“I hate that guy,” Rhys grumbled, shutting the door and locking it.
“Join the club.”
“You were shot?” Rhys’ brow creased with worry as he stroked her arms in a gentle caress. His eyes swirled gray, and his jaw hardened. Concern radiated from him in waves, and his sincerity caused her pulse to quicken.
She laid a gentle palm on his face, waiting for his hardened jaw to loosen and his eyes to turn back to the vibrant blue she loved. “I’m fine.”
He let out a deep breath, his hold stayed gentle on her skin. “Where were you hit?”
She pointed to her shoulder.
He reached for the hem of her shirt, lifted it over her head, and tossed it onto the bed. He eased the strap of her bra down over her shoulder before lightly running his thumb over the fresh pink mark. He leaned down and pressed his lips to the spot, showering it with slow caresses from his lips.
“Where else?”
She lifted her arms, and he traced his fingers over the angry marks before he eased her to sit down on the bed. He knelt in front of her and kissed a path up one arm and down the other. His tenderness toward her injuries, and his mouth on her skin ignited a fire in her veins. The sensual yet caring way he was treating her was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. His unfamiliar response made her heart soar and confused her at the same time.
“Where else?”
She unhooked her bra and tossed it on top of her shirt. Running a finger between her breasts, she teased, “Here.”
His lips quirked at the sight of her creamy flesh. There were no pink marks, but he was getting the picture. Inching her back on the bed, he climbed up her body, holding himself over her. He smiled up at her as he leaned in and licked a path from her navel up to her neck, where he pressed another kiss. He cupped her breast as he ground himself between her legs, letting her feel just what waited for her behind his zipper.
“Rhys.”
“Hmm?” He kissed a path up the side of her neck, stopping right below her ear.
“You can’t bite me.” She turned her head to look into his eyes. “Promise me you’ll never bite me.”
He eased off of her, sliding to the side but keeping a possessive hand splayed on her stomach while resting his cheek in his palm. “Why not? Is it because of Evan and what he said? Because I don’t give a shit what he says. You’re mine, Lizzie. I’ve known it from our first kiss, and I know you feel it, too.”
He moved his fingers to rest beneath the snap of her jeans and her skin. He was inches away from where she wanted him to be, but she knew the minute he touched her between her thighs, all rational thought would float away.
“Biting me could kill you, and I won’t take that chance. Not with you, not ever.” She turned to face him, cupping his cheek. “And I won’t bite you. I can’t. Not if there is a remote chance that I can hurt you. We can never have a full mate bond.” She swallowed around the lump in her throat, knowing her words were upsetting him. Better to get it out in the open now than in the heat of the moment, when she might have to fight off his damn bear.
Rhys rolled onto his back and laid his arm over his eyes. “Why are you doing this? Do you have feelings for him?”
“Damn it, Rhys.” She slid off the bed and grabbed her bra and shirt and clutched them to her chest. “I’m telling you because I want to be honest with you. It wouldn’t be fair for me to keep that information from you. I like you. I like us, and as far as feelings for Evan go, yeah, I do have some, but it’s not the same. I might not understand our connection, but he isn’t my mate.”
“Damn right, he’s not.” Rhys moved his arm and glanced at her. His face was unreadable as he slid from the bed, stalking toward her. He slipped the clothes from her hands and tossed them back on the bed. “I am.”
He popped the buttons on her jeans and slowly undressed her, taking his time and running his fingers down the outside of her legs and up her inner thighs, touching every inch of her except for where she needed him most. Goosebumps on her skin contradicted the fire raging in her veins. The erotic anticipation left her wet and wanting.
He stood up in front of her and began removing his clothes at a lot faster pace.
“Are you wet for me, Lizzie?”
Her breath quickened as he ditched his jeans, his erection and desire evident. She reached for him, wanting, needing to touch him. She stroked his silky shaft, rubbing her thumb over his bulbous head.
He clicked his tongue and moved her hands out of the way, pulling her closer. He spun her, pressing her back to his chest, the warmth of his body surrounding her. His hands rested possessively on her naked body. He cupped her breast with one hand, rubbing her nipple between his fingers until it pebbled, shooting a line of fire down to her clit. She moaned, resting her head back against his chest. His other hand rested on her belly, slowly moving down between her thighs.
He used his leg and inched her stance farther apart.
He kissed her neck as he held her tight. “I’m going to make you come with my fingers,” he whispered in her ear. He pressed another kiss to the sensitive juncture on her neck, licking her flesh. A haze of desire clouded her eyes. “Then with my mouth.” He continued to tease as he rolled her nipple tighter between his fingers. “Only then will I give you my cock.”
