Mate Set (Mating Heat Book 1) Read online

  “Close enough.”

  Minnie cursed. “What an ass. You should give it back to him by telling him how great human guys are so he knows how it feels. Tell him you hate sharp teeth and how you think growling is low class.”

  “I don’t though.”

  “But he doesn’t know that. When he mounts you, you tell him you like it the human-guy way. It’s different, right? I heard they’re all romance and talk you half to death and touch you like you’re made of glass. That would drive me crazy, and our guys aren’t into that shit. They’re into hot and hard sex. He’ll think he’s shit in bed since he can’t give you what you want.”

  Mika laughed. “Too late for that.”

  “You let him know how good he was?”

  “You’re the best,” Mika admitted.

  Minnie laughed with her. “Oh, you so didn’t tell him that.”

  “I so meant it too.”

  Minnie chuckled. “Well, do it anyway. Try. I’ll think up something. Shit. Omar walked in so I have to go. Call me if you need some girl time with high calories.”

  “I love you.”

  Mika hung up. She knew she couldn’t hide out in her room all damn day. She finally stood and walked to the bedroom door. She hesitated and then opened it. She saw Grady sitting on the couch, staring right back at her. He looked angry.

  “Who called? Who was that on the phone? Who do you love?”

  She hesitated, frowning at him, wondering why he was pissed. “Minnie.”

  He visibly relaxed and the anger on his features melted away. “Why are you mad at me?”

  “I don’t want to discuss it. I’m bored and want to go do something. I need to get out of the house for a little while.”

  Grady shook his head. “I think we should stay here.”

  “I don’t really give a damn what you think right now, to be honest.”

  His jaw clenched. “You overheard my phone conversation, didn’t you? Is that what has you so mad? I called to let my friend know I wouldn’t be joining her for the weekend. I didn’t break your rule. I broke my date with her.”

  Mika hesitated. “That’s not what upset me. But I’ve had some time to think about it and I’m not mad anymore, Grady.”

  “You look mad and you smell mad.”

  “I smell mad? Anger has a scent?”

  “Yes. Fear, arousal, and even pain give off scents.”

  “That’s disturbing.”

  “Why?” He stood up slowly.

  “Well, feelings are private, that’s why. Now, please take me to the movies. I want out of here and you can watch me from the back of the theater while I sit in the front.” Far away from you.

  “I’m not taking you anywhere until you tell me what made you mad.”

  “Fine. You want to do this? I don’t point out all of your shortcomings because you’re just a werewolf. I heard you on the phone, and I got that you clearly have a low opinion of humans. Since you didn’t seem to mind that so much when you were inside me, it pissed me off that it seems a big problem for you that you can’t have sex with me with fur on.”

  He frowned. “I didn’t say that and I didn’t insult you in any way. I didn’t even mention you.”

  She arched her eyebrow. “Okay. How would you feel if you overheard me talking to a guy I was supposed to spend the weekend with, and heard me tell him how much I wished I was with him, doing things that I know damn well you can’t do for me.”

  His mouth tensed and his eye color turned black. “I can do anything to you that a human can do.” He took a step, and then another. “I can do it better.”

  “Then swear to me that you can have sex with me, without a condom on, and not be tempted to bite me. Can you fuck me without having your teeth grow out or your eyes turning black? With human guys, I don’t have to deal with any of that shit.”

  Anger tightened his face.

  Mika studied him, realized she was trying to piss him off and knew it was dangerous. Werewolves weren’t known for control when they were angry. “I don’t want to fight with you. You’ve already made it clear that the only reason you’re having sex with me is because you were forced into it by protecting me.”

  Grady inched closer. “You think I don’t want you? Look at me. Hell, feel me. I’m hard because I want you.”

  “If you hadn’t been ordered to guard me, you wouldn’t be here. I wanted you, but you wouldn’t touch me until you were forced to bite me. If my uncle told you today he was pulling you from guarding me, you’d be out that door in a snap if you hadn’t bitten me. You sure wouldn’t be cancelling your weekend plans. You’d be chasing tail in the woods.”

  His jaw clenched but he didn’t say a word. His dark eyes looked away from Mika, guilt crossing his features, and pain hit her hard.

  “That’s what I thought. The token denial would have been nice though. Let’s go. I’m leaving with or without you.”

  Chapter Seven

  Grady’s bar wasn’t packed during the day. The female bartender was in her early thirties, had black short hair, startling green eyes, and four face piercings. Her nose, lips, and one eyebrow sported metal. She watched Mika curiously as Grady introduced them.

  “Watch her, Tina. She’s Omar’s human niece and she’s aware of what we are.”

  Tina’s nose twitched and she arched an eyebrow at Grady. “I see how the wind blows. I thought you were seeing―”

  “That will be all,” Grady cut her off. “I’ll be in my office for a few minutes and then I’ll be back.” Grady glared at Mika. “Your ass doesn’t leave that seat. I don’t want a repeat of the other night. If you want to dance, wait for me and I’ll dance with you. I just need to take care of a few things while we’re in town.”

  He walked away, leaving Mika with the bartender, who was still eyeing her carefully and thoughtfully. The woman leaned closer, meeting Mika’s gaze.

  “He doesn’t do humans. You must be something in bed since he marked you.”

  Mika ignored the comment. “May I please have a rum and Coke on ice?”

  The woman moved away and a minute later she placed a drink in front of Mika. “You can’t hold him.” Tina gave her a cold look. “You can’t handle him for long. He’ll get tired real fast of a fragile human. He likes it rough. He likes to partially change because he doesn’t have to hold back or keep in control.” Tina smirked at her. “He’d break your bones just gripping you, if he didn’t tear you up inside going at you that hard.”

  Mika took a sip of her drink and studied the bartender, trying to hide her anger and how hurtful the words were. “I’m thinking your eyes aren’t just green because you were born that way. I know it’s mating season. Were you hopeful he’d nail you? I bet it burns that he’s in my bed instead.”

  A growl tore from Tina’s throat and sharp teeth showed. Mika leaned back. “Temper, temper, Tina. I’m Omar’s niece. He’d really be pissed if you laid a…paw on me. He’s very protective of me since we both know you’re a lot stronger and a fight wouldn’t be fair between us.”

  Snarling, the other woman spun away and stomped to the other end of the bar. Mika knew she’d been a bitch but she was angry. It was bad enough she had to face that she wasn’t what Grady wanted, but to have it pointed out to her in graphic detail by the rude bartender had just pushed her bitch button.

  Feeling watched, Mika turned and glanced around the bar. She saw about fifteen men in the room but, other than her and Tina, there were no other women. One of the men stood, gripping his beer, and started to walk toward her. When he was about five feet away, she saw him inhale, sniff at her. He froze. He sniffed again and then frowned. His gaze locked with hers and it was obvious he was confused.

  “You’re sniffing right, Joey,” Tina called out. “He marked her. She knows what we are.”

  Joey’s stunned gaze shot to Tina. “But…she’s…what the hell?”

  Mika sighed and turned to face the bar to take a sip of her drink. The man was shocked that Grady had marked her. It