Katie Reus - His Untamed Desire

She blinked, trying to absorb his words. It was amazing he could even talk after that kiss.

“You can drive my bike,” he continued.

Okay, that jerked her out of her daze. The thought of driving his Ducati around the city and hanging out at Jackson Square was very appealing. “I might never give her back once you hand over the keys,” she said as she sat at the kitchen table, proud of the way she kept her voice from shaking.

“Her?” He frowned as he sat across from her.

“Oh, yeah. That Ducati is definitely a she. In fact, I think I’m going to name her.”

“Don’t get too attached,” he grumbled good-naturedly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Daphne couldn’t help but wonder if there was a double meaning to his words. Don’t get too attached to the bike or to him?

• • •

Hector watched Daphne across the small table eating, trying not to stare too hard or to look like a lovesick cub. Even if that was exactly what he felt like. They’d spent the entire day at the Square, walking, shopping, and even taking a historical carriage ride. They’d known everything the guide had been telling them since they’d both lived there for years, but it had been touristy and relaxing. And it had let Hector hold her hand.

Such a small thing, but he liked touching her any way she’d let him. Daphne had been open and relaxed with him all day and he’d taken full advantage. She’d even bought him a voodoo doll at one of the local shops, telling him he should use it on annoying customers. Normally shopping was the last thing he wanted to do, but being with Daphne had been fun. Luckily there hadn’t been any sign of that little shit, Troy. Hector was still angry about that vampire, and even though the guy was weaker than him, Hector didn’t like to underestimate anyone. Even humans. It was a mistake.

“Want some of my po’boy?” Daphne held out her shrimp sub.

He shook his head and stabbed one of the fried shrimp on his plate with his fork. They’d stopped at a local restaurant on Iberville that he frequented at least once a week. The place was packed, but all his focus was on her. His inner jaguar and his human side were in complete accordance about her. He wanted to claim her, to make her his forever.

“You sure? Because you’re staring at it like you want to devour it.” She held it out playfully.

Hector shook his head again. “It’s not the po’boy I’m staring at.” Not exactly subtle, but he couldn’t stop himself. Daphne needed to know how serious he was about her. He was going to take things slow physically, but he didn’t want there to be any doubt of his intentions.

Her cheeks flushed crimson and she mumbled something under her breath before taking a bite of her sub. The way she turned red was cute, but he was still unsure what she wanted from him. She’d been sweet and flirty, and yes, sensual all day, but he couldn’t get a read on her.

“So what do you plan to do once you have your master’s?” he asked after a few minutes.

Her eyes lit up as she set her food down. “I hope to get a job at the local VA. Veterans need better access to health care, not just here but on a national level. Eventually I’d like to get my PhD too, but I’m ready to start working as soon as I complete my master’s.”

She was right about the lack of good health care for veterans and he respected her for wanting to help. “What happens if you don’t find a job locally? Will you leave?” They might not be even close to that place in their relationship, but if she needed to relocate, he knew he’d go anywhere she wanted. That knowledge alone told him how much he’d already fallen for her. It was likely too soon, but it felt like he’d known her forever. When she’d walked back into his life, something inside him had woken up with a vengeance. And it wasn’t going away.

Daphne shook her head. “I honestly don’t think that’ll be a problem. I sort of have a standing job offer, but if something falls through then no, I’m not leaving again. I missed my pack and my family while I was at Duke. I’m glad I went away for college, but this is where I belong.”

He was glad to hear it. Not that he wouldn’t move for her, but he loved New Orleans. When he and Leta had moved there, he’d felt at home for the first time in his life.

“What about you?” she continued. “I know you don’t plan to work for Angus forever.”

“In the next five years I hope to open up my own restaurant in the Quarter, but I’m not in a rush. When I do it, I’m going to do it right.” Restaurants and bars had a high failure rate. He knew that no matter how much he planned it still might not fly, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be as prepared as he could be.

“You know I love talking about food. What kind of restaurant?” She picked her sub back up and took another bite.

“A mix of South American and Creole food mainly, but I also plan to have a full bar and dance area. It will cater to humans or shifters during the daylight hours but all supernatural beings at night.” Even though they were always welcome, Angus didn’t cater to vampires at his bar and Hector wanted something all-inclusive. Vamps could spend some serious money and he had no problem capitalizing on that as long as everyone played nice.

“You’ll be successful.” Daphne said it so matter-of-factly, it took him off guard.

He’d never had a desire to go to college and he’d secretly wondered if that would be an issue with her. The fact that she believed in him warmed him from the inside out. “Yeah?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I’ve seen you at the bar and you pretty much run the place when Angus isn’t around. You’re a feline and I know he doesn’t care about species differences, but still, that says a lot about how much he trusts you considering you’re not technically pack. You think he’d ever let Saul run the place while he was gone?” Daphne rolled her eyes.

Hector didn’t bother to fight his grin. He loved working with Saul, but the guy was too busy chasing tail to take anything seriously. Actually, all the lupine shifters that worked there were just as bad. “Good point.”

Daphne started to say something when a member of her pack waved at them from across the restaurant. Hector nodded at the lupine shifter, Neil, as he approached. The wolf was tall, barely an inch shorter than Hector and he was broad. He was definitely an alpha in nature, but he wasn’t a warrior member of the Campbell pack. He was also the same age as Daphne, and considering the way the dark-haired wolf was eyeing her, Hector had no doubt he was interested in her.

Keeping his jaguar contained would be harder than he’d expected because at that moment, he knew his cat was in his eyes. He knew because Daphne’s eyes widened when she looked at him, but Neil had barely glanced at him once. If he had, he’d probably be backing the fuck off right now.

Neil shoved his hands in his pockets, as if he was nervous. The slightly bitter scent that rolled off him confirmed it. “Hey, Daphne. Heard you were back in town. You’re staying, right?”

She nodded politely. “Yes, not at the mansion though. I’ve got my own place.”

“Yeah, me too. Moved in with some of my brothers a month ago. I love the compound, but we needed some space. So, uh, I know you haven’t been back long, but, uh, I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me sometime next week.” The words came out in a rush, as if he’d been practicing.

Hector wanted to claw the little punk to shreds for asking her out right in front of him, but Daphne beat him to it. “Are you kidding me, Neil? I’m on a date right now. That’s extremely rude to me and to Hector.”

Damn, she didn’t pull her punches.