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  She nodded.

  He released his hold before traveling down her body, kissing and nipping at her sensitive flesh. Gasping, she bucked at the sting.

  “Stay.”

  Her breath caught at his tone. Holy hell, she was so turned on. “Jace!”

  She felt his smile against her stomach but that was the only response she got. He was going to make her wait until she was desperate for him.

  Digging the heels of her feet into the blanket, Piper tried her best to follow Jace’s order. The submissive part of her wanted to please her lover. Pushing her own needs down was a struggle.

  “Oh God.”

  She jumped and whimpered when his lips brushed over her clit. “Please, Jace. Please.”

  He spread her thighs farther apart while he licked her once. Just a taste.

  Piper did sob then.

  “All right, honey, it’s okay,” Jace said before he sat up and positioned himself at her entrance.

  Moonlight glinted off the small bead of moisture at the tip of his cock. He was just as aroused as she was. Not done torturing her quite yet, he pumped himself several times while she watched.

  She’d been able to hold her wolf back so far but her control began to snap. Very seldom did she have to worry about the animal inside breaking loose but the ache in her gums warned that her teeth wanted to lengthen. She craved to bite and claim her mate.

  Luckily Jace seemed to know when she reached her limit and slowly started to enter her. His cock stretched her as Jace filled her. The connection strengthened the bond between the two of them. Piper could feel the link joining them pulse in her heart.

  Crying out, she clung to Jace as he withdrew gradually before plunging deep.

  Mate.

  The word bounced around in her head as Jace started to thrust rapidly. Piper had to clamp her teeth together to resist the overwhelming urge to sink her canines into Jace’s shoulder.

  Her lover was braced above her, sweat dripping down his forehead as he snapped his hips, taking her harder with each drive. Back bowed, she shuddered in pleasure. She wanted to let go. Needed to be taken and claimed.

  It was getting harder and harder to stop herself from marking Jace.

  “Let go,” Jace told her. “Give it all to me.”

  He didn’t know what he was asking. Couldn’t understand that she was unable to comply with his request. She didn’t want to turn into the monster that took her choices from her.

  She wouldn’t do that to Jace.

  “You belong to me,” Jace snarled while still pushing into her with powerful pushes. “Mine.”

  Bliss swamped her. A scream ripped from her throat as she finally lost all restraint. Her teeth dropped, cutting her lip. She had no control over the partial shift.

  “Yes!” Jace called, losing his own battle in self-control.

  Piper fell over the edge of climax hanging on to Jace to anchor herself. Jace’s shout mixed with hers as they both reached satisfaction.

  His heavy weight collapsed on top of her. She pressed her fingers into his strong back before stroking his muscles. He lifted his head and grinned.

  Relief she hadn’t bitten him mixed deep inside her with a touch of disappointment. She didn’t know how long she could fight the need to mate with Jace.

  “Whatever you’re thinking about can wait,” Jace told her, cupping her face. “Just relax.”

  Nodding, she closed her eyes and accepted his sweet kiss. There would time enough to worry later. She wouldn’t lose this moment on what ifs. She was in Jace’s arms and that was all that she needed to concentrate on. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Chapter Two

  His feet pounded against the asphalt as Jace reached mile five of his morning run. The chill of the early morning air felt good against his sweat-laden flesh.

  Even in the two years since he’d retired from service, he still woke up at the same time for his workout. He didn’t have to stay in shape to fight for his country any longer, but it was habit.

  He was glad now that he hadn’t broken the routine. With the changes in his life recently, he lived in constant worry that Piper was in danger.

  A werewolf. The love of his life was an actual werewolf.

  It was still so unbelievable. Even though he’d known there was something in her past that scared her, the fact that she could turn into a wolf was simply amazing. If he hadn’t seen it for himself, he wouldn’t believe it.

  But he had witnessed her transformation six months ago and almost daily since then.

  Piper had revealed her true self in order to protect him. She’d killed the man that had tormented her for years, the monster who had attacked a trusting woman, changing her life in one night.

  Fury still surfaced when he thought about what Piper had lived through. She didn’t deserve the pain and suffering. He’d vowed early on that she would never have to deal with anything like that again.

  He would keep that promise to her.

  That was why he’d called in his old buddy. Mitch Bryant was someone he trusted more than anyone else in the world. At least until he’d met Piper.

  Mitch would help them. The old soldier was the best he knew at ferreting out intel that Jace didn’t have access to. Having spent years in the military in the same Special Forces unit as Jace, Mitch had more experience than any other members. He also had an open mind.

  If Piper’s secret had to be revealed to anyone, Jace was sure Mitch was the best bet and Mitch would also do anything to protect her. Mitch was just built that way.

  The monitor on his wrist beeped, pulling him from his thoughts. He slowed down so that he could gradually come to a quick walk. His body hummed happily from the workout.

  The house that he shared with Piper appeared ahead.

  He loved their beach home. The first permanent place that he’d ever had in his life. His father had been a military man so growing up, they’d moved from base to base. As an adult he’d served his time always looking forward to the next tour. It wasn’t until he’d first started to consider a retirement that he’d asked himself what he really wanted—and he wanted a home.

