So he sat in the library, sipping coffee and appearing bored and uninterested in the activity around him. It didn’t take long for the gorillas to forget he was there. Once they left, so did he, taking the stairs and heading toward Duncan’s room, intending to tell him exactly what he thought of the imbeciles who guarded the gates of hell. At Duncan’s door he reached for the handle then stopped when he heard a low moan.

  A low, female moan, followed by whispered words spoken by a very familiar voice.

  Harlee.

  Instant irritation boiled his blood at the thought of Harlee in bed with Duncan. Why the idea of her fucking his friend bothered him he didn’t even want to think about. It was what it was. Jealousy. He immediately forced his anger away and turned the knob, inching the door open a crack.

  Harlee was naked on top of Duncan, her taut buttocks tightening as she moved forward and back against him. Her head was tilted back, her hands kneading her own breasts. Hardening in an instant, Adrian fought to keep his hand from straying to his own cock. Despite his ridiculous jealousy, he was turned on at the sight of her fucking his friend. How easy it would be to step into the room, pull his shaft out and slide it between the cheeks of her ass, burying himself in the heat of her firm backside.. His balls tightened painfully, but something kept him from going in there and doing exactly what he’d been told to do. He and Duncan were supposed to fuck Harlee together, to urge her blood to rise to the surface and free the lycan and vampire within her. But goddamit, he was pissed off and had no desire to do what he was supposed to do right now. He had no intention of getting his dick within miles of Harlee. She’d decided who she wanted to fuck and it wasn’t him.

  God, she made him crazy. Jamming his fingers through his hair and pulled the door shut. When he turned to leave, Sara was standing there, a wicked grin on her face.

  “I had no idea you were so into voyeurism,” she said, reaching out to trail one long fingernail down his chest. “It’s quite a turn-on, isn’t it? Makes you want to fuck, to feel what they’re feeling.”

  “I thought you were meeting with Lester,” he said, ignoring her comment.

  “I’m finished and he had another meeting so I came looking for you.” She took her other hand and cupped one of her own breasts, the nipple clearly outlined against the thin silk of her blouse. “And here I am, watching what you were watching. It made my pussy wet, Adrian. It made me want to fuck.”

  Fucking Sara had long ago lost its allure. Nevertheless, he was just annoyed enough to take what she so obviously offered. Right here, right now. He grabbed her shoulders, turned her and pushed her back against the wall, then leaned against her, grinding his cock between her legs. Her lips parted and she gasped, lifting her skirt and pumping her pelvis against his.

  She wore no panties, the golden hairs of her pussy glittering with some kind of dusting powder. Her scent screamed her arousal, her need clear as he watched her canines extend.

  Sara had wanted the bite of intimacy, of mating, since the first time he fucked her. He always withdrew his fangs before he passed the point of claiming her. Fucking her had been a fun pastime. Keeping her would be a lifelong sentence of misery.

  And right now all he wanted to do was fuck. He slid his hand between her legs, cupping her sex. Moisture spilled onto the palm of his hand and she closed her eyes and moaned.

  “Fuck me, Adrian. I need it.”

  So did he. The problem was, the woman he wanted to fuck was currently riding his friend. The woman he wanted to be inside of had another cock buried in her. The woman he wanted was Harlee.

  “Shit.” He removed his hand and backed up a step. Sara’s eyes flew open in shock.

  “Why did you stop?”

  “I’m not in the mood.”

  Her gaze traveled to his crotch. “Bullshit. You’re hard as steel and ready to burst. You’re hot, you’re horny and so am I. So fuck me.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  When he turned away and headed toward the stairs, she followed, grabbing his arm. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You’ve never turned it down before.”

  “Well, I did now. I’ve got things to do.”

  “Oh. I see how it is. You want that bitch in there.”

