“We’re worried for your safety, Lynn,” Liam cut in, stepping back into the room. “One of us will be with you at all times now, even at work. I’d prefer it if we could remain in your office, so we’ll be close at hand if anything should happen.”
“Happen? So you don’t think this is a one-time deal? They’ll come back?”
Shit
, she thought, hearing the quavering of her voice,
what have I gotten myself into?
“Since one of the things scratched into the car said they’d ‘find you’, yeah, I’d say that’s a safe bet.” At least, Liam wasn’t sugarcoating anything. “Dylan’s aware of everything and will have silver rounds for your gun delivered by tomorrow. It’s a precaution,” he quickly added, no doubt seeing the shocked look on her face.
“That’s a hell of a precaution.” Lynn inhaled deep, holding it in for a moment in an attempt to calm her racing heart. Somehow, she’d managed to become a target, and she wasn’t sure why. Until less than twenty-four hours ago, she wasn’t romantically involved with a shifter as her friend Samantha had been when they’d come after her. However, with the amount of time Liam and Jag had spent around her, she could see where the rogues may have misunderstood the situation.
Blowing out the breath she’d been holding, she turned to Jag. “I know we’re just starting out now, but I’d feel better if you stayed here. I don’t like the idea of you being so far out at your cave.”
“You’re worried about me?” Jag appeared pleased by her concern. She had to admit, she’d been a mess when he’d gone missing after the first attack. She couldn’t handle the thought of actually losing him if these rogues got their way.
Giving a small grin, she replied, “Maybe a little.”
“I can smell your fear, Lynn, and while I love that you’re concerned for me, I don’t want you to be a constant nervous wreck either.” He reached up, tracing her jaw with his fingertip in a most tender way. Those icy-blue eyes of his darkened a bit, reminding her of a clear summer day. “Why don’t you take a hot bath while Liam and I clean up dinner? You’ve got a lot of tension in your shoulders, and there’s nothing any of us can do right now. Just trust us to keep things under control for you. Okay?”
The clock on the mantel showed the time to be after eight already, and Lynn knew she’d never get to sleep as wound up as she was right then. “I think I’ll bring some wine with me. It’ll help me to relax some, otherwise, I’ll never get to bed tonight.”
“Oh, you’ll get to bed,” Liam chuckled as he ducked into the kitchen.
Frowning, Lynn moved to stand, but Jag’s arm tightened around her waist. “Yes?”
Jag simply pulled her closer, tucking her shoulder beneath his arm, her head on his chest, as he cradled her there. “I was really messed up when I saw what happened to your SUV,” he whispered. “I just need to hold you a little longer.”
Lynn was surprised by his vulnerability, even as warmth spread through her lower belly. “I’d like that, too. How about I take a bath then you can hold me until I fall asleep? I slept so well last night with you here. Thank you.”
“Any time, beautiful. So, I assume I kept your nightmares away?” The soft, soothing sound of his voice, combined with the warmth from his body was doing wonders for Lynn’s stress levels. She felt her muscles relaxing one by one as she sank into his embrace. “I don’t know how else to explain it, other than I feel safe when I’m with you.”
He stiffened beneath her and Lynn looked up to see a pained expression on his handsome face.
“Am I too heavy?”
“Not at all. I was just thinking about the clinic.”
That was all he needed to say. “I’m so glad you were there.”
“I didn’t do anything, Lynn. You took care of the guy before I could get a clear shot.”
She heard the self-loathing creeping into his voice. The man thought he hadn’t done anything? “Uh, don’t you recall breaking his neck? It’s the last thing I remember. If he’d somehow managed to wake up again, I may have ended up dead.”
Jag’s shoulders slumped. “He was already dead, Lynn. Whatever you injected went straight into his heart. I just wanted to be sure he wasn’t getting up again, and I needed to expel some of my aggression.”
“Oh, I’m not complaining in the least. I wish I was strong enough to do that myself, but I guess that’s why I carry a gun. I’m thinking about a taser, too, but haven’t ordered one yet.”
“I like that about you. You’re a fighter and have more bravery than some men twice your size.” Once again, he caressed her face. “I’ll always worry about you, but it’s my nature. I promise to do my best not to smother you.”
