~ SEVEN ~

TOBIAS DESERVED A GOOD kick in the ass. By projecting himself as a weaker being, a more vulnerable human, he had given her a good reason to doubt his ability to protect her. He wanted to assure her that she was safe with him, but he couldn’t truly allow her to see and feel him for what he was unless she willingly merged with him.

Are you done playing doctor with your little human mate? Otaktay asked.

She’s healed. She had her appendix removed yesterday.

Now we know why you were hobbling around and holding your right side. You have one headed your way.

I know.

Be careful. They’re all armed with guns. When the fuck did lycans start carrying guns?

I’ve heard it has been happening frequently with rogue packs.

I’ve taken out a few without alerting the others. I’m going after two circling a little further out. You have at least three moving towards you. Other than Wes and Amber I haven’t run across any sign of a demon yet.

Wes and Amber are out here?

I am assuming Wes is around. Your sister is out here giving the wolves hell.

Damn it. Wes should be keeping a closer eye on her.

Don’t worry. Don’t get your undies in a twist. From what I’ve witnessed, she knows how to take care of herself.

“You’re talking to someone,” Jessie said.

“A friend. His name is Otaktay. He’s hunting the wolves.”

He helped her sit up and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “You are safe with me. I am hiding my identity because they would run rather than have face to face encounters with me.”

She turned to face him. “You’re serious.”

“I am.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “This is awesome.”

“I will protect you.” The warmth of her sweet breath wisped across his face. Her mouth was as close as it could get to his without actually touching his. “I promise.”

He reached for Otaktay. Can you get here before he graces us with his presence?

I told you that you wouldn’t want to kill the dirty bastard in front of her. You’re stuck with him. I’m too far away. And I’ve my hands full.

She grabbed the front of his shirt. “Something just moved in the trees behind you.”

He winked. “I know. It’s watching us. Just remember I’m in control.”

“I do believe I’ve seen this movie before.”

“Really?”

“It doesn’t end well.”

“What do you mean?”

“Two unsuspecting lovers, one with a ginormous overly inflated ego, slaughtered in a cemetery.”

“Lovers?”

“You know what I mean.”

Desire smoldered in him, consuming him. Fully. Completely. He’d never known such an urgent, desperate need to feel a woman’s touch, to feel a woman’s skin against his. He was so stunned that he couldn’t move, couldn’t do anything except stare at her. Finally, after several seconds of silence, he found his voice, “I’m not so proud I wouldn’t allow you to enlighten me.”

She smiled, and moved her hand from his belly to his chest, keeping her gaze on his. “Allow?”

Holy fuck! She was one hell of a vicious sparring partner. He loved it! “I’m not above getting down on my knees and begging.”

“Get down and beg me for your life.” The son of a bitch wolf ruined a perfect moment.

Tobias turned to face the damn thing. “You’re not my type.”

“That’s fine. I’ll settle for your bitch. You can turn and walk away or die trying to be a hero.”

“She’s not going anywhere with you. And, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I’ve no intention of keeling over any time soon.”

“Move away from her.”

“I’ve been accused of being too quick to strike and, standing here with you, breathing the same air as you right now, I’m finding it difficult to prove otherwise. After weighing my options, I’ve decided to let you go for now.”

“You’re going to let me go?”

“I’d rather not force her to witness your destruction.”

“Move your fucking ass away from the bitch.” Eyes filled with lethal, venomous rage, the rogue took a step closer.

“Watch your mouth.”

“Fuckoff, asshole.” The idiot raised his gun and fired off several rounds.

Tobias had expected a heated reaction. Since Otaktay had told him the wolves were armed, he’d already placed an indestructible wall of protection around Jessie. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure she hadn’t been hit. “It’s okay.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

He returned his focus to the wolf. It wasn’t the first time he’d been shot at. It wouldn’t be the last. Maintaining his cool was simple. “I told you to watch your mouth.”

“How the fuck did you do that?”

“First, unless you want me to do it, you need to control your language. Second, I’ve never been fond of being shot at but if you leave now, I’ll overlook the fact that you used me for target practice.”

“I don’t know who the fu…”

“Watch it,” Tobias interrupted.

“You’re going to regret screwing around with me.”

