Excessive Force (Force of Nature Series) by Kathi S. Barton Read Free Book Online Page B

he’d tried to make her do something she swore she’d never do.
    “The man who claims to be your mate, what do you know of him?” She didn’t answer as she reached for some socks to put on. “He’s going to be a powerful doctor, healing those that would die without his help. You’ll need to allow him to claim you, or it will never happen.”
    “I don’t want to be claimed. You of all people should know that.” He nodded and looked sad. “Why do you care if a wolf is a doctor and whether or not I get claimed by him or not?”
    “No reason.” He moved around the room, not seeing what was there. She knew this because he’d walked through a chair, and now stood in the middle of a table. “I should like to give you a gift.”
    “You’ve given me enough, thanks.” With her shoes on , she went to get her wallet and bag. She was going to go out and find someplace that would serve her a thick steak and the biggest baked potato she’d ever seen. “Are you coming with me or staying here?”
    “I’ll come.” She moved to the door and locked it after going out of it. When he appeared beside her, she didn’t say anything to him, as there were two people in the hall with her. No one but her could see him, and she liked that just fine. But he could talk to her.
    When they all entered the elevator , she had to look away when he was standing where the woman was. Not just where she was, but it looked like he wore her as a suit. When the couple got out, she moved out of the hotel so they could no longer hear her.
    “Are you going to tell me the real reason you’re here or not?” They were on a busy street now, and she pulled out her ear piece and stuck it in her ear. It didn’t work, of course. She didn’t own a cell phone, but it made her look less crazy when she spoke to him.
    “I’ve come to ask you about the vampire I felt touching you today. She is very powerful, and I think I know her.” Jodie held a door open at the deli she was going to have dinner at while a woman and her child walked out. “What’s her name? And did you know that she’s full blooded?”
    “No, why would I know that ? I don’t even know your name, much less hers. All I’ve ever known about you is the little snippets you’ve granted me.” He nodded and moved to the table she was planning to sit at. She knew that he’d keep the others away so that she’d have a seat where they could talk when she got her food. He’d done it for her before.
    “I’ve given you a great deal , or tried to. You never wanted anything from me.” She sat down when he sighed heavily. “I’ve tried and tried, but all you wanted was training.”
    “That’s all you said you’d give me. I can’t help it if you changed your mind later. And I’ve tried to pay you for it, but you refused.” She looked at the sandwich, no longer hungry.
    “You should eat. You’ll need your strength in the coming days.” She glared at him. “You can see it too if you wish. Just touch your mate of your own free will and you’ll know it too.”
    “I told you that part of what I am is off limits to everyone.” She picked up the sandwich, knowing that he was guiding her to eat it, and finished it off. It was that or fight him, and she didn’t have the strength after the fight today.
    “Tell me your name, all of it.” She glanced at him as he spoke. “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”
    “You told me never to give anyone my name. I’ve even worked to erase it from my family’s mind. Why would you give it to me now?” He moved to the other side of the room and brought something back with him. Whatever it was, she would be able to see it but not touch it. He laid the book in front of her.
    “I’m sending this to you tomorrow. Show it to the vampire from today. You do that and I’ll finish your training.” She shook her head, and he nodded. “You have to do it. She already knows that you and I are together. Mistress Vampire is very strong and can