The older human had been instrumental in expanding the Shifter Affairs department by hiring shifters as agents. Many in the human government hated him because of it. Acknowledging the laws their forefathers had signed was one thing. Enforcing them when the exploitation of shifters had become a profitable business was another.
“And?” Rafe prompted.
“And I was told Colonel Malory had no jurisdiction in West Virginia. Any information about the fire would be shared once the investigation was completed.”
“Did you call Shifter Affairs? Maybe they can find out more.”
“There is no agency office in West Virginia. Supposedly there’s one in the works, but the details haven’t been finalized yet. I did leave a message with our contact at the Virginia office. All we can do is wait.”
The lack of information didn’t ease Rafe. “I don’t like it. Something’s not right about the timing of the fire and Megan’s discovery.”
“So you’ve said, but without any signs of trouble and no scents of other shifters, we can’t assume anything. We’ll watch over the cubs and assess the situation exactly as we’d planned.”
Rafe propped his elbow on his bent knee and leaned forward. “The lack of scents doesn’t necessarily mean a shifter wasn’t involved.”
Royals had the option of masking their scent with a drug supplied to them by the human government. Rafe rarely used it, nor did most of their males. Their women and children often did, however. For them, the discovery of the drug had been a godsend. They were easy targets for those who were looking to tap into the strength of the heavens.
“Why would a Royal kill an innocent human?” Kade shook his head. “No. I don’t see it happening. I can’t see Megan’s situation affecting any of our kind enough to go to that length. Honestly, most wouldn’t care if she lived or died. She’s just a single shifter.”
What Kade said was true. Most Royals avoided humans and single shifters. They’d been exploited by both enough times.
“I suppose.”
“Go on your date tonight and get the woman out of your system.” Kade stood. “In the meantime, we’ll watch and wait.”
With the order given, Kade undressed, then carefully stashed his clothes under a nearby bush. He walked deeper into the woods. Within one step and the next, he shifted into his jaguar form and slipped into the shadows.
Rafe turned his attention on the house and allowed Kade’s words to replay in his head. Kade was right. Jasmine had crawled into Rafe’s mind and taken up residence there, not something he had planned on or wanted, but he couldn’t walk away.
And it was taking everything he had not to think about why.
Chapter 10
Jazz stood in front of her bedroom mirror and groaned. Nothing looked right. She yanked off the cute baby-doll shirt and tugged on the halter top. Similar to the one she’d worn the previous night, the lacy neckline showed plenty of cleavage and the loose waist offered enough room for Rafe to slip his hand under the hem. She shook her head at the naughty thoughts filling her mind, but it didn’t stop her from choosing a short skirt either.
Underneath the outfit she’d chosen with Rafe in mind, she wore simple black panties and a strapless bra. She’d debated over running into town and picking up something sexier but didn’t have time. Besides, she hadn’t decided if Rafe would be getting her completely naked. Just because she wanted to have sex with him didn’t mean it had to happen tonight.
She glanced at the clock. Five minutes to six. She grabbed a brush and ran it through her hair one last time. The doorbell rang. She jumped. With shaky hands, she placed the hairbrush on the dresser and hurried down the stairs to the living room.
A date.
She was actually going on a date, her first in three long years. There was no reason to feel nervous, but her heart raced. Sweat dampened her palms. She scrubbed them against her skirt, took a calming breath, and opened the door.
Rafe stood on the other side with his legs slightly spread and his head dipped so a lock of hair fell over his eyes. The lopsided smile he flashed her did crazy things to her heart. She held perfectly still while he swept his gaze over her body, from her feet to her face. Heat spread in the wake of his lazy perusal.
“You’re beautiful. So incredibly beautiful.”
He tugged her close and covered her mouth with his before she could say anything. The hungered, raw kiss he delivered stole her breath and replaced it with his. With a slight tug on her hair, he tipped her head back and devoured her. The sweeping thrusts of his tongue quickened, and his hold on her body tightened.
Still kissing her, he backed her into the living room. The door slammed closed behind them. She turned her head, and his lips brushed over her cheek.
“Wait.”
“Why? Aren’t we alone?”
They were. She’d driven the boys over to Mr. Wilkins’ house an hour ago, but no way would she invite Rafe into her bedroom. She’d given their date a lot of thought. Rafe wasn’t from the area. If they ended up having sex tonight, she didn’t want the memory of it here, where she’d remember exactly how it felt to be with him.
“We are, but you promised me dinner. I’m hungry.”
Rafe nibbled along her jaw to her mouth. He kissed her, slowly with rolling thrusts of his tongue that left her weakened. She grabbed his shoulders and held on while he explored her as completely as he had the day before.
Ugh, she had no self-control around him. She pushed away.
“Dinner. A date. I never promised I’d have sex with you.”
He brought his fingers to his mouth. With slow swipes of his tongue, he licked each one. She swayed closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her against
