The Breed Next Door by Lora Leigh Read Free Book Online

breaking into the neighbor's house. Lyra Mason, she's the sister to three…"
    "Special Forces agents." Jonas finished for him. "Grant, Marshal, and Tyree Mason. They headed the force that took down some of the main Breed labs."
    Tarek closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation. "Did you know she lived here when I bought this house?" he questioned him.
    "I knew of her. I hadn't run a full investigation because I saw no reason to." He could almost see Jonas shrug with the words.
    "Twenty-four, accountant, lives modestly, a nice little nest egg but nothing substantial. Medical records show a virgin, with all the normal childhood ailments and no police record. I didn't have time to go deeper and had no reason to. Why?"
    Tarek shook his head. "No reason. I might need to come in soon, though; I think I need a checkup or something." He ran the sides of his tongue over his teeth, feeling a soft warmth spill into his mouth.
    "What's wrong?" Jonas was sounding concerned now. About damned time.
    "I don't know." He moved to the small foyer that led to the stairs. "Those damned glands at the side of my tongue. They're inflamed and doing funky shit. I swear I taste cinnamon."
    Silence filled the line.
    "Where's the girl?" Jonas asked then. "The Mason girl."
    Tarek frowned at the question.
    "My guest room. Her security system was breached."
    "Hell!" Jonas breathed roughly. "Have you fucked her?"
    A growl rose in his throat. "That's none of your damned business now is it, Jonas?" he asked silkily, dangerously. "Don't overstep your place, buddy."
    "Can it, Tarek," he snorted. "And listen close. This is straight from the old scientist who treats the main Pride members. The swollen glands contain a special hormone. That spice filling your mouth, buddy, is an aphrodisiac. Lyra Mason is your mate."
    Tarek laughed. Damn, he hadn't taken Jonas for a comedian.
    "Fine. Whatever." He grunted. "Now tell me the truth."
    He was going to kill Jonas for playing fucking games with him. He wasn't in the mood.
    "No shit, Tarek." Jonas sounded much too serious. "It's kept very quiet. A complete ban on the information unless a couple appears to be mating. One of the best-kept secrets in the world."
    Heat rushed to his head, and then to his dick.
    "What do you mean, 'She's my mate'?" Could that account for the almost obsessive lust that had developed in the past months? The patience with her that he would never have had with anyone else? The growing, clawing hunger that kept his cock hard, his senses inflamed?
    "Biological, chemical, whatever you want to call it," Jonas snorted. "If you kiss her, it causes the hormone to affect her even more than you. Mating Heat. Complete sexual abandon from now until forever. You poor bastard." There was an edge of envy in his voice, though.
    Complete sexual abandon? From now until forever? His mate?
    "She's mine," he whispered.
    "Yep. That's what the doc says. Somehow, nature picked your perfect woman for you. Have fun."
    "Have fun?"
    Jonas chuckled. "Tarek, you sound dazed, buddy."
    He gazed up at the stairs before closing his eyes and shaking his head miserably. He had a feeling Lyra was really going to have a reason to be pissed now.
    "Shit," he breathed out roughly. "This is not a good time for this, Jonas. I don't have time for sexual abandon or some kind of fucked-up aphrodisiac. Get the cure out here."
    Jonas laughed at that.
    "I'll bring the latest attempt at contraception instead," he informed him. "Tell her what the hell is going on, and before you take her, be sure she takes the little pink pill. It's worked so far. Their best guess is that the Mating Heat is nature's way of ensuring the success of the species. Because without this pill, conception of the first child occurs quickly. They sure do make some pretty babies, though."
    Babies? Tarek swallowed hard. The thought of Lyra carrying his baby did things to him he couldn't explain.
    "Just get me some help out here," he snapped, attempting to