  One thing about Sara that always bothered him was her assumed claim on him. Since the first time he’d fucked her she thought they were mated, that they’d always be together. Despite all the times he’d told her all they had together was sex, she refused to believe him, insisting he’d come around to her way of thinking some day. “Sara, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to have sex anymore.”

  “Because you want Harlee,” she said, her lips forming her expertly practiced pout.

  “No, not because of Harlee. Because I’m tired of the way you hound me, the way you cling to me like you’ve got some claim on me. When I decide to take a mate, it’ll be one I choose, not one who assumes she’s mine because I stick my dick in her. I’ve got to get back.”

  But Sara barred his way, her chin lifting, her eyes glittering with anger. “I refuse to be dismissed, Adrian. You and I have something together, we always have.”

  “Only in your mind.” Moving around her, he started down the stairs, knowing how Sara’s games worked. She wasn’t finished with him yet, and wouldn’t be until she got the last word in. As he opened the front door and made his way out, she yelled after him.

  “You fucking bastard! You’ll come crawling to me eventually!”

  Shaking his head at her pathetic whine, he headed to his car, intent on blowing away the disasters of the day with a stiff drink.

  Maybe several.

  And then, maybe, just maybe, he could forget the vision of Harlee fucking anyone but him.

  NINE

  Lying there on Duncan’s chest, listening to the rhythmic sound of his heart beating against her ear, Harlee was content. Duncan’s wound had completely disappeared and based upon his earlier performance, it was quite obvious he’d made a full recovery.

  He’d been amazing, taking her to new heights of pleasure. She should be ecstatic, exhausted and ready to pass out. Instead, she felt this weird angst, a vague sense of urgency. Something compelled her to get back to Adrian.

  Why she thought about Adrian right now made no sense at all. Sex with Duncan had been amazing. He was a tender lover, not at all what she’d expected based on what she’d witnessed between him and Annmarie. She’d expected an animal, and what she’d gotten was much different. In fact, she’d half expected to feel some kind of physiological changes within her, almost believing that she was part lycan.

  Would that have made her life easier, or more difficult? She didn’t know, and felt a little ridiculous that she’d expected some kind of monumental transformation. She was, after all, completely human. But Duncan hadn’t exhibited any surprise at her lack of alteration, so she kept quiet about it.

  She wasn’t all that certain how she felt about the whole sex thing with Duncan. It was thrilling, of course, but she wasn’t sure if she felt good about it or just plain guilty.

  Then again, why in hell should she feel guilty? She was a grown woman able to make her own choices about sex, about whom she slept with. She had no ties and no attachments, so who had she betrayed by sleeping with Duncan?

  Adrian?

  Preposterous. He was nothing to her. They’d played a little at the club and that had been it. Though he’d made dark, exciting promises to her, telling her exactly what he’d planned to do to her, she had no more relationship with Adrian than with Duncan. She was a free spirit, a woman who could choose any lover, or lovers, that she wanted to.

  Smiling, she realized she liked having that kind of power. So the guilt trying to hammer her insides could just go the hell away. She wasn’t interested in feeling bad for what she’d just done, and that little voice clearly needed a nap.

  “I suppose I should get you back to Dark Moon now,” Duncan whispered, kissing the top of her head and running his palm down her bare back.

  She snuggled against him and lifted her head to look at him. “I kind of like it here.”

  He smiled. “Lass, you’re welcome to stay with us. With me. That’s entirely your choice. I just assumed you’d want to get back there. After all that happened today, I’m sure Robert is worried and I know Adrian is probably going crazy wondering about you. I’m surprised he didn’t show up here.”

  Her eyes widened at the thought of Adrian bursting into the bedroom to find her riding Duncan’s cock. Would he have been shocked? Disgusted? Or would he even have cared? Maybe he’d have been turned on.

  Maybe she’d have been turned on knowing he watched. Her nipples beaded into tight knots, her sex awakening with a tiny tremor of renewed arousal.

  “I think you’re right. It’s time to go back.”

