“I don’t want easy.” And she didn’t. She just wanted Jayce.

He swallowed once. “I might be called away a lot on Council business.”

“So? Who says I can’t go with you sometimes? And who says I can’t work with you?”

His eyes widened. “Ah . . .”

He could make all the choking sounds he wanted. She liked the idea of working with him. “We make a great team.” After her attack and her subsequent change into a shifter, she’d quit her job at the ski lodge, and even though she had a degree in education, she had no idea if she would ever want to return to teaching in the classroom. Luckily they didn’t have to make a decision right then.

“Well—”

“Well, nothing. You asked, I said yes, and I’m not changing my mind. You’re stuck with me.” Forever. Bonding or not, she could never walk away from Jayce. Never again.

“I’ll hold you to that,” he said with a slight grin.

Jayce put the vehicle into park as he jerked to a stop in front of December’s house, the entire SUV shuddering under the abrupt move. Then he was around the vehicle—still naked!—before she’d blinked, pulled her out of the SUV, and was striding toward the house with such determined steps that her entire body hummed with anticipation.

“I need you, Kat.” The words were a guttural growl.

“I need you too.” More than she needed revenge. More than anything. Life without Jayce was unimaginable.

Before they’d reached the stairs he’d stripped her of her clothes, and by the time they’d made it to the shower, he was already inside her, thrusting, taking, absolutely possessing her.

His claiming was primal and toe-curling, and after her third orgasm she thought they were done for the night. But Jayce was a machine, keeping her awake and pleasuring her until the first hint of daylight trickled through the blinds. He told her he loved her so many times, but she knew she would never tire of hearing those words on his lips.

Kat didn’t remember falling asleep. The only thing she was aware of was Jayce’s strong arms cradling her against his chest and the feeling of absolute rightness in the world.

Chapter 20

Four days later

Kat tossed her keys onto the kitchen table, shrugged out of her jacket and threw it over one of the chairs. Rolling her shoulders, she went straight for the refrigerator and pulled out an unopened bottle of white wine.

Just what the doctor ordered.

The past four days had been a blur of paperwork and interviews with the FBI, the local cops, and even reporters. She hadn’t wanted to talk to the media at all, but since she’d been the kidnap victim of what the media were now calling a crazed hate group, Connor, the North American Council, and even the local police had thought it was a good idea for her to tell her side of the story. They needed public opinion on their side. Of course Jayce hadn’t cared what she did as long as she was happy and safe.

Which was one of the many reasons she loved him.

Kidnapping, attempted murder, and a whole mess of other things were being tacked on to the list of crimes of the men who’d participated in her abduction. The Feds were still pissed that Fletcher Monroe and his mate had disappeared. Connor, her pack, and the locals were pretty angry too, since Fletcher was wanted for four murders in Fontana. It didn’t matter that he’d been forced into doing it; he’d still committed murder. At least the locals weren’t angry at her pack anymore. There had been a definite change in the energy toward them.

Kat had no idea where Fletcher was, and she was thankful for that. She didn’t want to know because she didn’t want to knowingly lie to the police. They’d asked her more than once about his whereabouts, but they were treading carefully since she’d played a huge part in their sting operation. Not to mention that she was now officially known as the enforcer’s mate. They might not admit it, but she’d seen fear and respect in the eyes of most of the law enforcement guys when they encountered Jayce.

As she unscrewed the cork, she heard the door open and immediately scented Jayce. She’d spent most of the day at the ranch, staying out of the limelight and getting to know her packmates, including Leila. Kat had come to adore the teenager and was glad the girl would be staying on at the ranch. Jayce was still annoyed that Leila had hacked into the enforcers’ forum, but Kat could tell he was also impressed.

“You better be naked by the time you get in here,” she called out while pulling down a wineglass from one of the cabinets. She knew he’d grab a beer.

“That might get a little uncomfortable for everyone,” a deep, very familiar voice said.

Nearly dropping the glass, she set it down on the counter, then swirled to find her father standing in the doorway with Jayce. Without thinking, she launched herself at her dad, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. They might have had their issues in the past—his criminal enterprises being the biggest one—but he was still her dad. After everything that had happened in the past couple of months, it suddenly hit her how much she’d missed him.

