Wolfe's Mate Read Online Free Page B

catching up on me. Is there a room I can use to get some sleep?”
    She turned to look at him. She wanted to say, her room, but if he was asking, then he must not want to sleep with her. She nodded. “You can use my brother’s room . Granger insisted on using the couch. I’ll show you.” She headed for the stairs at the back of the house. Jared followed after her.
     
    §
     
    Esme’s disappointment flowed through the mating bond, followed by relief. She wanted Jared but was still leery of him. He didn’t want her to be afraid. “Where does your driver sleep? Isn’t he from the Paris pack?” Jared asked.
    “Yes. Pierre has an apartment in the basement. My brother refused to let him stay in the house with us. Norris wanted privacy. Of course there are only two bedrooms.”
    “I see. Did your brother keep any of his research here?” Would Norris be that foolish?
    “No, Laurel and Anton wouldn’t allow it. Everything is kept locked up at the laboratory. They put a suggestion into Norris’ mind that the research wouldn ’t be safe anywhere else.” Esme turned down the hall and walked toward the back of the house.
    “Well, that ’s a relief. If your brother was kidnapped, at least his research is secured at the lab and not here in the house. Still, we should be careful about any strangers in the neighborhood.”
    Esme stopped in front of two doors about halfway down the corridor. The hall ended in a window facing the back of the house. “If Norris is in Scotland, shouldn’t we leave to find him?”
    “Right now , we require rest. Once we have more information, we’ll make plans.” Jared reached for her and drew her into his arms. His need to touch her once more before he went to bed was crucial. As much as he wanted her, he couldn’t chance sleeping with her. He couldn’t trust himself to simply hold her. Her scent marked her willingness. But Jared could feel her trepidation through the mating bond. She had been in an accident and faced the possibility that her brother had been kidnapped. Tonight wasn’t the time to cement the bond in place.
    He kissed her, gently at first . Then, she slipped her arms around his neck and leaned into him. He groaned and took the kiss deeper, devouring her sweetness. His tongue slipped into her mouth and licked and tasted. He pulled her closer, one hand wrapped in her hair, until she stood on her tiptoes. She tasted like manna from heaven. She trembled and whimpered. Jared suddenly realized that he needed to regain control or he would end up taking her now instead of giving her time to adjust.
    “Go to bed, Esme. We will continue this tomorrow.” Jared released her.
    She frowned and stepped back. For a minute he thought she would stay, but her nostrils quivered as if scenting danger. She opened the second door and slipped into her room. “Goodnight, Jared.”
    “Goodnight, mon coeur. ” Jared waited until Esme closed her door before he walked into Norris’ room.
    The bedroom was immaculate. The only personal item in sight was a picture of Norris and Esme. Esme appeared to be a teenager and gazed adoringly up at her brother. Jared ran his thumb over her smiling face. Mine , his wolf whispered in his head.
    Yes, she is ours. Like their wolf brothers, lycans mated for life. The animal part of his spirit didn’t understand why he waited. She responded to the kiss. Her scent called and showed her readiness to mate. If only it was that simple. Jared needed to give her time.
    He sighed and started to undress.
     
    §
     
    Dismissed and sent to her room , Esme paced back and forth in front of her bed. Growling low, she wanted to shift and rip something to shreds. Jared shouldn’t treat her like a child. She endured enough of that from Norris. How was she going to get Norris back? Danger surrounded him. She could feel it.
    She looked at the clock on her dresser. It was awfully late. But she couldn’t sit and wait for news. The longer she waited, the harder it would be to