Taming the Beast Read online

  Jade’s nose wrinkled as she followed Meredith’s instructions.

  “…And then you lick, shoot, and suck!” Meredith demonstrated with a flair, spitting the lime wedge over the couch.

  “Eww!” Lara gagged.

  “C’mon, you try, Jade!” Meredith urged her on and refilled her own shot glass. “Let’s do it all together now.” She nodded at Alynna. “Ok now…lick…shoot…suck!”

  Jade did as she was told and winced as the liquid burned a path down her throat. She nearly threw up, but suddenly, the warmth pooling in her belly felt good. The sourness of the lime was a good way to end the shot, too.

  “All right!” Meredith cheered her on. “How was that?”

  “That was actually…pleasant,” Jade remarked.

  “Let’s do another one!” Alynna raised the bottle.

  They did two more shots, and Jade simply shook her head when Alynna tried to pour her another one. “I think…I’m going to pace myself.” The warm, pleasant feeling in her stomach felt nice, but something told her she should probably slow down. Surely, people didn’t do more than three shots of tequila in a row, right?

  “Well, hello, ladies.” A tall, handsome man with broad shoulders and chocolate brown eyes approached their table. “Have room for one more?”

  “Get lost, loser,” Meredith snapped. “This is a private party.”

  “Aww,” the man looked at Frankie. “I don’t get points for being related to the owner’s wife?”

  “She’s right, Enzo,” Frankie smirked. “This is a private party. And you are a loser.”

  Enzo put his hands over his heart. “Ouch, such words from my own sister!”

  “Wait!” Meredith exclaimed. “You’re her brother? But you’re a…”

  “Handsome young man?” Enzo finished. “A charming and smooth guy?”

  “I was gonna say jackass,” Meredith retorted. “And human.”

  “I like her,” Enzo said to Frankie, who shook her head and laughed.

  “Meredith, this is my half-brother, Enzo Moretti,” Frankie introduced. “Don’t worry about being nice to him. I can confirm, he is a jackass.”

  “Nice to meet you, Meredith,” Enzo flashed her his best smile.

  She gave him a raised brow. “Same here.”

  Enzo turned his attention to the rest of the party. “Hey, Alynna, Lara…who’s this…Dr. Cross!” Another smile spread across his face. “Is that you? You clean up nice!”

  The look he gave her made Jade blush from head to toe, and Meredith gave him a slap on the head.

  “Ow! Are we in that stage of our relationship already?’ Enzo said, rubbing his head. “‘Cuz I was hoping you’d take me out to dinner first before we started the spanking.”

  “Enzo, what are you doing here?” Frankie asked.

  “It’s Tuesday night, sis, my night off, so I thought I’d check out this place,” he said. “I’m also meeting up with some buddies, so I’ll see you ladies later.” With a smile and a wink, he walked off towards the bar.

  “I think it’s time we headed out too,” Frankie declared as she stood up.

  “Awww, Frankie,” Alynna protested as she took a shot of tequila. “Noooo….”

  “C’mon, now.” Her sister-in-law took her by the arm. “We’ve got husbands and you have a kid waiting for you at home. No more drinking. I don’t want to bring you home stinking like a sailor!”

  “Fine,” she pouted. “Enjoy the rest of the night ladies. Just order whatever you want, on us!” She grabbed her purse and followed Frankie towards the exit. “And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” With a final wave, both women left the club.

  Meredith shifted her attention back to her two remaining companions. “Now that our chaperones are gone,” she began. “Let’s talk about where we’re going next. I know this great strip club—”

  “No strippers!” Lara protested.

  “Why not?” Meredith asked. “Aren’t pregnant women supposed to be horny all the time? I bet some hot, gyrating male bodies and six-pack abs are what your hormones need right now! Don’t you have urges?”

  “I don’t need strippers,” Lara said smugly. “I get my urges satisfied plenty. Four times before I came here.”

  Meredith groaned. “Fuck me. No, I mean it,” she put her hands on her face. “It’s been way too long since I’ve had sex.” She turned to Jade. “How about you, Jade? When was the last time you…” She looked meaningfully at Jade’s crotch. “Got your grass mowed?”

  “Meredith,” Lara warned.

