Alice hooked a strand of wayward hair behind her ear. She scanned the busy room. As per usual, there were far too many people crammed in this place. Shifter night was getting busier by the month. There were women everywhere. All hoping to snag themselves a shifter.

She had to stop herself from grinning as she caught sight of him. Act cool! Act normal! She took another sip of her vodka, lime, and soda, faking disinterest. Her heart beat like mad. Her cheeks felt flushed. As hard as she tried, she couldn't look the other way. Instead, she kept her gaze directed somewhere to the right of him.

Ash did a double-take as he caught sight of her.

Calm, cool and collected. You’ve got this! She took another sip of her drink, barely noticing how the cold liquid slid down her throat. Ash’s mouth twitched. His eyes lit up.

She bit down on her bottom lip, suppressing a grin of her own. Alice finally found it in herself to look away. It was damn hard, especially considering how off the charts hot he was. From his dark hair and dimples to his thick biceps and broad shoulders. The thing she liked the most was his brooding intensity. Even when he smiled, it was almost wild and feral with just a hint of humor.

“Hey, Alice!” a lady shouted as she walked past. She gave a little wave.

“Hi!” Shoot, it was Kim. One of her clients. It was hard to recognize people in these surroundings. Kim normally wore jeans and an old t-shirt for her appointments. In knee-high boots and a mini skirt, she looked completely different. “Looking good.” Alice looked pointedly at the woman’s hair. It was dark with caramel highlights. She herself had cut and colored Kim’s hair not three days ago.

Kim smiled broadly, running a hand through her locks. Then she winked. “Enjoy.” She walked away, following a group of friends.

“You came.” His deep, sexy voice seemed to rush right through her.

Alice had to work not to react. She took her time turning her gaze to him. His beautiful dark chocolate stare locked with hers and crinkles appeared around the edges of his eyes.

She looked away without answering, taking another slow sip of her drink, not tasting a thing.

Ash folded his arms. “What is a gorgeous female like you doing alone in a place like this?”

She gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Enjoying my drink.” She lifted her glass. “In peace. Or trying to,” she added. Alice looked away, the crowd a blur.

He laughed. A rich, gorgeous sound that made her want to jump straight into his arms and stick her tongue down his throat. Easy!

“Can I buy you another one?” He was still smiling, his eyes glinted. His dimples were obscenely gorgeous.

He wasn’t serious. This was all part of the game. “I’m good.” She looked down, shocked to find the glass almost empty. “If I want another drink, I’ll get one myself.” She cocked her head and looked him head-on. That meant craning her neck, since he was so darned tall. Her insides turned to mush.

Breathe!

Alice downed the last bit of her vodka, lime, and soda, her eyes still on his. She licked her lips, loving the way his eyes tracked the movement. Loving even more how his lids hooded. Ash widened his stance, he pushed his hands into his jean pockets. They were well worn and hugged his thighs in a way that had her mouth turning dry despite just having practically downed her drink.

“Did you do as I asked?”

Alice finally allowed herself to smile. She hoped it was seductive and sexy. Please oh please! “I guess you’ll have to find out for yourself!” She sauntered away, feeling his eyes on her. She tried not to giggle. Tried even harder not to fall on her face. These heels were far too high. She put the glass down on a table and kept on walking.

The hallway was dimly lit, ‘Unisex’ was written on a sign above the entrance. There were doors lining the entire one side. She counted eight. Alice smiled as she caught sight of stall number six. There was a hasty hand-written note stuck to the door. Her smile widened.

A smiley face. How cute. Not like him at all.

Several ladies and one guy waited in the line. They looked at her strangely as she walked past them. Alice tested the handle. The door opened. No-one was inside. Of course they weren’t. Alice closed the door behind her and sighed. What if someone tried to come in?

There was a knock on the door behind her, making her jump. Shit! She opened the door just a crack, sighing when she saw Ash on the other side. She stepped back. Then he was there, taking up the entire space, kicking the door shut behind him and turning the lock. Sucking all the air from the cubicle as well it seemed, because she struggled to breathe.

