STORY EXCERPT

“Let’s sit in here while dinner cooks,” she said and led the way to the living room.                

She settled in the middle of the couch and crossed her long legs. He welcomed the chance to sit next to her. He could imagine those legs without jeans, naked and wrapped around him. His cock became rigid with his desire.

He cleared his throat. Later, Wolfson, if you’re very lucky. “Even though I don’t want to and I expect you don’t either, we need to talk about this guy and his goons who attacked you.” He wiped one hand over his eyes. “You’ll need better security at the shelter. I don’t like the thought of him showing up again.”

“I can’t afford another security guard at the shelter, but I’ll ask the one I have to walk with me to my car in the evening when I leave.” Her eyes revealed her trust in Mike. Her lips curved up in a warm smile.

He wished he could hold her heart-shaped face with his hands and kiss her freckled nose, her full lips. Feel those lips on him.

“Good. That’ll help, but until we catch those guys, you need to have someone follow you home. I’ll do that. Juan and Derek have been investigating this gang for over a year. If you’ll call the police to make a report about what happened tonight, it’ll help them build a case. The sooner we put these guys in jail, the better.”

She slowly snuggled up to Mike’s side. “I recognized the father of the boy as a troublemaker from our high school days. It’s been a while.”

“I remember him, too,” Mike said and urged Melissa closer to him. His cock stiffened more with his need for her. “In high school, he thought it was fun to pick on kids who were smaller or younger than he was. Now, he uses women to make money.”

Mike clenched his jaw. He should have taken Tito down tonight. He shouldn’t have let him get away.

She smoothed her soft fingers over his hand. “The little boy’s mother signed their last name as Gonzalez.”

“Yeah. Tito Gonzalez.” A rogue werewolf with a dangerous pack. “He owns an apartment building near downtown. He and his gang live there. The police have a detective checking out the place, but so far, from what I’ve heard, he hasn’t found any conclusive evidence to prove human trafficking. The apartment is handy for prostitution, under the guise of a massage parlor, as well as meetings with those looking for free illegal labor. Maybe the boy’s mother can give you some info that would help with the case.”

“I’ll see if she wants to talk about him, but I’m not going to badger her. She came to the shelter for rest and protection. I won’t cause her more distress.”

Mike smiled at the protective tone of Melissa’s voice. “I won’t ask you to. If she closes up, let it go. We’ll find some other way to arrest these guys.”

Anger and determination made his blood boil. The thought of Melissa being hurt by Tito and his gang tempted the dangerous side of Mike with the urge to tear their throats out. 

Melissa was the most beautiful, generous woman he’d ever known. Her dark hair fell in waves around her delicate face. He pushed a tendril back as he gazed into her blue eyes.

Her familiar, sweet scent tempted the primal force raging through his veins. He must control it now and always. She would run from him if she knew he was more than human. 

The drive to mate with Melissa grew stronger. His cock rose higher with his need for her. She’d been his close friend since high school. He wished she could love him forever. He ached to make her his woman, to make love to her, thrust deep, again and again. Become one with her.

If she knew what he was capable of, he doubted she’d be sitting beside him now. Melissa was the only woman he would ever love. He loved her so much it hurt deep in his chest. He feared he was destined to live alone. Now and always.

In the meantime, he’d protect her with his life. Tito’s gang didn’t stand a chance against him if it came to physical violence. The problem was to keep Melissa safe from them when she was alone and vulnerable. He could have lost her tonight. Thank God he’d driven right behind her.

Knowing her spirit and determination, she wouldn’t want a full time bodyguard hanging around. He’d keep a close eye on her, and if he had to be somewhere for a business meeting, he’d ask Derek or Juan to take over.

If she refused to be his life mate, Mike intended to keep her safe,wherever she was. How would he tell her what he’d become? 

ADULT EXCERPT

Mike stood in the doorway of the kitchen, one hand on each side of the door frame, and stared at Melissa. The wolf in him threatened to destroy his control and take her with no gentleness.

Her tousled hair framed her lovely face. She zipped her jeans, and the motions pushed her lush, naked breasts together, her dusky rose nipples erect and seductive. She hadn’t hooked her bra or buttoned her shirt yet. Driven by the beast within, he wanted her now. He crossed the room, his strides resounding sharply on the floor. He intended to have one more kiss, one more taste of her satin skin, before she served up dinner.

She glanced at him and brought the edges of her shirt together.

“Don’t,” Mike said, his voice a soft rasp.

She bit her lower lip and released the shirt’s edges. “I thought you’d want to eat now.”

She had that right. He wanted to devour her. “It won’t hurt to let it cool a bit. It’s still boiling hot.” In two strides, he reached her, pulled her into his arms, and covered her mouth with his. He tangled his tongue with hers, delving deep as he cupped and stroked one full, warm breast. His cock was still raging and tight. He wanted to take her hard and fast, bury himself deep inside her.

The animal in him wanted to dominate. But the human side wouldn’t take a chance on hurting her or getting her pregnant. Not when she didn’t know what he’d become. Ruthless, feral, half wolf, half human. And if she did know that about him, she’d probably scream and chase him the hell away. Never let him come near her again. But what if she would let him love her?

She was the most giving woman he’d ever known. The kindest, most considerate. Her touch on his bare skin had been pure heaven. When she’d taken his cock in her hand, touching and caressing, he’d thought he’d come right then. The wolf in him wanted to mate with her and keep her by his side for all time.

The human side feared that wasn’t possible.

She moaned as he rubbed his thumb over a firm nipple. He broke the kiss and trailed his lips down her soft throat. Releasing her breast, he pushed her shirt and bra strap off her shoulder. He embraced her gently as he pressed kisses along her shoulder. Her sweet scent intoxicated him.

She arched her neck back, her long hair draping like silk over his arm. He licked the dampened skin between her breasts. He loved her taste and could never get enough of her. Her hand rubbed his cock.

Damn. He was close to losing it. He reached down and unbuttoned his jeans. Opening his shorts, he led her hand to his bare flesh and curled her fingers around his eager cock once again. While she stroked up and down the length of him, he lowered his head to suck her nipples, first one then the other, flicking each peak with the tip of his tongue.

Her quick, short breaths matched his. Tentative, slender fingers delved lower and fondled his balls. Fuck. He was losing control.

“Melissa.” He groaned as he strained to keep the ravaging beast at bay.

“Yes?” she whispered. Her eyes were wide and her lips swollen. She parted them for another kiss.

He’d never felt so tempted. Could he make love to her without hurting her? She was delicate and inexperienced. He needed to be gentle, but could he be? He wanted to make love with Melissa, but he wouldn’t. Not tonight. Maybe never. Kissing her softly, he took a half step back.

It had been a long while since he’d had sex, and not ever with a woman he loved. He’d cared for Melissa for as long as he’d known her. He didn’t want to mess up. He glided his hands up her ribs to her breasts, and she gave a little moan.

Kneeling in front of her, he pressed kisses down her body to her waist and dipped his tongue in her navel. When she chuckled, he looked up to see her smile.

“I think we better eat before dinner is cold,” she said.

He pressed his lips and tongue to her clit through her panties. She gasped, and her fingers squeezed his shoulders.

With a resigned moan, he pressed another kiss to her then rose to his feet. He helped her straighten her clothing. Taking her hips in his hands, he pulled her against his cock. Just one more kiss.

He watched her pleasure-filled gaze as she gently pressed her hands against his chest, moving him back a step. Her eyes darkened even more as she looked him over slowly.

“Would you prefer eating in here or at the kitchen table?” she asked.

Her words taunted him. “Are you on the menu?”