Mika wanted to be honest with herself. He was only with her because he’d been ordered to protect her. He’d been forced to live with her and if he hadn’t marked her, he’d probably still be refusing to touch her. Life sucks, she determined.

“Mika? I said ‘morning’.”

She didn’t turn to face him. “I heard you.”

He was silent but she could sense him watching her. “Are you all right? Did I hurt you?”

He had no damn idea how much. She remained silent. She didn’t turn but she just knew he was slowly drawing closer. She felt him directly behind her though he didn’t touch her.

“Mika? I know I hurt you. Do you need a doctor? Was I too rough with you?”

“It must be hell for you.” She kept her voice soft.

Long seconds passed in a room too quiet. “What must be hell?” She slowly turned then and set her coffee cup on the counter next to her so she wasn’t tempted to chuck it at his head. She forced herself to look up at Grady. Only a foot separated them. “Having to be with me instead of who you want to be with. I’m really sorry that I ruined your plans for the weekend and I’m really damn sorry that you have to put up with me for the next two weeks. Duty must a hellish thing for you right now. Excuse me. I’m in need of some space so I’ll be in my room alone.” Grady’s face paled slightly. She inched sideways, and walked quickly away from him. She didn’t want to be in the same room with him. She heard him softly curse as she left the kitchen but she didn’t look back. She walked to her bedroom and closed the door.

It was insane to fall for someone too fast. She must have lost her damn mind. He’d saved her twice, given her mind-blowing sex repeatedly, and he certainly was too damn attractive to ignore. She walked to her dresser. She needed to be away from him to clear her head, even if it was just to hide away in her bedroom.

She put on jeans, a T-shirt, and running shoes. She studied her reflection as she brushed out her damp hair and pulled it into a ponytail. She was going to get hurt even worse by the time this was over. Spending one night with the guy was already affecting her to the point that she’d had to fight bawling like a baby in the kitchen. What would happen when it was time to go? After getting used to touching and having Grady around, it would be hell when it ended. She shook her head sadly. It would be really damn stupid to set herself up for that kind of pain. She wasn’t psychic but she knew she’d fall harder for the guy.

He wanted a werewolf mate. Hell, what could she offer him anyway? Her life was in Orange County. She’d have to give up her shitty apartment and have to quit the job she couldn’t even stand. She’d never see her friends who were in relationships and who barely found time for her. She winced. The truth hurt. Giving up her life in Orange County wouldn’t be difficult at all.

Mika sighed. If Grady wanted to mate her she’d go for it even if it was totally nuts since she barely knew him. Giving up her life in California wouldn’t be a hardship and she’d have a sexy hot man in her bed every night if he mated her. He had a job so he wasn’t a loser and they could live in her house. It was probably bigger than his place over his bar. Besides, she loved her house and had wanted to move in full-time once before. Uncle Omar would have to accept it if she mated Grady.

Spinning away from the mirror, she was totally disgusted with herself for even having those stupid thoughts. Grady didn’t want her that way so going over how nuts it would be to mate with the guy was a moot point. Imagining little Grady babies was just ridiculous. She bet that any kids she had with him would be damn cute and she really wanted kids. Mika clenched her teeth and walked over to collapse heavily on her bed.

Grady was a werewolf and she wasn’t. They were either born or brutally made. She knew it was usually a deadly attempt when someone tried to turn a human into a werewolf. Uncle Omar had explained that to her when she was a child and had wanted to turn into a puppy and run with her uncle in his wolf form.

It was all about biting, blood loss, and near death to get someone to turn into a werewolf. The bite would have to come from a werewolf in full wolf form. There had to be massive blood loss and shock to the body, taking the person to death’s door, and then there was just a slight chance the body would accept being turned. More died from trauma than those who survived the attempted change. Uncle Omar said only about one in twenty survived long enough to let the process take hold so their bodies could heal to survive.

No. Even if she was willing to attempt being turned into a werewolf, and she wasn’t, there was no way it would be allowed. Uncle Omar would kill anyone who even suggested it. She really didn’t want to tie herself down to a man who wanted her to be brutally bitten, with just a prayer that she’d survive. She realized chivalry had died but she wanted a man in her life who would do anything to protect her from hurt.

The drawbacks to mating a werewolf as a human were well known to her. Her parents had been harassed and not accepted by the pack. They’d moved away to avoid it but Grady would never leave. She and Grady would have to deal with that kind of mindset from the pack. The fact that he was alpha blooded would make him want a werewolf woman even more. Pure-blooded mating made strong offspring. Any children she had with Grady would probably be considered mutts in werewolf terms.

Unlike her parents, she would be raising shifters. Grady had alpha blood so all his children would definitely be shifters, even with her, a mere human. She’d never have that in common with her children. She’d always be different from them because she couldn’t change into another form the way they could, and she’d have to learn how to care for shapeshifter children.

