Training the SECRET (Corrigan & Co #6) Read online

  “I don’t know,” he says, looking at my dad. “Sparring, floor work, training?”

  “I was actually thinking of self-defense. For women.”

  I narrow my eyes at my dad, but smile. “Nate taught my friends and I, so that would be perfect for him.”

  “Every woman in this city is going to sign up to be ‘trained’ by him,” Heath says with a smirk.

  “Good. Women should know how to protect themselves,” Nate says, not taking the bait.

  “Very beautiful women, Nate. Who are going to offer you more than just their attention in the classroom.”

  “I’m pretty sure you’re going to be meeting some, if not all, of Jade’s friends soon. There’s not one woman among them who wouldn’t stop traffic if they walked down the street. Granted, none of them thinks of me as more than a brother, but I can handle some unwanted advances.”

  “You handled them from me for over two years,” I remind him. “I never thought of you as my brother.”

  “Yours weren’t unwanted, but it’s true that I never acted on them.”

  My father makes a noise of displeasure, and I really wish he’d just get over it. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself, and I told him that when I came back. He knows about the Society, and my training. I guess he’ll always see me as his little girl, though, and I’m not entirely upset about that.

  “Are you ready to go now?” I ask my dad, noting that Heath has cleared out the last stragglers who were hanging around the gym gawking at Nate.

  “Yeah. Heath and I have poker night tonight. I’m assuming Nate’s going back to your place with you? You have that nice, empty guest house.”

  “Daddy,” I say on a sigh. “Nate is not sleeping in the guest house.”

  Nate’s lips are twitching as he chimes in. “I will if it makes him more comfortable.”

  “Will it keep you away from her?”

  “No. There’s not a chance of that.”

  “Of course not. Just, you know…take care of things.”

  That twitch is now a fullblown smile as the only other man who can make me turn red does.

  “I will, Hunt.”

  I grab Nate’s hand and pull him towards the door. “Let’s go, before I die right here of embarrassment.”

  “Give your old man a hug, please.”

  “Anytime, Daddy,” I tell him as I hold him tight.

  He’s hidden just how bad things are from me, but I’m going to have Ainsley get me his records. I need to know exactly how bad it is, and how much time I have with him if it’s really bad. Because I know it won’t be enough.

  “Stop it,” he tells me.

  “Stop what?”

  “Stop thinking about how our time together might be limited, and how if you hadn’t spoken up about what you saw, we’d have been together all this time.”

  “It’s true.”

  “You wouldn’t have been able to live with yourself if you hadn’t spoken up. And from all you’ve told me, you have a wonderful life now.”

  “I have a great job and the best friends anyone could hope for, but it hasn’t been the same without you.”

  “So we’ll just have to make the best of the time we have, won’t we?”

  “Yeah. We will.”

  I hug him one more time, and wave at Heath before walking out with Nate. He takes my hand and squeezes it as we walk to my car. I deactivate my alarms—yes, I have more than one—and let him open the door for me.

  “You want me to pick up dinner before heading to your place, J?”

  “How will you know what I want?”

  “I’ve been paying close attention for over two years. I’ve got this.”

  A get a little tingly inside, thinking about him noticing things about me. I try to keep it to myself, but a smile breaks out on my face. “Just in case, how about we both drive over to my favorite deli.”

  “As long as I get to try and order for you.”

  “I find the fact that you want to try kinda romantic.”

  “Do you now?” he asks me with a smirk.

  “Wipe that cocky grin off your face, Soldier. I said kinda.”

  “I have no problem stepping up my game, Angel. Anything for you.”

  My panties have officially disintegrated. Hearing this super alpha, who can have anyone he wants, tell me that he wants to please me is about the hottest thing ever. I may not survive that kiss he’s promised me. I lick my lips without meaning to, and watch as his smile grows even wider. Ugh, I’m way too transparent where he’s concerned.

  “Go on and get in your car. I need food.”

  “We both know that’s not what you really need, but I’ll feed you first. Youaregonna need it later.”

