Katie Reus - His Untamed Desire

He gave her a hooded look that said so many things, yet nothing at all. He cleared his throat. “Well enough.”

In other words, he would have slept better if they’d gotten more physical. Or she assumed that’s what he was implying. Her insides were all twisted up around him. But she couldn’t dwell on any of that right now. She had more important things to deal with. She needed to tell her Alpha what was going on with Troy, but didn’t know how to broach the subject.

As if he read her mind, Hector’s eyes narrowed. “You’re going to tell Angus?”

Damn him for being so perceptive. “Yes, but I’m going to talk to Troy first. I told him I’d call him tonight and I’m going to. I’ll tell him that I’m taking the situation to my Alpha. Maybe he’ll just leave town when he hears that.”

Hector grunted and stood. “How do you want your eggs?”

Okay then. Not up for discussion apparently. “Over easy. And I’d like three please.” As a shifter she had a higher than normal metabolism and she was starving this morning. Glancing at the clock she saw that it was later than she’d realized. That orgasm had seriously knocked her out. “If you have to go to work in a few hours, don’t feel like you have to stay.”

Hector looked at her over his shoulder from where he stood in front of the stove. His green eyes were shuttered and she couldn’t read the look he gave her. Finally he turned back around. An awkward silence stretched between them until he spoke.

“I took the day off. I’d like to spend it with you.” Though he didn’t form it as a question, she heard it in his words.

Daphne wondered if she was being stupid by getting tangled up with him. Really, where could this lead? Still . . . “Me too.”

It was subtle, but the tenseness in his shoulders loosened. Shoulders that were unfortunately covered by his sweater. She’d been hoping for another peek at his chest and back. She started to ask if he had anything specific in mind when her landline rang. There were only two people who called her house. She picked up the portable from the cradle next to her refrigerator and inwardly cringed when she saw the number.

Not because she didn’t want to talk to Leta, but because she’d just gotten intimate with her best friend’s brother. Trying to act casual, she answered, “Hey.”

“Hey. It’s not too early is it?” Leta sounded panicked.

“Of course not. What’s going on?” Forgetting her previous nervousness, she sat back at the table, keeping an eye on Hector.

“It could be nothing, but . . . two pregnant felines have gone missing in the last couple days. They don’t have an Alpha to look out for them, and maybe I’m being silly, but I’m worried. I’m pregnant too and what if someone is targeting us?” Leta’s voice rose with each word, the worry practically rolling off her through the phone line.

“What does your mate say?” Daphne asked, trying to keep her voice soothing. The thought of anyone targeting pregnant shifters was despicable. But pregnant shifters were almost as weak as humans and would be easy targets. What would be the point, though? She nearly snorted at herself before the thought had fully formed. There were enough hate groups that loathed supernatural beings that they wouldn’t need a reason. Still, targeting pregnant women was pretty damn extreme.

“He wants us to be more cautious and he wants to get the word out to all pregnant shifters that something might be going on. I know there are some expectant moms in your pack, but you have an Alpha and . . .” Leta trailed off and Daphne could hear her sniffling.

“Oh, honey. Don’t cry. I’ll talk to my Alpha today and—”

“I’ve already talked to Angus about this,” Hector said, cutting her off.

Daphne looked up from where she sat at the coffee table. He would have easily heard their phone conversation. “You did?”

He nodded. “Last night. I received a few frantic phone calls so I called him. He’s promised to look into it, and you know Angus.”

Daphne nodded. She did indeed. Her Alpha was extremely protective of those who lived in his city, regardless of species. If anyone fucked with supernatural beings in New Orleans, they’d be facing his wrath. “Did you hear that?” she asked Leta.

There was a long silence, then, “Yes.” Leta cleared her throat, all traces of sniffling and crying gone. “Is that Hector?” Leta whispered, though there was no point considering Hector would definitely hear.

Daphne winced. It might be later than she normally slept in, but it was still only eight o’clock. There was no reason Hector would have stopped by this early and besides, she didn’t plan to lie to her friend. “Yes.”

“Go upstairs or somewhere private. I want to talk to you without my nosy brother listening.”

Daphne glanced at Hector who just raised his eyebrows and shrugged. She hurried upstairs and ducked into her bathroom. She turned on the shower for extra noise. It should keep him from listening, though she had a feeling he was respectful enough to tune them out anyway. It was just the way Hector was.

“All right. I’m upstairs.”

“Oh my gosh! Are you sleeping with my brother?” Leta didn’t sound angry, which was a good sign.

“Not . . . exactly.” She and Leta normally told each other everything, but there was no way she could tell her friend about last night.

“But you’re . . . ah, I can’t even say the words, but you’re like, maybe hooking up with him?”

Daphne swallowed hard. “I have no idea what we are. You’re not mad, though?”

“No! If you two get mated we’ll finally be sisters for real.”

“I seriously doubt—”

“Whatever, I don’t want to hear it. I know you’ve always had a crush on him and let’s just say he was very aware of you a few years ago.”

Daphne snorted because that was simply not true, but she didn’t comment. The one time she’d put herself out there for Hector, he’d rejected her attempt to kiss him. It had been humiliating, mainly because he’d tried to let her down gently. He’d been all sweet about it. If he’d been an asshole it would have been so easy to get over him. Ugh, she didn’t even want to think about that. “Can we please not talk about Hector?”

Leta sighed dramatically. “Fine. But if you guys do get mated, I better be the first to know. That’s all I want to know though. I don’t want any details about . . . the rest of what you two do.”

Daphne grinned. “No problem.”

They talked for a few more minutes, mainly about Leta’s fear for pregnant shifters, then disconnected. Leta had a very caring and dedicated mate, so Daphne wasn’t worried about him watching out for her. Daphne was really glad Hector had already talked to her Alpha, but she planned to talk to Angus too about the Troy situation and the missing felines.

A few minutes later she found Hector downstairs putting both their plates on the table. Seeing him moving around her kitchen felt natural, like he belonged there. Not the kitchen exactly, but her house and her life. When he saw her, his gaze darkened and he quickly closed the distance between them. Before she could blink, he’d slid his fingers through her hair and clasped the back of her neck. His mouth brushed over hers, sensual and soft at first before developing into something needier.

He came at her hard, the strokes of his tongue demanding and hungry. She clutched at his shoulders, afraid she’d melt into a puddle at his feet. Her nipples tightened and unbearable heat flooded between her legs. The scent of her own desire intermingled with his and she was glad she wasn’t the only one affected.

Eventually he pulled back, his breathing shallow. “After we eat, I was hoping we could spend the day at the Square.”