“You saw my dad?” Andrea’s eyes prickled with tears. “How is he?”

His tone gentled. “He’s fine, lass, though he’s missing you. And he was happy to talk about your mum. Seemed like he was glad to have someone to talk about her with.”

The tears threatened to spill out, and Andrea blinked them back. “I’m so glad you two got along.”

“We did. You were right about your stepdad. He’s a fine man, and brave for his rank in the pack. He’s relieved that you’re here, and safe, and happy. He sent his love.”

Oh, damn you, Sean Morrissey. Andrea was trying to stay angry at him for being rabidly overprotective, and suddenly he moved back to being the Sean who knew exactly what Andrea needed. He’d gone not only to ask about her Fae father, but to bring back reassurance that Andrea’s stepfather was well and that Terry didn’t blame Andrea for what she’d done.

“I also saw Jared,” Sean said.

“You did?” She smiled. “I’m kind of sorry I missed that.”

“He’s still pretty pissed off, especially since there are no other unmated females of age in your old Shiftertown. But don’t worry, love. He’ll not do a bloody thing to you ever again, not unless he wants to challenge me. I almost hope he does, so I can wipe the floor with his sorry ass.”

Sean’s protectiveness was rising again, but Andrea couldn’t help but feel grateful for all he’d done. Being harassed and stalked wasn’t something a woman just got over. Being stalked meant waking up every morning wondering what terrible thing would happen next, looking over your shoulder with every step, falling asleep wondering whether you were safe to do so. Because of Sean, Andrea could now wake up without fear.

“Why are you doing this to me?” she asked.

“Looking after you?” Sean sounded surprised. “I mate-claimed you. I take care of you now. I told you that when I first met you.”

“I didn’t mean that, exactly.” She’d meant the easy way Sean disarmed her, the way he turned what made her angry into something wonderful he’d done for her. The way he was making Andrea care more and more about him. “And anyway, it’s only a claim, not an official mating. You’re not obligated to take care of me, yet.”

Sean’s eyes narrowed. “All of that is shite, and you know it. We follow the rituals of mate-claim and mate blessing because we’d just give ourselves to the frenzy if we didn’t, no holding back. We’d be ferals, bloody barbarians.” Sean leaned toward her, the scent of musk and leather reaching her, the look in his eyes heating her blood. “I’m very close to the frenzy now, love, and I’m not going to be able to wait for coffee.”

“It is kind of warm in here, isn’t it? Maybe you’re just flushed.”

Sean’s smile went sinful. “It’s bloody freezing in here. You’re feeling the frenzy too, aren’t you, love? Maybe a touch?”

More than a touch. Damn him.

Sean came around the counter. Andrea held her ground as he took a stance behind her, like he’d done in Liam’s house, his tall body warming her all the way down. He leaned to her, his body heat like a blanket, and she felt his teeth on her neck. “You’re the one who was buying me all the underwear,” he murmured into her skin. “Want to guess which pair I’m wearing?”

“Sean ...” The happy bubbles died across the kitchen, a rich aroma permeating the air. “The coffee’s done.”

“Unplug it.”

“I’m dying for coffee.”

“I’m dying for you.” Sean licked Andrea’s neck, his breath hot. “I can’t hold back, love. I’m trying, I’m trying damn hard, but I can’t.”

Andrea looked straight up at him with those smoke gray eyes. If this had been a hundred years ago, when Shifters were wild, Sean wouldn’t have waited for her decision. He’d have scooped her up and taken her. After all, she was his mate, she belonged to him, and the frenzy was killing him.

It makes you want to f**k or die, Liam had once said.

Or die if I don’t f**k, Sean thought. A better way of putting it.

Even so, he knew that his frenzy wasn’t just for sex, wasn’t just the biological drive that ensured that more cubs were born. Sean’s frenzy was for Andrea.

For her clear gray eyes, for her sweet curves, for the way she said his name. For the way her clothes clung to her body, for her sense of humor, for her buying him underwear with smiley faces on them. It was the way she smelled, the way she liked coffee, and the way she winked at the Shifter groupies in the bar and left them speechless.

It was her Fae scent and her fine skin, her breath, her warmth, and the fact that she walked upon the earth.

Andrea’s eyes darkened as she slid cool hands up his arms. “You’re burning up.”

“With fever. I want you, damn your beautiful eyes.”

Andrea burrowed her hands under his T-shirt. “Maybe taking this off will help.”

Sean liked how her appreciative smile touched her lips as he nearly ripped the shirt from his body. She returned to running her hands over her skin, tracing the muscles of his chest, her lashes flickering as she examined his torso.

Sean smiled a hot smile. “I showed you mine. You show me yours.”

His control slipped as Andrea stepped back and pulled her shirt off over her head. Her bra was silver lace today, a sweet and petite slash of fabric that cupped her full br**sts. Sean itched to take his teeth to the little bow in the center.

Sean folded his arms, pretending not to shake. “All of if, love.”

Andrea’s smile widened. She reached behind her back and unhooked the bra and let it fall softly to the kitchen floor.

No more holding it in. Sean went to her and slid his arms around her waist. He gently pushed her backward until she arched against the counter, and then he licked her throat and down between her br**sts. He turned his head and caught her nipple between his teeth, filling his mouth with her round breast, suckling, tasting. Andrea let out a sigh of satisfaction and drew her hand up his back.

Lovely, lovely br**sts. Sean could feast on them all day. He was hard, straining against his pants, his mouth happy to lick and nip and suckle. She was so soft, yet so firm, flesh like satin.

Andy-love, you taste so damn good.

Sean felt fingers at his belt, his jeans loosening. “I showed you mine,” Andrea said as she worked the button open, the zipper down.