“Once or twice isn’t good enough, my Jasmine. I should be in your every waking thought,” he drawled. “I want to see you. Now. I can’t wait until tonight.”
The demanding tone should’ve annoyed her. It didn’t. It fed her arousal and left her hot and achy. She ran a hand over the back of her neck. “I can’t. I have so much to do and I haven’t had a chance to call Mr. Wilkins.”
“Call him. I’ll pick you up at six,” Rafe said with that air of confidence he had, as if she’d agree without hesitation. This time he was right. She couldn’t wait to see him. Talk to him. Kiss him.
“And Jasmine?”
She ran her tongue over her teeth and tugged once more at the annoying cloth rubbing against her nipples. “What?”
“Plan for that sleepover,” he said and hung up.
She held the phone to her chest for a moment and conjured Rafe’s face. Her lower belly quivered. She swallowed hard and dialed Mr. Wilkins.
* * * * *
Rafe blew out a strained breath and slid the phone back into his pocket. He glanced over the yard separating him from Jasmine. A few hundred feet. It felt as if it were miles. His fingers itched with the desire to rip the thin top off her body and put his mouth on her erect nipples. They pushed against the cotton, showed him how very aroused she was. She needed a male’s touch. His touch. He groaned and adjusted his cock. He’d been aroused most of the night. He fucking hurt.
“The female’s got you twisted up, Rafe. Be careful,” Kade warned.
Rafe turned his head once Jasmine slipped back inside the house. Kade sat with his back against a tree across from him. He watched him with narrowed eyes, the intense stare of an alpha meant to intimidate others into confessing their secrets. Rafe snorted and looked away.
“Be careful of what? Blue balls?” He glanced down at the front of his jeans and the bulge there. “Got those already. That’s why I need to get Jasmine alone. She left me in this state. And by the gods, she’s going to take care of me.”
“I’m not talking about the sex,” Kade mumbled. He waved his hand to encompass Rafe’s body. “You’re tense. You watched her bedroom window all night, left me to prowl the grounds.”
He’d done more than that. While Kade had run the lands to check for any other signs of the rogue shifter, Rafe had made his way to the house. He’d stood below Jasmine’s window just to hear her breathing. He’d grown agitated after the first couple of hours. He’d needed to be close to her and hadn’t calmed until he’d smelled her, listened to the soft exhales of her breath, knew she was safe.
“And? That is part of surveillance, Kade. We’ve spent many nights watching over humans who were in this exact situation.”
“And after the threats to them passed we left with our cubs and never gave their human guardians a second thought.” Kade leaned forward and braced his hand on the ground next to him. “Why do I think this human will be coming home with us?”
Rafe faced the house and searched the windows. He didn’t see Jasmine, but he heard her voice. He focused on her husky timbre and his racing pulse slowed. “I never said she was. I don’t get to make those decisions. You do.”
“Really?” Kade snorted. “Okay. I’ll sneak in tonight while you’re on your date with Jasmine, grab Seth and Levi, have Devin take Megan and get the hell out of this shithole.”
Rafe unleashed his claws, dug them into Kade’s shoulders and slammed him into the tree. “No,” he hissed. “You will do no such thing.”
Kade didn’t flinch, didn’t fight him even though blood dribbled over his chest. He stared at him for a long moment while Rafe fought to keep his growls contained. “You see? You’re too involved, Rafe. The woman has captured your attention.”
Rafe retracted his claws and shoved away from him. He walked as close to the tree line as he dared. Seth and Levi might be cubs, but their senses were ten times better than a human child’s. Alerting them to their presence wasn’t part of the plan. He didn’t want Jasmine to know what he was or why he was here. Not yet. She might not let him into her body if she did.
“Jasmine is a beautiful woman. I want her,” Rafe said.
“You had her.”
“Not completely. I didn’t get to come.”
Kade stepped in front of him, blocking his view to the house. Rafe moved but Kade followed and shoved him back. “You have a hand, Rafe. Take care of yourself and leave the woman alone. Humans do not belong in our world.”