“You look fucking amazing.” His gaze trailed her body from head to toe. She’d bought the dress especially for this evening. For him. It was a deep burgundy and hugged her in all the right places.

He cupped her chin and covered her mouth with his. His oh so hot, sexy mouth, she mewled as he devoured the hell out of her lips. Alice clutched at his shirt, wanting to tear it open so that she could see his chest and abs. So that she could touch and explore, but this wasn’t the time or the place.

He broke the kiss, throwing her a half-smile that had her panties turning wet, or they would've become wet if she was wearing any. Ash growled low in his throat, his nostrils flared. He gripped her hips and turned her around to face the door. There wasn't much space to maneuver in here, what with a toilet and sink, not to mention one times huge shifter.

Her heart went nuts. She could hear how her breathing had already turned ragged. Especially considering that Ash hadn’t even touched her yet. Not really. He had that effect on her though. She should know that by now.

“Did you follow my instructions?” He pressed his chest to her back.

“Yes,” a breathy sigh. She was too turned on to play games. Besides, there was a whole horde of people just outside this door. Management would know something was up as soon as they saw the sign. It made her heart beat faster. It made her nipples tighten.

“You’re not wearing underwear?” His voice was soft but deep. A smoky rasp.

Alice shook her head.

“Good! And, you haven’t touched yourself … not even once?” She heard him swallow thickly and loved the effect she had on him.

Then she bit down on her bottom lip and shook her head again. “No,” she said the word in a breathless, high-pitched moan. “It was a struggle, but I managed.” She thought about him, about sex with him, and had almost succumbed at least a dozen times. Her clit was throbbing. She had that heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“Good girl.” She could feel him behind her. His heat, a tiny brush of his body here or there. “Put your hands on the door and brace yourself.”

Oh god but she was turned on. So keyed up she was already breathing like she was halfway through a marathon. She did as he said. Ash gripped the hem of her dress and began to tug it up. Slowly … so slowly.

He growled softly. “I’m stoked you actually listened to me. So damned pretty.” He palmed her ass. His hand was big, the tips of his fingers calloused. His touch caused goosebumps to lift on her arms, her legs … everywhere.

“We need to make this quick.” He slipped a hand around her waist and zoned in on her clit. His touch was firm and insistent from the word go.

Alice groaned.

Ash chuckled. “Shhhh …” he whispered in her ear, his finger doing wicked things.

“It’s been a month,” she moaned the words and then pursed her lips, trying hard to be quiet. Trying not to rock her hips against his hand. Alice could feel something trickle out of her. She was so darned turned on that she wasn’t sure what to do with herself. “Not gonna last,” she managed to push out. Her stomach was already pulling tight. That coiling sensation was already taking hold of her. One whole month was a very, very long time.

She heard the sound of his zipper going down. Then there was a rustling noise and a tearing sound. She assumed he was sheathing himself in a condom. “Open your legs for me, Alice.” She loved the sense of urgency laced into every word. Especially her name. “I’ve missed your pussy so fucking much.” His finger still toyed with her clit, making her lose her mind. An orgasm hovered somewhere just out of reach.

“Missed you,” she choked out. Oh shit! That’s not what she had meant to say. “Your cock,” she quickly added.

“Good.” He put both hands next to hers on the door and thrust into her. Pleasure rushed through her, as did a bolt of pain. Ash was big. Very big. She cried out.

“Shhhh. I’m going to make you come so hard you won’t be able to remember your own name,” he whispered, his voice husky. “You might not be able to walk out of here. Everyone is going to know what we were doing.” It was true, they would know. It almost made her come just thinking about it.

Alice whimpered. The sound cut short as he slid a hand over her mouth. Then he proceeded to fuck her using hard, quick strokes. Her eyes rolled back immediately. She moaned into his hand, had to brace herself on the door. The sound of her heavy breathing filled the small space, as did the sound of his balls slapping against her.

He made a soft grunting noise but otherwise, was completely quiet. She could smell herself on his fingers as they clamped tighter around her mouth. His other hand locked around her middle, holding her in place. Ash could obviously feel how her pussy was starting to spasm. It was hands down, the most erotic moment of her life. There was a light flutter as the start of her orgasm took hold. Then she was free-falling, she groaned, shutting her eyes as pleasure rushed through her in gigantic waves.

