Saving the Beast(3)

Reno moved to Amia’s side, showing his mate support and love with an arm at her hip and a shoulder where Amia leaned her head. The way they stood, the four of them, warmed Diane’s heart and made her ache for something similar for herself. Before her thoughts could once more turn to Zane, she shoved them aside and answered.

“We don’t know,” Diane answered softly. “Everything we’ve tried to do, hoping to counter it, isn’t working. I don’t know what he gave her or why. Unless we find out and can get our hands on it or find a way to help her body begin healing, she won’t last much longer.”

“I’ll beat it out of the bastard,” Logan swore as tears trickled down his mate’s cheeks.

“Already tried,” Murphy admitted with a grunt. “Even broke his arm.”

“What?” Tah snarled. “You tortured him?”

“He’s a shifter. He’ll heal…eventually,” Murphy said with a shrug. “Diane needed answers. He wasn’t willing to speak. I showed him what I thought of that.”

“Murphy!” Abby admonished.

“Jesus!” Tah grunted. “We’re not monsters. We can’t just break bones to get answers.”

“Didn’t work anyway,” Murphy said. “Man’s got his lips sealed tighter than a vault. He’s not saying a word.”

“No more torture,” Tah admonished.

“If you say so,” Murphy agreed with a jerk of his head.

Tah paced from one end of the room to the other and silence descended over them. Once more, Diane’s mind returned to thoughts of Zane. She missed seeing him. Lately, he’d been coming around more often. She remembered when he’d arrived with a seriously wounded Finn. She should have rushed out to Finn, but instead, she’d gone straight to Zane. She’d touched his face, looked in his golden eyes and let her hands move over his broad chest, assuring herself he was okay. For a moment, she swore she saw promise in his gaze.

She’d known then there was something about him she’d never be able to deny again. That one touch had sent a bolt of…something…through her. Something that set her blood on fire with a need for more from him. She wanted his kiss, his touch, wanted to feel him skin to skin. Her body ached deep inside with the need to feel him there. But was it because she was his mate? She wished for the millionth time that she had more experience with men, with sex, and relationships in general, but she didn’t.

Diane had been the nerd in high school. The youngest in her class, who preferred to have her nose buried in a book instead of cheering on the team at homecoming. Books were her only real friends, whether it was the ones she studied to reach her goals or the ones she immersed herself in to forget the taunts of bullies. She blamed that start in life for the fact that she was still technically a virgin, as she assumed toys didn’t count. Well, that and the demands of her previous job. She’d had opportunity and had even contemplated doing the deed a time or two, but something had always held her back. It seemed part of her wanted the romance story hero, the strong alpha who would sweep her off her feet and claim her before she could even think to say no.

She almost laughed at that. Perhaps she should have been more careful with what she’d wished for. She had a feeling if Zane decided she was his mate, he’d do just that. Her heartbeat sped up, and her breasts swelled, the nipples hardening with desire. She wanted his hands on her, his tongue and teeth ravishing her. She wanted him, all six and half feet of the man she considered an ebony god. He was beautiful, stunning, and his light-gold eyes took her breath away when he locked his gaze on her.

Would he be a demanding lover? A considerate one? Would he take it slow and easy when she confessed he would be her first? Thinking of that, the knowledge he would be the first man to join with her, to thrust a piece of himself inside her… Those thoughts did things to her, things that left her thighs damp and her womb clenching with a need no vibrator could relieve. She wanted Zane, and only him. She craved him with a carnality no virgin should feel. She desired him in a way that scared her deep in her soul and left her drowning in uncertainty.

Why had he avoided her at first? She’d planned to find out. She’d hoped to spend more time with Zane, getting to know him and seeing if this was more than just a touch of lust for such a sexy man. She loved her fairness next to his dark, her curves next to his brawn. He made her feel dainty and feminine due to his sheer masculinity and size.

“Diane!” the Professor yelled, interrupting her wayward thoughts that always seemed to be on Zane lately.