She wound her arms around his neck and luxuriated in the way he felt. Each breath she took, he fed back to her, his tongue teasing in and out of her mouth. He was big and strong against her.

“Damn, I love the way you taste.”

The door came open as he unlocked it while still holding her. Megan and Dave pulled up and got out.

“Um, hey there. Before you start something up there, let us get settled,” Dave called to them.

Cade sighed. “Yeah. That. Welcome to the world of being an Alpha.” He stepped away from her but kept an arm around her waist. “Come on in, both of you. We’ve got talking to do.”

“You do?” Grace had only one thing on her mind and it wasn’t talking.

He chuckled. “It’ll be quick.”

She snorted and moved to go into the house but Megan put a hand on her shoulder.

“Me first, always. Okay? A guard will always go into an unfamiliar place before you.”

Grace nodded, letting Megan go into the cottage to check things out and give the signal that it was okay to follow her inside.

Dave brought up the rear and they all settled in on the couches.

“First things, set up a constant guard. I trust Ben and Tee but I want one of my own wolves out there at all times. There’s a bedroom up front, you guys take that one. I want someone to go to Grace’s place to pack her things. Hit it with a sweeper before you bring anything back though.” Cade looked to her and she wanted to cry at how sweet he was to think of that. “Is there anything in particular you want them to bring you?”

“I’ll need my paperwork. My medical license and all those papers are actually in a safe deposit box. I couldn’t trust anything at my condo. He’ll be watching, you know.”

“We know. But we’ll be careful. Dave will go in and we’ll set up with some of Ben’s wolves to keep watch. When will they start looking for you?” Megan asked.

“Tomorrow morning most likely. I had today off. He seems to watch me less these days but I think he’s got something in my car to track it. I left it in my building and walked to the dentist’s office before sneaking out the next building.”

Megan nodded. “Smart.”

“I’d like my clothes. Not what’s in my closet, that’s not important. But in the drawers of the dresser in my bedroom. I’ve got a few suitcases in my hall closet. Should I come with you, just to show you?”

Cade pulled her against him. “No. You can’t go back, Grace. I’m sorry but it’s too dangerous. I can’t risk your safety like that.”

“Okay. I understand. I have some jewelry, that’s on my dresser too. A mahogany box. My laptop is in the safe deposit box.” She gave them the key and address to the bank outside the city where she’d hidden her life outside the Pack before pretending to go back to her brother.

“We’ll deal with the stuff in your condo tonight. Ben has agreed to take a watch here at the cottage and I’m sure Tee will too. Now you two go on and um, do what you need to do.” Megan grinned. “I’ll see you later.”

“Dinner. I’ll make us all dinner here at nine. Invite Ben and Tee too, all right?” Cade stood and everyone scattered to obey him. Grace watched the effortless way he handled being a brother and an Alpha.

When they were momentarily alone, he looked down at her with that naughty smile and tipped his head toward the bedroom they’d been in earlier. She scampered down the hall with him on her heels.

He closed the door, shutting the world outside the door and turned to her. Grace, his mate. She’d tucked her hair behind her ears and suddenly looked about ten years younger.

“How old are you?”

“Thirty-four. Why? Shouldn’t we talk, you know, after?” She whipped her shirt off and the camisole followed it.

“Impatient.” His heart sped at the sight of her naked br**sts.

“I could hate sex. Would you prefer that?”

Startled laughter bubbled from him. “Honey, I can’t help but want to f**k you every time I even think of you.” He moved to her, watched her eyes widen and her hands fidget at her waist. “Do you hate sex, Grace? Because I can scent your pu**y from here and that tells a different story.”

“Of course not! I’m initiating it right now. You’re the one prowling around and stuff. You’re delaying things, Cade Warden. Do you hate sex?”

He smiled at her, eating her body up with his eyes. Taking her hand in his own, he pressed her palm against the ridge of his c**k threatening to burst through his pants. “You’re pretty sassy when you’re horny.”

“Are you going to get down to it or not?” She caught her lip between her teeth and he grinned, reaching out and shoving her skirt down. “Thank God. You talk a lot.”

Picking her up, he tossed her to the bed and she bounced, laughing. Quickly, he divested himself of his clothes and got on the bed over her on all fours.

“I think you like the way I talk.” He licked up her torso from belly button to the hollow of her throat.

“I do,” she whispered. “But I like it when you do things even more.” She put her hands on his chest, caressing his muscles. “Then again, I like to do things too.” Using her strength, she pushed him back and straddled him.

He sifted his fingers through her silky hair as she kissed down the line of his throat, and further south, growling his satisfaction when she dragged her teeth over first one nipple and then the other.