Her incredibly tall and muscular father stumbled back under her assault and she cringed; she’d forgotten that she had to watch her strength now. “What are you doing here?” She sniffled, pulling back and trying to ignore the embarrassment she felt for what she’d just said to Jayce in her father’s presence.

“I have to find out my daughter was the kidnap victim of some crazies from the news?” Pale blue eyes so similar to her own stared down at her, more than a touch of hurt in them.

That surprised her, but maybe it shouldn’t have. Her father never let his emotions show. But she should have called him.

“Why don’t you guys head to the living room? I’ll bring our drinks in,” Jayce said, already moving to the refrigerator, stopping only to drop a kiss on her forehead.

Moments later Jayce walked in carrying a glass of wine for her and two beers. He smoothly slid onto the couch next to her and pulled her over so that she was sitting on his lap. This was his not-so-subtle way of telling her father what was going on with them. Though she figured he already knew, since she and Jayce were living under the same roof.

Her father lifted a dark eyebrow. “I see you two are back together and evidently serious?”

She nodded. “We’re . . . mates.”

“Soon to be bondmates,” Jayce said, a touch of heat in his voice as his grip on her waist tightened.

Her father smiled. “Good. I want you with someone who can take care of you. And you will take care of her.” Her father looked at Jayce, a razor-sharp edge to his voice that promised certain death if Jayce ever hurt her. He’d never been good with subtle.

While she loved her father, his overprotectiveness was infuriating even on a good day. “Dad—”

Jayce squeezed her thigh, but kept his gaze steady on her father. “It’s fine, Kat. I’ll take care of your daughter for as long as I’m alive.” No flowery promises or explanations of how he would do that. Just a statement that he would. Anything else wouldn’t sound real coming from Jayce.

“Good.” Her father surprised her by standing. “I just wanted to stop by on my way to the Armstrong ranch, but I’ll let you two have your evening.”

Kat turned to look at Jayce in confusion. “He didn’t come with you?”

Jayce shook his head while her father answered. “We arrived at the same time. After I saw the news I contacted Connor Armstrong, and he’s offered me a place to stay. I’ll be in town for a few days, so we’ll have plenty of time to catch up.”

She started to protest, to tell him to stay for dinner, but Jayce squeezed her leg again and moved so that they both stood. He held out a hand to her father. “We’ll be by the ranch early tomorrow morning.”

After hugging her father again and saying good-bye, Kat shut the door and swiveled to face Jayce, hands on her hips. “Why didn’t you invite him for dinner?”

A slow, sensuous smile curved Jayce’s lips, sending heat curling through her body. She recognized that look very well. “Because the only thing I’m eating in the next few minutes is you.”

It didn’t matter that he’d seen her naked too many times to count and kissed every inch of her body. His words made her cheeks heat up. “He probably thinks we were being rude.”

Jayce’s grin remained in place as he stalked closer. “I had a talk with him in the driveway before we came inside. Stop worrying.”

She wasn’t worried about her father; she was worried about what was supposed to happen that night. The sun had already set and it was a full moon. “Oh, well, I’m going to get my wine, then.” Trying to brush past him, she found herself caged by his strong embrace, his arms wrapping tight around her waist.

“Are you really thirsty?” he murmured, nipping her ear.

She shook her head and let out a sigh. Might as well be honest. “Just nervous.”

Her words made him momentarily freeze. Then he pulled his head back. “About tonight?”

The slight catch in his voice made her fingers clench on his shoulders. “Well . . . yeah. Aren’t you?” Bonding was stronger than marriage. Stronger even because they couldn’t separate. Not that she wanted to, but still, bonding was forever. Considering their life spans, that was a pretty long time.

“No.” He didn’t even hesitate.

Which soothed her immediately. “I just don’t want you to have any doubts. We can wait until the next full moon. There’s no rush.”

“I’ve been waiting forever for you, Kat. I’ll wait as long as you want, but I’m ready here and now. When you left me, it ripped my heart out. Like someone literally carved into my chest.” He paused, his eyes darkening to storm clouds. “I don’t need time. I just need you.”

Jayce wasn’t big with words, so hearing that confession made her heart beat about a thousand times faster. “I don’t need time either.” The moment the words were out of her mouth, she knew they were true.