She moaned louder at his erotic promises, leaning into his touch. She was wet and wanting just from his words as she tried to lift her hips to position his fingers where she wanted them. Where she needed them.
“What are you waiting for?” she baited him, her words coming out a whisper.
He slid his fingers easily through her curls and into her folds. She rewarded him, grinding her ass against his erection.
“You are wet,” he said as he ran his teeth over her neck. She stiffened in his hold. “Don’t worry, baby. I’m not going to bite you.” He pressed a kiss to the scratch he’d left. “Not yet.”
“Never,” she whispered, her own words clouded with desire.
He shoved a finger inside of her, working first one and then another. Her channel contracted and clenched him, trying to suck him in deeper. The welcome sensation drove her closer toward release. He increased his thrusts, using his other hand to hold her open and rub against her heat. She closed her eyes and let the feelings wash over her.
“That’s it, Lizzie. I want to taste you on my fingers.”
Her channel tightened, every nerve ending on fire.
“Come for me, baby.”
She clenched her eyes closed. Her toes curled as she fought going over the edge.
“Give it to me, Elizabeth. It’s mine,” he growled in her ear before rubbing his thumb over her clit in hard small presses.
Lights flickered behind her closed eyes, and a moan slipped her lips. Her body convulsed as her climax hit. Her legs grew so weak she might fall if he released her.
He slowed his fingers, riding her through the first wave.
“Ready for round two?” he teased, slipping his fingers free and sucking them into his mouth. He turned her and pressed a hot kiss to her lips, letting her taste herself on his tongue.
“How about we skip to round three?” she teased.
“Not a chance,” he answered. He eased her toward the bed, where he made good on the rest of all three promises, four if she counted him taking her in the shower when she was trying to get clean.
After ordering room service and eating, they lay nude and exhausted under the covers, her resting in the crook of his arm with her leg tossed over his. Her palm rested on his chest; she enjoyed the content rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips.
“I meant what I said,” she announced into the quiet room. “You’ll never be able to bite me. Are you okay with that?”
“We’ll work it out,” he answered.
“Rhys.” She stroked a circle on his chest. “I still don’t know anything about my future. This could get complicated.”
“You’re my future, Elizabeth. That’s all I need to know. There’s nothing we can’t handle together.” He pulled her closer and stroked her hair. “Now get some sleep so we can go find these assholes. I want to be able to take you home so we can start our life together.”
“I gave Colton my resignation,” she whispered.
“Then you’ll be able to follow your passion.”
“What if it’s catching bad guys?” She turned to face him. “What if it’s working for the Protectors?”
His eyes caressed her face as if he were carefully deciding how to answer her question. “Then I’ll buy you a sword.”
She grinned. “What if it’s ruling like my father?”
“Then I’ll buy you a crown.”
She leaned up and pressed her lips to his.
“What if I just want to be your wife?”
“Then I’ll buy you a ring.”
She rested her head back in his embrace. “What if I want all three?”
“As long as you’re happy, I’ll always support you, no matter what you decide.”
“What if it means having to let me go?”
He stroked her hair and remained quiet. Leaning in, he kissed her forehead. “Get some rest.”
****
Elizabeth leaned back into the SUV’s leather seats as Rhys drove toward the senator’s residence. She pulled up her pictures to get a better look at the names on the lab’s marque.
“Whatcha looking at?” Rhys asked as he glanced her way.
“I went by Bink’s, the lab where Patrick Smith works so I could ask him some questions about Jennifer, and when I left yesterday, I noticed Patrick and another man higher up in the building watching me from the windows. Neither of them looked too happy that I was there.”
“Did you ever find out what animal she has?”
“According to her husband and her DNA, she’s not a shifter.” Elizabeth pulled up her camera and turned her phone on Rhys, snapping his photo to save in her phone. She smiled.
“Really?” he asked in disbelief.
“Yeah, but according to her mother, she was a fox.”
“Was, being the key word.” He glanced over at her. “Do you think she was injected with a modified version of the same serum that Evan claims would have killed you and your animals?”
Her head snapped up, and she turned to look at him. “I blew up the entire lab and took out most of those guys. Do you think they started the program up again?”
“Probably, and not only that, but it looks like they perfected the drug.”
She clenched her eyes closed and shook her head. “I knew I should have tracked those last two bastards down to the ends of the earth and killed them. Damn it. I’m so fucking stupid.”
