Last name Fury—chosen because it suited him. For so long, his fury had been all that had kept him alive.
Among demons, paranormals, and a select group of humans, he was known as the Hunter. A name that was feared.
Hunter was an assassin for hire. There was a slight risk she would recognize his name, realize who he was, and run. Then he’d have to chase her. That would only waste time.
She yanked her head back. “What the hell are you doing?” The muzzle of her gun pressed against his stomach. Would she shoot him? It was worth the risk.
He dipped his head back down for another taste of her. Lust surged through his veins. Excitement warred with caution. He was tasting life. That’s what he was doing.
Her weapon slid away from his midsection, and she gripped his jacket with her free hand. A groan escaped her throat.
Touch was something he avoided at all costs. But he’d do damn near anything to stroke every inch of Morrigan, to have her hands on his body.
She’d bewitched him with her strength and courage, her calm nature, and her long, lean body.
Cupping the back of her head with one of his hands, he held her steady as he mapped out the shape and texture of her lips. They were soft and warm, everything it seemed the woman herself wasn’t. She was a warrior, a fighter, a survivor. She had to be in order to be one of Hell’s bounty hunters.
That gave him pause. This wasn’t smart. And he’d stayed alive all these millennia by being intelligent.
He started to withdraw when she flicked her tongue over his bottom lip. His balls clenched hard, and his fingers tightened around her skull, forcing him to gentle his grip. If he wasn’t careful, he’d crush her.
When she parted her lips on a gasp, he slipped his tongue inside, tasting the sweet warmth of her mouth. She thrust her tongue against his, stroking and challenging.
He tore his mouth from hers and stared down at her. Her eyes were closed, her face flushed, and she was panting hard. The sirens from the police and rescue vehicles were getting closer.
“We need to leave.”
Her eyes snapped open, and the flushed, passionate woman disappeared in a blink, replaced by the hardened bounty hunter. Which was the real woman? Neither? Both?
She took a step back and holstered her weapon. Her lips were slightly swollen and glossy. “What was that all about? Never mind. There’s no time to get into it.” Her gaze mapped their surroundings, missing nothing. “Shit. I didn’t mean to get distracted. I can’t be here.”
She was right about that. Even the human cops would notice the blood on her clothing, not to mention her weapons. Unlike most paranormal creatures, bounty hunters didn’t have any extra skills beyond their enhanced strength and senses and ability to heal quickly. She couldn’t fly herself away from the scene like an angel or scale a building like a vampire.
“Come with me.” He faded into the shadows, expecting her to follow.
When she didn’t, he turned and studied her outlined in the dim ambient lighting from a nearby streetlight.
Even in the shadows, her red hair shone like a beacon. What was it about her that drew him? Why her? Why now?
And why was Gabriel so keen to have her dead?
She gave a quick glance over her shoulder. The cops were searching the area.
“What’s it going to be?” he challenged. He could subdue her, but having her come willingly would be easier.
Her green eyes glittered with irritation. With a sigh, she straightened her shoulders and followed. Something dark and deadly settled in him.
There was no place in his life for a woman. Any perceived connection or weakness would be used against him by his enemies, who were legion.
But a night or two. Maybe three. That wouldn’t attract undue attention. He could satisfy his curiosity.
No harm. No foul.
Maybe she won’t try to kill me.
The dark beast that dwelled inside him rumbled in displeasure. Maccus struggled to control it. If it were ever released, there would be no stopping him until he’d laid waste to the world.
…
What the hell am I doing?
Her job, for one.
Yeah, right. She hadn’t followed Maccus because Lucifer wanted the man dead.
I have no idea why I’m here.
Her lips still tingled where he’d kissed her. It had been more than ten years since she’d had a sexual reaction to a man. Being dragged into Hell to train as a bounty hunter had killed her libido. And since then, the only contact she’d had with the opposite sex was either demons—no thank you—or human scum like the group she’d encountered tonight. Not exactly designed to make a girl want to rip off her panties and jump into bed.
But Maccus knew what she was and wasn’t the least bit intimidated or bothered by it. That was a turn-on.
But she was no closer to understanding exactly who or what he was beyond his name and the fact that he was badass.
Her boss ordered her to sleep with him if necessary. And if sex with a stranger helped keep her alive, she’d been prepared to do it.
Then she’d met him in person and decided it might not be such a hardship after all.
It was smart to go with him, maybe find out where he lived and discover his weaknesses, if he had any. It would make it easier to kill him when the time came. If she tried now, she was as good as dead. There was no time limit on the contract. It made sense to discover all she could about her target before setting the trap.
And she was lying to herself.
Maccus was almost seven feet of muscle and menace. The only thing soft about him was his silky black hair. In person, his features were even more rugged. And his eyes seemed to hold all the secrets of the universe, all the pain.
Black pants clung to his powerful thighs. A black tank top stretched across his massive chest beneath a light leather jacket. They were dressed in an almost identical manner, blending seamlessly with the night.
He woke long forgotten yearnings from back when she’d been nothing more than an unsuspecting human living her ordinary life.
He made her remember who she’d been, not what she’d become.
Primal instincts urged her to run.
He’s dangerous.
Softness was not something she could afford. Not with her life and that of her sister hanging in the balance. Until she’d fulfilled her contract and paid the debt in full, Lucifer was within his rights to grab her sister. And there was nothing she wouldn’t do to keep Kayley safe.
That was her objective. She couldn’t forget it for one second. “Where are we going?” Now that they were no longer in hearing range of the cops, she was done blindly following him.