by Lauren Dane
“They don’t trust it. It can be manipulated, used to harm. But I think they’re throwing out something they could actually benefit from. Fear is good to a certain extent, but then it becomes something more, something worse. It paralyzes and makes people paranoid. That’s not helpful. People like Mary have a lot to teach.”
“Does that translate into them not trusting you?”
She heaved a sigh, wriggling until he let go.
He watched, waiting as she sprang from bed and began to pace. The moonlight through the window played over her skin with silver fingers.
“What have they done for me anyway? My mother had to pretty much abandon me. She was murdered, most likely by our father and Susan, God only knows what she is or who she’s working with. Renee was emotionally abused and as we’ve discovered physically too.”
She had to move when she thought. Interesting.
“So what then? Doesn’t sound to me like you want to separate yourself entirely or you wouldn’t give a crap what they thought. You do.”
She rounded on him, eyes narrowed. “Are you playing lawyerball with me?”
He laughed. “I’d never dream of such a thing. Though, if you wanted to play something, you can come by and we’ll use my desk to all the best ability we can. My chair would hold our weight easily.”
Her annoyed look melted away as she bent to find her clothes.
“Why bother getting dressed? I’ll only have to take them off again when we fuck in an hour or so.”
“I need to go home.”
He wanted her to be here. Wanted this to be their home. Not that he’d share this with her just then. Another shifter would have understood, but he’d need to take things a little slower with her.
“Why is that?” He sat up and moved to her, enfolding her in his arms and holding her close.
“That’s what people do,” she said, her voice muffled as she made no move to leave his embrace.
“Which people are here with you and me right now?” He began to sway, smiling against her hair as she moved with him.
“You run with some pretty stunning male specimens should you, you know, want to bring any of them around.” Though he couldn’t see her face, he knew she smirked.
She broke into full-throated laughter as he swept her up and tossed her on the bed again, scrambling atop her.
“Galen’s situation is different. I don’t like sharing what’s mine. And you and I both know you’re mine.”
One of her eyebrows rose imperiously and his cat approved. “I know we have great sexual chemistry. I’m willing to concede we’re dating even. Yours though? I’m no one’s but my own.”
“Not to own, little witch. Never that.” He kissed her softly. “To cherish and take care of.”
“I still need to go home.”
“I’ll sleep there then.” He rolled off and tossed her clothes in her direction. “I’ll pack a bag. What are your plans for tomorrow?”
She pulled her panties back on and he sighed. “I do like you naked.”
“You’re full of it. Cripes.” But she smiled as she said it.
“Tenacity is a gift, little witch.”
“It’s a pain in my ass, that’s what it is.” She snorted. “Tomorrow I have to work and then I’m going to meet Renee. We’re going to B&G Oysters for lobster rolls. It was supposed to be chili dogs, but she texted me earlier to suggest an alternative plan. She tells me I have to try them there and who am I to turn down such an offer?”
“Am I invited? I love lobster rolls.”
She rolled her eyes as she struggled into her bra and pulled her sweater back on. “I doubt you’ve eaten a lobster roll. Ever. Look at you.” She waved her hand his way.
“Shifter metabolism, my beautiful witch. As it happens I’m a big fan of lobster rolls, though not to argue with your sister, but I like Neptune Oyster Bar better. Perhaps we’ll go there next, you know, just to be sure. Come on. It’ll save us the charade that you won’t have guards trailing along.”
“Renee has guards trailing along. I, on the other hand, am free of that.” She smirked and he laughed, pulling his jeans on.
“Yes, well. I think you’re a woman who prizes honesty so I’m going to tell you right now, you’ll have guards too. Gibson has no doubt worked out a plan for when you and Renee are out to keep the number of guards low enough not to attract a lot of attention. But it’s going to continue for the foreseeable future.”