  It was time to stop thinking about things she shouldn’t be thinking about. Things she didn’t want to think about. Her life was screwed up enough at the moment without wondering what the hell her heart was thinking.

  * * *

  Duncan sent her back to the vampire mansion with a driver and several lycan bodyguards, informing her he was going to remain behind overnight in order to talk to Lester and William about the attack. He promised to join her tomorrow and kissed her passionately before releasing her at the front door. The taste of him still lingered on her lips, the scent of him on her body. When she arrived back at the mansion it was late and no one was around downstairs to talk to her. Good. She wasn’t in the mood for conversation. She headed up to her room, intending to take a quick shower and slip into bed, hoping for one night of complete oblivion.

  Adrian stood just outside her door, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and an irritated glare on his face. He dismissed the lycan bodyguards who had accompanied her, the tension emanating from him so thick she could slice through it.

  Okay, he was pissed. About what? “Hey,” she said.

  He didn’t answer, just stepped into her room behind her and closed the door.

  “Duncan’s going to be fine,” she said, confused by her own feelings of awkwardness.

  “I know. He called me after he sent you back here.”

  She wondered what else Duncan said but wasn’t about to ask. Instead, she walked into the bathroom and grabbed a towel from the closet, then turned to find Adrian standing in the doorway.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Guarding you.”

  “I hardly think anyone will slip into my bedroom and slit my throat while I’m sleeping. I’ll be fine. I need to take a shower and get some sleep.”

  “Exhausting night?” he said, challenge in his voice.

  Too damn tired to deal with whatever kind of mood he was in, she said, “Yes. It’s been a hard day. I was shot at, Duncan nearly got killed. Hell, we all nearly got killed. Pardon me if I find that rather exhausting, so if you don’t mind, I’m going to shower and go to bed and I don’t need a damn bodyguard standing over me.”

  “Really,” he said, arching a brow and sitting on the edge of the bathtub. “And when did you become an expert on assassination?”

  “I’m not in the mood for this, Adrian. Honestly, I’m tired and I’d really love some privacy.”

  “Seems to me you didn’t need privacy last night at the club. No privacy there when I made you come. I don’t think you’re at all modest, so cut the act.”

  Her face flamed but she refused to take the bait. “Have it your way then.” She untied the halter and let it fall to her waist, then slid it and the skirt off and turned on the shower, refusing to even turn around and look at Adrian. Let him look, or glare, or whatever he wanted to do. She stepped into the shower without a backward glance, keeping her eyes closed as she washed her hair and rinsed it, then scrubbed her body from head to toe. When she opened her eyes, she could see his dark outline, still sitting on the edge of the tub.

  Something about him watching her was exciting, even though she knew all he could see was her shadowy form. As she rinsed her body, running her hands over her bare skin, every nerve ending stood on edge, screaming for her touch, especially the ones connected to her nipples and her clit. If she touched herself, would he enjoy watching? Would he join her?

  Did she want him to?

  Hell yes she wanted him to. Her pussy was throbbing in anticipation, the need to feel his cock inside her stronger than any urge she’d ever felt. Her breasts tingled and she could already envision him stepping naked into the shower and covering her body with his hands and mouth. How it would feel, how he would taste when he kissed her. She moved her fingers between her legs, caressing the tight knot of nerve endings, letting the moan escape freely and hoping like hell she wasn’t making a supreme ass of herself.

  * * *

  Adrian watched the movements through the frosted shower door. He could only see Harlee’s shadow, but he knew damn well what she was doing. Christ, was she trying to kill him? His cock tightened and engorged quickly as desire spread through him like unchecked wildfire. How easy it would be to strip and step in there with her, taking what she so clearly wanted him to take. He palmed his cock through his jeans, watching the sultry movements of Harlee’s body as she turned her back to him and swayed her hips in a seductive dance.

  The pulse of his cock pounded against his hand. He reached for the top button of his jeans and popped it open, then grabbed the zipper.

