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  Dives pushed off the mantel and strode towards me. The secret passage shut, leaving no trace it was ever there. "I've come to sleep in my bed," he told me.

  I took a nervous step backward, but my retreat was stopped by the side of the bed. "Y-you said I'd have my own bedroom," I reminded him.

  He stepped up to me and grinned. "I did, didn't I? But did I forget to mention that as owner of the house all the beds are technically mine?"

  That strong, seductive odor, the same from the elevator, enveloped me in its luscious scent. I shuddered and turned my face away. "Y-you really should leave."

  He grasped my upper arms. I looked into his face. His eyes glistened with need as he studied me. "I should, but I don't think either of us want it."

  He was right. I wanted him to stay. All night, if that's how long we could last.

  Dives leaned down and captured my lips in a passionate kiss. My body tingled with tantalizing heat that soaked my senses with lust.

  I broke us apart for some much-needed air. My cheeks were warm with a blush and my body was hot with desire. I looked at him through the bleary eyes of lust and my voice came out in a hoarse whisper. "What's. . .what's happening?"

  David gasped for air and his dark eyes swept over my face. He shook his head and his own voice was deep with his own need. "I-I don't know, but I want you." He brushed his hand over one side of my face and cupped my cheek. "I. . .I've never wanted anyone this bad before. I-" He closed his eyes and shuddered. When he opened them they were a bright yellow and his voice was more growl than human. "I can't stop myself."

  A wave of his feral musk swept over me. I closed my eyes and shuddered. The lust inside me tripled and images of us together-in bed-rose to the surface of my hazy mind.

  He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against him. His hard, pulsing member pressed up against me and told me of his need for me. He left a trail of deliciously slow kisses down my neck. Each one was like a small fire that kindled the larger flame inside me. The wonderful heat pooled between my legs and demanded satisfaction. I craved his scent, his attentions, his touch. Everything about him drew me to him like a moth to a hot flame.

  I clutched his arms and opened my eyes. His cool yellow ones stared back at me and there were shades of gray hairs in his temples. One of his hands slid down to massage my rear. I leaned back my head and groaned.

  His eyes widened and he panted. I barely recognized his gravelly voice, but the word sent a thrill of excitement through me. "Mine."

  I could only dumbly nod. My body ached for him, and for that I would be his. "Yours."

  He possessed my lips in another hot, passionate kiss. My towel fell away beneath his strong hands and sharp claws. The rest of me fell into his wonderful touches as his hands groped and massaged my body. I was delirious with the smell of his scent and the feel of his rough skin against mine. Every touch, every slide of skin against skin drove us onward into a delicious oblivion of lust.

  He tore away his own shirt and pants, leaving us pressed naked against one another. My pert nipples rubbed against his hard chest and sent ripples of delight through my body. I groaned into our kiss, and he growled back. The possessive sound thrilled me. I was his and his alone, and I knew he would take me and pleasure me all night long.

  He broke our kiss and swept me into his arms. We were soon spread on the bed with his hot, heavy body atop mine. He pinned me to the sheets and covered my body in hot kisses. His hands touched me and took in all of me. My body eased into his touch and my lust-filled mind was trapped in my longing for him. All of me was possessed by him, and oh god did I enjoy it.

  I groaned and shivered beneath his attentions. My soft purrs filled the bedroom and mingled with his grunts. Our soft love-making increased the tension inside us. The need for the union we both craved reached a fever-pitch.

  I parted my legs and wrapped them around his waist. He pressed his thick, throbbing manhood against my entrance and paused. His yellow eyes stared down at me with such love and possession that I whimpered.

  A crooked, fanged grin slid onto his parted lips. "Mine forever."

  He slid into me. My hot, wet walls stretched to meet his demands. I gasped and shifted my hips. He grunted and thrust deeper into me. Every inch of him stroked my sensitive nerves and sent small waves of pleasure through me. I leaned my head back and groaned.

  We began our dance to a tortuously slow tune. Every thrust and push was matched rhythm for rhythm with my rocking hips. Our sweat-soaked bodies slid against one another in increasing friction. My hands swept over his back. Small hairs poked out from his flesh and lengthened with each push.

