Shadow Read online

  “Justice and the others?”

  “Yes. I’ve yet to give a report. I need to do this.”

  “May I go with you? They might have questions for me.”

  She’d do anything to avoid being left behind, worried he wouldn’t return. Attending a meeting full of men didn’t sound fun but at least he’d be at her side. She had a bad feeling the term “out of sight, out of mind” might apply to her when it came to Shadow.

  He suddenly lowered to his knees. “Come here.” His arms opened wide.

  She quickly closed the distance. She liked it when he hugged her tightly and she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his neck. He was so big and so Shadow.

  “What is really wrong? Tell me.”

  She hesitated. Men didn’t like clingy women. Every book she’d read had taught her that and it was exactly how she felt. She didn’t want him to leave, was afraid it would end what they’d begun, and she didn’t want to return to her solitary life.

  “Beauty?” He squeezed her tighter, not exactly a warning but the message was clear. He wouldn’t release her until he had answers.

  “I don’t want to lose you,” she blurted.

  One of his hands slid from her waist to her ass, to grip one cheek. He squeezed. “Is that why you are purposely delaying me?”

  She loved his hand on her butt, so close to other places she wanted him touching her. “Yes. Everything is so new. What if you don’t come back?”

  He held her and buried his face against her neck, nuzzling her with his nose. He inhaled her scent, his chest vibrating against hers when he softly rumbled a sexy sound. “You couldn’t keep me out of your bed if you tried, love. I’m on my knees for you. Do you think just anyone could drop me to them?”

  “You’re just trying to appear nonthreatening.”

  He chuckled and his lips teased the sensitive area just under her earlobe. His hot, wet tongue slid across the same spot. Beauty’s fingers weaved into his hair, holding him there. He squeezed her ass again but slid that hand back to her waist. It was disappointing.

  “True, but it wasn’t the only reason. I want you to know you leave me vulnerable.”

  She pulled back and so did he until she could see his eyes. Honesty brimmed there as she studied them. “What does that mean?”

  “You only want me, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “No one else?”

  “Never.”

  A smile curved his lips. “I feel the same. You’re all I want. We have a lot to discuss but for now they are waiting for me in Justice’s office. You don’t want to get me yelled at, do you?” His tone became teasing. “That male is scary when angry.”

  “He is.” She smiled back. “Okay. I’ll be good and allow you to leave without delaying you more. Just hurry back.”

  He grew somber. “I don’t know how long it will take. I have some things to do.”

  “Hours?”

  He hesitated. “Perhaps days. I’m not sure. I will be back and we’ll talk.”

  “Okay.” She didn’t have any choice and he was promising to return. That’s all she could ask of him for now. “I’ll miss you.” Admitting that put her pride at stake but it was a chance she was willing to take.

  “I’ll miss you as well.” He glanced at her breasts. “So much.”

  She laughed. “Hurry back to me then.”

  A knock sounded at the door. “Shadow? Security just called, asking where you are.” It was Kit, her irritation clear. “Quit playing with the Gift and move your ass.”

  Shadow frowned. Beauty clenched her teeth. They regarded each other and she spoke first.

  “That woman is a bitch,” she whispered.

  “I heard that. Get a move on, Shadow.”

  He rose to his feet, releasing her. One look down his body made him utter a soft curse. Beauty followed his gaze and grinned. He’d gone from semi-aroused to full-blown impressive in size. There was no way to hide the state of his body.

  He turned, walked to her sink, and turned on water. Beauty watched in fascination as he wet his hands, reached up to the back of his neck, and rubbed.

  “What are you doing?”

  He shot her a grin. “Attempting to think of something besides you being so close to a bed.” He closed his eyes, repeated the process of wetting the back of his neck and finally turned off the water. His cock wasn’t as hard when he stepped around the counter into view. “Stay inside and I’ll be back as soon as everything is taken care of.”

  “Okay.”

  She hated to see him go but she held still until he left her apartment. Kit stepped inside when he attempted to close the door. He paused, staring at her, but then walked on when the feline smiled after pointedly staring at his groin.

  “Isn’t he cute?” Kit closed the door behind her, leaning against it.

  “You can’t have him. He’s mine.” Beauty glared.

  “I wanted to make sure you were okay. We heard what happened.” Kit stayed where she was. “We almost lost you to the humans.”

  “I’m sorry if it disappoints you that it didn’t happen.”

  The other woman’s expression blanked then she frowned. “I’m not as bad as you think. I don’t dislike you. I’m glad you’re safe.”

  “I annoy you. You think I’m weak.” There was no use pretending otherwise. Beauty spoke her mind. “It would probably make your life easier if I had been stolen.”

  “That’s not true. Tiny and Halfpint would have wailed and needed constant care if you had been lost.” Kit sighed loudly, straightening away from the door. “I actually like you now. You showed backbone when you stood up to me. I was genuinely worried about you when we got the reports of the attack. I came to see if you wanted to talk to someone or if you just didn’t want to be left alone.”

  Surprised at the confession, Beauty took a step closer. “Thank you.”

  “I guess I’ll go.” Kit spun, gripping the door handle.

  “Kit?”

  She glanced back, opening it. “What?”

  “I’d like for you to stay.”

  The door closed with Kit still inside the apartment. “Okay. You hungry? I am. I just got off shift. They made pizza downstairs. Should I call the kitchen to ask for one to be sent up?”

  “That sounds good. I love pizza.”

  “With meat, right?” Kit made a face. “They made some with just cheese. Why would they do that?”

  “I don’t know.” Beauty smiled. “It is strange, isn’t it?”

  “We’re not the vegetarian types. We’re carnivores. Can you imagine handing a lion or a wolf an apple for their dinner? They’d take off your fingers for the insult.”

  “True.” Beauty relaxed, liking this side of the usually prickly woman. She didn’t point out that she was primate Species. “I love meat on pizza.”

  Kit lifted the phone. “Then we’ll eat some. You can give me all the details of what happened.”

  Beauty nodded, glad that she wouldn’t be alone to worry about what could possibly keep Shadow away from her for days.

  Shadow grabbed a quick shower at the dorm and wore his NSO uniform to the meeting. He was almost an hour late when he arrived. Fury, Slade, Justice and Brass were eating pizza when he entered.

  “There he is.” Justice arched an eyebrow. “Finally.”

  “I showered and changed.” Shadow shrugged. “I apologize.”

  “We decided to eat.” Fury waved to the food. “Want some? Ellie made a few extra for me to share.” He grinned at Justice. “She also wants two additional ovens added at the dorm’s main kitchen. They are cooking more instead of eating at the cafeteria.”

  “Four aren’t enough? Plus they have the ones inside their apartments.” Slade frowned.

  “Females enjoying cooking together in a group. It’s a good way to bond.” Fury glanced around. “She wants them. Let her have them.” He narrowed his gaze at Justice. “Don’t say no. It would disappoint my Ellie and make her unhappy. She will c