In Too Deep (9 page)

“
You were naked with everyone though. You can’t tell me that wasn’t fun.” Tom grinned.

She sighed.
“It rained and rained. After a while, it made more sense to go naked than stay in muddy, wet clothes.”

Just what Brody needed, more images of Fallon wet and naked, and throw in dancing. He laid his head back and stared at the ceiling, trying desperately to blank his mind.

“Really?” Tom chuckled. “Any other druids with you?”

“
Gabe, and don’t get any ideas. He was busy with the phoenix woman he brought along. We showed up together, but I didn’t see him again until I met him at the car at the very end.”

The front bells rang, and Brody smelled the sickeningly sweet odor of Dacia.
Oh damn.
She was the last person he wanted to see.

Brody gave Tom a look of warning and nodded toward the door.

“Where is he?” Dacia’s voice was like icy bells in the bitter wind. She had to show up here, when he was about a millimeter away from being exposed to the hottest woman he’d ever laid eyes on. The whole situation had trouble written all over it.

Fallon ignored Dacia clicking down the hall in her stripper heels. He did catch the slightest whiff of jealousy from Fallon. He laid his head back and pressed his lips together to keep from smiling.

Fallon was interested after all. That one detail made his day. He knew she’d try to put some distance between them. Brody wasn’t going to let her without a good reason. He would take things nice and slow, get to know her, and wait until she was ready. They had a connection even if she couldn’t admit it yet.

Adam snapped,
“You don’t want to disturb Fallon. She’s back there working magic.” There was stomping and more clicking. “Come on Dacia, don’t make me get Tomahawk out here to escort you out.”

Brody looked up and saw Tom smirk from just behind Fallon. He knew Tom would throw the drama queen over his shoulder and toss her out like yesterday’s garbage. Fallon just had to say the word.

Dacia snarled, “Back off, I just want to make sure he’s all right after the vampires attacked him. No little girl could have stopped those piece of shit fangers.”

Brody groaned, and Fallon glanced up with a vicious little smirk on her lips. She looked over her shoulder at Tom.
“Do me a favor and keep her out of my space. I’m almost done and I don’t want the distraction.” Her tone was so calm.

Tom chuckled and moved to block the door.
“Should I let her watch from the door? I could just throw her out if you want.”

“
As long as she isn’t in my space, I don’t care.”

Dacia appeared in the doorway, but Adam was in front of her, trying to push her back down the hall. Fury glittered in her dark eyes as she tried to shove Adam out of the way. Tomahawk filled most of the frame, his arms crossed over his chest.

Dacia broke free of Adam and paused to smooth a hand over her black hair and straighten her too short skirt before trying to scoot around Tom, who caught her and held her by the shoulder to keep her back with a tsking sound. Adam was right behind her trying to hold her back.

“
Let me in. I want to see that Brody is okay with my own eyes,” Dacia sneered.

Adam warned,
“Don’t do this Dacia. Not right now. Fallon is working on your favorite fantasy, so leave them both alone. They’ll be at the bar tonight and you can meet her then.”

Thank God
. Adam had his back, but Brody had to wonder why the dumbass used those words. No one needed Dacia to be more volatile than she normally was.

* * * *

Dacia was livid. That skank sat between his legs. All she had to do was tug Brody’s half open jeans and she could do whatever she pleased. Brody was letting her, after complaining for years that he wasn’t ready for anyone. She had waited forever to have another chance at him, and now this hussy was cutting in line.

Fallon’s long red curls cascaded down her back. She had an hourglass figure, even though her colorful arms were rock solid and her denim clad legs were shapely. She was nothing like Sarah. Yet, Brody obviously wanted a piece.

Clint came by her office to gossip with some story about this druid she couldn’t believe. She couldn’t stand the little prick, but he always had the best news. He told Dacia about Brody being attacked by the Dales. Then she found out about the silver coated fangs, and thought, just maybe, she’d be able to take care of him until he healed. Except, some woman managed to heal the silver damage, which wasn’t even possible. And to top it off, she was the same living coloring book he was ogling in one of Jess’ tattoo magazines just last week.

What the fuck was that about?

Fallon yanked his pants down even more and her needle dipped lower. Dacia didn’t miss the way Brody’s breath caught, or the way his thighs flexed under the bitches arms.

Dacia erupted,
“You fucking whore!”

Fallon didn’t even respond. Nothing.

That was it. Dacia tried to shove past Tom, who pushed her. Adam grabbed her around the waist and hauled her back before she could swing at Tom.

“
Oh hell no,” Adam snapped at her, and tried to drag her down the hall.

She stomped on his foot with the heel of her shoe. He let her go with a groan, and hopped around like a baby. Dacia fixed Tom with a look, but he folded his arms over his chest and glared back.

“I’ll just look,” she said harshly.

Tom shook his head and stood his ground.

She placed one hand on the doorframe and looked over his shoulder. Fallon was still sitting there, cool as ice.

Brody sat up and glared at Dacia over Fallon’s shoulder.
“Dacia, it’s a tattoo. Now back the fuck off. Fallon’s just finishing up. You can see the piece when she’s done.”

Fallon looked
up, placed a hand on his chest and pushed him down. “Hold still, Brody.” She had a voice made for phone sex.

Then he smiled down at her before he
sat back in the reclined chair.

Dacia hated Fallon from the second she saw Brody staring at her pictures, but now she loathed the woman. She was going to find a way to end his infatuation before it got started.

* * * *

Fallon couldn’t believe Dacia’s audacity. Tom had told her about Dacia and her obsession with Brody. He didn’t explain
how unhinged the woman was. She looked up at the mirror and saw Dacia standing just past Tom in the hall.