  The move to Blue Cove had been deliberate. He was far enough from any large city that he didn’t have to be surrounded constantly by people. At the same time, he was only half an hour away from his old base in San Diego.

  He took the wooden porch steps two at a time. Movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. A young man stood about a block away in sweats, stretching out his long legs. Another runner? Normally he wouldn’t question a stranger’s presence but Jace hadn’t heard of anyone new moving into the neighborhood. Blue Cove was a hot spot for tourists but his residence was far enough from the normal visitor attractions that seeing anyone unfamiliar concerned him.

  Before Jace had a chance to really worry, though, the man took off in the opposite direction at a steady pace. Jace shook his head. He was becoming paranoid. Since he’d started looking into werewolves and how to protect Piper, he’d started to see danger everywhere.

  Piper didn’t know enough about what she transformed into for them to understand what was happening. It seemed that the werewolves she’d met wouldn’t even consider helping her. Her years on the run had only confused her more. No one would talk with her. Piper had been unable to learn what was in store for her. He had tried to contact one couple that Piper had mentioned to him. That had been Mitch’s first assignment. He’d tracked them down on what little information Piper had. Jace had called but they’d hung up on him after only a few words. When he’d tried a second time, the number had no longer been in service.

  Jace hadn’t pushed further.

  Stepping onto the large deck outside the kitchen, Jace spotted Piper through the window. She was still dressed in a pair of loose cotton pants and his old USMC shirt. Flipping her long hair over her shoulder, she peered down into a pan on the stove with a frown.

  Her attempts at cooking hadn’t been very success
ful so far. Still, she never gave up.

  He slid the patio door open quietly. Mumbling, she stirred whatever it was she was cooking. Something was burning. He could smell that for himself. A huge sigh came from her before she pulled off the pan then tossed it into the sink. Jace wrapped his arms around her from behind. She didn’t even jump.

  “You’re getting better at listening,” he complimented.

  “You walk on the tips of your toes when you’re trying to sneak up on me. It makes your shoes squeak.”

  That was a good catch. Jace couldn’t hear it but they’d been experimenting with what enhancements Piper had. The fact that she could now pick up small things like that impressed him. She’d been reluctant at first to test her skills, but she was coming around.

  “Plus, you smell like sweat and salt water,” she added.

  He turned her and saw her smiling. “Yeah? You want me to shower?”

  “No.” She ran her hands down his neck. “I like it.”

  He spun her around until his back was to the cabinet and she was in front of him. “Show me how much?”

  She took a step back. She ran her gaze from his head to his feet. “Take off your shirt,” she ordered.

  He yanked it off and tossed it to the floor. Piper grinned before she took a step forward. She ran her nail over his nipple, causing him to arch under her touch. She caught the hard nub between her thumb and forefinger and squeezed. He reached for her but she backed away again. “Now your pants.”

  His cock was already hard as he slid his sweats down to his knees. He lifted one foot and removed his shoes and socks before doing the same on the other. Then he let the remaining clothes fall to the floor.

  She stepped up and grasped his cock, pumping him a few times.

  Pressing his mouth to hers, he was glad. With hurried hands he tugged and yanked until she was naked with him. Jace pushed Piper down to the tiled floor and entered her slowly.

  He took her hard and fast out in the open and without the cushion of a bed. There were times when he just couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t get enough of her, wanted Piper all the time.

  They came together as their soft murmurs and cries filled the room. Afterward, Jace helped Piper onto her feet, still holding onto her.

  “Shower together?” he suggested.

  Nodding, she swayed toward him. “Damn, you take my breath away.”

  “Good.” He led her through the house to the master bathroom. “And after, I’ll make breakfast.”

  She snorted. “Yeah? That’s probably a good idea.”

  “What were you trying to make?”

  “Biscuits and gravy, but the gravy was all lumpy.”

  So his love wasn’t a culinary artist. He could live with that. Turning on the hot water, he pushed her into the stall. “How about some pancakes?”

  “Fine.” Piper pouted just a little.

  Jace caught her bottom lip with his teeth and nibbled.

  “If you keep that up, we’ll go another round,” she warned.

  He shook his head while chuckling. He wasn’t young enough to go again so soon. Although with Piper he had a better recovery time than most men his age.

  Grabbing a wash cloth, he soaped it up and began to wash Piper. Her body always seemed to mold to his hands when he touched her, the softness of her curves a contrast to her toned arms and legs mesmerizing. He placed kisses on her scrubbed skin until she took the cloth from him. Piper laughed as she pumped his cock with her soapy palm.

  Jace returned the favor by burying two fingers into her tight pussy. By the time they’d shut off the water and were towel drying each other his erection was bumping against her thigh.

  “Food first,” he said sternly.

  Piper winked but stopped teasing. “Spoilsport.”

  He tried to grab a hold of her but she ducked away, giggling. He followed her into the bedroom. It was good to hear her laugh. They needed to talk about Mitch before his friend arrived but he hated to ruin her good mood.

  Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, he noted they only had about an hour before Mitch showed.

