Dawn Endeavor 1: Fallon's Flame by Marie Harte (book recommendations website TXT) 📕

had life gotten so complicated? When a man wanted to talk and a woman just wanted to enjoy some physical relief?

She couldn't be sure, but Jesse looked as if he battled a smile.

“Jesse?”

Gunnar joined them, growing in size as Olivia watched. “Much as I wouldn't mind getting it on with you two again, company's coming.”

She scrambled off Jesse, wishing she'd at least had some time to clean up.

Jesse pushed her behind him.

She wanted to argue that she could take care of herself. But then he stretched out those glorious arms, and his claws actually lengthened. Deadly, fierce, and hers.

“No playing around,” Jesse said to Gunnar. “Gut them, and let's move. No dicking around with Olivia's safety.”

“No fun, but okay.”

Two men with guns walked into the clearing. Right behind them followed Kisho and Jules.

Gunnar smiled, showing large white fangs. “Terrific. Playtime.” Jesse shifted and blocked her view. The sounds of fists meeting flesh sounded, then silence.

“Two down, fifteen to go,” Jules said. “The lab is gone. The mission's a bust, and we have not only Montaña's men to worry about, but we found rogues working on his security detail. We need to move.”

“Yeah. Time to get the hell back to the States before Montaña's men get their hands on Olivia,” Jesse agreed.

“You have my vote.” Kisho sounded calm.

“Fuck. No offense, Olivia. But you're putting a definite crimp in my style,” Gunnar complained.

“Sorry. But you can always fight Jesse or some annoying local back home, can't you?” she offered, both relieved yet sorry they had to leave without what they'd come for.

“I guess I'll have to,” Gunnar muttered.

Jesse clapped him on the shoulder. “Look on the bright side. I'm sure Ava's just dying to get her hooks into you. You left her a basket of laundry with a snide note.”

“Snide.” Gunnar snorted. “Dude, do you even know what snide means?” Olivia interrupted when she saw Jesse's hands ball into fists. “Um, Jules? I don't mean to put another crimp in anyone's style, but how are we supposed to go home looking like this?” She blushed and wondered if they could tell under her changed skin.

“Good point.” Jules cleared his throat. “Ah, Fallon? You and Olivia might want to rinse off before we head out, to dull her scent.”

“For God's sake,” she muttered, embarrassed at being compared to a breeding animal.

“It's natural, Olivia. Your beast needs to procreate. Circs are sexual, as you've already seen.” There was no scorn or condemnation in Jules's voice. “It's something you'll get used to.

Your scent is extremely enticing.”

She blushed again.

Kisho added, “And to answer your earlier question, when we scouted the lab, I found a cell phone. I made a few calls to discreet contacts. We'll be out of here, changed back, and dressed before noon. If we hurry.”

Olivia entered the stream and washed herself. She still had a hard time believing she'd been naked around four men for more than a day and barely flinched anymore. She glanced up, met Jesse's gaze, and shivered at the sensual study he gave her.

Definitely time to go home before I forget who I am. A woman who not only wears but likes clothes! She just hoped they made it home in one piece.

Chapter Ten

The trip home was anticlimactic. Olivia had anticipated danger, problems, more rogue Circs, or even Montaña's men. Instead they rode first-class back into Wilmington, where a rental van awaited them. An hour later she exited the vehicle and stared at the mansion she'd come to think of as home.

“This all feels like a dream.”

Gunnar nodded, sympathetic. “A nightmare. I know, honey. But that's why I think you should move into my room for the time being, because—” He oomphed the rest of his reply when Jesse elbowed him in the stomach.

“Get away from my woman. Dick.” Jesse took her by the arm and gently pulled her with him into the house. “Don't mind Frederik. He talks a mean game, but he and the others know you're mine.”

That possessive thing didn't irritate her anymore. Now it worried her. Had Gunnar spoken the truth before? Were her feelings for Jesse simply a matter of Circ survival? Was none of it real? “Why do you call him Frederik?” she asked to change the subject.

Jesse's lips quirked, but he didn't laugh. “Because his name is Frederik Gunnar Tersch.” Gunnar chose that moment to enter and scowled. “You just had to tell her. See if I protect any more of your secrets.” He stomped away, yelling for Ava.

Mrs. Sharpe hurried down the steps toward them. “I worried when you didn't call.” Jules entered behind them with Kisho in tow. “Sorry, Mrs. Sharpe. The Brazilian authorities tried to hold us up, but Kisho fixed things.”

“A calm head prevailed,” Kisho added. “I'll tell you about it later.” She nodded and turned her attention to Olivia and Jesse standing hand in hand. “So what's this?”

“Another long story,” Olivia said with a sigh. She pulled her hand from Jesse's but kissed his cheek to settle him down. Public displays of affection tended to ease her mate— lover—and she liked calming him. Affecting his moods gave her a sense of control she had worried she'd lost. It had nothing to do with making him happy, or so she kept telling herself.

He grinned like a little kid at Christmas and sauntered away with her bags. “I'll put them in our room.”

Mrs. Sharpe's eyes widened. “Oh. Like that, is it?”

“I have no idea what it's like. Apparently I'm a Circ, and Jesse and I have a thing going.

Yeah, go figure. I'm tired and hungry. We can discuss this later if you like.” After I've had a chance to figure out what all this means.

“Of course. I'll have Melissa fix supper while you all settle in. We'll debrief after dinner.

You and I can talk later.”

Summarily dismissed, Olivia turned and headed up the stairs. She entered her room, not ready to deal with Mr. “Ours,” and fell asleep.

She awakened to a warm mouth