  His breathing quickened. Our tempo moved faster. I grasped his head and moaned. My mind floated in a haze of musky scent and lust that consumed me, and I reveled in it. Every push, every delicious slide of his manhood brought to me an aching hunger that only he could satisfy.

  I tangled my fingers in his growing locks of gray and brown hair. My parched lips murmured sweet words. "Oh my god. Oh god, please don't stop."

  He growled and his wolf hair burst from his back. I groaned as his thick manhood swelled and pushed against my tingling pleasure nerves. His pace quickened. I clutched onto him as he took me faster than I could follow. Every fiber of my tense body craved this dominating attention as he wrapped his arms around me and pressed me close to him. His sharp teeth nipped at my neck. The pleasure inside of me mounted.

  I shuddered and squirmed. Our panting sounds mingled. Faster and faster he went. Closer and closer I came until I was on the precipice of pleasure. The tension and lust inside of me was too much. I needed satisfaction, I needed him.

  I leaned my head back and stroked his hair. My soft words reached his pointed ears. "Yes. Oh god, yes. Take me. Please god, take me. Make me yours."

  "Mine," he growled. The word was human, but not the voice. It was deep and feral. Ever syllable was a lustful growl.

  That sent me over the edge and into an oblivion of pleasure. I screamed to the heavens his triumph as he took me with his swift strokes. My body shivered and shuddered beneath the waves of bliss that washed over me.

  My lover penetrated me again and again until he, too, fulfilled his carnal lust. He stiffened for a moment before his body relaxed and fell onto the bed beside me. He pulled me into his arms, and for a long while we lay there together panting.

  He pulled the quilt over our naked, cooling bodies. I snuggled against his warm, firm chest and closed my eyes. A contented sigh escaped my lips, and I slipped into a deep, peaceful sleep.

  7

  A terrible light pierced my eyelids. I groaned and groped for a blanket. My hand pressed against something more firm and definitely not fluffy. I forced my eyes open and blinked into the bleary face of David Dives.

  I yelped and shoved myself away from him. Unfortunately, that also shoved me out of the small quilt that lay over us. The morning sun drifted into the windows, but the autumn season chilled the air. The cool draft of the large room swept over me, as did his teasing eyes.

  "Good morning," he greeted me.

  I grabbed the corners of the quilt and pulled the blanket over me. That slid them off his body so it was my turn to take in the full view of his naked, godly form. A light coat of fur covered his arms and legs, and his hair trailed down his back like a mane. My eyes inadvertently moved down his body to the most interesting parts. A blush spread across my face and I rolled away from him.

  "Aren't playboys supposed to be gone in the morning?" I scolded him.

  He leaned his cheek in one palm and smiled. "That's the usual act, but you're in my house."

  I shrank into the quilt. "Well, could you at least put on some pants?"

  He shifted closer to me and one of his hands slid onto my hip. That familiar hot thrill raced up my body. He leaned forward and his whispered words ghosted over my ear. "You had no qualms about my lack of pants last night."

  I shuddered and closed my eyes. "T-that's because you put some sort of a spe
ll over me."

  Dives chuckled and his hand slid closer to my hot core. "Or perhaps it's because you wanted me as much as I want you now."

  A knock on the door ruined our-I mean, his fun. "Mr. Dives?" Puer called out.

  Dives sighed and his hand retreated from my inner thigh. "Yes?"

  "There was a phone call for you from Mr. Cotio. He wished for you to know that Latro has been asking questions about you again."

  Dives growled and sat up. "Did he tell you what kind of questions were being asked?"

  "He wouldn't say anything over the phone, sir, only that he would answer any of your inquiries if you came to see him," Puer replied.

  The bed shifted. I glanced over my shoulder and watched Dives slip his jeans on. "All right. Tell him I'll be there in an hour."

  "Very well, sir. Should I get breakfast for two in bed?" Puer wondered.

  A crooked smile slipped onto Dives's face. "Not today, Puer. Just the usual fare at the table."

  "Very good, sir." Puer's footsteps retreated down the hall.

  I looked to Dives. "What's going on? Who's Latro?"

