“Shush, she’s sleeping,” Marcus said to him.

“She’s also the embodiment of evil,” groused Eli. “I know you’re awake, Roni.”

With a long-suffering sigh, Roni opened her eyes. “Something wrong?”

Eli settled fisted hands on his hips. “How the hell do you keep cracking all my passwords?”

Roni scowled, affronted. “Don’t insult me.”

“What did she do?” Marcus asked Eli, smiling.

“She hacked my Facebook account again,” said Eli. “This time she posted a five-star review of a vibrating anal plug!”

Kathy gasped. “Roni!”

“I’ve got all kinds of people asking me if it’s best to start with small plugs and work their way up. How the hell should I fucking know?” Eli pointed at Roni. “I will get you back for this, heifer.”

“Stop swearing,” hissed Shaya, gesturing at the kids. Cassidy was cartwheeling her way to them with a skipping Willow behind her.

Eli sighed at Shaya. “I can’t help it; she drives me mad.”

“We all go a little mad sometimes,” said Willow.

Shaya’s smile froze on her face. She turned to Roni. “Tell me my child did not just quote Norman Bates!”

Jesse noticed Bracken looking suspiciously innocent. Rather than rat out his friend, Jesse whispered to Harley, still massaging her scalp, “Speaking of anal plugs—”

“The sooner we get this thing out of my ass, the better,” she hissed quietly.

He stifled a smile. “You should have known better than to think you could beat me at pool . . . although I did enjoy the rematch earlier.” The victor again won the right to be in control during the sex that followed. Jesse, however, hadn’t fucked her. He’d declared that he was postponing the session for a few hours . . . and that she’d be wearing an anal plug in the meantime. She’d acted pissed, but he knew it was exactly that—an act. Being the curious cat that she was, the whole thing intrigued her.

“One day, I will beat you. Then you’ll be in for some torture.”

He nuzzled her. “Aw, baby, I might believe you really didn’t like it if I couldn’t feel your pleasure through the bond.”

Harley flushed. “Sometimes I hate that bond.”

“No, you don’t.”

No, she didn’t.

“You know what, I think you’ve worn the plug long enough. Let’s go home.” He inwardly smiled as he felt excitement spike through her. Rising from the lounger, he pulled her upright. She held herself a little stiffly, shooting him a glare that said she’d like to see him move around easily while there was an object stuck up his ass. Keeping possession of her hand, he walked her back to their lodge. All the while, anticipation built inside her to an almost painful level. It was an anticipation he shared.

Inside the lodge, Jesse said, “I want you upstairs. Go straight to the bathroom.” She probably would have stomped her way up there if it weren’t for the plug. He followed her into the bathroom, where she faced him, hands on hips. “Still cranky, baby? Hey, there’s no call for hissing.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “Don’t worry, I’ll fuck that crankiness right out of you.”

Harley would have hissed again, but then his mouth closed over hers while his hand slid around her throat. Licking and kissing her, he gave her throat a little, but possessive, squeeze that should have made her bristle. It didn’t. Not when she was so wound up with the need to come. He pulled off her T-shirt and bra, and then she yanked off his own tee and tore open his fly. But before she could shove down his jeans, his arms slipped away from her.

“On your knees. I want to watch you suck my cock.”

Harley’s stomach clenched as his tone switched from teasing to dominant. The look on his face was predatory, and his eyes—gleaming with possessiveness—were so wholly focused on her that it gave her goose bumps and tightened her nipples.

“Now, Harley.”

And there he went pressing the defiant switch in her head. Her cat didn’t appreciate his curtness either. But he’d won the game, Harley reminded herself. She’d agreed to a rematch, she’d taken the chance, and now she had to pay up. Slowly sinking to her knees, she fisted the base of his cock and lapped at the head like the cat she was. Instead of teasing him, she wrapped her lips tight around the head and swallowed him down. She sucked hard, taking more of his cock with each pass, using every trick she knew.

Jesse bunched his hand in her hair. “Fuck, sweetheart, that’s it.” Her mouth was so hot it almost burned, sending agonizing pleasure coursing through him. He swore as she purred around his cock and the sensation shot up his spine. Hand still in her hair, he fucked her mouth. “I told you I’d do this one day, didn’t I?” Her eyes narrowed dangerously at the taunt and claws pricked his thighs, but that only spurred him on. “Your mouth was made for this, Harley. And I own it, don’t I?”

Harley dragged her claws down his thighs and let him feel the edge of her teeth—not enough to hurt but enough to warn him to cease taunting her.

“It’s mine and we both know it.” He pulled out of her mouth. “Up.” Slipping his hands under her shoulders, Jesse helped her stand. He ran his finger down her face, feeling the hot flush on her cheeks. Her cat eyes were blazing with both need and irritation, and her talented mouth was swollen from sucking him off. “Gorgeous.” His wolf agreed.