Rhys’ fingers closed around her hand. “My mate isn’t stupid.”
She opened her eyes to find him staring at her.
“My mate is sexy and smart, and I have all of the confidence in the world that you’ll save those women and see this through to the end.”
She gave him a small smile. Even if it kills me. She kept that thought to herself.
They arrived at the three-story mansion on the hill and parked in the circular drive. The white house was enhanced with ornate columns along the front. The shrubs and grounds were perfectly manicured, evidence her tax dollars paying his salary were hard at work.
“How do you know he’s home?”
“I called his office while you were getting dressed. They told me he was on vacation.”
“Okay.” He got out of the SUV and waited around in front for her. “What exactly does a senator do when he’s on vacation?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, but we’re about to find out.”
She jogged up the concrete steps to the double wooden doors and rang the bell. A few seconds later, a maid in full uniform answered. “Can I help you?”
She flashed her badge and a genuine smile. “I’m Elizabeth Hanson, and I’d like to speak with the senator, please.”
“Is he expecting you?” the maid asked.
“No.”
She gave a slight nod but opened the door farther to let them in the entryway. “He’s in a meeting, but if you’ll wait here, I’ll tell him that you’re waiting.”
“Thanks.” Elizabeth watched the woman walk on silent feet over to a pair of double doors.
She opened them wide, giving Elizabeth a great view of the senator standing behind his desk. He had on a pair of blinding, god-awful bright yellow and pink plaid pants and a white polo. He looked as if he were about to go play golf and wanted to make sure anyone on the course could see him coming from a mile away so he wouldn’t get hit with the tiny ball. Two other men in business suits sat across from him, with their backs toward the door.
The maid whispered into Senator Hayes ear, and he lifted his gaze at her. The smile he’d had on his face slipped, and Rhys moved closer to her, resting his hand on her lower back in a possessive fashion.
Hayes pasted a smile on his face until the maid walked out, shutting the doors behind her. “He’ll be with you in a few minutes. If you’d like, I can show you to the library.”
“No, thank you; we don’t mind waiting here.” There was no way in hell the maid was moving them away from the spot. She wasn’t about to miss seeing who the senator was meeting with while on vacation.
The maid scurried off, leaving them in the hallway outside the office.
Rhys leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Did you smell them?”
“No, did you?”
“Oh, yeah. You’re going to love this.” Rhys pressed his lips together in a smirk, biting back the smile on his face.
Seconds later, the door opened, and all three men piled out into the entryway.
The senator was the first through the door, followed by the man who had been watching her from the top floor of the lab. His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say a word. Behind them, Evan strolled out. Surprise, surprise. She grinned at the confusion on his face. Yeah, she was getting close. His presence confirmed it. His eyes met hers before flicking to Rhys and back to hers. His brow creased before he masked his surprise and gave them a curt nod in passing toward the front door that the senator was holding open.
Duck and run. Elizabeth grinned.
The senator followed them out, closing the door behind him. She could hear their loud whispers but couldn’t make out their words. She debated moving toward the door, but Rhys placed his palm on her arm and stopped her. He gave her a small shake of the head. “You can ask later.”
“You can bet your sweet a— Senator.” She smiled in greeting as he walked back inside.
“Detective. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.”
“Not at all.” She grinned as he held out his arm toward his office to guide them inside.
Before the senator shut the door, a little girl squealed as she ran down the hall. “Daddy, Daddy,” she called out after him, running as fast as her little legs would carry her. She was dressed in a swimsuit with her hair up in pigtails, holding an inner tube around her waist.
“Rebecca.” He knelt down to the little girl’s level and caught her before she slipped on the pool water running off her feet. “What did I tell you about running in the house?”
“But…” She pointed back down the hall. “Cousin Brandon threw me into the pool, and I almost drownded. He called me a big baby and said I was a natural swimmer and I shouldn’t be scared.”
The senator’s eyes grew wide as he glanced their way. “If you’ll excuse me a minute.”
They nodded and waited for the senator to walk off.
“Did you smell her?” Elizabeth leaned over and asked Rhys.
“Hard to mistake the smell of a baby bear cub. Do you think she’s adopted?”
Elizabeth shrugged and glanced at the picture on the desk. The senator was with a woman wearing a hospital gown, holding a little baby in her arms while he was beaming, smiling down at both of them.
“I’m so sorry about that.” The senator walked back into the room and shut the door. “We shouldn’t have any more interruptions.”