  He closes my door and swaggers over to his rental car as I throw my head back against the seat, and fan myself. How the hell am I supposed to act normal while we get our food after what he just promised me? Especially when I don’t doubt that he can deliver. I almost come just thinking about how exactly he’s going to deliver.

  A horn sounds next to me, and I look over to see that he’s pulled up next to me and is looking at me like he just won the lottery. I flip him off, and put my car into drive. Yeah, I’m hot and ready for him, but his damn attitude still pisses me off. And makes me feel insecure, wondering why he’s not affected by me the same way. Then again, he never has been.

  When we get to the restaurant, I don’t wait for him to come get me. I walk inside before he’s even fully out of his car, and get in line. I feel him behind me before he leans over to whisper in my ear.

  “What’s with leaving me in the dust out there?” I shrug, and stare straight ahead. “Tell me what I did wrong.”

  I start to answer when a group of kids comes over to us. “Are you really Nate Anderson?”

  “Yeah, he is,” I tell them, pulling away. “Sign some autographs. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  “Jade.”

  “I’m fine. Really.”

  He can’t walk away from the kids without looking like a major asshole, which gives me time to walk down the hall to the restroom. I splash some water on my face, and remind myself that he came here for me, that he says he wants me. If he’s not acting as hot and bothered as me, then oh well. I’ll just have to work harder to make him that way.

  I square my shoulders and open the door. I’m not expecting the punch that comes, and it hits me hard, almost knocking me to the ground. Two teenagers I’ve never seen before enter and corner me near the sinks.

  “Hey guys, this is the ladies room. No boys allowed.”

  “You should’ve stayed gone, bitch.”

  “And you should leave now before you make me hurt you.”

  Because I will. They’re really just kids, but if it’s me or them, well, it’s going to be me.

  “You’re real funny. Not,” says the one on my left before he lunges at me.

  I easily flip him over my head, but take a punch in the kidney from his friend for my efforts. That’s all he gets, though. I swing out my leg and take him down, watching as his head hits the floor hard. Just like his buddy’s did. They’re both out cold, and I’m just a little bruised and winded.

  Time to go before anyone else wants a turn, especially since that kidney punch hurt like a mofo. He’s got a good arm—he just needs to use it in a ring, and not on a woman. I’m trying not to wince as I walk back into the main part of the restaurant, but I see Nate freeze, and know I’ve failed.

  “What the fuck?”

  “I’m okay. There’s two kids in the women’s bathroom who are going to need some medical attention, though.”

  “What did you do to my brother?” one of the kids Nate was signing autographs for asks.

  He starts to run at me, but Nate picks him up by his neck and holds him in the air. “Were you distracting me so your brother could have a go at my girl?”

  “Do you know how much money we can get for hurting her?”

  “No. But I know you can’t spend any
money if I kill you.”

  “You-you wouldn’t kill me.”

  “For her? Yeah, I would. Put that message out on the street,” he tells him, dropping him to the ground.

  The kids all run in different directions as I just stand there in shock. Little kids are after me. I need to see my dad, but I’m no good to anyone if I’m dead.

  “I’ve got our food, Jade. Let’s go home and talk, okay?”

  “Huh? Oh yeah.”

  “Can you drive?”

  I shake myself. “Yeah. I can drive. Sorry about this.”

  “None of this is your fault. Let’s just get going before I really do have to kill someone tonight.”

  I nod and take his hand, still freaked out. About all the people who are willing to sell a piece of their soul for some money. And also because I know in my heart that Nate would kill someone for me. I guess I always knew that he—and my friends—would, but it’s different now that we’re different. Or maybe we’re not. I don’t know what to think anymore. I just need to get to my house, where I know I’ll be safe.

