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  Robbie stood abruptly, avoiding her eyes as he headed for the door. “I’ll find a way to help you, Addie. I might be able to find someone who knows...something. Who can mentor you. But I’ll keep you safe.”

  She barely heard him, certainly wasn’t listening. Pain contracted her chest and she was only dimly aware of the front door opening and closing. Now it was her and Erik and the storm outside around them.

  Come morning he’d be gone.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Addie sat in the doorway of the screened in porch, staring into the dark backyard.

  The rain had slowed and the storm seemed to have passed, but the power was still out. The neighborhood cats were out and about, eyes glittering at her from the tall grass by the shed.

  They knew. Somehow, they knew who she was. What she was. They’d gathered around her even as a child. Guardians or messenger of a sort, maybe. Regardless, they were part of something she was just beginning to scratch the surface of.

  And so is Erik.

  Erik.

  Erik had to leave. They both knew it, even if neither would say it.

  She felt him now, at her back, standing in the kitchen doorway. He was searching for the words, figuring out how to tell her that he was leaving for good.

  Addie cleared her throat. “Let me patch you up.”

  He said nothing in response, but waited there as she rose and closed the porch door. Her heart was heavy and tears threatened her eyes so she avoided looking at him. He waited for a moment and then stepped aside so she could walk into the kitchen. He headed into the living room while she prepared water and some first aid supplies.

  Minutes later, they were both seated by the fireplace as they had several times the past few days, among the pillows and quilt where he slept. With the power out yet again, candles lit the living room. Her hands trembled as she squeezed excess water from the cloth and turned to him.

  Erik looked away, his back to her. She cleaned around the fresh scrapes but they weren’t bad, not like that first night. Everything was surface wounds, ones he’d heal from.

  Absolutely no reason to encourage him to stay longer.

  “I’m sorry I brought them here,” he said quietly.

  “I have the impression that they would’ve found me eventually. Someone would’ve sensed something and come here without me understanding...I’m just lucky it was you.”

  When he said nothing, she set the cloth aside and ran her hand up his back, fingers lightly dancing over skin. He shivered and tensed, half-turned but then seemed to think the better of it. “Addie—”

  Her heart hurt. She knew she should back off, but exactly one thing would ease the ache in her at the moment, and it was this. “Erik.” She leaned forward, fingers traveling over his skin, his muscles, feeling the strength everywhere she touched.

  At last he turned the rest of the way and faced her. She was confronted with his broad, bare shoulders and chest, the smattering of fine hair that led between his abs and down farther, below the waistband of his pants.

  She inched closer, everything disappering, just him and nothing else. She wanted, if even for one night only, to be with him and think of nothing else. “Erik, kiss me.”

  His amber eyes held hers, searching, gold flaring briefly. She felt the tension in him, the way he was coiled tight and holding back. He gazed at her as if in question, and she hoped he could read the answer there.

  Yes.

  Erik surged toward her and his strong arms wrapped around her, lips finding hers in a sudden deep kiss she felt straight to her toes. It struck like lightning, all burning heat and electricity rushing through her, intense and shocking.

  She wound her arms around his neck as he lifted her into his lap, her knees straddling his hips. Restraint and worry and even control left her as her nipples pressed through her shirt and rubbed his bare chest, and the thick length of his cock settled against her sex. She was delirious with want, yielding as his lips fed on hers, her tongue swirling out to taste his.

  His mouth glided down, taking her throat, teeth scraping her skin in a rough but pleasurable way. His hands demanded as they moved over her body, pulling her closer, grasping her shirt to drag it upward. She fought her way out of it and then took his hands, pressing them to her aching breasts. A purr of pleasure tickled her throat as his thumbs rubbed her nipples, stiffening them into peaks beneath the thin material of her bra.

  Every day he’d been here, every night she’d gone to sleep in the next room thinking about him out here—she’d wanted him, felt him wanting her too. She reached between them, slid her hand down the front of his track pants boldly, and swirled her fingers around the broad head of his cock. His hips rose and he growled, shifting her with strong, bold hands and dipping his head down. He tore at her bra and lips captured her nipple, drawing it into his mouth where his tongue lapped at her.

  Pleasure spiked through her body, more intense and sudden than she’d ever experienced. Her hand worked at him, moving up and down his length. Her pussy clenched in anticipation, part of her knowing she shouldn’t rush—that they should take the whole night—but craving the feel of him inside her now. Now.

  The urgency was overwhelming and that cord, that bond between them that wound between their bodies tightened, emotion rushing back and forth. She’d never felt so wanton and careless, never been one to want to tear clothes and let go, but she was an entirely different person in that moment. Perhaps, she thought, she was her real self—something the beast in him brought out in her.

  She panted as he licked at her nipple, dragged her hand up and down his shaft. He pushed her forward and she landed on her back, the pillows cushioning her.

  Erik sat up, his hazy, lust-filled gaze moving up and down her body. Her chest rose and fell, heart beating wildly against her ribs. Her bra was half off and she still wore pants but she let her knees splay, knowing he felt the heat gathering between her thighs.

