I came out of the shower to find that you had hauled a.s.s without a word, Connor said.

I left a note. Didnt you see it?

He closed the distance between them. When I found out that you were missing, the last thing I was worried about was looking for a note.

Please, let me go. I can answer your questions by phone. I promise I will.

You think its the questions I care about? he asked.

Connor, I almost got you killed. Im begging you to let me go. My brother and I have been making it on our own for years now. We know what to do, but time is really pressing me right now. I wish I had more time to spend with you, but I dont. You dont want the kind of life I have.

His shoulders slumped. And Im begging you to stay. You dont understand In that instant, the animal revealed himself. His eyes morphed into a wolfs eyes. Stay with me. I will do whatever you want. Just ask.

Antonia pressed her lips together, pushing her protest back down her throat. I dont know what to say.

He held out his hand, palm up, offering it to her. You dont have to say anything.

She accepted the gesture, and before theyd even taken the first step together, her heart filled with hope. For once, she felt like her life could be peaceful and with purpose.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

Do you sketch all the time? Antonia asked, looking at some pictures, most of them perched on every surface with a few of the biggest ones nailed to the walls.

Yes, Connor replied. I have more sketchpads back at my condo. Ill draw anything I see really, whether its in my dreams, something physical or something that I imagined.

He was bent over a tablet on the kitchen counter, pounding away at the keyboard. It hadnt taken them long to return from the lake to the ranch. The first thing hed done when theyd arrived was make a few phone calls. She figured what he hadnt wanted to discuss in front of her was what occupied him at the counter.

Have you been doing it all your life?

I discovered I had the talent late in elementary school. Drawing kept me sane really. I was a shifter at a human school and I couldnt tell anybody, so I kept to myself. Peaceful solitude with my pencil and a pad were what I enjoyed the most. I used to get teased about it by my cla.s.smates.

You? Teased?

I was. He chuckled. I looked pretty awkward too at that age, and I dont plan on showing you those pictures.

Youre pretty good-looking right now, she blurted out then blushed.

He grinned. You can blame that on good genes and hard work. Im glad though. I needed these good looks to lure you back to me after your escape attempt.

Lure me? She laughed. Is that what you did back at the lake? Hmmm He winked. It worked.

Despite the teasing, I bet you had a good life, she said. You grew up with both parents and lived the normal American dream. You own a business where you provide protection and safety for others. Even the couple that I asked for the ride to the city with vouched for you, saying that you were a good man. All that leads to good upbringing. Ive known men like you before, so I know how to spot the traits. I find it hard to believe that youd want to deal with my troubles.

He came to join her near the empty fireplace and followed her gaze above it to the large sketch of the mountains and a small pack of wolves at the foot of it.

Im not as squeaky clean as you would like to believe, he said. And what do you mean, youve known men like me before?

Not shifters. But men, in general, like you, who live in this perfect world, yet find themselves constantly battling over whether they want to do what society expects of them or whether they should go against the grain.

Connor fell quiet for a moment and they both stood there in the silence. His attention never fell from the picture over the fireplace.

Youre right, he finally said. My duty has always been to remain neutral. My dads a human, and my mothers a shifter. Because of my dads ranking with the Feds and my upbringing alongside humans, the most natural fit for me was to act as a liaison between my kind and human authorities. This is what is expected of me. Before our two dominant Packs forged an alliance, Id never identified with either of them. Neither Caedmon nor Arnou. Because of the alliance, all shifters are forbidden to declare sides. They can identify with one of the Packs, but they cant declare allegiance. Its not my duty to question the decision of either Alpha, but it is within my scope to take orders from both. Can you see how that would be a problem?

Wow, yesits like the equivalent of having two presidents ruling over the same board.

Exactly. Now, tell me how my conflicting duties relate to your human men?

Dont laugh, but I havent had good luck with men. I attract two different extremes. Either theyre criminals and they promise me the world, which doesnt sit right with my brother. Or theyre filthy rich and want to move way too fast, which doesnt sit right with my brother. He scares them all off.

Connor chuckled.

She swatted at him. I told you not to laugh.

Not laughing at you or the situation, really. I was just thinking that I want to thank your brother for scaring them all off.

Why? Thats so rude. I deserve love, too, she said.

Why? Because you, beautiful lady, are mine. My mate.

Her face heated with her rising temperature and her pulse skipped a few beats.

Connor closed the gap between them, bringing his palm up to stroke her face.

Connor, I dont get it. You could have any mate you want.

It doesnt work that way.

I like you she replied. But Im confused about the way it all works.

Are you afraid of my wolf?

No. Hes still Connor. Youre just a little different, thats all.

Do you scorn him?

Absolutely not. He was beautiful and he saved my life. You saved my life, she said.

Connor kissed her forehead and then tilted her chin slightly until their gazes were locked. The only woman in this world that can complete me is you. Nothing else can compete. My wolf and I share the same soul, and whenever Im with you, I can feel his happiness surging through me. The only other times Ive ever shared that feeling with my wolf is when I shift and let him take over, or when Im drawing. Because of my duty to my kind, I dont shift often enough. Look around at my drawings and my sketchbooks. There are hundreds more just like them.