He whispered her name once and jerked against her. His body pushed more firmly against her back, his cock thrust more deeply inside her. He finally slowed, working himself in and out, milking the last of her pleasure.

Ash removed his hand and kissed her cheek. “We’d better get cleaned up and out of here before we’re arrested.” He chuckled. “I thought we could go back to my place this time. The shifters own a place here in Sweetwater.”

“That was so good.” She was breathing hard. “They can lock me up and throw away the key.”

He chuckled. “Maybe they’ll lock us both up together.” He gave her another kiss, this time on the side of her mouth. Then he let her go, pulling out of her. Ash grabbed some toilet paper. He removed the condom and tied it off.

Her eyes bugged out of her skull at the amount of semen inside the condom. “Wow … you really weren’t joking when you said you missed me,” she joked. Oops! “My pussy,” she tagged on. He didn’t seem to notice that she’d let something like that slip twice. It didn’t matter though. They both knew where they stood with one another.

“It’s one hell of a pussy.” He tucked himself away and pulled his zipper up. “Definitely a lot to love about that little slice of heaven.”

She took a thong out of her bag, the pair she’d packed in there earlier and was just about to step into them when he yanked them clean out of her hands.

“Oh no, you don’t.” Ash grinned so hard his dimples had dimples. He pulled her dress back down. “Let’s go and grab a drink.” He kissed her softly, holding her hips. “I’m going to spend the rest of the evening picturing what’s under this dress, picturing what’s waiting for me when we get home.”

Alice laughed, her heart gave a tiny lurch though. Home. He made it sound like they were going back to their place. Hardly. Shit. They were going to a motel. A place specifically designed for screwing.

Why had her heart done the whole lurch thing then? Alice panicked a little in that moment. A relationship was the last thing she wanted. She’d promised herself that she wouldn’t put herself into a position to be hurt like that again. If that was completely true though, why did she care?

Ash went first. He held onto her hand. For a second, Alice felt her cheeks heat. The line to the bathrooms was longer. Everyone seemed to look at them. They knew. Oh hell! Of course they knew. Then she noticed how some of the looks were filled with disdain.

Ash slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him, looking down at her, a smile toying with the edges of his mouth.

When she looked back up, it was into hateful, judgmental stares. She felt like that nerdy, overweight girl in school all over again. Wait a minute. She was the one with the hot guy. The guy she had just had sweaty, amazing sex with. She pulled her shoulders back realizing that it wasn’t disdain, or hate. They definitely weren’t judging her either and if they were, she didn’t give a shit because they were jealous. Jealous of her.

“What do you like to drink? It’s alcoholic with a sour taste.”

“Vodka, lime, and soda, but I can buy my own drink.” She sucked in a breath. “Safer that way.”

Ash choked out a laugh. “So you’ll fall madly and deeply in love with me if I buy you a drink? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”

“No, of course not.” She shook her head. “It’s you I’m worried about.” She smiled at her own joke. “In all seriousness, I’m not even sure we should talk too much either.”

“In case we complicate things?” By the way he was grinning, she could tell that he wasn’t buying it.

“Exactly.”

“I’m buying you a damned drink. We can talk about the freaking weather and then I’m taking you to my place. There’s a shower stall with our name on it.”

She grinned. “You’re going to soap up your dick and bounce me on it.”

“You’re a fast learner.” He let her go, taking back her hand.

“Fine,” she huffed out the word. “I’ll let you buy me a drink.”

Ash chuckled. Just like everywhere else, the crowds parted as they arrived at the bar. The bartender served him immediately. As in, she stopped what she was doing and made a beeline for Ash. Alice had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the way the blonde fluttered her eyes at him. At how she giggled when he told her to keep the change.

Ash handed Alice her drink.

“Well hello, hello. I can see why you’re taken with her.” A big guy who looked very definitely like a shifter stepped up to them. His eyes were on Ash, who tensed up. The shifter turned his gaze to her and narrowed his eyes. Then he whistled low, looking her over in a way that made her feel undressed and just plain icky. She had to fight the urge to put her arm across her breasts, which he was ogling.

