CHARGED PART 1

She hurried her footsteps down the alley. This was not part of the plan. Something grabbed her foot. A bottle, a branch, or a hand—either way, she found herself flat on the pavement, cheek to the ground, face to foot with a very large, very black boot.

Dakota thrust herself to the side and raised her arms to shield her face. The boot smashed against her forearm. Force from the kick rolled her over, and her back crashed into an unforgiving brick wall.

Oh, that’s gonna leave a mark.

Cold, steel-like fingers wrapped around her throat. The ground beneath her fell away as the attacker hoisted her into the air. She grabbed the arm attached to the noose squeezing her neck.

“You think you can defeat me?”

“Oh my gosh, got any more clichés to spit at me?”

Marble-black eyes stared a hole through her. Rancid breath pierced her nostrils, triggering a gag reflex. Gone was the cute, blue-eyed, nice-smelling college boy named Chip Daniels she’d been flirting with minutes earlier.

He slammed her against the brick wall and pressed his body against hers in a way only lovers should. Eyes closed, he drew in a deep breath through his nose. “You smell delicious. I bet your blood tastes like wine.”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” Dakota thrashed, but his grip tightened around her neck. He thrust his body against hers again while his other hand pinned her arm against the wall.

That left one hand free. She’d make him regret that.

“Not interested anymore? You were practically throwing yourself at me earlier.”

“Yeah. Back when you were a hottie frat boy. Not a freaking old, saggy-skinned demon.”

He growled, flashing his elongated teeth.

Stupid Changers.

She curled her fingers beneath the digits, squeezing her throat and ignited a current of electricity, then pried them loose. Her knee connected with a spot no man wanted to be kicked. Even non-human men.

He grunted, sending his rotten breath washing over her again, but her aim must have been on target because he dropped her. She landed then planted her steel-toed combat boots against his stomach. He keeled forward, and her elbow crashed against his temple with burst of electricity for emphasis. The scent of signed hair overpowered the musty smell of the alley.

Nobody touched her body like that unless she said so.

She leapt to the side and rolled. From her boot, she pulled a silver blade then stood. The demon lunged but her weapon connected with his chest.

“Bye now,” Dakota said with a little wave and closed her eyes.

A micro-burst of dust brushed over her as the creature vaporized.

“Dakota?” Sean’s voice bounced off the brick walls that towered over her.

She faced the alley entrance and saw her teammate jogging toward her. Long, blond locks of curly hair bounced as he moved. A flicker of light flashed off the silver blade he held in his left hand.

“Oh, sure. Now you show up!”

“Are you okay?” He stopped a couple of feet in front of her, but the scent of his spicy cologne washed over her.

She rubbed her throat. “Fine.”

“Here. Let me see.” Sean reached out and tilted Dakota’s head back. His warm fingers brushed over her flesh. “Got a couple marks from what I can see. Does it hurt?”

She shrugged out from his touch. She was the one with the electricity flowing through her blood, literally. But for a second, while he touched her, she swore he did too. “Some back-up you turned out to be. Where the hell were you?”

He grabbed her hand and turned toward the street. Happy to leave the smelly, dark, dirty alley, she allowed him to guide her out. But holding Sean’s hand-Not such a good thing. He could hear people’s thoughts, and even more so when he touched them, so she threw up the thickest mental blocks she could muster.

Didn’t need him knowing that his touch kick-started her heart rate. Celeste probably wouldn’t appreciate that-being his girlfriend and all.

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

“Ah, hell. You heard that? That’s so not fair. Sean, you said you wouldn’t listen in anymore.”

He stopped just before they reached the street. “Well, you’re broadcasting with a bullhorn, D.”

“I thought I was hiding stuff pretty well.” She pulled her hand from his grip and stomped up the sidewalk.

“Hey, if it makes you feel any better, I only heard the words Celeste and girlfriend.”

“Right.” Dakota spun around.

“I swear. I’m not lying.” He reached out toward her, his chocolate-colored eyes flickering. “Go on. Check my aura.”

Dakota glanced around then rested her forefinger on the inside of his wrist. A subtle shade of blue encapsulated his broad, six-foot frame. So he wasn’t lying.

Sean’s straight, white teeth glimmered as a smile split his face. “Told you.”

Why’d hormones have to go and mess everything up? She’d been able to hide her feelings from Sean for quite a while but didn’t know how much longer she could keep it up.

Dakota ducked around him and moved toward the street fair. Crowds, thumping music, and people-just what she needed to drown her thoughts.

“Hold up, D.”

His voice sounded closer. She picked up her pace.

“Look. I’m sorry you got hurt. I didn’t know there were two Changers. I thought it was just that Chip guy.”

“Did his big-boobed sidekick distract you?” She stopped and crossed her arms over her chest. “Look, you were supposed to back me up, Sean.”

He stepped closer to her. “I’m s—”

She palmed his chest, instantly sorry she did. His pec muscles tightened beneath her fingers. She retracted her hand like she’d touched a burning stove. “I know I’m just a work partner to you, but, dude, you gotta be there for me.”

She whirled around and sprinted away. If she hadn’t, she might have tackled him to the ground, and it wouldn’t have been to fight, either.

Click to Read Chapter Two