Page 59 of Mated
I clench my hands into the damn dress. "Do you like it?" My voice is soft.
Why does he seem so very angry?
Some of the silver fades from his gaze to leave a hint of hazel peeking through. He runs one hand down my bare arm, thumb trailing back and forth over the back of my bicep, as he pulls me closer. I shiver.
Who knew such an un-sensual area could be so sensitive?
His eyes flare again, and a small smile curves his lips. "You would be beautiful in a burlap sack," he says softly. "But in that, you will stun the moon." He leans in and kisses the curve of my cheek.
My eyes flutter closed and I start to move into him. To cling to this rough yet surprisingly gentle and honorable man. He inhales again.
"I can smell him on you." Tanner's voice is almost nonexistent in my ear. My veins freeze. "Be careful playing with fire, Nisha. Especially demon fire. It may burn you in ways you don't expect. Now a shifter's heat ..." He nips my earlobe with his teeth before letting his tongue flow down my neck in one long, wet, hot line.
Oh gods.
My legs buckle.
Tanner catches me, pulling back to gaze into my fluttering eyes with a knowing smile. "I'm going to enjoy chasing you, Nisha."
My heart slams wildly.
Does that mean—
“And when I catch you, because I will, I'm going to take you in every way I know how until you forget all about demon fire or your past as a human."
His irises glitter. "So no panties, huntress," he croons. "Because you won't be wearing them long."
Chapter 26
Tanner
I barge into Callus' office, uncaring about knocking or making any kind of big fucking deal about my appearance. "Any sign of the human?" I snap through tight teeth.
He looks up from his desk, a ready scowl on his face. "No." I drop into the chair opposite him. "Have a seat," he says coldly.
Like I fucking care.
My smile is just as angry as his glower. Inside I'm quaking, wound tighter than I can ever remember being. Caine's fucking scent was all over Nisha in the store. And they both went out of their way to stay clear of me at the campground. But here? Here there is only so far for them to go.
And Callus seems more than willing to let me stew.
"What do you want, Tanner?" he finally asks.
“The pack may be attacked again tonight.”
He scans the papers before him. “I am aware. We are taking precautions.”
“Good because I brought along a few precautions of my own.”
His head whips up. “You invited outsiders to the pack run? Without consulting me?”
“I have a plus one and so does Nisha. The rest will be stationed with Daisy at the hospital.”
Callus grinds his teeth. “Fine. But if they interfere with pack proceedings—”
“They won’t. They have been briefed on appropriate pack behavior.” I stand and eye him from on high. “Do make sure the pack knows not to touch my people. Or I may take it as an insult.” My grin is as pissed, as wired as I am. I need to run. I need to chase Nisha and take her.
She wants me to. I can smell it every time I’m near her.
