Shifter Magnetism (8 page)

She felt his reluctance to end the kiss in the slow way he pulled back. She fumbled with the door handle before stepping out into the late afternoon sun. If his kisses left her punch-drunk, would she ever tire of him? If the feeling wasn’t mating magic, was it something she’d done?

No, she wouldn’t ruin a beautiful moment with negative thoughts.

He held her hand as they went inside. She loved the attention he paid her. She smiled. He’d sounded almost proud when he’d told her she sashayed. She propped her other hand on her waist and gave him her best bad-girl strut. She would treat every stroll around the block as a runway show if it made him look at her as he was now. She added a little extra swing to her hips.

“Mate.” The sexy growl in his voice showed how close his beast was to the surface.

She could get used to the growl and the tone. She walked with him to his desk and made herself comfortable as he powered up his computer. She looked around. The detective two desks over stared at her. He winked. Widening her eyes, she turned away.
Creeptacular much?

Nic pulled her chair closer. She couldn’t get over his revelations about shifter mating. She’d thought her feelings were due to mating magic. Magic, she understood. Her guilt over stealing a part of his soul would make her loyal, not sexually attracted to him. To find out her need to be close to him, to touch him, to make love to him was just her response to him as a man and not being forced on her as a mate was unsettling.

At least he seemed to return her interest. He was always pulling her closer, touching her, making her think of tearing off his clothes.

“You really know how to make a man suffer,” Nic said.

“Hmm?”

“You’re biting the corner of that lush bottom lip, and the look you’re sending me has me thinking about sex, not finding the Brain Surgeon.”

Oops.
“I’ll try to think nonsexy thoughts. Maybe if you weren’t so hot?”

His grin stretched one side of his mouth slowly up. “What is the first name on the list?”

Okay. Work first, play later.
“Montrose Warren.”

He typed. She peered over his shoulder, but the screen was too full of information. She took the opportunity to lean against his arm. She almost sighed into his ear at how good he felt against her breasts.

“Read the address for me, Leila.”

She did.

He frowned. “This says he’s deceased.”

“Are we sure he’s really dead? He wouldn’t be the first sorcerer to try and fake his death.”

Nic typed more information into the computer. “I know the cop who filed the report. She’s S.K.”

Supernatural kind.
“Well, try the next name. Acer Kano.”

He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. “These names are strange.”

“What? I didn’t name them.” Sometimes witches and wizards were given unusual names. It was a cultural thing.

He paused his typing, grabbed a notepad, and jotted down the address. Then he found addresses for the other two names on the list, Radkin Lewis and Findor Stevens.

When Nic turned to her, she could almost feel him assessing her. “What?”

“This could be dangerous.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You are not leaving me behind. You said the killer was near my apartment.”

“Stay with your uncle.”

“What if the killer has been tailing us? He could be waiting for you to leave me. I’m coming with you.”

The expression on Nic’s face was more than scary, and she started having second thoughts until something inside her made her meet his gaze with the sharp edge of her determination. He wasn’t leaving her behind no matter what. If she allowed him to back her down, he would think he could do so whenever he wished. She couldn’t live her life under her mate’s thumb. The pressure would break her.

The staring contest seemed to last forever.

His expression eased, and some of the fire faded from his gaze. “You need to follow my directions when we see these men. I have experience where you don’t.”

She had no idea why he’d changed his mind. Triumph soared inside her. “Of course, Nic.”

They were going on a sorcerer hunt.

* * * *

It was dusk when they reached Acer Kano’s home. The two-story colonial was picture-perfect, with white siding, black shutters, and a bright red door. The lawn was manicured, and pretty flowers were planted in rows under the lower front windows. It wasn’t the image of a sorcerer’s home she’d grown up with. There wasn’t a steeple or broken shutter in sight.

Nic rang the doorbell. His gaze darted around the property, and it made her nervous. The door swung open to reveal a very short older woman in a black maid’s uniform and a gray bun.

“May I help you?”

Nic showed her his badge. “I’m Detective Lobo with the Coldwell PD. We’d like to see Mr. Acer Kano.”

