” Tyler tilts his head at me. “Everyone in the bar was checking him out. Even Gage gave him a little flirty tail action when he walked past. But you were immune.”

  I furrow my brow as I pull away and move to my dresser to start grabbing things to take with me. “He wasn’t using it on me. I don’t know what to say.”

  “No offense, Ry, but I’ve seen plenty of guys hit on you who you haven’t noticed. And the way Eranear Mathis was looking at you, I’m surprised he didn’t have you out of your pants and spread wide on the pool table.”

  The thought of it made my sex clench. “Oh, yeah, I’m sure. That’s why he went home alone, even though he’s got some sort of thrall power that made even Gage flirty.” I shake my head. “He wasn’t using it on me, Tyler. Whether he was interested or not, he didn’t turn on the mojo.”

  Tyler goes to my closet and grabs a duffle bag as I start piling things on the bed. “Or you’re immune, and you just didn’t notice he was using it, because it wasn’t affecting you.”

  It doesn’t make sense. Why would I be immune when no one else seemed to be? I’d be a lot more believing of him just not using it on me. But I don’t want to argue with Tyler. “So, what? Is that one of my demigod powers? Immunity to demons? Or just incubi?”

  He shrugs and starts transferring the clothes from the bed to the duffle. “Something to research. For all I know, it’s just him.”

  “If you say this is some sort of weird mate situation, like when vampires in cheesy movies don’t have the same powers over their one true love as they do over everyone else, I’m going to gag.”

  “You never know.” He laughs. “Should we drag him out into the sunlight and see if he bursts into flames?”

  “I could just eat a lot of garlic before I see him again. If I ever see him again.” I stick my tongue out. “Except he’s not a vampire.”

 
Tyler finishes moving stuff over, and then heads into my bathroom and grabs my toothbrush and toothpaste. He reaches under the sink and grabs a box of tampons and panty-liners too. “Do you need any other toiletries?”

  “I’ll make do with whatever Brandis has. I don’t want to haul all that crap back and forth.” As I sit on the edge of my bed, I look up at him. “Are vampires real?”

  “As far as I’m aware. You could ask Gage to be sure. If anyone’s had a run in with a vampire, it’d probably be him.”

  I can just imagine how that conversation would go. Of the three shifters I’ve knowingly interacted with, he might have the most information, but he’s also not been particularly forthcoming.

  He’d probably just tell me to steer clear. To stay away from anything at all that isn’t mortal.

  “Okay, your place, then office, or the other way around? And what are we going to bring back for food? Because that might influence our travel itinerary.”

  Tyler shakes his head and laughs. “You’re handling this amazingly well for someone who just found out that all the monsters are real.”

  “I’ve dealt with monsters all my life. I don’t think a species, or a supernatural ability, or whatever you want to call it, inherently makes someone a monster. Any more than being human makes you one.”

  He slings the duffle over his shoulder and wraps his arm around my waist. “We have met some pretty monstrous humans.” He kisses my forehead and leads me toward the door. “I think my place, then the office, and we get a bunch of different tacos from that little place we get lunch from sometimes?”

  “Ooh, then we definitely need to get margarita fixings. Can supernatural creatures even get drunk?”

  “When Molly makes the cocktails.” Tyler laughs. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a drink.”

  I purse my lips, wondering if that’s going to apply to me too, now that whatever had hidden my abilities has been lifted. Not that I’ve ever been a lightweight, but I kind of wish becoming a demigoddess came with a handbook or something. If the recently deceased can get a handbook, why can’t I?

  “Ry, relax. We’re still regular guys who like regular things. And, at the risk of losing my chance at sharing Brandis’s bed with you tonight, I’m pretty sure Gage and Brandis will be okay with anything you bring back.”

  “I have to admit, it’s a little daunting, both of these guys flirting with me, wanting my attention. Literally fighting over me.”

  Tyler smirks. “You seem to be holding your own against the two of them, for sure.” He pauses before he asks, “Do you like them?”

  I shrug. “I hardly know them.” I consider the question, though. “There’s something about them. Both of them. I don’t know what it is. Animal magnetism?” I chuckle. “I’m not picking out a white dress or anything, but I’m considering giving them both a shot.”

  He tries to hide it, but I notice the way his lips curve down into just a slight frown as we get into the car. Something’s up with Tyler, with the way he looks at me and the way he’s been acting.

  I’m not used to him playing the jealousy card.

  But I guess he’s not used to me dating either, certainly not more than one guy at a time.

  We move through his apartment quickly, gathering the stuff he needs. The whole time, he feels distant, even when we’re in close proximity, to the point where I feel like I should press the issue, dig deeper.

  “Tyler, what’s going on with you? Really.”

  He sighs as he sets his suitcase on the bed. “Nothing. I just don’t like where all of this is headed.”

  He doesn’t elaborate. Instead, he just walks around to where I’m standing and pulls me into his arms. “I’m glad you know about shifters, about my world. I’m glad you’re getting a crash course in all things supernatural. But it doesn’t mean I have to be happy that the person I’ve considered my family for so long is moving on, becoming more, without me.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. We’re still going to be a bounty hunting, crime fighting duo. You’re still going to be my best friend.” I lean my cheek on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat. “I can’t do any of this without you.”