  His eyes met hers and without speaking she knew what he thought. This would change something, somehow, for them. This was a line that, once crossed, would be lost forever.

  But her toes curled and hips lifted as she took in a shuddering breath. “I don’t care,” she whispered. “I need you in me. Now.”

  ****

  Any objections his rational brain tried to come up with were quickly lost.

  He grasped the waistband of her yoga pants and pulled them down, over her hips, thighs, past her knees and off her feet. Candlelight played flickering orange over her dark skin, tracing the peaks and valleys of her perfect body. His gaze trailed over her body, pausing at the cotton V at the apex of her thighs. She was damp and ready; the musk of her arousal overwhelmed him, drove away any thoughts that didn’t center around her.

  His hands moved up her dark thighs and her knees parted again, welcoming him. He dipped his head down, breathed her in, felt her shiver beneath his hands as he did. Her scent had teased him for days, just whispers of it here and there in the moments they were close but now he took it in entirely. His cock went rock hard, painful and throbbing with need.

  She writhed below him, wiggling impatiently, and more than anything he wanted to simply take her, to sheath himself in her warm and lose himself in the feel of her. But he pulled back a step, waited, because if this was to be their only moment, he wanted it to last.

  Erik lowered his face between her thighs and breathed in again, dragging his nose along the damp cotton that covered her slit. She sighed contentedly as he brushed her clit. His fingers locked on her underwear and dragged them down, his mouth sinking into her warm depths as the last of her clothing was pushed aside.

  Her hips rose and she cried out as his tongue lapped at her folds. She panted, mumbled his name, bucking at him. He thrust two fingers inside her as he sucked her clit.

  “More,” she managed to gasp out above him, her fingers threading through his hair. “I need more.”

  Every touch, every taste, everything he did felt so natural, it was difficult to
remember how long it had been since he’d touched a woman. Life for so long was dark and harsh and dangerous. He’d sworn tonight that when she saw him kill, that would’ve been it—that she’d never look at him the same way again. But now she shuddered and rocked beneath him, begging him with body and soul to join them together as one.

  And he knew, without a doubt, there was no one else like her in the world.

  He could feast upon her all night but urgency drove him back up, onto his knees, trailing rough kisses up her body. She grasped his shoulders, nails digging into his flesh, and immediately her legs reached up to lock around his waist. She pushed at his track pants, baring him, and he removed the final strap of her bra.

  Erik held her hips and stared down at her, his gaze tracing the disarray of her long black hair and the way candlelight cut over the contours of her face. The tip of his cock pushed against her, dipping half an inch into her folds, teasing but not entering. She stilled, her hands touching his sides, and he felt a swell of emotion that wove back and forth between them.

  Even if he never saw her again, he knew he’d love her the rest of his life.

  His pelvis rocked forward, cock sliding into the wet heat of her pussy. She clenched around him, gripping him tightly, and his eyes rolled back in ecstasy.

  Her fingers squeezed, nails driving into his sides again.

  He pulled out all the way and pumped inside her again. She gasped and writhed; the way she gripped him, so maddeningly tight, he worried he was hurting her but nothing but raw desire passed over her face.

  He was lost, then—lost entirely. They kissed, they grappled, they explored. Her hips rose to meet every thrust. He committed to memory the velvet feel of her skin, the small whimpering noises she made when he reached between them to press her clit, her scent.

  Erik rolled onto his back, half on the pillows and half off of them though he barely noticed the bite of hardwood against his back. Addie straddled him and took the full length of him into her, sliding down until he was impaled deep in her. She tipped her head back and let out a moan, pussy squeezing him until he felt ready to burst.

  Then she braced her hands on his chest and rode him; his hands locked on her hips and guided her up and down, their movements frantic and erratic. Her breasts rolled with each thrust, the firm dark peaks of her nipples tantalizing. He could only take a few minutes of it before he dove up again to taste her, drawing her breast into his hand and nipple into his mouth.

  She clung to him, their sweat-soaked bodies moving in a dance unique to them. Over and over he drove up into her until he felt the tingle of impending release. He held on until he felt the beginning of her unraveling, her nails biting into his shoulders and a cry leaving her lips as she threw her head back. Her body seized and he held her tighter, thrusting faster and faster until bliss exploded in him and he joined her in release.

  They fell in a heap on the floor, panting and exhausted, and he held her tightly, not certain if he could ever let go.

  ****

  Morning seemed to come too early. Addie had slept until thirty minutes before dawn and then was drawn abruptly awake. Instinct had guided her through the house, which was quiet post-storm, as cool blue light worked its way through her windows.

  She didn’t know what she was doing, not entirely, but then she hadn’t when she made tea or a poultice for Erik’s wounds or anything else. So instead of worrying or wondering, she trusted.

  She went through the boxes she’d dragged from the attic and found some of her grandmother’s supplies, then added roots, stones, and powders to a small white satchel. She tied it tight with twine, which she also wound through a St. Michael medallion, and then returned to the living room with the charm tucked in the pocket of her robe.

