* * * * *
Mindy was startled by his sudden change in demeanor. She could’ve sworn he’d been about to ask for her number or say something more. Why had he changed his mind? Did it matter? Her confidence seeped away as the wildness she’d experienced a moment ago deserted her.
“Um—thanks,” she stuttered.
For a split second, his blue eyes glowed as he stared at her, but in a blink the light was gone.
“You don’t have to thank me,” he said, sounding tired.
“I guess this is goodbye.” Her tone reeked of desperation. Go! Now! Before you embarrass yourself even more.
Mindy threw her car into gear and backed up. She needed to get out of here. Get away from Sticks. Get away from him.
He stood rooted in place as she drove away. The second she could no longer see him, something inside of her cracked and tears welled in her eyes. She stopped and banged her forehead on the steering wheel.
“Stupid. Stupid. Stupid,” she muttered, then continued on.
Mindy replayed the events of the evening the whole drive home. She was sure the man had enjoyed himself as much as she had. Maybe more so. She rolled her eyes. Of course he’d enjoyed himself. He was guy who was getting laid. Except...it had felt like more than just sex to her.
She was aware that women and men viewed these things differently, but no matter how many times she examined what they’d done, she couldn’t easily dismiss the connection she’d felt with...with...
Mindy sighed. Oh God, she didn’t even know his name. Shame kicked her in the gut, leaving her winded. How could she have forgotten to ask something so important? She thought about turning around.
She glanced in her rearview mirror. The road behind her was dark and empty. It matched the hollowness in her chest. It was too late to go back now. He’d be long gone.
All this time, she’d envied Izzy’s and Celina’s wild streaks because she’d had to suppress her own. Mindy had finally let her wild side out, only to discover it wasn’t what it was cracked up to be.
Sure, she’d enjoyed every minute with her mystery man and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. But Celina and Izzy had left something out of their adventurous tales. Something vital.
They’d forgot to mention how quickly the momentary highs would be replaced by crushing lows. The sharp edges of which only added to her sense of loneliness.
* * * * *
Nic arrived home to an empty house. The silence screamed volumes as he dropped his keys into a bowl next to the door and stripped off his clothes.
His chest ached. Nic rubbed the spot over his heart, but the pain remained. Didn’t seem possible, but he was even lonelier than before.
The woman’s sweet scent covered his body, making his heart race and his nerves tighten. He could still feel her velvet muscles gripping him and taste her honey on his tongue. He stared at the hard evidence protruding between his legs. He could deny it, but here was physical proof that he wanted her again.
Nic walked into the bathroom and turned the shower on, determined to wash her scent away—wash her away. He stared at the steady stream and watched it swirl down the drain. One quick scrub and she’d be gone.
For some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to step under the water. Having her scent on him made it seem like he wasn’t so alone.
“You don’t even know her name,” he snapped, overwhelmed by the sense of loss.
Nic shut the water off and walked to the sink. Clutching the sides of the porcelain, he stared at himself in the mirror. Blue phosphorescent eyes stared back at him accusingly and dried blood covered his face.
“You’re wrong,” he grumbled to his wolf.
His lip curled, exposing long canines.
“You’ve been wrong before and you’re wrong this time! It’s just the full moon.” The words had barely left his throat, when Nic’s head snapped back.
Fur rippled over his face and a snout appeared. His skin itched and stretched. Nic growled and shook his head, fighting off the need to complete the shift.
“You aren’t in control. I am!” The garbled words ended in a snarl.
It took a couple of minutes for the fur and snout to slowly recede. By the time it was completely gone, the cut on his cheek had sealed and only a thin white line remained. That too would disappear in another day or so.
Nic washed his face and brushed his teeth, then went to bed. His skin smelled of her. The heady aroma was both ecstasy and sheer torture, but he needed it to get through the night.
* * * * *
Chapter Seven
Celina turned the television off when Slade stalked into the apartment. Every time she saw him, he made her breath catch and her heart skip a beat.
With his dark hair, tanned skin, and ridiculously long lashes, he bordered on beautiful. The sharp edge of his cheekbones and square thrust of his jaw kept the distinction at bay.
She glanced at the time. After midnight—again. “Where have you been?”
Slade looked at her, but there was no heat in his amber eyes. “Out.”
“I made you dinner.” She pointed to the cling-film- covered plate on the table. “It’s probably cold by now.”
The muscles of his broad shoulders rolled as he shrugged. “I already ate,” he said, but sniffed the food anyway.
Celina rose from the couch and wrapped her arms around his trim waist. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he said, then tried to shake her off.
But Celina wasn’t having it. She tightened her grip and clung to him. “You can tell me anything,” she said.
Slade growled. “I said it’s nothing.”
Celina instantly released him. She could feel him pulling away emotionally and had no idea how to stop it. When she’d first brought him home from the clinic a week and a half ago, Slade had been grateful.
He’d wanted to know all about Breakbend and the culture. He’d watched tons of television and spent hours on the internet. It made her think he’d never seen it before, which wasn’t possible unless he’d been living under a rock.
