Not Since You

A moment of reckless passion changed S‘Niah Donovan‘s life. As her family‘s healer, she‘s coveted, and as the only female in three generations, she‘s overprotected. Personal tragedy takes her faith and hope in one fell swoop, unfairly harming the one man who‘s brought nothing but joy to her darkened life. Mason Donovan loves two things, music and his mate. The complicated woman wove an unbreakable spell around his heart and then shattered it with her desertion. No longer human, unable to leave her as she did him, he sticks around, in the shadows, learning his new craft and how to tame his beast. Three years later, enough is enough. He now plans on using every trick of magic to bring his wayward mate back into his life.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author‘s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Not Since You Copyright © 2011 Mahalia Levey ISBN: 978-1-55487-973-1 Cover art by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books Look for us online at: www.eXtasybooks.com

Not Since You Familia Tygara Book One By Mahalia Levey

To Edward, for your faith in me and your endless love for Sin

Chapter One

“P

otatoes check. Fruit is a go. Strawberries, apples and bananas.‖ Sin pushed the cart down the aisle, muttering about the squeaky wheel. Each time she came to the grocery store, she picked the same one each time. Karma hated her. ―Mama. Don‘t forget to get my cereal with the toy in it.‖ ―Lyric, we don‘t get the toys with the cereal, remember. Havi is too little and you leave your small toys everywhere.‖ ―Mama, that was only two times and I got the wheel out of his mouth before he swallowed it.‖ Sin stopped the cart and readjusted Xavier in the front part. ―You know choking only takes seconds to happen, right?‖ She smiled at her daughter. ―You were just lucky those two times. What do we say about luck, princess?‖ ―Never to gamble.‖ Lyric‘s cherub face turned crestfallen. Sin knew how to fix the situation to bring the sunshine back to her face. ―So instead we can get some push up pops. Not the Kool-Aid kind, but the sherbet or ice cream kind. Havi might like that.‖ ―I loooove sherbert with the cartoon characters, Mama. But not the sugar free kind, right? You get that kind a lot and that doesn‘t taste as yummy.‖ ―Nope. No sugar free today.‖ Disaster averted. Sin placed a kiss on Havi‘s chubby cheek and pushed the squeaky cart 1

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back into motion, heading to the meat section next. She glanced at the list written on her arm. Hambuger and steak. Lyr wanted some chicken nuggets in the shape of dinosaurs. Her phone vibrated in her pants and she lifted it out to check. ―Hey, Min.‖ ―Sinderful.‖ Mineah‘s cheery voice rang loud and clear. Sin peeked over the cart for Lyric and back at the cart. ―What are you doing?‖ ―Shopping…well Lyric just took off.‖ She balanced the phone on her ear, unbuckled Havi and hefted him into the crook of her arm. ―Need me to call you back?‖ ―Nah, she couldn‘t have gone too far. Lyric?‖ Sin called out, scanning the aisles for her wayward imp. She rounded two rows before finding her talking to a man. ―Excuse me,‖ she snapped and beelined toward the assumed pervert conversing with her daughter. ―Sin.‖ The sound of her name from his lips tickled her memory. ―Min. I‘ll call you later.‖ She closed her phone and pocketed it. Time stood still and she was yanked back to three years ago. ―Mama, he said he wasn‘t a stranger.‖ ―He‘s not, but that doesn‘t mean you talk. You know better than running off. What if he was lying?‖ Sin sidled up to Lyric and tugged her backward to distance them. Mason stared at her. He offered no explanation on why he was in her town, at her grocery store, talking to her kid. ―Mason. What brings you to this neck of the woods?‖ ―I‘m out of food.‖ So. He lives nearby. Hmmm. Not good, definitely not good at all. ―Oh well. Nice seeing you. We have to get done shopping.‖ ―Still a runner. I see some things never change.‖ Mason 2

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crowded into her space and she took a second step backward with Lyr dancing in circles around her. ―Stop, Lyric.‖ She raised her gaze to meet his unwavering one. ―I have a son who‘s on a breastfeeding schedule. I try to feed him in private when I can.‖ She turned her back to place him back into the basket while he cooed at her and babbled, taking moments to compose herself, while questioning why he had her all riled up. ―He‘s adorable. May I?‖ Sin looked around the store and the people stopping to hear tidbits of gossip. Fuck, if she said no she‘d draw more attention in the small neighborhood market. Instead of causing a scene, she moved aside so her ex-mate could hold her son. How fucking more bizarre could the day get? ―I was wondering when I‘d run into you. The town‘s only so big.‖ Mason tickled Havi. ―I had no idea you were still around these parts to be honest.‖ Mason placed Havi back in his spot and buckled him. Sin watched him turn to her with that disarming look he‘d perfected when she met him. ―I have no doubt you did. You don‘t think about much that doesn‘t directly deal with you.‖ Sin flinched. ―That was rude.‖ She crossed her arms under her breasts. ―What? That I didn‘t disappear into nothing after you threw me away like garbage?‖ ―I am not getting into the past in the middle of the grocery store or in front of my children,‖ Sin hissed, low enough for Lyric not to hear. Mason bent close to her ear. ―If it wasn‘t for your cousins, years ago, I‘d have gone crazy trying to acclimate to being something out of a paranormal fantasy novel.‖ Sin pressed her back against the cart. ―I had no idea.‖ 3

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―Again. Not about Sin. Tell me, are you still a demonic queen?‖ I‘m not going to dignify that ridiculous question with an answer. Excuse us.‖ Sin placed her hands over the cart handle and pressed forward, passing him. ―C‘mon, Lyr, we have to go.‖ ―Mama, he‘s still talking. Isn‘t it rude to just walk away and not listen?‖ OMG. Child logic. Sin fumed under her breath. ―Havi is hungry and we‘re not done shopping.‖ ―Finish your trip. I‘m sure I‘ll see you again, real soon.‖ Mason moved past her with a smirk on his face. ―Thanks.” The smug bastard. Her ass he‘d see them again anytime soon. She watched his departing form and cleared her head to finish their shopping for the week. Why hadn‘t anyone told her he was in the area? She had some choice words for her family and hoped the anger in her body diffused before she arrived home. ―Mama, are you okay?‖ ―Yep, princess, I‘m fine.‖ She quickly led them through the remaining aisles, and upon reminder, the ice cream aisle to pick up the promised treat. Her mind in a total fog, she was lucky she made it to the checkout counter without mishap. ―You look really mad, like when Demarq or Troy does something dumb.‖ ―I‘m not mad, baby. Well maybe a little at Kavar and Jaxvair. Let‘s get home. This is nothing for you to worry your sweet head over.‖ ―Who was he? Do I know him?‖ ―He‘s—no…he‘s someone I knew when you were a baby.‖ ―Can I have a pop up in the car?‖ ―Sure.‖ Sin thanked her daughter‘s short-term attention 4

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span, lifted her credit card from her purse, paid for their things and kept an eye out to make sure he didn‘t pop out of nowhere again. Once she had the kids strapped in their seats, she made the short trek home. Two hours later a fussy and exhausted baby finally fell asleep and Sin had a brief moment to catch her breath, pick up her house and corral her hyper daughter into the rec room to watch The Princess and the Frog, her new favorite movie. After covering Lyric with her equally favorite blanket, she slipped out onto the deck attached to the rec room to enjoy the early evening. They‘d picked the land well for the move. Lush green surrounded her. Lyric loved the weeping willow sitting in the middle of their back yard, so much that her girl demanded her older cousin Valerian to build her a just-hersize playhouse, flowerbeds and all. Yeah, home sweet home. Sin pressed her bare feet into the smooth wooden deck and pushed back, causing the swing she sat on to move. The sound system she‘d placed in every room amplified outside, giving her a chance to enjoy her time alone without being too far to hear if needed. Mason. He was wrong. She thought of him and the harm she‘d caused. Irreparable damage. The loss of her child never went away, just as the devastation on his face while he‘d been helpless to save her from her debilitating, life draining despair. Her internal hell played over in her mind when she stopped long enough to relax. His turning to drugs and the battle he faced not to go that route again scorched her mind. The fact that she had brought him so low with her choices and abandonment to feel that angry, that desolate, that he‘d considered a relapse to escape the betrayal dealt unfairly to him caused her stomach to churn. Mason looked good, healthy, normal. His tone had that bite of 5

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bitterness, but she deserved far worse. How could they not tell me he was here? Give me a chance to prepare in case we ran into one another? ―I can feel your turmoil all the across the woods.‖ Sin glanced up into the face of her cousin Roarke. ―Hey.‖ ―Hey, yourself. May I?‖ Sin nodded in approval. So far, they‘d all done a hundred percent better in adhering to her wishes for privacy and announcement at their impending arrival, even asking for an invitation to stay, a total three-sixty from the impulsive popping in and out, and staying as long as they wished. ―What‘s on your mind?‖ As if he didn‘t know. The ten of them had a link that rivaled other families. She couldn‘t shield much from them. At least now they didn‘t dive in on her against her will. ―I saw Mason today.‖ ―Oh? How‘d that go?‖ ―Roarke,‖ Sin groaned. ―He told me that you all knew he was around.‖ Her cousin didn‘t deny the fact and her face heated up. ―Why didn‘t anyone inform me?‖ ―I don‘t have an answer for that, Sin. We‘d been busy reorganizing the family since we lost everything and searched for weeks to find Kavar to bring him home. A lot of bad shit happened to us all. Our family is finally back on track. Mason has been an integral part of our stronger line of defense. He fits in now.‖ ―He‘s my ex. I don‘t want him around.‖ ―You don‘t have control over that. You lost control when you changed him years ago.‖ ―Please make him leave? I‘m begging you. I can‘t deal with seeing his face around here. I just can‘t.‖ Sin closed her eyes to fight the moisture. ―I cannot undo what you did out of passion. Your mom 6

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would say loving someone isn‘t easy. Pretending you never did and lying to yourself doesn‘t make anything go away.‖ He patted her thigh. ―Now here‘s what I say. ―You turned him, you chose to mate with him, against our wishes, and then you chose not to be with him. We‘ve been magical and shifters our entire lives. In one impulsive move, you ended his normal life.‖ Roarke stopped. ―I know. I did all of those things and more.‖ ―I feel for you, I do. Choices affect the life we lead. Some more than others.‖ ―I did love him.‖ ―You sure? You watched your ex kick his ass. He loved you, cousin, and you chose to spit on his love. A lesser man would‘ve killed you as his mate. We figure the human side of him chose not to harm you. Mason walked away and let you have what you thought you needed. How‘s that workin‘ for you?‖ ―Please, don‘t.‖ ―Don‘t lie to you? I can‘t make all of your shit go away. I‘m not my brother or my cousins who pander to you. There‘s a time to change who you are and be better than who you‘ve been in the past. You do it every day with your children. Your personal life is in shambles and you know why. You are your own worst enemy, and at the same time, you‘re the solution. You can have a better life, if you quit repeating the same shitty mistakes that land you like this all the time. We‘re starting to think you don‘t want to be happy, that you‘re content being this way. Alone.‖ For a man, Roarke talked too much. Every word he touched on hinted at the crux of her situation. ―I‘d like to be alone now.‖ ―Mason is here to stay. He‘s welcome on our lands, has our magic pulsating in his veins. The only way out is for you to suck your gift out of him. That‘d be cruel, even for 7

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you.‖ Roarke stretched his body out and shifted, transforming to his beast, a large Bengal tiger. He leapt off her porch, onto the grass and jetted across the open space, disappearing into the thick copse of trees. With leaden feet, Sin checked on Lyric and then let herself into the main portion on soft steps. At the door of the downstairs nursery-playroom she observed her snoozing son, so perfect in every way. Possessing the capability to love came easy in regards to her children and her cousins. Why do I continually fail with love? The ill decision she made years ago set her on a path of destruction that only the Goddess turned her from. She resolved to parent and forget the dreams of a happily ever after and opted to have her son in an unconventional manner that sent her family into a tizzy. Mating definitely wasn‘t in the cards for her, but a sibling for her little girl was in her control. Having a son meant freedom to her in ways others would fail to comprehend. It meant no blind dates, no set ups by friends or her intrusive male family members. Having Havi meant she could live her life alone. He‘d of course go off to the university with his cousins Matthias and Braxton in years to come, but his birth satisfied both her need to nurture and her need to gain control of her life. At the light rapping on the door, Sin turned to see Reina standing with two latte‘s from their favorite coffee shop and a bag she hoped had scones in it. ―Hey. You brought an evening snack. You are a godsend.‖ ―What kind of sister–in-law would I be if I didn‘t?‖ ―Smells great. Scones?‖ She accepted the treat from her willowy, tall, Arminian sister, who outshined her beauty by leaps and bounds. Light makeup and pierced dimple cheeks brought out the rare beauty of her tan skin. For 8

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years growing up she‘d been jealous, wanting to be tall and voluptuous right then instead of years down the road. Reina had eyes for only one man, Samuel. Getting Samuel to notice Reina on a personal level took some doing. She couldn‘t see her best friend with anyone else but her brother, and who else would be perfect to confide in? They‘d been neighbors for generations. ―Sam said you might need some girl time.‖ Reina motioned to the breakfast bar and took a seat on the chair. Sin lifted a fresh blueberry scone out of the bag and took a bite. ―Just what I needed.‖ She tended to be careful about caffeinating her body while breastfeeding. So evening coffee worked well for her, better than morning, and she took a long, luxurious sip. ―Are you okay?‖ Reina set her cup on a coaster and dug into the other scone. ―Shocked. I can‘t grasp their thought process. I want him out of this city.‖ She nibbled on her pastry. ―I am family, and he‘s…‖ ―I asked Sam to talk to Jaxvair. I love you and don‘t want you miserable. You‘ve had enough misery to last a lifetime.‖ ―It‘s not as if Mason has nowhere to go. He comes from a big family. He could easily go to Maximillion or Matt and crash.‖ ―Do they know?‖ ―Yeah, Reina. They do and they‘re good with him being special, I guess you could say.‖ ―So how did he look?‖ ―Sexy. Ripped. New color on his old tattoos.‖ Reina‘s penchant for odd questions never ceased to amaze her. ―Any chemistry there?‖ ―What are you driving at? He was nice enough. Had a few barbed comments that hit the mark dead on.‖ Sin 9

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leveled her gaze on Reina‘s. ―Come on, S‘Niah. Don‘t tell me you haven‘t wondered about him all this time you‘ve been alone. I bet you never even told him that you didn‘t go back to your ex. Did you? Whatever happened between the three of you caused you to break down.‖ ―And say what? Mason, sorry I let that asshole hurt you. Sorry I broke your heart but if it‘s any consolation afterward I sobbed my heart out next to my ex, reamed him for being a dick and then came home. Somehow I don‘t think that would carry much weight in the forgiveness factor.‖ ―Asking for help isn‘t weak. Mineah and I both thought you and Mason just met at the wrong time. Given the situation at hand, if you‘d have checked into the doctor‘s or gone on a spiritual healing resort earlier, maybe your sadness wouldn‘t have overwhelmed you.‖ ―I don‘t believe in second chances, Reina. Even if I did, do you really think he‘d ever trust me again? Without trust there‘s no basis for any relationship. Besides, I‘m sure he‘s not alone in the female companionship department.‖ ―When Havi and Lyr grow up, then what? Be alone for the next few hundred centuries? Unlike humans we have an ungodly long lifespan. Why are you punishing yourself? I for a fact know you haven‘t had a lover since Mason. What Min and I don‘t understand is how come you‘re painting a picture that you did more down there than get the grief out of your system and move on?‖ ―My cousin Jaxvair and his brother Max came to me. I know about the close call with falling off the band wagon.‖ The kids had many years at home still before she‘d worry too much about being lonesome. Reina snorted. ―Seriously, Sin. He wasn‘t even human. If he‘d have fallen, the most he would‘ve gotten is pissed off 10

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at himself for being an idiot.‖ ―The point is I brought him to an all-time low. He hit rock bottom because of me. Mason didn‘t even know about his new immunity to recreation drugs.‖ Sin toyed with the plastic lid to her coffee. ―And he called for help. That sexy as sin man, no pun intended… has more strength than any of us ever gave him credit for. He stomached being around your family to learn how to control his beast and the powers you gave him and respected your need for privacy.‖ ―He‘s crazy.‖ ―About you? Maybe.‖ ―Let‘s go on a limb and say you‘re dead right, why wait so long to let me know he‘s this close to me?‖ ―You‘ll never know if you have him removed from here.‖ Reina grinned. ―Ugh. Why can‘t we just talk about the weather, or about when you and my little brother are going to give me a niece or nephew?‖ A change of subject, one moment, a reprieve from the racing thoughts in my head. Taste buds in her mouth failed to register the sweet French vanilla flavored coffee. In the back of her mind she acknowledged she still had feelings for Mason. In fact, she hoped she‘d be saved the crushing blow of seeing him with other women, or seeing his face on other children. ―Sinno, you like to fix everyone else…but yourself. In fact you‘re good at solving other people‘s crises.‖ ―How long did Sam say Jaxvair‘s answer would be?‖ ―He didn‘t. He—‖ ―S‘Niah Murielle Donovan.‖ Her name and the loud banging on the door broke apart their conversation. Sin looked at Reina and groaned. ―Well, I guess you have your answer.‖ Reina dinged it right on the dot. Chaos erupted in her 11

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home. The sound of Havi bellowing added to Lyric‘s voice saying her movie was over. Sin cast a surreptitious glance at the door, playing it off as if she didn‘t know who was out there. Reina pinched her into action. ―Ouch.‖ ―Get to that door. I got the kids.‖ Reina darted into the playroom to handle Havi‘s racket. ―Lyric, Auntie Reina will be in in a minute, okay,‖ Sin called out to her daughter as she headed to her front door, placing her hand on the knob and removing it. Would Mason go away if she pretended not to be home? She stepped back on her tiptoes. ―I don‘t have time for games, S‘Niah. I know you‘re right on the other side of the door.‖ He couldn‘t possibly. Or had his senses picked up quite a bit more? Sin closed her hand around the knob and opened it up a sliver. ―What do you want and how do you know where I live?‖ ―To talk…and I‘ve always known.‖ He sounded a bit angry and smelled better than the scone she‘d devoured alongside Reina. ―I have to feed the baby.‖ ―Hiding behind him still? Worked earlier, not this time. Let me in.‖ ―Mason Donovan, you have some nerve demanding I let you into my home.‖ ―I played things your way once before, Sin. Not again. You can open the door and let me in to talk like civilized adults or I can break it down and let myself in to talk at you uncivilized.‖ Sin shut the door with force and wove an intricate ward with her dancing fingertips. Feeling rather smug with herself, she turned, her intention to finish her conversation with Reina after seeing to Havi. 12

