Chase’s heart pounded as he sped down the highway, but the rush he normally felt from riding on the open road paled in comparison to the way Rain’s arms wrapped around him made his body hum. He could’ve ridden like this for hours, with her soft curves pressed into his back, her hands gripping his stomach.

He drove for half an hour, giving her time to gather her thoughts. Her secrets were about to be revealed, and he wanted to know everything. He took her over the bridge into Algiers and followed the back roads to a quiet spot on the riverbank. When he cut the engine, she tightened her arms around him as if she wasn’t ready to let him go. He knew the feeling.

She loosened her grip, and he took off his helmet, hanging it on a handlebar. Climbing off the bike, he held out his hand to help her off. Her chest rose and fell as she took a deep breath and pulled the helmet from her head. Her soft, dark curls bounced as she shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair. She looked sexy as hell perched on the back of his bike…a sight he would love to get used to.

Setting the helmet on the seat, she held his gaze, and the confliction in her eyes tore at his heart. Whatever she was about to tell him wouldn’t be easy.

Sharing his secret with her hadn’t been a piece of cake either, but they’d get through it, whatever it was. It couldn’t be any worse than the things he’d done.

She took his hand and swung her leg over the bike, stepping straight into his arms. Holding him tight, she pressed her face against his chest and inhaled deeply. If she was stalling, he wasn’t complaining. Damn, she felt good in his arms.

He rubbed his hand across her back and pressed his lips to the top of her head. Her hair brushed his nose, the sweet scent of vanilla tickling his senses, and he tightened his arms around her. There was no denying the primal possessiveness he felt for this woman. His wolf had already claimed her, and now the man had finally accepted it.

Pulling from his embrace, she gave him a half-smile and slipped her hand into his. “I owe you an explanation.”

“Then let’s talk.” He led her closer to the river, and they settled on a patch of grass. Light from the half-moon danced across the surface of the Mississippi, making the muddy water sparkle. The cosmos flowers growing on the bank filled the air with the sweet scent of chocolate, and he inhaled deeply, enjoying the unusual floral perfume.

Rain angled herself to face him, and her knee brushed his thigh. The heat radiating from her body called to him, urging him to take her in his arms again and find out if her lips tasted as sweet as they looked.

She rested her hand on his leg, the simple touch sending his heart racing. As she chewed her bottom lip, she looked into his eyes, her face taking on a mask of resolve. “I haven’t always been a dud. I used to have powers.”

He suppressed a smile. “I had a feeling you did.” Finally, the truth came out. She was way too confident to be a magical being without magic. He’d peeled away one layer of the mystery surrounding Rain Connolly, but it wasn’t enough. He ached to know her to the center of her very being. “Why did you lie?”

She let out a heavy sigh. “Let me tell you the story from the beginning. Hopefully you’ll understand.” She pulled her hand into her lap and clasped her fingers together. “You’re not the only one who’s had bad luck with witches. That energy vampire I knew…I used to date him.”

He clenched his jaw as the feeling of protectiveness gripped his heart. “He took your powers?” If the guy was alive, and if Chase ever found him…

“Not exactly.” She dropped her head and stared at her hands in her lap. “I was in love with him. I thought I was, anyway. Obsessed would be a better way to describe it, so I’m not sure if…” She exhaled sharply. “It doesn’t matter. We lived together for almost a year.”

She looked into his eyes. “I was like you. Second in command of the coven. I was training for a place on the national witches’ council.”

The fact didn’t surprise him. “You must have been very powerful.”

“I was. And Isaac…the energy vampire…was using my power without my knowledge. He’d take it, little by little, at night while I was sleeping. It was such a small amount, I didn’t notice. I’d feel sick the next day sometimes, but normally I’d recover by the time I woke in the morning.”

His jaw clenched. “Bastard.” The mere thought of anyone hurting Rain was enough to drive him mad.

“It gets worse. I caught him cheating on me. A friend saw him out with another woman, so I followed him one night, and sure enough, he was seeing someone on the side. When he got home that night, I pretended I was asleep. He stood over the bed and touched my face. It felt like he was draining the life from my body, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t stop him. I passed out, and when I woke the next morning, I confronted him.”

Chase pried Rain’s hands apart and slipped his fingers through hers. The lines in her forehead smoothed as she seemed to relax.

