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  Dane’s mouth drew up in a sad smile. “I’m afraid I win the award, though. You know, not too long ago I told Bennett that I thought we lived so long because it takes us longer to get our heads out of our asses.” He offered her a sheepish smile, his eyes shining with emotion. “I proved that theory right.”

  “We both did, Dane.” Irina ruefully shook her head, and sighed. “All those years…wasted.”

  “I understand why you didn’t tell me about your writing, or the extent of your success. You’re absolutely correct about what I would’ve done.”

  “I know and that’s okay.” Irina’s shoulders slumped. “Turns out, it’s done exactly what the council would’ve feared it would do. Brought danger to our door.”

  Dane closed the distance between them, rubbing her upper arms, his warm hands feeling so good on her bare skin. “We’ll get him, Irina. And save your career while we do it.”

  She looked up into his eyes, the green hue deepened, a sign he was aroused. Her breath quickened as she became aware of how much desire had built within her.

  “You were amazing tonight, mate. I haven’t seen you fight in forever.” He sounded wistful, like he missed witnessing her in battle.

  “Well, I’ll have to remedy that then.” She purred, embarrassing herself at the provocative sound that came out.

  “We have unfinished business from the other night.” Dane’s own voice deepened a few octaves, making Irina shiver.

  “We do,” she agreed breathlessly.

  Dane picked her up, swinging her into his arms and strode toward their cabin. “I’ve got to tell you, I may come just taking my pants off, it’s been so long.”

  Irina’s heart skipped a beat. “You mean you haven’t…?” She stopped, afraid to finish the rest.

  Dane wore a quizzical frown. “Haven’t what? Stepped out on you? Just for physical satisfaction?” He shook his head in disbelief. “I’ve royally fucked up if you think I could turn to someone other than you.”

  “I did wonder, I’m sorry. You’re still a virile shifter male after all.” Now she felt awful for doubting her mate.

  “Why do you think I swim so much? I didn’t plan what you saw me do on those rocks just to tease you. It’s a daily occurrence. Sometimes three times a day. Memories of how hot we used to be have kept me going.”

  He’d known she was there that day watching him, the naughty male.

  Once they got into the cabin, she twined her arms around his neck and murmured against his mouth. “I guess we’ll have to make new memories.”

  Grabbing her butt and pulling her close, his erection pressed against her belly. She reveled in the luxury of his mouth on hers. It had been just as long for her and she might just join him in climax before clothing removal.

  His taste…her tongue danced with his and it was so much better than memories. He was heat, and desire, and she couldn’t get enough.

  Dane growled, the sound reverberating through his body. His hands bunched her sundress up, lifting to remove it. They broke their kiss as the dress went over her head and he drank in the sight of her.

  Self-consciousness rose, she wanted to cover her abdomen from his perusal.

  “Don’t even think about it.” He nearly snarled. “You’re gorgeous and those scars are only a sign of how strong you are. A memorial to our family.” When sorrow threatened to invade her desire, her mate put a stop to it. “And I’m going to lick every last one.”

  Yeeessss. Dane dropped his knees, laying gentle kisses along her stomach until he reached one scar, then true to his word, he sensually licked every last raised silver slash on her belly. Unsure what he would do when he was done, Irina was insanely pleased when he continued to lick his way down, separating her folds until he found her center.

  Gasping at the first firm swipe of his tongue, she knew it wouldn’t take long for her to reach her finish. Dane knew it too and lapped at her ruthlessly until she clutched his shoulders, one leg slung around his back, gasping and crying his name while she shuddered her release.

  He stood, readying to strip himself down when she stopped him. “My turn.”

  His jaw worked as if wanted to argue, impatient to have his way with her, but she’d waited just as long as he had for them to rekindle their romance.

  Lifting his shirt off, she ran her hands down his solid chest and chiseled abs. She’d always loved her male’s body. So strong, so capable, and the pleasure he could give…

  Stretching the waistband of his pants past his erection, she slid them down his legs, dropping to her knees.