She spun, narrowing her eyes. “You what? You can’t send fucking werewolves and jaguar shifters with weapons to an elementary school. That’s ridiculous. I have a job. I’m trying to build a life here and I won’t do that with henchmen at my side.” She sailed from the room and he followed, grabbing his suit bag and the toiletries kit he always kept at the ready.
“I’m not sending werewolves or jaguars to the school with weapons strapped to their bodies like Rambo.” He stepped into his shoes. “They’ll be discreet. They know how to do their job.”
“Why are we talking about this like you have an option?”
He nuzzled her neck, scraping his teeth over her skin, loving how she leaned into his touch. Probably without even knowing she did it.
“We’re not because I’m not asking for permission. There are people out there trying to harm you. This is not acceptable to me. I have the ability to protect you, and I will. Period.”
She pushed at him, but he stayed long enough to kiss her neck again before stepping back.
“I can protect myself too, you know. Also, newsflash, I’m not one of your cats. You’re not the boss of me.”
He laughed. “Of course I’m not the boss of you. You don’t need me to be your boss. That’s not what this is anyway and we both know it. It’s happening, I have no plans to make it stop. Now, on to happy things. Will you make me breakfast in the morning before you go to work?”
“You better sleep with one eye open.”
“All this sex talk just makes me hotter for you.”
Chapter Six
She didn’t really know what on earth to do about Max. Other than indulge him, which, she had to admit, was fun and usually a win for her. Over the last two weeks or so, he’d simply become part of her daily life.
He called, texted, stopped by, paid attention. He wanted to know what she thought about things. Wanted to hear her opinions on every subject imaginable. They’d spent more time simply wrapped in each other’s arms on his overstuffed couch than in his bed. Though they’d spent a lot of quality time naked as well.
She’d never been so well matched with someone before. In bed, they burned up the sheets. He was inventive, attentive and had a seemingly unending well of energy. Out of bed, they poked at each other, played, teased and discussed.
He’d become essential to her. It had felt as if she’d looked up and found him there. And she liked it.
Oh sure, she’d seen him several times a week before that. He was Renee’s brother-in-law after all. But this was different. He had a way of taking up space, in her head, in her apartment and in her heart. He took care of her. He touched her in a way that made her ache, filled her up, made her feel beautiful, strong and capable. And yet, he sheltered her when he could, and sometimes even when she told him to back off.
He was infuriatingly pushy. Nosy. Bossy. So intelligent it set her back on her heels at times. Sexy. Nurturing and loving.
It freaked her out, even as she loved it. Even as she wanted to get used to it, wanted to count on it.
And no matter how much she tried to hold him off, he simply flowed in.
“Like the tide.”
Renee looked up from where she’d been making Kendra a blueberry smoothie. “Huh?”
“Sorry. Max, he’s like the tide. He’s coming into my life whether I want him to or not.”
Renee laughed, pushing the smoothie her way. “I put extra protein in it. You’ll need it.” She gave Kendra a look so Kendra gave in and took a drink.
“Thank you. It’s actually good.�
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Renee’s smile was mischievous. “I should be offended that you sound surprised every time you come here and drink my smoothies.”
Kendra laughed. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m so proud of you and I say goofy stuff.”
Renee’s grin softened. “No need to apologize. I know you’re proud. Now, back to Max. Here’s the thing, you don’t want him to not rush in like the tide. I’ve seen you two together. You’re connected. Like whoa. And, like Galen, only worse, he’s a right pushy bastard.”
“Lucky he looks so good. I don’t think he’d get away with half of it if he wasn’t so handsome,” Imogene de La Vega said as she came to stand next to Kendra. “My, don’t you look pretty today.” She leaned in to kiss Kendra’s cheek and then squeezed Renee’s hands across the counter.
Imogene, of course, looked flawless in her chic business suit that probably cost a month’s salary. The woman was nearing sixty and she didn’t even look thirty-five. Tall, taller than her husband, her thickly braided hair was held back with an equally chic band at the back of her neck.
“I do? Please. Look at you!” Kendra waved at her.