  Chapter 3

  Nate

  What happened at the deli was bad. Jade didn’t get hurt much—she’s been well trained—but just the fact that some punk kids went after her tells me that whoever’s actually after her is in it to win it. I was once a desperate kid who’d do anything to earn my next meal, so I understand where the kids are coming from. I also know that being that poor makes you feel like you have nothing to lose. Anyone with that mentality is even more dangerous than a trained assassin, because they’ll take chances that they shouldn’t.

  When we get to Jade’s gated home, I realize that she’ll be safe here. I can hear the electricity crackling in the air from the fence, and maybe even beyond. She has to use a pretty sophisticated hand, eye, and code combination to get the gate to open, and I hear her tell the system that a second car is entering. I grip the steering wheel tightly because I know that there are only a few people who could set up a system like this, and that means she asked someone besides me for help when she left.

  “This security looks like Aiden’s work,” I tell her once we’re inside the house.

  She turns to look at me. “That’s because it is Aiden’s work.”

  “You called him. Not me, or even Ellie. Him.”

  “Yes.”

  She starts to walk away, but I grab her arm. I know it’s the wrong thing to do, but I’m angry—and jealous. “How did you pay him, Jade?”

  “Excuse me,” she says, pulling her arm away to glare at me. “I know you aren’t implying that I traded sexual favors for my security system. With the man my best friend is in love with, no less.”

  I need to answer her, but I don’t. I’m practically shaking with how upset I am. She called Aiden when she needed help. She should’ve called me.

  “Please give me my sandwich. You can use any of the guest rooms down here. And then you need to leave in the morning.”

  That snaps me out of it. “Dammit, Jade. I don’t think you slept with Aiden, or even offered to. It’s just…I…you should’ve asked me for help.”

  “You can set up a security system like Ainsley, Scott, and Aiden can?”

  “No, but I would’ve called him for you.”

  “I didn’t need a middleman. I know how to dial a phone.”

  “You mean that you didn’t need me.”

  “I didn’t know I could have you. You’ve pushed me away for over two years, treating me like I was just some silly girl with a crush. Why would I ask you for help?”

  She’s right. I know she’s right. Well not about everything. “I never thought you were a silly girl.”

  “And this is the other thing. You show up here acting like some switch has been flipped. Saying you want me now. What the hell am I supposed to think?”

  “I’ve always wanted you, J. You’re supposed to think that I’ve finally decided that I’m man enough to have a woman like you.”

  “Like me? I don’t know if that’s a compliment or an insult?”

  “I’d never insult you.”

  “Then tell me what you mean.”

  This is the easy part. Well, not really. If telling her how I see her was easy for me, I would’ve done it years ago. Now that I’ve decided that I’m going for it with her, I want to tell her. I need her to know how gone I am for her.

  “You’re wicked smart, sexy as sin, so gorgeous it hurts to look at you for long, and the best friend anyone could ever hope to have. You bring me to my knees every time I’m near you.”

  “You’re not on your knees now.”

  “Is that what you want, Angel? You want me on my knees?”

  I see her chest rise and fall, even in that loose shirt. Oh yeah, she wants me there. Right where I want to be. I just need her to say it.

  “We should eat,” she says suddenly.

  “Isn’t that what we were talking about? Eating?”

  “Food, Soldier. Food.”

  She turns and starts walking towards what I’m guessing is the kitchen. I catch up to her, and pull her against me so I can whisper in her ear. “I know I’m coming on strong, but I can wait. It’s your call. When, where, how. For our first time, at least. After that, well, I’m as alpha as they come, so I do need to be in charge. I’ll give you what you need, though. You can count on that.”

  “Please stop with the mixed signals. That’s not what I need right now.”

  I’m shocked enough to drop my arms from her. She takes the opportunity to move away from me and grab two beers from the fridge. I set the sandwiches and sides down on the kitchen island as she stands on the other side.

  “You’re going to need to explain those last comments to me. I thought I’d made myself very clear today.”

  “Seriously? You show up saying you want me, but won’t kiss me because it’s ‘not the right time.’ Then you say things to get me all hot and bothered while not getting the least bit excited yourself. And finally, you accuse me of sleeping with your best friend because I called him, and not you, for help.”