  “Sweet Mother, Irina,” Dane exhaled, “you don’t know how long I’ve fantasized about this.”

  “As long as I have, my love.” Irina swirled her tongue around the tip of Dane’s shaft; it jerked under her fingers. She licked down the entire length and back up again before enclosing her mouth around his width.

  Groaning, he gave a short thrust into her mouth, tunneling his fingers through her hair. “I’m not going to last much longer,” he warned her.

  I’m ready for you. Irina opened her mind up to the pleasure still thrumming through her body.

  Dane went rigid, his release made its way up his shaft, emptying into her mouth as Dane hissed her name in ecstasy.

  Swallowing every last drop of her mate, she peered up at him through her lashes and licked her lips.

  “Fuck, Irina. We need to do this more often.” Helping her up, he picked her up again to head to one of the bedrooms. He chose hers based on proximity and dropped her on the bed, landing on top of her.

  She wrapped her legs around him, hugging him closely. They crashed their mouths together as he placed himself at her entrance; she rose to meet him as he thrust forward. The fullness shocked her and Dane stilled, allowing her to adjust to his girth.

  “How about at least two or three times a day?” she asked coyly.

  He smiled down at her and she rocked her hips. They settled into an easy rhythm, enjoying each other, letting the impending explosion build naturally as they savored being reunited.

  Soon she began to move faster, so he thrust harder and buried his head in her shoulder.

  Oh yes, please. Willing him to bite her, she drew her knees up higher, granting him deeper penetration. It was like he read her mind. Just as she was about to peak, he opened his jaw and clamped down.

  Shouting his name, touching his bliss through their connection, she echoed his cry as he combusted within her.

  When they drifted back down to reality, he was still half hard inside of her. When she undulated her hips, he cocked an eyebrow at her.

  She nipped at his lips. “It’s my turn to bite you.”

  Chapter Six

  “Don’t be nervous.”

  “I’m not nervous.” Irina adjusted her clothing and faced her mate. “It’s just that these are the first pair of pants I’ve ever worn.”

  “Want me to help you out of them?” Dane’s husky tone implied he wasn’t teasing.

  She swatted his arm away from her pants’ clasp before she couldn’t resist him. “We’ll be late.”

  Dane sobered. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

  “Yes, we’ve been over this. Do you doubt me?” Irina meant to tease him, but her own doubts were creeping in.

  “Of course not. You’re ferocious, but this is something new, facing your stalker, trying to play him. I want to make sure you’re comfortable with every contingency plan we talked about.”

  Irina went to the mirror and twisted her fair hair up into a bun, sticking two painted mini chopsticks in to hold it in place. Taking in her appearance, she pondered how she had never looked so modern.

  They called in their resident personal shopper, Kaitlyn, who was more than willing to help update Irina’s wardrobe. There Irina stood, in a one-shouldered turquoise top and cropped jeans, with strappy sandals. She would look, for all the world, like a woman out enjoying the beautiful late summer weather by grabbing a cup of coffee and people watching.

 
; “We can’t plan everything. I’m ready, Dane. This male will not be allowed to tamper with my life.”

  Walking hand in hand down to the garage, Dane picked a car and they got in.

  “You know, I’m going to need to learn how to drive someday.” Irina had never before had a reason to get behind the wheel.

  “We’ll start today.”

  Dane explained everything he was doing as they headed to town. She listened with rapt interest, grateful for the distraction so worry wouldn’t churn in her gut the entire drive.

  Parking blocks from where they needed to be, Dane gave her a small kiss. He couldn’t go with her or he’d be sensed if her cyber-stalker was indeed a vampire.

  “The sun will be down in an hour. Keep your mind open.” Her longtime connection to Dane gave them the ability to not just speak to each other, but pass images like they did when she and Dani were attacked. It was as intimate as intercourse.