“Fuck off, Gage,” Ash’s voice was low but even.

The big shifter guy had a name. Gage. His nostrils flared. He was smelling her.

Ash clenched his jaw. He didn’t like it one bit.

“Are you done with her?” the guy asked, looking her over like she was a piece of meat or a cow at an auction.

“No, I’m not fucking done. Do I look done?” It wasn’t lost on her how Ash took a step forward, putting her just a smidgen behind him.

Gage shrugged. “It smells like you’re done to me.” He grinned.

“Well, I’m not.” Ash didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t growl. Somehow though, she could sense his anger simmering just below the surface.

Gage shook his head and choked out a laugh. “I didn’t think I’d see the day.” He shook his head slowly.

“Nothing to see here.”

“I thought you were done.” By the way he said it, she was sure he was putting a different spin on the same words. Gage narrowed his eyes, his voice deep and filled with aggression. “That Savannah was your last.” A frown creased his brow. For the first time, she saw some emotion there.

“Don’t say her name,” Ash snarled. “You don’t get to say her name.” More evenly delivered this time.

“So this is nothing then?” Gage pointed from her to Ash and back again.

Ash swallowed thickly, his Adam’s apple bobbed. “None of your business.”

“You’re acting possessive over a female who’s just a quick fuck. Because that’s what she is, isn’t she?” The aggressive tone was back. “Just a quick fuck?”

Ash took a drink from his beer. Those muscles in his neck were pulled tight. His chest expanded and contracted at an alarming rate. Alice could see how hard he clenched the beer bottle. Any tighter and it might just crack.

Gage looked at her. His eyes dark and intense. Goosebumps rose up on her arms. His hair was so dark it was almost black. It was longer than Ash’s. His jaw was clean-shaven compared to Ash’s, but … shit … they looked alike. Very much so. How had she not noticed? “I’ll take that as a yes. Happy to hear. I,” he touched a hand to his chest, “unlike others I know, wouldn’t fuck with someone else’s female.”

“Let it go already, Gage.” Ash slammed his beer on the bar and it bubbled over the rim.

“So she’s not yours? The human is just a fuck? Fantastic!” He looked back at her. “Look me up next time then. I would be happy to give you a—”

Ash moved so quickly, she barely saw it. Gage’s head whipped back, his lip a bashed-up mess. Blood trickled down his chin. “You don’t get to lay a finger on her.” Ash’s hands were still curled tightly at his sides.

Gage wiped at the blood. “That’s rich, coming from you.”

“You don’t get to disrespect her either.” Ash put his arm around her and practically hauled her against him. Her feet barely touched the ground. She had to run on her tippy toes to keep up with him as he moved towards the door.

* * *

Rage consumed him. Calm the fuck down! Don’t let that fucker get to you.

He unlocked the SUV and put Alice in the passenger seat, closing the door and quickly moving to the driver’s side.

“Buckle up,” he growled as he jumped into the vehicle.

Alice didn’t argue for once. Thank fuck.

Then he turned the key and pulled out of the parking space.

“Gage is your brother, isn’t he?” He glanced her way. Alice had her eyes on the road. Her hands were clasped tightly together in her lap.

“I’d rather not talk about it.”

“And Savannah …” Her voice was soft and timid.

No fucking way. “I definitely don’t want to talk about that.” It came out gruffer than he had intended.

She swallowed thickly. “Okay. I understand.”

He drove fast, without putting anyone at risk.

“Where are we going?”

“My place. We discussed this earlier.”

“Okay.” She pushed out a heavy breath. “Look, after what happened, I thought …” She let the sentence die. “You can take me home and we can forget about—”

“No!”

“You might need to—”

“What I need is you, Alice.” That hadn’t come out right. “On your hands and knees. I need to fuck you, Alice. Are you okay with that?” He kept his eyes on the road, signaling to turn.

“It’s just that you’re angry.”

“I’m fine,” he all but growled. Fuck!

“Your knuckles are white. Sex won’t make you feel better.” He glanced her way, Alice’s eyes were wide. She looked anxious.