  “Go for it, cousin.”

  He whipped around to find Annmarie standing in the doorway, a huge grin on her face. Turning to Harlee, he realized she had her head under the water and didn’t hear Annmarie come in.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked.

  “Just popping in to see Harlee, but if you’re going to have a little action I’ll wait ‘til later.”

  Christ, couldn’t a guy get a break around here? “You watch her for awhile. I’m tired of playing babysitter.”

  “You sure about this? I don’t think babysitting is what you had in mind just now.”

  “Fuck off, Annmarie,” he said, brushing past her and heading toward the bedroom door. He needed to get the fuck out of there and clear his head. The last thing he needed right now was to fuck a woman who pissed him off so badly he forgot what she’d done earlier today. And with whom.

  “Love you too, Cuz,” she laughed after him.

  * * *

  Harlee was tired of waiting for Adrian to make the first move and get his ass in the shower with her. She was waterlogged and damned near deaf from the water splashing over her. It was time to shut off the water and throw open the door, come out stark naked and see what happened after that. Her body was pulsing and ready and by God she needed him. After wringing out her hair, she took a courage-inducing breath and pushed the door open.

  Her jaw dropped when she saw Annmarie sitting on the tub where Adrian had been. She blinked, unable to speak.

  “Not quite who you were expecting, honey?” Annmarie said, a quirk to her lips.

  “You surprised me.”

  Annmarie handed her a towel. “Yeah well, so did my cousin when I stepped in here and found him just about to drop trou. Sorry ‘bout that.”

  So, he was thinking about joining her and just suffered an interruption. Well damn. Still, she smiled. Was it possible to be happy and frustrated as hell at the same time? “No problem.” She finished drying off and slipped on a long T-shirt. Annmarie followed her into the bedroom and they both flopped on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. “I don’t understand him.”

  Annmarie snorted. “He’s a man. Of course you don’t.”

  “He seemed really pissed off at me tonight, but I can’t figure out why.”

  “Did you two argue about something when you were at the lycan mansion earlier?”

  A cold shadow passed over Harlee. “The lycan mansion? Adrian wasn’t there.”

  “Sure he was. He and Sara took a drive out there. Sara had to meet with Lester, and Adrian went to check up on Duncan and pick you up. You didn’t see him?”

  Oh, God. That’s it. No, she didn’t see him, but she’d bet anything he saw her. With Duncan.

  “No. I…didn’t see him.”

  “Hmmm, were you too…busy?” Annmarie said with a cocky grin.

  Harlee shot a glance at Annmarie, wondering how she’d feel if she told her about what happened between her and Duncan. She’d seemed really into him at the club last night. Maybe Harlee had stepped in territory she shouldn’t have.

  Shit.

  “Something’s on your mind,” Annmarie said, sitting up and criss-crossing her legs. “Tell me.”

  Harlee sat too, facing Annmarie. “You might not like it.”

  “Try me.”

  “It’s about me and Duncan,” she said, biting her lower lip in anticipation.

  “You fucked him.”

  Unable to read Annmarie’s expression, Harlee nodded. “Yeah.”

  Brow arched, Annmarie’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “Bet he was good. Tell me everything and don’t spare the details!”

  Harlee expelled the breath she’d been holding. “Oh, thank God! I thought you’d be pissed.”

  “Why would I be? I don’t own Duncan. I might like to fuck him someday, but other than that I have no interest in being tied down to one mate. Not when there are so many men I’ve yet to try.”

  “You are so bad,” Harlee said, then on impulse grabbed Annmarie and hugged her. “I’ve never really had a confidante, someone I’d consider a friend.”

  “Me either. I don’t like most people. They annoy me.”

  “Then I’m glad you can tolerate me. Your cousin can’t seem to.”

  Annmarie waved her hand in dismissal. “Ignore him. He’s just pissed off because he’s hot for you and doesn’t want to be.”