Kade pulled out a phone and headed to the shed on the rear of the property. Rafe slid his gaze to the second floor where a curtain was parted enough for a pair of brown eyes to see out. Levi. She’d know his curious expression anywhere. She smiled and waved to him, but the drape fell. He hadn’t acknowledged her. She bit her lip.
Rafe ran a hand over her hair to settle at her lower back. “They’re afraid of me.”
“I’ve warned them to let me know if they ever sense another shifter. That they’re dangerous and we need to run from them.” She glanced at the window again, but the curtain remained closed. “Seeing me with you has probably confused them.”
He curled his fingers around the back of her neck. “They’ll get used to me. They’ll have to. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Aren’t you?”
He bent close but didn’t kiss her. He pressed his lips to hers, a sweet expression of affection that left her trembling inside. Just as his silent staring with his brother meant something, so did Rafe’s chaste kiss. She didn’t know what, but after a moment, she didn’t care. She liked the way he looked at her, as if she was the most precious and desirable woman in the world.
“No, I’m not walking away from you.” He breathed the words against her parted lips.
“Oh.” She didn’t know what else to say.
He tilted his head slightly and kissed her but didn’t pull her flush to him. A respectable distance remained between them. The slow strokes of his tongue against hers stripped her of her tension and left her needy. To anyone watching, though, Rafe’s kiss would appear to be the sweet kind shared between people in love.
“There’s definitely no option of leaving. I’m keeping you.”
“Keeping me?” It made her sound like a treasure he’d found.
“Yes. You’re my female. No other male will touch you.” He eased back. The possessive glint to his expression matched his words. “Ever. I won’t allow it.”
“And how are you going to stop me?” It wasn’t like her to cause discontent, but she refused to sit back and allow Rafe to simply claim her.
He had to convince her. Make her want to be his. To obey him. Exactly as he did last night.
Oh, yeah, she’d been his willing slave then. She wouldn’t mind a repeat performance.
He dragged his finger down the length of her throat and across her shoulder, pulling on the edge of her top. Her heart rate kicked up a notch at the look of raw lust in his eyes as he focused on her exposed skin. He nibbled at the crook of her neck, and her breath rushed out. Desire hit hard and fast. She cupped the back of his head, holding him in place while he teased her.
After another nip, he stepped back, breaking the line of their bodies. The loss of his touch sent a chill through her.
“I have my ways. Don’t worry. You’ll be my willing”—he focused on her lips—“partner.”
He pivoted and strode away before she could respond.
Dangerous. The man was dangerous. She shook her head to clear it of the image of Rafe’s tight backside in the jeans he wore.
“Seems you got a man focused on you, Jazz.”
She glanced at Mr. Wilkins. He stood a few feet away with his two older dogs at his side.
“Rafe’s not important, just a guy who likes me.” The fib landed hard in her gut. It’d been her automatic reaction whenever the subject of men came up. None were important. She didn’t need anyone in her life, and made a point of telling everyone that. She didn’t know if what she’d always proclaimed was true anymore, not with Rafe in the picture.
“Uh-huh, if that’s what you say.” He moved closer, his dogs shadowing every step. “Kade told me about the accident. Are you okay?”
“Yes. How are my boys?”
“Safe but scared shitless. I ain’t never seen them so upset. They really don’t like that one.” He pointed at Kade. “But I’m not worried. The young man seems nice enough to me.”
“He doesn’t look it.”
With his free hand, he stroked Peggy Sue’s head. “Dogs like him.” He shrugged. “So he must be okay.”
She tipped her head toward where the other Rotties sat under the shelter of the swing. “They don’t.”
Mr. Wilkins waved at them and spat on the ground. “Sissies is what they are. But they’re only pups. Got lots of growing to do.” He reached toward Bobby Rae, and the dog nudged his head into Mr. Wilkins’ hand to receive the little scratch between his ears. “These two I trust. I’d bet my life on their judgment.”
She nodded, knowing he spoke the truth. He loved his dogs.
“If Rafe looks for me, tell him I went in to see the boys.”
She hurried across the lawn, up the steps, and into the house where she and her kids had spent many, many hours. Mr. Wilkins had been in the army with her pappy. They were close so after her pappy died, Mr. Wilkins had been the logical choice to confide in. He hadn’t let her down. She trusted him.
Geez, she was building a whole list of people to rely on. Mr. Wilkins, Josh, Rafe and his brothers. She paused with her hand on the door handle. It was nice. Almost made her feel as if she belonged to a real family.
With a heart that seemed a little lighter, Jazz opened the door and jogged up the stairs. The floorboards squeaked, announcing her approach, but her boys didn’t open the door. She turned the handle and pushed. It didn’t budge.
“Seth, Levi, it’s me. Move the stuff away from the door so I can come in.”
“Is he with you?” Seth asked.
She dropped her forehead to the door and breathed through the annoyance. That tone would normally deserve a stern lecture and a few extra chores as punishment, but her
