HeroRevealed Read online

  The morning sun highlighted the blue in his thick, black hair, making it look as soft as a panther’s pelt. He was the definition of tall, dark and dangerous with his muscular build, confident stance and the double ring tattoo circling his bulging biceps. Adding to the air of danger was the wide scar bisecting the two bands. It looked as if a pipe had been heated and pressed to his skin, which had to have hurt. The mark matched the set of scars crisscrossing his back, which she only noticed because he often went shirtless, and not because the play of muscles made her lips burn with the need to soften the marks with wet kisses.

  His thumbs pulled at the loops of his jeans, drawing her gaze to his flat stomach and well-worn fly. Her throat grew tight as she imagined cuffing him to her bed and licking every deliciously carved bronze inch. He sucked in a sharp breath and those pale-green eyes Conkle called weird seemed to see right into the heart of her, daring her to live out her most secret desires.

  With all the grace of a newborn colt she stumbled forward and blurted, “What do you think you’re doing?”

  He gestured to the kayaks waiting on the river bank. His lips curled in that smug, obnoxious grin she itched to slap—or kiss—away. “My job?”

  “I’m talking about last night and the week before. You’re apprehending my suspects before I can and it has to stop.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He cocked a dark eyebrow and replied with an accent as rich as hot fudge sliding warm and sweet down her spine.

  “Don’t mistake me for an idiot. I know who you are.”

  “I should hope so. I ask you out at least twice a week. I’m starting to think you don’t like me.” He chuckled and tilted his head with a frown. “You appear tired. Are you sleeping well? Come share a meal with me. How about we take the day off and go out to the lake for a picnic?”

  “What? No—” She scowled and regrouped. “Whatever game you’re playing stops now. I will not allow a civilian to interfere in police business.”

  “Ahhh.” He brushed his finger alongside his nose. “You must be speaking of the vigilante I’ve been hearing whispers about. If you see him again, give him my thanks. You need someone to look out for your welfare.”

  “It’s my job to take that risk. I will not allow such disrespect to continue.”

  “I mean no disrespect with my words, Brett. I’m quite aware of your strengths, however it pains me to think your light might be extinguished from this world before you’ve experienced all of the treasures she can provide, and I want to share them with you.” His voice dropped an octave and her body trembled under his hypnotic spell.

  Was his ability to make her melt and want to commit murder at the same time a gift or a curse?

  He drifted closer, swaying in that way rock stars use to seduce their fans. Heat shimmered between them in waves, like sunlight hitting molten pavement. Her eyelids grew heavy as her limbs melted, softening in preparation of molding to his muscled contours. Under her thick down jacket, her nipples tightened, ready for his touch, and her hips shifted as wetness and heat pooled between her thighs. She was lost, drowning in the sea of lust radiating from his eyes and the promising pout of his lips.

  “Why? Why are you doing this?” she whispered. “What do you want from me?”

  A dimple appeared near the corner of his mouth. “I thought you knew. Apparently I’ve been too subtle.” He leaned close, his chest brushing her coat. “I want you, Brett. All of you. I want your passion, your regard. I want you to loosen your tightly bound control and come apart in my arms with my name falling from your lips like a prayer.” He ran the tip of his finger over her cheek. “I do love the way you say my name.”

  Cold air hit the back of her throat as she sucked in a huge breath, breaking the spell he wove with the sensuous grace that was pure Kristos. She shook her head and stepped back. “Wow. Such poetic words from a river rat. No wonder you have so many women lining up for what you dish out.”

  Crap. She mentally grimaced at the ugly snap in her tone. Why couldn’t she wrestle her jealous shrew into submission? Kristos was a sexy man. His raw sexuality wasn’t something he could turn off and on like a light. It wasn’t entirely his fault that women responded to him with such shameless abandon, and she had made it perfectly clear she didn’t want him. Lie that it was.

  She wanted him so bad she sometimes trembled with the need and found herself, on occasion, with her keys in hand, ready to seek out his touch.

