by Nova Archer
The corners of her mouth lifted in a soft but sad smile. She turned to him and touched his hand on her face. "Will you." She paused, her throat working overtime swallowing what he knew to be tears. "Will you help me find him?"
"Of course. Whatever you need. If he's around I'll find him."
"Thank you. You're a good friend." Her smile blossomed and he dropped his hand, now unsure what to do or what to say. He didn't want to be just a good friend. He wanted to be her one and only, her everything.
But how could he ask for that after what she'd just been through? It seemed so selfish. He had so many things he wanted to tell her, but was afraid of scaring her. She was here in his home, asking for his help. Maybe it would be enough. Maybe he could live with just that.
Wiping away the last of her tears, she said, "I quit my job."
"You did?"
"Yup, and I plan on moving."
He sat back on the sofa. His heart was racing. He didn't want her to move away. She had already been too far from him living in San Antonio. What if she moved to another state?
"You're leaving San Antonio?"
She nodded. "I can't live there anymore. It's too difficult with all that's happened. I need to get away. To think. To heal."
He couldn't do it. There was no way he could let her go. Not now. He'd wither away into ash if he had to watch her walk away.
"Move here, to Necropolis," he blurted out. Leaning forward, he grabbed her hands in his. "I have enough room for the two of us. It's close to a beautiful park. I can teach you a ton of things about using and controlling your gift. And the pack will love you. I promise you'd never feel out of place again."
"I don't know, Jace. We hardly know each other."
He could feel her pulling away. Panic gripped him tight. He wouldn't lose her. Not again.
Lifting her hand, he pressed it to his chest. "I know everything I need to know about you in here, Tala. You are special to me. More important than any woman has been."
"You're special to me too, Jace, but can that be enough?"
"I've been restless all my life. Searching for the one person to complete my soul. I found that someone. You."
She shook her head and chewed on her bottom lip. He had to make her understand how he felt.
"Damn it woman, are you not listening to me? I love you, and I won't let you go. What do you think about that?"
Tala smiled. "Promise?"
His eyes bugged out. "What?"
She laid a hand on his cheek. "The entire time I was arguing with my mother, all I could think about was seeing you. How I knew you would make the pain go away as if it never existed. You've healed me from the inside out."
Tala pressed her lips to his, in a slow, wet passionate kiss that he wanted to drown himself in.
"I promise. No matter how much you squirm you're not getting away from me. Ever."
"I love you, Jace. You're the only one for me."
Grinning, he pulled her to him and covered her mouth with his again. The kiss was everything he felt about her. Hot, fiery, and forever.
Jace jumped to his feet and pulled her up. Bending over, he grabbed her by the legs and tossed her over his shoulder.
"What are you doing?"
"Sealing the deal." He carried her across the living room and into his bedroom. He tossed her onto his bed.
"Sealing the deal?"
He grabbed one of her legs and peeled off her shoe and sock. "Yes, this is how lycans negotiate and confirm the end of a deal."
"Is that right?"
"Oh yeah." He lifted her t-shirt over her head and tossed it across the room. "You have a lot to learn about lycan behavior."
"Yes, I'm beginning to believe that." She laughed when he gripped her pants and tore them down her legs. "So, you're going to teach me?"
Nodding, Jace slid his thumbs into his sweat pants and pulled them down his legs. He stepped out of them and kicked the pants into a corner.
"Lesson number one." Growling, he leaned over her and pushed her back onto the mattress. "How to please your mate. For the rest of her life."
"Sounds promising. Can't wait to hear about lesson two." Wrapping her arms around him, she pulled Jace down to her body. "I think I'm ready to get started."
Instantly, warmth spread over him. A pleasing, perfect heat that radiated from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. He never felt more at home in his life. He had found his one true mate.
THE END
Want another story of the Otherworld Crime Unit? Look for WITCHES DON’T CRY, where Lyra Magice has a battle of the heart with an arrogant dhampir from Europe as they solve the string of horrific murders in Necropolis...
OTHERWORLD CRIME UNIT: Necropolis
Blood Doesn’t Lie – October 30, 2017
Wolves Don’t Cry – November 20, 2017
Witches Can’t Fly – December 11, 2017
OTHERWORLD CRIME UNIT: Nouveau Monde
Blood to Spill – January 11, 2018
Magic to Thrill – February 11, 2018
Time to Kill – March 11, 2018
About the Author
Nova Archer writes paranormal suspense books and lives in Canada with her daughter and two cats. You can sign up for her newsletter to learn about new releases, sales, and other interesting tidbits about the Otherworld Crime Unit. You can also follow Nova on Facebook.