“Want to fucking bet? You’re right. I’m pissed at that fucker. Seriously pissed. Have you ever heard of angry sex?”

She nodded. “I think you mean make-up sex.”

“No.” He shook his head. “I’m talking about seriously fucked off angry sex. I promise I’ll feel much better really soon and so will you.” He pulled into one of the open parking spots. “I’m going to make you scream.”

“Should I be worried?” She smiled, but it lasted all of two-seconds.

“You should be excited.” He got out and walked around to her side and opened the door. “You’re going to come harder than ever before. Are you joining me?” He couldn't help but smile even though his stomach clenched tight. “Or should I take you home?”

She finally nodded. “I’ll stay.”

Ash picked her up and hoisted her over his shoulder. Alice shrieked.

His dick was harder than nails. His blood pumped through him so quickly he could barely think. Fucking Gage!

Ash nodded at the security guard, who didn’t blink at the fact that he had a shrieking female over his shoulder. He opened the door and carefully put her down, tearing his shirt off. Buttons flew, but he didn’t care. “Get that dress off or I’m shredding it.”

He unhooked the clasps of his jeans, feeling slightly better when his cock sprang free.

Alice scrambled to get the dress over her head. She threw it to the side. Ash closed the distance between them and ripped her bra right off. Alice’s eyes widened. “Don’t be afraid.” He shook his head. “Not of me.”

“I’m not,” she whispered.

“Good. I need you on your knees and right now.” The rug in the hallway was thick and shaggy. Alice nodded, doing as he said. Her ass was a thing of utter beauty. Like a full ripe pear. “You need to promise me something.”

She turned and looked at him from over her shoulder, waiting to hear what he had to say. So trusting and sweet. He sucked in a deep breath. “Gage is my brother. My twin brother.”

Her eyes flared with shock. She hadn’t expected the admission. It was easy to see that he and Gage were related. “You’re very different even though you look alike.”

Ash forced a smile. “Oil and fucking water.” He swallowed thickly. “This isn’t going to last.” He pointed between them. Happy when Alice didn’t flinch. “Promise me when it’s over, you won’t let him touch you. Anyone else but not him. Not ever.”

She clenched her jaw and reached for her dress. “What the hell do you take me for? I don’t normally do things like this.” She shook her head. “I haven’t been with anyone since Terrance. Just because I don’t want a relationship doesn’t mean I plan on sleeping around. I certainly don’t plan on fucking your twin brother. I would never.” She was fumbling. Trying to pull the dress back over her head while she spoke.

“I’m sorry.” He tried to stop her, but she pulled free from him, her arm still inside the dress. “I’m really sorry, that was out of line.” What the fuck was wrong with him?

“You’re sorry because you want to fuck me. You’re sorry that’s not going to happen after being such an asshole.”

“I want to fuck you but that’s not why I’m sorry. I am an asshole and I was completely out of line. I was angry with Gage for disrespecting you and then I went and did it myself.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll take you home. Know that I’m really sorry. I don’t think that of you. In fact, I hold you in high fucking regard, that’s why I would never want to see you with a fuck-up like Gage. Hell, even I’m not good enough for you. I—”

“Oh shut up already.” She gripped his chin and kissed him … hard. Their tongues dueled for a few seconds before she broke the kiss. “It’s time you made good on all your promises.” She threw her dress to the side and pulled off what was left of her bra.

His dick went from semi to raging in a heartbeat. “I want inside you so bad.” He gripped her hips and put her back to her knees. His canines erupted. Ash was making growly, grunting noises. Sounding more like a bear than a human.

Her pussy glistened. Not wet enough. He wanted her dripping. He leaned down and licked her slit. Sweet like honey. Then he tongue-fucked her good and proper before sucking on her clit. That little bundle of nerves was swollen and plump. He laved his tongue back and forth until she was moaning, groaning and squirming. He could hear by the way she was breathing and by how shrill her noises had become that she was close.

His cock was so hard it hurt. His balls pulled so tight, they throbbed. His dick knew where it wanted to be because, when he caged her in with his body, it just slipped right into her tight as fuck sheath.

