Temptation by Raven McAllan Page A

things better.” He hesitated, and then picked up her hand to play with it, stroking the back, and rubbing her fingers with his. If that connection helped him, no way was Meryl going to tell him that each feather-light sensation was making her hot, needy, and wet.
    “So, after the big day, I was told to go back to university, and finish my last semester. Then once I’d graduated, they’d begin my . . . my education as a shifter, I guess. The first time you shift is not easy, not comfortable, and damn well not something you can talk about over a pint. I guess if you learn from an early age it might be different, but we don’t.”
    “And do you know who else is like you? You know, have meetings and things?” Meryl was interested in the mechanics of it all. When she’d known him the previous year, and inadvertently walked in on him as he shifted, she hadn’t freaked out, as he seemed to think she would. Instead, with his permission she’d watched, fascinated as he changed from man to beast, and then later, back again. Now it seemed something sinister was tied up in his abilities, with her entangled in it.
    “Not as such, but yeah, I guess you could say like senses like. And of course, you do know some people. Those who guide you, for instance, like Faran does for me. He’s my cousin, and powerful in our families. Also, you know some, but not all those earmarked to be part of your life.” He sighed and his hold on her hand tightened.
    “Like a wife?” Meryl guessed. “And we met, and I put a spanner in someone’s works?”
    “Something like that.” Marloth kissed each finger of the hand he held. “You see, I was at, well, not a loose end because I knew what I wanted, but I wanted to paint. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. Put a canvas in front of me, and I’m away in my own world. I worked like an idiot for a few years and then said I needed a gap year.”
    Meryl giggled. “I thought most people did them immediately before or after uni?”
    “Well, I like to be different. No, honestly? I wanted enough money as a cushion so I could paint. When I came into your coffee house, I’d been in Europe and worked my ass off in a painting frenzy. I headed back to Scotland to check out some of the country’s scenery. Then I saw you and knew I needed to check out your scenery instead.”
    “That a new way of describing it? My contours, you mean? All the lumps and bumps?”
    “All of them, perfect,” Marloth assured her with his own form of reassurance—a series of tiny nibbles up her arm. “I love every tiny dip and hidden valley of you. Every. Single. One.” He finished off with a long sensuous kiss that had her tingling to her toes. Damned, if he couldn’t make her a heap of mush in two seconds flat.
    Meryl returned the kiss with enthusiasm, and her tongue met his thrust and swirl for thrust and swirl. If she was going to be hurt or worried by his revelations, she might as well enjoy this and have something positive to think about.
    They were both flushed and panting when Marloth finally drew his lips away. Meryl could feel the frustration and tension that reverberated from him. His eyes were dark, a deep pool of heat that seared her, and made her dream of all things hot and needy. She shuddered and he kissed her nose.
    “Yes. I feel it as well. All I really want to do is wrap myself around you and never let you go again. Instead, I’ve got to finish this sodding awful story. Right, so I met you, fell like a ton of bricks, and knew you were my soul mate. Nothing’s changed there. And praise be, you seemed to feel the same.”
    “I did, and heaven help me, I still do.” Meryl leaned against his shoulder. “And I need to know the rest.”
    “Well, it seems that I’d been let loose on a long lead, so to speak. Someone, and I still don’t know who, had followed me to make sure I kept within the boundaries of what the family decided was acceptable. Meeting and falling for you wasn’t. Letting you see