“Not any more than I am just listening to you right now.” He was really starting to rethink his plan to let the moron go and kill him later. Doing so would force him to deal with him in the future.” He sighed. Dealing with him later was better than forcing Jessie to witness him kill it. Besides, he didn’t want to do anything to alert the demon who’d left her in the cemetery of his presence. He wanted to make sure the demon returned. In the very least, he needed to identify the demon to ensure her safety. “Look, it’s obvious you’re itching to explain why I should be piss…wetting my pants and, since I’m feeling generous, go ahead and get it out.”

He was aware of her every move. He knew the instant she positioned herself at his side. A second later a gun shot rang in his ear and a hole blossomed in the center of the lycan’s forehead.

Laughing, he turned to face her. “That escalated much faster than I’d expected.”

Hot flames danced in her eyes, as she held his gaze. “What were you planning to do if he slipped up and said another naughty word? Wash his fucking mouth out with soap?”

“I’m more than just a little nervous now that you’ve figured the safety out.” She had the gun aimed at him. She was the most beautiful, sexiest woman he’d ever encountered. “And disappointed. To be honest, I was looking forward to teaching you.”

***

A smile tugged at her mouth. “I am a woman not a child.”

Arching his brow at her, he nodded. He looked so damn sexy. She felt his wickedly hot gaze touching her, slowly moving over her skin like an erotic caress. “I definitely noticed.”

“If that’s true why were you trying to monitor that idiot’s language. He was shooting at you. At us. He could’ve killed us. Why would you waste time trying to get him to clean his language up?”

“It’s an old habit.” Frowning, he lifted his hat and pushed his hair back. “My father never let anyone get away with dishonoring my mother with foul language or unsavory behavior.”

Jessie lowered her gun. “You’re making it damned impossible to shoot you.” She wasn’t sure what to make of Tobias. The one thing she knew without a doubt was that he was the sexiest, most masculine cowboy she’d ever laid eyes on. And she’d come across some sexy cowboys over the years. None compared. Not even a little.

His dirty blonde hair reached his shoulders. And his face could use a shave, but it would be a shame. The shadow of stubble was perfect. As far as his body. It was amazing. Big, perfectly placed muscles bulging everywhere.

“Your thoughts are quite loud again.”

“Luckily, since you aren’t human, I will never do anything beyond occasionally notice that you’re hot.”

“I get the feeling you’re challenging me to come up with ways to cause you to forget that I’m not human.”

“Not at all.” She decided to change the subject. “He shot directly at you.”

“He did.”

“It wasn’t due to bad aim. How are you still alive? How did he not hit either of us?”

“I placed a barrier of protection around you.”

“Oh, shit.”

“What’s wrong?”

She pointed. “Apparently, I’m a bad shot.”

“Not if you were aiming for right between his eyes,” he laughed.

“I’m not kidding. He’s moving.”

“I know. He’s not human. A bullet can’t kill him.”

“I hate my life.”

The werewolf’s body started to convulse and contort. She was horrified and sickened by the sound of his bones snapping and cracking.

“Why?” Tobias asked.

She looked up at him. She felt a serious change in him. His mood had instantly grown very dark. An icy breeze drifted over her causing her to shiver. “Why what?”

“Do you hate your life?”

“Huh?” She pointed at the wolf. “Now is not the time to worry about why life is a bitch.”

Proving her point, the wolf snarled and lunged toward them.

Tobias moved lightning fast. He caught it by the throat and held it up. It snarled, lifting its lips mere centimeters from his face.

Then, Tobias growled. It was the deepest, most threatening growl she’d ever heard. Obviously, the wolf agreed. It went completely silent and still. She saw terror in its eyes. A second later, Tobias threw it. “Stay.”

The damn thing had a short attention span. His eyes yellow and glowing, he started to get up again.

“It’s too damn late for you to run away.” From the corner of her eye, she saw Tobias lift his arm. “I told you to stay.” The wolf was struck in the chest by a bolt of lightning. His body convulsed for few seconds and then went completely still.

“You expect him to obey?”

“Don’t worry about him. He doesn’t have a choice.” He took her hand. “I want you…I need you to tell me why you hate your life.” He was so much more than powerful. He was invincible. He gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Tell me why?”

She held her breath and stared up at him. He cared. He truly cared about her. But why? He didn’t even know her.