Alphas for the Holidays Read online

  “Oh,” she returned, her hand going over his. The only time she found it hard to think straight was when she was near him. It was as if time stalled as she stared up and into his dark gaze. She’d have worried she was being mesmerized by him, but natural-born slayers were immune to such vampire tricks. That being said, she did feel as if she was getting totally and completely swept up and lost in his eyes. That happened a lot when she dared to make eye contact with the man.

  He kept her hand on her cheek. “I did like seeing you enjoying yourself.”

  She tipped her head. Why was he being so nice to her? Normally by this point he’d have barked orders at her or talked about how careless she was in her patrolling. “Sir?”

  He smiled, and she couldn’t recall a time she’d seen him do that before. “You are the only one who calls me sir.”

  “I figure it irks you,” she returned, her voice low, her body caught up in how close he was.

  “You and Finn derive great pleasure from doing things to annoy me,” he commented, and damn if his lips didn’t seem even closer.

  She stilled, afraid if she moved she might very well go in for the kiss. Far too many of her fantasies involved her lips on his. With Mimi’s winter wonderland surrounding them, lights reflecting on the snow-covered ground, the moment already felt surreal—having Cornell’s mouth this close to her own was pushing it way too far.

  Finn was right. Cornell was tall, dark, and her boss. Giving in and kissing him would be very bad. Super bad. The worst thing ever.

  Damn, if she didn’t jump right into the worst move ever.

  One second, Dani thought she had control of her hormones, and the next, her lips were pressed to Cornell’s. Fireworks exploded in her brain as her heart beat madly and her body tingled from head to toe. In the next breath, her lips parted and his tongue was suddenly joining hers.

  Her mind went blank.

  Nothing but the feel of his tongue on hers mattered. She tipped her head, giving him better access to her mouth. As her hands began to feel their way over his torso, she froze, realizing what she’d done.

  More than that, what he hadn’t done.

  Push her away.

  Gasping, she leapt back, hitting the same patch of ice that had bested her more than once already. Dani went down hard, but she wasn’t alone. Cornell slipped with her, his body riding hers to the ground. Somehow, he managed to cradle the back of her head with his hands and flip their bodies at the last second, taking the brunt of her full weight on him. She lay there, spread over the top of him, her groin pressed to his, their bodies seeming at home with one another.

  She yelped.

  He laughed.

  She yelped again. “Sir!”

  “Dani,” he mocked, before swatting her backside playfully.

  She hadn’t even been aware Cornell had a playful side. She remained perfectly still on top of him. It took her a moment to realize they were being laughed at. She glanced up and found Mimi and Finn, laughing, and walking in the direction of Cornell’s home.

  Finn looked back at her. “Enjoy yerself. I know he will if you keep lying on him like that. Grind and make the man’s year, Dani.”

  Dani nearly fell over herself trying to scramble off Cornell. He shot up as if on strings, ever the model of grace, and caught her around the waist, his body pressing to hers once more. He steadied her and remained in place. Normally, when Dani felt uneasy, she kicked the living crap out of the thing causing it. That was what a slayer did. She wasn’t sure what to do now. The guy she’d been crushing on for ages had returned her kiss and then swatted her butt. Her front yard looked like the Christmas section of a department store, and her best friend had just abandoned her to deal with her hormones on her own.

  I’m so screwed.

  Cornell turned her to face him fully. “Dani, you’re never this quiet.”

  Confused, she stared at him.

  He looked amused. “I was sure I spotted mistletoe.”

  “What?” she asked, her lips still feeling the aftereffects of his kiss.

  “In all this,” he said, motioning to the yard and the decorations. “I’m sure I spotted mistletoe. You’ve a good eye.”

  She began to follow his logic. He was giving her an out for kissing him. The coward in her wanted to take it. Her stubborn streak forbade it. She righted her shoulders. “I didn’t see any mistletoe. I only saw your lips and I decided to kiss them. What are you going to do? Make me work even more overtime?”

  Cornell yanked her against him, his gaze hot and hungry. “I’m considering making you kiss me again.”