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Pinpricks of unease drifted down her spine, her tiger moving restlessly just under her skin, pacing. She sniffed at the smell of magic and turned back at the door to see her ward unraveling quickly. In an effort to keep Mason out, she called upon her best spell and began a second level to shield her from his presence. ―I could do this all night and the next day.‖ Mason‘s voice rang with determination and a hint of arrogance. Sin cracked her knuckles and sat on the floor Indian style. ―Let‘s see what you got, or did you forget you gained your magic from me?‖ Sparks fizzled in front of her. He danced a fine tune, dissolving layers of symbols. Each time he gained entry, she slammed him with another tighter woven ward and smirked though he couldn‘t see it. ―You think that after a year of strategy with Roarke and Valerian I couldn‘t disable a simple ward?‖ ―I don‘t think it. I know it. You can barely keep up with my talent. You‘re good…but I‘m better.‖ ―Sin. I gave Havi a bottle and grabbed two more. Taking them over to my place,‖ Reina yelled. ―No. Wait. Reina.‖ Sin groaned. ―Problems? I‘ll give you a handicap. As soon as the door shuts and she‘s free. You have ten seconds to enable a new ward.‖ Sin wasn‘t a fool. Yeah, she needed the handicap. He‘d grown in capabilities since she last saw him. ―Deal.‖ Her palms sweated profusely. Her back screen door slammed shut, the sound resonating to her anticipating-audible sense. Rewriting the ward took a second longer than she anticipated. At each turn she stumbled to keep it moving, watching it stall on her and break apart into tiny fragments. The door flew open with a spike of energy that sent shards of ice-cold unease rippling across her body. Mason stepped in and used telekinesis to slam the door shut 13

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behind him, and the entire time his scrutinized glare daring her to bolt, to give him a reason to chase. Sin blinked in rapid succession and licked her dry lips. Her mouth went dry the moment she raked her gaze over his toned body decorated in new artwork. The white tee shirt stretched over his pectorals and the nipple rings he sported. Cargo pants encased his muscular thighs and side view of his ass she‘d glimpsed briefly at the grocery store earlier. Now faced with all of him, desire coiled within her, waking the sleeping tiger she‘d put into hibernation. On sensory overload, her breath came out in uneven spurts, mimicking her unsteady, palpating heartbeat. Yeah, he enjoyed her discomfort. Run or stand my ground. There wasn‘t time for bubble gum in a dish or some other childish game to help her come to a resolution. ―Boo.‖ He leaned forward, breaking her concentration. Sin jumped clean out of her skin and shimmered from sight and back, landing on her ass. Getting to her feet, she jetted up the stairs. The creaking of his feet striking the wooden steps was the only hint of his proximity. Two more sections to go and she‘d be home free, close enough to her room to block him. Shimmering out fizzled into nothing each time she attempted, drained her of energy she needed to combat him. Damn her breasts, too, with each jiggle. On the next section of flooring, she stumbled and hit her knee hard on the edge. Wincing in pain, she shuffled up the landing to catch her breath. Next time she‘d build a house with fewer stairs, this was insane. She backed up a hair and began to shake. ―You‘re right behind me, aren‘t you?‖ She clenched her eyes shut and swallowed hard. His warm breath tickled her nape. Muscular thighs flush against her ass flexed. Oh God. She moaned, thankful it wasn‘t out loud. Her body sure hadn‘t forgotten how to react to him. 14

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Mason sank his fingers into her hair in a move that left her winded. He knew she loved having her scalp massaged. Bracing herself for the soft touch of his fingers running through her hair in the same fashion he played the piano and strummed his guitar relaxed her. She turned her body and bowed her head, placing her hands on his forearms for support. He played her well, pausing to sift through snags. Into a puddle of mush she melted. He then dropped one hand to brush her hair behind her ear. The tender caress made her deliciously uncomfortable. Mason‘s strategy left her powerless to move from under his spell. ―So damn stubborn.‖ He tipped up her chin, forcing her to meet his unmoving gaze. She turned her head only to have him propel it back. She closed her eyes, unwilling to read what lay in the depths of his orbs. ―Chicken.‖ His lips hovered dangerously close to hers. She opened her mouth to respond, expecting him to lay siege to her mouth. Sin hadn‘t been kissed by a man in years, the last from him. Placing her palms on his chest to push him away, she breathed in his spiced scent. Mason responded by tightening his grip just under the back of her head where his hand cradled her nape and teased her wickedly with his tongue. Meeting his possessive kiss became harder with each passing second. She wanted control to break it off, knowing that if it was possible to climax from a kiss, she had no doubt Mason could evoke that type of response from her. Already her nipples hardened to tight buds and her cunt pulsated in jubilation from the years of self-made drought. She thought he‘d never break it off, the way he sampled her lips, her mouth, and nipped at her bottom lip with a hint of fangs. In the next instant, she was struggling not to lose her balance and the loss of his body heat. ―Now that that‘s settled.‖ He wiped the moisture of 15

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their saliva from his lip with his finger. ―I am not leaving this town or the land unless I choose to. You got a problem with me being here, then come to me, not your family,‖ he challenged. Sin swallowed hard and put her shaky hands behind her back. Guilty as charged, she couldn‘t deny she‘d been seeking to have him ousted. ―Get out of my house.‖ Mason grinned and the sight of his wicked incisors scared her witless, more than that, it was the way he gazed at her as if he was in on some secret she wasn‘t in on. ―I think I‘ll stick around for a bit. You see?‖ he said, pointing to her bite, ―The mark never left. Just faded a bit when you crashed and burned. My guess would be someone was playing with your mind. We both know who that person is. It‘s still here. You are still my mate and this is our house.‖ ―Squatting on someone‘s property is illegal. I could legally shoot you and get away with it,‖ Sin bluffed. He had to be joking about staying in her place. But no he wasn‘t. The arrogant, smug look he gave her told her as much. Mason wasn‘t listening to her. No, he was scoping out her place as if she hadn‘t spoken a word. ―Hello? What are you looking for?‖ she asked on a hiss. ―A place for a man cave.‖ Mason delivered the most sadistic grin she‘d seen in a very, very long time. ―You can‘t stay with me.‖ Okay, so if more kisses like the one he delivered were on the menu maybe he could sleep on the couch or on the floor. The Guest bedroom was off limits since it connected directly to her room. ―Oh but I can.‖ Mason and his adamant attitude sparked her protective fight mode. ―You really can‘t. I have a very young, impressionable daughter.‖ ―Who you‘ve dragged to hell and back, literally speaking. Children are very receptive to change when 16

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they‘re sat down and talked to.‖ ―She doesn‘t remember you at all. She was what? Two years old when you last held her?‖ ―Tell that to her tiger who does.‖ ―Mason, be reasonable. We. There. You can‘t possibly want or trust me.‖ Exasperation flooded her. Sin wrung her hands and bit the inside of her cheek, thinking. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid for mentioning trust or wanting in the same sentence. ―Trust you? Not as far as I can throw you, since you tend to run from everything. Fidelity? Had you have opened your sexy legs and offered up that pretty pussy I dubbed your nickname after, I‘d have known. The one with you would‘ve died. I may not be much of a savage, Sin Donovan, but my tiger is fiercely territorial.‖ Sin whimpered. Her ex, the musician, didn‘t stand before her speaking. His tiger channeled through him, exacting his word as law and her choice to accept or fight was a losing battle. ―I need time to prepare Lyric for another change.‖ ―Do you remember?‖ How could she forget? The words remained fresh on her memory, ones she‘d kept locked tight away. ―Mine heart beats forged forever inside, burning forever, together intertwined. Aeraius adamasmicocensio aetaneus farcio curia cateno textilius. I will love no other the way I love you. My breath to yours, my heart with yours, never to part. Your joy I will feel, your sorrow my love will heal. Two separate halves aligned as one. Protector of mine, my power divine will flow through your pores throughout all recesses in time. Sealing with this kiss, a taste of your breath into a fine mist, mine own flowing into you, becoming a part of you. Take my love, cherish my gift.‖ Sin whispered the vows once again. Mason‘s expression 17

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softened as he remembered a time when everything between them was picture perfect. ―I‘ll be in the spare room. Tomorrow, when Reina returns with the children, we‘ll have a family discussion. Goodnight, Sin.‖ ―Goodnight, Mason.‖ Sin ambled to her bedroom, pausing to watch him close the guest room before she could protest once more. A new journey lurked on the ‗morrow, one she wasn‘t too exuberant about beginning. The sandman didn‘t come and sprinkle sleeping dust over her. Havi wasn‘t there to be fed in the middle of the night, making Mason hard to put from her mind. One thousand-ninety-five days, four hours, twenty minutes, and a sprinkle of seconds was how long she hadn‘t laid eyes on her mate. Not that she kept an accurate accounting, because that would mean she missed him, regretted that she hadn‘t gone to him before now. Three long years. Her head was so messed up she couldn‘t fathom coexisting with him. Pride, shame, and guilt riddled her, but only two still remained. The constant replaying he’s better off without you fucking up his life kept her from succumbing to finding him. Sin snorted. He‘d been close all along and not once did her tiger warn her or speak to her. The deluding lie she lived by of not needing anyone but her children unraveled the moment he laid his lips on hers, reminding her of what passion felt like. Staring at her ceiling and thinking about Mason and his electrifying effect on her system wasn‘t aiding her sleepdeprived status either. Not to mention that her pillows no longer held that cool freshness of when a person just lies down. She‘d already turned the pillows over to the other side. ―Might as well get something to drink,‖ she muttered, and kicked off her fuzzy down blanket, courtesy of Target Halloween seasonal purchase. The little boo pillow was 18

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somewhere in her house. Quiet as a mouse, she rolled off the bed and shuffled into the hallway. Silence haunted her. Shaking off the collision of thoughts mixing with memories, she tiptoed down the stairs into the kitchen and rummaged in her cabinet for a small mug. In the second cabinet, she reached for her bag of chamomile tea and the tea ball. A hot cup of relaxing tea would help her to sleep. Blowing out a hiss of air, she filled up the kettle, set it on high and hopped on the counter to wait. ―Couldn‘t sleep?‖ Mason‘s baritone voice startled her out of her reverie. ―Grabbing some warm tea to help.‖ She wondered why he was staring at her breasts instead of her face. ―See something interesting?‖ The kettle whistled and she hopped down. Moisture hit her arm. That‘s when it hit her. ―I‘m leaking, aren‘t I?‖ Two nice round circles outlined her breasts. ―Why don‘t you take care of yourself and I‘ll make your tea for you.‖ Mason took his shirt off and tossed it to her. ―What am I going to do with this?‖ Sin grabbed the supplies needed to take care of her needs and sat in a chair with her back turned to him, his shirt laying on the table next to her. ―When you‘re done, you can put it on instead of the wet one you have on now.‖ ―Thank you.‖ She lifted the wet shirt off and unhooked her bra. Since Havi, her breasts doubled in size, and although she maintained a fit body, baring herself for him this soon was too much to handle. In the awkward silence, the hum of the mechanical twin breast pump filled the air. A cloud of ripe sexual tension hung around them. Neither she nor he commented. To her, sitting in the kitchen in the middle of expressing definitely didn‘t inspire lustful 19

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thoughts. Mason‘s tiger drove hers crazy as if he‘d gladly have taken care of her himself. Forcing herself to relax to speed up the process proved difficult. Behind her she heard the fridge open. ―Please use a glass. Third cabinet to your right.‖ ―How‘d you know?‖ ―We did live together for almost a year. Every time I went to grab a glass of milk, the carton was damn near empty. I doubt that bad habit of yours has changed.‖ ―Guilty as charged. And I still eat my Oreo‘s in half after scrapping off the cream filling.‖ Sin‘s face heated. Mason brought over her tea and set it on the table. ―Why are you in here watching me?‖ ―Curiosity. If you‘re that uncomfortable, I‘ll go back upstairs.‖ ―You‘re fine. Just stay behind me.‖ Like she‘d give him the satisfaction of getting under her skin. His chuckle annoyed her to no end. ―Sweet kitty, I‘ll see you upstairs.‖ ―Don‘t you dare get Oreo crumbs in the guest bed.‖ ―I promise if I do, I‘ll lick every crumb up. You do know how thorough I am in everything I do.‖ ―Yes.‖ Her word came out of her mouth in a strangled, high-pitch squeak. Her tiger relaxed as soon as he was out of close proximity, allowing her to complete her task in solitude.

20

Not Since You

Chapter Two

M

ason devoured the bag off Oreos and wiped the crumbs on the sheets, seriously questioning why he‘d waited so long to make an appearance. After year one of her hiding in plain sight made her intensions crystal clear. She didn‘t have the courage to come home. His pride kept him from confronting her, so what did that make the both of them? He spent his time in the gym with her cousins and Sam learning everything there was to learn about shifting. Being an outsider sucked. The fact that he was a laughing stock in the beginning only made him work harder, learn faster. Once he harnessed the energy, taking them one on one was a cakewalk, and then two on one, and so forth, though an idiot would ever attempt to take them all on at once. There were times he wished they could go back to when they first met. Man he missed playing for the crowd, the glide of the strings over his fingertips as he riffed. Every band member was used to having items of clothing thrown on stage at them. S‘Niah, the baby faced vixen, requested a sharpie and wiggled out of her cute underwear, nothing like the thongs and bras normally tossed. He didn‘t catch all of it while on stage, the others had. During his solo, she tossed them at him. He sensed the zing, even back then. He daydreamed about her pretty, pouted lips. She‘d worn a dress so short he knew if the wind blew ever so slight, he‘d 21

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get a glimpse of her hidden jewel. The thought kept him raging hard during the rest of the set. Fuck. Time to investigate. Mason threw the deadbolt and pushed open the double doors leading into Sin‘s bedroom. Milk Honey hit his nostrils and he breathed in her sweet scent. Focusing on his purpose, he began riffling through the drawers of her dresser. The Sin he knew used to be in possession of sexy lingerie. Hmmm. He‘d have to find out what happened to his temptress to make her shy from the more provocative side he knew so well. Under the bed? He tossed up the bed skirt to find the underneath of her bed clear of any article. Stepford wife scary. The woman he knew was a clutter freak. Nothing in the dresser, so he flipped the mattress up and nothing there either. The walk in? While listening out for her, he moved into the spare bedroom of a closet and took notice of the remote controlled racks of clothing, accessories, shoes, all colors, and coordinated by business, formal and casual. Damn. He stepped deeper into the endless closet, spying a box in the back. Pay Dirt. He grinned and looked at the simple feminine lock before grasping it and crushing it in his hand. Why she didn‘t hide her sexual toys in her drawer like any other female he hadn‘t a clue. Her tastes hadn‘t changed much, and he‘d hit the lottery with the lingerie, running the transparent fabric over his fingers, remembering how she wore the barely-there baby-doll gift he‘d purchased her. Confiscating her property, he carted said box to the guest room and placed it at the top of the closet. He‘d be damned if he was made to listen to her masturbating. He‘d planned their reunion too long to be tortured in that way. Plus, they had a lot to work through 22

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and he wanted to enlist in every opportunity available to keep her off guard. The clinic did him a favor in more ways than one when they called to tell him his mate signed up for invetro-fertilization. Faint steps coming up the stairs alerted him to her presence. He glimpsed her through the open doors and the exhaustion riding her. ―Please stay out of my things, unless you‘ve found a new hobby in wearing women‘s clothing,‖ Sin‘s soft voice ordered. He watched her yawn and slide into her bed without closing him out. He didn‘t plan on having any doors between them shut. There‘d been enough of that. With his arms locked underneath his head, he lay on his back in wait, eyes closed. She shuffled in ten minutes later without saying a word. The bed dipped and he heard the click of her tongue when she came into contact with cookie crumbs. He had to leave a few for her, to elicit a response. Any reaction to draw her back into the land of the living he welcomed. ―C‘mere.‖ He rolled to his side and touched her shoulder. ―Sin.‖ He used the pet name she liked and secured his arm around her, drawing her flush to him, no longer willing to stand still as she warred with indecision. Once she stepped foot across the threshold closer to him, he was one answer closer to knowing their future together. Never a fool, he had no doubt the grueling journey ahead may have trying times. Forgetting about the future, he instead concentrated on the small woman tucked into him, finally where she belonged. ―I don‘t know what I‘m doing.‖ The muffled sound of her speaking vibrated against his chest. ―Baby, you‘re tired. Sleep.‖ He kissed the top of her head, curling his body around hers, locking her within his 23

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impenetrable hold. Softly he hummed the song he‘d helped her to sleep to years prior, when terrors plagued her from her rest. An eternity passed before she sagged against him. The wait to have her in his arms was worth it, and then some. In the early hours of dawn, Mason watched the soft rise and fall of his mate‘s chest. So damned beautiful. Serene. Her slender fingers splayed over his chest, her mouth tucked into his neck. Gingerly, he stroked his fingers through the disarrayed curls, trying to suffocate him. Since she‘d spent all her time alone, she no longer tied her combatant hair away. Memories of her squirming under him to break free of a body part of his pinning her down brought a smile to his face. Damn, he was glad it grew back so quickly, remembering his last glance of her with shorn hair and broken nails. The length didn‘t flow down the middle of her back but would in time. Yeah, she‘d had a time of it. Like with his self-destruction, and no one could help him. He had to climb out of the hole he dug himself into. Holding her again brought back his own spiritual faith that the trauma that knocked his world off axis would finally be righted once again. He kissed the top of her head, stalling as he realized her breathing pattern quickened. His tiger nudged him to press forward. The man in him waited with a hand resting at the curvature of her hipbone and flat expanse of her tummy that‘d carried his son. ―I was lying.‖ So faint was her voice, he almost missed her first words of truth to him. ―About?‖ he asked, roving his hand up her side, unable to see her face. ―We were never a mistake,‖ Sin‘s voice wavered. Mason turned to his side, the sudden break of body contact irritating his tiger, but still served its purpose by 24

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shifting Sin‘s position in the bed. Hovering over her gave his little witch no chance for escape from his scrutiny. The violet orbs held a questioning hesitance. The last thing he wanted to do was fuck up the moment. Still he didn‘t pull her back into his arms and tell her he knew she didn‘t mean what she said that ill-fated night. Waiting for her to open up and communicate was like dreaming for a thunderstorm to slash heavy rain over drought-ridden land. ―Why lie then?‖ Mason forced his voice to mask the aloof tone transmitted from his brain and then forced his body to remain still. ―Lying seemed kinder than making your life a living hell.‖ Women and their damned emotions. Mason held back a snort of derision and his mouth shut. Sensing she wasn‘t done talking, he kept silent. ―Thamuz would‘ve taken pleasure in tormenting you. I was trying to protect you.‖ ―Is that what you told yourself to sleep better? Little truths to rationalize your choices?‖ He pulled away from her. ―Mason.‖ ―What?‖ He knocked her arm from his shoulder, deploying enough force to send her catapulting off the bed. The sound of her body colliding with the floor sucked the jealous rage out of him. ―Are you all right?‖ ―Of course. I‘m a healer.‖ Mason watched Sin struggle to find her footing and shake off the blast of energy he‘d shoved at her. Arms crossed, he toyed with the lip ring and glared with undisguised disappointment. ―What do you want from me?‖ ―What do I want?‖ The hard edges of his words came 25

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out gruff. Carefully constructed control began slipping and the glimmer of his beast emerged. He didn‘t need a mirror to notice the sloped shape of his eyes. Every nerve ending in his body thrummed, power flickered, forming static energy to float around him. ―Mason. Stop,‖ Sin whispered and backed away from him. ―Notice anything new?‖ He mirrored her steps, moving in a menacing dance around the stumbling blocks she placed between them. He found her curiosity amusing, her fear irrelevant. ―There‘s always been strength in you. This why are you threatening me?‖ She picked up the first bottle she could find. ―Me? Threatening?‖ He swiped a hand to deflect the bottle of cologne hurled at him. ―Sweetest Sin, do you really believe provoking me is wise?‖ He lunged for her agile form, bringing them careening across the polished wood floor in the hallway. The sound of wall decorations crashed and splintered around them. ―You‘re crazy.‖ He grinned. ―Am I now, love?‖ Her razor sharp nails grazed over his skin, drawing welts of blood. ―In a fightin‘ mood are we then?‖ ―That was an accident.‖ ―That‘s a shame.‖ He pushed on, admiring her gumption. Clearly he‘d rattled her chain, pleased by her inability to paste composure on her face to shut him out. Nope, her kitty cat shaped eyes darkened. ―That all you got?‖ ―Are you provoking me for a reason?‖ Sin lashed out, dislodging him from her body, into the wall, plaster raining down. ―Don‘t make me hurt you.‖ Her eyes glazed over and a cool frost departed from her lips. 26