The brunette was tall
, but wore skyscraper heels.
Who the hell wears stilettos in the sticks?
Her hair was perfect and her makeup was expertly applied. Her skirt was just a little too short, and her blouse a little too tight for her long slender frame. Fallon was tempted to feed her one of Jess’ ginormous club sandwiches.

Somehow, Dacia didn’t look like Brody’s type. Or, maybe Fallon just hoped she was more his flavor. Didn’t matter, she would
not
jump into bed with him.

“
Fallon, huh?” Dacia’s high pitched tone was hostile.

“
That’s me.” She couldn’t help herself. She tugged his pants down another millimeter, just to see what Dacia would do. Brody sucked in a breath, and his whole body tensed. Okay, that was a bad idea, she realized. Teasing Brody was not her intention.

Dacia shrieked,
“Why the hell do you keep pulling his pants down?”

Fallon shrugged.
“This is where he wanted the tattoo, so this is where it’s going.” She finished the last little bit and swiped a damp towel over the pattern.

There was a sudden charge in the air and Fallon knew
it was coming from Dacia. The energy had the same feel as a poorly trained witch who couldn’t control their magic, only there was an elemental feel to it. Fallon wondered if Dacia knew how to control her magic, or if she didn’t care who figured out what she was. They were in Edenton after all.

Fallon stood up and glanced back at Dacia, but kept her gloves on to avoid having to shake her hand. Obviously, psycho chick wanted a fight, but Fallon didn’t want to play.

Dacia started in again. “What? You won’t look me in the eye or talk to me? What kind of a slut are you? We all saw that magazine showing off every inch of your shitty tattoos.” She batted her eyes and taunted. “Did you let a five year old play with markers because you were ashamed of your body?”

A few petty insults wouldn’t get a rise out of her
. Besides, all three men laughed out loud.

Tomahawk blurted out,
“Do you see her curves? She’s fucking hot, and you’re just jealous.” Dacia tried to shove Tom who held her back with one hand.

Fallon shot Tom a look because he wasn’t helping. Then she gave Dacia full eye contact.
“Look, I’m cleaning up. Why don’t you see what you think of Brody’s tattoo? Then, if you want to talk, we can.” Flipping her hair over her shoulder, Fallon went about her routine.

Dacia honestly stomped her foot and huffed, but Fallon ignored her.
“Fine.” Dacia turned back to Brody, her eyes locking on him with malice. “You won’t give me the time of day, and you’ll let
her
hang all over
you? T
ouching all of
you
?” She was a hairs breath from yelling.

“
Jesus Christ, Dacia. It’s a warded tattoo, and none of your damned business.” Brody growled. “I’ve told you a millions times I’m not interested.”

“
You are such an asshole,” she snarled.

Fallon had to wonder what the fuck was wrong with her.
What a way to catch a man.
She pulled her gloves off, trying to ignore the interchange. Brody could deal with his own problem.

She took some ointment out and handed the small tub to Brody. The salve was her special recipe, and held a bit of
magic. The ink you used on werewolves slowed the healing process down enough for the ink to set, but the salve would speed it right back up.

“
Use a little ointment on the tattoo now, and again in the morning.” Her expression was bland for Dacia’s benefit. “I’m sure the piece will be healed by tomorrow.”

Dacia snarled.
“Why bother restraining yourself? You could just smear that goop on him. You know you want to.”

“
What is your problem Dacia?” Brody growled, taking a menacing step toward the brunette. His reaction set Fallon at ease, but she really wanted to know what Dacia’s deal was.

“
I don’t see a mark on you, except for that.” She flapped her hand at the new tattoo. “That is the ugliest damned thing I have ever seen.”

“
Actually, I love it. Fallon did an amazing job, better than I imagined.” Brody looked down with a sexy grin and ran his fingers over the design. Fallon’s mouth watered and she cursed herself. He glanced up at Dacia, and slowly buttoned his fly.
Great, now he was taunting the woman.
“Besides, Adam drew the piece up seven years ago when I first became a werewolf. Fallon didn’t even design the tattoo.”

“
Still ugly,” she hissed.

“
Fine. You came, you saw. I’m perfectly healthy, so why don’t you just leave?”

She stepped back from Tomahawk, and crossed her arms under her small breasts lifting them
as if to draw his attention. Her attempt didn’t work. In fact Fallon noticed the muscle in Brody’s jaw tighten and his gaze never wavered.

Dacia narrowed her eyes
. “I thought vampires attacked you? Bit you? Nearly tore your arm off? Those vamps were supposed to have silver caps. So, why did everyone lie? Is it because you were busy fucking the new little inked up piece of ass.”

Fallon was pissed. She wanted to clock Dacia for assuming she’d waltz into town and fuck the first
man she saw. She stalked over to the doorway and stared Dacia down. Her tone was deadly calm. “I don’t know what anyone told you, but I’m not fucking anyone. Brody was attacked. I happened to heal his wounds and kill the vampires who attacked him.”

Dacia laughed bitterly.
“Bullshit. Not even Dakota could have healed silver damage. You don’t look special. You’re just a little freak with all your ink.”

Fallon rolled her gaze to Adam.
“Adam, you’d be wise to keep her out of my station. I don’t think Dacia and I are going to get along.” She calmly went back to cleaning up, completely dismissing Dacia.

“
Bitch, please, like you stand a chance.” Dacia challenged. When Fallon didn’t bother looking back, Dacia tried slip past Tomahawk who caught her around the middle, and dragged her kicking and screaming, out of the shop.

Adam and Brody shared a look and chuckled.

“You can’t throw me out,” she screamed. Brody and Adam kept laughing. The bells rang, the door shut, and then she heard the pounding on the door. Adam left the room, turning toward the back, probably to lock that door as well.