“Hey there, stranger.”
The voice caught him unaware. He turned to the sound. Kass sat on one of the sofas in a dark corner. Dressed in skimpy shorts and a tiny top, he knew what she was doing. As if the arousal coming from her hadn’t been an indicator, she licked her lips and gave him a bold once over. Annoyance raised his animal to the surface. If it were up to him, he’d pay for a hotel for her to leave Karla’s home, but she was Karla’s sister, and his mate had given her permission to stay the night.
“What are you doing here?” Disgust rolled through him the moment he heard her attempt at sexy. Though it sounded like his mate, it wasn’t. And no matter how much they might look alike physically, she was not his woman.
“Staying the night.” She tried making her voice as husky as it came naturally to Karla. Only it was overdone on her. She took slow steps toward him and smiled seductively.
“I know that part. Karla told me. I mean, what are you doing sitting out here in the dark?”
She licked her lips. “I was waiting for you.”
“Why?” He was getting tired of the blatant way she looked at him. Like he was a piece of beef. Maybe it was because she wasn’t Karla that his wolf roared to the surface, angry. Or maybe it was because she was trying to move in on her sister’s man. Whatever it was, he didn’t like her. Didn’t like her scent. And he didn’t like the way she ogled him.
“I was just wondering what was up with you and Karli.” She took another step closer. He battled his animal for dominance. The wolf didn’t like her. In fact, the last thing he wanted was to be near her.
“That’s none of your business. You should talk to her about anything you need to know.” He turned away and stopped when she placed a hand on his arm.
“You know,” she whispered, “we can have fun. She doesn’t have to know anything.”
That did it. He whirled back to face her. Let her see the anger in his eyes. The glow of his wolf and his half shifted facial features.
“Don’t touch me.” He yanked away from her. “Don’t ever touch me. If you do, I won’t be responsible for what happens to you.”
She smiled. “Oh? What will the big bad shifter do to me?”
He knew she was scared despite her bravado. The beast liked the fear. He wanted to rip her belly and throat and eat her while her heart was still beating. She was pushing the line. Putting herself out there to get hurt not just with words, but by his wolf.
He snarled and jerked back. “I don’t like you.” Fury flourished in her gaze. “I don’t like your scent.” His voice deepened. “I belong to Karla. And my wolf will destroy you if you lay a hand on me again.”
She laughed nervously. Her pulse quickened and her fear overpowered the arousal he’d scented. The anger also grew. Its bitter scent seeped from her pores and burned the insides of his nostrils.
“Too bad.” She shrugged and grabbed a handbag from the sofa she’d been sitting at. “We could have had a great time together.”
Not in this lifetime.
She took her time leaving, but he could tell she wanted to rush. The tense way she walked and gripped her bag spoke for her. Once she’d walked out, he locked the door and headed for the shower in the guest room.
The bedroom was dark and quiet, but he knew Karla was awake. Her heartbeat tripped when he shut the door.
“Nate?”
He frowned. There was a tremor of insecurity when she said his name. “Were you waiting for some other sexy shifter?”
Her delicate laughter, much more reassured, melted his heart. “You really need to do something about that ego.”
His night vision allowed him to see her as clear as if there was a light on. Interest flared in her eyes. Her heated gaze roamed his naked torso down to the towel around his hips. He knew she had a good view of him from the light filtering through her blinds.
“When you look at me that way, it’s proof enough that I’m right when I say that.”
She cleared her throat. “Okay, maybe you are kind of sexy.” He grinned and dropped the towel, watched her lick her lips and then sigh. “Okay, maybe you’re more than a little sexy.”
Sliding into bed with Karla had to be the most amazing feeling ever. Every time it felt like he’d just found the perfect place to be. Home. With her. And whether there were children or not, he would never want to be anywhere else.
She’d stayed on her side of the bed. With a quick tug, he had her where he wanted her—in his arms, her head pillowed on his shoulder, and her breath caressing his neck.
“I heard the door,” she said quietly. “Did Kass leave?”