  “You’ve got Gage. And Brandis, if you want him. What do you need a third shifter for?”

  “Shifter or not, I need you, Tyler. The man who knows all my deep, dark secrets. The man who can sit at a computer for hours and make it sing with more information than I’d bet even Gage and the S.E.A. can dig up. I need the guy who’s going to force feed me weak coffee and salads every now and again, just to shock my system and remind it what a non-deep-fried vegetable tastes like.” I look up at him, into his mismatched eyes, and smile softly. “You’re the only one who’s ever made my nightmares melt away. The only one who makes me feel like I belong somewhere.”

  “Gage thinks you’re his mate.” Tyler bites out the words like they’re bile in his throat.

  “What?” My eyes grow wide as I pull back a little and look at him more fully. “No.” I shake my head, repeating, “No.”

  “It’s a shifter thing. I don’t know what it’s supposed to feel like, but supposedly when you know, you know. Would it be so bad, being mated to him?”

  I let out a sarcastic chortle. “The guy you call condescending? The one who’s by the book, all rules and regulations? I’d be better off mating Eranear.” Is that what the sex was about? Did he only fuck me because he thought we were supposed to be mates? I really need to have a talk with him if we’re going to keep interacting. At all.

  I can’t have him thinking we’re a step away from getting married and having babies. Or…kittens?

  Tyler growls, low and deep, and the rumbling sound sends a thrill through me. I know it should probably scare me, a sign that his wolf is close to breaking free. But there’s something about the heat in his eyes, the power just under the surface, that’s completely hot.

  “We should probably get what we need from the office and make our way back to the cabin.” I reach for his hand, squeezing it gently. “You’re not losing me, Tyler. I promise.”

  He pulls me in close and buries his face in my hair.

  I think he’s smelling me. The act should creep me out, should make me want to pull away and cringe, but it doesn’t.

  It feels almost natural.

  I suppose, at least for the wolf, it is.

  The trip to the office is quick and painless. A couple laptops, Tyler’s wireless mouse and keyboard, and a few flash drives all end up in computer bags and get stashed in the car.

  I don’t know what to make of my interactions today with Tyler. With any of them.

  Waking up with Brandis pressed against me, holding me tight, with Tyler touching me too, knowing that Gage was close too, I wanted to stay in bed.

  I’m not sure if it’s my newly found demigoddess status, or the shifters, or what, but it feels like my libido has gone through the roof. And I don’t really want to choose between these guys.

  “Okay, I think to save time, you run into the liquor store and get the stuff for margaritas, I’ll handle the tacos.” Tyler smirks. “And yes, I’ll get those super spicy diablo tacos you like so much.”

  “You’re going to trust me to go alone? What would the S.E.A. enforcer think of that?”

  “It’s still daylight, and you’re still the biggest badass I’ve ever known. And you’re a demigoddess. If you can’t hold your own to pick up tequila and triple sec, I think you might be useless.”

  I nudge him with my hip while I give him an over-the-top shocked face. “You trust me to be alone? For all of ten minutes? How will I ever survive?”

  Tyler chuckles. “I can come with you if you want. I know how tough basic tasks can be for girls.” He grins. “But I think you’re up to the challenge. I even have hope that you might remember to grab a bag of ice too.”

  “You want me to remember three things? Too much pressure.” I fake a panicked face.

  “You know what, if you want, I’m pret
ty sure we could get you one of those toddler leash-backpacks, something to keep you on a tether for the next, ten, twenty years.” He pulls me in close. “Or we could get you a collar and a leash. Walk you around like a good little submissive?”

  I roll my eyes. “Please. If anything, I’d be the Dom in this interaction.”

  “Don’t make me bend you over the car and spank you until you submit.”

  Fuck, why is that hot? Why am I considering it?

  “Ry, if you really want to be spanked, made to submit, it won’t be in a parking lot between a cheap taco place and a liquor store.” Tyler pulls away, smirking a little as he veers toward the taco stand. “I had no idea you were into spanking.”

  I roll my eyes. “Neither did I,” I mutter under my breath.

  Before Tyler can say anything else, I break loose and run toward the liquor store.

  Anything to clear my head and maybe cool off the heat pooling between my legs. When did Tyler get so damn hot? I’ve known him since he was a gangly kid, all legs and arms, and somewhere along the line, he grew into a sexy, abs-laden man.

  “Ryanne.” The cool, deep voice behind me sends a shiver down my spine.

  Maybe I should’ve taken Tyler up on the collar and leash.

  Unfulfilled

  ERANEAR

  I wasn’t expecting to run into her again.

  After leaving Molly’s, with barely enough energy from the make-out session between the two criminals to take the edge off, my intention was to go away. Find somewhere else, try again. Wherever the buxom brunette wouldn’t find me again.

  Then I saw the shifters carrying her out. Struck by an arrow, lying limp in the nerdy one’s arms.

  She shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t be alive. Not with where that arrow came from.

  “Eran, are you following me?” She crosses her arms over her chest, widening her stance slightly, giving her more of an edge.

  “I can explain.” Looking around for her shifter escorts, I gently reach out and touch her elbow, intent on leading her into the alley next to the liquor store. “Can we go somewhere the S.E.A. won’t be watching?”