"Mine? Come on. Talk to me."

Jasmine realized she was cradled in strong arms and knew that husky voice. She'd had a h.e.l.lish nightmare. She opened her eyes to stare at Chase. His hair was damp and so was his chest, which she was pressed against, as if he'd just showered.

"How are you?" The concern in his eyes was clear.

"I..." She cleared her throat.

"It's over. They're all dead. We're in one of the apartments under the club. You're safe."

"That was real?"

His arms tightened. "Yeah. The stench of all that blood overwhelmed you. It's to be expected, you being a new mate."

"I think it was the flying body parts."

His mouth curved into a smile. "Life with me is never boring."

She would have used another description to explain how things had changed since her kidnapping and rescue.

Chase sobered. "You weren't supposed to be here or see any of that."

"Jenny said you wanted us to come to the club."

"No. My phone was stolen and someone from my pack sent that message. I told you to stay at home where you'd be safe."

Memory fully returned. "Who was that woman?"

"A b.i.t.c.h who got what was coming to her."

"I saw her escape out a back door. Will she come after us again?"

"Oh. You must mean Mora. She's one of the pack. I thought you were referring to Tina."

"Who are they?"

"Mora and her mate are half-breeds. Tina is a full-blooded wolf who thought she could impress me by showing her cunning nature, but instead it got her killed." He shifted his hold and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "She made the unforgivable mistake of going after someone I love."

The bond between them opened and his feelings warmed her, showing how strong his emotions were. l.u.s.t also hit, leaving her no doubt he wanted to lay her on the bed they sat on to make love to her.

"Chase." She cupped his face to pull him down for a kiss.

His full lips brushed hers before he withdrew and smiled. "I have good and bad news before I allow you to seduce me."

"Me?" She laughed. "You're the one projecting images of bending me over in front of you, making me all hot."

A sense of seriousness cooled some of the heat between them. She took a deep breath. "Give me the good news first, since you're determined that we talk before following through with what I just saw."

"The deadliest of my enemies won't be a problem anymore. It will send a strong message to anyone who considers coming after me or mine."

"Okay. What's the bad news?"

"You left the house after I told you not to. You're in deep trouble."

"Jenny thought the text was from you."

He arched one eyebrow, giving her a stern look. "She's not your mate."

Disbelief filled her. "She figured that you wanted me to meet your friends. It wasn't her fault someone swiped your phone."

"True. I'll make sure it always stays in my possession at work from now on instead of leaving it in my jacket pocket at my desk. But...I gave you an order, and you didn't follow it. I'm going to have to punish you for disobeying."

Her temper flared. "Disobeying? Did you really just say that?"

Humor sparked in his eyes. "Don't you want to know what your punishment is?"

She tried to wiggle out of his arms but he was too strong. "No. I'm a person, not a pet. Don't even think about spanking me because I'm not into that c.r.a.p."

"I'd never hit you." He chuckled. "I took the next month off so we could spend time together. My vacation is effective as soon as I finish getting dressed and we leave the club."

"You did?"

He nodded.

"I'm not the blind-obedience type."

"I'm glad to hear it. I like it when you stand up to me." He leaned in, smiling again. "Besides, you project your thoughts forcefully at times. You weren't happy when I left this morning. You want a honeymoon, and I agree."

"This all sounds like good news to me."

He kissed her with a quick brush of his lips. "We're going to get to know each other really well." A memory of them together in the shower flashed through her mind as he shared it with her, so she knew exactly what he meant.

"I'm still waiting for the bad stuff."

"I heard what you said to my sister. You are going to learn how to use a gun, and you should know how to fight. I want you to always be safe."

"Honeymoons are supposed to be fun."

"It will be."

"Uh-huh." She wasn't convinced.

"Me. You. Mostly undressed." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Wrestling around. Getting up close and personal. Sweating will be involved." His lips moved lower as he tucked his head, homing in on her throat. "I'll pin you down. You can try to pin me."

She gave him freer access as his voice lowered into that s.e.xy, soft growl that turned her on. "I'm still not hearing anything bad."

He nipped her skin and a jolt of desire shot from her neck to her lap, drawing a moan from her.

"I have to deal with one last issue before the honeymoon starts."

"What is it?" Worry struck. Will he have to fight again?

"I doubt it." He read her mind. "At least I don't believe I'll meet any more resistance. The strongest wolves were already taken out, and I need to a.s.sert my position as alpha with the pack. A little time will be good for them to mull over what happened and how futile it would be to challenge me in the future. I just need to speak to them first."

"Okay." She'd worry, but she understood that he'd have to deal with the werewolves. "If you're not expecting more fights, what's the bad part?"

"You're looking at thirty days of me not leaving your side," he rasped. "No respite. No reprieve. I really want you." He softly growled again. "And I'm going to have you, over and over. I'm going to love you so much and so often, you'll be sorry."

"Never. I'm really happy to be your mate, Chase."

He held her tighter. "Me too."

end.