Samael Read online

  “I find it strange you wanted nothing to do with me, you had a bad mission, and then you tried to seduce me all in one day.”

  Yeah, that did look bad. But how in the hell could she tell him she’d secretly wanted to jump his ass for months? It wasn’t as though she was in high school. She might as well come out with it and clear the air. “Truth is I didn’t … well, I…”

  Son of a bitch. She took a deep breath and tried again. “I never hated you, Samael.”

  “I never said you hated me. What I said was you had never expressed interest in me, and suddenly you did. There has to be a reason behind it.”

  The seatbelt choked her, tight as hell against her neck. She adjusted it and took a deep breath. “It’s not like that. I…” Just say it, goddamnit. Stop being such a child. “I liked you from the beginning, Samael. How about we just leave it at that?”

  It wasn’t as though they could have a relationship anyway. Assassins in the Alliance didn’t work together on teams. This job would always remain solitary and that was the way she liked it. That way she didn’t have to explain to people why she was such a wreck after each and every hit. Plus men just complicated things.

  Lexie and Azazel worked together out of necessity, because Lexie was training him. Funny, no one believed Azazel had needed any training, since he was once one of Lucifer’s best assassins. The Alliance merely used the word training in lieu of calling it a partnership. Ambrose would never separate the two, but they were a special case.

  “I wish I could believe you.”

  His quiet tone slapped the anger right out of her. She could feel a pity party coming on. There were times her job made her feel so damned alone. Sex between two consenting adults was one thing, but when you had feelings for the other person it grew into something larger. Where had these feelings for Samael come from? She’d never given a second thought to her other sexual encounters.

  She cleared her throat. “Are we heading back to the hotel or are we going to the Alliance office in town?”

  He kept his gaze on the road. “I stopped by the Alliance office yesterday, and I have our new assignment already. We’re going to Florida.”

  Why would Ambrose give them an assignment before they finished their current one? It had to be a special case. “Florida? Didn’t Ambrose have something closer?”

  “Are you complaining about sixty-degree weather?”

  She wasn’t complaining about the weather, but something told her this would be no ordinary mission. The Alliance tried to cut down on travel expenses by keeping hits close together. “Okay, what’s the deal?”

  The muscles in Samael’s forearms worked under his skin as he gripped the steering wheel. She had the overwhelming urge to touch him. She quickly chastised herself for that desire and looked out her window. Images of their sexual encounter flooded her mind, and she couldn’t push the visual away.

  His voice penetrated her wicked thoughts. “Two female vamps. Apparently they like to frequent a club called Tease and feed off the locals there. It’s located somewhere in Miami.”

  That mission sounded easy—too easy. There was no way in hell Ambrose would send them the few thousand miles to Florida unless there was something special about this case. It had to have something to do with her test. The last test she needed to pass. “And? I know there’s more.”

  He glanced at her. “They’re former Alliance members.”

  Former Alliance members. That would mean they knew the drill, would know how to spot other Alliance members, and were trained killers. She would also know them, which made it personal—and difficult. “Their names?”

  “Rachael and Christine.”

  Damn. Rachael had been good at her job, but Jade didn’t think she’d have a problem taking the bitch out. She’d never liked Rachael. But Chris had never given Jade a hard time. She was actually nice and fun to be around. Why had the two gone rogue? Not that there was ever a good reason to go rogue, but there were so few female assassins. Jade couldn’t remember the last time an Alliance member went rogue.

  “When do we fly out?”

  “That’s where we’re headed. To the airport.”

  “I haven’t packed. Everything is still at the hotel.”

  “Not after I materialized it into the back. Right before we left I took care of that. We need to get to Florida fast, because these women are bringing attention to themselves in the worst way.”

  Jade could only imagine. She remained silent on their way to the airport. Myriad of thoughts were playing havoc in her mind, but only one stood out—Samael. The tenderness and understanding he displayed when she’d found out about Wesley’s death. His appearance seconds after her success with the vamps. He had been there watching her, and she had been too engrossed in her fight to notice his energy. Samael had been protecting her.

  Other than Ambrose, who protected all his assassins when he was around, and Lexie and Kelsey, no one else had gone out of their way to protect her.

  When they arrived at the airport he parked the rental and moved to get out of the vehicle. She grabbed his arm. When he turned to face her she leaned in and kissed him. The kiss was nothing like their former kisses. She gathered all the tenderness inside of her and hoped he sensed the sincerity in her touch. His whiskers were rough against the soft skin of her face, his spicy cologne a scent that was now familiar to her.

  She pulled away reluctantly, but she didn’t want to push herself on him. Her eyes widened when she noted his had gone demonic. The pupils were no longer round like a humans, they were black horizontal slits—much like the pupils in a goats eyes.

  “Samael, your eyes.”

  His regulated his pupils so they looked normal once again. “What was that for?”

  “I … I wanted to thank you for the tenderness you’ve shown me. And for trying to protect me.”

  His brows came together as he stared at her. She couldn’t tell if he was frowning from confusion or disapproval. Without a word he slipped from the vehicle.

