Mind Over Matter Read online

  Sighing, she ducked into the back room and tucked the money into her backpack. She was placing it in her locker when the hair on her neck prickled. The familiar scent of musk and lemon and man surrounded her as a pair of warm lips touched her earlobe.

  “Penny for your thoughts?”

  She giggled at the tickling touch and forced away the gloomy feelings. Either way, she still had one more night with him. “Just wondering if I had enough to buy that Mercedes convertible I had my eye on.”

  He chuckled and then bit down on the curve of her neck, making her gasp. “You want a ride, I’ll give you one.” His hand moved up her naked thigh and cupped her mound.

  Shanna moaned, instinctively pushing herself against him. “Bryan, stop.”

  “For some reason, you don’t sound like you mean it,” he growled hoarsely. He crowded her up against the locker, slipping his hand inside her satin panties. His fingers played at her folds. “I want you.”

  She shook her head, even as her legs widened to give him better access. “We can’t,” she breathed. “Someone might come in.” Her words cut off when he slid a finger into her moist heat. Her head went back in ecstasy.

  “I don’t care.” He pulled at his belt. “If I don’t get inside of you, I’m gonna explode.”

  Almost roughly, he pulled her panties down, before kneeing her legs further apart.

  “Bryan,” she gasped frantically. “We can’t.”

  “We can,” he insisted, his voice made rough with desire. “Jesus. I can’t get enough of you.”

  Shanna bit down hard on her lip to keep from crying out when she felt the broad head of his penis searching between her legs. Her face was pressed against one of his encircling arms, her breasts flat against her locker. She felt his hand between her legs, spreading her nether lips and then she moaned as he pushed inside, stretching her as he thrust inexorably deeper.

  She writhed against him, unintentionally helping his possession of her, and suddenly he was hilt deep, throbbing with life.

  “Oh my God, Bryan,” she whispered.

  “Baby,” he answered roughly. “Hold on. I can’t stop now.” He moved and his cock thrust hard into her. She bit her lip as each stroke brought her closer and closer. Her juices flowed as he pumped in and out.

  She felt him swell even bigger, and her yoni clamped down in reaction. A low dark growl rumbled out of him, and his motions became more urgent. His hand dropped to her curls and smoothed over her clit. She cried out, then dropped her face back into his arm to muffle any more sound.

  His fingers rubbed her as his thrusts became harder. His breath panted in her ear. All at once, he gave a guttural cry, and his cock throbbed hard within her. His finger pinched gently at her clit and she convulsed against him, as he hurled them both into orgasm that had them shaking in their shoes.

  Afterwards, they both stood there for several minutes, before he gave a low growling laugh. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

  Shanna shook her hair out of her eyes. Her whole body trembled from the aftermath of desire. “We’re both crazy. I can’t believe you did that!”

  Slowly, he pulled out of her, holding on until her legs were working again. He fished a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her. “I told you I couldn’t help it.”

  Her cheeks were red as she turned her back on him to clean herself up. He made her act in ways she’d never thought of.

  Bryan cleaned himself off, then carefully zipped back up. He watched her stiff back, suddenly worried he’d gone too far. “Hey,” he said softly. He turned her to face him. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.” He caressed her face. “You okay?”

  She flushed and nodded. “You make me ... forget myself.”

  He pulled her into his arms with a snort. “You think I make a habit of doing this?” He shook his head. “Believe me, you’re the first.”

  She glanced up at him almost unbelievingly, running her hand over his broad chest. “Really?”

  He bent and kissed her, teasing her mouth with his. “Really.”

  Shanna sighed and snuggled against him. She loved his arms around her. While she couldn’t believe she’d just had sex in the back room of the bar, she felt safer than ever before. In that instant she decided. She would tell him tonight. And then pray that he cared enough to accept the fact that she was an undocumented Psy with psychokinetic powers.

  She hugged him close to her and he squeezed her back. Tears burned at her eyes. She prayed that this time it would be different.

