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  “We need to talk.” She looked up at him. Her lips turned down in a frown.

  He couldn’t miss her serious intent. His conscience was already kicking him about rushing her. He couldn’t have changed what happened, not with her in danger. With that threat, he wouldn’t try to fool her or himself by lying about that. He still didn’t like the way it happened.

  He strode down the hallway and into his bedroom. Shutting the door, he walked to the bed and gently put her down on the dark-blue blanket. She looked utterly sexy sprawled there. Her black hair was mussed. Her full red lips made him want to kiss her again. Stark naked, she somehow managed to look sated and hungry at the same time.

  He straightened and paced over to the bureau. He turned to face her. The distance was absolutely necessary. He knew that if he joined her on that bed they wouldn’t be talking long. She pushed into a sitting position, frowning at him. Reaching behind her, she grabbed a pillow and pulled it onto her lap. A growl escaped before he realized he’d made a sound. His animal half definitely didn’t like her hiding her body from him.

  She raised a brow at him, but kept the pillow in front of her. “For someone who claims be my mate, your actions sure do make it difficult to believe that.”

  Evan gritted his teeth and resisted the urge to show her he was her mate. “What do you mean? What doesn’t fit with your view of what I should be doing?”

  “Well, just to start, I’ve always heard that the first few days after a were-male finds his mate, they’re hardly ever away from each other. Always touching kissing, having sex.” She squirmed a bit on the bed as if she was uncomfortable.

  Evan smiled. It looked like she was learning just why they were hardly away from each other on her own. The pheromones of his scent and from his kiss would keep her aroused. Nature’s way of hurrying the mating. He could smell her desire rising and would bet that her gorgeous nipples were hardened into tight little beads.

  “Mates also want to make each other happy. You wanted to talk. If I was over there with you, we wouldn’t be talking too long.” He smiled and watched her arousal rise.

  A pink flush spread across her cheeks. She licked her lips and her eyes darkened.

  “Um, okay.” She took a deep breath. “What about the condom? Not that I mind. I like a responsible man, but werewolves don’t use a condom with a mate. At least—”

  “That’s what you heard,” he finished for her. “I used a condom, because I don’t want to change you until we get the spell off you. I don’t know what effect the change would have on it. And before you ask, that’s the reason I didn’t put my mark on you. Your safety comes first.”

  “And your semen would change me?” she asked.

  “It could start the change. It would probably take more than once, but I’m not putting you at risk,” he said. He didn’t know how long he could stand here calmly talking when he really wanted to taste her.

  “You’ve said you reacted so strongly because of the spell. Would it have been so different if I hadn’t been in pain and had a threat hanging over my head?” She tilted her head and bit her lip.

  “It might have been a little different. I definitely wouldn’t have been so blunt. We might have gone out on a few dates. Growling ‘you’re my mate’ isn’t my usual style.” He grinned. He hadn’t been able to think about anything but keeping her out of pain.

  “Dates, as in you ask me out and walk away if I refuse?” Her dimples flashed and laughter lurked in her voice.

  He could tell she didn’t quite believe the image of them having a regular dating relationship. In truth, he couldn’t see them going through such a tame courtship. “You’d have found yourself under siege.”

  “That I believe,” Geneva said.

  Evan watched her legs move and his mouth watered. Any more questions would have to wait. He pushed away from the dresser and walked over to the bedside table. Pulling open the small drawer, he grabbed a condom.

  Her eyes rounded as he plucked the pillow out of her hands. Finally, he could see all of her body. He reached out and cupped the full globes of her breasts. She shivered and the dark pink tips hardened. He wanted to taste those reddened nipples.

  “Lay back, Genny,” he urged.

  She arranged the pillows behind her and leaned back against them. He climbed onto the bed beside her. Her legs shifted, widening, giving him a glimpse of the moist pink flesh between her thighs. He trailed his fingers across the soft, short hair covering her pussy.

  “Are you going to play all night?” she asked breathlessly. Her hips lifted against his hand.

