Driven Read online

  A knock on the door prevented her from responding.

  She leaned to look through the keyhole and saw Vaughn Ealy on her front porch. Could this night get any worse?

  * * *

  Angus planted his hand on the dog’s vibrating head again. “Hello.” The guy standing in Nari’s entryway was tall and broad, with that look only a cop had. Or a federal agent. He had brown hair, sharp eyes, and seemed familiar with the room.

  “Hi,” he said, sounding displeased.

  Nari sighed and shut the door behind him. “Angus Force, this is Vaughn Ealy.”

  Thought so. Angus didn’t bother extending his hand. “The guy who nearly cost both of you your careers because of his mishandling of his team?”

  Nari groaned. “We are not doing this. Why are you at my apartment after midnight, Vaughn?”

  “Now, that’s a great question,” Angus agreed, his skin prickling. The urge to put Nari behind him tightened every one of his muscles, and his left hand curled into a fist as he fought a craving to break the asshole’s nose.

  Vaughn met Angus’s gaze evenly, his expression showing similar thoughts. He looked down at Nari. “I received word that you refused HDD protection, and then I heard that you bailed out a suspected serial killer. So I’m here, trying to see if you’ve lost your mind.”

  Angus paused. She’d made calls inquiring about bailing him out? That was sweet—and stupid.

  “He wasn’t arrested, so there’s no bail situation. In addition, he’s not a serial killer.” Nari wisely took a step away from Vaughn toward Roscoe, who’d picked up on the tension and was standing at full attention. “My personal life is none of your business.”

  “Wrong. You work for me, so it is my business. I have cause to fire you,” Vaughn snapped.

  The threat didn’t sit well with Angus. “You know, buddy, I have nothing to lose in beating the shit out of you. How often do you call women names?”

  Vaughn rolled his eyes. “That’s a line of bullshit. Didn’t happen.”

  Both of Nari’s eyebrows rose. “It did happen and you know it. Also, you were wrong about the entire situation, and a young agent could’ve died. You can try to rewrite the facts, but that’s what happened.” She spoke clearly and without passion, which really must have ticked Vaughn off.

  His lips tightened. “We could argue your faulty memory all night, but that doesn’t change the situation. Do you or do you not want to continue your work with the HDD?”

  “She does,” Angus answered for her. “However, she’s going to take leave for a couple of weeks to get her mind back in the game.” He held up a hand. “Before you ask, I’m not going with her. I’m staying here to fight the case against me, and after tonight, Nari and I will have no contact with each other.” The words were like a punch to the gut, but the woman was too kind, and she was going to ruin her life because of him—if she didn’t get killed first. He hadn’t protected his sister, but he’d protect Nari whether she appreciated it or not.

  Vaughn leaned back. “A temporary leave of absence might be a good idea. When you return your head will be on straight again and we can get work done.”

  Was it Angus’s imagination or did the jerk’s gaze drop to Nari’s breasts for a minute?

  She stood taller, which didn’t come close to the height of either man. “I’m done with everybody in this room except for the dog. Vaughn? Go home. I’ll report to work on Monday morning as originally planned.” She didn’t turn around. “Angus? I’ll deal with you in a minute.”

  The tone made his cock hard. Oh, he was a deviant bastard, but Angus didn’t care. “Gladly,” he drawled.

  Vaughn’s chest puffed out like a silverback gorilla in a fight for dominance. “Force? How about I give you a ride to wherever you’re going tonight?”

  “I’m already here,” Angus said smoothly. There was no need to let the agent know he was sleeping on the sofa. There also was no need to demand an HDD team on Nari because she was leaving town the next day. “I believe the lady asked you to leave. I’d hate for her to kick your ass.”

  Scarlet crossed Vaughn’s cheekbones.

  “Angus,” Nari snapped. “Knock it off. Vaughn? Leave.” She motioned to the door.

  Roscoe growled, finally giving up on obedience.

  Vaughn looked at the dangerous Czech German shepherd and then reached for the doorknob behind his back. “Fine. We can discuss this more on Monday morning. But make the right decision, Nari. I don’t want to irritate your daddy by firing you, but I will if need be.”