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―Babe, I‘m dyin‘ for you to sink those pretty claws into me. Give it your best.‖ Mason stood, brushing the white chalk from his body, advancing. ―Why can‘t we kiss and make up like a normal couple?‖ ―And ruin the alive feeling coursing through our blood? Tell me you haven‘t felt this charged since you walked.‖ He tackled her, inwardly wincing at the cracking sound of her head hitting the floor. But his feisty vixen gave just as good as what she received, slashing her nails deeper into his chest. He sucked in the sting, feeling the burn at the lack of skin. ―That‘s what I‘m talking about. Again, deeper this time. Embed those babies into me.‖ ―I will not.‖ ―I forgot you are a shame to your craft.‖ He forced a cruel curl of his lip and a snarl to lash out at her verbally. ―A joke of a healer.‖ ―Stop.‖ ―Poor S‘Niah.‖ He cracked his neck and bared his fangs. ―Washed up.‖ He moved in a flash, pinning her against the wall. He brought his fist crashing down beside her head. ―Unable to heal the unborn in her body.‖ ―Fucking bastard.‖ ―Defeated and useless to her family.‖ He railed at her, gripping her chin and forcing her gaze to level with his. ―I‘m going to kill you.‖ Sin connected a flurry of strikes. He parried each one, stronger. ―C‘mon. I know you hit harder than a gnat. Or have you forgotten how to fight for your life as well?‖ ―Is this a game to you?‖ Tears coursed down her cheeks. She attacked with renewed anger, landing stinging blows to his kidneys and ribs. He didn‘t go down. ―Pathetic.‖ Hurting her killed him. His tiger ripped at his insides to get out and comfort her. The force of his beast 27

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roaring, deafening. Her attack came when he turned his back to clear the echoes resonating within his head. Shock registered with pain. Sin stabbed him in the back, the irony not escaping his notice. ―Ohmygod. I‘m sorry. I‘m so so sorry.‖ Sin put her hands over her mouth in horror. ―You asked if this was a game to me. It is very much so, a game of life or death. Each of those vile things I hurled at you, you‘ve been screaming at yourself. Did you think I didn‘t hear at all or feel you inflicting pain on yourself? Disengaging from the family, losing faith in your capabilities.‖ He breathed as his genetic makeup began reknitting the fibers of his being. ―Let me heal you. Please.‖ ―That‘s just it, Sin. I don‘t need you to heal me. I. Never. Did.‖ He turned to show her faint lines, which were minutes ago bone deep gouges. ―I don‘t understand.‖ Sin ran her hands over his skin, her touch igniting a need to mark, to reclaim. He clenched his fists and hissed out a breath as her searching hands traveled over him, the heat of her power cleansing the remaining blood caking his skin. ―When you gave me the se—‖ He stopped to reformulate what he wanted her to know. ―The greatest gift in my life, I became this way.‖ Mason shucked his pants, his thick cock springing free. He grasped the girth of it and stroked it from tip to base, breathing in the mixed emotions and rise of lust from Sin. ―What are you doing?‖ Sin scooted backward. ―You‘ll never make it there. C‘mere, sweetest.‖ ―Mace.‖ ―My tee shirt looks sexy on you. Especially when you turn around and I can see the underside of your thick ass teasing me. Damn. I could slide my cock between those 28

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globes and watch the head peak out right at your tribal tattoo.‖ His nose flared, and the scent of her cream filled his nostrils. ―You‘re so dirty.‖ Mason shrugged. ―Phase two is make up sex. You‘re wasting precious time.‖ ―Good Morning. Everyone decent?‖ ―Reina‘s here.‖ Sin groaned. ―Better answer her then,‖ Mason snuck a grab of her ass and a swat before drawing his shirt up over her head. ―We don‘t have time for that.‖ ―Sweetheart, you had my only shirt on your sexy body. You got saved by luck. Don‘t expect it to last.‖ He picked up his pants and turned, heading into the guest bedroom. ―Tell her we‘ll be a minute.‖ ―Reina, we‘ll be down in a few minutes.‖ Mason chuckled when she darted into the room across from his, her naked breasts jiggling as she dove into drawers to find some quick clothing. He entered the shared master bathroom and washed his hands and face, giving her a few moments to herself. ―Mason. I have to go…‖ ―All right.‖ He opened the door and leaned forward, his body blocking her from leaving. ―The price.‖ He watched her tamp her foot down. ―Reina is waiting.‖ ―Best hurry then.‖ He buried a hand in her tousled hair and drew her lips to his. He ravaged her mouth. Nipping and seizing her breath, catching her moans with each pass. ―Damn good.‖ He broke off the kiss and stepped out of her way. ―One last thing before we head down.‖ ―What?‖ she called from the other side of the door. ―Don‘t ever mention his name in our bedroom again or I‘ll have to show you how territorial I‘ve become.‖ 29

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―Is that a threat Mason, Donovan?‖ He heard the water running and her cursing through brushing her hair, a part of her that hadn‘t changed. ―Not a threat at all, sweet kitty, but an absolute promise.‖ Moments later she peeked out the door, her face flushed red and eyes sparkling. She didn‘t respond and he let the matter drop, as the subject was now understood.

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Chapter Three

S

in descended the stairwell and met Reina in the hallway, relieving a wriggling Havi from her arms. ―You don‘t look worse for the wear.‖ ―He is the best baby ever and Lyric kept Samuel occupied all night. He took her to the compound with him and let her loose in the gym. When are you going to let her attend?‖ ―There haven‘t been female students since Kavar began it, what two hundred years ago. Only boys.‖ ―We‘re in a new time and day where the improbable happens. It‘s an idea.‖ ―I planned on just teaching her as my mother taught me. She‘s learning quickly. We‘ve begun the chakras and the power of crystals. She‘s a sponge when it comes to completing new tasks. Where is Lyric?‖ ―Oh. I sent her to her room to brush her teeth and read or color quietly. So how‘d it go?‖ ―He‘s still here,‖ Sin whispered. ―Oh. So you?‖ ―No. No. No.‖ ―I came back to early then. Hmmm. I could take Lyr and Havi back, you know, for a few days,‖ Reina offered, turning away from her. ―Let‘s go outside on the deck.‖ Reina should‘ve been tired like Sin was every day. ―Sounds good. I mean, going outside. I couldn‘t stay 31

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such a long time away from the baby, but thanks for offering.‖ Sin swayed with Havi in her arms, making delightful lip smacking sounds, and followed Reina out the veranda doors. The fresh air and slight breeze fanned out her hair. She slid onto the porch swing, tucking Havi onto her hip, his hands pinching her bra. ―Girl, how could you have had that walking piece of pure temptation around and not scratched the itch?‖ Sin rolled her eyes. ―I‘m not ready.‖ ―I think you two should getaway to get reacquainted, like a second honeymoon.‖ ―Now that‘s an idea I appreciate.‖ Mason pushed through the doors to join them. Sin clamped her lips shut and just smiled. His deep-inthe-woods scent wrapped around her senses, refusing to dissipate, and leaving her wanting to rub up against his body until she purred. ―Reina,‖ Sin said, giving her the evil eye, ―I really can‘t leave the kids for a weekend yet. Especially not Havi.‖ From under her lashes, she studied Mason‘s reaction, ascertaining if he noticed her body‘s response to his arrival. He gifted her with a simple smile, one that gave not a thing away, meaning she wouldn‘t know his thoughts until they were in private. She‘d forgotten that integral part of him. He hated people in his private affairs, which had led to many an argument with the males in her family and their intrusive nature. ―Even he agrees, Sin.‖ ―Of course Mason wants to get me alone to do bad things to me. He might be harboring a vendetta against me. For all you know he could truss me up and stake me out until he‘s positive he has my attention and he can psychobabble me to death about the past.‖ Fury seeped into her bones because she thought Reina was on her side. 32

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Now she wasn‘t so positive. From her standpoint, she felt a bit set up. ―Sweet kitty, if I wanted to use bondage straps on you, trust me, you wouldn‘t be running. You‘d like it.‖ ―I‘m not one of those pleeeease man-handle me types of females, Mason. I don‘t have a submissive bone in my body. I will not surrender. I will not bow down and I will not cater to your sense of manly territorial byplay.‖ ―You‘re upsetting our son.‖ Mason slid his hands under Havi‘s arms and pulled him from Sin. ―My son. I had a donor.‖ The menacing laugh that burst from Mason‘s lips worried her. He stroked Havi‘s head and whispered to him. Uncomfortable with the situation spiraling out of her control, Sin crossed her arms and moved closer to Reina, who then shoved her back. Sin shot her a traitorous glare. ―Did you really believe the clinic wouldn‘t call me to tell me my mate filled out invetro papers?‖ ―This is my clue to leave.‖ Reina stepped forward to place a kiss on Havi‘s head and gave Sin a sympathetic wave before disappearing into the house. ―I can‘t believe she left me alone with you.‖ ―‗Bout time.‖ Mason swatted Havi‘s fingers from his lip ring. ―The staff at the center never told me a thing about needing your approval or contacting you.‖ She had to admit watching her son warm up to his father was endearing. The deception though crushed her. ―Why should they? It‘s not like you came to me and said, Mason, I know we‘ve had our issues, but I‘d like to have a baby. I‘m ready.‖ His mocking tone pissed her off. ―I didn‘t know you were still around.‖ Of course she‘d want more children. She‘d assumed he‘d left the area without contact information. 33

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―Come off it, sweets. Did you think deep and hard and weigh the pros and cons of carrying someone else‘s seed within you? The clinic has procedures and, as your protector and head of our small family, they came to me for a sample instead.‖ ―I don‘t like being fooled.‖ He‘d proved a great father when Lyr was barely walking, but still. ―Mama, that man from the store‘s here.‖ Lyric came bouncing out the door. ―Hiya, princess.‖ ―Why‘s he holdin‘ my brova?‖ ―Morning, Lyric.‖ Sin bent to kiss her sweet cheek. ―He is holding Havi because….‖ ―I‘m his daddy,‖ Mason interjected. ―It‘s best to be honest and simple.‖ Lyric‘s confusion upset her. ―He‘s… Yeah.‖ ―But, Mama, I thought you got him from the bank. Remember? Min took you to the bank and that‘s how you got Havi.‖ Lyric shrugged and looked over at Mason. ―Were you in the bank? Only thing I ever got from the bank was money. She went to the bank and her belly got huge. Mama takes my piggy bank savings there and sometimes I get to keep one of those really big silver dollars. Big as my palm.‖ ―Don‘t you dare laugh, Mason Donovan.‖ Sin delivered him a parental order. ―Funny as hell.‖ Mason guffawed and winked at Lyric. ―Baby girl, it was a different type of bank. One that specializes in helping some who can‘t have a baby on their own to have one.‖ ―But Mama had me on her own. Why couldn‘t she make Havi? I know what adults do. I‘m a big girl.‖ ―Huh?‖ Sin bit too hard on her inner cheek, tasting the metallic flavor of blood. 34

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―Mama. Gosh. Demarq said he and Callie had to find the broomstick in the closet at school. Kavie says a man‘s gotta know where to stick it. I know cuz I heard him talkin‘ to Troy ‗bout it and Troy said he stuffed that pretty haired girl full of him. They were laughing. But when Demarq came out of that closet, I didn‘t see no broom and she came out all…Mama, her clothes was wrinkled.‖ ―Convent.‖ Mason growled low. ―I‘m going to have a sit down with those a—cousins of yours. Lyric, no more going to that school, okay? We‘ll find you a perfect one with girls and boys your age.‖ Sin bit her lip again to keep from telling him he had no right to commandeer the same tirade she was thinking. ―Mason‘s right, sweetie. I‘ll search for a fun school for you. Did anyone else know you heard all of that?‖ ―Umhm.‖ ―Well?‖ Mason and Sin asked in unison. ―Valerian did and Jaxvair. They were comin‘ up the hallway while I was playin‘ wif my doll in front of the closed door.‖ ―What did they say?‖ ―To ignore what I heard because them was idiots for talking inappropriate. And then they entered and all I heard was roaring and a lot of breaking of furniture. I think they musta got a whoopin bad. You know they fight at the school, right? And it‘s okay cuz it‘s for them to protect us. Wasn‘t the same type of fight. The cousins were all torn and bleeding and, Mama, no one called you to fix‘em. I asked Valerian why not and he said some beatings meant healing the old way, whatever that means.‖ ―I think I‘ve just aged ten years from that. That‘s what happens when you have nothing but men in the family,‖ Sin said, attempting to process her hummingbird‘s chatter. ―So now I have another daddy. Mama says it‘s good 35

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because I‘m loved. I gots the cousins who are like all papas to me and now you. Will you love Havi more than me cuz you‘re not my real papa?‖ Sin cringed. Where does a five year old find the oddest questions? She knew acceptance was a major need for children not to feel left out. Havi having a real daddy when her own died before she was born they‘d talked about. On pins and needles, she waited for Mason‘s answer. ―I love you the same as I love your brother and I love your mama even more. Matter of fact, when you were a baby, I used to sing to you and hold you. I have enough love, Lyric, to go around, okay.‖ ―Promise?‖ ―Lyric, why do ask that?‖ ―Because, Mama, Havi is a boy with boy parts and the boys in our family have their own school. It‘s a cool club and cuz I‘m not a boy, I don‘t get to go there very much. There‘s nothing for me to do there. Is boring, but I like watching them fight and Stephan, he showed me the runes last time I went. That was the funnest, aside from watching the snot get beat outta them.‖ Lyric took a breath and turned to Mason. ―Do I get to call you papi, that‘s Spanish for father or am I ‗posed to call you Mason?‖ ―Sin, take our son for a second.‖ He passed him over and then bent to Lyric‘s level. ―If you want to call me papi I‘d really like that. But if you don‘t want to you don‘t have to. You don‘t have to do anything that makes you feel funny or bad okay?‖ ―I think I‘ll call you papi but you have to give me a sister. I want a girl to play with. Havi just slobbers a lot. Can I go play in the playhouse?‖ ―Sure.‖ Mason‘s face lit up. Sin caught the glimmer in his eye. No doubt he‘d enjoy making a baby sister for their daughter. 36

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―Papi, tea time is in…‖ Lyric checked her princess watch. ―Twenty-five, thirty minutes. I‘ll yell and remind you from my pretty window with the flowers on it.‖ The sound of hearing her own laughter startled her. It sounded too foreign. For a long time she had no occasion to indulge. Sin found Mason‘s alarmed expression amusing. ―It‘s a rite of passage. Every Tygara male has had tea and short bread cookies with Lyric in that house, some more than once, depending on who is visiting.‖ ―Okay. I can deal so long as I don‘t have to dress up for it,‖ Mason grumbled. Sin knew deep down her daughter‘s acceptance of change made him feel good. ―Why don‘t you sit out here and I‘ll go make coffee and a quick breakfast,‖ Sin suggested, sensing his need to get reacquainted with large family life, hers specifically. The way her internal radar beeped meant the streak of testosterone driven cousins and her brother would descend upon them. ―You know what I‘m hungry for?‖ His piercing eyes made her heartbeat accelerate. Damn. ―Welcome to the life of there‘s no time and you can‘t always have what you want.‖ Sin leaned over to hand him their son. Mason pried the baby‘s fingers from the front of her shirt. He wailed in righteous indignation, as a consequence of being dislodged from his favorite pastime. ―What can I say, he has great taste.‖ Mason swiped the offered pacifier from her hand, letting his touch linger for a few seconds. ―Hmph.‖ Sin paused at the doorway. He‘d left that brief touch as a promise of more to come later, his way of unsettling her. ―And, Sin, there‘s always ways to find time.‖ With their bouncing boy satisfied, Sin caught the hidden intent in his words and left her two men and little lady to 37

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enjoy the fresh air while she whipped up a quick meal. Focus on the positive…not the negative. Forget the battlefield of your love life. Sin bit back the bullshit retort on the tip of her tongue. No matter how much she persuaded herself to think happy thoughts, the doubt crept back in, threatening to destroy her carefully crafted life. She made Mason‘s favorite breakfast of burritos and salsa, and then some. Outside she heard sweet giggles and wished she didn‘t respect her privacy so much. The thought of seeing Mason all dolled up in the playhouse made her want to break the sacred bonding boundary for one tiny second. Resigned, she turned, senses on alert, calming when the mingled scents of the streak of tigers converged on her doorstep. ―May we?‖ ―Wow. What did I do to deserve all of you coming, and all at the exact same time?‖ Arms crossed, she roved a gaze over the lot of them. ―All right, spill it, and, Demarq, no bleeding on my furniture.‖ Men, boys never change, shifter or otherwise. Her younger cousin used the hem of his shirt to blot up the stream trickling down the side of his face. He‘d have a black eye if she didn‘t intervene. ―My bad, cuz.‖ Truly pitiful. Sin glared at the others. ―Wash your hands, the old fashion way. Touch the food once I turn my back and I‘ll make you all hurl for weeks. Remember when you kept trying to set me up with blind dates and the pain was blinding and intensifying? It‘ll be a hundred times worse.‖ She bit the inside of her cheek at the humorous memory of giving exactly what they deserved and approached Demarq. With the tips of her fingers, she ran them over his eye socket and the deep lacerated area slowly began healing. ―You all need another inoculation to speed up healing. I‘ll get them together in a few.‖ ―Yeah, that gene skipped us.‖ Demarq pulled away, 38

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forcing Sin to press forward. ―Stand still. Whad‘ya do anyhow?‖ Sin searched the wound for foreign particles and then let her palm illuminate to heal him. ―I didn‘t know the chick had a boyfriend. Hell, I didn‘t know she belonged to a wolf.‖ ―Hmmm. I should‘ve let you bleed.‖ Sin stepped back and faced the rest of the ambush. ―No one stepped in?‖ ―Demarq likes to comment on breasts size and ass. He deserved getting his hide tossed a bit.‖ Trenton smirked from her fridge with the container of orange juice at his mouth. ―It‘s impossible to find a woman to keep with no manners. Get a glass, would you?‖ Exasperated, she narrowed her gaze on them. ―So now we can quit pretending Mason doesn‘t exist?‖ Jaxvair reclined on the back legs of her kitchen chair, demolishing a handful of burritos. ―I deserved to know.‖ Sin moved to the kitchen sink and washed her hands. While they dug in, she prepared another platter of food for Mason. ―I don‘t even know how much to make for him. Ugh.‖ ―Relax, Sin, he eats as much as we do now so it‘s easy.‖ ―Where‘s Stephan?‖ Sin zapped Roarke with a glimmer of energy for drinking her milk out of the bottle. ―Didn‘t I just say get a glass to Trenton? How hard is listening?‖ ―He‘s working on some archaic scroll. You know he gets all into his work with the magnifying glass and tweezers for weeks at a time without coming out.‖ ―Save him a plate then.‖ She fixed herself one and called out for Mason and the kids to join them.‖ ―Telling you he was here wasn‘t in your best interest.‖ Valerian spoke words she refused to acknowledge. ―Yeah, we had the joy of training him in all of our ways. 39