  “What?” The blonde Lycan looked at her, then turned back to Jade. “C’mon, Jade, spill!” She took another shot of tequila.

  Jade blushed a bright red. “That’s none of your business!”

  “Don’t evade my question!” Meredith warned. “Has it been that long? I promise not to laugh. Your dry spell can’t possibly be longer than mine.”

  “I don’t think so,” Jade said, looking at her shoes.

  “Try me, Jade.”

  “Well, um, twenty-four years.”

  “That’s not—HOLY CRAP!” Meredith’s eyes widened. “You’re a vir —”

  Jade slapped a hand over the other woman’s mouth. “Shush!”

  Meredith looked from Jade to Lara, who also seemed shocked at the revelation.

  “Jade,” Lara began. “I didn’t know. I mean, you never talked about it, but…”

  It seemed impossible, but Jade turned even redder. “I’m just…it’s not…you see…” She dropped her hands to her lap. “I’m not a weirdo who’s saving herself for marriage or anything,” she said defensively. “I’ve just…never had a chance! And I gave it the good ol’ college try.”

  “Wait, weren’t you like fifteen when you went to college?” Lara asked.

  “Fourteen, and it was an academy for gifted youngsters,” she corrected. “And I let Jeremy Goldsmith get to second base…er, maybe one point five base? What’s under the shirt, over the bra?”

  Meredith rolled her eyes and Lara clamped her hand over the other woman’s mouth so she wouldn’t hurt Jade’s feelings.

  Jade sighed. “Look, it’s not like I want to stay a virgin. I’ve put some thought into it and I’m ready. I even started birth control, just in case. I just need to…find the right person.”

  “What have you been doing?” Meredith asked. “Tinder? Online dating? Going to bars?”

  The scientist looked at her with wide eyes and shrugged.

  “Oh my God! Nothing? How are you supposed to meet guys?”

  “I haven’t figured that part out yet,” Jade retorted.

  “What are you looking for in a boyfriend, then?” Lara asked.

  “Other than a penis, I haven’t really thought about it yet.”

  Jade’s bluntness sent both Lara and Meredith sputtering their drinks.

  “Holy crap! Jade, you whore!” Meredith said as she cleaned up the tequila she spit out all over the table. “I knew you had it in you!”

  “Jade, honey.” Lara put her hand on top of the other woman’s. “You can’t mean that! I mean, you don’t want to just…lose it to some random guy, do you?”

  “I’ve decided I’m not cut out for a boyfriend or relationships,” Jade declared. “I’m too busy with my work. I don’t want distractions.”

  “Then why did you say you’re ready?” Lara inquired.

  “I just want to give sex a try, and get it over with and see what the fuss is all about. Like an experiment.”

  Meredith looked at Jade with a raised brow. “Well, that escalated quickly.”

  “C’mon now, Jade,” Lara said. “Is that really what you want?”

  “Why would I want a boyfriend anyway?” Jade said in an exasperated voice. “Emotions and feelings are way too messy. I don’t like it. I prefer real things, like facts and hard evidence, things I can quantify.”

  “You said hard,” Meredith snorted.

  Jade shot her a warning look and continued. “Tell me, how am I supposed to act wh
en I don’t know what to expect?”

  Lara shook her head. “Honey, that’s not what life and love are about. It’s not science.”

  “Have another shot, Jade,” Meredith handed her a glass. “Maybe you’ll start making more sense.”

  Jade threw back the golden liquid. “Besides, you never know who you’ll meet on these dates! Do you know that fifty-three percent of people lie on their dating profiles? I mean, what if we meet for dinner and he chews with his mouth open or breathes too loudly? Or what if he’s the type of person who licks the cream off the cookie, then puts it back in the package?”

  “You’re right, Jade.” Lara rolled her eyes. “Anyone who does has got to be a monster.”

  “I’m being serious!”

  “What do you care, though?” Meredith pushed another shot at her. “As long as he licks your cream?”

  Jade took the shot glass, contemplating the amber liquid. “I want to know what I’m getting into before I get into it! Is that too much to ask? I’m not even asking for 100 percent certainty. I’d be happy with…eighty percent. Maybe seventy-five.”

