Katie Reus - His Untamed Desire

Half a dozen people spilled out from the double doors before Daphne finally made an appearance.

She nearly stumbled in her heeled boots when she saw him. “Hey.”

“Hey, thought I’d walk you to your car.”

There was such a vulnerable look in her dark eyes it made him frown, but she blocked it so quickly he could almost pretend he imagined it. “I didn’t actually drive. I walked. I didn’t say anything before because I knew you’d feel responsible.”

“Responsible?” What the hell was she talking about?

She made a vague gesturing motion with her hand. “You know, because I’m Leta’s friend.”

He snorted, but ignored her statement and decided to go with distraction. “I got a new Ducati.”

Immediately her arms dropped from around herself and she stepped closer to him, the excitement rolling off her in waves. Even if this was a different kind of excitement than the way she’d been turned on earlier when they were dancing, her jasmine scent teased him mercilessly. “You did not .”

“I did.” He grinned at the pleasure playing across her face. “Maybe I’ll even let you drive it.”

“You’re such a liar. I remember begging you to drive your old Harley and it was always, ‘when you’re old enough.’ ” She laughed, the rich sound a balm to his senses.

This was the Daphne he remembered, relaxed and carefree. “You’re definitely old enough now.”

She sucked in a quick breath but held his gaze. There was so much heat there it stole his breath. She looked away first, scanning the street. “So where is it?”

“Let me drive you home and I’ll show it to you.” What he wouldn’t give to feel her arms wrapped around him, her breasts pressed against his back . . .

“That sounds a lot like blackmail to me.” Humor danced in her gaze.

“No, blackmail would be if I told you I’d let you drive it in exchange for a kiss.” He had no idea why he was pushing when she’d made it clear in the bar that she needed some distance, but he couldn’t help himself.

Her dark eyes widened and she moistened her lips, her pink tongue darting out in a way that was so sensual because she probably wasn’t aware she’d done it. “You’d really let me drive your bike for a kiss? And not just for a measly block or two?”

“You can have it all day if you want. Do we have a deal?” He held back a grin as her jasmine scent intensified. She was definitely turned on and he hoped it was because of him, not his damn bike.

She shrugged. “Sure. A kiss is no big deal.”

He nearly growled at her flippant words and stepped closer. When they did kiss, it would be a big deal. He’d make sure of it.

Her eyes started to flutter closed as he leaned down, and though he desperately wanted to kiss her, to pull her close, he didn’t. Moving until his mouth was a fraction from her earlobe, he whispered, “I didn’t say it would be on your lips or how long it would last.” Let her make of that what she wanted.

She swallowed hard and stepped back from him. While he definitely scented desire, he could tell that he’d pushed her enough for one night. Well, early morning as it was.

Needing to keep things relaxed between them, he nudged her with his shoulder playfully. Though he wanted to wrap his arm around her, he held off. “Come on, I’ll drive you home. It has nothing to do with feeling responsible for you either. It’s for purely selfish reasons. It’ll make me feel better to know you’re home safe.”

“Hmm.” She didn’t say more after that. The click of her boots along the sidewalk as they walked and the sounds of other patrons stumbling home or hailing taxis filled the early morning hours.

A chill was in the air, causing his breath to curl in front of him like white smoke. They reached his bike in minutes, and when she let out a pleased groan at the sight of his ride, all he could envision was her making that sound as she rode him.

Though he wanted to let her drive so he could hold her from behind, a man could only take so much. Not trusting his voice, he slid on the front and looked back at her with raised eyebrows. Her dress was short so she’d have no problem getting on. It would also let anyone see a whole lot of leg not covered by those fuck-me boots, and while the thought of others looking at her grated on him, she was with him . At least for the length of the drive to her home.

As she slung one boot-clad leg over, he didn’t bother biting back a groan. God, the woman was walking sex appeal. “What’s the address?” he murmured.

After giving it to him, she asked, “No helmet?”

“Didn’t know I’d have a riding partner tonight.” But he planned to buy her one tomorrow.

Without responding, she slid her arms around him and pressed tight. Even through his sweater and her dress, the feel of her delicate body against his made him shudder. He could just imagine what it would be like to turn around and pull her into his lap so that she was straddling him and . . . On that note, he revved the engine and tore away from the curb. He needed to keep his shit together if he wanted a chance with her. Acting like a randy cub wasn’t going to do him any favors.

The drive was a hell of a lot quicker than he’d anticipated. As he parked in front of the two-story brick townhome, his entire body was already mourning the loss of having to leave her. His reaction to her was so primal it terrified him. He’d only been in her presence for a few hours, but he felt as if he’d been sucker-punched and the effect just kept going.

“Thanks for the ride.” Daphne was breathless as she got off the bike. “I can’t wait until I get to drive it all by myself.” Her grin was wicked.

It made him think of all the ways he wanted to pleasure her with his mouth. He started to respond when his jaguar senses went on full alert. Getting off the bike, he stood in front of Daphne and surveyed the street. There were cars and trucks parked along the curb, Mardi Gras beads hanging from trees that had been there for a hundred years, but he didn’t see anyone. That didn’t mean someone wasn’t there, lurking in the shadows.

“You sense it too?” Daphne asked, her voice so low he almost didn’t hear her.

He nodded and took a step back so that he was next to her. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he walked with her up the set of short stairs to the front door and stood guard while she unlocked it. She didn’t argue with him when he came inside and did a full sweep of her place, which told him a lot. As an alpha shifter, Daphne knew how to take care of herself, but if she was letting him scan her home, she was nervous.

“Have you had problems with anyone lately?” he asked after checking all her rooms.

She paused for a moment, but shook her head. “No.”

“What were you thinking of just then?”

She wrapped her arms around herself. “It’s nothing tangible. Just a feeling I’ve been getting lately. Ever since I moved back, actually. Like I’m being watched. No one’s approached me, though.”

Someone or something was out there watching her right now. Hector could feel it to his core. After a brief hug and instructions to set her alarm, he let himself out. But he didn’t go far.

Hell no.

He didn’t tell her he planned to stick around just in case anyone with oversensitive hearing was listening. If someone was watching her, he was going to find out who they were and what their intentions were. And if they planned to hurt Daphne in any way, they were in for a surprise.

After parking a few streets over from Daphne’s, Hector raced through streets and yards until he reached the shotgun style house located directly behind her townhome. He couldn’t scent anyone inside the home, but he was still careful as he crept along the side of the wood-paneled house and into the stranger’s backyard. Using the shadows as cover, he was as silent in human form as he would have been as a jaguar.