She straightened her spine and took a deep breath. “Long story short, we aren’t together anymore. I ended up cursed and my powers are bound. Like I said before, the last time I saw him he was on his death bed. If he were alive, he’d be capable of doing what happened to the woman at the morgue, but I don’t see how he could have recovered from his illness.” She bit her bottom lip.

Chase ground his teeth as he tried to calm his pounding heart. “He cursed you.”

She lowered her gaze to their entwined hands. “I lost more than my powers. And this is why I’ve been hesitant to get close to you…to anyone. If another witch shows me kindness, something bad will happen. Not to me, but to the person who was nice to me.”

Chase closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. What kind of sick bastard would do this to her? “If he can’t have you, no one can?”

She glanced at him before returning her gaze to their hands. The muscles in her throat worked as she swallowed, and she placed her other hand on top of his. “I think that part of the curse was meant to teach me a lesson. I wasn’t exactly kind when I confronted him. Now, no one can be kind to me without me unwittingly being unkind to them.”

That explained her strange behavior. “What kind of bad things happen? And is it if they do anything kind? Or does it have to be something big?”

She let out a dry chuckle. “My parents took me out to dinner for my birthday a year after it happened. They both ended up in the hospital with pneumonia for two weeks.”

“Ouch.”

Nodding, she pressed her lips together, and her eyes shimmered. “The other day, you saved me from being hit by a taxi. Then you got sick when a snake bit you.”

“You think the snake bite was because of your curse?”

She drew her shoulders toward her ears, and her bottom lip trembled. “What else could it be?”

Oh, hell no. He had to end this nonsense right now. No way was a stupid curse going to keep him away from his fate-bound. “Rain, listen to me. I was hunting in the swamp; I’ve been bitten before. That wasn’t because of you.”

“Have you ever gotten that sick?” A tear spilled from the inner corner of her eye, and he wiped it away with his thumb.

“No, but…” He had to fix this. No wonder she’d been holding back. She thought he’d get hurt if she let him in. “What exactly is the curse?”

“Any witch who shows me kindness will be punished.”

“Any witch. Did it specify that it had to be a witch?”

“Well, yes.”

He smiled. “Rain, I’m a werewolf, not a witch. Your curse won’t affect me.”

She traced her fingertips along the back of his hand. “What if one of your ancestors was a witch? If you have the slightest amount of witch blood in your veins, it could…”

“I don’t. I swear, I am one hundred percent werewolf. Look at me.” He cupped her cheek in his hand, drawing her face toward his. The sadness in her eyes stabbed at his heart. She’d opened up to him, finally letting him into her world, and now he understood her hesitation. “I’ll take my chances.”

She shook her head. “If anything happens to you…”

“Then it will be on me. You’ve warned me. I’m aware of the risks.” He leaned closer, the tip of his nose brushing hers.

“Chase.”

“I know you won’t hurt me. Please let me in.” He paused, his mouth lingering centimeters from hers, giving her plenty of time to move away. When she didn’t, he brushed his lips over hers.

She responded, leaning into him, running her hand up his thigh to grip his hip. As her lips parted and her velvet tongue slipped into his mouth, fire shot through his veins. She tasted like peppermint, as sweet as the cakes she baked, and he couldn’t get enough of her.

He slid his hand into her hair and moved the other to her back, holding her even closer. His entire body hummed, electricity igniting nerves he never knew existed, as if fate were smiling down on him as he held her. She was meant to be his.

Gliding her hand behind his neck, she tugged him toward her as she lay in the grass. He sidled next to her, afraid if he climbed on top of her they might not be able hold back. He wanted her. Needed her…to fill her, to feel her body wrapped around his, to become one with her.

She settled on her side, the length of her body pressed into his, and he closed his eyes to memorize the way she felt. Soft, supple, as if she were made to fit into arms. Tracing the contour of his lips with her tongue, she caught his bottom lip between her teeth.

He couldn’t stop the moan vibrating from his throat. His fate-bound mate lay in his arms, and he wanted to taste every inch of her. He trailed his lips along her jawline and nipped at her delicate earlobe. Her breath hitched, and she tilted her head, giving him access to the sweet curve of her neck. He kissed his way down her throat, pausing to feel her pulse race beneath his lips, the intoxicating scent of her skin making his head spin.

