Scorch: A Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (The Tribe Series) by Terra Wolf, Ally Summers

about the piles of books littering her house. They were stacked up next to the couch and her bed. They spilled off the bookcases in the hall. Books were everywhere.
    “And what is a pretty she-panther planning on doing with that?” He had turned in his seat so he was facing her completely.
    “I, uh…I want to teach literature.”
    “You want to be a teacher?” he asked.
    I could see Francesca sinking in front of me. Case was too intense. It was feeling less like a celebration and more like an interrogation.
    I squeezed her on the knee. “Do you think you’re ready to order? It looks like everyone’s here.”
    Noah was at the corner of the table talking with Francesca’s friend, Alexa, and Josh was working his way through a bottle of scotch.
    She nodded. “I think so.”
    “All right. I’ll get the waitress and have dinner brought in.”
    I stared at my brother, warning him to stop giving her a hard time. She was the bride, after all. The longer they talked the more worried I was that he would let something slip about her panther duties. I couldn’t have that happen tonight.
    Francesca smiled. “Do you have someone special in your life, Case?”
    I laughed. Apparently I had nothing to worry about. With one question she had Case squirming in his seat. I left the room, knowing my she-panther could handle herself with my big brother without my protection.

18

Francesca
    W e stood on the front porch. Drew tipped toward me, and I could smell the wine on his breath. I didn’t need wine to get drunk off his lips. I fell into him, clinging to his neck, dragging his lips over mine.
    We were the last ones to leave the rehearsal dinner. I felt anxious on the drive back to the house. The reality was setting in that this was the night before my wedding.
    “I want to come in,” he growled. His hands lifted at the hem of my dress.
    “Come in,” I begged.
    I kissed him, pushing and pulling at his sport coat. I wanted him to stay, but I knew he needed to go. He had a room with his brother for the night. They were planning a last minute guy’s night. I guess it was the shifter equivalent to a bachelor party.
    His hands cupped my ass and squeezed. I moaned, as his tongue flicked against mine.
    “You know I can’t do that,” he warned.
    My eyes flared. “It’s only a ceremony.” I dug my nails into his back, making a straight line to his firm backside. “Come in.”
    He yanked on the back of my hair, forcing my head to steady so he could devour my mouth again. My knees weakened as the kiss fired through my limbs. I was breathless and slightly tipsy from the wine, but there was the unmistakable fire burning around us. I felt engulfed in the flames.
    “We can’t break the laws,” he muttered. His teeth gnashed against my neck, and I purred at the contact.
    “Be an outlaw with me then.”
    I pulled his mouth to mine again and kissed him until the growl was fierce in his chest. I’d never been this turned on in my life. The jaguar in him could take me on this porch, the stairs, over the railing. I didn’t care. I wanted him more than obeying some stupid custom. The vibration through his body was humming into mine.
    “Francesca…” He tore his lips away.
    “It’s not going to be enough until tomorrow night is it?” I looked in his eyes. They were glowing with lust like mine.
    “No. It’s not.” He rested his hands on the door over my shoulder and took a deep breath. “One more night. That’s all. We can handle one night.”
    I didn’t know if he was trying to convince me, or himself.
    “Thank you for the rehearsal dinner. I’m glad I got to meet your brother and Noah. It’s weird knowing there are others like us out there.”
    “They’re good guys. I’m glad they’re here.”
    I didn’t have anyone. Alexa counted as a friend substitute. “I wish I could have invited my family. Not that I want them here, but you know…someone from my line.”
    He kissed my forehead tenderly. “After tomorrow,