She couldn’t be with Grady the way a werewolf woman could. No midnight runs and no doggy sex while in four-legged bodies. She curled her lip at the thought of his conversation on the phone. She bet that’s what he meant about animal sex with that bitch and that was probably important to Grady. She’d overheard her uncle and Minnie chuckling about how great sex was between them in Other form. It had grossed her out but she wasn’t able to see their perspective of it.

Mika couldn’t forget what Minnie had told her either. Grady was Elroy’s bastard child and his mother had been human. Elroy’s mate was a bitch but she’d taken it to a new level by refusing to accept Grady into their family so he’d been reared in another one. He probably felt left out and bitter.

Acceptance was probably something Grady longed for. Mating with a human was a surefire way to never receive it. Mika’s shoulders sagged in defeat. There was no way Grady would ever mate with her even if she totally fell in love with him and wanted to mate with him.

She had to face that there wasn’t going to be a happy ending here. She wasn’t what Grady wanted or needed. If he hadn’t had to bite her, he’d never have touched her.

He’d said it himself. She wasn’t worth losing his balls over and Uncle Omar would have castrated him if he’d touched her before he’d had to bite her to save her from that jerk in the bar and maintain peace between the packs.

The house was quiet. She wondered what Grady was doing and what he was thinking. She could guess he was probably considering what a pain in the ass she was and wished that he’d never laid teeth on her. He’d be going on his weekend with his werewolf bitch for his obviously desired animal sex the minute Mika was gone.

The phone rang and startled her. She leaned over and grabbed it before it rang a second time. “Hello?”

“I wanted to call you last night,” Minnie said softly. “Omar ordered me not to. Are you all right? I heard what happened and Omar was really upset. He’s worried. He wanted to call and check on you but he’s afraid to. He thinks you’ll hate him for giving Grady permission to f**k you and I think he’s afraid you will tell him that you got hurt.

Are you all right?”

Mika hesitated.

“Damn it. Was he not careful with you? They can be rough and you’re so human,” Minnie growled. “If he hurt you, I’ll tell Omar. He’ll kill the son of a bitch.”

“No, don’t do that. He didn’t. I’m fine.”

“You don’t sound fine.”

Mika stretched out on her bed and took a deep breath. “It’s complicated but I’m fine.”

“Do you want me to come over?”

“No. Please don’t.”

“You’re not talking much.”

“You have good hearing.”

There was a pause. “Oh. He’ll hear what you say.”

“Exactly.”

“Did he hurt you during the sex?”

“No.”

Another pause. “Was he hell on wheels?”

“Oh yeah.”

Minnie chuckled. “I’d heard that about him. Us women talk and he’s gotten around.

So what’s the problem? Give me a word and I’ll guess. He won’t be able to hear my side of the conversation unless he’s sitting close to you.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

Minnie was silent. “You have feelings for him, don’t you? You sound depressed.”

“Yeah. Good guess.”

“He’s a good catch, Mika. If you feel things for him then why fight it? I know your uncle doesn’t want you with a wolf but Grady is a damn good man. You could do a hell of a lot worse and you’ve been raised with our kind so there won’t be many surprises.”

“It’s not me.”

Another long pause. “He doesn’t want a relationship beyond the sex?”

“Bingo.”

“You don’t know that. Give it a week. I can’t see any guy spending that much time getting to know you without falling in love. Any man would be damn lucky to have you, Mika.”

Mika was silent.

“Mika?”

“I’m sure that’s not going to happen.”

“He said so?”

“In so many words.”

“Why? What is he? Blind? Stupid?” Minnie was angry. “You’re my baby and that son of a bitch should know what he has.”

“I’m not you,” Mika said softly. “Do you understand? I’m different.” Silence. Minnie cursed. “He’s been treated like shit by Eve because he’s a bastard and because his mother was human. He’s a bigot about you being human? Is that what you’re saying?”

“You are really good at this.”

“Is he putting you down for it? Insulting you?”

“No.”

“But you being human is a problem for him?”

“Exactly.”

“He won’t mate with a human? He said that?”

“Yes.”

“Oh baby, I’m so sorry. He’s stupid.”

Mika smiled. “I agree.”

Minnie was silent. “You like him a hell of a lot, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Like him enough that it hurts that he won’t even consider long term?”

“Yeah. Stupid, huh?”

“Not at all. You like him too much and you’re facing about two weeks of getting hot and sweaty with him. You’re going to get hurt when this is over and you go home, aren’t you?”

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re kind of spooky on how you can accurately guess things?”

“I just know you. I’m also a woman and I can put myself in your shoes. Are you sure you don’t want me to come over? I can send him on an errand and we can talk without him hearing us. I can buy ice cream and we can talk about what dickheads men are as we polish off a carton or two of something a thousand calories a bite.” Mika actually chuckled. “Thanks, but no.”

“I could tell Omar and he could order him to mate you.” Shocked, Mika insisted, “Don’t you dare. That’s not even funny. I already feel…” She softly cursed. “It would make it way worse and it’s bad enough as it is.”