Page 259 of The Curse Trilogy

Hale runs up beside me to follow me to the outdoor bar set up, and his hand grazes mine several times to send those unwanted chills over the surface of my skin. I very discreetly rub my arms to rid myself of the evidence left behind, and I see him smirking out of the corner of my eye.

“I saw that,” he smolders out.

“It doesn’t mean anything other than the fact I’m sexually drawn to you. You suck at everything else,” I grumble.

He winces slightly, and then his body intentionally presses against mine as his hot, sexy, delicious breath finds my ear when his lips lightly graze it.

“You love me, and you know it,” he whispers too seductively, and the chills grow as he walks away to shake hands with some of the other representatives.

“Oh good grief,” I murmur to myself while rolling my eyes.

Hale Banner pisses me off. He’s too fucking sexy for his own damn good, and he knows it. He also knows what his touch does to me without my damn consent.

I feel lips pressing against my bare shoulder, and then teeth slightly graze over my skin while the cooler breath brings back the damn unwanted chills.

“I want you to live with me… just while we’re here,” Brazen’s lips utter against my soft skin.

“I’ve already said no,” I grumble, my conviction wavering.

“Then stay with me just for tonight and let me change your mind,” he sizzles free, and I actually shiver in response when his hands grip my sides and his teeth press tighter against my flesh.

“No,” I snap, and I rip free from his clutches just as Clay bows and everyone claps.

Great. I missed whatever I was supposed to be watching.

“Araya Crush of the western region is our lead interrogator. Ty Silvers of the northern region will be our head scientist deconstructing this new virus, and I will be handling the blood procedures from here on out due to our past findings of outsiders becoming insiders. Captain Brazen Mordel and Captain Hale Banner of the western region will be our lead investigators…”

I tune Clay out as he continues listing each position’s lead candidate, and my eyes roll over to see a new face among our crowd. I scowl lightly as Nicholas walks toward the front, and Clay holds his hand out toward him.

“Most all of you know Captain Nicholas Hawkins, formerly of the Southern region; now the captain of Hershian in the western region. He has recently come out of retirement to help with the training of our newer recruits due to so many of our officers being tied up with this case. I hope you all feel at home and at ease here in Seminole. Please let me know if I can be of some of assistance in any way.”

Everyone claps again, and Clay steps down to start shaking hands in his obligatory manner.

“I didn’t realize Nicholas was going to be here,” I murmur as Brazen returns to my side with a dark, almost black liquor.

I rip the glass from his hand before drinking it in one heavy gulp, and he wraps his arm around my waist in a comforting manner.

“He just got here a while ago. Angelica will be staying with him, but he has also requested Grayson stay with him too since he had a three room apartment,” he murmurs softly.

“How did he get three rooms and you only got one?” I snarl.

“Because he’s been a captain far longer than I have, and I only requested one room. I had hoped you and I would be reconciled by now.”

“Your hopes were far too high. I’m not sure you realize just how pissed I am.”

“I know how pissed you were, but I also know it’s wearing off. You didn’t stop loving me, baby. You just stopped fucking me… at least for now,” he smolders, and my knees wobble almost instantly.

He smirks as his cool hand grazes my back, and he joins a pack of full bloods idly chatting nearby.

Assholes. Both of them.

Sex has always been my weapon of choice, and now I realize I’ve created two monsters. Great.

“So, a full blood?” Ty muses while walking up behind me.

“Either you’re really brave, or you really enjoy being shot,” I snark.

He laughs lightly, and my hands fist at my side.