Fascination: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Shifters Forever After Book 2) by Elle Thorne Read Free Book Online Page B

pulled her in for an embrace.
    She looked at this man, her enemy, her hunter, and if her panther was right, her fated mate.
    Inside, her body was a jumble of nerves. How did he make her feel this way? It wasn’t sex. No, not just sex, but all of what she felt for him met in that one place, deep within her, that spanned from the tip of her toes to her brain.
    I’m crazy. This is crazy. This can’t end well.
    He raised a hand, put it behind her neck, and moved it slowly, leaving tiny goose bumps in her flesh that had nothing whatsoever to do with the temperature. Shivers raced down her back. Those translucent blue eyes of his held her captive while his hand traveled until it cupped her cheek with such tenderness, her breath refused to leave her body.
    She forced herself to breathe out.
    Big mistake, because then she had to breathe in.
    And what she breathed in was all Isaac, all male, all sexiness, blended with the scent of woods and peppermint.
    Heaven help her. She was falling.
    “Cadence.”
    That word again. Her name, the way he said it, was an aphrodisiac of the greatest proportions.
    “There’s something about you. There’s something here. Tell me you don’t feel it.”
    She hesitated.
    Perhaps too long, because before she could formulate a response, he lowered his head, tilting it just so, and swiped his tongue over her lips.
    At first she thought he’d be gentle, as if asking permission, but that wasn’t Isaac’s way, it seemed. He pressed forward, pushing her against the wall, his mouth staking his claim on her, his tongue acting out his desire. He pressed against her, trapping her. His tongue did the eternal dance with hers, a tango that built a fire within her. The kiss seemed to last forever as his other hand drifted to her waist and pulled her against the length of him.
    Oxygen was making its way to her lungs, she was sure, because she hadn’t passed out, but at the same time she felt breathless. She couldn’t concentrate on anything but the man in front of her.
    He pulled back, his gaze on fire. Her lips were cold in the absence of his.
    “I’d like to take you to dinner.”
    Dinner?
    She couldn’t even fathom the idea of dinner. She took a deep breath to clear her thinking.
    No. She had to retrieve her phone. She needed to…
    She didn’t know what she needed.
    Yes, she did. She most certainly did.
    She needed to run away from him as fast as she could before he trapped her in…
    Heaven.
    One more deep breath, more head clearing—or at least a valiant effort to do so.
    “I can’t tonight. I have something to do.”
    He nodded slowly, as if he didn’t buy that.
    “About your request, though…” she continued.
    “Request?”
    “To help you. With catching your cat burglar. I’ll do it.”
    I’m crazy.
    She wanted to shake herself. What was she thinking? “Just give me a few days to get some things wrapped up.”
    Like maybe a final job so that I can officially retire from my life of crime and get Ignacio’s Place funded.
    “You’re sure about dinner?” His lips brushed hers.
    No. I need to get my phone. And get last night’s bounty to Ben.
    Ben, her liaison.
    Who am I kidding? He’s a fence . Used to be Uncle Ramon’s fence.
    “I can’t.” She left it at that.
    Moments later, she’d left him on the corner.

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    T he struggle between wanting Isaac and trying to avoid being arrested by him was tearing Cade up.
    Getting the burner phone back was no big deal. There wasn’t anyone watching the building next to the one she’d robbed.
    Cade powered it on while she strode toward her apartment.
    She had a text.
    Ben: Want another lead?
    She called him. “The last lead almost got me arrested.”
    “This isn’t from the same guy. And it’s a big one.”
    “Keep talking.” Is this the answer to my prayers? The last job?
    “He y, I can only tell you what I know. I can’t tell you what the cops know or plan. Do you want it or not?”
    I should wait. I should let more time go