The Darkest Kiss (Riley Jenson Guardian 6)

He laughed, a warm rich sound that sent tingles of desire scooting across my flesh. "God, no. Quite the opposite, in fact. We worked with each other for six months and never got an inkling. And our first kiss was nothing more than the polite kiss colleagues share at Christmas. It wasn't until we actually had sex that things changed."

So did that mean the whole meeting-of-eyes-across-the-crowded-room moment I'd been dreaming of half my life was just that? A dream? Or was it simply a matter of different wolves, different situations?

I had to hope so. Fate had snatched away so many of my dreams of late that it would really hurt to lose that one as well.

I crossed my arms and leaned forward a little. His gaze flicked downward, caressing my breasts, and the heat of his desire flicked around me. My nostrils flared as I sucked in the scent, feeling it swirl its way through me. It was nice, so nice, after such a long absence. "So what was it like? That first moment, I mean."

"Well, there was no chorus of angels singing, if that's what you were expecting."

I grinned. "In this day and age, I think angels have better things to do than hang around chorusing while people mash body parts."

Amusement flirted with his mouth again. "It was more a feeling of belonging and completeness. From the moment that we made love, I could think of no other, wanted no other."

I definitely hadn't felt that with Kellen. Or Quinn, for that matter, even though there'd been a connection - a deep connection - between us. One that was richer and stronger than I could ever possibly explain. But did that validate my feelings that he wasn't the one? The fact that I'd walked away - or rather, sent him away - seemed to confirm that possibility. Not to mention the fact that even when we were together, I'd also had other partners. Much to his disgust, for sure, but still...

"It wasn't like that with us," I said eventually. "But I was hoping it was something we'd grow into."

"You don't grow into a soul mate," he said, the amusement on his lips clear in his voice. "It's just something that is. Or isn't."

"Trust me, nothing is that simple in my life."

"Love is."

"For you, maybe." I thanked the waitress as she brought over our order, then began tucking in to the thick, gooey chocolate cake. Which wasn't as delicious as the scent coming from the big wolf sitting opposite me, but still more than lived up to the standards of this place.

"So how does the whole sex and dating bit work for you now?" I asked.

He shrugged. "There will always be an emptiness deep inside, one that no amount of lovemaking will ever fill. But I'm a werewolf, and sex is still damned good." He gave me a grin that was so sexy my insides just about melted. "I can demonstrate just how good, if you'd like."

"You know," I said, glad my voice sounded dry rather than husky with the excitement that was buzzing around my insides, "as much as I enjoy a bit of exhibitionism, this is a little too public for me."

He laughed - a rich and luscious sound. "Well, I didn't mean right here and now."

"I'm glad." Time, I thought, to change the subject. "Have you heard from Ivan?"

He took a sip of coffee, then said, "Yeah. He checked himself out of hospital this morning."

I frowned. "Was that wise? That vamp's still out there and Ivan might still be a target."

"He seems to think that the worst is over." Ben shrugged. "He said Vinny will keep him safe."

I snorted. "Vinny sold him out the first time. Why wouldn't she do it again?"

"He believes she values him too much to give the vamp access again."

"If he believes that, he's an idiot." Vinny was hungry for both power and wealth, and I didn't think she was particularly fussy about how she got either.

He shrugged, then looked past me. "Ah, here she comes."

I twisted around. The woman approaching was typically wolf in build, but given she probably stood at five one, she was definitely on the small side. But she exuded a sense of authority and her brown eyes had a no-nonsense gleam to them.

She kissed Ben lightly on the cheek then her gaze came to me. "Riley Jenson, I presume?"

I nodded and fetched my badge out of my purse to show her. "Ben's requested my help in finding out why your lover Denny died."

"Yes, he told me that."

There was a brief flicker in her eyes, one that hinted at sorrow. Then it was gone, replaced by the no-nonsense gleam. Jilli might be sad about her lover's death, but she wasn't going to let it stop her from going about her daily business. Jack would have loved her attitude.