  She sat back in her seat and pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. She’d expected many responses from him, but not that one. It had been so long since she’d had a serious interest in a member of the opposite sex, she hadn’t remembered how difficult it was to express what you were feeling. Just trying to read someone’s emotions proved complicated.

  When he opened her door she stepped out without looking at him. She’d tried to break the wall he had erected between them, yet she had no intentions of begging. She heard the door shut and before she could blink she was pinned against the SUV by the weight of his body. He towered over her as she looked up at him.

  “Why can’t I understand you Jade?”

  Just lean down and kiss me again, you fool. “Perhaps you’re not meant to.”

  “You’re not giving me the chance. Every time I think I have you figured out you surprise me with your actions. I don’t think you have any idea what you want, from me or anyone else for that matter.”

  He was right on a few things, but not where it involved him. She’d wanted him from the onset—even when he made her look like an asshole in front of future assassins.

  She had wanted him in spite of his numerous attempts at making her mad. Her wanting him went beyond the physical. She wanted to know his desires, his plans, his dreams.

  But she couldn’t tell him that. He’d push her away again, call her a liar. Ask her what brought on the questions and how it benefited her to know those things about him.

  “I know what I want, but you’re not ready, nor are you willing, to hear it.” She pushed him away and waited for him to open up the back of the SUV so she could get her luggage. Perhaps she was giving him mixed signals, but then again he was doing the same to her.

  Only time would tell what the future would bring for them, and time was the only thing she didn’t have.

  * * * *

  Samael had everything to lose when it came to his feelings for Jade. For one, Luc wouldn’t he
sitate to pounce on a weakness such as feelings for another person. No matter how much Samael wanted to explore his relationship with Jade, he had to keep her at an arm’s length away—for both their safety.

  When he and Jade had finished having sex, he couldn’t stand to be in the same room with her any longer. If he’d remained, he would have allowed himself to ask her why. He couldn’t understand why he found it so difficult to keep their relationship professional. Even if they had just had sex, it wouldn’t have been a big deal in the scheme of things. But these feelings he had toward her were dangerous. He couldn’t allow his feelings to override his common sense.

  Samael buckled his seat belt and tuned out the stewardess who was now giving instructions on floating devices as the plane taxied to the runway. Jade sat next to him with her iPod in her ear.

  Walking around the city he’d had time to contemplate the offer Luc had given him. Samael was screwed either way. The best that he could do right now was focus on one day at a time and keep to his plans. Jade made everything difficult. As much as he convinced himself not to care, he couldn’t ignore that he already cared for her. If Luc ever found out he’d have the leverage over Samael that he needed.

  And what the hell had Domiel been up to? The more he thought about it, the more Samael doubted Domiel had been there for any of the vampire’s souls. It didn’t make sense that those vampire’s souls would go to Heaven. They’d been murdering innocent humans. Had one of the vampires been innocent? What did that say of the Alliance? How many innocent vampires had they sentenced to death?

  It wouldn’t bode well for his goal of redemption if he were killing innocent vampires.

  As the plane rounded the runway and the stewardesses got ready for takeoff, Jade leaned over and put her head on his shoulder. He had the oddest sensation to lay his cheek against the top of her head and inhale her scent. Enjoy the feel of her body pressed against his.

  Lust wasn’t new to him, but the tender affections of a petite, strong-willed vampire were as foreign as the pearly gates he’d long since left behind.

  Up until now the decision to leave Luc’s ranks had seemed his best option for redemption. His decisions in Hell had affected himself, and no one else. If he’d done something wrong Luc would have taken it out on him, not his demons. Now his decisions would affect those around him, particularly the one who was currently snuggled up to his side.

  Chapter Six

  Miami, Florida

  Jade couldn’t believe it. Her hotel room was located on a completely different floor than Samael’s. Was he trying to tell her something? Hell yes he was, but she wasn’t going to listen. This fight didn’t sit right with her, and she had no intention of putting up with it any longer.

  The plane ride to Florida had been silent and nerve-wracking. Samael had barely spoken a word to her, even though she’d tried to start conversation after conversation. Instead his interest had been focused on the iPod he’d taken with him, and once he’d put the headphones in his ears she’d given up on chatting with him. Apparently the little chat they had shared in the parking lot of the airport hadn’t helped a bit.

  She took the elevator to the third floor, found his room and pounded on his door. She put her ear against the door but heard no movement inside. The TV was on, and the mental image of him ignoring her presence and watching CNN pissed her off. She waited for an entire minute then pounded her fist against the wood again.

  The door next to his opened and a young man peeked out. His blond hair stood straight up and he wore a blue robe that was barely held together by the tie. “What the hell are you doing? Shut the fuck up, will you?”

  She raised her eyebrows and palmed the Glock at her side, ready to scare the shit out of the bastard by having him kiss the barrel of her weapon. That was what the old Jade would do. Instead, she put her hand back down and smiled at the punk. “Mind your business.”

  “I’m trying to get laid.”

  “So am I,” she hissed.

