To Catch a Snake: Book Three - Supernatural Bounty Hunter Romance Novellas by E A Price

with you. That thought was a real bummer.
    Marcus gave her a curious look. “You’re not still… I mean, you’re not still dating your old boss, are you?”
    “No! Absolutely no, hell no! Not in a million years, even if he hadn’t fired me, we wouldn’t be dating,” she blurted in a rush. Heavens, she sounded like a lunatic. She had to do something to make her seem normal. “I’m actually single right now.” She gave herself a mental kick, how did telling him that help?
    He nodded. “Yes, me too.”
    She raised her eyebrows. Okay, that wasn’t her imagination; he wanted her to know he was available. Her little animal swooned.
    Marcus cleared his throat. “So, a red panda shifter, huh? I don’t think I’ve ever met one before.”
    Ling grinned. “Yeah, we’re kind of rare in Playa Lunar. Although both my parents are red pandas, they were lucky to find each other… not that I think it’s necessary to mate with your own species. I certainly don’t care about that kind of thing.”
    He gave her a warm smile, and she almost melted. “I agree; my brother mated with a rabbit and they seem happy.”
    “That is one brave rabbit,” she muttered and Marcus burst into laughter.
    “I’m sorry,” she stammered as her cheeks burned red.
    “Don’t be,” he said soothingly.
    His eyes caught hers, and she was locked into their intense gaze. It was hypnotic. He was about to say something and… Mia burst through the door.
    Ling thought she saw a look of fury wash over his face, but it was soon smothered by cool indifference.
    Mia grimaced. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Detective Leeman’s on the phone, and he says it’s important.”
    Marcus breathed in and out a couple of times. “No problem, we’re finished. Mia, Ling will be starting work for us today, can you show her what to do?”
    The rabbit shifter brightened. “Absolutely, come with me.”
    She disappeared into the outer office, and reluctantly, Ling followed. She thought about asking him out on a date. She’d never made the first move with a guy before, but seriously, how hard could it be? Her panda was all for it.
    Yes, yes, she would do it now. She turned back to speak to him and found he was already on the phone.
    He smiled at her but turned away from her to concentrate on his call. Her beast whimpered in defeat and Ling soothed her. There was no rush; after all, she was going to see him every day at work…

Chapter Seven
    Marcus replaced the handset and rolled his shoulders. He was amazed he had managed to get through a conversation with the Detective, although, truth be told, he had barely listened to a word the lion shifter said. His thoughts and his beast were focused on one thing, and one thing alone. Ling .
    The moment he saw her, no, the moment he scented her, his whole body had come alive in heated need, and his snake had been hissing at him to take her. He just hoped he had managed to appear normal in front of her.
    He chuckled, thinking of her covered in that green slime. It hadn’t detracted one iota from her beauty. He’d never had such an instant and overwhelming reaction to a woman. To a red panda no less, he’d never considered anything small and fluffy as anything other than prey. Although, he’d never admit that in front of his niece, Mia, or his brother for that matter. But there was no denying the attraction he felt to her. From her heart-shaped face and inky-black hair, right down to her delectable curves, she was perfect. Her dark red, pouting lips just begged to be kissed…
    Marcus flexed his jaw and concentrated on breathing. Years of self-discipline had taught him control, but he feared that even he had his limits. He groaned and pushed his arousal into a more manageable position, or at least less obvious. Fuck, he was rock hard, and he had been since he caught her scent. It had been a little distorted by her perfume and that god-awful mess she was covered in, but there was no mistaking her delicate, jasmine