  “I better get back to work,” he muttered into her hair. “I think I’m on the clock now.”

  She giggled, leaning back to give him a sexy smile. “That was just a down payment, mister. I still owe you a lap dance.”

  His eyes darkened and his nostrils flared. “Damn it. That isn’t going to help.” He reached down and made a big show of adjusting himself. “Stay down,” he barked at his cock.

  Shanna dissolved into giggles. It was at that moment, hearing his bit of whimsy, that she knew she loved him.

  He gave her a hard kiss and then strode out of the room, tossing a satisfied look over his shoulder. She sank onto the chair and stared after him. Oh, God. What was she going to do now?

  * * * *

  It was much later when Shanna popped into the back room again. Her feet were killing her, and she kicked out of her high heels and slipped into her sandals, sighing in relief. The night was only half over and already she wished she was home in bed--with Bryan. She was as nervous as a cat about what she had to tell him, but she knew it was important if they were to have a future together. He had to know the truth. She’d decide about telling him her feelings for him when she saw his reaction.

  She was just turning to go back on the floor when she felt it. The unmistakable feel of Psy energy. And there was only one set of people who threw off that specific signature. Her eyes widened in horror.

  PAPcops had come into the bar.

  Her heart pounded, and her mind shrieked her refusal to believe it. Why were they here? And why now? If she was found out, it would ruin everything. She had a chance for a future with a very special man. But if he found out about her talents this way, she’d lose him. Then she froze. Had the investigator finally caught up with her?

  She tested their power subtly and relaxed. They weren’t investigators. They were low Psys. At the most, a three on the power scale. It must be a testing raid, where they hit different establishments looking for undocumented Psys. Unfortunately, they were strong enough to discover her talent, though she was much more powerful than they were and would easily be able to subdue them if necessary.

  She closed her eyes, praying that they would just leave. Instinctively, she slipped her backpack out of her locker and onto her shoulders.

  * * * *

  Out on the floor, Bryan cursed his luck. Everything had been going so well. In the last couple days he’d been picking up more and more of the Psy energy in the bar, and he thought he was close to tracking it down. But if these PAPcops blew his cover, it would all be over. Just because of a stupid raid for rogue Psys.

  “Okay everyone,” the older of the two men said. “This is just a simple testing raid. The quicker you cooperate, the faster we’ll be out of here.”

  “I’m picking up some definite signs of talent,” the younger man said excitedly, making Bryan wondered how long he’d been out of the academy.

  The older cop nodded. “You know the drill. Everybody up and facing me.”

  The customers and employees shuffled into a long line. Bryan got at the end of the line, hoping that some sort of distraction would prevent them from getting to him.

  “Is there anyone else here?” The PAPcop yawned as his partner started his scan. No one said anything at first, but then Mickey, afraid of what might happen if he lied, spoke up.

  “There’s just Anna in the back room.”

  “Go get her,” grumped the young cop. “We have to test everyone.”

  Mickey
nodded and disappeared. A second later he reappeared with a white-faced Anna in tow. She was obviously upset. No one liked the invasive scans, but they were necessary. Bryan wanted to go comfort her, but he was afraid to draw attention to himself.

  Suddenly he felt a huge swelling of Psy energy. His head swiveled around as he looked around the room. It hadn’t come from the PAPcops and it had a similar feel to the talent he’d felt the night he and Anna had fought off those rapists. He swore inwardly. That was all he needed, for one of those assholes to show up now.

  Using his talent, he searched. Closing his eyes, slowly, he drew a bead on it. It was pulsing and strong and he realized that it was the same energy he’d felt in the club over and over again. He frowned. What the hell was going on?

  As his focus narrowed, his heart almost stopped. It couldn’t be. All this time and he’d overlooked it? It wasn’t possible.

  He opened his eyes and found himself staring straight at Anna.