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He‘s damned talented. We were wrong to judge him in the beginning, Sin. He‘s added strength to our team.‖ ―Team? He‘s been out on jobs with y‘all?‖ Squeaky at best, she winced at the off-key yell. He wasn‘t born one of their warriors. He didn‘t belong on the hair-brained schemes or trips her cousins took. ―Listen to Jaxvair. Mason may‘ve gotten his ass kicked at first, but not now. He can take down a few of us at a time, except Kavar.‖ Their reference to the Head of Family caught her off guard. ―I thought he was gone.‖ She turned to see her mate walk in and lock eyes with the others, one hand holding Lyric, and Havi tucked in his arm. ― ―Everyone came to have tea.‖ Lyric performed a boogie down dance resembling The Twist. ―Ah, poppet. We just came to get another dose a medicine.‖ Valerian chucked her chin. ―Awe, darn it all. I‘m gonna go play with my dolls. Too bad Havi is too little to play dress up with me.‖ She ran down the hall and skidded to a stop. ―If‘n you change your mind, you have to know the secret code word to enter my room. I put a new spell on it.‖ ―Spell?‖ ―Yep. Mama‘s book is super fun. She has pages and pages and pages of spells. The password is banshee doll, after the toy I got from Trey. Mama, it‘s broken, too. Did you do something to it? She screamed and wailed just fine until I gave her to you to babysit for my date with Troy.‖ ―Poppet, we watched a movie and you can‘t date a family member.‖ ―Pretend, cousin. Sheesh. Mama, someone needs to remember how to play house. How can they be my knights if they have no imagination?‖ Lyr skipped out of sight. Sin opened her mouth to speak. Mason began at the 40

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same time. She waited to hear what he had to say. ―I had a nice homecoming of sorts, seeing my baby girl again only to hear total shit come out of her mouth she shouldn‘t have a clue of. Any guesses?‖ ―Man. We try to tone down our actions when she is around, but hell, none of us have kids except Jaxvair and Kavar.‖ ―Let me make it easy for you. Watch how you act and what you do, or meet my fist.‖ Sin laughed. ―You can‘t threaten them for being morons.‖ How counterproductive would mentioning you‘d wipe the floor with him be? Sin mocked, casting a cautious glance among the males in her family. Arms crossed, they held stoic faces. They were correct. Mason caught on quick, but then again he‘d always been a private man. ―S‘Niah.‖ Mason‘s raspy voice sent shivers down her spine. ―I‘ll go get your shots ready. Heaven forbid me to see how my mate and family members get on.‖ She flashed a winsome smile at Mason. ―Be back in a flash.‖ She knew when to hold her tongue and choosing to push buttons this soon was not a wise decision on her part so she zipped it good and tight, removing herself from the temptation to test boundaries with the new, sexy, dominant male exhibiting his control over them all. Keeping the intrusive family members around to avoid too much alone time with Mason became her top priority. Under no circumstances would there be quality time, not right now, not until she was prepared. His appraisal of her body made her jump near out of her skin. Sin wanted time to get used to the idea of sexual intimacy with the man, with the tiger.

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Chapter Four

I

n seventy-two hours in his home with his mate, Mason barely saw her. Family kept popping in. Grand Central Station perpetually moved in his own living room. At the main house, Kavar employed a cook and housekeeper, and both he and his brother Jaxvair also employed two nannies for their motherless children. How the entire lot of them ended up at his home for breakfast, lunch, dinner and recreation time, he had no idea. However, he smelled manipulation and the culprit. He knew it was all Sin‘s making. Numerous times he‘d cornered her to begin a conversation or to steal a kiss and one of the many men in her life interrupted them. How do you make your in-laws and all others maintain a polite distance? For years they‘d had an open door policy. With Sin as their healer at any time day or night, dropping in wasn‘t out of the ordinary. In fact, he knew it riled her for them to come unannounced. He‘d rectify things immediately to avoid scaring her with his nasty temper. Staunching the steady flow of incoming family, making Sin inaccessible to them became a top priority. Reina knew both he and Sin needed privacy to knit their family back together. Unlike the others, she only came when directly requested by his woman and she‘d visit, but keep it short and drag Samuel away as fast as she could. His second priority was stopping his lovely mate from 42

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using their children as barriers. He had no idea why she was hiding from him, by either sleeping in the nursery or having Havi in their bed. Her avoidance drove him as crazy as the inability to touch and pleasure her in their bed. Mason sighed and ran a hand over his head. In a few hours, Havi‘d be due for a nap. Miranda, Kavar‘s nanny, picked Lyric up early in the morning for a trip with the twins and wouldn‘t be back until bedtime. A slow grin spread over his face. Yeah. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the HOF. ―Yo, got a moment.‖ ―Cleaning up some mess. What‘s good?‖ Kavar answered. Mason contemplated how to say his piece. ―I need for y‘all to stop coming over for a while. Sin is playing a game of cat and mouse by keeping you all in and out of our home.‖ ―How long?‖ ―Until I say otherwise or unless it‘s endangering a life. I‘m done with her planting you all here systematically. She should‘ve been teaching strategy for you, man.‖ ―Handle your biz and I‘ll relay the message and, Mason.‖ ―Yeah?‖ ―You could‘ve said this three days ago, bro. They may act like you‘re an outsider, that‘s just a front. Truth is, you‘ve proven yourself in more ways than one. Without you, we‘d be weaker. If no one ever thanked you for donating your DNA to the clinic for us, man, you have no idea how good it feels to be able to heal quicker, and without expending too much energy, that and Sin has never been fine without you. We all breathed in relief when y‘all ran into one another. For a half-human, you‘re not too bad.‖ ―Anytime. Family does what it can. Thanks. Now I 43

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won‘t worry over having to fight each time I have an opinion regarding my mate.‖ Having Kavar on his side meant pain and suffering by those who went against him. No one, not even he, liked the ass kicking delivery system of the strongest Tygara. ―Don‘t do anything I wouldn‘t do, and if you do, make sure you do it well.‖ Mason heard the click of the phone followed by the loud dial tone. Damn, he‘d been cut off before replying. Feeling lighter than he had in days, he slipped quietly into the living room and smiled at the sight of his son trying to crawl, and then laying his head down before attempting again. ―Has he succeeded yet?‖ S‘Niah lay on the floor mere feet away from their son encouraging him to scoot to her. He flicked a gaze from his belly-crawling boy, settling his attention on how serene she appeared in full nurturing mode. Yeah, she was good at taking care of others but sucked balls at taking care of herself and making those decisions. ―He‘s making progress. I like to set him on his belly to grow stronger. When he gets tired, he‘ll lay his head down and quit moving. Xavier is such a perfect little thing.‖ Sin grinned big, showing Mason and Havi her deep dimpled cheeks. Damn. She needed to smile the same way for him. Basking in the quiet house, he settled in and found a spot on the couch. ―Come sit with me.‖ He patted the spot next to him. ―No naughty business.‖ Sin stretched. The fluid movement of her tight body brought a groan to his lips. She heard the noise and whipped her head to stare at him. He briefly wondered if she still practiced yoga or not but decided right then wasn‘t a good time to inquire. 44

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―Of course not. We‘ve barely had time together alone.‖ A shadow of guilt crossed over her lovely face momentarily. ―Coming.‖ She rolled Havi onto his back and placed him under his light up gym to stare at the colors and music. ―Maybe we can put your music on for him to get used to. I have missed hearing you play—and sing.‖ Mason watched her warily move to him as if he had a hidden agenda and she knew it. He stretched out his legs, his attention between the two. ―Yeah. Once I left the band, singing and playing lost appeal.‖ Her plush couch dipped with her weight toward him. Perfect. Slipping a hand behind her neck, he tugged her body over to his and kissed her shoulder. ―Sorry so many things changed for you because of me.‖ ―Life happens, Sin, and you roll with it instead of fighting against what might or might not happen. ―How do you fill your time in now?‖ ―I work with your family and do an occasional music lecture at the local college.‖ ―How are your brothers?‖ Sin leaned her head against his shoulder and he swore she purred quietly. Transfixed by her soft feminine scent and the sweet sound, he forgot what she asked until she nudged him with her knee. ―Maximillion is in his second year with the FBI and Matt still owns the merch business for bands.‖ ―Interesting. I never knew Max was aiming for the bureau. Mineah certainly never said a word.‖ Sin yawned and snuggled into his body heat. Her response to his plan on relaxing was encouraging to his plan. ―Mineah and Max took a break.‖ ―Wonder why she never told me. Do you know why?‖ ―Why what?‖ Mason inhaled the floral scent of her 45

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shampoo, grateful his libido behaved. ―They parted ways…‖ Sin huffed in a cute way, making him laugh. ―I don‘t think she liked coming second to his job.‖ Mason shrugged. ―Not my business so, I really don‘t know.‖ ―Min‘s not shallow, Mason. Well, when she wants to tell me, she will. Any idea what you want for dinner? I should probably begin prepping after I put Havi down for his afternoon nap.‖ ―Don‘t worry about dinner. No one‘s coming over tonight, it‘s just us three.‖ His skin itched. Restless, he slouched further in the seat and rubbed his hand over his jaw. The pull to shift seized and he pressed back the urge, watching Sin furrow her brow and mentally distance herself from him. The beast within bristled at her withdrawal. Be patient. ―Problem?‖ ―No not at all.‖ Sin scooted off the couch. ―He‘s hungry.‖ ―Ahh. ― His ire continued to ignite. Sick of pretense and dancing around the crux of the matter served only to open a new rift between them, until he watched his son take her breast to mouth. Fully content, he watched them bond. Her hair kept slipping over her face and over Havi‘s, too. Sin presumed he didn‘t see her quick peek to gather his reaction to such an intimate moment. ―Mama‘s sweet man.‖ Sin brushed her hand over the cotton soft hair. Mason sucked in a breath and stood. ―Put him to bed as soon as he‘s done. I‘ve waited long enough to let you get acclimated to me. Time‘s up. I plan on feasting on every inch of your body in no more than thirty minutes. Don‘t make me come find you. Run and I‘ll hunt. Babe, you won‘t make it far and I‘ll enjoy taking you 46

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wherever we are, no matter who‘s around.‖ He left her then. The image of her jaw dropping open and the rippling waves of lust rolling off her body lingered in his mind. Lying in wait for Sin taxed his restraint. Willful, stubborn, procrastinating witch. Damn it if he wouldn‘t have her any other way. Under the carpet, the floor creaked with each step forward she made. For every three steps, she halted and then moved closer, with hesitant steps, the floor making a series of musical clangs. ―Is facing me in our room really that difficult?‖ S‘Niah shuffled into the room, her body tense, rigid. ―Three years is a long time and this feels a bit rushed to me.‖ He asked for honesty and of course she gave him honesty in spades. Her biggest fear was coping with her fears and her actions. Unlike her cousins, her family who‘d cosseted her since infancy, being accountable and facing issues dead on petrified her. Interpreting her emotions came easy for him, even with their long separation. ―Come to me, love.‖ Mason held his hand out, offering her the proverbial olive branch. A new start if she‘d reach out and take their future back. ―Don‘t push me, Donovan, or I‘ll leave.‖ ―Leave and become prey,‖ Mason said, a spark of attitude showing through. A flash of his woman shone in her eyes. Violet eyes narrowed on him. Deciding not to be a total ass, he winked, appreciative of her heaving bosom and flushed cheeks. She gravitated to him, the way he‘d planned, though she turned or glanced away from his nudity. ―Mason.‖ Soft full lips whispered his name in an exhale of want and anxiety. Mason rolled from the bed to stand. A 47

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magnetizing pull slammed into him. With one touch, she leaned into him. The light shirt she wore lifted without a hitch from her body. His eyes fell on her lush breasts, the rosy nipples, swollen, the tips hardened nubs. Yeah, she was excited more than afraid. The scent of her wet sex hit him full force. ―I‘ve been waiting awhile for this.‖ Mason gently laid her on the bed. The scrap of panties she wore tore apart with one rip, baring her glistened pussy lips for his pleasure. He dipped down her body, trailing fingers over the new contours. ―I could touch you all day and the next without tiring. Such baby soft flesh.‖ He pressed a kiss on her inner thigh. ―Donovan.‖ ―Patience is a virtue.‖ He swatted her overeager hands, pinning them, giving her warning. ―All in good time.‖ He travelled that hand down her front, trusting her to leave her own where he placed them above her head. ―I‘m enjoying this re-acquaintance.‖ How long it had been since he‘d fantasized about being between her legs, lapping up her slick juices, driving his stark-hunger for her to volatile levels. ―Mason. I‘m so…empty.‖ His answer was to nip along the inside of her thighs, stopping when his nose rested at the juncture. Inhaling her sweet musk reminded him of how sinful she tasted. He could never get enough of her. Mason cupped her bare mound, and parting the lush pink lips, he found her nub winking at him with a drop of juice. ―Now that is what I love to see.‖ He glanced up into her face from his resting spot. S‘Niah‘s eyes blazed, the violet-colored orbs turning into a sea of turbulence, just how he liked them to look. Damn, 48

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that trick she did with them sealed her fate. His tiger pitted against him for taking so long to reclaim, bringing a chuckle to his lips. One brush across the hard bud and she screamed. ―Oh yeah, sweet kitty.‖ His guttural snarl boomed louder than he‘d wanted. Her drenched sex tasted as good as memory served. One lick and he was a mad man, out to ingest every single drop. Her soft moans caused his dick to jerk. Tongue fucking her succulent cunt wasn‘t enough. She undulated against his face, a sign that she wanted more. He‘d give her all that and then some. Inserting one finger and then another, he stretched her velvety walls and began a slow rocking motion, stabbing her clit with his tongue. ―Oh Goddess.‖ Her squeal and the tightening of her cunt around his digits signaled her first orgasm approaching. Mason rotated his fingers in her and pushed forward against her bucking hips. He sucked her clit into his mouth and nipped. Sin‘s banshee wail and rush of cream coated his trapped digits. Damn, her cunt‘s ability to strangle his fingers felt good. Scissoring them, he gained wiggle room to slide them out. While he feasted on his bounty, his cock jumped in anticipation of being buried in her fiery, tight cocoon. Mine. Mason breathed in her musk scent. From her core, he brushed kisses across her belly button, her sides, every inch of heated skin as he moved upward, his cock battering along the crease of her cunt. In silence, he continued the soft butterfly kisses, stopping only to cup her generous breasts. He caught a drop of her pearly milk and brought it to his lips. ―You‘re so sexy, baby.‖ He gazed up into her eyes for permission and was rewarded with a shy nod. His mate put her hand on his head and guided him back to her breast, cupping them for him. With tender care, he 49

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worshiped each globe, flicking his tongue over the engorged peaks, stealing the droplets she lovingly gave him, her soft mewls of pleasure damn near his undoing. Sin dropped her hand from his head. He gave a final tug on each one and released with a pop. She squealed in pleasure. The scent of her sex drove him to distraction. Three years made her ripe for the taking. Mason eased up on the bed and gingerly kissed her lips. After his first sweep of her succulent mouth, he lost control. The kiss turned savage. He plundered and took, splayed his hands into her hair, locking her body effectively under his. Thigh to thigh, she got the instruction to spread wider. Mason fisted his cock in one hand and stroked. If he didn‘t fuck her soon, he‘d be in real pain, an affliction he‘d endured for too long. In one fluid thrust, he seated himself in her tight pussy, his heart pounding. He waited for her to adjust to his girth and prayed he didn‘t blow his load like a juvenile in mere seconds. The heat that surrounded his cock scorched his head. He felt her body give in to his intrusion, and he began a slow and steady rhythm to slake their combined needs. ―Harder.‖ ―Like this?‖ He punched into her, withdrew and repeated again. ―No. I‘m not fucking you the way you want. Detached.‖ He turned her face to his with one hand. ―I don‘t want detached.‖ Sin never could lie worth a damn. He wondered why she bothered when he could read her body language and knew her mind. ―Yes you do. You can‘t possibly think I don‘t know how your mind works.‖ He thrust in slowly, withdrawing and plunging in again. ―I know that intimacy makes you uncomfortable.‖ He nipped her lip and stared into her turbulent gaze. ―We were going to end up here in time.‖ 50

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He sucked her tongue into his mouth and kissed her response away. ―Sweet kitty, every man wants to protect what‘s his. Man, beast, it‘s innate.‖ Mason bit back a growl of satisfaction from the way her silky flesh quivered around his cock, dragging him further into her heated core. ―You did choose me because I‘m not like them, sweetness. There‘s no way to predict the future, Sin.‖ He stopped moving within her. The difference is with me you have balance. You have that extra amount of freedom to be you. You always had it. Next time give me some credit by having faith.‖ Mason pinned her bucking body under the full amount of his weight. He held her there. There was nowhere to run from his penetrating regard. ―Please, I need you.‖ A teardrop trickled down her eye. No doubt she figured he‘d fuck her hard and good and keep things nice and clean. Mason drew back and plunged into her soaking core. He held back the animalistic urge to fuck her without caring, to take what he‘d been denied for years, to punish her for her desertion. All of the three transgressions caused his beast to roar in rage. He‘d take her that way the second round. His beast appeased, he ignored the sweat dripping down his back, arms and face. ―You‘re the mirror of my soul. Sometimes, beautiful, you only need to be a woman, not a healer, not mother, but a flesh and blood woman and let me take care of the rest, let me take care of you.‖ With those parting words, he kissed the leaking tears running down her face and lowered his body flush to hers. ―Shhh. It‘s all good, baby.‖ Emotions ran high for them both. Mason gingerly brushed her hair behind her ear and nuzzled her neck. His fangs dropped and he bit down hard. The gush of her crimson filled his mouth. The bond between them opened once more and he vowed it‘d never 51

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close again. Sin‘s body thrummed under his weight. Pulling back, he licked her pinpricks clean and watched her magic work to generate healing. With no need of his saliva, he got on to better things, fucking her. Sin raised her legs around his hips and lifted hers up. ―Impatient witch.‖ At her insistence, he resumed taking her. The new position let him hit deeper into her womb. Embarrassed, she covered her breasts from his view. ―Don‘t hide from me.‖ He slapped them away and cupped her flesh in his hand. ―I love your breasts, Sin.‖ He bent down and laved one and then the other. Her vaginal walls clutched his dick in a satin chokehold. He cursed a blue streak and withdrew to drag his crown over her clit and fuck the length of her folds, teasing her by battering her nub. She bucked and moved in an attempt to drive him back into her core. He gave her his devilish grin, the one she hated and teased her more. Sin raised her head from the bed and raked her nails over his arms. ―Little brat.‖ He slapped her clit with his fingers and watched her body quake. ―Need more?‖ ―Yes.‖ ―Too bad.‖ He slammed into her and slapped her clit a second time. Mason held back. His cock needed release like a drowning man needed oxygen. He rubbed her clit with the pad of his thumb and stroked her deep and slow. She crested and he slowed to a grinding halt, to feel the way her contracting walls shuddered when denied. ―Cum for me, baby.‖ He pressed down on her bundle of nerves and rocked in and out of her, pelvis to pelvis, sliding one hand under her generous ass cheek. He read her body, the thrum in her heartbeat, her shallower breath as it came out in short pants. ―Donovan,‖ she keened when she flew over the edge. He rocked harder, punched in and out. Her silky cream 52

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covered his dick, paving the way for him to glide smoother within her, aiding in his own release. When it came, his cock jerked hard, and clenching his jaw he dug his fingertips into her ass and spewed his seed into her womb with his essence. The heat of their combined releases pushed her into a third climax. Her convulsing cunt choked the life out of his sensitized cock. Mason hissed in pain as he withdrew from her and rolled onto his side, bringing her with him. Sin reached to stroke him and he trapped her hand with his. ―Bad, Sin.‖ He kissed her knuckles. The sound of her purring tiger brought a smile to his lips. His quit prowling under the surface of his skin, calm for the moment. ―I missed you so much.‖ ―I know, baby. Close your eyes and rest.‖ ―What about Havi? He might wake.‖ ―Shhh. I got him.‖ Mason kissed her reply away. Threading his fingers through her hair, he gave in the one way that sent her into sleep in no more than two minutes. He stroked her scalp and smiled when she tucked her body securely into his.