She’d helped him with everything she could given her limited resources. Afterward, Slade had been grateful. Grateful enough to sleep with her. He’d even hinted at them having a future together. The thought that that future might be slipping away terrified her.
Izzy’s cryptic warning echoed in her head. Celina pushed it aside. Her best friend may be psychic, but she didn’t know everything. If she’d ever experienced the passion inside a Were, she wouldn’t be so quick to avoid them or so quick to judge.
“What can you tell me about the Moonlight Kin in the area?” Slade asked.
Celina blinked in surprise. “Not much. I’m sure you know more than I do, since you’re one of them.”
Slade glanced at her. “I’m not part of this group.”
“Oh,” she said. “I just thought...”
Impatience simmered in his amber gaze.
“What do you need to know?” An inkling of unease trickled down her spine. If he wasn’t part of the Moonlight Kin, that meant he was trespassing on their territory. Wolves were extremely territorial. If the Kin detected Slade, he would be in danger.
“Is it normal for the Kin to run by Telegraph Road?” he asked.
Mindy lived on Telegraph Road. Hers was one of the few houses out that way. She’d got it for her and Izzy because the rent was cheap and she could keep as many animals there as she wanted.
What was Slade doing out there?
“It doesn’t matter what I was doing. Just answer the question,” he said.
Celina’s stomach dropped to the floor. Did he just read my thoughts? She’d never heard of a Were who could do that. The idea was horrifying. Fear cooled her ardor.
“I’m pretty sure the Moonlight Kin only run on Aidan Fortier’s estate,” she said.
“Is he the Alpha?” Slade asked.
“Yes,” she said, then amended her answer: “I think so. I’ve never met him.”
It took her a beat to catch the insult. Celina stiffened. “What exactly do you mean by that?”
Slade smiled and kissed her cheek. “Nothing, sweetheart.”
Celina wanted him—wanted this—so bad that she was willing to put up with a lot. That would change once they were mated.
A smile ghosted Slade’s face as he pulled off his shirt and dropped it onto the arm of the couch. Her eyes devoured every inch of his bare skin. Celina had never seen a man built like him. He sported so many hard ridges and shadowed lines that he didn’t look real.
His long, tapered fingers moved to the button on the front of his jeans. She’d had those fingers inside every orifice and still she wanted more, needed more.
Slade popped the button. The denim slipped an inch, riding low on his hips, exposing the indentations that hinted at greater perfection. He didn’t seem to notice her physical response. Without a second glance, he walked into the bedroom.
Celina tried not to drool as she watched him go. The second he was out of sight, she glanced at the phone and debated whether to call Mindy.
And say what? Be careful, werewolves are sniffing around your house? Watch out, werewolves are real? She’d have her committed.
“Celina,” Slade’s raspy voice called out.
She recognized the tone immediately. He only sounded sexy like that when he wanted some, wanted her. The realization dispersed her doubts and bolstered her hopes.
“What, babe?” she asked.
“I’m hungry,” he said, surprising her.
Celina glanced at the food on the table. “You want me to heat up the plate?”
“I don’t want food,” he said. “I want you to get your butt in here and take your clothes off.”
Desire mingled with defeat. Celina couldn’t resist his call, hadn’t been able to from the start. Slade had come into her life and stolen her soul.
No, not stolen, she thought. She’d given it to him willingly. Wrapped it in a bow and handed her soul over, along with her self-respect.
Celina reached for the bottom of her T-shirt and pulled it over her head. She hadn’t bothered to put on a bra, since Slade didn’t like them. He wanted easy and fast access. She dropped the shirt onto the floor and slowly strolled into the bedroom.
Slade was lying on top of her white comforter with his back pressed against the wrought-iron headboard. He was gloriously naked, waiting for her. His tight fist encased his swollen flesh, emphasizing his arousal.
Celina gulped, drinking in the sight of him. He was big and thick. Everything about him was sheer perfection. “You’re beautiful.”
He ignored the compliment as if it were his due. “About time,” he said, stroking himself. “This isn’t going to suck itself.”
Celina let out a desperate whimper and dropped to her knees.
“That’s a good girl,” Slade said, as she brushed his hands aside and grasped him, then slowly lowered her head.
* * * * *
Chapter Eight
The sun had barely peeked its golden head above the horizon, when Nic arrived at work the next morning. He punched in his security code and the large metal gate swung open. Nic pulled through and stopped, waiting for the gate to close behind him.
They’d had a security breach not long ago. Jenna Dane’s “ex” had broken onto the estate and threatened to expose the Kin.
The problem had been dealt with swiftly, but he and the other wolves had become more vigilant about the pack’s security.
The woods rushed by as Nic meandered down the long drive. The concrete and stone manor came into view as the trees parted and the road split in two. If he veered right, he’d go toward the circular drive in front of the house.
He went left. Most of Aidan’s estate was still asleep, but the lights were on in the garage as he pulled his truck up and parked.
Nic walked in to find Josh Dubois and Bernie Macklemore already hard at work.
“Morning,” Nic said, and went straight for the pot of coffee on the shelf.