  “Oh wow, Jade, don’t go too crazy now,” Meredith said sarcastically.

  Jade knocked the shot back. The burning was actually starting to feel good now. “Argh. Never mind, I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

  “Aww Jade, I’m sorry for making fun of you.” Meredith rubbed the other Lycan’s arm. “Maybe we can help you find someone to pop your cherry! Let’s start with the guys you know.”

  Jade sighed, grabbed the bottle from Meredith, and then poured herself another shot. How many was that now? Her thoughts were growing fuzzy.

  “No one?” Meredith asked incredulously. Her eyes drifted over to Enzo Moretti, who was at the bar, talking with Sean the bartender and a bunch of other guys. “There’s one! Enzo Moretti.”

  “Ew, no,” Jade took the shot. “He’s a man whore. Who knows what he’s carrying.”

  “Jade, you’re a Lycan, you can’t get STDs,” Meredith pointed out.

  “Jade likes his twin more!” Lara giggled.

  “I do not!” Jade protested loudly.

  “He has a twin?” Meredith’s eyes grew wider.

  “Yup,” Lara said, popping the p. “He’s the total opposite of Enzo, though. Smart. Likes to read. Works with computers.”

  “Oh, so he’s a male version of you!” Meredith said to Jade. “Boring!”

  “What?” Jade asked. “He’s not boring!”

  “Yes, he is. You were yawning while you two danced at the Alpha’s wedding,” Lara pointed out.

  “Oh, hell no,” Meredith shook her head. “You want someone who’s exciting. And experienced.”

  “What about Gabriel from Marketing?” Lara suggested. “He’s cute and French, plus he’s been flirting with you in the cafeteria for weeks!”

  “Ooh, sounds promising!”

  “We both work here and I don’t want it to get awkward,” Jade countered. “Besides, I like the lemon curd muffins at the cafeteria. I’d have to stop going there if things went south with him.”

  Meredith shook her head. “Really? Lemon curd muffins are more important than your lady muffin?”

  “I’ll buy you some next time, and then tell me what you think is more important.” She pouted. “I should probably face facts here. Who would want to have sex with me?”

  “Jade!” Lara admonished.

  “Oh shut up, biatch,” Meredith said.

  “No, you shut up,” she said. “That’s easy for you guys to say.” She motioned to Meredith. “Look. At. You. You’re tall, blonde, and gorgeous, plus you’ve got legs ‘till Connecticut!” Then she shot a look at Lara. “And don’t you even start with me! You’re marrying that sex-on-on-a-stick Alpha who gets all growly and protective whenever he’s around you.”

  Meredith sighed. “You are so completely fuckable, Jade. Trust me. You’ll find someone. Let’s keep going down your list.”

  “What list?” Enzo said as he popped up behind Meredith.

  “Jesus Christ on a cracker! Are you sure you’re not Lycan?” Meredith exclaimed. “No one gets the drop on me!”

  He flashed her a smile and then a wink. “Pretty sure, babe. But I heard I’m built like one where it counts.”

  Jade giggled.

  “Hey, pretty doctor.” Enzo slid into the booth next to her. “How are you? You look real nice.”

  “Where’s Matt?” she asked.

  “Ouch. Really? You want hanger steak when you can have filet mignon?”

  “That doesn’t make sense,” Jade slurred. “You’re twins. You have exactly the same DNA. Don’t you know that monozygotic twins develop from the same fertilized egg and—”

  “Have another one, Jade,” Meredith shoved a shot glass at her.

  “Whoah, there,” Enzo frowned at Jade, his voice turning serious. “Jade, are you okay? What’s wrong? This doesn’t seem like you.”

  Meredith opened her mouth, but Jade shot her a warning look. “I’m fiiiiiiiinnnne, Enzo, really I am.” She drank the shot. “I promise, this is my last shot of tequila!” She shook her head. “Wow, I feel…great!”

  “Sounds like the tequila talking,” Meredith stage-whispered to Lara.

  Jade sighed. “I just wanna have some fun.”

  Enzo took the shot glass away from her. “If you want to have real fun, Jade, you don’t need alcohol.” He stood up and took her hand. “I’ll show you how.”