  He bent and dropped a kiss on her stomach. He inhaled, drawing their combined scents into him. He found it deeply satisfying to smell his scent on her body. It almost had the wolf inside him howling with pleasure. He liked the small sign of possession and wanted to see a permanent mark on her shoulder. The urge had sharp canines lengthening in his mouth.

  At that moment, he knew that they’d have to work fast to find out who’d put that spell on her. He would be able to resist the desire to change his mate for long. Only the need to protect her, to remove any threat to her helped push back the hunger now.

  “I don’t know about playing, but I’m definitely going to taste tonight.” He licked the underside of both breasts.

  His mouth skimmed up her left breast. He felt her breath hitch as he lapped at the stiff nipple. Her hands slid up his arms, her touch light. The hard bud tightened even more.

  “Tell me what you like, what you want,” he said his attention on her breast. His hand cupped the other firm globe, squeezing gently. “Do you like that?”

  She moaned and writhed. “Your mouth. I want your mouth.”

  He closed his lips over the nipple and tongued the hard peak before sucking at it. Her taste fed his hunger, the whimpers and sighs urging him on. Her hands felt hot as they brushed over his chest. She plucked at the hard nubs of his nipples, sending a sizzling streak of heat straight to his cock. He couldn’t let her have all of the fun. He tugged at one nipple as he grazed his teeth over the other. She shivered and cried out.

  “I bet I could make you come just by playing with your breasts. You love having your breasts played with, don’t you?” He nipped at the sensitive peak.

  She gave a wordless cry and her body arched upward.

  “Such pretty breasts and later I’ll feast and suck,” he told her, giving the globes one last firm squeeze before he moved between her thighs. “I’m going to lick your pretty pussy until you’re begging me to fuck you.”

  Her color rose and the scent of her arousal intensified. He thought she just might like dirty talk. He lapped at her thigh, drew her slightly salty taste into his mouth. His lengthened canines scraped the tender skin. Her leg shifted and she gasped, but he knew she liked it. There wasn’t a hint of fear in her scent. Parting the plump lips, he drew his tongue from the glistening entrance to the nub of her clit. He lapped at the delicious juices and then moved back up to the hardened clit just begging for attention. He flicked it with his tongue and sucked on it. Her hips twisted. He slipped two fingers into her snug pussy, stroking in and out. Hot juices surrounded his fingers and her inner muscles tugged at him. The scent of her arousal filled his senses. His cock throbbed and his balls tightened. He wanted to feel that slick fluid on his shaft.

  “Evan, please!” she cried. Her nails dug into his shoulders.

  “I’m with you.” He thrust his fingers into her, taking her to the edge. “If you want something I’m not giving you, you’re going to have to tell me.”

  She drew in gasping breaths. “Please fuck me, Evan!”

  He paused only long enough to roll on the condom. He rose over her. His cock brushed against her and then he rolled his hips. Her tight muscles clasped around him. He wanted to draw out the pleasure. She felt so good.

  He kissed her lingeringly. The rhythm of his tongue matched the long slow thrusts of his hips. She moaned and her hips lifted against his. Her nails scored his back as she tr
ied to urge him to a faster pace.

  He felt her muscles begin to ripple around his cock just before she shivered and cried out her pleasure. His control evaporated. He pumped into her hot pussy, wanting, aching. His body tightened and he couldn’t think beyond the need pulsing through him. His hips surged against hers. Pleasure exploded, slamming over him. He collapsed against her.

  He drew his hand up her side and slowly withdrew from her. He rolled onto his back and drew her with him. She watched him, her face still flushed. He saw the moment she remembered she’d wanted to stay out of his bed. If he hadn’t mentioned the word mate or spoken of the future, she’d have had no problem with having sex with him. That had been clear through her attitude.

  “We’ll go to the Protectorate soon. I won’t be able to leave the spell on you long. I need to make you mine.” He dropped a kiss on her frowning lips.

  “Haven’t you done that?” She glanced down to where his cock pressed against her leg.

