“If you’re a lone wolf, and you don’t trust people, and you don’t want to get involved, then why are you sitting in the forest with me right now? Why are you helping me?”
“I was brought in to find a feral shifter. The Toronto-Ottawa pack wants this guy off the streets—fast. I’ve been trying to track him, but he doesn’t seem to have a base of operations, and he’s stayingwithinthe city. It makes it incredibly difficult to do more than just follow along behind the chaos he leaves in his wake.”
He caught my eye again, and I felt a strange little tickle deep inside my chest. Something that might turn into more if I let it.
“Since I met you,” he said, “it seems like keeping close is the best way to find him. He’s got his eye on you for some reason. If I stay close, he’s bound to show up again.”
“Oh.” I laughed and shoved him playfully. “So, I’m bait on a hook?” I knew that wasn’t true, but I was trying to keep the moment light. Anything to get my mind off the actual danger I was in.
He didn’t smile. Instead, he seemed to look even deeper into my eyes, almost like he was searching my soul.
“The main reason I’m sticking close to you is to catch the feral. That’s not the only reason, though.”
“Yeah?” I licked my lips, but my tongue was too dry. “What’s the other reason?”
“I think you could figure it out.” His voice was barely above a whisper, his gaze darting from my lips to my eyes. “Right?”
The tension drew tight between us, like a steel wire pulled and stretched to its breaking point. My fingers tingled as my breathing increased, my mind fighting to keep me from doing something dumb. The analytical part of my brainbarelyheld the excitement at bay. I knew what would happen if I succumbed to this desire.
“The real reason I’m near you,” Nate said, his whisper softer than ever, “is to learn some cheat codes off your brother for those games we both like.”
I snorted, but the humor didn’t break the tension. If anything, it made it seem more natural, like it might be okay if I let go and threw caution to the wind.
“Really?” I said. “Video game codes? That’s it?”
“Well, that and to improve my vocabulary. I figured with you being a reporter, I might pick up some big words. But so far”—he shook his head sadly—“I haven’t been impressed.”
“How dare you?” I gasped. “I have a huge vocabulary.”
“Is that what you call it? I don’t know. If I’m still around at Christmas, I’ll get you a dictionary,” he said with a grin.
“Jerk.” I poked him in the ribs.
“Hey. No need to get handsy. I have to get you back.”
He reached out to poke me, but I moved at the last second. His knuckles slid across my lower back, nudging beneath my shirt and gliding over my skin.
An electric shock burst through me. Nate must have sensed it because he froze and stared into my eyes, the smile on his lips fading. He leaned closer, his eyes never leaving mine.
I couldn’t do this. Couldn’t fall for a man who’d leave me just like all the men left my mother. What about the future I’d planned for myself? All those thoughts uncoiled in my mind like springs unwinding from a broken clock.
But then, it all vanished. I could smell Nate. A dark scent of pine needles, wood bark, a faint hint of gasoline, and something else I couldn’t quite place. That last bit sent a thundering heat through my entire body.
“Last chance,” Nate whispered, his lips almost brushing mine.
“Fuck it.” I pressed my lips to his.
Nate’s tongue slipped into my mouth. He tasted minty, salty, and warm. So fucking good that my head spun. He gripped my thighs, pulling me across the moss and leaves littering the ground around us.
I allowed him to take the lead, but the longer our kiss lasted, the more I wanted. I slid my hands up his cheek, tangling my fingers into his hair. Before I could stop myself, I’d slung a leg over and straddled him. Nate’s hands slid down my back and clutched my ass, drawing a moan from me.
20
Nate
No woman had ever made me feel so…alivewhen they were in my arms. Cameron was like a drug, and I didn’t want to stop taking it. Digging my fingers into her ass, I pulled her close, still kissing her, our heaving breaths mingling.
Cameron ground her hips into my lap as she ran her fingers through my hair. My cock was throbbing, pressing hard against my shorts. She thrust against me, rubbing her pussy against my erection.