  “W-what?” she managed. Just barely. The words nearly got stuck in her throat. Where was her fierce side? The side that stood toe-to-toe with badass supernaturals on a nightly basis? Why was she suddenly reduced to a deer in headlights?

  Because your hot friggin’ boss slipped you the tongue.

  Oh right. That was why.

  “We should go in for that drink now,” she said, unsure she could trust herself a moment longer with him this close.

  He grinned. “Perfect.”

  “I can’t drink much, though. I’m on call tonight, remember?” she pressed, knowing full well that he was aware he’d put her on call at work tonight.

  Chapter 4

  Rack his balls

  Dani sat on a sofa she was pretty sure cost more than her house. Cornell liked the fancy stuff. No denying that. She stared around at the large room, filled with nothing but the best in furnishings, and drew her knees toward her chest as she watched Finn doing his best to rub against Mimi while showing her how to play pool. Dani wondered how long it would be before Mimi used her magik to zap Finn into the hallway.

  Her thoughts returned to the kiss she’d shared with Cornell. She’d known the man for years, lusted after him for as many, and had dreamed he’d actually kiss her.

  You kissed him, she reminded herself. But he kissed you back.

  Shivering, she drew up the cashmere throw Cornell had given her upon entering the large room and noticing her cold state. Dani hadn’t realized just how much snow had soaked through her clothes while outside until she was presented with warmth. She’d been worried about ruining his high-end furniture by sitting on it damp. He didn’t seem to care one bit.

  Cornell stoked the fire and glanced back at her, his dark gaze locked on her. “Your sweater is wet. Would you like a dry one? I have many.”

  Could she handle being in one of the man’s sweaters? Probably not. She’d already made a fool of herself outside. Dare she take him up on the offer?

  That would be so stupid. You’ll end up naked and begging. Sad.

  She shook her head, going with her gut. If it said danger, danger, she was going to listen. Obviously Mimi would be of no help in keeping Dani from throwing herself at her boss’s feet, begging the guy to fuck her. Mimi was too busy teasing Finn as she racked balls on the pool table at the far end of the room. She kept wiggling her backside as Finn stood behind her, clutching a pool stick, looking like he might snap the thing in two.

  Poor Finn.

  Mimi was the type of Fae who oozed sexual allure, and Finn had fallen for it, hook, line, and sinker. Dani doubted anything would come of it all, because while Mimi thought Finn was attractive, she wasn’t that into him—they’d talked about the men they work with enough for Dani to know. Which was for the best since Finn was a total ladies’ man.

  “You’re sure?” asked Cornell, stoking the fire more, each poke of the flames exciting Dani as she took the action somewhere sexual.

  Dear gods above, do not take your clothes off in front of this man. Put more clothes on. At once. Like ten sweaters. Maybe twenty.

  She couldn’t get the kiss out of her head, and if she started undressing, things would surely deteriorate. “No. I’ll go next door and grab one of my own. Thanks, though.” Dani went to stand and Zeus, one of Cornell’s hellhounds, rushed up to her, pinning her to the oversized sofa. He slobbered on her leg as he pushed at her more, m
aking her fall softly into a seated position once more. Zeus then tried to climb on her lap. “Hey, you are not a lap dog. I’ve told you that already.”

  The dog was a gentle giant and she had a major soft spot for him. She rubbed behind his ears and then leaned, kissing the top of his head. He reminded her of a large Irish Wolfhound but with red eyes.

  “That dog is a menace,” said Finn.

  “I agree,” added Mimi.

  Shaking her head, Dani continued to pet Zeus. “He’s a big baby.”

  “Who eats bad guys when given permission,” reminded Finn.

  She shrugged. “And that is bad how?”

  “Corny’s hellhounds are fearsome with everyone but you,” said Finn. “I told him he should lock ‘em away.”

  Dani stared at Mimi. “Can you do me a favor and rack his balls?”

  Mimi laughed.