  Kristos was like a well-aged bottle of bourbon. Hot and fiery as he slid over her tongue and down her throat, his heat permeating every fiber in her body with a sensuousness that stole all rational thought until she craved nothing but pure pleasure. Then the next morning would come the killer hangover and the painful pounding headache to remind her why she didn’t drink in the first place.

  He scowled as she retreated farther away. “That’s not fair and you know it. Those women don’t appeal to me, and do you know why?” He stalked toward her with purpose. Those big shoulders rolled with each step until he backed her against the side of the building, his heat and power invading her personal space. Crowding her further, he leaned closer so they were nose to nose. The warmth of his breath brushed her lips in a promise. “They’re not you. You, Brett, are truly special.”

  A more naive woman would take his pretty, cultured speech as gospel and fall immediately in love with him. However, cynicism came with the uniform. She worked hard for her badge, and Kristos was always encouraging her to blow off her responsibilities. It took mutual respect and limitless patience to make a relationship work, qualities neither of them possessed.

  Damn him for making her wish she were a different person than who she was.

  She stuck a finger in his face. “This is my only warning. Stay out of police business. If I see you anywhere near a crime scene, I will Tase you. Do you understand?”

  To keep him from seeing her shaking hands, she grasped her belt and stalked back to her squad car. Gravel shot from the tires as she sped down the road and away from her fondest desire. Her mother would call her crazy for walking away from the promise in his eyes. She, herself, questioned her own sanity during long nights spent all alone. Kristos didn’t understand. Her mother never understood.

  Cops did not make the best life partners. The hours were grueling, the pressure mentally breaking, and the few relationships that survived carried the possibility of being cut short by a gunman’s bullet, just like what happened to her parents.

  Since becoming sheriff her life had become a never-ending wave of uncertainty. She was still settling into a new community and battling the stereotype of sexism that should have gone out of style with parachute pants. The challenges she faced commanded one hundred percent of her attention, and Kristos said it himself. He wanted all of her, and she didn’t have it to give.

  That didn’t mean walking away from him didn’t hurt like a son of a bitch.

  Her cell rang, reminding her there was more going on in the world than Kristos and his flirtations. She put in her earpiece and answered, “Sheriff Briggs.”

  “Sheriff, it’s Marjorie Anderson. Do you have a moment?”

  “Certainly, Mrs. Anderson. How was the wedding?”

  “Oh, it was so lovely. Thank you for asking. The flowers were simply beautiful and the dress, exquisite. I must have taken at least a thousand pictures. But I’m calling to thank you for catching that criminal who broke into the house last night.”

  Pride filled her chest, making her sit straighter in her seat. This was why she loved her job. Knowing she was keeping her community safe made all the long, shitty nights worth the stress.

  “Well you’re welcome, Mrs. Anderson. Helping others is why I love what I do.”

  “And we’re lucky to have you. And that masked man I heard was there too. If you see him again, will you send him my way? I want to make him a batch of my prize-winning brownies.”

  She barely held back the curse that sprang to her lips. “I— I’ll see what I
can do,” she lied in a tight voice.

  “Wonderful. Thanks again, Sheriff.”

  With a deep sigh, she shook her head. Jiminy Christmas.

  Her belly craved something sweet and decadent. Since Kristos was off the menu, she drove toward the next best thing, a slice of chocolate cream pie at Betty Sue’s Diner. Who cared if it was early? She needed it after the last twelve hours.

  The jingle of brass bells and the aroma of bacon and coffee greeted her as she opened the door to Cedar’s most popular establishment. As usual, her entrance garnered the attention of every patron. Since the minute she’d donned the badge of sheriff, she’d been questioned on everything from her moral values to her sexual orientation. Not once had she been asked about her views on public safety or how she planned on improving police procedure.

  “Morning, Sheriff. Any word on that masked stranger? I hear he’s physically impressive.”

  Ah yes, because when facing a potentially dangerous individual, she always stopped to admire their muscles.