He needed this woman, but not here. Not now. He pulled away to look at her, and she met his gaze with so much passion in her stormy eyes he almost gave in to desire. Instead, he took her hand and sat up, tugging her into his side. “A kiss like that is worth twenty snake bites.”

She bit her lip and rested her hand on his chest. “Are you sure you don’t have any witch in you?”

The warmth of her touch through his shirt made him shiver, and he longed to feel her bare skin against his. “Positive.”

A genuine smile lit up her face as she leaned closer and whispered into his ear, “I think I’d like to have a little werewolf in me.” She nipped his earlobe, and a flush of fiery heat spread through his chest.

“There’s nothing little about this werewolf, cher.”

She ran her hand down his stomach, moving it over to his hip before she reached the good part. “I’d like to see for myself.”

A shudder ran through his entire body. If he got any harder, he’d pass out from the lack of blood flow to his brain. “You’re killing me, woman. Let me at least take you out to dinner first.”

She sat up straight and studied him, her brow furrowing as if she wasn’t sure. Her tongue slipped out to moisten her lips, and he couldn’t help himself. He had to taste her again.

Cupping his hand behind her neck, he held her close and kissed her. She opened for him willingly, returning the kiss with as much passion as he felt. Closing his eyes, he drank her in, enjoying the sweetness of her tongue, the softness of her lips against his. He could’ve kissed her all night long, but she pressed her palms to his chest and pushed him away, laughing.

“Okay, you convinced me. I’ll have dinner with you, but not tonight. It’s late, and I have to get up early to deliver muffins to a daycare for a teacher appreciation breakfast.”

“I love muffins. What flavor?”

“Banana nut and chocolate chip.” She rose to her feet and dusted the grass from her pants.

“My favorite.” Chase stood.

“Which one?”

“Both.” He grinned at the beautiful woman before him. Anything she made would be his favorite. As he reached for her hand, a shadow passed in the corner of his vision. He jerked his head to follow the image, but it vanished into the trees. “Did you see that?”

Rain followed his gaze. “See what?”

“A shadow. It went that way.” He pointed to the tree line, and the entity dashed behind a trunk. “Stay here.” He took a few steps forward, keeping Rain within arms’ reach. He wasn’t about to leave her alone in the dark with no magic to protect herself, but he couldn’t leave without investigating the shadow.

It could’ve been his mind playing tricks, but the sinking feeling in his stomach told him this was the same entity he’d seen in the swamp before he’d been bitten.

Rain stepped next to him and clutched his bicep. “What do you think it is?”

“It might be a demon.”

She tightened her grip. “A demon?”

“I thought we got rid of the bastards a few months ago, but someone new might be summoning them.” He peered into the trees, but in the darkness, and in his human form, he couldn’t make out much. Though his vision was sharper than a human’s, in his wolf form he could see fifty times better. If the fiend was alone, Chase could take him and keep Rain safe at the same time. More than one, though, and they’d have problems.

“What should we do?” She loosened her grip and stayed by his side, brave in the face of evil.

He glanced at her before a rustling sound drew his attention back to the trees. “Have you ever seen a werewolf shift?”

She blinked, a touch of uncertainty flashing in her eyes as she stepped away from him. “No.”

“I promise I won’t hurt you.”

Her doubtful expression faded, and she lifted her chin. “I know you won’t.” She took a few more steps back, clasping her hands at her chest and watching him with wide, curious eyes.

His body tingled as he called on his wolf, electricity humming through his veins as the magic morphed his form. Dark chocolate fur rolled over his skin as he shifted, and his front paws landed on the ground with a thud.

Rain gasped as the transformation completed, but she didn’t back away. Werewolves were massive—at least twice the size of a normal wolf—and his knife-like teeth could easily rip a person to shreds. She had every right to be terrified, but she wasn’t. She moved toward him slowly and reached out a hand to stroke his fur. “Should I stay here?”

He jerked his head toward the trees to indicate she should follow him. For now, they were observers. He’d form his plan of attack—if he attacked—once he knew what they were dealing with.

They crept forward, Rain glued to his side, her hand resting on his back. He’d have time to consider how much he respected her bravery later. Right now, he had a demon to vanquish.