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Chapter Five

S

ilence surrounded S‘Niah when she woke. Disoriented and groggy, she rolled from her stomach to her back and stretched, kicking the lap quilt from her body. Mason‘s scent loomed, although he no longer lay in the bed with her. Her muscles ached in places she‘d forgotten existed. A hot, long, uninterrupted soak in the tub crossed her mind, a relaxing, cleansing moment alone, no kids to attend to. Sin jumped from the bed and dashed into the bathroom. Under the kitchen sink on a shelf was her eucalyptus and mint bath salt and baby oil. After taking her supplies out for a quick self-pamper, she plugged the tub with the stopper and turned on the water to skin-peeling three fourths hot and one forth cold. As the water began to rise, she poured a cup of salts in and a dollop of oil to soften her skin. ―Music is missing, and my favorite candle,‖ she murmured to no one but herself and ransacked the cupboards to find her lavender smelling one and lit the wick. Recessed lighting helped to create the perfect ambience. The smell of calming salts tickled her nose. Sin stuck a tentative toe in the water to test the temp. Blessed heat enveloped her as she slipped into the therapeutic waters and leaned back, laying her head on the inflated bath pillow. Luxurious, a feeling long forgotten caressed her senses. With a flick of her hand, the gentle crooning of Billie 54

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Holiday filled the air. The Very Thought of You danced in the air, the first of many songs on her jazz playlist. Water lapped in gentle waves when she moved a limb or sunk lower beneath the surface. Hot drops pinged at the other end of the tub, causing small rings to expand. With her toe, she plugged the spigot for a moment until the scorching drops burned her skin. Ouch. On a hiss, Sin brought her foot to the cool air for a reprieve and then plunked her leg back into the water. Being a healer had disadvantages. She could only heal life threatening or open wounds on herself. Aching or sprained muscles remained until her body naturally healed, a way of ensuring no physical gain of magic ensued. And while she thoroughly loved Mason‘s attention to her, waking up from her nap was like the burning pain dealt by her physical trainer after having Havi. One day after his magical boot camp and she wanted to crawl under a rock and hide. Mason‘s brand had her craving an additional serving, pushing her to scream she wanted more make-it-hurt drill-sergeant style. Still, she couldn‘t believe he came back or had been around the entire time. His body made her drool. Abs to die for and a thin patch of hair on his chest, where before there was none, were burned in her mind. And his attitude? Anyone who‘d been around the brood of her family would know their effect on bringing new members into the fold. He possessed a subtle strength, that when uncovered, radiated and left one breathless, and at the same time he remained as she remembered, sweet and gentle, warm and inviting and protective, though not smothering. She needed those parts of him to remain. Or did she? The water grew tepid. Instead of wasting more, Sin called upon her magic and let the water heat up once more, enjoying the frothing swirl pinging against her. At the 55

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perfect temperature, she dipped under to fully wet her hair and laid her head to rest on the porcelain, staring through the clear liquid to the ceiling tile, holding her breath. Clarity descended at odd times. The bubbles of oxygen floating up to break through the surface gave a new meaning to breaking free from the chains of the past. A blurred image fell over her. Mason. Sin eased up to a sitting position and brushed plastered hair from her face. ―I knocked.‖ ―Sorry, I was underwater.‖ She brushed the strands behind her ears and wiped the rivulets of water from her face. Watching him gaze at her with hunger, even after their afternoon, still brought heat to her face. ―Lyric is back and Reina is on her way to pick up the kids.‖ Mason knelt down level to the tub, took her herbal shampoo and conditioner in one in his hand and poured a small amount on her head. ―You don‘t have to.‖ Sin struggled to get the lie out, remembering the nights he washed, dried and plaited it for her. ―I miss this. When we met, your hair was down to your ass. I‘d never seen raven‘s black hair so thick and curly before. I imagine it‘s easier to handle shorter the way it is though.‖ ―Is that your polite way of saying Sin grow your hair back?‖ She smiled and leaned into his massaging hands, careful to close her eyes when the lather thinned and began to drip down the sides of her face. ―I like both. But yeah, I loved the length. Tip your head back.‖ She heard water before she felt the pricks of the detached nozzle massaging her scalp. He wielded the attachment well. Sin moaned at his hands sifting through her hair, rinsing the suds off. ―You could‘ve made money 56

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in a salon.‖ ―I‘ll keep that in mind.‖ Mason snorted and Sin laughed. ―You‘d have been a sexy hair dresser‘s assistant.‖ He twisted and wrung the excess out before helping her out of the tub into her robe. ―Yeah. Yeah. Come on. I need you to kiss the kids so we can get out of here.‖ ―Where are we going?‖ She followed him into the bedroom and watched him take out her suitcase. ―On a getaway trip.‖ He tossed the suitcase on the bed and yanked the zipper down. ―You‘ll need your hiking boots and jeans and long sleeve shirts, and normal other things.‖ He paused when she dropped the robe and began lathering her skin up with a sweet smelling lotion. ―Are you taking me far?‖ ―Max will be here shortly to take us.‖ Mason crossed to her and pushed the lotion depressor down, catching a small amount in the palm of his hand. ―Let me do your back.‖ He smoothed her hair over one shoulder with his available hand, and then rubbed his palms together and placed them on the slope of her shoulders. ―You sure are handsy.‖ Sin sighed more than complained and the way her voice softened charmed him. Mason slid his hands across the planes of her back and saturated her skin with lotion just the way she liked. ―I have always liked to pamper you, sweetest.‖ He continued to drag his fingers across her skin, reveling in how right being with her felt after years of absence. ―How‘d you do with Havi?‖ Sin exhaled and fell into his care, fully relaxed. ―Good. We slept. He ate. I changed him, and we slept some more. I fixed a sandwich and he woke and chewed on some meat.‖ ―Mason! He‘s not old enough for foods just yet.‖ 57

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Mason kissed the top of her head, choosing not to argue. If his son wanted meat, he‘d feed him meat. Sin sometimes forgot she was a tiger, too. Another slide of palms across her back and he grabbed a handful of ass. ―Damned fine ass you have there, woman.‖ She mocked outrage, but the blush staining her cheeks and the inner purr of her tiger proved otherwise and pleased his own. ―Why don‘t you pack your own things and let me get dressed so we can go.‖ ―I‘m packed, but I‘ll watch you.‖ Mason crossed his arms and moved to sit on the foot of the bed. Sin moved slowly. The way she wiggled into her jeans made his cock jerk. Damn woman set fire to his body on purpose, her feigned innocence a ploy, the impact hinting at hidden carnality. ―Damn,‖ he groaned under his breath. ―Did you say something?‖ ―Not a thing.‖ He enjoyed watching her finish dressing and move from one side of the room to the other, stopping to pause before carefully picking out clothing. Women. He tossed a few shirts in and some jeans and boxer briefs and that was it. The pile of clothing being tossed on the bed was enough to stay for a two-week vacation instead of the getaway weekend he‘d planned. If, and it was a big if, he thought she could handle being away a bit longer from their brood, he‘d be all for staying until she wore every stitch of clothing landing on the bed. ―I think that is too much.‖ Sin sat on the bed and plowed through the clothing.‖ Mason laughed. ―You could stay naked the entire time. I wouldn‘t complain.‖ ―I bet you wouldn‘t. I‘ll just pick a few things out.‖ ―Don‘t take too long or you won‘t have time to,‖ Mason warned, finding the situation humorous. Sin‘s expressive face hid nothing as she tossed this shirt and that in before 58

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settling on a few and an extra, he figured for good measure. She packed her favorite lounge pants and hoodie and to his surprise, she dug into the bench at the foot of the bed and brought out a filmy nightgown in pale blue. Hell yeah. ―Don‘t say a word or I‘ll put it back.‖ Sin blushed and her new mannerisms knocked him off guard. ―The thought didn‘t cross my mind.‖ His mate wasn‘t a carefree young woman, but shy in front of him. While he liked that she felt off balance with him, bringing her back out of her shell proved to be an interesting adventure. ―Well, I am all packed.‖ Sin fidgeted. ―Maybe we should take Xavier.‖ ―Havi will be fine with his aunt and uncle for the weekend.‖ Mason picked up her bag and threaded his fingers though hers, giving her a tight, reassuring squeeze. ―Let‘s go.‖ ―Okay. You‘re right. I have nothing to worry about. Let‘s tell Reina to stay at the main house with the cousins, or transfer to the school for the weekend, just in case.‖ ―In case of what, Sin?‖ ―Precaution is key to remaining safe and preventing bad things from happening.‖ He led her down the stairs and stopped on the landing, dropping the bag on the floor next to him with a thud. ―Sexy, nothing, and I mean nothing is going to happen to our family.‖ Mason nuzzled her neck and breathed in her intoxicating scent. ―Everything I‘ve done up until now was to insure our family, mine and yours, would have protected lands.‖ He‘d explain his meaning to her later. Sin opened her mouth to speak and he expertly covered his mouth over hers, kissing away her questions, rattling her with sexual need until she couldn‘t formulate a thought, could just feel. Soft lips melted under his and he reveled in 59

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feeling her body give under his care. Trust me to take care of you. Though he spoke in body language, unspoken words at times delivered clearer messages. ―Ewe, Mommy.‖ Sin broke apart from Mason with a high blush staining her cheek. ―Poppet, there you are.‖ ―I wasn‘t lost, Mama. I was waiting for you and Papi to come down and say bye. Uncle Max is here. I don‘t remember him but he smells like a human.‖ ―That‘s because he is, baby girl.‖ Mason ruffled her hair. ―Why‘s you kissin‘ Mama?‖ ―Because I love her.‖ ―Oh, well I guess it‘s okay then. That‘s a good reason, and I love Mama, too. I don‘t kiss her like that though.‖ ―Thank you, Lyric.‖ Mason chuckled deep and loud. Instead of going to war with a five year old, he chose to tweak her nose and be cordial. His sudden re-arrival no doubt made the sweet urchin curious about where he came from and her new status in the family. Sharing Havi with Mama was one thing, and with an adult even harder. He found her sweetness refreshing, and her bossy nature made him imagine Sin at her age. ―You can go back to kissin‘ Mama now. I‘ll go tell Auntie Reina you‘re playing the kissy game.‖ ―Kissy game,‖ Mason and Sin asked in unison. ―Yeps, Valerian plays the kissy game with lots of pretty women. You‘re not gonna do that, Papi, are you?‖ ―I am a one woman man, baby.‖ Lyric scrunched her shoulders up. ―I‘m guessin‘ that means no. Good, cuz if it made Mama sad, I‘d have to turn you into a toad.‖ ―Lyric!‖ Sin warned. Mason brushed a kiss across her lips to silence her. ―Go on downstairs and say bye to Havi. I‘ll be down with Lyric 60

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in a moment.‖ He watched his mate hesitate and then depart, leaving him with their daughter. ―Lyric.‖ He spoke in an authoritative voice, stern but not terrifying, and knelt down, leveling his gaze on her inquisitive one. ―Yes?‖ ―There are ways to communicate without threatening. I don‘t threaten you, do I?‖ ―No.‖ ―That‘s right. You can say many things to me that you want. It‘s the way you say them that might end up earning you a spanking. Do you understand me?‖ ―Umhm.‖ ―Good. Do you like practicing magic?‖ ―It‘s the best thing in the whole wide world!‖ ―If you choose to use your craft wrong, there are consequences. I‘ll bind you from them until you can make better choices.‖ ―Fine.‖ Lyric sighed with dramatic intent. Mason knew he‘d delivered the lesson loud and clear. He picked her up and kissed her head. ―Now that kiss is just for you.‖ He lifted Sin‘s bag in his other hand and descended the stairwell, precious cargo in hand. ―I‘m a big girl. Put me down.‖ Lyric giggled, and the sound of her infectious laughter warmed his heart. God, I’ve missed you little girl. Watching her grow from the shadows the past year allowed him minimal joy in seeing her impish face. ―I can‘t. I have to put the luggage in the Helicopter hatch.‖ ―Butttttt I‘m not luggage,‖ came the squeal. ―Oh. You‘re not? Guess I better put you down.‖ He swung her off his back. ―Silly, Papi.‖ Lyric dashed into Samuel‘s arms. ―Uncle, Papi really thought I was a piece of luggage.‖ 61

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―Now how could anyone mistake a cute girl from a suitcase?‖ ―‗S what I said. Can we go horseback riding please. Ohh Ohh Ohh. Can we go ride the four wheelers? I‘m big enough to ride the one you got for me.‖ ―Kiddo, you can‘t ask me that with the ‗rents here. What kind of uncle takes his niece out four wheelin‘?‖ ―So busted.‖ Sin crossed her arms and frowned. ―Now I know what all of the protective gear her size is for in your garage.‖ Mason eased behind Sin, now free of baggage, and slipped his arms around her waist. He kissed the slope of her neck and whispered in her ear. ―But?‖ ―Lyric is and will be fine. Sam doesn‘t want to answer to me if our baby girl gets a single scratch on her body.‖ ―Come on, have faith in your brother, Sin. Who protected you for years?‖ ―Okay. But be careful.‖ Sin withdrew from Mason‘s arms to kiss a sleeping Havi and hug Reina. ―Call if anything happens.‖ ―Go on you two. Maximillion is waiting outside for the both of you. And, Sin… don‘t do anything I wouldn‘t do.‖ ―Haha, Reina. I won‘t, I‘ll do everything better. Bye, Lyr, see you in a few days.‖ ―Have fun, Mama. Unc and I are gonna go play. We‘ll have plenty to do so don‘t you worry and I‘ll help with Havi, too. Bye, Papi.‖ Mason winked at Lyric who broke out into a second fit of the sillies. Sin remained glued in place. He gave her a gentle nudge and linked his arm around her hip, drawing her body flush to his. ―Let‘s blow this popsicle stand.‖ ―You‘re certifiable, Donovan.‖ ―You love me, Sinlicious.‖ He gave her a squeeze on the 62

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ass and a quick slap. Upon approaching the door, he ushered her out and reset the ward. ―Impressive.‖ ―I did have three years to train.‖ Mason waved to his brother. ―Damn, he looks like a grown man now.‖ ―Don‘t you see him a lot?‖ ―Not since he‘s joined the bureau. I see Matt more than Max. Last time I saw him was at his college graduation.‖ ―I didn‘t see you there. I was there with Mineah.‖ ―I know. Yo, bro.‖ Mason embraced his younger sibling and slapped him on the back. ―Been to long, baby bro.‖ ―Knock it off. You know I hate that shit.‖ Max grinned at his brother and hugged him back. ―Damn it‘s good to see your ugly mug.‖ ―You‘re just scared of needles and body jewelry.‖ ―Fuck yeah. You can tattoo up all you want. I‘ll live vicariously through you.‖ He turned and embraced Sin, kissing her soundly on the lips. Mason growled and Max surrendered his mate back to him. ―Damn I‘m starving.‖ ―Not cool, bro. I‘m not dinner.‖ Max opened up the helicopter door and eased into the pilot‘s seat. ―Let‘s go.‖ ―Come on, babe, this is going to be one hellova ride.‖ He boosted her up and helped her to buckle up and put on the headgear before taking his own seat and doing the same. ―We‘ll use the headsets to talk.‖ If only to be polite to Max. Sin grinned. ―I heard that.‖ ―What? I didn‘t hear a thing.‖ Max eased the helicopter off the ground and took flight. Sin grabbed Mason‘s hand and bit her nails into his skin. ―Haven‘t you ever been in a plane before?‖ Mason grimaced at the sting of sharp nails impaling his skin. ―No.‖ ―How do you get around then?‖ Sin gave him the what63

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are-you-an-idiot glare. ―Magic?‖ ―Bingo. Takes literally two seconds to transcend time and space. I‘m not sure I like hovering in the air, in a small craft, able to see the ground below from extreme heights.‖ ―Baby, I‘ll protect you.‖ Mason spoke into the headset, ignoring Max laughing at his mate‘s discomfort. ―How long does the flight take?‖ Sin pursed her lips, but didn‘t withdraw her fingers from his hand. ―About three hours. Sit back and enjoy the ride. It‘s beautiful up in the clouds.‖ ―This is loud and I don‘t like tilting and pitching, Maximillion.‖ ―Sis, the ride will be smooth sailing once you get used to being a passenger and letting go.‖ ―I‘d rather just poof,‖ Sin muttered. ―I know, Sin. I know.‖ Mason turned his hand to kiss her palm. ―We‘ll be there before you know it. Max is an excellent pilot.‖ ―I am, you know. Learned from the best of the best and then trained under a few military helo pilots.‖ Mason continued to kiss her hand and talk in soothing tones. His error laid in assuming she‘d been in any type of aircraft. Sin had issues with letting go of control and trusting anyone. She kept those in her life on a short leash and on her terms. Her ability to move to and back unnoticed enabled her to keep running from everyone and everything. He employed Max to aide him in his quest to break the cycle, and hopefully a new beginning. His family came first, his cabin second. ―I‘m good now.‖ Sin let go of her panicked grip on his hand. ―I‘m sorry.‖ ―We‘re good.‖ Mason winked as the small marks and the missing skin regenerated. ―I don‘t normally freak out like that.‖ 64

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―Yeah you do.‖ Mason winked at her and pointed out the window to the landscape. ―Everything looks so small and vivid. Picturesque even.‖ ―I like the solitude up here.‖ ―Do you ride often?‖ ―No, not anymore. I used to ride with my pops and Max. Max‘s got flying in his blood and I got music and tattoos in mine.‖ ―Oh? Good thing I love all that ink.‖ Sin turned to Max. ―How did you end up in the FBI?‖ ―I always wanted to be in law enforcement. I got great grades and went through the process.‖ ―I didn‘t even know you could shoot a gun, Maximillion.‖ Sin sighed. ―Well, I don‘t go broadcasting that I can.‖ ―Interesting. Any good paranormal information you got dibs on first?‖ ―I‘m not going to be a paranormal mole, but if something weird comes in and I have clearance or think it‘s a danger to our families, then I‘ll tell you. Deal?‖ ―Perfecto!‖ ―Shhh. Let the man fly and sit back and chill.‖ Mason hoped the convo closed before she began the Spanish Inquisition into what happened between his brother and her best friend Mineah. ―Min has been moping around for the last month. What gives? I thought you two were deep in love.‖ None of our business. Drop the line of questioning. No need to get an attitude, I just want to know what went wrong and maybe offer advice, help them both. Mason growled low. His tiger didn‘t appreciate being ignored. He shifted his posture and crowded in on her personal space in the tight quarters. He hasn’t answered, has 65

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he? That means he isn’t prepared to discuss his personal feelings. You have to respect his right to privacy and not intrude on something that has no direct effect on you. Sin got his meaning and pasted that churlish expression on her face. He realized for the next few minutes or so she‘d be damned difficult to deal with. Instead of engaging in conversation with her, he initiated a conversation about music with his brother. When Sin drifted off to sleep, he said a quiet thank you and a burdensome weight lifted from his shoulders, enabling him to relax and enjoy the ride to his cabin.