  As much as Piper would resist at first, he knew she would eventually come around. She wasn’t the type of woman that would let her fear rule her. He pulled on a clean pair of jeans as Piper dressed in another pair of soft cotton pants. Her skin was more sensitive than his. He didn’t know if that was because of her shifting ability or not, but he’d buy her as many comfortable fabrics as she wanted. Taking care of his partner was something that made him feel good.

  “I’ll start a fresh pot of coffee,” she said, interpreting his thoughts.

  Once again she was wearing one of his T-shirts. Damn he loved seeing her dressed in his clothes. “Okay. I’ll get the batter started.”

  In the six months that they’d lived together, they’d found an easy rhythm that worked for them. It was the same at the bar.

  Piper worked as his manager and he could trust her to run the front of the house as he devoted his time to the kitchen and orders. The day she’d come into his office to interview for the position, he’d known that she was the one for him.

  Love at first sight? Fate? He didn’t know. All he could say for sure was that something deep inside him had known.

  She hadn’t made it easy on him. Years of running had made her skittish.

  He poured the pancake mix into a skillet as Piper set the butter and syrup on the island. On her way back around, she handed him a mug of coffee. He accepted the drink with a kiss.

  Family. Early morning breakfast being made as they each did their part. That was what he had been searching for his entire life. Piper had given him that.

  Sure there had been a sense of brotherhood between his unit, the other men that he’d shared a connection and fought beside. Deep, true, unquestioning love he received from Piper though.

  “You’re lost in thought this morning,” she commented, as he set the platter of food between their plates.

  “I know you don’t want to talk about it but we need to discuss what we’re going to tell Mitch.”

  She paused with her fork halfway to the serving dish. “Jace.”

  “I trust him. We need his help.”

  “Why?” she asked softly. “Why do we have to do anything?”

  Sighing, he set his fork down. “You shouldn’t have to live a half-life. Always afraid. We need to know how to protect us.”

  “What if we find out something worse than what we think?”

  “Come here,” he requested.

  She rose and came around the table. Drawing her onto his lap, he cupped her face. “Then we deal with it. Not knowing isn’t going to make anything easier.”

  “I don’t want you to find out something you can’t live with.”

  The confession tore at his heart. “Never, baby. I promise.”

  Instead of replying, she laid her forehead against his chest. Embracing her tightly, Jace tried to think of words to reassure her.

  “I’ll never give you up. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”

  She nodded.

  “Let’s eat.”

  Piper moved back to her stool.

  “I think we should tell him everything,” she said.

  Choking, he grabbed for his coffee. The hot liquid burned his tongue but helped get the food down. “What?” he managed.

  Her eyes were wide. “Sorry.”

  Waving that off, Jace searched her face. “You really want to tell him all of it?”

  She shrugged. “Yes? I mean…if you trust him. Wouldn’t he need all the facts to really help?”

  Jace had considered the same thing but he was just so shocked Piper had brought it up. “It would be best.”

  “Then that is what we have to do.”

  Even though he was only halfway through with his food, he pushed his plate away.

  Piper glanced up at him. “What?”

  “You’re amazing.”

  “You’re just now figuring that out?” she kidded.<
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  A squeal escaped her as he caught her around the waist and lifted her. Before Jace could do more than throw her over his shoulder, the doorbell rang.

  All laughter left Piper as she tensed.

  “That’ll be Mitch,” he said setting her back down on her feet.

  “Yeah.”

  He dropped a kiss on the top of her head before turning to stroll out of the kitchen. He could hear Piper gathering up their dishes.

  Suddenly he was nervous. He wiped his palms on his jeans as they started to sweat. He hoped he was doing the right thing. They needed information, and he trusted Mitch, but a small part of his was still terrified about how his best friend would react.

  Jace reached the front door. His hand shook as he unlocked it.

  Mitch was grinning when Jace opened the door. He didn’t have time to brace himself before the large man jumped at him.

  It was only his quick reflexes and experience with Mitch’s greeting that kept him on his feet as he found himself with his arms full of six-foot-two tattooed muscle.

  “Damn!” he grunted. “Did you put on weight?”

  Mitch laughed loudly pounding on his back. “Nope, you’ve just gone soft.”

  Jace growled, pushing Mitch off him. He looked good. His dark blond hair was still cut short, making his large hazel eyes appear even brighter. And it looked like his buddy had gained weight. Oh, Mitch’s stomach was still flat and there wasn’t an ounce of fat on him, but Jace would swear the muscles in Mitch’s arms and shoulders had doubled. “Get in here.” He grabbed his friend, shoving him deeper into the house.

  “Nice digs,” Mitch commented, looking around.

  Unlike Jace, Mitch was renting an apartment close to their old base. Jace wondered when Mitch would consider retiring to get his own place. Jace had tried to bring the subject up but his friend always waved away Jace’s concern.

  “Make yourself at home while you’re here.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t say that. I might never leave.”

  Shaking his head, Jace motioned toward the kitchen. “Come on, man. Come meet Piper.”

  “I can’t wait.” Mitch grinned and slapped him on the back. “Finally get to meet the woman who claimed you.”