Ive had a very bad past, Connor.

But youve risen above it. I cant take your past away. Our memories mold us into who we are today. But Ill do anything to make you happy. Will you give me a chance?

Antonia parted her lips to answer in the affirmative, but he crushed her answer with a kiss. He took her mouth gently, molding his lips to hers. With one hand pressed to the center of her back and the other hand clinging to her waist, he held her tightly to him.

She kissed him back, falling deeper into the kiss and letting his tongue enter her mouth. He tasted sweet, like heaven, and she nearly melted under his touch.

He knew exactly what he was doing to her, alternating between small sips on her lips to deep, soul-stirring kisses.

Antonia grabbed at his bare chest, running her fingers against the ridges and gripping at the hard contours. She wanted to tell him how much she loved this and how long she had craved a man who could set her soul on fire, but she couldnt keep her lips off of him.

Suddenly, he broke the kiss and planted a trail of kisses across her jawline and down her neck.

She gasped, and her center clenched with need when he reached the overly sensitive spot behind her ear. He laved the area with his tongue, pushing against her raging pulse.

Antonia became putty in his embrace. At that moment, she wouldve given anything to stop time and experience it again and again.

For now, Connor was hers. As surreal as this felt for her, she couldnt think about what tomorrow may bring. Tomorrow he may very well change his mind, but right now, he was hers.

There was a loud ring on the other end of the ranch and they jumped apart.

Connor ate up the distance with a few short strides and scooped up the phone.

This is Max, he said into the receiver.

There was complete silence as Connor listened to the caller. His gaze lifted to meet hers and his pupils shifted left and right as he waited.

All of the above. Yes, do it. Ill wire the money to your account shortly, Connor ordered the caller on the other end.

When he hung up the phone, he delivered the news to her.

They found your brother, he said. He had been arrested following the shootout. Ive made arrangements to have him bailed out.

Oh, my G.o.d, Antonia exclaimed, her breath trapping in her throat. Im glad hes okay. Thank you for doing that.

Connor grabbed his tablet again, brought it into the main area, and plopped down on the sofa. My time is limited. The Alphas are scheduled to arrive here first thing in the morning and I have to report back to my dad regarding the deadline. Please forgive me.

I understand. Youve helped me enough. If you point me to where your stock of meats and veggies are, I can make you supper while you handle your business, she offered.

Connor glanced up from the computer and threw her a questioning look. He seemed taken aback by her offer.

Im a good cook. I promise.

Id like that, he replied, his lips turning up into yet another s.e.xy grin.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

I havent had a home-cooked meal like that in months, Connor said, folding his linen napkin on the table and sitting back in his chair.

I thought you were just very hungry, she said, looking from the empty plate and serving bowls to the content smile on his face. After all, the man had gobbled down three T-bone steaks and two large helpings of scalloped potatoes.

That was so delicious, Im thinking I want you to make it for dinner again tomorrow night.

Ill make something else I think you might like. You didnt strike me as the sort of man to eat a lot, she replied. Theres not an ounce of fat on you.

I burn a lot of energy. Im working to sustain both my human and wolf body. I can eat three or four servings in one sitting if Im hungry enough at the time. Depends on what I did that day.

Makes sense. When I saw your wolf the other night he was twice as big as the dog.

Thats because Im not an ordinary wolf. My weight carries over when I shift. Most months, that ranges anywhere from two hundred to two hundred and ten pounds.

"Well, you won't get my weight. Ever. So don't even ask," she teased.

His eyes sparkled as he admired her from across the table. "You're the perfect size for me."

Antonia's cheeks heated thinking about how much attention he was paying to her. She'd never been one to call this much attention to herself, but suddenly she wanted it and was unsure how to react to it at the same time.

He sat up and leaned forward across the small table. Placing his elbows on the table, he reached out and stroked the underside of her chin. Thank you, by the way.

I enjoy cooking, she said. It keeps me busy and it keeps my mind off certain things.

What else do you like to do in your free time?

I go to school and study. Thats about it.

What are you studying?

Im attending the tech college in the city and studying to become a paralegal. I got a late start since I was out of high school for a year.

Well, all that matters is that you did start. Its important to pursue what you want, after all, you did say we only have one life, right?

Yeah. She smiled and then motioned to the cake on the saucer. You barely touched the pound cake. Dont you eat sweets?

Yes.

His reply came with a deep baritone to his voice. His s.e.xiness affected her so badly that she felt the vibrations push across the s.p.a.ce between them. She crossed her legs under the table. Her bare foot accidentally touched his leg.

When she looked up, there was a Cheshire cat grin on his face. I eat sweets and I love pound cake, he told her.

Antonia picked up on the innuendo and dropped her gaze. You arent very shy.

She cut the cake into a small piece, but before she could lift her fork, Connor did it for her. He directed the pound cake between his lips.