“I’m going to mate you, Jasmine. Do you understand? We can’t wait.”
“Why?”
The single word was no more than a breath of sound, but the confusion in it was obvious. He swallowed hard and admitted, “You’re dying, baby. This is the only way to save you.” Her eyes widened. He breathed a sigh. “That’s right. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you, but I need you to trust me in this. We’re running out of time.”
* * * * *
Jazz looked into Rafe’s familiar golden eyes. His voice came to her in a garbled echo, but she heard his words and they chilled her. She was dying. Oh god, she didn’t want to lose Rafe. She loved him. If she died, she’d never see him again. His heaven wasn’t hers. She nodded, hoping to show her understanding. Words were beyond her. Her body felt leaden, weak. She wasn’t sure she pulled it off but must’ve managed it. Relief washed over Rafe’s face.
He disappeared from view and her body was turned. Another jolt of pain shot through her. She squeezed her eyes shut against it and focused on the warmth of Rafe’s body pressing along her back. Strands of his hair brushed against her cheek as he kissed his way down her throat. He pressed his mouth to the spot where shoulder met neck. The warmth of his breath, her only warning. He bit and sharp teeth gnawed on her bone.
Agony. The feeling was so intense she was sure her heart stopped. It whipped through her, added to the throbbing of her wounds before centering in her chest. Her fingers and toes burned and everything in between jerked with a wrenching tug. She screamed—maybe out loud, maybe in her head—but the cry echoed in her body. And as quickly as the pain came, it ended. For a moment, she floated, bodiless and free, and in the next, she crashed back into herself.
Rafe licked her shoulder and eased the last of the sting. He pulled her into his lap, cradling her close. The world swayed and black dots spread over her eyes. Rafe’s face was blurry, but she saw him raise his arm.
He pressed his wrist to her mouth. “I love you, Jasmine. Drink. Be my mate in this world and the next.”
Realization dawned. She had to take his blood, finish it. Anything. She’d do anything to stay with him. She parted her lips and flicked her tongue to take some in. Sweet and rich. It tasted of chocolate. Suddenly hungry, she latched on and sucked.
“That’s it. Take more and when you feel me inside you, grab on and don’t let go.”
She closed her eyes and drank, but she didn’t feel anything, only the warm liquid sliding down her throat. She swallowed another mouthful. Something brushed along her skin. Fur. It tickled. She squirmed, but Rafe held her firmly to his chest, his wrist to her mouth.
“Reach for them, baby. You need to accept them,” Rafe urged.
The words confused her and the tingles spread. Trusting in Rafe, she closed her eyes and focused on the sensation. It felt as if Rafe’s cats were rubbing against her, except it wasn’t just her legs getting the gentle strokes. Their caresses touched every inch. They were inside her. Not Rafe. She panicked. Her body tensed. She shoved away from them.
“No, don’t you dare freak out on me, Jasmine. My cats love you as much I do.” Rafe’s face filled her vision. Full feline eyes focused on her. “You have to allow them to join with you. They’ll protect you, comfort you.”
She frowned, but the nudging in her chest increased. Demanding. They wanted her to pet them. With her eyes shut, she called to them, coaxing them closer. They slammed into her. A vortex spun around her, sucking her down. She fell into the abyss. Lights danced across her vision. Green, brown, blue, gold. The colors swirled until Rafe’s eyes became her world.
She sighed and let the last of her fears fade. When the next thump to her body came, she dug her fingers into thick fur. A purr reverberated through her limbs and heat surrounded her—the warmth of three feline bodies curled around her. She snuggled into the cocoon they made.
Through them, she saw the goodness that existed in Rafe. He truly was her knight in shining armor. His love, strength, devotion. It was all exposed to her. She knew without being told he saw into her soul too. Together. They were literally two halves of a whole, joined by the three big predators who shared them.
I love you, Jasmine.
Love you too, Rafe.
Another wave of misery swept through her, but she didn’t fear it. She wasn’t alone. She had Rafe and their cats.
Remember, baby. Don’t let go.
Never, Rafe.
Epilogue
Jazz woke to the sounds of her kids’ favorite animated movie playing in the background. She opened her eyes and looked around the empty bedroom.
Good morning, my Jasmine. Did you sleep well?
She smiled. Hearing Rafe’s voice in her head always made her happy. I did but I hate waking up to an empty bed. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It’s only seven.
And the munchkins were up at six. They were hungry.
And that was his secret code for saying he was hungry. The man could easily eat six to seven meals a day.
Really? And what were they hungry for this time?
Chocolate chip pancakes, eggs and bacon.
She rolled her eyes. Bacon. Again?
Bacon is good, woman! It’s full of protein. Now be nice or I’m eating your share.
Okay, I’ll be right down.
Jazz dressed and followed the scent of food to the kitchen but stopped dead in her tracks at the sight that met her.
“Puppies?” Jazz looked at the four little Rottweiler pups rolling around on the ground with Seth and Levi. “When did we get puppies?”
Rafe rubbed the back of his neck. “Ummm, this morning. Josh dropped them off.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Peggy Sue was lonely. She needed friends.”
At the mention of her name, the older dog came over and bumped her hand. Jazz gave her head a scratch. Because of the severity of Mr. Wilkins’ injuries he’d been forced to move into a nursing home. Until he recovered, they were taking care of his dog. Jazz glanced from Peggy Sue to the puppies. “But four?”
Rafe wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her against him. “Sure. One for each of us.”
One of the pups ran across the floor, skidded into the wastebasket next to the desk. Balled-up papers and loose scraps tumbled out, scattering over the hardwood. As if the trash were a brand new toy, all four dogs descended on the mess. She sighed. “Do you know how much work they’ll be? They’ll need training and until they’re housebroken, constant babysitting.”
Rafe cleared his throat. “Well, Devin and Mira are going to stay with us for a while. I figure between us and the dog trainer I contacted, we’d be fine.”
She ran her fingertips over the muscles in Rafe’s arms and rested her head against his chest. “So does this mean we’re not moving back to the compound?”
“No. Kade and I decided not to uproot the kids. Besides, I’ve realized living apart from humans isn’t always best. Had I left our sanctuary more often, our paths might’ve crossed sooner.” He nuzzled against her cheek. She tipped her head for his kiss, the chaste brush of lips that warmed her as easily as his wicked ones did. He pulled back and stared into her eyes. “You, my Jasmine, were an unexpected find but one I’ll treasure for an eternity.”
Jazz turned in his arms and linked her hands around his neck. “And I’m glad you found me, my mate. You truly are a wonderful man.”
He kissed her nose. “I know. That’s why you love me.”
“You’re right.” She hugged him tight and let happiness surround her. She’d finally found her prince charming and a love to last a lifetime. And it was one she’d never lose.
About Nancy Corrigan
Nancy Corrigan has always had an active imagination. When she finally sat down to pen her first novel, she found her sweet romance had too much spice. After trying to tone it down and failing, she gave in and let her characters have their way. She’s glad she did. Because isn’t the best romance the kind with lots of amazing sex anyway?
She’s lu
cky enough to share her cat's home with three wonderful children, husband, dog and snake. When not writing, she works in a pharmaceutical lab.
Her passions beyond family and reading include music, classic cars, tattoos and animals (all of which have found their way into her writing in one form or another).
Nancy welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Unexpected Find
ISBN 9781419947933
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Unexpected Find Copyright © 2013 Nancy Corrigan
Edited by Elizabeth London
Cover design by Willo
Cover photography by Syneca
Model: Ryan
Electronic book publication November 2013
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