  “Morning, Judy.” She nodded at the woman who was the head of the agricultural society, and the town’s biggest gossip. “I have a few leads. How are the plans for the Arbor Day festival coming along?”

  “I bet you can’t wait to get your hands on all of those muscles. I heard he can lift a grown man off the floor with one hand.”

  “I can too with the right leverage. I’m not going to let anyone put themselves in danger. He’s been lucky so far that he hasn’t gotten himself or someone else hurt, and I’m going to make sure it stays that way.”

  Judy giggled. “You are so funny when you talk tough.”

  She let the statement slide off her back and said her goodbyes. She slid onto a barstool, resisting the urge to crumple in her seat.

  Betty Sue set a ceramic mug before her and filled it with coffee, leaving room near the top for the cream and two sugars Brett liked. “I didn’t expect to see you so early, Sheriff, after all of the hub-bub last night. I have to get your secret on how you stay so fresh-looking.”

  “I have stock in Oil of Olay.”

  “Oh, I hear you.” She patted her blue-black French twist. An inch of silver roots ran along the part. “Me and L’Oreal are like this.” She crossed her fingers. “So, what can I getcha? Your usual egg white omelet?”

  “Actually, I would love a slice of chocolate cream pie. Just a little one.”

  Betty Sue raised a knowing brow and moved to the pie display. “Which male are we exorcising this morning?”

  “Why does a male have to be involved? Can’t I just want pie?”

  “Honey, whenever a woman hits the chocolate this early it’s usually about a man, so it’s either one of your dumb-ass deputies, that vigilante I heard is pestering you, or…” She flashed a huge grin and tapped her red-tipped fingernails together with barely restrained glee. “Perhaps it’s a certain sexy river guide who’s been after you since you moved into town?”

  Brett stuffed a forkful of cream in her mouth to avoid answering. Betty Sue made it her mission to be Cedar’s den mother and she treated Brett like her favorite cub. Betty’s friendship and open spirit, not to mention the best fish and chips Brett ever tasted, made the diner one of Brett’s favorite hangouts and she counted the older woman as a friend. However, there were some things she didn’t share with anyone, and her feelings were at the top of that list.

  Betty Sue set both hands flat on the counter and leaned forward. Her bold stare told Brett she wouldn’t budge unless she heard a little dirt. “Let’s just say that I think the Amazons may have been on to something.”

  “Don’t give up on men yet, honey. They have their uses. And when I think of any, I’ll let you know.”

  The women shared a laugh until the program on the television caught Betty Sue’s attention. She let out a squeal and turned up the volume.

  “It’s the last episode of Oprah, people,” she yelled out to the few remaining patrons. “So keep it down.”

  “I thought that show ended a long time ago.”

  “It did. It’s in reruns now. I loved this one. It was so inspirational.” She wiped down the counter, her gaze fixed on the screen. “Say what you will about the woman, but she does have a powerful message. Do you know how many people told her that she would be a nobody? Now look at her. And it’s all because she listened to her heart and did what she loved. Kind of like us. We both worked hard at our dream and now I own this lovely diner and you’re sheriff. Everything fell into place like it should.”

  Yes, professionally she set out to do what she loved and was able to achieve all she ever wanted.

  Then why the hell did she feel so empty?

  The bite of creamy chocolate settled in her stomach like a stone, and for the first time her solitary lifestyle felt like a worn-out corset, tight and confining with a stay sticking her in the ribs.

  She pushed her plate away and faced the television, but her vision blurred. Tears she refused to shed burned the back of her throat. It was silly to cry over a man, especially a man who looked at her as if she were a rare treasure he coveted for his own.

  No, she mentally shook her head and clenched her teeth. She made her choice. The people of Cedar depended on her to give one-hundred-ten percent of her attention. A job requirement she had been fully aware of, although hadn’t quite comprehended the impact until now. Kristos could come at her all he wanted with those flexing muscles and smoldering eyes, but the people would always come first. Her honor demanded no less than her all.