  Is she kidding? No, looking at her I can tell she’s dead serious—and she took everything I said today the wrong way. That’s my fault. I forgot to put away my player persona with her. I need her to see me, the real me that I don’s share with other women.

  “Come over here and sit with me. Please.”

  She looks nervous, but she nods and walks over. “Okay.”

  I reach out to cup her face with one hand, while I hold one of hers with my other. “I kept my armor up with you today, and for that, I’m truly sorry.”

  “You don’t need to protect yourself from me.”

  “You’re the most dangerous person on this planet to me, Jade. The only woman who could ever break my heart, because you own it already.”

  “I do?” she asks, moving closer to me.

  “Yes. You own all of me. You have since the day we met.”

  I close that last distance between us and touch my lips to hers. Just little kisses, slow and sweet. I won’t rush this—or anything else—with her. I want to savor every second because I’ll never know which one of those will be my last with her.

  She moves her free hand to the back of my neck, raking her short nails lightly over my skin as she angles her head. I let her take the kiss a little more passionate, but still keep my lips closed. She licks, nibbles, and then outright bites me as she gets frustrated with my resistance.

  “Open your damn mouth for me,” she demands, her breath washing over my pleasantly bruised mouth.

  I chuckle without meaning to, and she takes that window of opportunity, slipping her tongue into my mouth to tangle with mine. I groan as I taste her fully for the first time. She’s everything I expected, and more. I let go of her hand to intertwine both of mine in her silky hair. Even as I pull her fully between my legs, it’s not close enough. I move my head back a little, doing some nibbling and biting of my own, before breaking away to look at her.

  “God, you’
re amazing.”

  “Why’d you stop kissing me, then?”

  “Because I need to taste more of you. I promised myself that I would wait until I gave you your romance, but I can’t. I need my mouth on you. On your tits that have been making me crazy since you started wearing those too small exercise bras around me. And then down to suck on your clit before tasting your sweet pussy. When you come all over my mouth, I’m going to lick you clean and do it again, and again, and againonce more until you can’t stand. Then I’ll carry you to your bed and fuck you so hard that we both black out.”

  “Oh, God Nate. Yes. Please. Yes.”

  I reach out and whip her shirt from her head, smiling at the plain white bra that’s barely holding in the luscious breasts I fantasize about. Once that’s gone, and I can see her dark pink nipples standing at attention, I lean over and lick. One, and then the other. Just small licks, until she leans onto the stool behind her and arches her back.

  “Fuck you’re so sexy like this, Angel. Offering up your presents just for me.”

  “Then stop teasing me, and take them.”

  I reach behind her and give her ass a nice, hard slap. She yelps as I smile. “I told you I’m an alpha with a need to be in control.”

  “You also told me I could be in charge tonight,” she tells me as she stands defiantly in front of me.

  “I lied,” I tell her, and lean over to suck her nipple into my mouth, pulling on it hard enough to make her back arch again.

  “I hate…oh fuck, yeah, like that.”

  I play up there for a while, leaving marks all over her beautiful tits as I worship them with my mouth and hands. When I can tell that she might come just from what I’m doing, I stop. Cold turkey. And just like a drug, I’m feeling withdrawals already.

  “Take your leggings and panties off. Then stand up on two of the stools and lean onto the counter.”

  “What? No. You take off your clothes if you want me to take off mine.”

  “This isn’t a democracy, Jade. You don’t get a vote.”

  “So if I say no, you’ll still take me.”

  I take several steps back until I’m against the wall. “Never, Jade. Never. I want to play, and have you listen to me, but no is no.”

  She nods and hooks her hands into the sides of her leggings, pulling them down along with whatever panties she had on. My mouth waters at the sight of her as she toes off her shoes to pull everything off. Her tits are glistening and red from my mouth, and her pussy is almost bare except for one strip of chocolate brown hair down the middle. It’s also glistening, telling me how ready she is for me.