Josh popped his dark head out from beneath the hood of the sports car he was working on. He was a wiry twenty-something who laughed as much as he talked and had the kind of energy that would shame that battery- operated bunny. “You look like crap. Must’ve been some night.” Josh grinned and his youthful eyes danced with glee.
Bernie slid out from under the sedan he’d been adjusting and hauled himself to his feet with a groan. He looked to be a fit fifty thanks to his shifter genes, but was in all likelihood double that age. Methodical and wise, Bernie considered each word before he spoke. His gaze landed on Nic and his gray brow arched. “What happened to you?”
“Nothing.” Nic avoided his gaze. “Had a little scuffle last night with some pups who were out to test their claws.”
Josh laughed. “They aren’t very bright if they decided to tangle with you.”
Nic laughed. “They weren’t,” he said.
“Want me to talk to them?” Josh asked.
Nic shook his head. “They don’t live here on the estate. I’ve never seen them before. Must be out-of- towners in for the full-moon run.”
Bernie’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.
Nic walked to the truck he’d been working on yesterday and set his coffee down on the floor, then slipped under the vehicle. He reached for a wrench to loosen the bolts. The wrench slipped from his fingers and dropped onto the floor with a loud clang. He picked it up, only to drop it again.
The third time the wrench hit the concrete, Bernie and Josh quit working on their cars and came to see if he needed a hand.
“Doing okay?” Bernie asked.
“Fine,” Nic said through gritted teeth. He twisted the wrench and scraped a layer of skin off his knuckles.
Josh sniffed. “Ah, Nic, he said. “I don’t mean to pry, but when did you start wearing women’s perfume?”
Nic banged his head on the undercarriage. He muttered a curse, then slid out from under the truck. He rolled to his feet and walked to the neatly arranged wall of tools on the far side of the garage.
Bernie followed him. “Want to talk about it?”
Nic didn’t look at him. Instead, he continued to examine the tools. “Nothing to talk about.”
Bernie cocked his head. “If it’s nothing, then where’d the perfume come from?”
Nic shrugged and kept his expression neutral. “Just a girl I picked up at the bar last night.”
“She have anything to do with the scuffle?” Bernie asked.
Nic didn’t answer.
Bernie stared at him for a solid minute.
Nic fought the urge to squirm.
“What’s her name?” Bernie asked.
Nic’s face heated. “Don’t know. Doesn’t matter.”
“You don’t know her name?” Bernie took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “How long have I known you?”
Nic looked at him in surprise. “What?”
“How long have we known each other?” Bernie asked.
Nic thought about it. “Ten years, give or take.”
Bernie nodded. “Sounds right,” he said. “In all that time, I can’t recall you ever coming to work smelling like a girl you picked up at a bar.”
Nic turned away, but Bernie caught his sleeve. He looked down at the hand and snarled.
Bernie’s brow disappeared into his hairline. “Okay, now that we’ve established that she’s not just some nameless girl you picked up at a bar, it’s time to talk. Take a seat.” He pointed to a stool in the corner of the garage. “Josh, run to the main house and get me a pastry.”
“Nic, you want anything?” Josh asked.
“No thanks!”
The younger man nodded and strode out the door.
As soon as he was gone, Bernie leveled his gaze on Nic. “Now tell me what happened.”
“I already told you,” Nic said. “I got into with some
pups and hooked up with a girl afterwards.”
“You aren’t a hookup kind of guy,” Bernie said.
“Sure I am.”
“No.” Bernie shook his head. “You’re not,” he said patiently.
Nic shrugged. “I was last night.”
“Hmm...interesting.” Bernie got himself a cup of coffee. He made a show of taking a sip, then returned to Nic’s side. “So let me make sure I have this right. You got into a fight—that may or may not involve a woman—then picked up some random bar girl to have sex with and didn’t bother to ask her name.”
“That about sums it up,” Nic said. His jaw hurt from gritting his teeth so hard.
“I’m confused,” Bernie said. “If it was such a fun night, and you certainly smell like it was, then why are you so grumpy?”
“I’m not grumpy,” Nic snapped.
Bernie watched him closely. “You got into a fight. Found an easy lay. Sounds like a Were’s idea of a perfect night.”
“She wasn’t easy,” Nic said. She hadn’t been with a man in a while. He was sure of that. Just the thought of her lying with another guy made Nic’s head ache and claws flex.
Bernie scratched his chin. “You said she was a bar girl. If she was at Sticks, that makes her a Were groupie.”
“I might have met her at the bar, but she was not a regular. Lucien didn’t recognize her and she had no idea what I was,” Nic ground out.
He didn’t like that Bernie thought the woman was easy or that she was a groupie. She wasn’t. Despite what they’d done in the parking lot, she was an innocent. Far too sweet for her own good.
“She didn’t belong there. And she damn sure doesn’t belong with me.” Nic scrubbed a hand through his hair.
Bernie took another sip of his coffee. “I never said she did. It’s interesting that you brought it up, though.”
“Our beasts don’t know everything,” Nic growled. “They can be wrong.”
“I’ve never known them to be, but I suppose anything is possible. We’re proof of that.” Bernie hid his smile behind his coffee cup.
“I need to get back to work,” Nic snarled in frustration.
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