Shifter Magnetism by Stormie Kent Read Free Book Online Page B

him on the back. “Good man. My wife’s family didn’t want her marrying a cop. We’ve been happily married for thirty-five years. You’re obviously keeping this lovely lady safe. Stay on that and keep me informed. It was nice meeting you, Leila.”
    Captain Rochester walked into his office. Nic looked around at the men still ogling his mate’s legs. He growled a bit. Then he smiled. Screw them. She was his.
    He led her by the hand back out to the SUV. “Our time is almost up. The healer said we only had a couple of hours.”
    “Can we go get my car?”
    “Sure.” He paused when she stopped walking. “What is it?”
    “Whatever Mama Tui did to me won’t last forever. We should just decide now. Do we take our chances with each other or go our separate ways? It felt like I was being ripped apart when I couldn’t have you, yet you were near.” She opened her mouth, then closed it before shrugging.
    It stung that all she counted in his favor was an end to her heat. “I would never willingly choose to give up my mate. So the decision is yours.” He ground his back teeth together, then forced himself to say the next part. “I can help you through the heat, and we can take everything else one day at a time.”
    Nic waited as she stared into his eyes. There was no aggression in the way she watched him, and his wolf didn’t see it as a challenge. His beast understood that the decision belonged to her.
    Finally she spoke. “We make it through the heat and take everything else one day at a time.”
    He wanted so much more. He held those thoughts inside as he helped her into the vehicle, then sat behind the wheel.
    His phone rang. He looked at the number before answering. “Hi, Mamá.” He’d been expecting her call. He hadn’t checked in with her since the night of the attack.
    “Are you safe? Where are you? Manuel has been asking for you.”
    Nic was sure his alpha was looking for him since Nic had been dodging his calls. “Mamá, would you mind bringing me some of my things? I’m on a case. Don’t tell anyone where you’re going.”
    “Nic, what’s going on?” He hated the anxiety in his mother’s voice.
    “I’ll explain when you get here. I promise.” He gave her Leila’s address and disconnected the call.
    Leila didn’t comment on the phone call, and he was grateful. He drove to the club and inspected her car before he would allow her to drive it. They drove back to her condo, and when he opened her car door, he realized she was back in heat. The scent of her arousal enticed him. Her sultry gaze locked him in place. The first thing she did was jump into his arms. He had an armful of beautiful witch nuzzling his neck and caressing him in a way that might have been too risqué for the parking lot of her condo in broad daylight.
    That was how his mother found them.
    “You’re mated.”
    “We haven’t mated yet, Mamá.”
    She put her hands on her jean-clad hips. “Don’t lie to your mamá. Your scent has changed.”
    Shock held him mute for a moment.
    “Hello, Mrs. Lobo.” Leila managed to unwind herself and stand on her feet.
    Nic grabbed the bag from his mother. “Let’s not stand out here.”
    They took the elevator because he was sure Leila wouldn’t make it up the stairs. Already panting, she was having serious trouble remaining still, and on the ride up, she gave him the most erotic arm rub he’d ever experienced in his life.
    His mother inhaled deeply for the fifth time and stared at her. “She’s in heat. How is she in heat?”
    He led them both into the condo. “Leila, try a cool shower.”
    He watched as she headed to the bedroom; then he turned back to his mother. He stared into worried eyes so similar to his. Tall and statuesque, with her long dark hair pulled into a loose bun, she didn’t appear old enough to be his mother. “My scent has changed already?”
    “Yes. She’s a witch, isn’t she?”
    There was no point in keeping his mother in the dark. He trusted her