The woman looked from Nic’s badge to Leila, but she didn’t ask any questions. “Follow me, and I will inform Mr. Kano that you are here.”

They were led to a front room with dainty upholstered furniture and sweeping landscape paintings. Nic prowled the room, and Leila couldn’t sit. Something about his posture made her nervous.

“What?” she asked in a whisper. Was it his strange behavior or something else filling her with dread?

Nic raked his hand through his hair. “It isn’t him. Not the same scent.”

She inhaled, but she hadn’t gained her wolf-girl senses until after the attack. She wouldn’t know the killer’s scent. “Why are you so agitated?”

“There is weird magic here. It is rubbing my wolf the wrong way.”

Leila heard steps in the hall. She moved closer to Nic and watched the doorway warily. A thin man of average height entered the room. He was dressed in a pin-striped suit. His black hair was swept off his forehead to the side. Something inside Leila bristled as the whisper of his magic reached her. It felt grim and ominous.
Sorcerer.

“To what do I owe the honor of this visit, Detective?” Acer Kano turned to Leila, and his eyes narrowed. “Interesting.”

Nic stepped slightly in front of her, and she didn’t try to argue with him. Acer Kano made her uncomfortable.

“I’m Detective Lobo with Coldwell PD. Mr. Kano, I’d like to ask you about your whereabouts on the night of the twelfth.”

Kano walked toward an armchair. “Would you care to sit?”

Nic led Leila to the sofa and urged her to sit with a gentle nudge. She didn’t want to sit. She wanted to be ready to run.

Kano relaxed into his chair. “They’ve sent two supernaturals to my home to ask me about Saturday night. Something very dark indeed must have happened.” He smiled. “Do you both know your magic feels more unique than any I’ve ever encountered?”

“The twelfth, Kano,” Nic said.

“Saturday night I was at home. Mrs. Turner was here. You met her when you arrived.”

“I’d like to speak with Mrs. Turner before we leave.” Nic sounded calm.

Kano stood. “Certainly.” He left the room.

Mrs. Turner returned and quickly corroborated Kano’s story. Leila breathed easier as they left the house. It was fully dark as they walked back to the SUV.

Nic sat behind the wheel staring at the house. “I think you piqued his interest more than is healthy.”

“I promise to stay far away from the guy.” A quiver of revulsion skated along her spine.

“If your Council knows he’s breaking laws and is dangerous, why aren’t they doing anything? One of these guys is killing, and human law enforcement isn’t going to be able to control him.”

“What do you suggest we do? We can’t kill him.”

“Why not? We have to police our own. Rogues make it more likely that nonsupernaturals will find out about us. They hurt others. At least bind or strip their powers. Don’t allow them to kill young witches or whatever Kano is doing in there. Something wrong is happening in that house. You felt it.”

She had. “We could sneak in and check it out.”

His gaze swung to her, and she flinched involuntarily. “You are never to enter that house again.”

She bristled. “Neither are you. You’re watching the place as if you’re casing it. If it is too dangerous for me, it is too dangerous for you,
mate
.”

“I’m an alpha shifter and a cop, Leila. I can handle myself.”

“He’s a sorcerer who practices forbidden magic. I’ve heard of spells that bind a person’s soul to the caster, forcing the bound to perform unspeakable acts. What would Kano do with a bound shifter-wizard hybrid?”

They were both silent. Nic was obviously angry and had the clenched jaw and intense stare to prove it. Unfortunately for her, she found it kind of hot. Her breath caught. Her nipples beaded, and moisture flooded her pussy.

His nostrils flared. “I like your idea better.”

She raised her eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

“Your body is offering itself to me, and I accept.”

He reached out and clutched the back of her neck before pulling her closer. She went willingly. His mouth was everything she’d remembered and more. His tongue battled with hers. Little shivers danced along her spine. Her breasts felt swollen, and so did her folds. His hand remained behind her head. Once again, a kiss from Nic felt like full-on foreplay from another man.

He released her from the kiss slowly. His hand slid around to the front of her neck and down across her breasts. She was just about to offer him anything he wanted when he started the SUV. No matter, he was all hers tonight.