  Strolling through West Creek’s city center, Irina gave herself a few moments of enjoyment. How times had changed. Shifters could wander among humans, blend in and enjoy the same creature comforts as the dominant beings on the planet. Someday, Irina predicted, they wouldn’t have to hide, and they could mingle together as equals.

  But that day was not today, and the male who threatened her anonymity needed to be stopped.

  Irina sipped her tea at a small table on the patio of a quaint café. The pleasant ambiance encouraged relaxation and a sense of camaraderie with her fellow patrons. Chatter from the diner’s faded in her ears as she studied the humans ambling by. Every so often a shifter would drift down the sidewalk. Their eyes would meet, each would deliver a slight nod, and then go about their business. Fascinating.

  “Belle,” a masculine voice said from behind her.

  Startled and ashamed she let herself get caught off guard, she made sure not to turn too quickly and give away that information to her pursuer. Belle was her current pen name. She always used some part of her or her mate’s name in her pen names. She knew she shouldn’t, but couldn’t help it: Nina Lamey, Dana Wolf, Belle Ami.

  “I’m at a disadvantage,” she said, peering up at the vampire male she assumed was Lycabyter29. “Your name is?”

  The male with shiny black hair and deep merlot-colored eyes, regarded her intently. “I’m surprised you don’t remember me. But I guess I was a child at the time.”

  Turning more fully in her seat, inspecting him closer, there was nothing about him she could recall. It wasn’t like she had met many vampires in her lifetime. Well, not many who lived after her encounter with them.

  “I’m sorry. We’ve met?”

  The male slid out a chair next to her and sat uncomfortably close. “As I said, I was a child. It was your early books, the descriptions of the Wild West that first caught my attention. So accurate, so vivid. Like you’d lived them.” He pinned her with his avid gaze.

  Resisting the urge to squirm in the chair, she made sure to keep her mind open so Dane could follow everything that was going on. “Oh?”

  “My name is Silas. Ring any bells, Belle?” His lips turned up at the little play on words he must’ve thought was charming.

  Silas, Silas. Running the name over and over in her mind, she struggled to recall hearing that name around vampires. “Why don’t you tell me your story?” she implored, not wanting to anger him by her lack of memory when he seemed to think he should hold a special place in her heart.

  Answering her with a quick grin, he leaned forward as if he wanted to reach for her hand. So she kept both hands firmly wrapped around her tea cup.

  “My family was attacked by feral Guardians.” He spat out the last word. “Your mate,” his hands clenched in a fist, the knuckles turning white, “and his fellow bandits went after my parents and my older brother. Ran them down like the senseless butchers they are.”

  Holy shit. Dane’s voice echoed through her mind.

  Holy shit was right. Memories of that night came crashing back and with increasing dread, she feared she knew exactly who Silas really was.

  “But you,” he focused on her again, the fervor in his eyes scaring her, “you saved me.”

  She had. Dammit she had. And if he was as psychotic as his father, how many innocent lives were taken because of her moment of weakness?

  No, she wouldn’t regret her decision. She had urged Dane to spare the boy and his mother, both had been at the mercy of the father and brother who had raped and pillaged small clans in order to keep their family strong with shifter blood. When Irina had sensed a youngster being hidden in his mother’s skirts as she cowered in the corner, she begged Dane off from meting out the same justice to them.

  Now she remembered the name. The mother had been trying to keep the small vampire calm. Shh, Silas. Mommy’s here, shh.

  “And here you are.” No emotion tainted Irina’s tone. “How’s your mother?”

  Silas’ face turned to stone, a hint of darkness invaded his gaze. “Dead.” His tone was flat, final.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” He was probably the one who killed her. Irina suspected the poor female became just as much of a victim of Silas as she was of his father and brother.

  Silas rolled one muscled shoulder in a shrug. “Alas, we cannot live forever. Only the strong survive.”

  Time to get to the point. “How did you know who I was, and why meet?”

  His merlot eyes warmed as he took her in. “I searched for you for so long.”