  He gave her one last dirty look and slammed his door shut.

  This wasn’t working. For some reason Samael didn’t want to speak with her. After glancing around the hall and finding no one there, she quickly morphed into Ambrose. It was time to take control of this situation. She cleared her throat. “It’s Ambrose. I know you’re in there. Open the damned door.”

  The door opened immediately. Samael stood in front of her in black boxer-briefs, cocking an eyebrow. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  Good question. She slapped a stern look on her face—one she’d seen Ambrose wear more than once—and tried not to stare at Samael’s package. “This hit is important. I’ve come to observe Jade myself. I could tell over the phone that your relationship with Jade has taken on a new meaning. Don’t try to deny it.”

  She pushed past Samael and walked into the room. This could go so badly. At the same time she could figure out exactly what Samael thought of her. What would he say to Ambrose if he asked about her? She couldn’t pass this opportunity up.

  She turned back to Samael when she heard the door shut. “Let’s talk about Jade. And this time I want you to be completely honest with me.”

  * * * *

  It took Samael a nanosecond to figure out it was Jade. If Ambrose had looked at him in such a lustful way, Samael would have knocked him out and asked questions later. It was still weird as hell to have the image of Ambrose looking at him that way. He cupped himself without thought and materialized clothes on his body.

  Samael could feel Jade’s energy permeate the air around them, determined and riled. This should prove to be interesting. “What do you want?”

  Ambrose’s—er, Jade’s—gaze flashed back to his face. “Let’s start with what you think of her fighting tactics.”

  Damn, it was difficult to keep the smile off his face. It should piss him off that she was pulling this stunt on him, but it was also good to see her humor return. After the tension of their flight he was ready to talk. First he’d go along with her stunt. “I thought you wanted me to write up a report and send it to you after this mission?”

  “Answer the question, Samael.”

  He had to wonder how she thought she would get away with this. He would meet up with Ambrose at one point and both would know what she had done.

  At least he would have his fun now. “I honestly don’t know how she’s managed all these years as an assassin. She seemed as though she were a novice during our missions. I had to save her ass more than once.”

  Jade kept the stoic look on her face. “Go on.”

  “Ambrose, I didn’t tell you this at first, and I realize I shouldn’t have lied, but she pushed a vampire in front of a bus for Christ sake. In front of numerous humans. She doesn’t think well in high-stress situations.”

  Jade’s eyebrow twitched. It took her a second to respond to him. “She is a live-wire, isn’t she?”

  “You can’t even imagine the half of it.” Samael glanced at the door then leaned toward her as if conspiring against her. “You know what else?”

  “No, what?” she asked between clenched teeth.

  “She seduced me in hopes of getting a better report.”

  “How dare you … I mean she. What was she thinking?”

  Samael shook his head, trying his best to look exasperated. “I’m not exactly complaining, because it was a definite perk of the job, but seriously, I would take her off the streets. I never had the heart to tell her what I really thought, but damn, what can you do?”

  “If you knew she was sleeping with you for a good report, then why did you go through with it?”

  Time to really fuck with her. “Come on, Ambrose. What man could say no to a hot piece of ass like that?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I see.”

  “I’m a man, not a machine.”

  “Of course. That’s all I needed.” She inclined her head and started for the door.

  He wasn’t going to let her off that easy. “Oh, another thing, just between
us men.”

  She stopped and glared at him until she recalled she was supposed to be Ambrose. She suddenly looked inquisitive. “Yes?”

  “I have time to call her up to my room, right? I mean, I’d planned on getting one last piece of ass before I parted ways with her. You understand, right?”

  Her eyes flared wide as she tried to form words. Finally she took a deep breath and snarled at him. “You’re a jackass.”

  “Is that a no?”

  She bared her fangs. “How dare … you know it’s me, don’t you?”

  He cocked his head. “Did you honestly expect me not to? I knew before you stepped into the room. Nice try, though.”

  “I did not have sex with you for any other reason than the fact that I just wanted it. That’s it. It wasn’t as though you weren’t giving me good reports anyway, even when I didn’t deserve them. Did you ever think of that? Give me a bad report, I don’t give a damn. But this cold shoulder thing has got to stop.”

  “Are you finished?” He waited until she nodded. “Flash back to your image, because the last vision I need is Ambrose talking to me about our sex life, thank you very much. Now, the hotel was booked up, and the rooms we have were the only rooms available. And besides that, I was on my way to get you. I’m taking you out to dinner.”

  He convinced himself that they needed to eat, and he wasn’t taking her out to dinner to get to know her better. The pull he felt toward her was intoxicating, and he had a hard time keeping her at arm’s length.

  The more time he spent around her the more he desired her. Everything about his feelings where she was concerned screamed disaster, and yet he was powerless to walk away.

  * * * *

  “Oh?” That surprised her into silence. She had no idea what to say. He didn’t seem angry that she’d pulled a morphing stunt on him.

  “It’s Friday. Rachael and Chris normally don’t arrive at The Tease until midnight, according to the paperwork. We have plenty of time to eat.”