Haunted Sanctuary by Moira Rogers Page B

parted on his skin, torn between the urge to lick or bite and the knowledge she had to pull back.
    Not like this, in the front seat of his truck. She closed her eyes and eased away. “I’m sorry. I’m having trouble with the concept of personal space right now.”
    “You might for a while yet, but I’ll try not to lean on you if I can help it.”
    Eden opened her eyes with a frown. “Lean on me?”
    “Push you,” he explained. A moment later, a swell of something filled the space between them, a call and a warning all wrapped up in one.
    She almost rolled to her back with a whimper. A growl worked its way up her throat as her wolf fought the urge, leaving her torn between conflicting needs—test him by meeting challenge with strength, or fold and beg for the safety of his protection.
    Eden made the choice before her wolf could, ducking her head and burying her face against his chest with a choked groan. “I don’t think I’m a very smart wolf.”
    He tangled his fingers in her hair. “You’re new, honey. Cut yourself some slack.”
    His chest was solid under her cheek. His hand in her hair tugged just enough to be a quiet show of dominance, one edged in sensual promise. She swallowed hard and wet her suddenly dry lips. “Is this how werewolves flirt?”
    “Better than having to sniff someone’s ass, isn’t it?”
    It startled a laugh out of her. “In most circumstances, I imagine.”
    “Mmm.” He rattled the bag. “Steak. You haven’t lived until I’ve grilled one for you, and that’s a verifiable fact.”
    Steak sounded delicious enough to set her stomach to rumbling, but when she lifted her head, Jay’s fingers stayed tangled in her hair. The pull was a different sort of delicious, dark and hot, and she caught his gaze as he freed her with teasing slowness.
    He released her with a half-smile. “Fair warning. I’m going to kiss you again tonight…but not just yet.”
    Her heart skipped a few beats out of sheer glee. “I’d warn you about what I’m going to do in response, but I can’t tell if my inner wolf will pick a fight with you or try to tear your clothes off. Probably one of those two, though.”
    “Finding out is half the fun.” Then he pushed open his door and slid out of the truck.
    She tugged absently at her own door handle, transfixed by the fantasy of wrestling to see who would come out on top. She forgot that the passenger door only worked from the outside until Jay pulled it open for her.
    Eden stared at him for a moment before easing off the seat, clutching her overnight bag. “I didn’t know you could cook,” she said, carefully picking a topic that wouldn’t involve either of them naked and rolling on the ground.
    “I can—badly,” he confessed as he laid his hand on her elbow. “But open flame and I get along really well.”
    “I’m hopeless. The family skill in the kitchen must have skipped my generation.”
    Jay led her around the side of the house to the back door. “I survive on breakfast foods and eating out. Aside from the steak, you’ve already tasted the best I have to offer.”
    “You probably help keep my dad in business some months.” She stepped through the back door and hesitated just inside. This was a warning Jay deserved. “He’s got some ideas about you and me. He might decide to have a talk with you.”
    Jay followed her across the threshold. “You’ve been staying at my house, spending all sorts of time with me. Of course he’s got ideas.”
    Eden dropped her bag on the couch and sank beside it with a relieved sigh. “Don’t let him nag. I’m a grown woman, and he has to get used to that.”
    Jay laughed as he set the grocery bag on the counter. “How do you know he’s not going to tell me how pleased he is we’re an item?”
    If anyone could sidestep her father’s grumpy disapproval, it would be the Chief of Police. “I bet you charmed all your girlfriends’ parents growing up. Or were you not always this responsible and