As he reached the first tree, the shadow darted from its hiding place and took off in the opposite direction. Torn between his duty to rid the city of demons and his instinct to protect the woman who would be his mate, he chose instinct and stayed by Rain’s side. He swept his enhanced vision through the thicket, listening intently for any rustling or out-of-place sounds. Nothing.

He stood utterly motionless, breathing deeply for the scent of death, looking for movement. Still nothing. The fiend had been alone, and now it was gone.

He blew out a hard breath and swung his head around to see Rain. If she was scared, it didn’t show on her face. Her eyes were tight, but with determination rather than worry. And he couldn’t help but pause to admire her bravery. She’d planned to battle the demon by his side. He nudged her with his head and stepped away from the trees.

“I guess it’s gone?”

He nodded. It was possible the demon had planned to attack but changed its mind when it discovered Chase was its natural-born enemy. He’d have to alert the pack, so they’d know to be on the lookout for a shadow.

Rain let out a breath as they walked up the riverbank and away from the trees, her posture relaxing, a sly smile curving her lips. “Are you going to be naked when you shift back to human?”

Thankfully not, or she’d see the raging hard-on she’d given him that was sure to return when he shifted. Then again, with the way she’d kissed him earlier, she might enjoy it. A chill ran through his body at the thought of her enjoying his dick, but that was a thought for another time. He called on his magic and transformed into his human self. Yep, the hard-on came back, tucked away inside his jeans.

Her shoulders slumped. “Damn. How come in the movies werewolves are always naked when they turn back into humans?”

“Because the people making the movies have probably never met a real werewolf. I’m sorry to disappoint.”

Her smile widened. “I don’t think you could ever disappoint me.”

He took her hand and led her to his bike. “Our clothes get absorbed by the magic when we shift. When we change back, everything is in its proper place.”

“Fascinating.”

He pulled on his helmet. “I need to report this to the alpha. Let’s get you home, so you’ll be safe.”

Rain climbed onto the bike and wrapped her arms around Chase. Thank the goddess she had a helmet on, or she wouldn’t have been able to stop herself from exploring the back of his neck with her tongue. The man was delectable.

And he’d been so confident when he saw the demon. Like he knew he could vanquish it and keep her safe at the same time. Brave, but not cocky about his abilities. A swarm of butterflies took flight in her stomach, and she closed her eyes, letting the rumble of the engine and the smell of his skin seep into her senses, relaxing her. She’d never been in the presence of a demon before, but she hadn’t feared for her safety at all. She never would with Chase in her life.

As he stopped in front of the bakery, she tightened her arms around him. She’d been punishing herself long enough. Maybe fate had sent her a werewolf to show her life could still be fulfilling. Maybe the act of selflessness that would break her curse would be not asking him for the final ingredient—falling for a man who could end her punishment but caring so much about him that she never asked. But was it worth the risk after what happened before?

She’d been a strong, capable witch at one time before she’d let her emotions overwhelm her, and she’d done the unthinkable to the man she’d thought she loved. Her obsession with Isaac had driven her to use forbidden magic, and she’d been paying dearly for it ever since. What would happen if she allowed herself to fall for Chase? If Isaac didn’t have her under a spell years ago, and those insane emotions had been her own, would she turn into a raving maniac this time too?

No, it couldn't happen. She cared deeply for Chase, but the feeling was completely different than before. She loved being near him, but when he wasn't around, she was fine. Sure, she missed him, but she didn't pine away, her thoughts becoming an obsessive whirlwind of anxiety like they had with Isaac.

She'd been young and dumb then. Even if she hadn’t been under a spell, the last seven years had changed her, mellowed her. She was capable of having a mature, loving relationship now, wasn't she? There was one way to find out.

They climbed off the bike, and he guided her to the door with his hand firmly planted on her back. She doubted the demon had followed them home, but with Chase’s stiff posture, he was obviously on high alert. He had a protective nature, and being near him gave her a sense of security she never realized she’d been lacking. She unlocked the door, and he ushered her inside.

“I’m sure the demon was targeting me, but I don’t like the idea of you being here alone.”

Was this his way of offering to stay the night with her? The thought of having his warm, hard body next to her in bed all night made her shiver. “What are you suggesting?”

He rubbed his beard and glanced at his bike on the curb outside. “Can your sister stay with you?”

