Deadly Desire (Riley Jenson Guardian 7)

Something flickered in his eyes. Annoyance, and just a touch of hurt. "So there'd be no feeling of jealously? No feeling of hurt if I was with another woman?"

I opened my mouth to say no, of course not, then actually thought about it. And the truth is, I just didn't know. My wolf soul might have free and easy attitudes when it came to sex, but I'd had Quinn to myself for a few weeks now, and the truth was, I liked it. More than I'd ever thought I would.

"I've never really been in that situation with you," I said. "You've been something of a steamroller in your seduction attempts, and I've always been busy turning a blind eye to what lay between us. We never had what could be termed a normal courtship, so I've never had to face the situation of seeing you with someone else. But I am a wolf, above all else, and no matter what else you might be to me, you will never be that!"

The smile that touched his lips held a slightly bitter edge. "That's the second time today you've mentioned that."

"Because it is important. It's what I am." I hesitated, then added softly, "And it's what I desire, above everything else."

He leaned back in his chair. "So we're back to that old chestnut."

Annoyance surged, but I didn't say anything. I really didn't want to get into another argument-and I would, if I opened my mouth at that particular moment.

He stared at me for several long minutes, his face showing nothing but blankness. Yet his dark eyes fairly burned with emotion. Or maybe it just seemed that way to me because I was so in tune with the man.

"So what is it you're actually suggesting?"

"That you take other lovers when you're up in Sydney, and that you supplement your feedings with synth blood when you're here in Melbourne with me. I can't afford to get dizzy and weak in my line of work, Quinn. We both know that would be fatal."

"And you?" he said, voice tight.

"I've never promised to remain in a monogamous relationship with you, just as I've made no secret of the fact I want to find my soul mate." I held up my hand as his anger surged around me and he opened his mouth to speak. "By the same token, I don't want to fuck every wolf in sight-as you're undoubtedly about to accuse me of."

"I wasn't, actually," he said, more mildly than I'd thought possible.

"Well, it is your usual line of attack," I said, with a slight smile. I leaned forward and caught his hands in mine again. "Look, I love being with you. I love being in your bed. Right now, I don't want anyone else, physically or emotionally. But that's not saying it won't ever happen. As we both keep noting, I am a wolf, and sometimes situations happen."

"And if it does, you don't want me acting like an enraged and jealous husband."

"Well, yes."

He sighed. "I don't know, Riley-"

"You have the reputation of a playboy, so don't tell me finding other women to seduce will be a problem."

His smile sent a warm shiver across my skin. "Oh, that's never been a problem. Well, until I met you."

"What, my wild and wicked ways have turned you off women?"

"Not quite," he said, raising my hand and kissing my fingertips. "Your wild and wicked ways have made me want only you."

"Which is not saying you can't be turned on by other women."

"Indeed."

"Then there's no real problem."

"Not a physical one," he agreed.

He was still kissing my fingers, and it was making my toes curl in delight. "Then you will take other women to your bed when necessary?"

"I don't want to see you dead, Riley, nor do I want to be the possible cause of it. So if you insist on other women and the revolting synth blood-"

"And I do, because it's better for the both of us."

"That is yet to be determined." He gave me a wry sort of smile. "Okay, agreed. But only if you promise not to tell me about your own conquests. It may happen, Riley, but I don't want to know about it."

"I've never gloated about my other partners to you," I said. "And just because our situation forces us to take other partners doesn't mean we can't be the most important person in each other's life."