They pulled back at the same moment, breathless. Panting. Caroline glanced away and brought her fingers to her lips.
Tyler rubbed his thumb over her swollen bottom lip. “I’m glad nothing happened to you.”
He let her go reluctantly, the cool wind whipping around them bringing a familiar scent. “If you get too cold while we’re moving, call out and let me know. I’ll stop to warm you up.”
She smiled. “If you stop to warm me, we might never get home.”
The light in her eyes had changed from the denial she’d given him in the lingerie shop. The passion and the fire were back and not directed at turning him away, but burning him up along with her.
He shifted as fast as possible, the solid weight of his bear mind sending up reassurances that together they’d protect her. Care for her. Carry her to safety.
His human couldn’t wait to get her home.
The trees went dark with shadows, the moonlight playing peek-a-boo through the tall timbers. Somewhere behind him, a set of footfalls hit the dirt in a rapid rhythm. Her wolf guard, the one he’d scented when they’d stopped.
Good to know the man had made it out of the mess in one piece. Tyler had no desire to start a war with the local wolves. He’d actually been glad of the help in getting Caroline to safety.
Only once they reached the outskirts of town, Tyler was pleased their shadow faded away, heading toward the Takhini pack house instead of staying on their tail.
What he had hopes for needed no chaperone.
He paused, not sure where the best place to shift would be. On his back, Caroline lifted herself upright, her warmth vanishing from where she’d been lying. “More to the right. There’s a path that leads to the edge of the yard.”
He followed her directions, slipping farther into civilization than he’d usually go in his bear form. It seemed the lights had been deliberately aimed in this section, allowing him to see his way without being spotlighted.
“Stop beside the garden shed.”
He slowed, reluctant to allow her to crawl off, but eager to get to the next stage of the game. He shifted as she opened the combination lock and slipped inside the small building.
“How do we get into the apartment?”
She pulled a Rubbermaid tote forward, popping open the lid. “Emergency supplies. Here…” She handed him a dark blue robe. “You’ll have to go in bare feet, but at least you won’t be arrested for indecent exposure.”
He slipped on one sleeve before catching her staring, her cheeks rosy red. “Are you blushing or cold?”
She ignored him and fumbled in the bottom of the tote. “Don’t distract me. I need to find the extra key.”
He stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around and pressing their bodies together. “Distract you? How could I do that?”
She had this crazy habit of growling that turned him on. Hard. The wiggle of her hips did nothing to discourage him either.
“Found them.” She lifted a key ring in the air in triumph.
He pressed his lips to her neck as he slid a hand over her belly, loving the way she trembled under his touch. “Congrats. That’s wonderful news.”
She shivered and moaned, laying her head on his shoulder. “God, I want to hit you with something. But I also want you to throw me on the ground and fuck me blind. I’m an idiot.”
He controlled his rush of excitement at her words. “You’re reacting to the danger of the evening and the attraction between us. How about somewhere between the two options?”
“I throw you to the ground?”
He helped her ease the tote back into position, curling his hand around her fingers and the key. “Invite me upstairs. We’ll work out the details as we go.”
For one horrid moment he thought she would refuse, she stood silently for so long, ignoring his caresses.
Then she turned in his arms and smiled. “This might be a huge mistake, but come on.”
Her desire had a flavour. Sex. Addictive sex. The entire way across the lawn to the backdoor entrance of the apartment, Caroline wondered if she’d caught some kind of moon fever.
Silvery light shimmered off his dark hair as he waited for her to punch in the combination to the security door. His hand on her lower back burned, a furnace-like source of heat.
She’d admit it. She’d been scared, but fear had switched far too quickly into resignation. Bears rampaging in a dining hall?
Maybe her life had held one too many unpredictable shifter event after another. Nothing surprised her for long, not anymore. Nothing shocked her. It wasn’t a human trait to be so nonchalant about death and dying, but she really couldn’t muster anything more at this moment than a pulse of erotic desire.
She was turned on, and that was nearly as appalling as her lack of fear. They’d survived, and now all she could think of was the size of his muscles and the heat radiating from him as they stood nearly skin to skin.
He followed her to her sister’s apartment. Allowed her to open the door. There wasn’t the same kind of instant up-against-the-wall response from either of them like had happened the last time. Instead, he marched in and looked around carefully.
Her feet were sore, she was cold to the core from being outside in a sliver of satin for over an hour, and she still felt as if she were on fire.
He was a rather potent animal.
Tyler turned back to her, his expression unreadable. “This isn’t your apartment. You don’t live here.”
Strange thing to comment on. She flipped a hand in the air. “My sister’s. She’s gone north with her partner. I needed a place to stay, and she won’t mind.”
He stalked closer. “Why do you need a new place to stay?”
“Does it matter?” His eyes flashed, and she hurried to explain, not wanting to lose the edge of passion burning in the air. “I’m not being a smart-ass. I meant that for real. It doesn’t matter why, only this is a safe place. I want to see to your injuries.”
He scooped her up and carried her protesting body into the back of the apartment. “I have no injuries. Between Justin, your guard and a bit of good luck, I’m unscathed.”
When he ignored the bedroom and took the bathroom door instead, Caroline was disappointed. Until he lowered her to the floor and flipped on the shower. “Strip.”
The dark blue robe she’d loaned him was already coming off. Caroline untied the knot at her waist, swallowing hard at the new expression in his eyes. The one that said she was a bowl of oatmeal at just the right temperature.
Taking off the diamond earrings and necklace gave her a moment to breathe. She fidgeted as she placed them on the bathroom counter, attempting to regain her composure. “I’m glad nothing happened to these. I seem to have ruined the gown.”
“You didn’t ruin anything.” Tyler grasped the neckline and ripped the garment the rest of the way so it gaped open at the front. “I like unwrapping my presents.”
Steam filled the small room, wafting past his thick torso and covering his solid body. He pushed the fabric from her shoulders and observed closely as it puddled to the ground.
A delighted grin erupted as she stood in the new panties and bra he’d bought her—was it only earlier that evening?
Instead of caressing the bits of lace and satin still covering her, his fingers trickled over her thigh and the knife strapped there. “A woman of many talents and surprises. I like this, Caroline Bradley.”
She shivered, this time from his touch, not the cold. He dropped to his knees and took his time undoing the buckle on the sheath. He touched his lips to her skin and branded her, a shot driving from where his mouth landed straight into her core.
Before she found the power to speak, he’d removed her knife, laying it carefully on the counter before turning back to examine her.
“Tell me this is a one-night stand.” Caroline cursed the words even as they escaped. If he stopped she’d