  Again she got the feeling he wanted to clasp her hand. She made sure she held onto something as far away from him as possible.

  “That night you saved us, I felt our connection,” he continued. “I was too young to realize what it meant, but when I found the books Mother liked to read and realized it was you, I knew it was destiny. You are my true mate.”

  Her only facial quirk was a slight raise of her eyebrows in response to his claim. Are you getting this bullshit? Irina asked Dane.

  Delusional.

  That’s not all. Insane, Silas was insane.

  “How did you know I was the author?” Irina had a sinking feeling. She didn’t remember everything she wrote, but bits of her life always snuck into the story. Never details, but the descriptions in her historicals were spot on. Many scenes formed from her own experiences.

  “Your description of life back then was so detailed, so accurate. I suspected you were one of us when I read that alone. Do you remember Tame the West?” When she nodded, he grinned, immensely satisfied. “The scene you wrote about me. Remember that?”

  She vaguely recalled the book. It was many years and many books ago, she couldn’t remember the specific scene.

  “You saved the little boy and his mother from the corrupt sheriff.”

  Awareness dawned on her. Yes, now she remembered that scene and it was hardly original. Outlaw with a heart of gold rides into town looking for a fresh start; corrupt sheriff is after the girl; girl likes outlaw; outlaw saves girl from corrupt sheriff. The same tropes were portrayed in countless movies and books. “You thought that scene was about you?”

  Silas was taken aback. “Of course. It was written by someone who lived in that time period and described exactly what happened to me.”

  This was going to end ugly, there was no way around it. “Silas, I’m afraid you’re mistaken. It was just a book, nothing more. I have a mate.”

  His face clouded over. “Your mate is the corrupt sheriff. We both know it.”

  “My mate was well within the confines of our species’ law. Mine and yours. Your father and brother were murderers and rapists who had to be stopped.”

  “They were heroes!” Silas shouted, banging his fist on the table, drawing unwanted attention.

  Irina peered down into her tea cup, trying to remain as unidentifiable as possible. Maybe the other patrons in the coffee shop would think they were a couple having an argument. She was centuries older than he was but only looked about five years older, if that.

  Draw him
away from there, down the street toward the businesses that are closed already.

  “Perhaps, we should talk elsewhere.”

  He studied her for a moment, his jaw muscles flexing. “Yes, lets.”

  Rising with vampire grace, he held out his hand to help her up. She ignored it, not intending to encourage the male’s delusions. True mate, my ass, she mentally huffed. He didn’t know the meaning of the term.

  Exiting the patio of the coffee shop, she turned to head down the now abandoned block hoping to find an alley to duck into so they would have zero witnesses. Silas walked next to her, and she kept her mind open so Dane would know where they were heading.

  They were reaching a spot fit for the upcoming confrontation, one that would most likely end with Silas being dusted, when he suddenly grabbed her upper arm. He was just as fast as her but stronger, and before she could call for Dane, Silas flashed her away.

  Chapter Seven

  “Where is she?” raged Dane.

  Mercury, tell Dani we need details on a Silas Montague. He’s using his real first name, maybe different last. We need an address ASAP.

  Got it, boss.

  Dane paced the street where he’d been waiting to get the jump on that crazy bastard. The Montague vampires had been terrors to shifter clans, whispered about in fearful tones like the boogey-man. They’d had no pattern, no mercy, and left almost no survivors. They’d attack a house and decimate the entire family. Even the vampires’ own council had a kill order out on them when Dane’s pack found their trail and put a stop to their rampage.

  Back then, Irina hardly ever went out on missions with the Guardians, but that night, she’d been with them because they had been in between station posts. The Guardians didn’t find them in time to save the family the Montagues attacked, but they’d still been able to kill the pillaging vampires. Then Irina heard the mother hiding with the boy, and Silas’ memory was incorrect beyond that point. None of the Guardians planned to kill a mother with her young, but they would’ve taken her to the Lycan Council and well, that was the same thing.