  “I think Zeus would prefer it if you didn’t leave,” Cornell said, rising to his full height, the poker now set to the side of the fireplace. He took his glass of wine off the mantle and tipped his head toward her. The sexy look on his face said he was thinking of their kiss as well.

  Pink crept up her neck, coating her cheeks. Dani did her best to ignore the sudden wave of heat that splashed through her the second her gaze locked with Cornell’s. The man was like a sex magnet. Looking at him led straight to naughty thoughts and she really wanted his zucchini to make an appearance, and soon. That, or she needed to put a lot of distance between them and fast, or she was going to do way more than simply kiss her boss.

  She was going to tackle him and have her way with him. Policies at work be damned. And from the way he kept watching her, she wasn’t so sure he’d do anything to stop her from acting out her fantasies.

  When his glass met his lips, it felt as if someone was trailing kisses down her neck, then lower, under her layer of damp clothing and to her breasts. Her thighs snapped shut as the feeling of kisses being planted upon her nipples assailed her. She pushed her palms down flat on the sofa and took a long, measured breath as pleasure racked her insides. Fire raced through her belly and the urge to moan was great.

  Do not orgasm in your boss’s house on his sofa by fantasizing about him. Do not….

  Too late.

  Her body flushed as she rode the effects of the pleasure now pulsing through her, pushing out and over her. She’d been with men before, and never had her body ever responded this way or come this hard and heavy.

  She was sure Finn and Cornell could smell her body creaming, and she wanted to crawl away and hide, ashamed she’d dared find arousal in seemingly nothing. She was about to try to stand and leave when images flashed before her eyes. They showed her in bed with Cornell as they rolled on satin sheets, their bodies intertwined. While the act had never actually occurred, it looked and felt real, prolonging her orgasm. He thrust into her, his cock filling her to beyond the breaking point, making her cling to him, arching her back and taking him deep.

  The images felt real. It felt as if he was there, pumping into her, making her moan and writhe beneath him. He withdrew and dropped his head, sucking on her nipples gently, making her belly clench before he came up and slammed his cock into her once more. She came hard, her body pulsing as the visions of them together continued.

  Dani saw Cornell pulling out of her before turning her to her stomach. He planted a row of kisses down her back, nudging her ass cheeks open. He moved up and over her once more, this time his cock head aligned with her ass. She stiffened and he bent, kissing her neck gently, making her moan again.

  Clutching the edge of the sofa, Dani vividly pictured Cornell easing into her dark channel, making her entire body light with burning need as another orgasm washed over her. He went full-hilt and exploded within her, his body shuddering. The images receded quickly, leaving her panting.

  She stood again, this time determined not to let a hellhound detour her from her mission. Space between her and Cornell and more layers of clothing. Maybe a chastity belt since Mimi was right—Dani did always have sex on the brain. And now she had damp panties to go with it all.

  Zeus nudged her again and Dani shook her head. “No, boy. I’m not staying. I need to run home and grab something. Then I’ll come back.”

  Cornell was suddenly before her, filling the space, moving Zeus aside and touching Dani’s chin. “I will accompany you.”

  So not going to help with the space bit.

  She bit her inner cheek, attempting to summon some willpower to resist the man.

  Nope. She found nothing.

  “O-okay,” she managed, sounding more like a scared newbie than a seasoned slayer.

  Mimi’s laughter followed Dani as Cornell led her from the room and down the long corridor to his side door. When they were far enough from the others, she turned, finding something that may or may not have been courage. “What’s going on?”

  He merely stared down at her, looking sexy and innocent.

  She snorted. “Right. You can’t stand there acting like this isn’t weird.”

  “Weird?” he mocked, speaking as she would, rather than his own more polished approach to conversation. “How so?”

  She grunted. “We kissed. And now we’re doing the ‘staring longingly’ bit. It’s freaking me out, Sutton.”

  Tipping his head back, he laughed, and the rich, deep sound seemed to center between her legs. She touched his arm and closed her eyes, willing her hormones to get their shit together. They, of course, ignored her. When Cornell stopped laughing, he put his hands to both sides of her head and backed her against the closed door, his body against hers.