  “That’s just sex. The wolf part of me won’t be satisfied until I’ve marked you and you’ve begun the change. We have to find out who put the spell on you,” Evan said. “Now cuddle against me and go to sleep.”

  “Cuddle? I don’t cuddle.” She put a hand on his chest.

  He tugged her close. After a little initial stiffness, she relaxed against him. She still fought the attraction, the desire that rose between mates. He wasn’t worried about that. Eventually, she’d see that there was no denying the truth. She’d sense the rightness. Because of the spell, it would just take her a little while. He closed his eyes and let sleep take him.

  Chapter Four

  Geneva glared at the man sitting beside her. He’d woken her, urged her into her clothes and rushed her out with only a muffin for breakfast. Evan had said that he wanted to find out who’d put the spell on her. As sleepy as she’d been, she was just lucky that her clothing matched. The red shirt she now wore could have been complemented by a yellow skirt. She’d never expected to sit for four hours straight. Evan, Sonya and one of the trusted Coven witches sat around her. Her hands rested on the sturdy worn fabric of her jeans and she tried to stay still. The room had been darkened. She could feel the magic pouring over her. A hazy glow pulsed around her and the three people obviously saw something in it she didn’t. She was curious about what they could learn from what seemed to be light and mist.

  “It’s definitely a local witch. I’ve felt the magic before, but I can’t quite identify the person. It’s not someone I come into contact with much.” The Coven witch frowned as her hands hovered just in the cloud.

  “Not someone you see often. Does that mean you don’t think it’s a higher level Coven member?” Steven, head of this branch of the Protectorate, frowned.

  “I can’t say that. We know it’s someone with connections and there are a lot of higher level Coven and Wizard Council members who don’t come regularly to meetings.” The woman swirled her fingers through the misty haze.

  “There’s a strange taint to the magic. I’ve never felt anything like it,” Evan said. His voice sounded almost clinically detached, but his eyes burned with intensity.

  “I have,” Sonya McCallister said. “The few witches I’ve encountered with that tainted feel have been insane in one way or another. Somehow the mental problems are translated into the witch’s or wizard’s magic.”

  Geneva drew in a sharp breath. The idea of dealing with a vengeful witch had been bad enough. Facing an insane witch or wizard sent cold chills sweeping through her. There had always been the hope that maybe the witch had made a mistake and would realize it. Even discovering why the spell had been put on her was probably a lost cause if the person was insane. There might not be a reason. She didn’t know if an insane person needed a reason to cause havoc.

  “Do you know which it is?” Geneva was hoping for at least something positive coming out of this long session.

  “Not for sure, but I’m leaning toward a female,” Sonya said. “A little more study will allow us to narrow that down completely.”

  “Don’t worry, Genny. We’ll get the spell off you and we’ll catch the person. They won’t get a chance to hurt you again.” Evan’s hand passed through the mist and brushed over her cheek.

  She smiled. She was getting used the fact that he sometimes knew what she was feeling, especially when she was worried or afraid. That ability still unnerved her and she wasn’t really happy that he could do it. He either read her expression or was using some werewolf trick she’d never heard of. She didn’t think he could read her mind.

  “Well, first, you’ve got to figure out who the person is and none of you seem to know anything about the lunatic.” She glared. She itched to get up and walk, but every time she started to move, Evan’s hand would push her back into her seat.

  “Give us a few days. We’ll find out who this is.” Steven moved to stand behind Sonya. “There has to be some connection to you. This witch didn’t just pick your name out of the air. I already have people pulling the files on all the cases you’ve worked in the last year.”

  Geneva shifted restlessly. This was probably the longest she’d sat in one place in months. Usually, she was on the move. If not trying to find one of her contacts, she was checking facts.

  “It won’t be much longer. We just have a few more things to do while the magic is around you.” Sonya reached over and put a hand over Geneva’s clenched fist.

  Geneva smiled. Well, she hadn’t exactly been hiding her irritation, although she’d contained her glares to Evan. She blamed him for this. She had grumbled and moved in her seat a bit. The man wouldn’t even talk to her more than a few reassurances during their observation. She’d been bored for almost the whole four hours. They’d talked, but most of what they’d said had been about the magic and above her rudimentary knowledge.