Rafe had tried. After watching Jasmine undress, he’d stroked his cock until his goddamn hand cramped but he hadn’t come. He wanted her sheath gripping him, not his roughened skin. Even fantasizing about her hadn’t helped.
“We’ve had humans in our pride before,” he said instead of admitting how he feared Jasmine had captured his interest.
“And the last one betrayed Mira,” Kade growled.
He closed his eyes and cursed. “That was three hundred years ago. Before her betrayal, we had many families who lived within our lands.”
“But never since. They aren’t trustworthy.”
Stubbornness tightened Kade’s features and straightened his spine. Rafe took in his pose and a sliver of unease slithered down his spine. “Humans are not the same as they were in previous centuries. They are open to different ideas, accepting of others. Look at all the humans who work behind the scenes to help us.” Rafe stepped closer and captured Kade’s gaze. “This case is no different. Tony’s autopsy was canceled and false reports made to stop the humans from investigating in our affairs. That wouldn’t have been possible without our sources.”
Kade ran a hand through his hair and glanced back at the house. “And sometimes I wonder if it is the right thing to do. Tony’s killer is likely long gone and justice will never be meted out, yet the human’s family thinks differently.” He shook his head. “Just because we are the prized offspring of the gods, it doesn’t give us the right to act like them.”
And it was that belief that had caused so much discontent between the single animal shifters and the royal class. Shifters had lived among the humans for millennia but they were stronger, lived a couple of centuries compared to the several decades humans did. They’d used those traits to dominate their weaker brethren. The gods intervened and birthed the royals to bring the single animal shifters to heel. It worked. Balance returned, but there were those who despised the royals for their link to the gods. Calum had been one, only they’d never known of his deep hatred.
Rafe gave a single nod. “I agree, but it’s better for the humans’ peace of mind. If they aren’t given closure they’ll always wonder and worry that danger might find them again.”
Kade grunted and faced him. “We’ll wait a few days before we decide what to do with Josh and Jasmine.”
Relief swept through him. He settled back against the tree trunk to watch the house. Kade leaned close and whispered, “If I’d said anything different, you would’ve fought me, taken this goddamn job off my shoulders. Am I right, brother?”
Rafe slowly turned his head and faced Kade but didn’t answer. They stared at each other and the silent battle of wills neither of them ever won raged. Finally, they both turned away and Kade shifted into his jaguar form. He trotted off and Rafe focused back on the home.
With his attention on Jasmine working in her kitchen, he allowed Kade’s words to replay in his head. Maybe Kade was right. The woman had crawled into his mind and taken up residence there, not something he had planned on or wanted, but he couldn’t walk away. And it was taking everything he had not to think about why.
Chapter Seven
Jazz stood in front of her bedroom mirror and groaned. Nothing looked right. She yanked the cute baby-doll shirt off and tugged the halter top back on. Similar to the one she wore last night, the lacy neckline showed plenty of cleavage and the loose waist offered enough room to slip under the hem and explore. She shook her head at the naughty thoughts filling her mind, but it didn’t stop her from choosing a pair of loose shorts either
.
Underneath the outfit she’d chosen with Rafe in mind, she wore simple black panties and a strapless bra. She’d debated over running into town and picking up something sexier but didn’t have time. Besides, she hadn’t decided if Rafe would be getting her completely naked. Just because she wanted to have sex with him didn’t mean it had to happen tonight.
She glanced at the clock. Five minutes to six. She grabbed a brush and ran it through her hair one last time. The doorbell rang. She jumped. With shaky hands, she placed the comb on the dresser and hurried down the stairs into the living room. A date. She was actually going on a date, her first in three long years. There was no reason to feel nervous, but her heart raced. Sweat dampened her palms. She scrubbed them against her shorts, took a calming breath and opened the door.
Rafe stood on the other side with his legs slightly spread and his head dipped so a lock of hair fell over one eye. His lips lifted in a lopsided smile. He swept his gaze over her body from her feet to her face. Heat spread in the wake of his lazy perusal.