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Chapter Six

M

ason inhaled the earthen scent surrounding him. Max stayed long enough to help him unpack the bags and air out the cabin. He watched his younger twin lift off and disappear. A slow smile curved on his face. His darling mate had nowhere to run, aside from six hundred acres of woods surrounding his off-the-beaten-path lodging. Years ago he‘d picked the perfect place to work on his compositions. Now the residence served a second purpose. The only way to his cabin was by air. As such, he‘d had supplies delivered for the weekend in advance and paid a service to stock the fridge and freezer with foods. Deep in thought, he missed his mate calling him. ―Mace.‖ ―Hmm?‖ Mason yawned and stretched his arms over his head and then turned to appreciate the magnificent beauty surrounding them. The heady smell of pine trees and the trickling brook behind the cabin audible to his now nonhuman ears. His enhanced senses still took time to get used to. ―Where are we?‖ ―My cabin in Colorado.‖ In a way, he gained pleasure by seeing her pleasure in their destination. ―Can we?‖ ―Later on. After I check the boundaries and wards we can run free.‖ Her response to squeal in glee lightened his 67

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mood. He swung her into his arms and seized her mouth for a kiss. She tasted of warm rays of sunshine and fields of lavender. Delving deeper into her mass of raven‘s black hair anchored her firmly to him. On her exhale, he plundered more, stealing whatever words she tried to elicit. All he wanted was moans of want escaping from her luscious mouth. ―Mason.‖ ―I love the sound of my name of your lips, baby.‖ He nipped her lower lip and sucked the supple plumpness into his mouth. ―Stop. Someone could see.‖ Sin wiggled in his arms. ―I don‘t have neighbors or roads, babe. There‘s no one but us and the forest life surrounding us.‖ Mason sank his hands into her plush behind and strode to the thick oak tree only a few yards away. ―Smell this land. Our land. Our cabin, what‘s mine is yours and always has been.‖ He pressed her back into the thick bark, grateful she‘d donned a hoodie to protect her soft skin. Between her legs, his cock surged, ached to be buried in the glorious folds of her slick sex. As if on cue, his Sin locked her long legs around his hips and ground herself against him. A soft hiss of pleasure reverberated from her. ―Fuck, sexy,‖ Mason coaxed another sweet sound from her. Rough denim faded, leaving him holding satiny skin. Hardened nipples brushed across his bare chest, teasing him to have a taste. Banking volatile lust took all his control. When she bucked up against his hard cock, he gave into the need to possess her. In a fluid stroke, he surged home, dug his heels into the soft ground and pumped into her welcoming pussy. Sin‘s cat-like sharp nails dug into the skin on his back. He snarled a warning and nipped, none too gently, on her neck, marking her in his own way. The athame dagger tattoo on his leg burned 68

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white hot and his tiger prowled, wanting to take her in a primal way. Mason placated the other part of him, promising a savage act of taking Sin on the forest floor, and once more concentrated on pleasing his woman. In passion, her skin glowed. With her back locked against the bark of the tree, he had free rein to move a hand over to her luscious breasts. Tasting her felt so right. He popped her engorged breast into his mouth, suckling her in sync with his cock thrusts. She whimpered, pushing her breast fully against his mouth. From a gentle nip to the sensitive bud, he laved first one and then followed the valley and latched to the other. Each time he sucked, her vaginal walls involuntary clenched around him, stroking his cock from balls to tip. ―Mace. I‘m so close.‖ ―Fall over that edge, sexy. I‘ll catch you.‖ He let go of her nipple with a pop and kissed a trail up her chest to her nape and sank in his fangs. The pain he lavished on her sent her into a whirlwind of pleasure. He loved the way her body quaked for him and the way soft cries echoed in his ears. Sin lost in passion with illuminated violet eyes made his dick lurch within her drenched folds. Mason eased out and pushed back in. To avoid the skin on her back shredding, he slid his hand onto her lower back, letting his knuckles take the brunt of each staccato thrust. Cream covered him in a blanket of warmth. ―Please.‖ ―Cum for me again, love.‖ Mason withdrew, his corona teasing her bundle of nerves. Sliding between her lips without entering drove him insane. Sin pouted and furrowed her brows in a way that had him aching to laugh. Relentless in his teasing, he slid back and forth, setting her orgasm to blinding heights with friction. When he felt the stirrings of her impending release, he impaled her, his 69

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ruthless thrust being the catalyst to her banshee cries of passion and the cream dripping from her pussy all over his balls. ―Fuck, baby.‖ He quickened his pace and allowed himself the pleasure of erupting in her womb. Thick jets spewed, coating her walls and his dick as he glided in and out of her satiny glove. ―Your eyes.‖ Sin moaned, moving with him. ―You feel so damn good, baby.‖ Mason closed his eyes, willing them to convert back to human irises. ―Why‘d you change them back? I‘ve never seen them do that before.‖ She nipped on his neck and he shuddered. ―Oh, I like that.‖ She repeated the action and he rewarded her with a gentle tug on her hair. ―Mine.‖ ―Every inch of me, every part of me.‖ Sin wrapped her arms around his neck. ―Take me inside.‖ ―Alright.‖ Mason stepped from the shadows of the tree and walked the short distance to the cabin, his lips still brushing against her neck, his dick embedded in her womb, causing her to writhe with each jolting step. ―Mace.‖ Sin spoke on a breathy moan. ―Like that?‖ He smirked at her. ―Steps.‖ He slipped his hands under her thighs to anchor her as he climbed the four stairs, taking pleasure in her bated breath. ―Bad, man.‖ She teased him and he grinned like a fool. ―Welcome home.‖ He opened the door and carried her over the threshold. The beast in him wanted one more round, but the man in him knew she physically needed a break. With a soft kiss, he pulled her nude body off him and gingerly set her down on the ground, his arms holding the brunt of her weight until she could stand on her own. ―I can‘t believe we did that.‖ Sin slugged him in the shoulder. In good form, he jumped back and rubbed his arm, 70

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pretending her soft hit hurt. ―We can do it some more.‖ He winked. Sin raised a delicate brow at him and manifested the satin robe he‘d bought her years before over her body. ―Damn, baby, you could‘ve let me have my fill of your body before covering all up.‖ ―You, Mason Donovan, are too much. How many times have you seen me naked?‖ ―Definitely not enough.‖ Realizing that play time was over for now, Mason tugged into a pair of loose fit jeans. ―This is a nice place, Donovan. Why haven‘t I been here before?‖ Mason shrugged. ―Sometimes a man needs a place of his own. This cabin has been in my family for three generations. When I was part of the band, we‘d come here to get away from the real world to work on the next album. Sometimes I‘d come just to get away to have a solitary place to think.‖ ―It‘s very homey.‖ Sin walked around the open living room. ―Where is the television?‖ ―There isn‘t one.‖ ―I‘m surprised there aren‘t any animal heads on the wall. This looks like a perfect hunting cabin.‖ ―My grandfather hunted deer and elk. Possibly some possum and turtle. You never knew with him. Meat was meat, meant for consumption, no matter the place the animal had on the food chain. There were animal heads when I inherited the cabin. I don‘t care for dead, glossy eyes staring at me.‖ ―Poor, Mason, you get scared of the dark?‖ ―Hey, woman, you try having Matt and Max pull double pranks on you.‖ Sin snickered at him and he promised payback in the near future. ―Keep egging me…‖ ―What are these?‖ 71

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―Pictures.‖ ―Of us.‖ Sin picked up the ones on the tables in frames. ―We were so young.‖ ―Three years ago isn‘t that young, love.‖ Mason watched the loving touch she pressed over the glass immortalizing the snapshot of them hugging. ―Long enough that it feels like another time period.‖ He trudged in her footsteps, following her path of discovery. When she‘d left, he‘d been heartbroken. After reflecting, he set up the best parts of them to one day remind her of the things that truly mattered. Tears flooded her face as she took in the full magnitude of his memorial of their first year. ―Don‘t cry, baby.‖ He could handle anything but tears. ―There‘s so many of them. Even of Havi and Lyric on a different shelf. How did?‖ ―I was in the delivery room for our son.‖ ―Why don‘t I remember?‖ ―I came in when they had to cut you open to deliver him.‖ ―Oh. I thought it was another doctor. I didn‘t scent you in the room at all.‖ ―That‘s understandable with the amount of blood that was in the room. Min and Reina were busy at the head of the operation table, keeping you calm.‖ ―I‘m glad you were there.‖ Sin turned from the pictures and wrapped her arms around him. ―I wouldn‘t have missed his birth or any of my children‘s births for the world. Matt and Max were there, too. They got to hold him while you were out cold. I convinced the nurse to let me care for you and bathed the blood from your body until you were clean.‖ ―Mason.‖ ―Yeah.‖ His voice broke and he struggled to rein in his 72

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emotions. ―Why?‖ ―When the people you love the most need you, then you show up. Forget anger, sadness or the problems that separated you. Never give up. Never lose faith. My Sin had need of me. Even if she didn‘t realize how badly she was in need, I showed up. I‘ll always show up.‖ ―In the shadows? I‘ve always felt an odd sense of security. I‘d assumed the feeling came from my cousins. I can‘t believe they aided you in this huge secret.‖ Mason led Sin over to the couch and took a seat. He snaked a hand around her waist and drew her onto his lap. ―You have a habit of bolting when you feel ganged up on. We had enough disaster thrown at us, and didn‘t need more. Allowing you space seemed the better option, instead of coming guns drawn so to speak.‖ ―What did I do to deserve you?‖ ―You picked me.‖ He chucked her chin and looked deep into her eyes. ―I sure did and you flipped out at first.‖ Sin laughed. Her leisurely touch on his face roused his tiger. ―I was human, whad‘ya expect? We dated for six months and had sex in every part of my tour bus. I reacted badly at first but I came around. I loved you too much to comprehend not having the woman who stole my heart. The decision became easy after that. Either I accept the unbelievable or let you go. I couldn‘t do the later.‖ He kissed her brow. ―The times when you were gone on tour were so hard. I was jealous of all the other women. The human women.‖ ―Really?‖ ―Why else do you think I popped in and out to surprise you? I couldn‘t take the image of women hurling themselves at you or waiting in your hotel bed naked.‖ 73

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―Naked and clingy women were a part of the life. All one can really do is call security and have the ladies removed.‖ Sin had a hard enough time sneaking out to see him past the solid line of protection. Now he had the answer to her fears of infidelity. With the players in her family and the way they womanized women he knew where she gained that fear from. The tigers didn‘t change their stripes, they lived life to the fullest, even partaking in sex clubs for their kind. He, however, kept it to the hand, never interested in any other woman but his own. ―Do you miss being part of a band? The touring, the adoration? I guess everything about being in that lifestyle?‖ ―I miss the stage. Not enough to go back. Endless hours of practice, media in my face, in my private business. I‘m a private man. You know that much about me. Sharing you with the world the first time was hard. I can‘t imagine my tiger allowing random people to photograph us or our children without wanting blood.‖ The other members of his band thrived under scrutiny and in the limelight. All he ever wanted to do was play. Off stage or on didn‘t matter so long as he could play. Along the way he lost sight of who he was and his dreams and goals, finding recreational drugs and alcohol to quell the loneliness. Revisiting his past no longer haunted him. And then he met her and their whirlwind romance exploded into a full relationship. He harbored no regrets in choosing to leave the band life. Damn. Having her snuggled into him showed promise for their weekend to start off good. He hated that soon he‘d have to bring up the past. Perhaps after their run he‘d drudge up the forbidden topics. Getting the shit handled first meant he‘d have ample time to move past the troubled areas and enjoy having her all to himself. ―I want to see the rest of the cabin before we end up falling asleep on the couch.‖ Sin slid off his lap. ―Come 74

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on.‖ She offered her hand to him and he reluctantly accepted. ―Where to first?‖ ―Food.‖ ―I love working you into a frenzied hunger.‖ Mason led her to the small, simple kitchen. Unlike their home, this nook had the basics, no frills and shelves filled with varied pots and pans. ―Uhuh.‖ Sin slid onto a chair. ―What‘cha got in the fridge?‖ ―The basics needed to survive. Just kiddin‘. I‘ll make us smoked cheddar grilled cheese sandwiches with ham. Go poke around while I create lunch.‖ ―I will see every nook and cranny of this place.‖ Sin flounced from the chair. A quick save with his foot kept it from clattering to the floor. ―Sorry.‖ Sin flashed off, leaving only the lingering scent of her perfume in her wake. Damn sexy woman. Mason gathered the supplies to make their lunch.

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Chapter Seven

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he quaint cabin pulled at Sin‘s heartstrings. Each room offered a piece of Mason he didn‘t let show. In the past, he rarely talked much about his family. She‘d met both of his parents and, of course, his brothers. Seeing glimpses of who he was as a child and troubled teen helped her to understand his personality even more. The main room held images of their family. The guest bedroom upstairs contained pictures of his family. He hadn‘t changed the old hand sewn quilt on the bed. She bent to touch the fabric that reminded her of her Abuela. He loved her so much, more than she‘d ever thought or hoped for. His eyes held no recrimination but instead, determination. Loving Mason wasn‘t difficult. Falling in love with him was easy. Struggling through misgivings, her grief and her guilt became the catalyst for their separation. She owed him answers. Each room tickled her. There was a piece of furniture from every generation. From the long lamps to the hidden benches filled with blankets made of wool, soft satins and down filling, to the wall ornaments and cozy baskets of crafting. A touching image of his grandmother, or even his mother darning yawn or working on the sewing machine painted a pretty picture. For the first time in a long time, a peaceful aura surrounded her and she basked in the feeling at ease. She traipsed out the room and opened the door to 76

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the massive screened-in deck. To her utter delight, a huge Jacuzzi filled with water rested, as if brought just for her and filled. Too eager to wait, she touched the water. Yes. Sin dropped the robe onto the floorboard, flipped the switch and stepped into the warm water. In the middle, gentle laps beat against her neck. Stepping further, she bumped into the seating area and sank down into the soothing foam. A little piece of Heaven. Sin closed her eyes for a minute as the jets pulsated, massaging her sore muscles. Mason worked her like a man possessed. Not that she was complaining. Hell, she had cobwebs in her cunny before he came back and took her as she‘d wanted for years. Raw. His hunger for her hadn‘t receded. She shivered and drew a wet hand across her face to swipe the sweat beginning to bead. ―Thought I‘d find you out here.‖ Mason carried a portable tray of food and set it down on the patio table. ―I stumbled on this magnificent hot tub on accident. I wanted to get a closer look at the woods. Imagine my surprise at finding a fully filled basin to sink into.‖ She didn‘t add in the need to relieve her aching breasts. ―How does the water feel?‖ ―Sublime.‖ Sin moaned and brushed strands of hair from her face. ―That smells delicious.‖ Mason conjured a body towel in his hand. ―Come on out and eat.‖ ―Oh look at you. That was good. What else can you do?‖ She stepped out of the water and into the offered towel.‖ Mason wrapped her into the soft terry cloth and then rubbed her dry with his big, capable hands. Sin felt her face flush from the heat and sat down in front of the plate he set in front of her. A white rose and a red rose lay on the tray side by side. Sin picked up the blooms and smelled their 77

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different but similar fragrance. ―Thank you. I still remember the first rose you bought me. It‘s between a potion book in my work room.‖ Sin touched the soft petals and laid them back down. ―What color was it?‖ ―The rose? Lavender. You said that you didn‘t believe in love at first sight or that one smile could brighten up a room enough to make the darkness fade. ―Damn. Sappy in love.‖ Mason chuckled. ―No one had ever done something so sweet or meaningful for me. You‘re the only man who‘s bought me flowers.‖ Sin picked up the sandwich and trimmed the crust off. She tossed the crust over the deck railing for the birds to eat and chanced a glance at Mason. ―Really? I thought you dated before. I know you had to have since you had Lyric and the demon before me.‖ Ouch. He still smarted over the whole demon incident. ―I wasn‘t allowed to date. The family was prepared to pick out a suitable mate for me. Their plans for me included college, taking up my craft, and waiting for them to see to my future.‖ ―That seems archaic.‖ ―Yeah, but that‘s the way our family works. The males handpick possible suitors who have to prove themselves in battle with each of them and out on assignments. ―Josiah, Lyric‘s father, was a senior in college when I was a sophomore. I knew he‘d trained at the academy and wanted to petition to have my hand. His family didn‘t come from warrior stock. Kavar shot him down before he had a chance.‖ ―So you decided to date him?‖ ―Yes. I figured I wouldn‘t get pregnant until I was mated. That‘s normally how the mating game works. But we didn‘t take into account that I‘m half-human and could 78

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breed like them. Only takes one time. I got pregnant in the back of a truck. We never touched again afterward.‖ ―Why not?‖ Sin bit into her grilled cheese and sighed. ―Um. They beat him down and then told him he‘d mate with me after their next challenge. Josiah craved attention more than anything. I learned later on fucking me was a bonus. He‘d won a bet by being my first and surviving a fight of ten full out against one. Only on that assignment, his cocky ass got killed.‖ ―I‘m sorry Lyric‘s father died, but I‘m not sorry for being indifferent since you‘re mine.‖ ―Thanks, I think.‖ Sin polished off her food and took a sip of the hot raspberry and white chocolate drink he‘d made her. ―I do have questions about Thamuz.‖ ―As long as we don‘t end up fighting, shoot.‖ Sin blinked as he downed two grilled cheese sandwiches in a few bites. ―Maybe we should make you some meat.‖ ―I‘m good, sexy.‖ Mason leaned forward and licked the chocolate on her bottom lip. Sin gravitated toward him and then lurched back. ―We‘ll never talk if you keep licking me and touching me.‖ ―How did you meet him?‖ ―At his sister‘s night club. I saw him and immediately wanted what I knew my family would hate.‖ Somehow vocalizing that she wanted to jump her ex‘s bones the moment she laid eyes on him wasn‘t appropriate in the current circumstances. So she kept that tidbit of information to herself. ―And you just became this couple?‖ ―No. We didn‘t really have a relationship at first. I‘d goad his sister into violence because I was looking for trouble and he‘d fish me out of it. From there our 79