Damn. “That’s not the answer I was hoping for.” She bit her lip. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You didn’t have to. I could see the disappointment in your eyes.” He leaned in as if to kiss her, but he pressed his lips to her ear and whispered, “I would love to spend the night with you.”

The warmth of his breath on her skin sent shivers running down to her toes. He caught her earlobe between his teeth before moving back to look at her. “But I texted Luke, and he’ll have my ass if I don’t get out there and stop the damn demon. Can you call your sister?”

“If I asked her, she’d be doing me a kindness. My curse may not affect you, but she would pay dearly for it.”

He huffed. “What if I call her? Then she’ll be doing me a kindness.”

She rose onto her toes to kiss him. Her dream of feeling his soft, warm lips all over her body would have to wait, but that was okay. Letting their emotions simmer for a while would sweeten the reward. “There’s no need. Snow cast a spell of protection on the bakery. There are totems placed around the perimeter, and as long as the doors are locked, nothing can get in.”

He arched an eyebrow, giving her a wary look.

“I’ll prove it to you. Go outside, and I’ll lock the door. I’ll bet you anything you can’t get in.”

He pinned her with a heated gaze that seemed to suck the breath from her lungs. “Anything?”

She swallowed. “Yep.”

Running his fingers through her hair, he grazed her neck with his lips. “If I get in, you’ll give me anything I want? Whenever I want it?”

“I will.” Her knees weakened. Goddess, please let it be the same thing I want.

“And if I can’t get in? Not that I won’t be able to, but we need to make it fair.” The corner of his mouth curved into a cocky grin.

She reached a hand to his face and ran her fingers down the soft hair in his beard. “Then you have to give me whatever I want.”

“Sounds like a win-win to me.”

She ran her thumb across his lips, and tingling magic seeped into her skin, sending a jolt through her heart. “You’re assuming we both want the same thing.”

He pulled her close, taking her mouth with his. The evidence of his desire rubbed against her stomach, and she fought the urge to slide her hand between their bodies to feel it. He had to be the sexiest man alive—his body, his scent, his soul—everything about him ignited a fire inside her like an oven on full blast. There was enough heat between them to fuel her entire bakery.

As the kiss slowed, he released his hold and stepped back. “I think we do.” He winked and strutted out the door.

She turned the lock and watched as Chase rummaged through the compartment on the side of his motorcycle. Small black bag in hand, he returned to the door, his smile prematurely triumphant.

He held up the kit. “I know how to unlock a door.”

How many times had he broken into a building to hide supernatural evidence? He seemed confident he could break in here, so he must have had a lot of practice. He jimmied his tools into the lock, his brow puckering in concentration.

Rain laughed as his smile slipped into a frown. With a huff, he shoved his tools into his back pocket and crossed his arms. He jiggled the doorknob, but it didn’t budge.

“Try to break a window,” she called through the glass, not even attempting to hide her smile.

He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t want to damage your business.”

“What’s wrong? Scared the big bad wolf won’t be able to blow the house down? I’ve got insurance.”

“Oh, now you’re asking for it. Stand back.” He grabbed a helmet and hurled it into the small, vertical window next to the door, but the glass didn’t shatter. Instead, the helmet bounced off the magic force field Snow had created and slammed into Chase’s stomach.

He groaned and stumbled to his bike to drop the helmet. “All right. You win.”

Rain pressed her lips together and opened the door. “Satisfied of my safety now?”

“I suppose.” He rubbed his abdomen as he entered the bakery, absently lifting his shirt to reveal a few ridges of muscle along his stomach. A bird tattoo occupied three inches of space above his left hip, and she was overcome with the urge to explore it with her tongue. To lick every inch of him.

She sucked in a deep, shuddering breath. “Since you have to go, I’ll collect my prize later, when you have more time.” She’d need at least a few hours to explore his body properly.

He grinned. “I’m looking forward to it. I work at the bar every night until Tuesday. Want to have that dinner date then?”

Running her hands up his chest, she rested them on his shoulders. “I’m not sure if I can wait that long to collect.”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to, cher, if the prize you’re looking for is what I hope it is. I’ll see you Tuesday.” He gave her one last kiss on the lips and slipped out the door.

Rain stood at the window as Chase got on his bike and rode away. As soon as he was out of sight, she plopped into a chair and sighed. She was falling hard and fast for the sexy werewolf, and there wasn’t a thing she could do to stop it.