[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

around his neck.
Before she could distract him, Gavin grabbed
Brooke s arms.  Whatever it is, it s not going to
change what I think about you.
 You re not going to drop this, are you?
He shook his head.
Resting her hands on his chest, she sighed.  My
mother died when I was three. My father s a cop,
so he works a lot. I moved from one nanny to the
next. Brooke scoffed.  I wasn t a very good
child, she admitted.  When I hit fourteen, I
started experimenting with boys. I guess I was
trying to fill the void caused by lack of family with
physical contact. No longer able to meet Gavin s
gaze, she fixed on some point over his head.  Last
year I miscarried. My father put me in counseling.
I m going to an all-girl s college. I saw the way
you looked at me and knew you wanted me. I
guess I just needed to feel that closeness again
before being sequestered away from the world for
ten months.
 And that s why you leave every Tuesday and
Friday at four? Gavin replied, putting the pieces
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Mating Instinct
together.  Counseling.
 You noticed.
 Not much gets by me about you, he admitted.
 So, Brooke quirked a playful smile at him,
 what was I eating?
Chucking, Gavin smiled and kissed her gently.
 You re persistent, aren t you? Pulling her close,
he nibbled her ear. Knowing he had to try to make
her understand the changes in her body and since
her explanation a moment ago explained so much,
he decided to risk it.  Your theory is correct, my
sweet vixen.
 What theory, she managed to get out.
 About the werewolf. The look on her face
told him Brooke thought he teased. Moving the
hair away from her neck, his nearly black eyes
bored into hers.  You feel satiated because the
meat was human flesh. I m the werewolf. I bit you.
You are my mate.
He trailed kisses down her neck, waiting for her
reaction. It didn t take long.
Brooke leaned away from him and laughed.
 Stop it.
He frowned in question.
 Stop making fun of my theory! When he
didn t smile at her, she straightened.  Oh, my
God. You re serious!
Rising from Gavin s lap, she looked over the
remains of their meal. He stood, gaze searching
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Charlie Richards
her face.  Think about it. I live alone. I have no
family. And I use cash to stay off the grid. Come
on, baby. Put the pieces together. I didn t show on
your birthday. There was a full moon that night.
 That s how you knew I d been in an alley,
Brooke hissed, eyes turning vacant as she put the
clues together. She took a step back.
Gavin nodded. He moved toward her,
unwilling to let go of the heat they generated
together.  When our bodies come together, they
sing. You can t deny that. I complete you, Brooke.
That s what you ve been craving. It s why you
started experimenting at fourteen. You were
searching& for me!
 Oh, no, she whispered.  You re the murderer.
You& you dress up like a beast, so no one will
recognize you.
 What? Hasn t she been listening?  No,
I& there s no costume, Brooke. I am a werewolf.
Gavin s jaw tightened as she continued to back
away. Frustration coursed through him, and he
blurted out,  And you ll be one, too.
 No, Brooke whispered hoarsely.  That s not
true!
Gavin stalked toward her, certain that if he
could hold Brooke in his arms she d understand.
 Get away from me! She screamed, long and
loud.
 Stop it, Brooke! he hissed, grabbing her
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Mating Instinct
shoulders.
The kitchen door banged open.  Brooke? Where
are you? Releasing her, Gavin let the woman run
to her father.  When you weren t home, I thought
you may be here. What s going on?
 He s the murderer, Brooke said.
 What? Richard sounded disbelieving.
 He did it! You ll find human meat in his
freezers!
Gavin s eyes narrowed. She hadn t been ready,
after all, but time was running short. He started
toward the pair.
 Stay back, Gavin, Richard warned. He
pushed Brooke down the stairs.  Get out of here,
Brooke. Get to the house and call it in. My radio s
on the counter.
Anger sliced through Gavin, and he felt his
beast rise to the surface. Growling low in his
throat, he launched himself at the detective.
Richard stepped sideways, barely avoiding the
attack. Both men stumbled out the door and onto
the back patio. Gavin spotted Brooke running
down the driveway. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]