Jaxson(5)

Her breath hitched, and goosebumps ran races up and down her body.

She expected him to pull away, but instead, he seemed to be drawing in a breath with his lips still near her cheek. Was he scenting her? She had heard shifter wolves could do that—smell far more than any normal human. And maybe hear things, too. God, she prayed he didn’t smell the wetness pooling between her legs. When he finally pulled back, he peered at her, frowning. Like he had an unspoken question and was searching for the answer in her eyes.

“Can I kiss you?” His voice was soft and wondering.

What? “I think you just did.” She really, really couldn’t breathe.

His smirk blazed to life again. “That wasn’t even close to a kiss.”

Then he closed the few inches between them and pressed his lips to hers. They were strong and soft and hungry for her. His hands cupped her cheeks, lifting her away from the wall and angling her so his lips could demand more. A fire burst to life inside her, a burning heat that traveled straight from her mouth to between her legs. And when his tongue asked permission to taste her, she opened for him without thinking. He plunged in and kissed her so deeply and thoroughly that her legs gave out entirely—only his hand around her waist, pressing her body to his, kept her upright. When he eased back from the kiss, his breath was hot on her face, and his eyes were wide.

She was panting like she’d run a mile. Her body ached with the need for more. The last thing she wanted was for him to let go… but he did. His frown grew like he wasn’t sure what to make of her, or their kiss, or something.

He stepped back and held her at arm’s length, eyeing her shaky legs. “Can you stand?”

“I am quite capable of standing, thank you.” His smirk made her heated skin flame even more. She straightened her blouse, which was rumpled from the kiss. It was obvious how much effect he’d had on her. And that she hadn’t had anywhere near the same effect on him.

But she couldn’t help the thrill that ran through her body when he took her arm to support her. He gently shuffled them toward the street, then slid his hand down, taking her phone and lacing his fingers with hers. He blazed a smile that banished her embarrassment and tilted his head down the street.

“Why don’t you hail us a cab?” he asked.

It seemed a peculiar request—and besides, she couldn’t afford a cab—yet having his hand locked with hers steadied her. And somehow filled her with a sense of safety. So she raised her hand and signaled a distant yellow car. It took a while for it to amble over. When it arrived, the gorgeous man on her arm opened the door and gestured for her to step in. Then he leaned forward and produced a wad of bills from his tattered jeans to give to the driver.

“Take her home. And make sure she’s safely inside before you leave.” His voice was full of authority now. He glanced at the cabby’s license. “Markus Trenton, cab license number 4523974. If anything happens to her, I’ll be tracking you down and holding you personally accountable. Are we clear?”

The cabby’s eyes went wide, but he took the outstretched money. “Sure, man. Whatever you want.”

Then the shifter turned his blazing blue eyes on her and smiled. “Don’t do any more stupid things, camera girl.” He closed the door of the cab before she could protest.

It whisked away from the curb. She sat there, stunned. He had sent her off by herself. And somehow had money for a cab, even though his clothes were full of holes, like the homeless men in the shelter. It wasn’t until a minute or two later that she realized… the shifter still had her phone.

Of course. She cursed loud enough that the cabbie glanced in the rear-view mirror at her. Mr. Hot Shifter had wanted her phone. The rest—the soft words, the heated kiss—was all just a diversion. She slumped back against the seat. Now she was out a job and a phone.

But that scorching hot kiss…

She gingerly touched her fingers to her lips. They were still swollen.

That almost made it all worthwhile.





The shower and fresh clothes didn’t erase her scent from his mind.

Not that Jaxson really wanted them to. His inner wolf was still sulking that he hadn’t followed up that blazing-hot kiss with something more substantial… and long-lasting. His beast would never understand what the man in him knew all too well—there would never be a mate for either of them. But it hadn’t been his wolf that had drunk in the sweet lips of that gorgeously curvy brunette in the alley. That was all on him.

And he was a fool for doing it.

Jaxson propped his feet on his desk, the bright Seattle morning making glare spots on the polished wood. He had ignored his brother Jace’s concerned looks on the way in and slammed the door to his private office behind him. Hopefully, that would hold off the debriefing on his failed mission while he sorted out this thing with the girl.