  Chapter Three

  “Kristosllanos, what have you done?”

  Kristos closed his eyes and sighed. Usually when Lucian called him by his full name a lecture followed. Fantastic, just what he needed, a second round of castigation. From Brett he’d take it gladly, his brother was another matter.

  “It seems to be the day to be asked questions with obvious answers. I’ve prepared the life jackets and am now readying the kayaks.” He tucked an orange plastic craft under his arm like a football and picked up two others, deliberately turning his back on his brother.

  Lucian dogged his steps. “It’s you, isn’t it? You are this vigilante I’ve been hearing about. Just what do you think you’re doing?” Lucian knocked the kayaks out of Kristos’ hands and spun him around. “You know we cannot display our powers to anyone for any reason.”

  Kristos shook off the grip that would have broken a human man’s arm. “I’m not displaying anything. The police presence in this territory is sorely lacking and Brett cannot manage the entire town on her own. I am only offering my assistance.”

  “Dashing around in a mask while endangering yourself and others is not offering assistance. I know that you are capable of apprehending the average criminal on this planet, but have you given any thought about what will happen if we’re discovered? I stood by you once and was banished from my home. I will not allow you to lose this one as well.”

  He clenched his jaw and spoke through gritted teeth. “And I will not allow what happened to Moira to befall Brett.”

  Lucian sucked in a sharp breath and jerked back as if kicked in the gut. “How dare you speak of our queen, may the Mother keep her, so informally. Sheriff Briggs is a competent woman who has been trained to handle the criminal element. If you must engage with her socially, then ask her out like any other human. Date her and be done with it.”

  Date her. It sounded so juvenile compared to the depth of his feelings for the lovely Brett. The good sheriff was a force of nature he found fascinating. The first time he saw her, she stood across from him on the opposite side of a busy street. Their eyes met and desire hit him like an open-palm slap in the face, while his two hearts beat in a rhythm he never before experienced.

  Any other woman would have crossed the street to answer the invitation in his eyes, but not Brett. She stared right at him for several long moments. His empathic abilities picked up the desire her escalated breathing and bright blush barely hinted at. Then she frowned and walked away. Fro
m that moment on he was entranced, and with each encounter her mystery and allure ensnared him more. She was an intriguing dichotomy of strength and fragility, spontaneity and caution, passion and restraint that kept his attention riveted.

  It frightened him to think that a wayward bullet or well-placed fist could destroy something so unique and wonderful. It was a fear he’d felt only once before. He ignored that warning and it destroyed his world. A mistake he would not make again.

  “I don’t want to date her. I love her.”

  Lucian’s eyes bulged as he sputtered. “You do not. What do you know of love?”

  “Brett is special, and I’m not giving up on her until she gives me a chance to win her heart.”

  Lucian crossed his arms and shrugged. “So you have feelings for this woman. That does not mean you risk our safety by exposing our powers.”

  His laughter rang with derision. “Risk our safety? We were born to put others’ lives before our own, or is that something you’ve forgotten in your old age?”

  Battle-toughened warriors used to bow to Lucian’s authority. He had been fearless, decisive, and was the first to lead the charge against their enemies. Now he questioned every decision he made and spent more time with books and computers, learning about this world instead of living in it. Kristos’ hearts ached with sorrow for the shadow his brother had become.

  “Why are we here, Lucian?” He threw out his arms and gestured to the clear, blue sky and brilliant-green trees that covered the rocky terrain. “Look at this beauty. Feel the warm sun on your skin. If we came all this way to merely exist, then I would have gladly stayed and chosen death over banishment. I—we—chose life. Have you really experienced all this world has to offer? Are you going to hide forever? I’m not going to fear this world. I will eat until I am gorged, play until exhausted, and love until sated, because that is what it means to live.”

  The mental wall Lucian threw up between them hit Kristos so hard, he wouldn’t be surprised if he developed bruises on his frontal lobe.