  With that last dig, the agent left.

  Nari turned to face Angus. “None of that was necessary. Now, you can sleep on my sofa tonight, but tomorrow I think it’d be better if you used Mal and Pippa’s guest room until you get your legal situation sorted out and we solve these cases.”

  “That’s fine,” he said quietly. “You’ll need to decide where you want to go, and I’m happy to pay the travel costs. How about the Maldives?” Those overwater bungalows looked like wonderful places to relax. Then he paused. “No, Wolfe won’t want to be out of the country just in case Dana has problems. All right. Hawaii it is. Pick an island and we’ll make the travel arrangements tomorrow.” His body felt cold at the thought of her out of his life for good, but it was the right thing to do.

  She hung her head, as if struggling desperately for patience. “I am not leaving.”

  “Nari—” He kept his voice as gentle as he could. “I’m not asking or suggesting. You are going, and if I have to hogtie you and hire a private plane with Wolfe as your guard, I’ll do it.” Fire shot through her dark eyes, only spurring on his unwelcome lust. “Yes, it’s kidnapping, but I’m already facing a slew of upcoming charges, so what’s one more? Don’t fight me on this, baby. You won’t win.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Anger shot through her so quickly, Nari’s head ached. Even so, the idea that Angus felt responsible for her to the degree that he’d be such a complete ass warmed her girlie parts. She’d have to resolve her issues with that later. For now, she had to face down this stubborn male and win. “I don’t work for you, I’m not dating you, and I have not asked for your opinion on my safety or plans.” Her jaw hurt from gritting her teeth, so she tried to relax it. “While Neanderthals might interest some women, I am not one of them. I suggest you rejoin this century. Like, now.”

  “So far, I’m not liking current times,” Angus rejoined. He was standing way too close to her with just the dog between them. “I know I’m neither your boss nor your boyfriend, but I got you into this mess and I’m getting you out of it.”

  “I can take care of myself,” she said.

  “Didn’t say you couldn’t.”

  Roscoe looked from one to the other of them, stood, and walked over to jump back on the sofa. He yawned hugely and put his muzzle on his paws.

  She eyed the animal that had just abandoned her to a pissed-off male. “Angus, you’re being an ass.”

  “I’m okay with that.” On the side of his face, fresh bruises mixed with slightly older ones. One along the left side of his jaw no doubt corresponded with a bump on the back of her shoulder from when he’d tackled her to the ground as the cabin exploded. When he’d put his body between her and danger, possibly sacrificing himself.

  Her breasts tingled. It was late and her defenses were down, while her emotions were up. “Think of another plan because I’m not leaving right now. The team, if we’re staying together, needs me. You know that.” She was the one who held them together.

  “You’re more important than any team,” he said softly, towering over her without meaning to do so. A dark desperation swirled in his deep, green eyes, drawing her to him more surely than any challenge could.

  His sweetness would always be her undoing. Even so, she lifted her chin. “The answer is no.”

  “There wasn’t a question,” he said.

  That was it. She shoved him, right in the gut. Faster than she could follow, he manacled both of her wrist
s and turned them, putting her butt to the wall. Gently but firmly. He stepped into her, his spicy male scent washing over her entire body.

  “You don’t want this,” he rumbled, his voice hoarse.

  “Maybe you don’t,” she challenged, her breath quickening. There wasn’t anything she wanted more right now than his mouth on her. “What are you afraid of, Angus? Little ole me?” Yeah, she could take him down with one move.

  He scoffed. “Right.”

  Challenge accepted. She lifted her leg and curled it, catching him behind the knee while pushing her whole body forward. At the last second she twisted and sent him down to land on his back on the thick carpet.

  He kept her hands, yanking back, and let gravity pull her down.

  She landed on him, the breath whooshing out of her lungs from impact with his hard chest. In one smooth motion he rolled them over, pinning her arms above her head.

  Her gasp was half cough and half laugh. She tried to pull up her knees to get leverage with her heels.