  Chapter Seven

  His rage flared up in him so fast he tasted blood. All this time she’d been playing him, hiding in plain sight. She’d even slept with him. He growled low in his throat. She was one hell of an actress. He’d actually believed she was inexperienced. His mind ignored the truth of her virginity. Maybe she could fake that too!

  His stomach churned. Christ! No wonder he’d been unable to find her. He’d let his little head do the thinking for his big head. So much for the mighty tracker. Those electrical impulses between them must have been deliberate to throw him off. Maybe it was another one of her talents.

  He didn’t look at her, afraid the loathing would show in his eyes. God! She acted so sweet and gentle, and she was a murderer. It made him sick.

  He watched as the PAPcop made his way down the line of people. Now it was more important than ever to keep his identity secret. He had to get her alone so he could take her down. Thank God she’d lost control of her talent when the PAPcops arrived. Now he wouldn’t be tempted by her any longer.

  His cock jumped at the thought, and he forced away any lingering arousal. No way would he ever touch her again. His heart cried out at that fact, and he just as ruthlessly ignored it. Sentiment had no place here. He’d already fucked up enough.

  The two cops had noticed Anna come in, but had left her standing by the door. He was glad. If he could get the older guy’s attention, he might just be able to pull this off.

  Unfortunately, the cop was old and bored. He let the younger one do the testing while he leaned on the bar and sipped a cola. And Bryan knew that his luck had run out when the kid got two people away and suddenly froze. His beady little eyes focused on Bryan, and he swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his skinny throat. All hope of keeping his talent quiet flew out the window with the kid’s shout.

  “We’ve got a live one here.”

  The older cop straightened, and his hand went to the stun gun on his hip. It couldn’t kill, but it would knock you out at thirty paces. “Do it.”

  The young cop came closer. His hand was also on his hip. “Let me see your chip.”

  Bryan swore out loud. He pitched his voice low. “I need to keep this quiet.”

  The kid’s eyes widened, but he shook his head stubbornly. “Extend your wrist.”

  Bryan had a quick glimpse of Anna’s confused face before his arm was grabbed by the cop. He felt the sting of the scanner as it accessed his records. He heard the PAPcop’s indrawn breath, and before he could say another word, his cover was shot to holy hell.

  “Wow! A ten! I’ve never even met a ten before!” He turned to his partner. “He’s one of us, man. In special investigations.”

  Shanna felt like she’d been punched in the stomach. She stared at Bryan, feeling the color leech out of her cheeks. Her mind whirled. He was the investigator that was after her? Her hand flew to her mouth, and she felt her gorge rise. She’d given herself to the one man with the power to destroy her. She felt dizzy with shock and whimpered out loud.

  Why hadn’t he arrested her the first night they’d met? Why play with her? Tears burned at her eyes when she realized the answer. Her heart simply shattered. He’d left her alone for the oldest reason in the world.

  Sex.

  He’d wanted her, and she’d made it easy by falling into his lying, deceiving arms. Hurt was flushed away by anger. “You bastard,” she whispered aloud.

  They all turned to her.

  Bryan saw her chalk-white face. Saw the utter shock on her features and suddenly he knew he’d been wrong. She still might be a murderer, but she’d had no idea who he was. She hadn’t played him.

  Relief welled up in him and with it a sorrow he’d never felt before. It didn’t matter. It was still over. Any future he’d thought of having with her disappeared with the knowledge of who and what she was.

  “What are you doing here?” The younger cop dropped his arm.

  “I was undercover until you fucked it up,” he snarled.

  The two cops blinked and their mouths dropped open. “Hey, that’s not fair. We didn’t know you were here. You didn’t fill out a PAP567 to let us know,” the kid protested.

  Shanna took advantage of his distraction with the cops. It might be the only chance she had. Closing her eyes and concentrating, she quickly used her power to lift up all the tables between her and Bryan and toss them into a pile in front of her. Then she turned and raced out the back door.

