Dark Fates (A Paranormal Anthology)(70)

He didn’t command it. In fact, she swore she heard a plea in his tone. She met his gaze and, for the first time, truly saw how beautiful his silver eyes were.

“I can’t—”

With a press of his lips to her, he cut off her objection. Sensation, heat, and desire rolled through her. Her legs went weak, and her * ached even as her panties went damp. She flattened her hands on his chest and realized too late the additional contact was a mistake. Tingles of electrical current passed between them, igniting a wildfire inside her.

Her wolf paced within, confused and needy. She didn’t know what to do. Neither did the woman.

Torin broke the kiss and watched her with a heavy, passion-filled gaze. His dominance, even reined in as much as it was, still made her wolf bare her neck. She wasn’t ready. She couldn’t mate with him. Not now. Maybe not ever.

“I know the perfect place with the best pizza in Cherokee. You up for the drive?”

Narrowing her gaze, she scanned his handsome face. One corner of his mouth lifted in a sexy-as-hell half-smile. “For breakfast?”

The other corner of his mouth lifted into a smile that reached his eyes. “By the time I take you home to change and we drive into Cherokee, it’ll be close enough for lunch.”

A hint of playfulness hid within his smile, calming her wolf enough that she wanted to play with his. The beast never responded to anyone but Torin. Not even Cora. She wasn’t sure what it meant. Did her wolf like him better than her? Impossible. But Cora did begin to wonder.

His words sank in, reminding her she was still in her PJ’s. Embarrassment flooded her, and she wanted to crawl under a rock.

Nodding, she whispered, “Yes, that sounds great.”

Holding out his hand, he waited with a patience she hadn't realized he possessed. When she placed her hand in his, he linked their fingers together and leaned in so his lips brushed her ear. “Because you are taking on the project management for the new security system, we’re going to be spending a lot of time together. I plan to desensitize you and your wolf in the meantime.”

Her heart jumped, and hot liquid desire pooled between her thighs. God help her, Torin was going to kill her with pleasure overload.





Chapter Three


“So…I saw you with Torin yesterday.”

Cora felt her cheeks heat at Cam’s statement. Glancing at the jaguar briefly, she nodded. “He took me out to lunch. Well, I guess it was really brunch.”

“Uh huh, and…?”

Scanning the open, yet private, field where they took the kids to play, Cora sighed. There was no keeping information from the Alpha’s mate. Well, one of the triad. “He kissed me.”

“And…?” She drew out the word, eagerness infusing the single syllable.

A giggle bubbled up and out before Cora could stop it. Out of all the dominant females in the Pack, Cam and Luna were the only two she was completely at ease with. “It was intense and confused my wolf.”

Cam grunted. “That’s Torin. He’s too….”

“Alpha male.”

“Yes, to put it mildly.” Cam laughed, then asked, “Do you want me to tell him to back off?”

Fear settled in her chest and burned its way to her belly. “No! Please don’t.”

“Okay. But if you can’t handle it and he pushes too hard, you know you can come to me and Luna.”

Nodding, Cora sidestepped a toddler running full force after a ball toward the woods behind them. She scooped him up and tapped his nose. “No, sir.”

“Ball.”

“I know, Brian, and I’ll get it.” She set him on his feet. “Now, stay here.”

She raised a brow and waited. He folded his arms over his little chest, but nodded. Smiling, she jogged after the ball and returned with it. Brian clapped with excitement before taking it from her and throwing it into the small group of children.

“You’re really good with the kids.”

She shrugged. “They need direction and love.”

Cam leaned into her so their shoulders pressed together. “So does Torin. Think of him as a big kid.”

“A big, sexy, aggressive kid,” Cora said dryly. “I can’t even look him in the eyes. Not even after he asks. And the passion he stirs inside me is frightening.”

“But you like it, right?”

Cheeks heating again, Cora nodded. “Yes. Even though I may die from sensory overload.”

Cam laughed so hard Cora thought the female would fall to the ground. “Not possible. Trust me. I’ve been pushed over the edge many, many times.”

Cora shuttered. “I couldn’t imagine two of them. Although Graham is a beta.”

“Believe me, he can alpha up when he wants or needs to.”

“One Torin is enough for me.” Cora’s laughter faded as she caught the scent of the wolf in question. Glancing over her shoulder, she spied Torin crossing the nursery courtyard, on a direct course for her.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Keegan arranged a job for me. I start today.”

Cam smiled as she looked at her. “I know. Alec told us last night at dinner. Congrats. It’s perfect for you.”

The other female’s praise and confidence in her made a lump form in Cora’s throat and her heart swell with pride. She hugged Cam. “Thank you. It’s so good to hear it from you.”