  ***

  Sebastian Creed slunk back into the booth, taking a slow sip of his bourbon. As the gorgeous waitress stopped by for the umpteenth time, he waved her away before she could ask him if he wanted anything again.

  Oh, he knew exactly what she was offering, and part of him was tempted. The young, blonde waitress was leggy, tall, and had a mouth that looked like she could suck the chrome off a bumper. He could probably have her quitting her shift early for an evening romp with him at the hotel across the street. But, another part of him was just not cooperating. Not anymore. Not since her.

  He narrowed his eyes, looking around him. Blood Moon. Not the strangest name for a club, but still, not the type of place she would frequent. She never even left the 10-mile radius around her apartment and her workplace.

  Yes, he knew her habits. Where she went to get her coffee, the supermarket where she shopped, even the Chinese takeout place she stopped at on Wednesdays. Once, he had already been waiting inside the small, greasy little takeout place, standing in the corner, his hoodie covering his head. She entered, gave her name to the old man who worked the cash register, and got her bag of food before walking out without a care in the world. All the while, he had been standing there, waiting for a glimpse of her pretty little face and a whiff of her perfume that reminded him of cherries and vanilla.

  Jade Cross. She worked in the R and D department at one of Fenrir’s food subsidiaries. That was about as far as his soft background check on her went. Her records had a big gap, due to the fact that she moved to England when she was twelve years old. She finished her two PhDs at the age of twenty, and then started working for Fenrir Corp two years later. Still, he couldn’t imagine why she was kidnapped, drugged, and locked up like some animal. The memory of her chained down still made his blood boil. He wanted her safe, and he couldn’t feel at ease knowing anything could happen to her. Yeah, that was it. That’s why he kept following her around.

  Fucking hell, what’s wrong with me? His hand gripped the glass so tight, he thought it would break. This wasn’t him. Never in his life had he actually stalked a woman. He felt like a fucking creeper. Yes, it definitely wasn’t him doing this. It was the—

  “Are you sure I can’t get you anything else?” Tall, blonde, and leggy asked as she stopped at his booth again. She leaned down so far he could see the edge of a nipple over her low-cut blouse.

  “I have all I need here, sweetheart.” He gestured to the bottle of bourbon. “But,” he said as he slipped two, one-hundred dollar bills into her palm. “
That’s for you. Now, come back here when I call for the bill, and not earlier than that, okay? There’ll be more where that came from.”

  The waitress’ eyes grew wide at the generous tip. “Uhm, yes…sure sir, whatever you say!” She hopped away, a giddy look on her face.

  Sebastian took another drink. Where the heck was she? Just a second ago, she was sitting in the booth with her girlfriends. Now, the booth was empty, except for one of the women, who he recognized from the night of the rescue. The redhead was not what he’d expect from a member of Fenrir’s security team, but he knew better than to judge a book by its cover.

  His fingers curled tight into his palms. Just before she disappeared, he saw that young, arrogant prick slide into the booth next to her, putting his arm around her shoulder. Imagining that kid’s hands all over Jade was driving him insane, especially since Sebastian had yet to touch her since that night.

  Christ Almighty, he had gone crazy. Crazy for some chick. And they hadn’t even spoken to each other.

  He pushed the glass away from him, his keen eyes sweeping over the crowd, looking for her. A few minutes passed and he still couldn’t find her, and something in him was itching. Scratching.

  She’s here.

  “How do you know?” he muttered under his breath. Really? He was talking to it now? He shook his head.

  A loud whoop caught his attention and he saw the tall, blonde one—another one of Fenrir’s security team, though he could tell this one actually had some combat training—on top of the bar. She reached down and pulled something up.

  Jade.

  Sebastian recognized the slinky dress, watching with envy at the way it touched her body. Jade usually dressed conservatively, always in long-sleeved shirts and pants or long skirts. Tonight, though, when she walked into Blood Moon, he almost didn’t recognize her. Gone were the glasses that were usually perched on her tiny, pert nose. She didn’t really need any makeup on her perfect, peaches-and-cream skin, but she wore just enough to enhance her already gorgeous features. Her long hair hung around her shoulders in waves, covering her back. He wondered what it would be like to thrust his fingers through the soft locks and wrap it around her hands while he—