  “Me wanting to be close to you is freaking you out?”

  She blinked, her body in desire overload. “Uh-huh.”

  “Because I frighten you and you have no wish to be near me or—”

  “Not that, no!” Dani lowered her head, ashamed by her outburst. She practically screamed at the guy that she wanted him.

  “Then why, Dani?” he asked, his forehead touching the top of her head. “Why is it this makes you so uncomfortable?”

  She blew out a long breath. “Because normally you just yell at me a lot and make me work all the time.”

  “I yell because I worry for you,” he said. “I yell because I fear something will happen to you. I yell because I care too much.”

  He cared too much?

  What the heck did that mean?

  “Dani,” he said, a hand moving to her chin, forcing her gaze upward. “Each and every time you leave to go on patrol, I find it hard to breathe. I know you are more than capable, but that doesn’t stop me from worrying about you.”

  “You have a lot of enforcers under your supervision,” she said with a huff. “How do you get anything done if you worry nonstop about us all?”

  “I only worry about you,” he confessed, stealing the very air from her lungs. “I’m in love with you. I have been since the moment I met you.”

  Chapter 5

  Giant pain in the ass

  There. He’d said it. He’d put his feelings out in the open and waited, fearing rejection. The seconds ticked by as Dani merely stared up at him, her eyes wide, her lips parted. Finally, Cornell could stand it no more. “Say something.”

  “Did you just vamp-magik me in the other room?”

  Cornell eased back. That wasn’t the response he’d been hoping for. He inclined his head slightly, thinking it best he avoid outright acknowledging his bad behavior. He’d had to use a good deal of power to influence her and push his erotic desires at her. He wasn’t exactly proud of his behavior, but he’d settled on it being high time he acted on his feelings.

  Dani put a hand on his hip. “How?”

  “It wasn’t easy,” he said, his voice low. “Your slayer blood gives you a great deal of resistance, not to mention, you’re stubborn.”

  “I should slap you.”

  He nodded. She should.

  She stared harder at him. “Wait, what do you mean you love me? That’
s stupid. You don’t love me.”

  He stood his ground. “I think I know what I feel better than you. And loving you isn’t stupid. Pretending I don’t is. And I’m done pretending, Danielle.”

  Moisture coated her eyes and a piece of him shattered at the thought he’d upset her to the point of tears. She touched his chest. “Good things don’t normally happen to me around the holidays.”

  He closed his eyes and tilted his head up, his own emotions threatening to get the better of him. “I know. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “Cornell,” she whispered, tugging on the front of his shirt.

  He met her gaze.

  “I like you a lot too,” she confessed and joy took root in him. It wasn’t I love you, but then again, Dani wasn’t exactly the type of woman who went around with sweet prose falling from her full lips. She was the type of woman who was more likely to be found cursing at someone with words and phrases that could make a person blush, than being poetic and declaring love for anyone or anything. He knew what she’d just confessed was huge when taking her personality into consideration.

  He couldn’t stop himself as he kissed her again. Their tongues laced and the next he knew, he had lifted her off her feet. He had no intention of taking her home so she could change. He’d not risk her changing her mind about him.

  About them.

  Instead, he continued to kiss her as he walked her farther down the hall in the direction of the grand staircase. He carried her up the stairs, their mouths still joined. When he reached the master bedroom, he broke the kiss long enough to speak.

  “This is where you tell me yes or no,” he said. “And, Dani, I don’t just mean sex. If I take you to my bed, I’m going to claim you.”

  She paled. “Claim me? Why would you want to do that? That would mean we’re together forever.”

  He couldn’t help but smile. “That is sort of the point.”

  “But, Cornell, you can’t claim me. I’m not a vampire. I’m not—”

  He kissed her forehead and set her on her feet lightly. If she wanted to go, he’d let her because he loved her and would never force her to accept him. “You are my mate, Dani. I’ve known from the second I laid eyes on you. That’s why I had Finn train you in my place. I was worried I’d lose control and lay claim to you when you were too young to know what you’d be getting yourself into.”