Lia was stirring a pot on the stove when she heard the sound of the garage door going up then the slam of Riley's car door and the opening and closing of the door into the garage."Lucy, I'm home." he called, in the age-old imitation of the familiar phrase from the Lucille Ball show."In the kitchen," she called back.Her stomach jittered with nerves, and her hand on the mixing spoon was not quite steady. All day, she'd been going over this situation with Riley, trying to figure out what was going to happen next. And all day she'd avoided the answers, not sure she wanted to hear them. She was both anxious for him to come home and dreading it.She knew he'd head for the bedroom where he'd lock up his gun and shield. Then she heard his footsteps in the kitchen."Something smells really good in here." He came up behind her, swept her hair to one side, and placed a string of soft kisses on her neck.Lia shivered as delicious heat swept over her. Her nipples beaded, her pussy ached, a
"Okay." The word popped out before Lia could organize her thoughts. She was nervous and relieved at the same time. "I'll marry you."Mike tugged her out of the chair, tunneled his fingers in her hair to anchor her head, and gave her a kiss that seared her down to her toes. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, sweeping it over every surface and tangling with hers. Only when they both ran out of breath did he finally lift his head and grin at her, hunger glittering in his eyes."You had to know I'd never let you get away.""I hoped," she told him. "But you didn't bring it up.""Like I said, I was afraid it would break the spell and you'd leave." He sprinkled kisses on both cheeks. "Let's eat and we can talk about the future, okay?"In the end, it had been so easy, she laughed at herself for all the crazy thoughts she'd had. They'd gotten past the biggest hurdle. Her wolf. Everything else should be a piece of cake. Right?"Graphic designer," Riley mused when she told him. "You work
When Lia disconnected the call, she gave Riley's phone back to him."See? You don't have to worry about me while you're gone. I'll be in good company.""Just tell him he'd better make sure nothing happens to you. There's a rapist out there."She giggled. "Riley, I don't think even the most insane rapist wants to take on two wolves, do you?"He stroked her cheek with his fingertips. "I'm just sayin'." He reached into the cupboard and took out two travel mugs. "I think we're going to need java tonight. Charlie and I take turns providing it. His wife started it when we first became partners, and it's become a regular habit." He winked. "What's a shift on duty without coffee, right?"Lia pushed back from the table. "Why don't you go get your gun and shield. I'll fix the coffee and have it ready for you."He stole another kiss. "I'm liking this more and more." He cupped one breast and gave it a gentle squeeze.She swatted his hand away. "Behave yourself. We don't have time for that.
Riley's cell phone rang just as they were finishing dinner. Lia hoped it didn't mean he had to go out again. Yesterday, he'd come home early, and they had spent exciting hours going over want she needed to do to close out her old life and jump feet first into her new. Today, she had spent a fair amount of time on the phone working to make things happen. Riley planned to ask for time off so they could take a long weekend, fly back to where she'd lived, and pack up her personal things, stuff she didn't want to leave to movers.Some of the more important pieces of furniture they would have trucked here and put in storage while they decided what to do with it. The rest she'd worked out with the real estate firm handling the house. But she had clothes and books and other personal items she wanted, some things to settle. Her bank had a branch in Calderwood, so that wasn't a problem. As she'd worked during the day, she had conversations with bunica, telling her how happy she was.She'd also
Lia was sure she'd never run so fast in her life. She didn't even care if Mike saw her naked when she shifted back and yanked on her clothes. She raced for the house, barely getting the back door open before she heard the ringing of the front doorbell. Scraping her hair back from her face and catching her breath, she flung open the door to see a tall, blond man in jeans and a pullover."Lia?" His voice was kind. Almost too kind, she worried."Yes, I am.""Charlie Ramos, Riley's partner." He held out his hand to her. "Riley's had a little dustup tonight. He'll be fine, but he's asking for you.""Where is he?""On his way to the hospital. I came to fetch you.""Let me just grab my purse and I'm ready."All the way on the drive to the hospital, she prayed Charlie was right, that Riley was going to be okay. And that she'd used up her allotment of bad luck.*****Lia didn't know what she would have done without Charlie. He was a calming influence as he drove her to the hospital
Part One: Eyes of the WolfJamie Dalton lifted the grocery bag filled with Halloween candy and took a moment to inhale the aroma drifting from it. For most people Christmas was their favorite holiday but Jamie had always loved Halloween. From the time she was nine years old she made up fanciful stories about the night, stories of goblins and ghosts and all manner of creatures. As she got older the stories became more intricate, the characters more detailed. By the time she was an adult she was weaving in erotic scenes and drooling over the heroines she created."You're nuts," her friend Christina kept telling her. "Either that or missing a bet.""What do you mean?""Why not try writing them down and publishing them? Hell, everyone and their aunt are into selfpub these days. Write the stories, get a good editor, pay for the mechanics and make some money on these."But Jamie always gave her a dismissive shrug."I don't know. I'm not sure they're that good. I really just make them
He followed her into the house and put the bag on the kitchen counter. Jamie eased the strap of her purse from her shoulder but before she could set it down a black ball of fur leaped through the air, landed on Dan's shoulder then leaped to the counter. Mike's eyes widened. "What the hell?" "Well, hi, baby." Jamie gathered the ball of fur to her chest and stroked it. "Say hello to Mike. Mike, this is Mischief.""Mischief?" He laughed. "I'd say that's an appropriate name for a black cat. Does she always leap on people like that?""You were standing in her way." Jamie grinned. "She wanted to get to her mommy. Besides, she's not too keen on strangers.""So you say. Let's see. Animals usually like me." He reached out a hand slowly to pat the small head. Shockingly, Mischief set up a loud purr."Wow. She's never done that before. You must have some kind of magic surrounding you.""Maybe so. "He winked at her then glanced around the area. "Nice place." "Thanks, but they're basi
"Where did you get that?" Mike didn't seem to be able to tear his eyes away from it."Up in my attic." She moved it more into the open so he could see it better. "It's seen better days but I thought I'd put it out on my porch for Halloween."Mike reached a hand out to touch the stuffed animal, which came almost to his waist. "So I guess this belonged to your grandparents, too?"Jamie shrugged. "I guess, although I never saw it whenever I visited them. It was up in the attic behind a stack of cartons. I know this sounds crazy but sometimes when I look at it I get the feeling it's looking back at me."Mike gave her quizzical look. "Yeah? Interesting."Before she had a chance to ask him what he meant by that he was at the front door, looking back at Jamie. "You planning to decorate tonight?""No. I'm taking the day off tomorrow. My assistant and the volunteers work on Halloween and I work a Sunday for each of them."Mike frowned. "The library is open Sunday?" "Only once a month."