“She’s adorable,” Elizabeth said, pointing toward the photo on his desk.
“She can be.” He grinned. “She’s kept me and her mother on our toes since the day she was born.”
Elizabeth could feel Rhys glance her way, but she didn’t look at him. She already knew the question going through his mind because it was rolling through hers. The shifter gene was, in most cases, passed down through the male’s DNA. She sniffed the air confirming her suspicions. The Senator was as human as they came. The fact the kid was a shifter, and her dad wasn’t, meant that his wife had an affair. Did he know? Was he even aware that was how it worked? Or had he, like Jennifer, killed his animal, too?
“We didn’t mean to interrupt your meeting earlier. We called your office, and they said you were on vacation.”
“Don’t worry about it. You saved me from a boring meeting with my CEO and some security.”
Her brow rose, but she didn’t ask any more about it. There was nothing he would tell her that she couldn’t get out of Evan later when she kicked his ass.
“What can I do for you?”
“Your name came up in our investigation.”
“Oh, yes, I heard. Are you looking into Sadie’s disappearance?”
Her lips twitched. “Yes, we were told she works for you. Were you aware that you’d employed a shifter?”
The senator leaned back in his chair and gave her cocky smile. “Yes, I know everyone on my staff. Believe it or not, Detective Hanson…”
Ah, now we’re getting somewhere.
“…I don’t have any problem with the shifter community.”
Elizabeth sat back in her chair and crossed her legs. “No? Then why are you trying to pass a bill to have them all implanted with microchips? Are you scared of them? Us?” she amended, throwing that little fact back in his face.
“On the contrary.” His smirk fell. “It’s just as much for their safety as it is for ours. Without some type of log of who is where and what they are, then we’ll never be able to treat them if something should happen. If you were to have read my bill, you’d know that it’s not about the chip as much as it’s about providing them with equal rights to everything. As with our government, regardless of race, color, or creed, we’re all accountable for our actions.”
“And this chip? Do you just plan to use it for identification and GPS?”
“No,” he answered without pretense. “It will also contain a paralyzing serum to disable them from shifting.”
“Do you realize how that sounds and how it will be affecting the rights of all shifters?”
He leaned forward and crossed his arms on his desk. “What happens if a shifter goes on a killing spree? How do you suppose we track him and stop him?”
“How do we stop a human from doing the same thing? You call the police, and in this case…” She sat back in her chair. “You’d call us.”
“And in the event that it’s organized crime? More than one, hell, more than you have on your force. How do we stop them then?”
She tilted her head. “And just who does your bill suppose holds the remote to stop us when we get out of line? You?”
The senator narrowed his eyes. “A third party, justice department board, of course, comprised of shifters and humans. I hired Sadie, not based on what she shifted into but based on what type of job she did. I don’t discriminate, Mrs. Hanson.”
His eyes flicked from hers to Rhys’ and back. “Now, if you’d like to schedule time to debate my bill, you can set that up with my office. If you’ve come to ask questions about Sadie’s employment, then I suggest you stay focused and on task.”
Elizabeth held in her anger and re-crossed her legs. “Are you aware that Emily Fisher was found murdered?”
“Should I know who that is?” he asked.
She could smell the deceit from across the room. She refrained from calling him a moron, knowing that if she did, she’d get kicked out.
“She was an attorney at Kleinfield and Summers.”
His eyes quickly narrowed before he masked his frustration. “Is there a question?”
“She was working on a case for you the night of her disappearance. Do you mind telling me what it was about? It would save me time from having to subpoena the records.”
He rose from behind his desk. “You’re going to do it anyway, aren’t you?”
She grinned and rose, too.
“This meeting is over. Any other questions can be asked through my attorney.”
She chuckled and headed to the door, followed by Rhys.
“Afraid that’s impossible.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “Emily is dead. Which partner are you using now?”
“Get out,” he growled.
“With pleasure,” she answered back as she opened the door. “Oh, one more thing.” She turned to face him. “Are you aware shifters can smell when you’re lying?”
His nostrils flared, but he didn’t say anything.
“Rebecca is a pretty girl. Funny thing, she doesn’t take after you or your wife.”
The senator balled his fists when Rhys ushered her out of the room and toward the front door.
“I’ll have your job,” the man called after her.
She gave a full belly laugh and turned around walking backward as Rhys continued to drag her out of the house. “I’ve already turned in my resignation, but I have every intention of finding Sadie first.” She winked, before turning and strolling out of the door. “You can count on it.”