  “Oh no you don’t.” He flattened his legs over hers, pinning them.

  God, he felt good on top of her. Solid and strong. An immovable object in a dark and frightening world. She smiled, not bucking against him. “You can’t keep this hold forever.” Her legs were immobile and he had her wrists extended above her. She could headbutt him, but they weren’t in a real fight, so giving herself another concussion and possibly breaking his nose seemed like overkill. But it was in her arsenal, just in case. “You make one move and you lose your leverage.”

  For an answer, he secured both of her wrists in one of his large hands. “I made a move. Your turn.”

  She couldn’t. Well, not without hurting both of them. She could call for the dog to help, but she didn’t want to confuse or scare Roscoe. “There’s not much you can do with that free hand at the moment,” she whispered.

  His eyelids dropped to half-mast. “Are you about done throwing challenges?”

  “Nope.” Not until he accepted one. “In fact, I think we should talk about why you—”

  His mouth crushed down on hers. Finally. He went deep, his body on hers, his strength all around her. The kiss was raw and heated, filled with anger and loneliness and lust.

  Desire plowed through her, shoving out every other emotion. All fear, all anger, all uncertainty disappeared with the force of his mouth on hers. His tongue swept inside her mouth, taking what he wanted. She kissed him back, her hands trapped above her head, adding to the need raging through her.

  He released her mouth and then kissed along her jawline, nipping her ear and going lower, suckling her collarbone with his impossibly hot mouth. “How badly are you hurt?”

  She ached like crazy. Fighting against the hold on her wrists, she gasped when she couldn’t free herself. Warmth flushed through her, pounding down her torso to land between her legs. “I’m not hurt. Bruised, but not broken. Like you.” She gasped, widening her legs.

  He pressed his erection against her. Electrical sparks flew from her clit through her body, peaking her nipples and seizing her lungs. It wasn’t enough. Not early enough. He nipped his way up her neck and finally released her hands to cup her face, leaning back and kissing her again, even deeper than before.

  She dug her fingers through his thick hair, holding on and kissing him back. More. She needed so much more.

  He leaned back. “You’re sure?”

  “God, yes.” She rubbed against him, needing relief. “Definitely yes.” She ripped his shirt over his head, tossing it toward the sofa, careful of the burn marks on his torso.

  He rolled them over, landing her on top of him.

  She scrambled up, and he grasped her shirt, holding while she shrugged out of it. Laughing, panting, they disrobed, rolling toward the kitchen. Their mutual frenzy ratcheted up her need even more. When his talented fingers found her core, she groaned, arching against his broad hand.

  He rolled again, putting her beneath him. Slowly, he penetrated her.

  She gasped at his size, digging her nails into his arms.

  He paused. “I’m clean.”

  “Me too, and on the pill.” She gasped, trusting him. Besides, as the shrink for the team, she’d seen his medical records. All of them.

  His smile was feral with the oddest hint of sweet. “Good.” He shoved all the way inside her with one powerful push.

  She blinked, her lungs expelling oxygen, her body on fire. For him. Only for him.

  * * *

  Angus grew still, hunger slashing through him with a power he’d never felt before. He kept his weight off Nari with one elbow and forced himself to let her body become accustomed to him. Her internal walls pulsed around him, hotter than any furnace. He groaned, pressing his forehead to hers, fighting himself. Fighting every instinct he had to move hard and fast—to claim her.

  If he even hinted at words like that, she’d probably break his nose.

  But it was true. Beyond the moment, past the anger always consuming him, existed a simple truth: He wanted to make this woman his. He abandoned the impossible thought immediately and concentrated on right here and right now. He leaned up, meeting her gaze.

  In the midnight hour her eyes glowed a luminous brown, startling with clarity. From the first time she’d met his gaze directly, he’d been struck by the color of her eyes. “You have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen,” he murmured, brushing her hair away from her face.

  Her chin lifted. “They’re brown. Dark brown.”

  Not even close. “They’re sunlight shining through the edges of molten copper,” he murmured, kissing her again, feeling her surprise in the curve of her sweet lips. Her intelligence matched her strength, but it was the kindness in her eyes that glowed and drew people to her.

