CollectiveMemory Page 2

  “We’re not just going to let some alien asshole take us over without a fight.”

  Cayl raised his eyebrows and looked thoughtful. “Humans have, in the past, shown themselves more than willing to follow a charismatic leader. To the point of almost destroying your world. This would be no different.”

  Devin winced. He had a point.

  “We believe Harken’s plan is to take over Earth, use the resources and launch the rest of his domination from here. Since Earth is such an insignificant planet it is unlikely that other worlds will rise up when it is taken over.”

  Devin sighed and pressed her lips together. She was getting a bit tired of Cayl denigrating humans but she let it pass.

  “What will you do when you find him?”

  “I will destroy him.”

  “Oh goody.” That sort of thing just screamed “paperwork!” “If the last guy hadn’t been able to find him, how are you going to?”

  “Our beings don’t spend much time on Earth. There is little to be gained. You have no expert knowledge in anything except sensory perception, which can be fooled. We find no advancement from taking on a human form and the human mind hasn’t advanced nearly to the point that it should. All that—”

  Devin held up her hand to stop his tirade. “I get it. Earth is worthless and we’re nothing but naked apes. Get back to the point. How are you going to find him?”

  “One thing our previous operative learned before Harken killed him was that his being leaves trace elements here. He was able to track Harken to this location. I can track him through those but the trail only lingers for so long. That is why this delay is so dangerous.”

  “I’ll get you inside as soon as I can.” She glanced at her watch. “Just a few more minutes.”

  Cayl continued his pacing. He tugged on the sleeve of his jacket and brushed his hair away from his face. He shuddered and muttered something under his breath. He didn’t seem to be adapting to the human form well.

  She might have given him a few hints on staying calm, on ignoring human senses but he hadn’t been inclined to listen before. And he needed to learn to deal with sensory input.

  They waited in silence with only the occasional sigh from Cayl to convey his irritation. Hmm, that sound must be biological. He hadn’t been on earth long enough to learn it from a teenage girl.

  A sleek black car pulled up behind her Subaru Outback. On alert, she spun around. She hadn’t brought a weapon. Hell, she wasn’t in the field anymore and suddenly felt naked without her FlintLock. It was one of the few weapons that worked on just about any being from any world.

  But this particular creature happened to be human. Fascinatingly human.

  Mace pushed open his door and eased the long, lean body out of the front seat. Devin’s throat tightened as it did the previous two times they’d met. The only possibility she’d had of carrying on a conversation that didn’t sound like a junior high school girl with a mad crush was alcohol and that wasn’t readily available and truly, being as she was working it was best not to indulge—but she really wanted a drink.

  She swallowed, trying to clear the lump from her throat, and forced her lips into a smile.

  Mace looked about as confused as she imagined someone like him ever looked. Really, he had that confidence and demeanor that made him seem invincible, no matter how strange the situation might appear.

  He glanced at Cayl then turned to Devin, raising his eyebrows in silent question. The edge of his mouth pulled up like he was fighting a smile. Great. He’s laughing at me. Her own confidence plummeted even as her irritation rose. She pushed her shoulders back and straightened her spine.

  “Nice night,” he drawled as he approached.

  “Right.”

  His eyes twinkled at her sarcasm. Or it could have been because he liked to make her uncomfortable.

  He looked at her, waiting, not asking, just silently commanding her to tell him what’s going on.

  “My friend…” She started to call him John but he just didn’t look like a John. “Cayl would like to see the inside of Switch. He’s into that lifestyle.”

  Mace’s eyebrows kicked up and she didn’t know if that was because Cayl didn’t quite fit the profile of a Switch member or because of her added emphasis on “that lifestyle”. It wasn’t that she didn’t approve. She didn’t really understand it and knew it wasn’t for her. It was for the perfect people like Mace.

  “Is he really?” Mace folded his arms on his chest and cocked his head to the side as he looked at her. Devin lifted her chin and held her ground. “There are other clubs besides Switch. And I’m not—”

  “This is wasting valuable time.” Cayl left his position near the front of her car and stalked over, stopping between them. He looked at Devin. “You trust this man? He is a competent escort?”

  “Well, yes, but we really shouldn’t—” Tell the world you’re an alien. She never got a chance to say those last words.

  “My world has sent me to apprehend and destroy a dangerous killer. He was last seen at this location.” Cayl pointed to the building. “We require your assistance to gain access to this facility. We can provide monetary compensation if you so require it.”

  “Monetary compensation?” The edges of Mace’s eyes crimped down into deep lines. “You want to pay me to take you inside?” He actually looked offended.

  “It is imperative that we access the building as soon as possible and Agent Denning tells me we cannot do so without an escort. It is understood by the known universe that humans will do nothing without some sort of compensation. Tell me what you require and let us go.”

  “Humans? What are you? An alien?”

  “I’m certainly not of this world.”

  “Wait!” Devin’s snapped command seemed to catch Cayl unaware and he jerked to a stop. “You need to just chill for a second.”

  “Chill, I do not under—”

  Devin held up her hand and that was clearly a universal sign of “shut up” because he sputtered to a stop.

