Eternal Hunter (Night Watch 1)

Heat burned her cheeks. No, no, he hadn’t just said—

A soft chuckle escaped his lips. “Relax. I said I would want to. Didn’t say I was going to.” His right foot swung in a small circle. “I like women with a wild side.”

Oh, then he’d probably love her.

But—

But she wasn’t interested. Not at all.

He wasn’t Jude.

Jude.

Erin rubbed her right temple. A vague ache was starting to build there. Not enough sleep, probably. After seeing dear old Mom, she sure hadn’t been able to sleep well.

And knowing that the wolf was still out there—

Not exactly a situation conducive to rest and relaxation.

“Where is Jude?” she asked him, sinking deeper into her chair.

“Hunting.”

She knew that. “He’s got backup, right? I mean, he’s not out there alone?”

“Jude really isn’t the backup type.”

The ache turned into a throb. “Everyone needs backup.”

Another rap at her door. Sighing, Erin called out, “Come on in, Amy, it’s fine for you to—”

The door swung open. Not Amy this time. Jude.

Her lips wanted to curve at the sight of him. She could almost forget about the ache in her temple because she was just so glad to see him.

Jude. Tall and strong, with that thick mane of blond hair. Blue eyes shining so bright.

His stare heated when it landed on her. Erin rose, bracing her hands behind the desk. “Ah, Jude, I was…ah…wondering where you—”

“Wanted to check on you,” he said, breaking into her stumbling and so not suave words. He jerked his thumb toward the door. “Zane, give us a minute, okay?”

“A minute? Damn, man, no woman likes it that fast.”

Her eyes widened. No, that jerk just hadn’t said—

Jude’s snarl had the demon jumping from his chair and heading for the door.

When the door shut behind Zane, Jude stared at her in silence.

Then he locked the door.

Erin swallowed, realizing her throat was way too dry.

“We need to talk.”

She flinched because, those words, oh, they were never good.

Knew this would happen. Jude knew all her secrets now. Everything about her mother and the wolf within.

How screwed up do you have to be to get abandoned by the pack?

“Erin?” A deep rumble as he took a gliding step closer to her.

Right then, she was very grateful that the desk was between them. “Ah…okay. Wh-what do you want to talk about? Have you—have you found out anything about the stalker?”

His lips thinned. “I got some places to check out today. I might have some news after that.”

“Good.” Her fingers knotted together. What was she supposed to say? Sorry my mother tried to attack you and sorry I’ve been lying-slash-keeping-the-truth-about-myself-from-you, but, hey, the sex between us is great and when I’m with you…I feel good.

Better than good.

Almost happy.

No, not almost.

Even with that bastard on her trail, when she was with Jude, she felt safe. Like she belonged.

And, yes, dammit, happy.

“I need to know…” Jude’s jaw set as he walked around the desk.

So much for that safety.

He caught her upper arms and held her with fingers too tight.

Both temples throbbed now in a hard, fast beat.

“Are things different between us?” Jude asked. “Because of what I told you? Do you…? Ah, hell!” He kissed her. A deep, toes-curling- yes kiss that had her heart racing and her sex clenching.

His tongue slipped past her lips. Tangled with hers. Tasted.

And she sure tasted him.

Her ni**les hardened against the lacy edge of her bra. The points ached and she rubbed them against his chest, seeking relief. No, pleasure.

Because Jude knew just how to offer pleasure.

His lips broke from hers. “Erin, the way you smell”—his nostrils flared—“sweet cream and candy—my own treat.”

She gulped and knew that her smell— sweet cream and candy—had to be flowing stronger right then.

His forehead pressed against hers. He sucked in a sharp breath and shuddered.

Or maybe she did.

“Tell me it didn’t change anything,” he growled. “Tell me you know I’m not like that psycho after you.”

Understanding broke through the sensual need. Jude was worried she’d turn from him? Because of his past?

And here she’d been afraid that her wolf heritage would send the guy running.

“I’d never hurt you, Erin. I swear.”

Her lips brushed over his. Soft, so soft. When there had never been much softness between them. “I know.” And she did.

His past might not be pretty. Neither was hers. But the truth was that she trusted him.

Dangerous, she knew. Trusting anyone, especially a shifter, was a big risk. Born with two faces, meant to lie—that’s what some said about the shifters. But Jude was different.

He was fighting to protect her. Not trying to hurt her or control her.

Yes, he’d killed. There was darkness in him. She’d felt it, seen it. Yet Erin didn’t think Jude would ever turn that darkness on her or on anyone else that didn’t deserve the fury of his hunt.

No innocents will be hurt.

She pulled back a bit and tried a smile, hoping to lighten the thick mood and ease a grin back to his lips. That sexy scar—she loved to see it rise up. “Besides, since we’re not mated, I know you’d never go territorial on me.”

He stiffened.

No smile and his face, if anything, seemed harsher.

“Jude?”

His hands dropped. “Mated or not, I already am territorial when it comes to you.”

Her mouth dried. What did he mean? Was it more than sex for him? It was so much more for her, but she hadn’t wanted to hope—

“I’m not an easy man, Erin. Never will be.” His shoulders were so straight. His hands had fisted. “I’d sooner f**king cut off my own hand than ever lift it against you.”

His voice shook.

So did her knees.

“But, hell, yeah, I’m territorial about you. You’re in my head every minute. I close my eyes, and I see you and I want you so much I can hardly breathe.”

Oh, that was—

“The timing for us is shit.”

True. Her timing was generally always like that.

“And I know with that ass**le out there, the last thing you need is a man trying to get too close.”