It was her wolf that sensed him first, yipping in her head that she had company. Francine looked up from her desk to see a grim-faced Mitchell bearing down on her. Despite his unpleasant expression, a flutter of anticipation made her heart beat faster. "We're going to lunch," he announced, not sounding at all pleased by the prospect. "Gee, thanks for asking," she replied dryly. "Did you turn into a caveman overnight? Or do simple manners elude you?" She couldn't help the sarcasm even if he'd finally asked her out. For some reason, when she'd imagined their first date, he'd looked a lot happier about it. Ruddy color rose in his cheeks. "Sorry. I'm, uh, hungry. That's it, hungry, and I was in the area and thought I'd ask if you'd like to join me." Something didn't seem right. She peered out of the window, examining the sky, and didn't answer. Her lack of response made him fidget. "Um, Francine, what are you doing?" "I don't have a direct line to hell t

After the disturbing lunch, and a hot kiss from Alejandro that made her see stars, Francine tried to work, but visions of two men kept dancing in her head. On the one hand, Alejandro and his playacting had her in a tizzy. His kisses today left her aching and wet, especially the soft and sweet one he'd planted on her after lunch when dropping her off. What a panty-wetter. As for Mitchell, he'd finally paid her attention and while he'd not exactly swept her up in a tidal wave of passion, she couldn't deny she had his blood stirring. Mostly in irritation, but it's a start. When the phone rang, she dove on it, thankful for the distraction. "Francine, what are you up to? Mom called and said Mitchell is just spinning and it's all because of you." Naomi didn't sound at all perturbed about her brother's mental state. A satisfied grin curled Francine's lips. "Good. About freakn' time he noticed me." "You mean, you did on purpose?" Naomi chortled. "Awesome." "

Hanging off his arm, nattering nonstop, Mitchell refrained from sighing at Jenny's annoying presence. In the past, he'd never noticed certain things about her, such as her too slim frame-unlike someone's plush, curvy one. Ignored her habit of using too much makeup-so different from a certain fresh-faced girl with freckles he knew. Tuned out her stupid attempts at conversation, while recalling the fun he'd had verbally sparring with another. Even on a date with a girl guaranteed to give him a good time, he couldn't stop thinking about Francine. Worse, he kept comparing her to Jenny, and poor Jenny, she couldn't seem to win in any category. He actually began thinking of ways to ditch his eager date when they came in. Looking ridiculously gorgeous-and nothing like a sister, dammit-Francine wore a short red skirt that flared, a tight top that showed off cleavage deep enough to swallow a hand, oh and a certain cat, whose possessive arm around her staked his claim quite effective

Mitchell panted, his head bowed over the steering column of his car. Inside his pants, his cock throbbed, aching and ready to forget his misgivings and take what Francine had offered him for so long. What he'd now lost in his stubborn refusal to recognize the prize before his very eyes. The woman who made no bones that she wanted him, and when rejected, turned to another. He'd not meant to walk in on their lovemaking. Although, a part of him knew what he'd see when he approached her partially ajar front door, the soft sounds of her moans and the fleshy slap of bodies fucking too blatant for him to not decipher. It didn't stop him from entering. Coming across her, pinned against the wall, her legs wrapped around Alejandro's flanks, his taut buttocks pumping while she clung to him, her fingers digging into his skin, should have sent him into a rage. Embarrassed him at the very least. Instead, it made him rock hard. Unable to tear himself away, he'd watched as the cat gave the woman

Helplessness. What an awful feeling, and one Alejandro never experienced before. It bothered him as much as the fear that gripped him when he thought of Francine not recovering. No! She has to get better. I won't let her die. Alejandro paced in front of the door that hid him from Francine and the doctor they called to take care of her. The ride to Naomi's house with Francine pale and unconscious would haunt him forever. He'd not wanted to move her initially, but he feared even more her bleeding out from the silver embedded in her flesh, so he agreed to meet the physician at Naomi's house, which cut their travel time in half. Borrowing Francine's car, he sped all the way, and said a prayer of thanks no cops stopped him on his way. Arriving in a squeal of tires at his brother's place, he almost cried in relief when he saw the doctor already there. Hands shaking, he feared moving the pale bundle in the back seat. Ethan pushed him aside and gently carried Francine inside, close