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relationship went physical. Not going into deets.‖ ―Unlike us, there was no mating mark that appeared when y‘all boned?‖ Sin slapped at Mason‘s hand. ―Hey, that‘s a vulgar word, but no. I was asked if I wanted to be Queen and then he put the mark on me.‖ ―So what went wrong?‖ ―Everything. I was immature and unrealistic. I‘d dreamed that his family would all love me and that we‘d build this huge family together. Instead we brought out the worst in each other most of the time. He was so unhappy he worked longer hours, stayed gone more. We developed a thin line of a love and hate relationship. I failed at bridging our worlds and ways of life. He hated my family. Kept me from them.‖ ―Harsh. Did you love him?‖ ―I loved him, but I loved the fairy tale of what would be our life that never was more. Without trust and equal footing, love can turn bitter, and once bitter, can turn toxic. I‘d run away and he‘d either hunt me down or send a team of demons to retrieve me. I believe he felt bad for not explaining that his world was vastly different from the one I grew up in. I basically grew up in a fucking bubble. He had enemies. I went from being overprotected by the family here, to being beyond overprotected by his, no freedom, no ability to go out on my own or come back up to earth without a troop of guards. In hindsight, I didn‘t know what I was giving up to be with him. Plus I thought I was strong enough to take on demons of my own. I ended up fighting in a pit of them and he had to save me. On that night I saw firsthand how vicious he could be when provoked.‖ ―The baby?‖ ―It‘s still hard to talk about losing him. I knew that I 80

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would never be happy with so much discord. So I came home when another demon left the realm and I used his footprints to leave undetected and warded myself back on our land. Yes, I deserted him, too. I deserted him because he deserved better than me, someone who understood him and could live by his strict rules. We had great sex but a lousy relationship. The baby needed a link to Hell to survive. I wasn‘t aware of that when I left. My defection killed my child. His rage razed our lands. The horror has never left me. I‘ll be haunted for my selfish decision to flee. I cost an innocent life to ebb into nothing.‖ ―Damn, baby.‖ Mason placed his hand over hers and she delivered a half-smile, one she knew didn‘t reach her eyes. ―The night where I fell apart was the second worse night of my life. Pushing you away and allowing Thamuz to goad you in his cruel mind games replayed nightly in my dreams. I knew he got off on being an asshole and you got caught up in his way of exacting torture. Deep down I lied to myself. I knew he wouldn‘t really hurt you, not bad. But I used his demonic status as a reason to make you move on.‖ I just wanted to die and be alone. ―S‘Niah, I knew that. He only fractured my jaw, and I got a few good punches in. We came out even. If he‘d loved you even a fraction of how much I do, he‘d have kept closer tabs on you and known you were in big trouble. Out of experience, I left you alone to come to terms. I despised that you left with him, but trusted that you wouldn‘t betray me any more than kicking me to the curb. Your choice to push me completely out hit me unaware later on. I told myself you‘d come back once you had solid footing and we‘d be a family again. ―I‘m so sorry.‖ ―Me, too. I should‘ve come for you.‖ ―I keep telling myself I don‘t deserve you. Because I 81

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treated you shitty.‖ ―Yes, you did.‖ ―I hate emotions. I don‘t like to discuss how I feel.‖ Telling Reina or her cousins was different than opening up to Mason. Her family had her back for life. Mason could turn away if he wanted, and why open up for rejection? ―Good, then we‘re making progress.‖ The urge to shift slammed into Sin. She licked her lips and slipped her hand free from Mason‘s. ―I can‘t wait any longer.‖ Pushing back her chair, Sin rose and called forth the change. Fur sprouted out of her arms. She dropped to the floor, embracing the thick paws now holding her weight. Torn between waiting to see if he‘d follow or running to escape the raw emotions of dealing with the sludge, Sin stood still. Her inner tiger anticipated being scared of seeing him once more in primal form. Mason didn‘t shift, but instead roamed his large hands through her fur. Never had she felt anything so amazing. His touch wasn‘t hesitated. He moved over her second skin as if he knew exactly the right places to touch to make her pliable to his wants. If he continued, she‘d gladly roll over in submission. Feels so good. Sin couldn‘t vocalize words to him so she resorted to their link. ―I know, gorgeous. Come inside while I check the security cameras.‖ In feline grace, Sin moved behind him, rubbing her body along him. Wanting, needing physical contact had her acting like a house cat. She opened her jaw and yawned and then licked her lips with her pink tongue. When he led her to a hidden passage, she trudged down the steps after him and blinked. He had quite a set up there. Sin tilted her head to look at all the monitors. Why? 82

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―I knew I‘d bring you here and our family and wanted to protect us. Your cousins helped me to set this all up.‖ He rubbed behind her ears. How long had being in animal form been for her? She thumped her tail, thinking. ―Before Havi was born. I saw you running on the land. Doesn‘t stretching out feel good?‖ I don’t know whether to think you’re a stalker or overly enthused in protecting us. ―Never a stalker, just your man. The tapes look good, no one‘s been sniffing around for the last month or so.‖ You only have tapes for the last month? Sin lashed her tail to and fro. ―I have them set up at the main house for now. I‘ll move them to our place when we get back. The system is wired to the land so I can see it daily or weekly if I want.‖ He paused to pat her side. ―Choosing and designing a human system was one of my first tests from Kavar. He wanted to know he could trust me to keep you safe. To earn my place in the family wasn‘t a cakewalk.‖ They are so over protective it’s suffocating. I can imagine going through the process. A brand new shifter was beyond difficult and trying. ―When you want something bad enough, nothing can get in your way.‖ I’m proud of what you’ve accomplished. Sin nudged his leg with her paw and laid her muzzle on his knee. ―Thank you, gorgeous.‖ Sin grew impatient waiting, the steady thump of her tail becoming louder with each strike on the wooden floor resonated in the small enclosure. ―Give me a second, baby, I promise you‘ll have your run.‖ Like next year? 83

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―Just wanted another pass of the videos and a quick run myself.‖ Paranoid much? ―Call it paranoid if you want. I call it prevention.‖ Mason lifted her off his leg and stood. ―Come on.‖ He took the steps two at a time and opened the latch leading them back to the main floor. Don’t you worry about water damage or humidity to all of your equipment? ―No. I built it well. Plus the room is sustained by magic in my absence. Call it a magical alarm. Should anyone breech, or bad weather comes, I‘ll know and get to it to move my things. Same goes for downed cameras on the land. Don‘t move off this porch or I‘ll force your change and pepper your ass with my palm.‖ Mason walked through the back door to the porch. She followed, not prepared for the majestic change in him as he shifted, his lean body morphing into a strong, black tiger. Sin remembered the first time he shifted and the pain that wracked his body. Unlike back then, he was wholly in his element. He turned his ice blue eyes on her, so clear they held a color close to grey. He nudged her muzzle with his and nuzzled her neck before lopping off the deck and disappearing into the foliage. Sin sighed and laid down to wait. The dominance in his voice unsettled her, adding to her decision not to rock the boat yet in their newfound passion. Mason‘s absence droned on, leaving Sin bored with idle hands. Lying on the deck, she inhaled the earthen scent. Pine, Spruce and Oak trees filled her line of vision. Her hearing picked up his breathing and the quickness of his pace. Seeing her mate in his superior form made her mouth water and tongue hang out. She loved the sleek muscles moving as he stalked through the woods. Unlike her, his 84

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stripes blended in with his fur. Now and then when the sun angled just right, she could see the near obsidian stripes move. Through his blue eyes, she noted the placements of his cameras. Deeper still, he laid back his ears and turned his head to the left, listening to what appeared to be the sounds of the forest. The longer he stayed away, the more worry began to set in. Sin paced across the floor. Mason‘s scent traveled on the breeze. Rain was imminent. Turning her gaze skyward, tiny droplets plummeted to the ground. The fresh smell washed over her, reminding her of dancing in the rain. To her left she spied Mason covered from head to toe in mud, carrying small metal traps with a scowl on his face. Sin shifted back and met him halfway. ―Mace?‖ ―I smelled hunters. Someone has drifted close enough to the land. I found these on the other side of the property line. I can‘t risk you walking into one of them, and thankfully the asshole didn‘t even bother to cover them.‖ Damn he looked sexy covered in mud. She wished it was chocolate. Finger painting came to mind. The hipbone is connected to the… His somber mood broke through her fantasy, effectively sobering her. ―Awe, baby.‖ Sin retrieved the now destroyed torture traps from his gridlock grip. ―Everything else good?‖ ―Yeah. Pissed about them traps though.‖ ―Me, too. Traps are a part of life. There will always be hunters. We just have to outsmart them. Besides, these don‘t look like to catch a tiger traps to me, but small wildlife ones.‖ ―I still don‘t like them being so close to our land. I‘ll have to order more cameras.‖ He grumbled and she found the sound of his ire amusing. ―Catch me if you can.‖ With a sure-fire teasing grin, she 85

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leapt over the railing, shifted mid-air, only pausing a millisecond to regard him through cat-like eyes, the irises shifting from violet to amber. Game. Set. Go. The chasing commenced. Being prey exhilarated her. Rain masked her scent, giving her a chance to leave him in the dust. She winced when her paws struck twigs and branches, breaking them. With his hearing, he‘d be on her in no time. The thought that he was toying with her, ready to close in wasn‘t far from her mind. She kept moving, enjoying the cool water hitting her fur. Forest sounds enveloped her. The dense brush swallowing her in a new world and shifting light made shadows dance through the endless tree branches. She hit a patch of wet leaves and stopped running to take in the beauty around her. Mason loomed close. The soughing wind and groaning trees did little to hide the growl rattling the air. Goosebumps shuddered through her tiger who wanted caught. Birds took flight and small woodland animals darted, looking for shelter. Catching a whiff of a deer sent her dashing in for the hunt. Without warning, Mason caught up behind her. Sin felt his heartbeat before she heard his paw strikes mere feet behind her. The force of nature that knocked her over stole her breath. She bared her neck in submission and embraced the pain of canines sinking into the slope of her neck. ―Forever yours.‖ She shifted in tune with him, two muddied lovers heaving in short pants of air, both gasping to draw in a full breath. Sin recovered first and straddled his body. ―Surrender?‖ Sheeting rain hit them. Hard drops fell onto her pebbled nipples. The cold rain didn‘t abate the raging fire consuming her. Hungry, she closed her hand around his engorged cock and sheathed herself. 86

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―Damn, baby.‖ Mason lifted his hands to her breasts, rubbing in the mud and dirt as she began to rock over and on him. Heat and delicious friction urged her to move faster, to ride his cock harder. Sin clenched her pussy around his dick. Sodden hair clung to her face while rivulets of rain made her vision blurry. Going by feel, she roamed her hands over his rain- and mud-slicked pectorals. She tweaked a ring and was rewarded with a slap on her ass, the sonic boom ringing in her ears. ―Yes.‖ The first of many orgasms built slowly. Sin slowed her pace, her knees sliding deeper into the soft mud. ―Oh, no you‘re not.‖ Mason had her flipped to her back in two quick moves, his dick buried to the hilt in her. His body shielded her from the onslaught of the rain. She opened her eyes to see the passion-filled ones burning her down to her soul. ―Mace,‖ she let out, a plea of sorts. She begged him with her body to begin moving, needing him to take her to the precipice of bliss. ―Cum for me.‖ Mason slipped her legs under his arms, drawing her up onto his thighs. He caged her, protecting her from the elements but not from his possession and rammed home in one savage thrust. The patter of ferocious rain landed in fat drops on his body as he set the pattern, showing her who she belonged to, on his terms and on his land. Sin shuddered under him. Locked in place, she had nowhere to run. He forced her to take and keep taking. Cold rain sloshed on her nipples. The combination of the rain hitting her and the heat of his cock spearing her sent her into convulsions. She came on a high keen, digging her nails into his lean thighs. Mason let go of her legs and fused his mouth over hers, eating up her soft screams and sighs of pleasure. Furious 87

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thrusts changed pace and he worked her body in a series of thrusts, alternating between slow and slower. She kissed him back, greedy to have all of his spicy taste. Her tiger rolled in pleasure under her skin, basking in his attention. Sin came apart a second time, her legs wrapped around his waist, her nails digging into his ass. With a moan of pleasure, she bit down on his corded neck, her pussy still creaming around his cock. ―I‘m gonna come, baby. Take it.‖ Mason let forth a guttural growl that shook her bones. Sin bucked against his pelvis, striking her over-stimulated clit. Heat flooded her in jets of spurts. The scent of their combined juices filled the air around them. Nothing smelled better than being filled with his cum. She milked his cock for each drop. His body stilled over hers. With one last soul-stealing kiss, he shifted off her and collapsed onto the muddy forest floor next to her. ―You okay, gorgeous?‖ He looked so good with rain dripping off his body. If not for the mud, she‘d lick each drop. ―Never better.‖ Sin rolled over and bit his nipple. ―Cold?‖ ―Getting there.‖ Sin stretched and stood up. ―I‘m all muddy in places I don‘t want to go into.‖ ―A hot shower sounds damned good.‖ Mason stood up and wiped mud over the mud on his body. ―Oh my God,‖ Sin laughed. ―You didn‘t just try to wipe mud off your body with muddy hands.‖ ―Yeah, I forgot okay.‖ Mason wiped his hands over her breasts, writing his name.‖ ―You‘re such a juvenile. I‘m too cold to shift and run. Take me home.‖ ―Anything for my bossy wench.‖ Mason dodged a flying fist with speed she didn‘t know he possessed. Her body now pressed to his back, he had her where he wanted and 88

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she knew it. ―I surrender.‖ Halfhearted at best, she knew he‘d accept her wonton playacting. ―You can do better than that for a hot shower and a slow leisure fuck in a warm bed.‖ ―Take me home, kind Sirah,‖ she drawled. Mason wrapped her tangled hair and swatted her ass hard. Sin screeched and went to rub her burn, only to feel another stinging blow, the effect making her cream. Mason inhaled and smiled. ―Just how I like you.‖ He wrapped his arms around her body and transported them into the cabin bathroom via magic. ―You cheated. I thought you were going to run through the forest with me on your shoulder.‖ ―Maybe when we‘re clothed and not muddy. Shower?‖ ―I‘m in your capable hands.‖ Sin gave herself over to her mate with pleasure.

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Chapter Eight

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orning, handsome.‖ The rain stopped during the night, either after Mason loved her into the night or after they both fell asleep. She woke early and eased out of bed to alleviate her breasts while her mate slept and then quietly crept back into bed and slipped under the covers. She watched him sleep and couldn‘t wait to spend the day with him. He was right. A small vacation from family and kids was exactly what the doctor ordered. ―Hmmm. It‘s not morning yet.‖ He tucked her into his body and buried his face in her breasts. ―Need help?‖ His voice sounded hopeful. ―No. I expressed them.‖ Sin threaded her fingers through his hair. ―I‘m dying to know what you‘ve told your parents since our split.‖ ―I didn‘t tell them we weren‘t together. I doubt Max or Matt did either and they never asked.‖ ―Kyna made things crystal clear that she didn‘t approve of me with you. I think in the end she only came around because you asked her to.‖ Sin had tried to please his mom when she first met her and found herself left out of the Donovan family dynamic. ―Mom takes a bit to warm up to. My dad loves you though. And they both love Lyric and Havi.‖ ―Niall. He embraced me right away. Really? How do they know about Havi?‖ 90

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―They have pictures, gorgeous. And I talk to them a lot. Since they‘re overseas, what we were or weren‘t doing wasn‘t an issue. All the grandparents want is to be kept in the loop with their grandbabies. You, me, we don‘t really matter anymore. As adults, were expected to figure life out.‖ ―Hmm. Are they coming from Ireland anytime soon?‖ ―Not this season, maybe next. Both are enjoying retirement. I‘ve sold the land they didn‘t care to keep and kept everything else in order here once it was handed down to my brothers and me.‖ ―Land?‖ A picture niggled at her brain and became clear. The land we live on was yours?‖ ―Yeah. I sold all available acres to Kavar.‖ ―I hope he gave you a good price.‖ The house she‘d been in didn‘t even belong to her. ―I told him he didn‘t need to pay me. My land was his land and he refused to take the offer. I put the money in trust for the kids. When we have more, I‘ll update it.‖ ―If, what?‖ Sin sputtered with a slack jaw expression hanging on her face. ―You know, you want more than Lyric and Havi.‖ He rubbed her belly and she slapped his hand. ―One day maybe. I‘m already exhausted enough. Two is a lot to handle.‖ ―It‘s a grand thought though. Having another son and daughter. I think four is a great number.‖ ―You would since you don‘t have to carry them.‖ Sin sighed. ―You know I do feel your pain, anxiety, joy and every other string of emotions you go through on a regular basis.‖ ―I had some highs and lows after Havi. That‘s what you get for… I don‘t know, just for general purpose.‖ Mason 91

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laughed a rich sound and Sin couldn‘t help but to laugh right along with him. ―I‘m so glad you‘re here.‖ ―Me, too.‖ Mason turned her face to his. ―I miss lying with you, chatting.‖ ―Where were we three years ago this time in the conversation?‖ Sin toyed with the round ring on his nipple. ―Hmmm. I believe it was your turn to tell me something that your cousins have no clue you did.‖ ―Hmmm. Now that you‘re part of the ambush, how do I know you won‘t tell?‖ ―Gorgeous. Years have passed. Do you really think they‘ll come down hard on you?‖ Sin looked at him and huffed. ―Yes. There is no law outside of family law you know.‖ ―But depending on who hears. I probably have enough dirt on each of them to stay out of the line of fire. I‘m waiting.‖ ―I used to want to be like Jennifer Beals. From the time I saw Flashdance, I would dress up in leggings and my leotard and practice for an entrance exam into a famous dance studio.‖ ―That‘s cute.‖ ―Except I wasn‘t allowed to go and have dance classes. I didn‘t attend school until I was in high school. Home schooling makes it hard to socialize. Since Mineah was the daughter of our ex-coven leader, she could come over anytime and Reina was part of a family whose eldest son went to the academy the cousins run. The three of us became the best of friends. Min came into her magic before me. I may heal, but she has the whole shebang and Reina taught me how to be sneaky. All three of us were under constant scrutiny together so we learned how to fool the males and our parents. Reina wanted to be a gymnast and Min wanted to be an ice skater.‖ 92

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―I expected booze and cigarette stories,‖ Mason‘s rough morning voice interrupted. ―I‘m telling a story here.‖ She poked him and stole the covers. ―Sorry. Won‘t interrupt again.‖ ―We became quite good at evading and telling halftruths to our parents. I saved my allowance for jazz, tap and ballet, and Min and Reina did the same for theirs. We became alibies for each other and Min created doppelgangers of us. They weren‘t evil at all. We used them three times a week for years and never got caught.‖ ―You mean you broke away from the ambush to do what you wanted without getting caught.‖ ―Yep. I even invited my godfather Maleck and my godbrother Atreyu to see me perform in high school. Maleck came to every performance. Whenever he asked, I‘d say that Mom and Dad were busy and the cousins were training. I suspected he might have known the truth, but he kept my secret.‖ ―Maleck runs a small country in Spain, right?‖ ―Yes. He runs the Treyvano Empire. Right now Trey has the reins.‖ ―I read his family perished not long ago?‖ ―Yes, my godmother Zandie and all of their cubs were poached. Maleck is healing but it‘s been slow. I don‘t think he‘ll ever get over losing them or the way they died. I still can‘t believe Zandie took them all off the family lands without a patrol.‖ ―Why‘d you quit dancing?‖ ―During my junior year in high school, my parents began prepping me for acceptance into a veterinary college.‖ ―Why did they do that?‖ ―Being a healer doesn‘t mean you‘ll have the automatic 93