  Erik was already awake and her heart sank—she’d been hoping to curl up next to him a little while longer. But he was folding up the blanket and pillows where they’d nested by the empty fireplace. He was dressed in the clothes she’d bought last week at the Salvation Army, ready to go.

  Addie put on a brave face and tried to smile even as tears threatened. Erik must’ve noticed her approach as he stood straight and looked at her. She saw her own feelings reflected in his eyes.

  “I...um...” She looked away and reached into her pocket. “I made this. I don’t know if it’ll work, but...I think it’s some of what my grandmother used to keep the house invisible. Hopefully it’ll help for a little while.”

  She stopped halfway into the living room, the front door in her right peripheral vision and a horrible reminder of what they were dancing around now.

  Erik paused for a moment and then crossed the room to join her. He accepted the charm, his fingers brushing hers and electricity seemed to run up her arm.

  How the hell was she supposed to do this? Just...just watch him leave? Would this connection between them be suddenly severed or would she always feel part of him while he was gone?

  He looked down at the satchel and medallion, and looped the twine around his neck then tucked it under his T-shirt.

  “I have some money,” she began.

  “No, it’s okay. I’ll survive. I have plenty of times...”

  She closed her eyes, unable to bear looking at him.

  “Addie...”

  Her heart ached so badly she felt like her chest was about to cave in, warm tears pushing past her closed eyes. “You can stay,” she whispered.

  “Not while Lincoln’s out there, knowing I’m alive. He holds a grudge and now three of his men are dead. And I can’t—I won’t—put you in harm’s way.”

  His arms folded around her and she embraced him tightly, rising on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck. His lips brushed her temple.

  “I know you’re used to running,” she said. “But you can always come here.” She leaned back and stared up at him. “I’ll always protect you.” She recognized the absurdity of her saying it—she was no one, after all, or at least not someone who knew what to do to help him. But she meant every word: she’d put herself between him and Lincoln in an instant if she had to.

  He leaned down and kissed her, firm and passionate. Her heart broke but she held it in because the last thing she wanted was for him to worry about her.

  She felt dawn in the air, encroaching more and more until the night they’d shared together was completely gone. Eventually he let her go, swiftly looking away and stepping toward the door. Addie trailed behind, watching him leave, not saying goodbye because she couldn’t stand to speak the words.

  He stepped onto the front porch, pale early morning light cutting an aura around him, and then gazed back at her briefly. Addie held back, gave a small wave and a sad smile. The connection between them grew taut but held as he stepped off the porch and onto the walkway, breaking into a sprint as he headed away from town.

  She didn’t think the bond would ever snap or shrivel, but she didn’t doubt there’d come a day when she might wish it would.

  Epilogue

  The convenience store was in shambles.

  Lincoln walked slowly past the damaged door. Glass crunched under his boots and his gaze tracked the small space. Bodies had been there—he could smell the death—but they were moved swiftly, probably before the authorities had found them last night.

  He didn’t expect he’d find any survivors.

  Police had filed out a few minutes ago as he’d watched from across the street; now the shop owner and two employees were cleaning up along with a few other members of the community.

  One kid in particular had the stench of fear on him still, a sweat of terror that had clung to his skin for hours and not been properly washed off. Lincoln’s gaze narrowed on him.

  The teen boy looked up, eyes wide with shadows of trauma in their depths.

  Lincoln reached into the front pocket of his slate-gray coat for a fake badge and gave the boy a cool, calm smile. “Just a few more questions for clarification.”

  The clerk looked at the older man sweeping up glass
, who nodded his approval. He reluctantly stood and swiped hair from his tired eyes. “Yes, sir,” the teenager said.

  “There were three men here, you said?” Lincoln guessed, as that many were missing from his payroll.

  The frightened kid nodded. “Yep. They came in and then another man did and that’s when the fighting started.”

  The shifter, probably. No one else in this stupid little town would’ve been capable of dispatching them. “And then what did you see?”

  “Well, nothin’.” The boy shifted, scratched at the side of his face, and seemed to sweat under Lincoln’s unwavering gaze.

  “Why is that?”

  “Well, I was downstairs. She made me go down, call the police.”

  Lincoln’s heart spend. “She?”

  “I told the other officers—”

  “You’re telling me now. ‘She’?”

  “The lady. I don’t know who she was but the other guy knew her and the other ones—the three who started the fight—they seemed to be...”

  His patience was wearing thin and he wished he could tear the kid’s windpipe out. “They seemed what?”

  The clerk went cheesy pale. “I dunno. Interested, kinda. And she took over real fast, made me go downstairs. She knew what she was doing. Probably saved me from getting hurt.”

  Interesting. So the tiger did have help. Someone who must’ve been hiding him all this time.

  Lincoln smiled again and the boy visibly shuddered, turning his gaze downward. “Now. Describe this woman for me in detail.”

  Erik and Adelaide’s story continues in...

  Cat Scratch Fever

  Cats & Conjure #2

  Tiger shifter Erik Wells has reluctantly left the woman he loves in the hopes of protecting her from the people out to get him. But his retreat has come too late: Erik’s enemies have not only found her but know exactly who she is and what she’s capable of.