“Beautiful, my Jasmine. So damn beautiful.”
He reached forward, took her hand and tugged her close. His mouth covered hers before she could say anything. The hungered, raw kiss he delivered stole her breath and replaced it with his. A tug of her hair and he tipped her head back for his sweeping thrusts. She arched into him, accepting his lead. Still kissing her, he backed her into the living room. The door slammed closed behind them. She turned her head away. His lips brushed over her cheek.
“Rafe, wait,” she panted.
He skimmed the roughened fingers she’d dreamed about last night up her side and under the edge of her shirt, exactly as she’d hoped he would. With small strokes, he caressed the edge of her breast and nuzzled against the sensitive spot beneath her ear. His warm breath aroused her as easily as the light touch of his fingertips but if she let this continue, her willpower would crumble.
“Why? Aren’t we alone?”
They were. She’d driven the boys over to Mr. Wilkins’ house an hour ago but no way would she invite Rafe into her bedroom. She’d given their date a lot of thought. Rafe wasn’t from the area. If they ended up having sex tonight, she didn’t want the memory of it here, where she’d remember exactly how it felt to be with him and long for him when he was gone.
“We are, but you promised me dinner. I’m hungry.”
Rafe nibbled along her jaw to her mouth. He kissed her, slowly with rolling thrusts of his tongue that left her weak. She grabbed his shoulders and held on while he explored her as completely as he had yesterday. Without hesitation, he slipped his hand into her shorts. She wavered a moment then widened her stance for his probing fingers. He slid them over her clit and down her cleft to circle her opening.
Her shorts were loose enough for his teasing but not for the stimulation she suddenly craved. She wriggled her bottom and groaned as his fingertip dipped inside. When he yanked his hand out and popped the button on her shorts, she froze. God, she had no self-control around him. She pushed away.
“Dinner, Rafe. A date. I never promised I’d have sex with you.”
He gave her a lopsided smile and brought his fingers to his mouth. With slow swipes of his tongue, he licked her arousal off. More flowed to slicken her sex. She swayed closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, drew her against him.
“A date then. Where shall we go?”
“The Black Widow.”
Josh’s bar was packed. It always had a decent crowd, but on a Friday night even more so. Jazz leaned against Rafe and listened to the familiar sounds—music, laughter and the drone of voices. She didn’t go out often but when she did, she usually came here, so it seemed the logical choice. Now she had second thoughts. Everyone watched them. The waitresses stared openly at Rafe, not that she could blame them, but after openly perusing him, their curious gazes landed on her. She saw the questions in their eyes. And the accusations.
Everyone assumed she’d eventually get back together with Josh. They’d dated on and off through high school but after she’d moved, they’d parted ways for good. When she came home with twins, he’d made it clear they’d eventually get back together. In fact, she’d heard she was the excuse he gave to a lot of his fuck buddies as the reason he didn’t date.
Now here she was with Rafe, a delicious specimen of a man who held her against his chest and nuzzled her neck. Sara walked by, looked them up and down and huffed.
“Let’s get a table out on the deck,” she suggested.
He pulled out his phone. “You go on up. I have to make a call.” He kissed her cheek and slipped out the door.
She frowned at his abrupt departure, but he had been texting on and off since he’d picked her up. He’d said it was business. They were working a security detail in town. He had to tie up some loose ends. Her heart skipped a beat. Once he finished his job, he’d leave. Just because he said plans could change and he might stay longer didn’t guarantee he would. She pushed the thought away. Tonight. She’d keep her focus on the present. They were on a date. And dammit, she planned on enjoying it.
She blew out a breath and made her way across the bar to the stairs. They were narrow, no bigger than the ones in her house, but the bar had started out as somebody’s home back when neighborhoods had a pub on every corner. Halfway up she ran into a man rushing down. She gasped and teetered backward, but his arms wrapped around her waist and tugged her against him.