  He slipped his arms into his shirt and pursed his lips. "Some humans aren't content to leave well-enough alone. This person is one of them."

  "But who is he?" I persisted.

  Dives stooped and gathered up my bundle from the floor. "Latro is a self-styled monster hunter, and I one of the monsters. How many changes of clothes do you have?"

  I wrapped the sheet around my upper body and raised myself to a seated position. "I've got a few, but what's that got to do with this monster hunter?"

  "Cotio's shop is downtown, and I thought I might buy you some new clothes as a thank-you for last night," he explained.

  I frowned. "And who's this Cotio guy? He's the one Latro's bothering, right?"

  Dives sat at an angle on the side of the bed and nodded. "Yeah. Cotio's my paranormal guy. He gets me what I need. Info, hair tonic, talismans. If it exists, he either has it or knows where it can be bought."

  I tilted my head to one side and furrowed my brow. "So he's some sort of paranormal broker?"

  Dives chuckled. "Something like that. He's got a lot of clients, and Latro would love to get those gloved hands on the list. My name especially is a prime target."

  I raised an eyebrow. "And why's that?"

  Dives shrugged. "Let's just say Latro and I go back a ways, and if we don't hurry our eggs will be cold."

  "I'll be there in a minute," I promised.

  He toyed with the knot atop my bundle. "I could help you dress."

  I jerked my head towards the door. "Out."

  Dives sighed and stood. "All right. I'll meet you in the dining room. It's to-"

  "On the left of the entrance hall as you enter. I saw it last night," I reminded him.

  He chuckled. "Smart girl. Anyway, see you in a while."

  He left me to dress, and I was downstairs in a few minutes. The smells of a delicious breakfast wafted from the dining room, and I peeked through the archway to find two places set at the long, wide table. One was at the head and the other on the left. Dives was seated at the head and in front of him were plates filled with a variety of pastries, meats, and fruits.

  Dives stood at my coming and pulled out the other chair. "There's nothing finer than fine food in the company of a beautiful woman."

  "Flattery won't get you far," I warned him as I slipped into the chair.

  He pushed me close to the table and resumed his seat. His smile never left his cute, kissable lips. "Perhaps not, but I have a terrible stubborn streak in me."

  I rolled my eyes and piled food on my plate. "Did you have that before or after the cruise ship?"

  "Both. It's a family trait," he replied.

  I picked up my fork and tapped it on the table. "Speaking of family, and traits, does anyone else beside Puer, me and half the city know about your fur coat?"

  He chuckled. "Only a few others, but we go to see only Cotio today."

  Puer appeared in the doorway that led to the entrance hall. "I've informed Mr. Cotio of your arrival. Would you like me to get the car warmed?"

  Dives shoveled some food into my mouth and nodded. "Yes. We'll be there in a few minutes." Puer bowed and left us.

  My eyes flickered to Dives. "What's all this 'we' stuff?"

  "I would enjoy your company," he commented.

  I raised an eyebrow. "What about your allergic reaction to me? You break out in fur, remember?"

  He paused and lifted his human hand to his face to study the fingers. "Much of the 'allergy' was exercised from me last night. We shouldn't have any problems, at least not until night."

  I ate until I was full and set my fork down. "You know, I only agreed to be your house mate because you owe me a room. I didn't say I'd be your tag-along for your werewolf chores."

  Dives smiled. He set down his fork and leaned back to dab the corners of his mouth with his napkin. "Why can't you do both?"

  I frowned. "Because I already lost my apartment because you're a stubborn-ass werewolf. I don't want to lose something worse, like a limb or my car."

  "But you gained a fine room here, and I did save your car," he pointed out.

  I snorted. "Yeah, it's a nice room, but it's a little crowded, and the neighbor won't stop pestering me."

  My host chuckled and stood. "Think of last night as a formal greeting. I promise I'll try not to take so much of your nightly attentions for the remainder of your stay." He held out his hand to me and grinned. "Besides, I don't think you really found my greeting so horrible."

  I sighed and tossed down my napkin onto my plate. "No, I suppose not."

  I took his hand and he pulled me out of my seat and against his chest. He stared into my eyes with his and there was a tinge of yellow in their depths. His soft, quiet voice was as smooth as velvet and left me with a hot feeling of lust in my body.