  She spun around and faced Mace, meeting his stare and not letting her fears take over.

  “Listen, Mace, we can’t really explain why we need to get inside but we do. It’s critical. Would you please just get us in? Then you can jet if you want.” She glanced at Cayl, the thunderous glare on his face getting darker by the moment. She returned the glare with one of her own. “We’ll do our best not to embarrass you.” Her voice hummed with warning but she didn’t think Cayl understood the message.

  She turned back to Mace. “Please.”

  There was no laughter in his eyes when he nodded. The grim set of his mouth was unusual compared to the arrogance she usually saw there. “Okay. Let’s go.” He stepped back and looked at Cayl and Devin, his stare turning to assessment. “You’ll do,” he said with a chin lift to Cayl. “But you…” He looked at Devin and shook his head.

  She folded her arms across her chest, trying to hide, feeling once again like a junior high school girl. She’d developed early and big and had learned the fine art of crossing her arms over her breasts in a weak attempt to hide them.

  But she wasn’t that girl anymore. “Sorry but you’re going to have to live with it. There’s no way I’m becoming tall and slim in the next five minutes. You’re stuck with my body as it is.”

  Mace shook his head. “Your body’s fine. Hell, your body’s great…” Heat filled his eyes and he paused and for one moment Devin thought he might be imagining all the things he could do to her body. Even if it wasn’t true, the idea made her nipples tighten and when she shifted her arms across her breasts, a bright shimmer zipped into her core. He blinked and the hunger disappeared from his stare. “But you look like you just walked out of the office after a long, drab day.”

  “Which I did.”

  “Maybe but you can’t really walk into Switch looking like that.”

  “I fail to see why her raiment is an issue. We are chasing a killer.”

  Mace didn’t look at Cayl. H
e kept his stare trained on Devin. “Trust me. This is a place you want to blend.” His lips squished together. “Take off the jacket first.”

  Devin almost protested but realized Mace was right. She dragged off her suit jacket and stood there, waiting for the next instruction.

  “Can you pull up your skirt? Maybe tuck it into the waistband?”

  The skirt hung to the tops of her knees and that was as much as anyone had seen of her legs in several years. Thankfully, her monthly wax appointment had been last week so she at least wouldn’t be hairy. Sighing to hide the whimper that threatened, she tugged her skirt up, folding the waistband over and pulling the hem up an inch.

  “Oh, come on, babe, let’s see some leg.” The laughter in Mace’s voice made her jaw clench. She flashed him a glare and dragged the skirt higher, almost to mid-thigh, and stopped.

  “That’s it. No more.”

  “That’s perfect.” The teasing was gone. His voice had dropped to a low, sexual murmur.

  Gathering her courage, Devin lifted her gaze and looked at Mace. His eyes were locked on her thighs. He stared and licked his lips, as if imagining his tongue skimming up her thighs. A rush of moisture flowed into her pussy and she pressed her knees together. That only made the sensation worse.

  Her movement seemed to jolt Mace and he looked up. “Okay better.” The gruff tone made her want to smile. Was she really making tall, strong and studly, hot? Just by pulling up her skirt?

  “Now untuck your shirt.”

  She dragged the tails out. The wrinkled ends and too-big shirt hung down like a sack.

  “No.” He considered her for another moment. “Here.” He grabbed her jacket off the roof of the car. “Take off the shirt and the bra and put this on.”

  “Are you crazy? I can’t walk around without a shirt.” And certainly not without her bra. She hadn’t left her house without a bra on since she’d been thirteen. Her breasts were in good shape and didn’t sag, much, but they were big.

  “Trust me. Wearing this jacket you’ll still be one of the most covered women in there.”

  He said it so matter-of-fact that she started to wonder if she’d dreamed the hunger in his eyes. Probably.

  She hesitated then finally sighed. “Fine.” She looked around. They were on the street. It was fairly quiet but there were buildings around.

  “Cayl,” Mace called. “Come here and let’s cover her while she changes.”

  Cayl didn’t look happy but he followed Mace’s instructions, the two large males turning their backs and building a wall around her to the car. Taking a deep breath, she whipped off the white shirt, undid the clasp of her bra and dropped it on the ground. She dragged the jacket up and over her shoulders. The whole process took less than thirty seconds she was sure.

  She did up the single button and straightened the collar, tugging on the edges to cover more of her chest. Wasn’t happening. She normally wore the jacket open because it was a bit snug. Almost half of each breast was showing through the gap and every breath she took pulled the edges even wider.

  “This isn’t going to work,” she muttered. Mace obviously took that as clearance that he could turn around. Cayl followed suit.

  “Damn.” Mace’s whisper sounded almost reverent. Asshole. She knew she needed to lose a little weight. The bastard didn’t have to mock her.

  She dropped her hands, exasperated. “See. Let me have my shirt.”

  Mace bent down and snatched it off the ground before she could reach for it.

  Her jaw ached from clenching her teeth. She lifted her gaze, feeling the burn of tears stinging her eyes.

  But once again, Mace didn’t meet her gaze. His stare was locked on her chest and there was no mistaking the desire this time. She took a breath, waiting for him to speak. The movement skimmed her nipples across the cool satin lining of her jacket.

