2. Jailhouse Rock #2
Jake pulls me flush against him and backs me up against the table, his mouth hot on mine, hands roaming up my back, over my waist and hips. His scent wraps around me, heady and warm. Woodsmoke and spice and dangerous predator.
It takes seconds to bring up the holo-cam feed on my contacts and cut it off. Perks of the job, having access to the entire police security system. I push my own feed back to the side so I can see his eyes properly.
Jake lifts me onto the table, and my skirt rides higher on my thighs. His eyes dilate, and he growls again, but makes no move except to settle his large hands on my hips. Pressing his forehead against mine, he breathes out against my neck with a shudder.
‘Eve, it’s not your fault,’ he says in a low voice. His hazel eyes pin mine as he eases back.
My hands clench involuntarily where they’re pressed against his t-shirt. How like Jake to think of me when he’s the one who’s charged with murder.
‘I know.’ The words are unconvincing, even to me.
‘We have a lot to discuss.’ A wry smile ghosts across his lips.
I wind my legs around him in answer and pull him against me, feeling gratified at the effect I still have on him after three years together.
I palm him through his pants. ‘And what about this?’
His hands convulse on my waist as his breath hitches. He’s so much taller than me, especially when I’m seated, and I love the way he leans over me. I’ve always felt protected by him.
‘After we talk, I’ll fuck you any way you like,’ he growls. ‘But right now, we need to talk. And you can’t distract yourself from reality with my body.’
I’m not sure whether to laugh or be annoyed.
As Alpha of the largest Pack in NYC, he has to have iron self-control. And he’s right. I don’t want to face the reality of this situation. I want a distraction. I want release.
Huffing a laugh, I release him, placing my hands against his chest again. He sweeps me off the table, hooks a chair with his ankle, and sits down with me on his lap, facing him. Every part of me tightens in response to the feel of his hard body against mine.
‘This isn’t helping my resolve.’ It comes out breathier than I want.
Jake is one of the only people in the world I trust. That I can be myself with. To not have to always be the badass detective leading the most dangerous squad in the police force.
‘It’s helping mine.’ He smirks at me, but his hazel eyes are serious.
‘What did the Captain tell you? Do you have a lawyer? When is your arraignment? Will you get bail?’ The words pour out of me in a rush.
Jake pulls my dark hair loose, letting it fall around my face like a curtain, running his fingers through it as if it calms him.
‘I was only told that they had to charge me. They’re going to push this through as fast as possible unless other evidence comes to light.’
I can easily read between the lines of what he’s not telling me.
He’s a Werewolf and the Alpha of his Pack.
With a human, they would have waited longer, making sure to gather more than flimsy circumstantial evidence.
Claw marks and a partial print usually wouldn’t be nearly enough for a murder charge.
But the city is uneasy. There is still a war on drugs, money laundering, assaults, and all the usual human crimes.
Less than in the past, thanks to microchips, but still present.
Add to that Paranormal-related crime, even with the World Treaty as protection.
Humans will be scared if- when- they find out there’s been a murder involving a Werewolf.
‘I have a lawyer. He’s from the Pack. The arraignment is later this morning. So at least they’re moving that part along quickly as well.’ He removes his hands from my hair and gently places them on my face.
‘It’s too fast,’ I murmur to myself, as if he can’t hear me perfectly with his enhanced senses.
How will I get enough evidence to clear him before the prosecutor builds a case?
‘So bail will be set this morning?’ I clarify, trying to focus with the feel of him pressed exactly where I want him.
‘I have a good chance of getting it, even with a murder charge. I have no priors, and I’m well known in the community.’ He runs his thumb over my lip, and I have to stop myself from pulling it into my mouth.
‘Unless the DA decides you’re a risk. Jake, you’re a Paranormal being. As the Alpha, you’re not a flight risk, that’s true. Everyone knows Pack rules, Pack loyalty. It’s your strength, your volatility as a Lyco, that will set him on edge. It will depend on the judge, I think.’
I don’t bother to say that there’s the possibility of a Pack war brewing. That it won’t look good. Until last night, the main concern for the PPS was the threat of violence that was steadily simmering between the two rival Were Packs of New York.
Jake seems to know what I’m thinking. ‘This thing Janus is trying to start is another reason I would never abandon my Pack. Can I mention you?’ he asks hesitantly.
I think it through. Lead Detective of the PPS vouching for him.
But it would have to be as his girlfriend.
And then I wouldn’t be seen as impartial.
I’d be taken off the case. Our best chance is for me to stay on it, even if it means more time in jail for him. My heart squeezes tight at the thought.
I outline my reasoning, and by the look on his face, I know he’s already come to the same conclusion.
‘Someone framed me,’ he says vehemently.
‘I know,’ I say in surprise, leaning forward to kiss him lightly.
As if I would consider for even a micro-second that he actually murdered someone.
‘That’s one thing I aim to find out. How they got your print and what motive they have for framing you for murder.’
My guess is Janus, the Alpha of the other Pack with territory in NYC, and Jake’s main rival.
And who would miss a mid-level drug cartel flunky?
Janus would never sacrifice one of his own Weres, even to start a war to acquire Jake’s Pack.
I don’t share my suspicions with my gorgeous boyfriend.
I need hard evidence, or it could start the war we’ve been trying to avoid.
‘Eve…,’ He trails off with a sigh.
He knows better than to say this isn’t all on me. It’s my job, and unless the Captain takes me off it, I’m going to do everything in my power to clear Jake as soon as possible.
‘Enough talk,’ I say, smirking up at him. ‘The holo-cams are off, and officer whoever won’t dare interrupt us.’
Jake growls low in his throat, his hazel eyes glowing with wicked intent. He licks my neck, lengthened canines scraping against my pulse, sending it racing.
Climbing off him, I shimmy out of my thong, dangling it from my finger. Jake doesn’t need any more encouragement as he picks me up as if I weigh nothing, one hand undoing his pants as he settles me back on the table.
‘Holy fuck, you’re gorgeous,’ he says, his voice strained, eyes darkening with need.
‘Hard and fast,’ I manage to get out before his lips are on mine. My skirt is around my hips, and my mind empties of everything except the taste and feel of him as he fills me.