“Just be yourself, Jag. Don’t try to change into someone you think I want. Trust me, I’ve tried it before, and I eventually grew to resent the guy.” A deep rumble came from Jag’s chest, and Lynn swore it was a growl. “It was a long time ago, but it made me realized if a man doesn’t love me for me, he doesn’t deserve me.” Smiling, she added. “Don’t ask me how much psychobabble-bullshit I had to endure to realize this, but there it is.”
He chuckled, which had been her intention. “I think I can handle that.”
Liam bellowed from the kitchen about being left to do all the work, and Lynn made to go for her bath.
“I’ll come tuck you in soon,” Jag whispered, allowing her to stand.
It turned out Liam had a glass of wine waiting on the table for her, and Lynn took it with her to the bathroom. As she prepared the water, putting in a liberal amount of bubble bath, she thought about Kitty. If her friend was a shifter and had been injured that badly during her skirmish with these rogues, what chance did Lynn stand of surviving against them?
Reclining back in the near-scalding water, Lynn sipped her wine and felt her body relax much quicker than she would have thought. In all reality, after last night, her workday then the news she’d gotten afterward, it was no wonder she was exhausted. What surprised her most was being able to sit here, enjoying her soak while knowing there was a threat against her, one that had already affected her friends. It spoke volumes as to just how safe she felt with Jag watching over her. Had there ever been anyone else who’d made her feel like this?
Lynn knew that she wasn’t one-hundred-percent safe, but knowing there were two men, both capable of sniffing out the opposition before they even reached her, was much better than anything she could have done on her own. The silver bullets would boost her confidence too, with the knowledge she could do damage—maybe even permanently—to those who aimed to hurt her.
Her mind wandering, she sighed as she realized it was only a few days to Halloween now. That meant Lynn needed to make arrangements to get the last few boxes from her apartment, turn in her keys and sign some papers with her landlord.
Deciding to focus on more pleasant things, Lynn drank the remainder of the wine in her glass before setting it aside and closing her eyes. She thought about her adorable godson, how happy her best friend was with her mate and hoped to have the same thing with Jag.
Would he be a generous lover? She’d bet so. He’d probably make a wonderful father, too. This led her to envisioning what their children might look like, until she eventually drifted off.
* * * *
“You planning to claim her tonight?” Liam asked as he wiped down the counter.
“I don’t know. I’d hate for her to think I took advantage of her when she was vulnerable, but I’m not sure if my jaguar is on the same page. If he gets the chance, he’ll sink in his fangs and mark her as ours without even giving her a choice.” Running his fingers through his hair, Jag admitted, “I can’t lose her, Liam. I just got her back. I need to keep her safe, but if I mark her, I’ll put an even bigger target on her back. Right now, they probably suspect she’s sleeping with one of us, but if she’s officially mated, there are no outs left for her.”
“There are already none,” Liam replied, his tone serious. “You and I both know, if she tries to tell them she knows nothing of us being shifters, they’ll sniff out the lie before it finishes passing her lips. She’s the best friend of the Prima, the godmother of the Prime’s heir and romantically involved with a shifter. I hate to tell you, but she’s long past ‘target on her back’. The girl practically has a neon sign flashing over her head.”
Sadly, Jag had to admit Liam was right. When it all boiled down, claiming her wouldn’t change the danger she was in. “I still don’t want her to think I’m taking advantage.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that. She cares about you. She may not have admitted how much yet, but I’m pretty sure you’ll be fine. Besides, there’s nothing to make you feel more alive.”
“Is that what you tell all the women you’re with?”
“It might have come out once or twice.”
“I’m not using cheesy lines on Lynn. She means so much more to me than the women you take to bed with you. I don’t want her for the weekend. I want her forever.”
“Then tell her that. Let her know exactly where you stand and what you want from her.” Liam grabbed his keys and headed for the door. “I’ll check the area before I leave, so you go and see about sealing the deal with Lynn.”
Making sure to lock up behind Liam, Jag did a quick check of the windows and back door before heading to Lynn’s room. When his knock went unanswered, he peeked inside and found the bed still made and her clothes discarded on the floor. The smell of honeysuckle and vanilla drew him to the bathroom door, where he softly called, “Lynn?”
