Maybe I was wrong about the orsini. Maybe they couldn't track us as well as I thought they'd be able to.
I made myself yet another cup of coffee and leaned on the bench, warming my hands on either side of the cup as I stared out the main kitchen window.
Dappled light played across the yellowing grass, and in the shade along the fence line, daffodils bobbed. The forest beyond was filled with shadows, though sunlight danced amongst the leaves and cast occasional sprays of green and gold waltzing across the tree trunks.
There was nothing or no one moving out there. Nothing or no one moving in the house. And yet...
Unease stirred. And I had no idea why.
"Why the pensive face?"
I jumped slightly, and looked around as Kade came into the room. "I just realized I've used up all the instant coffee," I said. "A very sad thing when you're as addicted as I am."
He stopped behind me, one brawny arm going around my waist, pressing his body against mine as he leaned forward and kissed my ear. "That's very sad indeed," he whispered, his breath so warm against my skin. "You want me to make you feel better?"
A smile twitched my lips. "You're as insatiable as a wolf in moon heat."
"Hey, I'm a randy stallion who hasn't had sex for over two months, and I'm standing behind a woman who is both luscious and naked. What do you expect?"
"A little restraint until we're safe, perhaps?"
"I have been restrained, sweetheart. Trust me on that." His lips touched my spine, a butterfly kiss that was powerfully arousing. "So, who were you thinking about when I came in? A lover?"
"No."
"But there is a lover who is causing some grief?"
"Yes." I twisted around to look at him. "How did you guess that? Are you a telepath?" And if he was, how was he reading me? Quinn - the lover I'd mentioned before - couldn't, and yet he was not only one of the most powerful vampires I'd met, but also one of the most powerful telepaths.
"No. Telekinetic. But I'm very good at reading women."
I raised an eyebrow. "Just women? Not men?"
His smile was devilish. "I have no interest in men."
And wouldn't my brother be pissed at that. "So, what do you think you saw in my expression?"
"Regret."
He was good. While I hadn't actively been thinking about Quinn, those thoughts were always present, sitting at the back of my mind, waiting to pounce the minute I relaxed my guard.
"Tell me," he added.
"Why?"
He shrugged. "Wolves aren't the only ones who can be nosy."
I looked away, studying the shadows beyond the fence line again. "He doesn't like what I am."
He brushed another kiss across my spine, but higher this time, closer to my shoulder. Goose bumps fled excitedly across my skin.
"A paper pusher?"
I smiled. "No, a werewolf. He thinks us little more than whores."
"I'm betting he doesn't think the same of your pack-mate."
"According to him, it's okay for men to sleep around."