Forbidden Attraction by Lorie O'Clare Read Free Book Online

good.
    Those Malta werewolves were after only one thing with you. If I hadn’t shown up when I did, who knows what would have happened.”
    27
    Lorie O’Clare
    She kept her expression tight, unwilling to even think about the possibilities. Bob would smell her emotions change in a second standing in front of her like this. And she wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.
    “You sniffed out something new and different. I understand that there’s a certain appeal toward danger and the unknown. But forget about them.” He sliced his hand through the air between them and she suddenly saw that Bob knew more than he’d originally let on. He detected her interest. “You’ll run with an escort tonight or find someone to see you to your den.”
    “You’d put me on a leash?” She couldn’t believe it.
    “I will always protect you, whether you like it or not.”
    She’d heard enough. No way would her pack suddenly treat her like a cub. “I’m going home,” she told him, and stormed out the door.
    Since her car was still in the shop and she’d rode with Martin and Tamara, she had a long walk ahead of her. At the moment, it sounded damned good. Maybe the cold night air would cool her temper a bit.
    “What was that all about?” Steve bounded out the door and fell into stride beside her.
    “I’m fine,” she told him, aware of his clean scent that had once turned her on.
    Nicolo hadn’t smelled dirty, but his scent reminded her of something wilder, more outdoorsy and untamed.
    “I’m sure you are.” He crossed his arms over his chest, keeping pace with her. “But I got orders to see you home, unless you want to go on the run with the rest of us.”
    At least Bob gave her a choice. But no, she wouldn’t cut him slack. In so many words, he’d made it clear what he thought of Malta werewolves. He’d tried and condemned them without any facts.
    “Fine. See me to my den. But then you leave.”
    Steve shrugged. “I’m cool with that.”
    Another difference between Steve and Nicolo—Steve was too proper. Why had that never bothered her before? Nicolo took what he wanted and made sure, with a look, a stroke of his hand, that she wanted it too. Just the thought of all that muscle and his dark skin and penetrating black eyes created a pressure that grew deep inside her. She hated the thought of pushing him out of her mind, but the last thing she needed was Steve smelling lust on her.
    “You want to tell me what’s wrong?” Steve asked quietly.
    “Not really.”
    “I’m a good listener.”
    She glanced up into his concerned expression. Even though they’d split up, she had to admit she still liked the wolf man. In spite of their differences, of her being unwilling to settle down and create a den with him, he hadn’t turned his back on her. Walking with her now, willing to hear any problem she had, proved that to her.
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    Forbidden Attraction
    She smiled. “Yes. You are. And thank you for seeing me to my den.”
    He didn’t ask her for more. And she had no intention of telling him more. When they reached her den, he stood at the bottom of her stairs and waited until she’d entered her living room. When she turned and waved, he trotted off, leaving her alone. Nicolo would have inspected her den to make sure it was safe.

    By midafternoon the next day, energy buzzed inside Heidi with enough fierceness she fought not to tremble. After picking up her car, which apparently just had a loose connection, she’d been given permission to pick up more pack supplies.
    “You’ll take someone with you,” Bob told her, catching her before she headed out of his den, where he also housed an office for pack business. “I hate that we don’t have a store here that carries what we need, but until we do, whenever we need stuff for pack business, I want you to have an escort when you leave the pack to get things.”
    “That’s fine.” She’d smiled easily, excited to get out of town again.
    “Why don’t you call Steve?