  Bryan swore and ran towards her. He pulled up at the pyramid of tables. “Help me get these down!” he roared. With the help of the two cops, he was through the doorway not long after. He ran through the back door and into the alley.

  “Can we help?” the older PAPcop puffed behind him.

  “You’ve done enough,” he growled. “Get back to the bar and get me any information you can about her.” With that he ran out of the alley.

  Now that he knew her, it was easy to trace her psychic signature. He shook his head, sick at heart. For some reason the electrical current that had been between them from the beginning had messed up his tracking receptors, and he’d missed her. He wasn’t sure how it worked, but he knew she hadn’t done it intentionally. It was almost as if the overwhelming attraction between them had short-circuited their powers so they didn’t recognize what the other was.

  He screeched to a stop when her energy trail faded. He had to take a deep breath and search carefully before he found it heading up a fire-escape ladder. Quickly he climbed, knowing that he had to catch her, for both their sakes.

  At the top, he saw her running for the door on the other side of the roof. He raced after her. “Anna, stop!”

  She looked over her shoulder at him, and he was taken aback by the fear and pain he saw etched in her face. He felt it like a punch in the gut. “Anna!” he roared out again.

  Shanna got to the door and pulled. She sobbed out loud when it didn’t budge. It was locked up tight. She whirled around and faced the man who’d broken her heart. Then she ran again, toward the side of the building.

  “No!” he shouted. He changed direction and almost caught her, but she waved her hand and a piece of broken lawn chair jumped up in his path, and he tripped and fell.

  She twisted away and headed back to the ladder, but suddenly he was there, facing her. His face was harsh and angry as he panted for breath.

  “It’s over Anna,” he said roughly.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.” She blinked back tears. She wouldn’t look weak in front of this man.

  Bryan couldn’t help but admire the way she stood there. She was scared but she wouldn’t back down. “You have to pay for what you did, babe. It’s the law.”

  A single tear ran down her cheek, even as she struggled to contain them. “The law doesn’t know everything.”

  “You killed a kid, Anna,” he bit out. “He was only six years old. You crushed him like a walnut.”

  She covered her ears. “Don’t!”

  “The truth hurts, doesn’t it? Don’t you think that boy’s f
amily deserves justice? And how about the other family you almost killed? Shouldn’t they be able to feel safe knowing you can’t hurt anyone anymore?”

  The quivering woman vanished. In her place was someone whose eyes flashed with anger. “You don’t know a thing about it. You weren’t there. I was. I’ve been chased for seven years because a bunch of mundanes said I did something.”

  “You could have stayed and told your side of the story.”

  She laughed bitterly. “Since when is a Psy’s word ever taken over a mundane? You should know how it works. You work against your own kind.”

  Bryan hated the stirring of guilt he felt. “I only track those Psys that are a danger to society.”

  “Like me?”

  “Yes,” he spit out. “Murder is high on my priority list.”

  She stared at him. “I don’t know what makes me angrier. The fact that you are so prejudiced, or that you used me to get your rocks off before taking me in.” She wiped away the tears that streamed down her face. “Is fucking your assignment in the PAPcop handbook?”

  His blue eyes iced over at her sharp words. “Do you think I’d have touched you if I knew what you were?” He shook his head. “Lady, you disgust me.” He glared at her, wanting to hurt her as bad as he was hurting himself. “After fucking you, I don’t think I’ll ever feel clean again.”

  Shanna took a step backwards in shock. Her mind went numb. His words beat at her, warring with the knowledge that even with all she knew, she loved him still. Suddenly she felt so sick, she thought she was going to throw up.

  She turned around to run, but he grabbed her. “Not a chance, Anna.”

  She didn’t want to hurt him, but she had no choice. Her power swelled, and she pushed at him, intending to throw him across the roof so she could get away.

  Bryan saw her intent, and his own talent flared, bending into a mirror. Her power hit his, and it reflected back on her. She screamed as she was thrown against the wall so hard he heard her arm break.