HOPEI am pretty sure that flying with Nicco ruined flying for me for the rest of my life. I’ve never flown before, but I have heard horror stories about having to show up two hours before the flight, wait in line at security for an hour, have a pat down while your luggage rummaged through, and then run for a flight with little to no leg room, bad drinks and a seatmate that has body odor. We had none of that.Vinnie drove us down a private road and parked in front of a private terminal. He opened my door and then Nicco came around, taking my elbow. Vinnie handed the keys to a man who came up while another porter proceeded to unload the luggage from the back. We went into the private terminal where we were handed a glass of wine by the hostess of the lounge.We waited in comfortable, reclining chairs for about twenty minutes. Nicco pulled out his laptop and did some business while we waited, but I sat, looking out the window and holding my glass of wine. The hostess approached

NICCO I settled Hope in the back passenger seat of the car and then took the seat directly in front of her, sitting next to the driver. I was very private and not many people knew where my personal residence was, so I anticipated having to provide directions. I also needed to make a few more phone calls. I didn’t want to find any surprises at my apartment. Angelica was surprise enough, and she was not a good surprise. Angelica was a mistake. She was beautiful and eager, the daughter of a Beta, and enjoyed partying. Five years ago, she would have been the perfect companion for me. I met her one night when I let my guard down and went back to my old stomping grounds, spending a night like I used to. I woke up in her bed and she had been hard to get rid of ever since. I called my Omega housekeeper, waking her. “Yes, Alpha?” she answered the phone, sounding drowsy. “Hello Eloise,” I said. “I’m sorry I woke you.” I was fond of her and liked having her around. “No probl

NICCO I rushed back into the hotel, ignoring the curious glances from the porters and the concierge. The doctor met me at the elevator. “Do you need me to accompany you?” he asked. “I hear we have a patient?” I hesitated. I really wanted her ankle to be looked at, but I wanted to respect her feelings. I shook my head, deciding to be honest with him. “She has a fear of doctors. I don’t know what it stems from, but it’s pretty intense. Let me get her settled. Perhaps come up in about twenty minutes?” The doctor nodded, stepping back and allowing me to enter the elevator. A porter joined me, using his key to bypass all the other floors, getting to mine. I tipped him and stepped out, heading to the suite. I let myself in. I could hear Vinnie talking soothingly to Hope in the bedroom. I stepped around the corner and stood in the doorframe. She had changed, dressed in hotel pajamas. She was so tall that the pants didn’t come down to her ankles, instead sitting like high wa

HOPE I wrapped my arms around Nicco’s neck and my legs around his waist. He carried me back into the bedroom and kicked the door shut behind him. It made a dull thumping noise. He carried me over to the bed and sat me on the edge. I reached down to pull my shirt up and off from me, but he batted my hand aside. “No,” he whispered. “I want to take my time.” I nodded, shivering at the lust in his voice. He bent down and took my head in one of his hands, tipping it back. His lips crashed down on mine, first gentle, then becoming more insistent. I opened my mouth a little and his tongue ran lightly over my lips and then teased the inside of my mouth. My eyes closed and I relaxed in his embrace. I felt him reach down for my shirt, pulling up the edge. He pulled back and I raised my hands, letting him pull the shirt up and off me in one smooth motion. I sat in front of Nicco in my little lacy bra that he bought for me yesterday, my breasts threatening to spill over the cups.

NICCOI froze. Hope said she was falling in love with me. I didn’t know what to do. My mind went blank.I wanted to tell her that she wasn’t really in love with me. That it was all the mate bond, wreaking havoc with her emotions. But I didn’t. Because I didn’t want to ruin anything.Truth was, I was falling for Hope, too, despite all of my misgivings. My wolf had no reservations; he was angry we didn’t mark her last night when we had the chance. I was still cautious, mostly because of two reasons. First, she was human. And second, she had no idea werewolves existed.I looked up at Hope who was blushing furiously. She looked away from me and I realized that she meant every word she said. She wasn’t taking it back. I gave her a slow smile.“You are?” I asked, letting a smile come across my face. She shyly nodded. “I am pretty sure I am,” she said. “I’m falling for you, too,” I admitted. Her gaze snapped back to my face, her eyes wide in shock and her mouth open in a lit