Page 44 of Stray Cat

Xav’s brows rose a fraction. “I tried to before, remember? It didn’t exactly work.”

“You didn’t try very hard.”

“I admit that. Neither did you.” Xav’s faint smile shot heat through her, as she recalled him over her in the dark, whisperingDamn, Linds. You’re beautiful.

“We can’t keep on like this,” Lindsay said, her chest constricting.

“I agree. Do you want to break up?”

“No.” The word emerged with vehemence. Lindsay tried to compose herself. “But it might be for the best.”

Xav’s mouth tightened. “Why? I thought so before, but I’ve changed my mind, if you couldn’t tell. You seemed fine when you left my house this morning. Why do you want to call it quits all of a sudden?”

“So Graham will cease giving me hell,” Lindsay blurted before she could stop herself.

Xav’s controlled expression became a scowl. “Graham? What the hell has he got to do with it?”

“Too many Lupines need mates.” Lindsay tried to sound reasonable, but her voice shook. “Graham can barely keep them under control.”

Xav regarded her in amazement. “Meaning if we break up, you’re free to go to one of them? Is that what you want?”

Lindsay’s eyes widened. “What? Hell, no. I’m not hooking up with a smelly wolf so Graham can keep the peace.” She drew another breath to calm her agitation. “But Shiftertown is like a dormant volcano. Looks fine on the surface, but there’s all this magma waiting to burst out. I’m giving the magma excuse to erupt, and I need to stop it.” She waved her hands in frustration. “I’m not explaining well. You’d understand if you were Shifter.”

Xav nodded, as though he understood well enough. He was also growing angry, his placid surface rippling like the aforementioned volcano.

“What you’re saying is, you want to break up with me to keep things calm in Shiftertown.”

“Yes.” Lindsay swallowed, her throat aching.

“Who knew I was that big of a threat?” Xav asked in feigned astonishment. “Xav Escobar brings down Shiftertown because he likes going out with Lindsay Cummings. So muchpower.”

Lindsay balled her hands. “This isn’t a joke. Graham saidIneeded to make the choice, but he’s wrong. We both do.” She took a step back. “I’m really bad at this, Xav. Help me out here.”

Xav sent her a quizzical glance. “You’ve never broken up with anyone before?”

“I never had the chance. I keep it casual.” She hugged herself as the wind sharpened. “Best that way.”

“Is it?” Xav closed the small distance between them. “Casual seems to be dissolving the glue that holds Shiftertown together.”

“Casual means not making tough decisions,” Lindsay said. “It means having fun, not heartache.”

Xav moved even closer, his warmth masking the chill. “What did you say was our choice? Break up, or … what? Keeping it casual is obviously out.”

Lindsay swayed toward him, unable to resist the pull to his heat. “We either mate for life, or stop seeing each other. I know which one you’d prefer.”

“Do you?”

Xav’s voice went hard. He caught her hands that hung by her sides and wound them behind her, trapping her against him.

Lindsay knew she could easily twist away, but she didn’t want to. She wanted nothing more than to stand still while Xav’s breath brushed her lips.

This kiss, when it came, was fierce. Lindsay rocked with the unexpected force, then she met Xav’s kiss with a fervent one of her own.

His mouth was commanding, dominating, and Lindsay didn’t care. This was Xav, and Lindsay wanted him with the whole of her heart and the whole of her body.

Xav broke the kiss just as abruptly and released her. Lindsay staggered, barely righting herself as her booted foot slipped on gravel.

Xav regarded her steadily, his chest rising with a sharp breath.

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