  "I'm glad to hear it because I intend to do the same to you every night."

  I rolled my eyes and pushed him away. "Come on, before the car runs out of gas."

  8

  I led the way outside where a black limo awaited us. The windows were so tinted I wondered if they were one-way mirrors. Puer himself opened the door, and I followed Dives into the dark interior. Lush leather and a small fridge awaited us. I took the seat opposite Dives, and in a few moments we traveled down the road.

  I leaned back and looked to Dives. "So how does this Lasco person work, anyway?"

  "Latro, and in a flashy manner," he told me. "Latro's main objective is to tell the world that the paranormal is real."

  I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

  He shrugged. "I haven't asked for motivations, but Latro probably had parents or a second cousin-twice-removed killed by a death maggot or were-rabbit, and is seeking revenge."

  My face fell. "Those things don't actually exist, do they? And what the hell is a death maggot, anyway?" Dives opened his mouth, but I held up my hand. "Wait, on second thought I don't want to know. The less I know the more I like."

  He leaned back and stretched his arms across the top of the seat as he studied me with that evil yellowish twinkle in his eyes. "Actually, the paranormal world is quite interesting, and lucrative. Cotio makes quite a killing on the items he sells."

  I snorted. "After seeing what you could do last night I don't doubt killing is involved, and I'd rather not have my hands in that stuff. Blood's too hard to wash out."

  He chuckled. "Perhaps you're right, but I forgot to tell you about the rules for Cotio's shop."

  I raised an eyebrow. "What rules?"

  He held up three fingers and dropped them with each rule he listed. "First, no touching anything. I would also avoid looking at any of this books, otherwise you might find them staring back at you. Second, don't go wandering through the store. His shop is full of booby traps for those with a lesser purse than me."

  I snorted. "Like everybody."

  There remained one finger, and he held that out to me. "And
finally, and perhaps most importantly, don't make any sudden motions. Cotio is friendly with people he knows, but he's very nervous around strangers."

  I frowned. "So what would happen if I tried to scare him?"

  Dives grinned. "Have you ever wanted to know what it felt like to have a vial of acid thrown in your face?"

  I cringed. "Point taken."

  Puer drove us through urbana and back into the commercial districts, but not the sections with the high-rises and skyscrapers. We drove to the older district where four-floor brick buildings still reigned. The ground-floor windows were wide and showed off the merchandise. Back-alleys with rear doors delivered the goods, and some of the buildings sported apartments on their upper floors where air conditioners hung out the windows. Parking hadn't been on the minds of the street architects at the time of construction, so Puer parked us in a public parking lot and we stepped out.

  Puer opened the door, and Dives and I stepped out. "Stay here. This shouldn't take too long," Dives assured him.

  Puer bowed his head. "Very well."

  Dives led me onto the sidewalk and down the street. Ancient streetlights hung over us as we walked down the cracked brick sidewalks. Shoppers passed by us holding bags filled clothes, jewelry, and the occasional tin of cocoa for these long autumn nights.

  We reached one of the older three-floor brick buildings. There was a large window on one side that showed off cheap jewelry, and to the left stood the wooden door with a long, tall glass in the center. The worn sign over the front of the building read 'Cotio's Curiosities.'

  Dives paused in front of the door and half-turned to me. "You remember the three rules?"

  I rolled my eyes and nodded. "Yes, Mommy. No touching, no running, and no sneezing."

  I was surprised when he frowned. "This is serious. What are they?"

  I raised an eyebrow, but counted down the rules with my fingers. "No touching, looking, or scaring the owner."

  He nodded his head and a smile graced his lips once more. "And stay close to me. I wouldn't want to lose you so soon after I found you."

  Dives opened the door and we stepped inside the shop. A bell above the door chimed our entrance. The old musty building smelled like the pages of dried books and herbs. Shelves lined the walls on either side of us and center, and didn't stop until they reached the wall halfway down the shop. The shelves were covered in jars, boxes, and tins full of food, dolls, kits, and other stuff I couldn't quite identify. Some of the kits looked like they held dried heads, and some of the dolls stared at us with a little too much intensity.