He was fucked if he was going to last. Ash could feel sweat gathering on his brow. His teeth throbbed in his gums. His skin itched. With a loud snarl, he pulled out before thrusting back into her welcoming heat.

Alice leaned down, bracing on the floor. She made mewling noises that drove him insane. He gripped her hips a little tighter and kept working her pussy with long hard thrusts.

“So amazing,” he growled through clenched teeth. Her body sucked him in, making greedy, wet sounds.

Alice muttered his name as her pussy began to flutter. As soon as she began to spasm around him, he was done. Ash roared, crouching over her as pleasure rushed through him. Her channel held him so tightly that he struggled to breathe. Struggled to think.

Alice screamed, the sound thick with pleasure. It was only when he cracked open his eyes, his senses returning that he realized he was biting down on her neck.

He quickly released her. “Fuck,” he growled. “Are you okay? Shit!” He pulled out, watching as his seed dripped down her inner thighs.

Maybe in another time, another place, his reaction would have been comical because he was both turned on and horrified at the sight. “Fuck!” he shouted.

“I’m fine.” She was panting hard. Her eyelids hooded. “You can have angry, pissed off sex with me anytime.” Her speech slurred a little.

No fucking wonder. He’d just blown her mind.

Now her eyes were closed and she was cradling her head in her arms. Out of it. “It’s not fine. Shit!” He smoothed the hair from her face and took a closer look at her neck. “I broke the skin.” He ran a finger over the bite mark and she winced. There were three puncture wounds. Not bad enough to bleed, but fuck, the skin was broken.

“I’m fine,” more slurring.

“No, you don’t understand. The bite,” he clenched his jaw, “isn’t the end of the world. I … fuck!” He clutched the back of his neck for a few beats. “I wasn’t wearing a condom. I’m so sorry.”

That did it. Mind half blown or not she pulled herself into a sitting position. Her hair was mussed, her eyes dazed. “Oh my god!” She clasped a hand over her mouth for a second. “I’m not on the pill. Oh shit!” Then she clamped her hand back over her mouth and made funny noises, her eyes were wide. It was safe to say that she was panicking.

“I’m sorry. I fucked up. I wasn’t thinking. I just wanted you so badly, but that’s no excuse.” Fuck! He was babbling again. He sucked in a deep breath. “You can’t get anything from me, except sticky.” He smiled sheepishly.

“Joking right now is not going to help.” She wagged a finger at him. Okay, she was definitely panicking up a storm. “What about … you know …”

Ash laughed.

“What did I say? Why are you laughing? It’s not damn well funny.”

“Are you afraid to say the word? Like it’s catching and that if you do, it’ll happen.”

“I cannot have a baby right now.”

“You don’t ever want to be in a relationship again so the right now part is obsolete.”

“For your information I plan on having kids. I’ll do it alone though. I told you, I don’t need a man. I’m going to a sperm bank.”

Ash wasn’t sure what a sperm bank was. He didn’t want to know either, could guess.

She turned panicky again. “I don’t want one now though. Not for another five years. I’m not ready for kids.”

“You can calm down. You’re not in heat.”

“Heat?” She frowned. “Oh, I’m not ovulating.” She folded her arms across her magnificent chest. “How would you know?”

“A bear can scent a female in heat from several miles away and I’m not exaggerating. This close and personal, I would know if you were going to go into heat in the near future.”

“You’re sure?” Her brows were raised.

“Yes, I wouldn’t be this calm otherwise.”

“Do you promise?”

He had to laugh. “I swear, I know I initially panicked but that was before I had a chance to think things through. I would be in full tilt panic if I thought there was even a remote chance of you becoming pregnant.”

She pushed out a deep breath. "Okay, I'm going to take a morning after pill just to be sure." She smiled. "By the look on your face, I can tell you don't have a clue what that is. It'll ensure that I don't get pregnant. Not that I don't trust your nose or anything. We can't risk it though."

“We sure as hell can’t.” He pulled off his pants and then dug in his pocket, pulling out a string of condoms. “We won’t do that again either, just to be sure.”

“I agree.” She nodded.

“Now, should we take that shower?” He bobbed his eyebrows at her.