Yet again, there was no reply. Opening the door, he saw her, her head resting on the side of the tub, eyes closed, a serene expression on her lovely face. She’d pinned up her long blonde hair, and a few strands floated about her shoulders in the water. He did his best to not look farther down, but when faced with the woman who tempted every part of him, Jag quickly lost that battle.
Taking in her slumbering form, he stepped over to the counter where her towel sat. With her legs bent and resting to the side, hiding her feminine secrets from his view, Jag reached into the water and pulled the stopper from the drain. As the water level lowered, he watched in lustful fascination as her nipples puckered in the cool air. Lynn shifted, and he grabbed up the towel, spreading it over her once the water was gone.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you to bed.” Gathering his precious load in his arms, he made his way to the bedroom. She’d roused and stared up at him silently, her emerald eyes shining. “I didn’t think this through very well,” he mumbled. “I’d hate to put you down on the bed and get your sheets wet.”
A small smile played at her lips as definite heat built in her gaze. “Then how about you help me dry off?”
What?
Hoping he’d heard right, Jag studied her, noting the way her pupils had dilated and a hint of pink crept into her cheeks. Deciding to follow her lead, he slid her body down his until she stood before him, towel held to her chest, still hiding her from him. When he reached for the edge of the material, she let her arms fall to her sides, leaving him in complete control, an act that both humbled and excited Jag.
He knew how hard it was for Lynn to relinquish that power, allowing him to do what he wanted with her. She was a strong female, but tonight, he’d treat her like the finest spun glass. Lynn deserved to have a man cater to her needs, to see that she was completely and totally satisfied in every way possible.
Running the fabric up and over her shoulders, Jag gently caressed her neck then traveled down to her collarbone and across her arms. Her soft moan had his dick twitching in his pants, and his jaguar rubbing up against his skin in a bid to get free. As Jag continued downward, the towel finally revealed her full breasts. Her nipples were still hard, and it took everything in him not to drop to his knees and lick all the moisture from them.
Instead, he kept up his lazy pace, moving to her sides, his hands coming down to bracket her hips. Lynn’s breathing had changed to a soft pant, and his inner cat purred. She was with him on this for sure. He just hoped she knew what she was asking for.
“You’re stunning,” he whispered, leaning forward to plant a soft kiss on her lips. “Inside and out, you’re beautiful beyond words to me, Lynn.”
She gasped, tears shining in her eyes, and if it weren’t for the smile on her face, he’d have been worried, but he knew her. She knew how attractive she was, but for Jag it went so much deeper than the surface. Lynn had a gentle heart, one that had been trampled and abused in the past, and one he intended to nurture and heal.
“Jag,” she whimpered as he reached around and clenched his hands over the perfect globes of her heart-shaped ass. He couldn’t help the low growl that escaped his lips, but she stunned him with her, “Holy shit, that’s so hot.”
Groaning, he pulled her body flush to his and took her lips in a fierce kiss. Slowly drawing back, he whispered, “You have no idea how you’re testing my control. My jaguar wants to claim you as our own, and I’m doing my best to hold off until you’re ready.”
“And what if I am?” The little minx punctuated her remark by undoing the button on his jeans. “What if I want you just as much as you want me? I understand what a mate is, Jag. I get that you don’t want to pressure me, but I’m telling you, I’m ready to be yours if you’ll have me.”
Oh, he’d have her, in about a dozen different ways if he had anything to say about it. The woman fired his blood to a boiling point where he knew his fragile tether on control would be lost, but with her express permission to do as he pleased and claim her for his own, Jag knew it was a lost cause.
Taking her in a punishing embrace, he crushed his mouth to hers. Unable to find the words to convey his feelings and need for her, he told her with his actions. Lynn tugged again at his pants, this time managing to push them down his thighs until they pooled at his ankles. He kicked free of them but couldn’t bring himself to separate from her, even to remove his shirt. Instead he ripped it down the middle before shrugging it off.
Finally, skin-to-skin and feeling the warmth of her body as his erection pressed into her soft belly, Jag moved his hands back down to her ass and squeezed, earning a whimper from her as she nipped his lower lip. The smell of her arousal was thick in the air now. It mixed with the honeysuckle and vanilla from her bath and caused his mouth to water.