NIC DIDN’T KNOW what he’d done to deserve a mate with whom he was so sexually compatible, but he was going to take extreme advantage. Leila’s eyes showed him passion and desire even when she was angry. Her body responded to his more strongly than any woman he’d ever known. Her beauty and sexiness were simply the extra perks of having her for a mate.

He pressed the accelerator a bit harder than he should have to get them home faster. He practically pulled her from the SUV and into her building. As soon as the condo door closed behind them, sealing them in the living room, he did a quick intruder check; then he fell on her with all the hunger of a starving wolf.

“Wait!” Leila pushed against his chest.

He froze at her shout. For a moment he didn’t know if he could control his wolf. He really wanted his mate.

She wiggled out of his grasp, and he released her left breast and right ass cheek reluctantly. He may have moaned.

“Wait here. I’ll be right back.” She headed for the bedroom.

He grabbed her arm. “No.”

“Yes. You’ll love it. I promise.”

He let her go and watched her hips rock as she walked away. He went into the kitchen, poured water from the pitcher in the refrigerator, and guzzled it down. It didn’t cool him off at all. Pacing the small kitchen didn’t help either.

“Nic.”

He returned to the living room and froze. He blinked, but she still stood there posed with both hands propped on her hips. This new costume was even skimpier than the one before. She wore a black police hat. A black bustier shelved her beasts, and presented them for his utter enjoyment. The skirt had a pair of fuzzy cuffs dangling from the waist and barely covered the important bits. Garters held up black fishnet stockings. The left one had a police badge pinned to it. Her shoes were black, open toe, impossibly high, and laced up her ankles with ribbons.

“Turn around and put your hands against the wall,” she said.

Her voice was so husky and she looked so hot he’d have gladly done anything she asked. Slowly, he turned and placed his palms flat against the wall. He heard the whisper of her stocking-clad legs and smelled the spice of her arousal as she moved closer.

He could play along. “What am I being charged with, Officer?”

“Carrying a concealed weapon. I’m going to have to frisk you.” She placed her knee between his legs and nudged his thighs apart. “Spread ’em.”

He widened his legs and pressed his hands more firmly to the wall as she leaned against his back. He clenched his teeth, and his fangs elongated. Her soft hands came up to lie on top of his wrists. She leisurely slid her palms down. He felt each stroke through his clothing. When she reached his shoulders, she dipped under his arms and around to the front of his shirt. She began undoing his buttons, caressing his flesh as it was revealed.

He groaned as her fingers found his nipples. “You’ve got the wrong man, Officer.”

“Oh, I have the right man.”

She unfastened the rest of his buttons and pulled the shirt open before exploring his torso. Her hands were soft, warm, and ignited a need he wasn’t sure he could control much longer.

Her palms traveled down. Her wrist bumped against his gun, and he began to reach down to remove the holster and his belt.

“Hands where I can see them, sir. I don’t want to have to get rough with you.”

He smiled and moved his hands back to the wall. He might like it rough. She loosened his belt and pants, then pushed them to the floor. She fondled his ass before sliding her palms around and slipping them inside his boxers. He hissed as her fingers found his cock. She wrapped her hands around him and smoothed up and down his shaft.

“I had the wrong man, huh? I’m afraid I’m going to have to take you in.”

He shivered at the sensual tone of her voice. It had gone breathy, and she sounded eager.

She pulled him free of the boxers and dragged the cotton swiftly down his legs. “Turn around.”

He did as she commanded. She knelt before him. Her eyes were framed by the brim of the black hat. Lust stared out at him from behind her eyes. It was a beautiful sight, just as enticing as her lush body presented for his pleasure.

She ran her hands up his thighs, and the muscles bunched under her palms. She massaged his balls and cock before taking a firmer grip on his shaft. He watched as her mouth opened and she slowly took him inside. He automatically reached for her, and he knocked the hat from her head as he grabbed handfuls of her hair.

She owned him. The sweet suction of her mouth, its warm, wet depths, and the little sounds of pleasure she made as she allowed him deeper and deeper into her mouth and throat intoxicated him. This one woman, this one pretty witch could bring him to his knees. Or tip him over into ecstasy.