“Where is this guy?” I asked as Kieran glanced back at me. He’d stopped in front of the huge boulder that had blocked the cars, which was now lifting into the sky.

Harding shook his head, the shadows making his strong features more severe but not diminishing his handsomeness. “Telling you would be crossing the line. I’ve given you too much information as it is. Tell the team and work it out.”

“What are you even talking about?” I asked in annoyance. “How is this crossing a line? Who would know you’re the one who told me?”

“If you suddenly knew everything about this guy, including his location, without creating any kind of paper trail, people would know you had an informant. They’d want to know who, because they’d want to silence or steal that informant. That’s how it works in the minefield of Demigods. I do not want them to know I am whispering in your ear. I’m not back on the radar yet. I’d like to keep it that way.”

I huffed through my nose. “Okay, I’ll let Kieran know.”

“Good. A hint should be enough for his team. They’re pretty sharp. How are my kittens, by the way?”

I crinkled my nose. Back home, Harding had temporarily possessed a small white cat. He’d remained connected to the cat while it did the nasty with a feral cat. So gross.

“They are four months old, in case time got away from you. Two of them seem unnaturally big, and those two won’t let us re-home them. They scratch and bite anyone that tries.”

“Good. Let them hang around. They can be guard cats.” He stopped me and turned, the mirth leaving his eyes. “Above all else, Alexis…” He put his hands on my arms. His touch would have sucked energy from me had he been a normal ghost, but his hands felt like actual hands, with a warmth that soaked into me. “Stay safe. He is the most dangerous of all. While I definitely want to pry you away from your Demigod and show you the incredible pleasure you’ve only dreamed of, now is not the time. It won’t be a matter of backing off if you don’t think you can get him—he’ll want to kill you to keep his secret. Have a care.”

With that, he was gone, his warning and his touch still burning through my body uncomfortably.

8

Alexis

“What was that about?” Kieran asked as he drove us back to the Airbnb.

He’d told the rest of the team to get in the other SUV, and Jerry had surprised everyone by suggesting that Bria or Red ride with him in case he got separated. He didn’t have a phone.

“What, with Harding?” I asked, sliding my hand over his upper thigh.

“Yeah. You two seemed pretty intent.”

“I’m not allowed to tell anyone. In other news not at all related to this, do you know what a Lightning Rod is?”

“Yes.”

I leaned closer so I could slide my hand along the crease of his thigh and down over his delicious bulge. He sucked in a breath.

“Well, a Lightning Rod that everyone thinks is dead actually isn’t. He would be an unbelievable get for your magical arsenal.” I applied a little pressure and rubbed his growing hardness. I ran my other hand up over my breasts, my nipples tight, desperate for his touch.

“Do you know his name?”

“No.” I rubbed back up, finding the button on his jeans and popping it. “He apparently has a human ID and is living as a recluse on a mountain in the non-magical zone. He’s supposed to be incredibly dangerous, very distrusting because of a gross past, and intent on killing anyone that uncovers his secret.”

I leaned in more so I could use both hands to pull down his zipper.

“Oh, baby, I can’t focus with you doing that,” he said with uneven breath, lifting a little so I could make room for my hand in the front of his jeans.

“That’s okay. That’s all the info I have. You can get Henry on it. Tomorrow.” I ran my lip over my teeth, remembering what Caily had said, feeling the pinch of worry that I would lose Kieran. “Just focus on driving.”

I slid my palm against his warm skin, dipping my fingers under the waistband of his boxers. His smooth shaft filled my palm, hard and ready. I moved the seatbelt out of the way so I could lean over his pant line, pulling his girth from its confinement.

“I want to fuck you so bad, Kieran,” I said, then licked his tip.

“Hmm.” He spread his large hand out over my back. “Suck it in, baby.”

I circled the head with my tongue before taking it in and sliding my lips down his velvety skin. Sucking languidly as I came back up, I circled the tip again before bobbing back down, taking it in as far as I could. His groan spread tingles through me, tightening my breasts and making my core pound. I increased my speed, taking pleasure in his delight, feeling the desperate ache for him pooling in my gut.

The car swerved to the side and stopped quickly. He rolled the window down, but I kept going, feeling a thrill that someone might see. He stuck out his hand and waved everyone on. I continued bobbing on his hard length, working my hand in tandem, feeling him tightening up.

Once the window was back in place, he turned, clicked off my seatbelt, and grabbed the bottom of my shirt and pulled it over my head. I unhooked my bra.

“Suck on my nipples, Kieran.”

He did so without hesitation, flicking one with his tongue before fastening his scorching-hot mouth around it while undoing the button on my jeans. I moaned as he moved to the other, helping his harried fingers with my zipper. He pushed my jeans down and off, my panties quick to follow.

He came back up, as desperate for me as I was for him, his kiss hard and needy. His fingers trailed a line of heat down my center before dipping in. His thumb toyed with my clit, the pleasure pounding through me like a steady, insistent drum.

“Fuck me,” I urged, finding his cock again and stroking.

He pulled my leg across him as he lifted me, his strength incomparable, moving me over his lap. Once in place, I dragged his cock against my slickness before stopping when his tip bobbed against my opening. His callused hands cupped my butt cheeks, and his fingers involuntarily squeezed the moment I finally sat down.

“Heavens, yes,” Kieran said, thrusting upward and impaling me fully.

I groaned and my eyes fluttered, the sensations always so fresh with him. I rolled my hips before gyrating forward, his girth filling me. He thrust, lifting me up, slamming me down with pleasure. I met his thrusts, crying out.

“Yes, Kieran,” I said, gyrating faster now. The car rocked with our movements. “Harder.”

Hands at my hips, he continued to lift and pull me back as he thrust, creating glorious friction. I held on to his massive shoulders, the muscle playing under my palms. His tongue swirled with mine, mimicking our rhythm as it picked up.

Chest tightening, unable to get enough air, I rocked, each movement sending waves of delight through me. His cock pummeled me exquisitely, hitting all the right places. He dropped his hand between us, still kissing me feverishly, and manipulated my nub.

“Oh…fuck!” I fractured around him as an orgasm swept me away.

He shook under me, calling my name.

“I love you,” he said softly, his kiss turning languid. “I will keep you safe. No matter what happens, I will never let anything happen to you.”