  “We need the syringes now, Steven. They’re in the drawer of the table over there.” Sonya turned and pointed to a small table.

  Geneva blinked surprised. Syringes? Why did they need needles? Turning her attention back to Evan, she tugged at the hand he still held. It immediately gained his full attention. “Why do you need a syringe? I’ve never heard of a witch or wizard injecting anything?”

  “Not injecting. They’ll take a little blood.” Evan’s hand squeezed hers gently.

  “Take blood why?”

  “There’s a spell they can do using the magic-infused blood that will give a general location of a witch within the city. That will help narrow down our list of possible witches,” Evan explained.

  “Do you know how many witches and wizards there are in the city?” Geneva rolled her eyes. While she didn’t know the exact number, she knew there were four large Covens and over a thousand active members.

  “I said narrow down. Once they know the general area, we can begin really hunting.” His mouth kicked up in an anticipatory smile. “After they get what they need, we’ll leave for today.”

  “You don’t need any blood from me?” She looked into his eyes. She thought he’d be more aggressive in the hunt. He seemed a little relaxed.

  “No, they’ll do the narrowing down. The Protectorate wants this person in one piece and if I find her or him, the person won’t be,” he said. His voice was quiet and steel-hard.

  Sonya took syringes and a tourniquet from Steven. In moments she’d drawn blood and pressed a pad to the puncture.

  “Thank you for trying to find the person who put the spell on me.” Geneva smiled at Sonya as the magical haze was disbursed.

  “This kind of thing can’t be allowed. It’s against Coven law and Protectorate laws set up to govern witches. I know that was a long session. The others shouldn’t take this much time.” Sonya stood and stretched.

  “We’ll see you in two days.” Steven put a hand on her shoulder.

  Evan shot to his feet, a growl rumbling in his throat. He took a step toward the Protectorate Commander. Geneva pushed to her feet, stumbling a bit as she put herself between them. Damn pro
tective werewolf.

  “What do you think you’re doing? You can’t go after every man who touches me. He put his hand on my shoulder, not my breast.” She planted her hands on his chest and shoved. He didn’t budge, but she did get his attention.

  “You’re mine.” Evan’s hands fastened at her waist.

  “Yeah, you’ve said that before. A touch on the shoulder or a handshake isn’t going to change it. Get control of this possessiveness,” she ordered.

  “I’ll be able to do that when you’re finally mine. Holding back is driving the wolf inside me insane.” He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her hugging her tightly.

  * * * * *

  Evan jerked upright, a growl rumbling in his throat. He put his body between the door and Genny, protecting her. At first, he didn’t know what had woken him, put his instincts on the alert. A crash and the tinkling of glass breaking answered that question. He leapt out of bed and ran to the window, looking down to the lawn at the front of his house. He saw a dark figure just outside the light of a street lamp. The figure’s hand drew back and hurled something. The sound of breaking glass followed. His muscles tensed and his hands moved to raise the window. He was set to go out the window after the men. A moan from the bed drew his attention.

  Genny lay on the far side of the bed. She moaned again and her hands moved to her stomach. Realization shot through him. The spell. He’d completely forgotten about it. She must have rolled and with him at the window they were too far apart. He didn’t hesitate. Moving back over to her, he gently woke her. She frowned and her hand still rested on her stomach.

  “What?” she asked.

  He put his fingers to her lips and drew her from bed. Keeping to the side of the window, he looked out again, but couldn’t see any sign of the shadowy figure. Not taking any chances, he tugged Geneva after him as he checked the house. Every window at the front of the house had been broken. Certain the person was really gone, he picked up the phone and called the Protectorate. The operatives would know about Genny’s problem and wouldn’t question why they had to stay close to each other. He didn’t think this was simple vandalism. After speaking briefly with a woman, he put the phone on the table. He turned and saw Genny staring at him.