The Seven: A Taste for Jazz: Book 3 of The Seven series by Ciana Stone Page A

safe?"
    "Completely."
    "Fine by me. You ready to turn in?"
    "Yes."
    "Then lead the way."
    To her surprise, once they were undressed and in the bed, Rock had no desire to make love.
    "Lie in my arms, Jazz and sleep with me."
    "Whatever you want."
    Within minutes, he was asleep. She listened to the sound of his breathing, resisting sleep, wanting to prolong the blissful moment. But his warm body wrapped around her gave her a feeling of safety and belonging she'd never known and it was too strong to resist. With a sigh she gave in, drifting into a dream world where Conner, the man she knew as Rock, wasn't her assignment. He was her love.
     

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    A month ago I thought I had a good bead on things. Sure, reality wasn't what it once was now that everyone knew that Preternaturals weren't just fiction.  Still, I could deal with it.  Now?  Now I realize that the story is so much bigger than anyone imagines.
    Not only is humanity at risk, but every Preternatural here and on another dimension.  Okay, it feels completely sci-fi to have that thought.
    And it's not the biggest change in my life.  Unbelievably, I've fallen in love.  I didn't think I'd ever find myself saying or even thinking those words, but here I am.  Conner, or Rock, or whatever other name he wants to call himself – he's blasted through every wall I have and touched something I never allow to be touched.
    My heart.
     
    Two days had passed since Jazz and Rock returned from wherever they'd run off too. Barnette woke with his chin on his chest and his back in a cramp. With a curse he stood, hands on his back. He'd been camped out in the damn swamp for two days watching Burns' house, and since the brain-trust had carried Jazz inside there'd been no sign of either of them.
    An annoyed snort accompanied the cracking sound of cramped vertebrae realigning as he stretched. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what they were doing. He knew Jazz. She was a lusty bitch to say the least and Burns was the kind of guy who would flip her switch. Big and muscular. Jazz didn't go for pretty boys or wimps.
    He checked the time. Half past ten. Surely they weren't going to stay in the fucking bed all day. As if in answer to his wish, Jazz appeared. She stepped out onto the patio, raised her arms up over her head, and stretched lazily.
    A moment later Burns joined her. Barnett grimaced as they embraced and kissed. Much more of that and they'd disappear inside again. No way was he going to spend the day in this fucking swamp.
    The kiss ended and they reentered the house, hand-in-hand. Barnette stooped down to gather up his binoculars and the tarp he'd spread on the ground to protect him from the damp. Might as well head back to the hotel and pick up surveillance later.
    As he was shoving the small john-boat into the water he heard a noise that drew his attention. Someone was leaving the Burns place on a motorcycle. He quickly shrugged out of his backpack and grabbed his binoculars. Sure enough, a bike was leaving. And from the looks of things it was Jazz.
    Which meant Burns was home alone. A perfect time for Barnette to slip in and nab him. When the bitch returned it would be to an empty house and no clue where Burns was.
    Barnette grinned as he imagined her wondering if lover-boy had skipped out on her. Maybe he'd leave her a little note. Rub it in that he'd snatched the brain right out from under her nose. That'd piss her off.
    But what did he care? By the time she figured out he had Burns, he'd be so far ahead of her she'd never pick up the trail. At least not until he wanted her to. Then he'd settle the score once and for all with Jazz Boudreaux.
    *****
    Jazz was a mile away from her house when her sixth sense sprang to life. This time it wasn't her tracking sense but a warning of danger.
    She scanned the road around her. Nothing in sight. So why were her inner defenses on red alert?
    Her heart slammed against her chest as a new possibility entered