“Maybe we should use the bed for once. I’m going to have carpet burns again in the morning.”

Something in him clenched tight. Ash shook his head. “I don’t fuck in a bed.”

“Oh, because it’s too boring,” she said, throwing his words back at him. Alice snorted. “You should try it sometime, as boring as it may be … there are fewer accidents that way.”

Ash rubbed a hand over his stubble, feeling it catch against his fingers. “It’s too intimate. Beds are for making love.”

“Oh.” Her whole demeanor changed and for just a second he thought he saw hurt register in her eyes, but he had to have been mistaken, because this was Alice.

“How about we get you in that shower?”

“Because I’m seriously dirty?”

“All covered in my seed.” He was damned if he didn't like the idea. It was his instinct talking. He was surprised at how well he was taking this whole thing. Ash leaned into her neck as he picked her up and sniffed at her. There was not even the slightest hint of her heat. No heat, no worries. It was logical, plus, he trusted her to take that pill that stopped pregnancy. Any other female would worry him. Alice would do as she had promised. He was sure of it.

He caught sight of her neck. So what if he had bitten her? It was nothing. Again, an instinctual thing. Aside from being sexy as hell, she was an amazing fuck. No wonder. Any bear would have forgotten themselves to be inside her. Any shifter would have bitten her in that moment. Skin to skin fucking. Any of them would’ve slipped in that moment. It was just that good being bareback inside a female like Alice. Already his balls were pulling tight in anticipation of sliding back into her warm sheath.

* * *

Ash pulled up to her apartment. He glanced over at Alice. She was fast asleep in her seat. He held back a grin as he heard her snoring softly.

He got out of the vehicle and walked around to her side. Ash leaned in and tried to pick her up. Alice still looked really sleepy, she shook her head. “ can manage” Her voice was thick with sleep.

He felt like a dick for waking her up. He'd never had a female sleepover and wasn't about to start now. Especially not now, after tonight. After messing up so badly. “I’ll walk you up.”

“You don’t have to.” She shook her head.

“Yes, I do.” He ran a hand through his hair, which felt like it was mussed.

Ash glanced at his watch and picked up the pace. He needed to get a couple of hours of sleep in. He was on patrol tomorrow night. Something wasn’t right back home. Something he couldn’t put his finger on. He could sense it. He needed to be on his guard. They all did.

He kept his arm around her as they walked. Within minutes, they arrived at her door, Alice fished out her keys. “Do you want to come inside?”

Ash groaned softly. “I would love to, but I don’t think you’ll last another round and I need to get to bed.”

“You could sleep over.” She laughed. “I’m only kidding.” She put a hand on his chest.

He cupped her cheeks and kissed her hard and deep. Her lips were soft. Her breasts pushed against his chest. “I’ll see you next month?” she whispered as they pulled apart.

Ash wasn’t sure how to react to that, he …

“Only joking.” She laughed again, only, it seemed a little forced. “You’re the one who initiates our meetings and I’m the one who turns you down. I just wanted to see your face. Both times.”

He forced a smiled. “I see. Well it worked.”

“Yes, it did.”

“I have your number,” he blurted. Immediately feeling like an asshole.

She frowned. “You do?”

“What’s her name from the salon gave it to me.”

“Meredith.” She pretended to be mad and scowled. “I swear, what else did she tell you? My bra size?” She shook her head.

He chuckled. “Nothing like that.” He leaned in and kissed her on the side of her mouth. “I’ll text you.”

Alice rolled her eyes. “Don’t bother. I doubt I’ll answer.”

“Now there’s my girl.” Why the fuck had he said that?

“Last time I checked I was all woman.”

“You sure are.” It was time to high-tail it the fuck out of there.

“Good-bye.” He kissed her for real this time, holding her close. Breathing her in. Alice had the best scent. Made him horny as fuck.

She pulled away first. “Good-bye, Ash. Take care of yourself.”

“You too.”

He kissed the tip of her nose. He didn’t know exactly why he did that either. It was stupid.

“Till next time,” he said, as she stepped inside.

She narrowed her eyes. “You should only be so lucky.”

He chuckled, heading back. Tomorrow was going to be a long-ass day.