  “Mace?”

  “Hmm?” He made the noise but he didn’t look away.

  “Mace.” She added some snap to her voice that time and seemed to be enough to get his attention.

  He looked up and smiled. “I’d apologize but damn, babe.” His voice sounded deep, rough, almost reverent.

  Cayl leaned in and looked at her chest. “Interesting.” He peered at her open jacket, turning his head to the side, bending forward for a closer inspection. Devin held herself still and finally he straightened. “It is strangely appealing.” He looked at Mace as if he could answer his questions. “I do not understand why I find it so fascinating.”

  Mace’s laughter rang down the street. “Because she’s got some fantastic tits.”

  “But it is just a portion of her body. It seems odd. Still, I find myself intrigued.” He reached out and placed his hand on the inside curve of her bare breast. It took a moment for her mind to process what was happening. The heat filled her skin counteracting the cool air, sending a warm spike into her core. Her body eased into the caress but then she realized what she was doing.

  She slapped his hand and took a step back.

  “Stop that.”

  The tap to his hand made Cayl jump.

  “My apologies.”

  He didn’t sound apologetic. He sounded confused.

  “I think we’re ready to head inside,” Devin said, taking control of the situation. Taking control seemed like a good idea because the way things had been going up until now she was going to find herself naked and spread out on the hood of her car…and for the life of her couldn’t remember why that would be a bad idea.

  Chapter Two

  Mace took a breath and tried not to pant as he stared at Devin’s almost naked breasts. He’d had dreams about those breasts and had been pretty well assured he would never get a chance to see them naked. When a woman laughs when you ask her out, you figure you’re out of the running.

  Now he was here, looking at her breasts and about to take her into the sex club scene. He hadn’t been to Switch in a few months. He’d basically been hibernating since Devin’s rejection. Not that he’d been heartbroken, but having a woman laugh in your face was always a good time to reassess.

  He stepped back and looked at his companions. Cayl was hot, no doubt about it. Just what Mace liked in a man—tall, muscular, nice ass—but Cayl seemed to believe he was from a different world. And here looking for a killer.

  Mace didn’t have a problem with a person’s delusions—crazy could be fun—but Devin appeared involved in the delusion.

  “We could probably go in. It’s a bit early but things will pick up soon.”

  “Finally. We must search every corner—”

  Devin held up her hand again and Cayl blinked and stopped talking though Mace could tell he wasn’t pleased about being interrupted.

  “We can’t just barrel in there. Can Harken recognize you?”

  “No, he has not seen this form.”

  “Harken?” Mace asked. He knew—hell, Devin had told him—that they weren’t telling him the truth about why they wanted access to Switch. He was just supposed to go along but damn it, he was going to ask questions when he got a chance.

  “The guy we’re looking for,” Devin tossed out. “Okay, how will you recognize him?”

  “I can trace his essence. It is something he cannot hide.”

  “But doesn’t that mean he can trace you?” Devin asked.

  Cayl sighed like the answer should be obvious. “No. He is not from my world originally,” he explained. “I told you that. This is even more reason why we do not involve ourselves with humans. They do not retain their memories past a moment.”

  Devin’s chest rose in a long slow breath and Mace could see she was doing everything in her power not to reach out and smack the arrogant “alien”. Mace could relate. Gorgeous is one thing but total asshole is another.

  “Harken’s original being is traceable. But the signature lasts less than twenty-four Earth hours and we have most likely lost our opportunity for this night because of your delays and strange human customs.”

  Mace
felt his lips pull up into a reluctant smile. This guy really got into his character. He glanced at Devin, wanting to share the “this dude is crazy” moment, but she wasn’t smiling.

  Her eyes tightened into a fierce glare and her jaw clenched. Mace’s teeth ached in sympathy. “We’ll do our best. Now—”

  Mace tried to temper his smile but damn, Devin was lovely when she was pissed and she didn’t even seem to be trying to hide it anymore.

  “We’re going inside. Mace will lead the way. You—” She stabbed a finger into Cayl’s chest. The way Cayl jumped told Mace she’d put some real force behind it. “You will attempt to blend. Follow Mace’s lead. Watch what the other males do. And for God’s sake don’t tell anyone else you’re an alien.”

  She turned and looked at Mace expectantly.

  “Damn, babe, this is going to be more fun than I thought.”

  With that, he grabbed Devin’s hand and started forward. She resisted for a moment then came along. He glanced back and Cayl had taken her other hand. Great, we look like kindergarteners on a field trip. But he didn’t stop. They’d drop hands when they got inside.

  Mace led them to the club entrance. This early in the evening, there wasn’t a line, not that he ever waited in line here. He’d been a member for years. They knew him on sight. He walked through the dark wood doors and stopped at the membership desk. Mistress Vanessa was working the door tonight. She stood when he entered and leaned forward, her breasts almost tumbling out of the corset that bound her chest.

  “Mace, my love, haven’t seen you in ages.”

  “Been busy.” Cryptic was always better in these situations.

  “I can see.” She looked over his shoulder to Devin and Cayl. “And what lovely toys to be busy with.”