A whiff of cigars and cologne filled her lungs. She choked out, “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”
Bright-brown eyes focused on her and a grin spread over his face. In the dim light she couldn’t see much of him, but the tiny hairs on her arms stood up. Fear slithered into her belly and churned it. He set her aside before the sick feeling spread.
“No problem, sweet thing. I’ll keep an eye out for you from now on,” he drawled and continued on down the stairs.
She watched him until the bend in the staircase blocked him from view, then slumped against the wall. The rushing blood in her veins echoed in her head. She stood there and trembled but didn’t know why. The guy had saved her from falling. He hadn’t done a single thing to make her afraid. She shook off the weird sensation and hurried up the stairs in case he came back.
* * * * *
Rafe leaned back in his seat and watched Jasmine’s mouth move. They talked about bland topics at first, the kind meant to help them get to know each other, and ones he quickly realized he had to answer carefully so as not to make her suspicious. When she’d asked what his first car had been, he’d answered truthfully—a Model T Ford. She’d frowned and he’d had to quickly inform her that his family collected automobiles and the vehicle had been a gift.
The topic of classic cars had made her eyes light up. She’d gone on to tell him of her restoration business, which he’d already known about. He’d walked through her garage in the early hours of the morning, but he settled back and listened to her speak. Her husky voice aroused him. He found he didn’t want her to stop talking.
Jasmine laughed and reached forward. Her fingers brushed his and the desire that had simmered all evening flared to life.
“Are you even listening to me?” she asked.
He wrapped her hand in his and rubbed his thumb over her wrist. Her pulse kicked up. “Absolutely, your current project is a ’67 Camaro Z28 you’re refitting with a modified Corvette block. Customer lives in Delaware, a Steven…something.” He chuckled at her shocked face. “Sorry. I can’t remember his last name.”
She leaned over the table and gave him a wonderful view of her cleavage. “You really were paying attention.”
Rafe stood and pulled Jasmine from her seat. She molded into his embrace without any prompting. With a hand on her lower back and another at the base of her neck, he bent close and pressed his mouth to her ear. “Of course I was. You’re an intriguing woman, Jasmine.”
“Thank you but I didn’t mean to dominate the conversation, Rafe.” She turned her head
and her warm, minty breath bathed his neck. “I want to learn more about you too.”
He tugged her flush against him so his engorged shaft pushed into her belly. “You will. Very soon.”
She shuddered and wrapped her arms around his waist. “It’s getting late. Maybe we should get going.”
He captured her earlobe and tugged until he pulled a breathy moan from her. “I like that idea, Jasmine. Let’s go.”
He took her hand, led her through the bar and out the door. She walked with him, hand in hand, but he scented her nervousness and her anxiety—it helped him rein in his lust. Ever since he’d seen her this morning on the deck in her sleep clothes, he’d anticipated this moment. Getting her naked had consumed his every thought, but he wouldn’t rush her and risk pushing her away.
Once they reached his SUV, she turned in her seat. “I thought I could do this but I can’t. I’m sorry, Rafe.”
He reached for her, tipped up her chin and kissed her. The tight confines of the cab left him little room to touch her, but he skimmed his fingertips along her arms, a light stroke meant to soothe her. It did. Her muscles eased but he kept kissing her, arousing her until she linked her hands around his neck. He pulled back.
“You want to. I see it in your eyes, feel it in the way you touch me. One night. Let me love you.” She opened her mouth, but he pressed a finger to her parted lips. “We’ll see what happens. Okay? If you decide you don’t want me, I’ll back off. Promise.”
“That’s the problem. I thought I’d be okay with one night, but I can’t do it.” She shifted in her seat and leaned close to cup his face in between her hands. “I like you, Rafe. You’re the first guy to tempt me.” She shook her head and smiled wryly. “I’ve never left my boys overnight so I could be with a man. I feel guilty.”
“I never said I only wanted a night. If I did, there were plenty of women in that bar I could’ve taken. I didn’t.”
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