Imogene laughed. “Oh this thing? I just threw it together on my way out this morning.” She paused and laughed some more. “I lie. I had a luncheon today with the law students I’m mentoring. This is my successful judge suit. Cesar gives me side eye when I wear it. I swear the man is wearing the same suit we scraped together the money to buy for his first day in court.”
“Should I be worried about this gathering of my favorite women?” Max sauntered in, wearing a suit that did far more exciting things to her insides than Imogene’s had. He looked smooth, elegant and yet, even with the dapper suit and nice shoes, that edge of danger in him was still obvious. In the eyes, the set of his mouth. Damn it, he was irresistible.
“I was telling your Kendra that you only get away with as much because you’re so handsome. Of course, I hope you’re giving her more reasons to stay than to go.”
He bent to kiss his mother’s cheek, rubbing his own along her jawline. Kendra had seen it before, affectionate and also a sign of rank. She liked that Max respected his mother the way he did.
“Kendra doesn’t let me get away with much, Mami. Why do you think that is?” He grinned as he leaned over the counter to kiss the top of Renee’s head.
“Because she’s not a pushover. Nor is she wrapped up in all this jamboree ranking business. She’s your match. This is a good thing for you and for the jamboree.”
Kendra blushed furiously. Dealing with his family always seemed like, well, like a job. There were so many of them and every one of them came with some sort of list of issues. They were fiercely loving and loyal but the most political group she’d ever dealt with. She wasn’t sure she was up to the task, though it did make her happy that everyone else seemed to think she was. “Well, let’s not be hasty. We just started dating and everything. But also, he’s so pushy that it sometimes happens that I oppose whatever he’s trying. He brings it out in me.”
Max laughed, taking her cheeks in his hands, tipping her face up and kissing her soundly. “There’s hasty and there’s fate, little witch. You’re my fate.” He shrugged, like it was that easy.
“You’re going to scare the girl away, Max.” Imogene shook her head at Max, though her eyes seemed to be lit with the same mischief his were. She turned her attention back to Kendra. “How about you come to dinner on Sunday? It’s time you came around. You may not believe in fate, though I bet you do, but you know this thing between you and Max is serious. You may as well come to dinner and meet everyone. I know they want to meet you.”
She didn’t give Kendra any time to say no. She just dropped a kiss on her cheek again and squeezed her hands.
Imogene winked at Renee, who laughed and blushed. “You too. You know how much I love to look at Jack. He’s so pretty.”
“Wouldn’t miss a Sunday. And you’ll spoil Jack more than he already is with all this attention.”
“Max will give you all the details. I’ll see you soon.” Imogene sailed out, holding the coffee Renee had made her.
Kendra turned her attention back to Max, whose smug smile made his lips look even more delicious. “Your mother is scary.”
Max looked down at her, stepping close so he ate up all her personal space. And she didn’t make a single move to stop that from happening. Having him that close made her dizzy in a most delicious fashion.
“She likes you. She knows you’re going to change things, shake them up. Aside from her first impression of Renee, which she admitted herself was wrong, my mother has a very good gut sense about people.”
“Nothing like having unrealistic expectations of the new kid,” she mumbled and he bent, kissing her quickly.
“You’re special. She sees it. I missed you today. I got yelled at by the judge for my client’s stupidity. I didn’t have time for my afternoon snack and all I could think about was you.”
She frowned momentarily, worrying that he wasn’t getting enough calories. And then realized he was trying to change the subject. “You’re trying to distract me.”
“No, I’m trying to entice you. Then I can say, Kendra, please come to my house for dinner tonight. Stay over. I love it when my sheets smell of us.”
A shiver ran through her and Renee busily wiped the counter down just to their left, totally eavesdropping.
He grinned, knowing he was embarrassing her, and she gave in and smiled at him. “I’m worried that if I keep giving in, I’m only making you more spoiled.”
He pretended to be crestfallen, the rogue. “You know I’m your servant in all things.”