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touch and just because you can doesn‘t mean you should. They wanted me to be able to go in and heal the practitioner way, not only the magic way.‖ ―I never asked how you heal. Is it always by touch?‖ ―Sometimes. But that depends on the injury. I can use magic to see the injury on a cellular level and then begin to repair. Doing the second takes a lot of energy and leaves me vulnerable to attack if I‘m in the field with Kavar and the guys.‖ ―How did you learn? And why can‘t they heal themselves?‖ ―They just can‘t. I don‘t know why. A gene mix-up maybe.‖ Sin shrugged. ―Tigers are ferocious fighters. We win because of our speed and the force of our blows. The males are matched well with lions. Unlike lions we don‘t fight for dominance or pick fights, we only fight when we‘re backed against a wall and that makes us dangerous. What can make us weak are injuries and the inability to regenerate tissue right after a feral fight. That‘s where you come in, and you‘ve made us undefeatable.‖ ―Thank you for the props but no one is undefeatable. I evened the odds is all.‖ ―Still, you‘re also black, whereas we‘re a mixture of Bengal and white tiger.‖ ―Yeah. I like being black. I blend into the night without a problem.‖ Mason grinned at her and she melted on the spot. ―You‘re so bad for saying what‘s on your mind.‖ ―Hide and seek is a great game.‖ ―Bullshit. When you become an adult hide and go seek changes to hide and go get it. Even I know that.‖ ―Yeaaah. You should with all the male influence in your family.‖ Sin punched his arm. ―What are we doing today?‖ 94

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―Right now? Talking and being lazy. Sin yawned. ―Laying around feels good but wrong. I‘m not used to doing nothing.‖ ―Everyone needs a lazy day.‖ ―Mhm. Now it‘s your turn.‖ Sin decided to share the blanket with him and tossed his portion back over him. ―For what?‖ Mason nuzzled her neck. ―Not sex.‖ She tugged the pillow out from under her head and pelted him with it. ―A story.‖ ―Oh.‖ ―Come on I know you have to have some. Boys are so much worse than girls.‖ ―When Max and I looked identical, we used to switch places all the time. Even with girls we liked. No one could tell the difference. If I had a problem in a class, he‘d take my place and when he had a problem in physical classes like gym, I‘d take his place.‖ ―Oh that‘s naughty. You both cheated?‖ ―Well Max has the brains and I have the artistic talent, plus I excelled in sports and in getting the girls. He couldn‘t get over being shy at first to get a phone number.‖ ―That‘s sweet but at the same time horrible. I‘m glad you don‘t look a thing like him now. How did that transpire?‖ ―I got tired of being referred to as the identical twin to the genius. So in artistic teen angst, I died my hair black and got my first tattoo on my lower arm in plain sight.‖ ―Rebel.‖ ―Major. I joined my first band after that and dove right into the rock star mindset.‖ ―I loved watching you perform. Soooo hawt. Sweat dripping off your body and the way you jumped with your guitar. I didn‘t care much for the screaming, but you, Mason Donovan, have a great set of pipes. Listening to you do acoustic versions of ballads where you took the lead 95

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became my all-time fave.‖ ―Biased.‖ ―A little perhaps, but dead honest about your talented fine ass.‖ ―I wondered when my Sin would come back and the shyness would leave. Don‘t get me wrong. Having you off balance felt damned good, but not on a daily basis.‖ ―I was worried about my body now and pleasing you.‖ ―Your body is gorgeous, and pleasing me isn‘t difficult.‖ ―We‘re going to be okay?‖ ―Of course.‖ Mason leaned over and planted a slow, possessive kiss on her lips. His touch turned her into putty. ―Breakfast?‖ She sighed when he pulled away. ―Sounds wonderful.‖ Sin made a move to get up and found herself immobilized. ―Hey!‖ ―You promised me breakfast. And I must say this will be the sweetest meal I‘ve had in a long time.‖ Mason planted his face between her thighs. His breath on her bare sex tickled. Anticipation burned through her with his tentative touch of tongue on her slit. ―Mace.‖ ―Shh.‖ He slid a digit in and withdrew to lick her juices off. ―Told you, delicious.‖ His tongue followed the path of his finger. She felt him spread her labia wide and lick from clit to slit. The pressure of his tongue on her sensitive spot made her legs tremble. She lay there as he madly tortured her with his sweet touch, his fingers sliding through her pussy and out. When he breached the rim of her anus, with a slick finger, she pressed back eagerly to feel the decadent invasion. ―Damn your tight there.‖ Mason palmed her pussy, grinding her clit with the pressure of his thumb. 96

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Sin jumped and moaned, wanting so much more. ―Donovan.‖ ―Sensory overload has always been a problem for you, one that I love.‖ Mason‘s smug words hit her. She clamped her legs closed to wiggle out from him. ―Where do you think you‘re going? Get back over here.‖ He used his brute strength to yank her back how he had her. The promise dancing in his eyes lit her body. The way he loved her body, not missing a spot, kept her on the ledge. Oh, how she wanted to come for him, on his face and around his cock. ―I promise you can soon, love.‖ Mason nipped her clit and sucked it into his mouth. His fingers rotated in a corkscrew motion. Sin ground herself on him and breathed in deeply when his tongue replaced the fingers. His strong hands on her ass pulled her on and off his face. The burn in her core exploding, spasms contracted her pussy on his face, giving him the cream he sought. She thought he was done. He‘d only just begun. In seconds his cock replaced his mouth and he came over her, sliding in and out of her body in a perfect rhythm. ―Harder.‖ ―Shh. Let me love you. I‘ll fuck you another time. Right now this is how I want you, gorgeous.‖ Mason made love the same way he made music, slow and seductive. He pushed her onto a higher plateau of transcendence. Lost in his touch, Sin gave up more to him than in the past and allowed him to take over. Love burned in his eyes, replacing the lust that had ridden in them earlier. He gave her the two combined. Inside her, his cock lurched and tightened, growing larger. Their lips met and fused. Sin kissed him with all the passion she could muster. 97

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He loved her so well, she feared passing out from sheer joy. Her nipples grazed his rings and she mewled. Hot skin met cool metal. The need to ground herself welled up within her. She feared plummeting from where he had her and landing in the unknown. ―Sin.‖ Mason garnered her attention, breaking their kiss. ―I‘m scared.‖ ―I‘ll take care of you for always.‖ He pushed her over the ledge, instantly igniting a powder keg. She broke apart around him and he came hard inside of her. Breathless, she writhed under him, her body seized by aftershocks and pulsating tremors. The high she felt crashed, leaving her languid. ―Mace.‖ She curled her body around him and nuzzled his neck. ―I could stay in bed with you all day.‖ He slid into her again. ―But I‘ll give you a break.‖ ―I need real food.‖ Sin laughed and trailed her hands over his back. ―Let‘s go eat then.‖ He slid out of her body and stood up. ―Nude?‖ ―There‘s no one else here.‖ Sin blushed and got out of bed, pulling the sheet around her. If Mason wanted to walk around in his birthday suit, she‘d gladly be a voyeur to his magnificent body. ―I‘m ready.‖ ―Quit staring at my dick.‖ ―I can‘t help it.‖ Sin laughed when he turned to walk out the door. ―You have a mighty fine ass there, Donovan. Nice and tight.‖ She followed close behind him. ―No references to a tight ass, I don‘t play that way, woman.‖ ―No need for a feral scowl at me.‖ Sin huffed and passed 98

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him. When she got to the kitchen, she hopped onto the counter and dropped the sheet. The act erased his broody look and put a sinister smile on his face. ―What would you like?‖ ―Mason a la mode?‖ ―Nice try, gorgeous, but you can‘t handle more right now.‖ He moved to the refrigerator and took out a fresh bowl of fruit and a can of whipped cream. ―Kinky.‖ ―Only if you eat it off me.‖ ―Oh yeah.‖ Sin hopped off the counter. Nude and ravenous, she approached him and stole the breakfast goodies. ―Lay down on the counter. You might be a bit tall but it‘ll work.‖ Mason did as she bid and she giggled. ―I love strawberries and cream and peaches.‖ On a plate, she separated the fruit slices. Grapes sat in a separate bowl. The widened pineapple ring she placed over his dick. ―I‘ll get to the kiwi later.‖ She laid the food along his body, and using her artistic talent, coated his nipples and cock with whipped cream. ―I like your idea of breakfast.‖ She swiped a finger across the white, creamy sweetness and licked it off. ―Soo good.‖ Her hair grazed his bare skin and she heard the intake of a breath he hissed. ―You like?‖ ―Oh yeah,‖ he rasped. Sin sucked a strawberry off his chest and swallowed the tart piece. Juice dripped down her chin and she licked it off. ―Baby, you‘re makin‘ me hungry.‖ ―My breakfast.‖ She put her mouth around his cock and sucked up, effectively removing the cream from him. ―Yummy.‖ She worked her mouth down his prick again. Squeezing his erection with one hand to bring the 99

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pineapple up to her mouth the bitter-sweet juice dripped down his balls. ―You‘re playin‘ with fire,‖ Mason ground out. Sin grinned darkly at him. ―Can‘t let all that good juice go to waste.‖ She sucked his ball sac into her mouth to catch the dripping juice. Mason groaned and his cock jerked. She moved back up the stalk and sucked in the corona. ―I love your cock.‖ She licked the pre-cum off the slit and bobbed her head back down. The rest of the fruit could wait. Sin wanted to finish what she‘d started, remembering how Mason could tease and torture for hours if he so desired. He sat up on his elbows and thrust his pelvis into her face. He enjoyed watching his dick disappear into her mouth. Visuals always brought him closer faster. She stopped and pulled off. He growled and she sucked him back down. Mason slid his fingers into her hair and brought her on and off his cock at the pace he wanted. She loved how hard he became right before climaxing. He shot off in her mouth and she swallowed hard. ―Fucking hell, Sin.‖ ―It was your idea to feed me.‖ She popped a grape in her mouth and then a second. ―Y‘all are nasty.‖ Sin whipped around to see Sam in the doorway between the living room and the kitchen. ―Eek.‖ She dove for the sheet to cover herself. ―It‘s only me here.‖ ―What are you doing here?‖ Mason hopped off the counter, fruit and whipped cream sliding off his body onto the floor. ―There‘s a problem at home. Lyric and Havi are in the nursery, but we can‘t get the door to open, or shift inside.‖ ―Is she playing with my book of magic again? Our land 100

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is impenetrable.‖ ―No. The Suaraz spell book is in its rightful place. They‘re fine in there. We can hear them playing. Reina told me to hurry my ass to you so we can figure out what‘s going on.‖ Sin manifested clothing onto her nude body and witnessed Mason doing the same, a worried look on his face. ―Let‘s roll.‖ The three of them shifted from the kitchen of the cabin to the hallway of she and Mason‘s home.

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Chapter Nine

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yric.‖ Sin entered the nursery without issue. The mural seemed different. She looked at the blue that contrasted the lighter images she‘d painted on the walls, remembering how her small hands brought the walls to life with sponges and bushes, a picturesque image of tranquility. Large trees appeared with her deft strokes, giving off their magic ability to conceal the fae life and cute animals hiding in their depths. The moon shone high with an incandescent brilliance, giving off a soft, luminous glow. Looking up at the black ceiling, darkness was gone and the constellations twinkled, lighting the night. The sponges provided the softer textures of the wall, making it surreal, as if her babes themselves were in on the secret happenings going on. In one section, the fairies had on tutus of pastel colors and were involved in a magical dance with fireflies glowing softly and pixie dust glittering. The tulips and flowers bloomed to life, giving of a soft scent in the enchanted air. She left the pixies dancing their ballet around the enchanted little girl and moved around the room to the other wall and finished painting the deep forest textures and three little boys climbing on magical branches, watching the fireflies and pixies dancing with wonderment. The boys giggling with small, pudgy hands covering their mouths made their way across the bush and 102

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through the woods and around the bend, curious for a closer look. Forgotten were pirate fights or clubhouses in the trees, where the moon lit the silent night and magic could be seen. Closer and closer they crept on small feet and knees, peeking oh so slightly at the sight to be seen. The pixies in their magical dance all fluttered as could be, and zoomed over the little boy‘s heads with their magical melody. The trees swayed and moved in time, and the grass moved against an unseen breeze. Animals peeked out with droopy ears and big eyes, making sweet soft sounds of the night. The figures of the forest moved, laughing and dancing, charming and lulling all the children in the enchanted night to sleep. Mason stepped in behind her. ―Everything okay?‖ ―We‘ll see.‖ She picked Havi up from the crib and inhaled his sweet baby scent. ―He‘s okay.‖ Sin moved to the second room of the nursery, Lyric‘s playroom, with Mason on her heels. ―Lyric,‖ Mason bellowed. Sin elbowed him. ―No need to scare her.‖ ―Mama.‖ Lyric burst through her playhouse. ―Hi, baby. We heard your door was locked.‖ She embraced the girl, hugging her legs. ―Did you and Papi have a great time? Havi was napping and I was playing with my new friend.‖ ―New friend?‖ Sin turned to Mason. ―Sometimes she has imaginary friends.‖ ―Hers not imaginary. Hers real and she‘s a pixie.‖ ―Oh. Can we meet her?‖ ―Let me go ask.‖ Lyric flounced off back into her playhouse. She came back a few minutes later, followed by a dark orange glow on her shoulder. ―How did a pixie get past our wards?‖ 103

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―Mama. Daddy Thamuz sent her. She told me when she came and put the new ward on the door.‖ ―Fucking hell.‖ ―Papi, language.‖ Lyric giggled at the pixie that shimmered into a slender woman, orange and black wings fluttering on her small back. She hovered slightly off the ground with orange horns on her head and long, raven‘s black hair. ―Felicitations. Thamuz sends his regards. I‘m Keilli.‖ Sin petted Mason‘s arm. His temper raged around them. I don’t know what’s going on. His facial expression and body language didn‘t change. Another man sent a demon into his house without his permission. Sin knew he seethed with indignation and didn‘t blame him. ―Keilli, why are you here?‖ ―Thamuz couldn‘t reach you to warn you and sent me here to see after yours until a member of his family could locate you. Don‘t worry. We don‘t come with ill will. I come in protection.‖ Mason huffed. ―You‘re a pixie, not a guard. We have a family of guards.‖ ―Who will be ineffective for this new threat.‖ ―I don‘t understand riddles, Keilli.‖ ―Lyric, why don‘t you go play in your house while we talk to your new friend?‖ ―Mama, be nice. Hers a nice pixie.‖ Lyric dashed back into her playhouse. ―Mason, you okay?‖ Mason crossed his arms. ―Talk and make it fast. I don‘t want demons in my house.‖ ―There‘s an unknown threat killing young women in the area. Thamuz hasn‘t given permission for your kind to be wiped out since you were Queen. He‘s enraged that someone is going against his no touch rule.‖ 104

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―I wasn‘t aware he had one. I haven‘t talked to him in three years.‖ ―He always has. He also has a death ordered if anyone harms one of your family members.‖ ―I‘m not with him so that makes no sense.‖ ―We don‘t question. He has his reasons. Something to do with balance and others, because it‘s how he sees fit.‖ ―What‘s the threat?‖ ―The demon or thing on a killing spree blends in too well with both white magic and black magic. Untraceable. Until he figures out who is disobeying, he sent me for extra protection, knowing you‘d come right away.‖ ―How did you get past our wards?‖ Mason asked. ―Lyric was assigned to me when she was an infant, before you met her mother. We are no threat to your family or your bond. I‘m here to see that no harm or threat gets too close. ―What are your orders if a threat comes too close?‖ Mason continued the interrogation and Sin put her hand on his arm to soothe his anger. ―To remove the threat or take the children to safety.‖ ―Where exactly would that be?‖ ―Hell.‖ ―No fucking way! Tell Thamuz thank you for warning us. My kids won‘t be going anywhere near Hell, or that bastard,‖ Mason roared. ―This conversation is finished. Get her off my property now.‖ ―Mason, please calm down. Keilli, thank you for the warning, you can return to your lord now.‖ ―As you wish, My Queen.‖ Keilli departed, leaving glittery dust in her trail. ―Mason.‖ Sin jiggled Havi and kissed his shoulder. ―Breathe.‖ ―I‘m not sharing you with anyone,‖ he rasped. 105

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Sin sensed he was reining in his temper. ―I don‘t want you to, Mace.‖ ―What the fuck was the My Queen quip at the end? You‘re no longer the queen.‖ ―I guess you can say it‘s like the presidents here. Even after their term, they have a solid line of defense. Keilli meant no harm and Thamuz sent warning. Instead of being pissed, you should be grateful they have our back. He‘s not the enemy. He‘s a self-righteous dick, but not a threat to us, unless you let him come between us.‖ ―I‘m trying. I‘m really trying, but our past with that man hasn‘t been positive.‖ ―Time heals wounds, right. He‘s got a mate and a daughter. Perhaps he‘s righting a wrong.‖ ―I don‘t trust him.‖ ―Understood. Look at our son. He can‘t protect himself. He doesn‘t know how to shift yet and we don‘t know if he‘ll possess magic. Lyric is sweet and trusting. Magic fails at times. I‘d rather give him the benefit of the doubt than to say fuck you and your protection and have something happen to our children. They are priceless and worth a little injured pride.‖ ―What do we do now?‖ ―We will patrol more and keep on our toes. Keilli will only show up if there‘s a life-threatening event. She will keep them safe while we take out this new enemy.‖ ―When can we begin the hunt?‖ ―When the time is right. Warnings don‘t mean rushing in to look for trouble. For now, we tighten ranks and wait for the cousins on business to return. We know there is an evil that needs eradicated. Mason, there‘s always evil that needs taken out. The difference is, this evil has a hard on for my family for some reason.‖ ―Strategize, I can do that.‖ 106

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―Take him for me.‖ Sin sighed in relief when the anger inside him dissipated, replaced with formulating a plan of action. She handed Havi over to him to give her arm a break. Mason kissed his son‘s head and she smiled. Together they could face anything. She hadn‘t been the same since him. Mason had strength and fresh instincts in him. Hopefully he‘d continue to grow and learn how to hone them. She had faith in her man, and that things would be all right in the end. A little bit of extra power backing them didn‘t hurt though. Reina, you and Sam can go home. Everything is okay. Thamuz sent Lyric and Havi a pixie for protection and to get a hold of us. Do we need to call Kavar and the men home? They left for a few weeks, I believe. No. Let them do their job and come home when they’re done. Thank Reina for making me take a second perspective of where my life was headed. You’re welcome. Love you. Love you, too. Sin cut off the mental link and looped her arm around his waist. Together they walked out of the nursery. She‘d inform the cousins of the new issue when needed. Tonight, and until then, she‘d worship the second chance she‘d been given with her man, beginning with showing him just how much she appreciated him, after they put the kids to sleep. I’ll start with finishing the fruit off his body.

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About the Author Being smart and sassy with a great sense of humor comes easily for Mahalia Levey. An avid reader of books, she found herself enchanted with disappearing completely into the worlds authors created. One day she vowed to herself she‘d be one of them. Then family life came, and college right after. Swayed from her childhood course of action, it took many years for her to get back to that place she held dear as a child. Now she is running full steam ahead to keep up with the many ideas flowing freely. She plans on taking her work to higher levels and expanding her genres. Her main focus is giving her readers variety. Her works in progress include paranormal, fantasy and mainstream romance. Taking characters and watching them grow past what she‘s imagined is her true passion.