  She sank her nails into his ass and he forgot all about her eyes.

  His hands roamed over her silky skin and his lips moved down her jaw to her pert breasts. Her nipples were taupe-colored. He kissed and nuzzled her, nipping one and then the other. Her gasps of pleasure penetrated his brain and he started moving, trying to be gentle.

  “More,” she said, arching into him, her ankles once again clasping at his back and spurring him on with surprising strength. Then she bit his shoulder, right by his neck, and he was lost.

  His control snapped and he captured her hips, partially lifting her off the carpet. Hard and fast, he powered into her, letting his body finally take control. She met each thrust, her small breasts bouncing above a bruise across her rib cage. Even seeing that, he couldn’t stop.

  Didn’t want to.

  She threw back her head, elongating her slender neck. He dropped his head, increasing the strength of his thrusts and scraping his teeth along her jugular, careful not to really scratch her.

  She moaned his name, running her hands across his chest and up over his shoulders, clutching him closer.

  He thrust into her. “Say it again,” he ordered, tightening his grip on her.

  She opened her eyes, and her pupils were dilated. “Angus,” she whispered, the sound pained.

  Yeah. He angled his next thrust, making sure to impact her clit.

  Her eyes widened and then she arched completely off the carpet, crying out and shutting her eyes. The orgasm visibly swept through her body from her neck down to her core, and then she gripped him so tightly his ears rang. He groaned, barely freeing himself before plunging back into heaven.

  She shook with her release, pushing him into his own. He hammered hard several times and then ground against her, shuddering with a release so strong he could barely breathe.

  Coming down, he loosened his hold. God, he hadn’t bruised her more, had he?

  She exhaled, and her body went limp beneath his. Her eyelids remained closed and a contented smile curved her lips. “’Night.”

  He chuckled against her and then groaned as his dick jumped inside her. “We should probably go to the bed.”

  “Nope,” she mumbled sleepily. “Fine here. ’Night.”
r />   He rolled off her and scooted to his knees before standing, his legs steady. Then he leaned down and lifted her against him.

  She cuddled right into his chest, her breathing evening out.

  He stared down at her peaceful face. The woman was actually asleep? Huh. He carried her easily to the door to make sure it was locked before walking toward a doorway by the sofa that probably led to a bedroom. Roscoe had turned around and put his face into the back of the sofa, hiding his eyes.

  Angus rolled his. “You’re a prude,” he whispered.

  The dog gave one of his fake snores.

  Angus chuckled and carried the sleeping woman into a bedroom decorated in light gray with a hint of lavender. Peaceful and controlled, just like Nari. He set her beneath the covers in the ultraorganized room and made use of the attached bathroom before returning to the bed.

  A thought occurred to him, and he returned to the living room to dig through her purse for her gun. It wasn’t there. Shit. HDD had probably confiscated hers along with his after they’d both shot at the attacker the night before. He didn’t want to awaken her to see if she had another weapon. She probably didn’t.

  He needed to get to his storage unit the next day to arm himself again. Finally giving in to the need for rest, he climbed into bed beside her.

  She mumbled and rolled against his good side, pressing her nose to his chest. His heart took the hit and then kept pumping. “You’re too much,” he whispered, sliding an arm beneath her head so she could get more comfortable against him. “This can’t happen for good,” he said, knowing he was only talking to himself. Yeah, he liked her. A lot. Then she slid a hand over his stomach, still sleeping, and threw a leg over his knees, as if to keep him close.

  He sighed and let himself sink into sleep. Maybe they could have one good night without anybody being shot, blown up, or murdered.

  But he doubted it.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Nari sat at her kitchen table finishing off surprisingly good scrambled eggs after having showered and thrown on jeans and a light sweater for the day. Roscoe was flopped across her feet, begging with big brown eyes for another piece of bacon. The TV droned in the background, turned to the news so they could learn whether another body had been found. If not, this was the first morning the killer hadn’t left one. She focused on her nearly clean plate. “You can cook. Really cook.”