Renee made a gagging noise. “You’re worse than Galen and I thought that was impossible. Anyway, she can’t have dinner at your house, she’s having it at mine. Galen was supposed to tell you earlier today.” She narrowed her eyes at him, looking him over. “I don’t see any blood, but with you two, who knows? Did you two punch each other at lunch or something?”
He winked. “Not today. But tomorrow is another day.” He laughed. “I’ve been in court since nine and I just finished about fifteen minutes ago. I’m sure there’s a message on my voice mail. I walked into the building when I scented my lovely Kendra. I needed to make my way here to rub myself all over her.”
Kendra looked back at Renee, who rolled her eyes at her sister.
“Galen is a good cook. I’ll bring wine for us.” Max tipped Kendra’s cheek, kissing her again quickly. “For you? Rosewater lemonade. I made a little trip down to my favorite Middle Eastern grocery and found the rosewater.”
He was impossibly good at this. Rosewater lemonade was one of her most favorite things in the world.
She tiptoed up to whisper in his ear. “You’re very good to me. I notice these things, and appreciate them. Even if I don’t let you make all the decisions. You’re so getting lucky later. Just so you know.” She went back to her heels, but he banded an arm around her waist to hold her.
His eyes lit with something only for her. A smile touched his lips. “Already am lucky. I like making you happy. Come up with me so I can get my things and I’ll give you a ride home?”
“Thanks. But, I need to go by Mary’s for an hour or so before dinner. I’d planned to leave from there. I’ll meet you at Renee’s. I’ll bring a bag,” she added, to soothe and to affirm. Funny how they both seemed to need that. She hadn’t told him the insurance money came for her car and it sucked. Not nearly enough to replace her old car with something as nice. She had the money but she didn’t want to dip into her savings right then. She’d moved cross country, and until she built it back up, she wanted to leave the money in there alone in case of an emergency. She’d keep on taking the T and save up for the car she really wanted. But he was a man who simply wanted to make things happen for his people. If she didn’t keep him reined in, he’d buy her some giant luxury armored car or something.
She hadn’t told Renee either. Not so much because she worried
Renee would tattle, but she might mention it in front of Jack or Galen who, also being control-freak males, would want to step in and handle it as well. Which would have meant some mess of three alpha men all trying to manage her.
“Come up and I’ll go with you to Mary’s and then drive you to Renee’s.” He brushed his thumb over the curve of her cheek and all her promises to herself to hold him off dissolved like smoke. Sneaky, sneaky man. “It’ll save gas. And you won’t have to take the T all the way out there. You know, defenseless and alone on a train when fucked-up crazy people want to hurt you?”
She snuck a quick look at Renee, who nodded at her.
“All right. Don’t think that saving-gas comment was even a factor. You can’t interfere with anything I do there. Got me? It’s important.”
“Do I look like the kind of guy who would interfere with your lessons?”
She and Renee both snorted a laugh. “Yes. Yes, you do.” She turned to her sister. “I’ll see you later. Can I bring anything but the cake I made?”
“Nope. Just you two. We’ll take the wine though, Max. You have good taste in wine and in women.” Renee looked back to Kendra. “Tell Mary I’m excited to be starting lessons with her.”
“I will. See you in a bit.” She walked around to the end of the counter and hugged her sister. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Max watched her, his lovely witch, as she interacted with her sister. Their magick swirled around them. He and Jack had likened it to pixie dust, but Galen called it catnip. Galen was probably closer on most days. Heaven knew he loved to simply roll around with her, her skin under his hands, against his lips, her scent wrapped around him.
The shifters who guarded Kendra and Renee both loved to hang about and chat with them. Max understood it, he liked to do that too. Beautiful women who gave off magick like perfume in their wake. Of course his men wanted more of it. Luckily for those men who were entrusted with the care and safety of these two women, they also knew and respected the connection between man and animal, witch and woman.
“You’re beautiful today,” he murmured as they got on the elevator. “I love you in that color blue.”
