Sunglasses at Night (Claws Clause 3)

He hadn’t recovered yet, but he had hopes he would soon. If Tabby wanted more, he would make sure to give her everything she wanted.

Especially after the way she so generously fed him.

“Thanks,” she murmured sleepily.

“Get some rest. You’re gonna need it.”

“‘Kay.”

Rolling into him, she settled her head on his arm, one hand splayed possessively over his chest.

Adam loved the sight of her pretty blonde hair falling across his pale bicep. He ran his claws through the strands, reveling in the feel of its silkiness against his calloused fingertips.

This felt… right.

It felt good.

And though Adam knew that his slayer would probably never be his betrothed, he couldn’t help but think that this felt meant to be.

14

Just like reaching for her knife, years of training had Tabby reacting before her vibrating cell phone finished its first pulse.

She’d left it… somewhere—ah, on her nightstand. She’d left it on her nightstand and, luckily, throughout their early morning romp, it never went off. Because everyone she knew was aware that she worked the graveyard shift with a job that required her to travel a lot—some knew she was a slayer, though there were a few old high school friends that were convinced she was an escort—once the sun was firmly up, they left her to sleep.

So, if the phone went off at a strange hour, that usually piqued her curiosity. Drawing away from the comfort of Adam’s hold, she rolled from her side to her back, reaching out to grab her phone.

She waited for him to ask if that was necessary. Considering her last ex used to bitch and whine whenever her attention was off of him for more than two seconds, it was a valid concern. When Adam just nodded and placed his claw-tipped finger to his lush lips, promising her his silence, she felt her body heat up all over again.

It wasn

’t necessary, since the vibration signaled a text not a call, but she appreciated him all the same.

Until she opened it and read the message her uncle sent her.

The Pack formally declined. We will not be approaching them again.

Great.

Involving the Alpha of the Eastern Pack, focusing on this supposed bigger threat to Grayson… Tabby had clung to that gig like a lifeline. If it meant her hunt for the rogue Nightwalker got swept under the rug while she helped Adam turn back, then Tabby was all for it.

Except it looked like the group of shifters didn’t seem to give a shit.

She huffed in annoyance, immediately catching Adam’s attention.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

She tossed her phone… somewhere else. Probably shouldn’t have picked it up at all as the last of her lingering afterglow was suddenly squashed. Scowling, she turned back into Adam, nibbling on his chest, darting a lick toward his nipple, eager to recapture her post-coital high.

Under her tongue, Adam stiffened, then let out a soft moan. She felt him lay his hand against the small of her naked back, stroking her lazily as she played with him.

For a second, Tabby thought Adam would let her get away with that answer. Really, she decided later, it was her fault for forgetting how stubborn and pushy the Nightwalker could be.

Just like her.

“As good as that feels and, fuck, it feels amazing… I’d rather you talk to me. I understand if you can’t, but I’m here if you want to listen.”