So just a little over a month now until BENEATH THE SKIN releases – so how about a little warm up with some of the other de La Vega men?

de La Vega Cats: REVELATION by LAUREN DANE
Copyright 2011, Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, Samhain Publishing

She kissed Renee’s cheek. “Thanks. I appreciate it, but I think you understand about being alone sometimes.”

Renee nodded. “Why don’t I drive you home?”

“I’ve got it, Renee.” Max stepped away from the door, moving everyone back a step.

Kendra used that moment to grab her coat and head out onto the porch. “Stay inside, Ren. You call me if it comes back. Trust the wards and yourself.”

She waved and jogged down the steps, taking a deep breath of the nearly freezing air into her lungs.

At the gate, Max caught up with her. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m checking the warding, Dad. That okay with you?”

“As a matter of fact, no. You’re making yourself a target right now. What if this thing is still out there waiting?”

“Of course we’re being watched! I’m not even a freaking next in line to the throne of a jaguar jamboree and I know that. But we’re being watched one way or another anyway. Why not know who it is? Why not work to gain as much information as we can? With all we suspect right now, I can’t believe you’d expect me to just pretend and hope it all goes away.”

“You know, you’re a school teacher.”

She blinked up at him. He was so random. “And?”

He growled and paced. “You’re supposed to be quiet and gentle and sweet.”

She began to wonder if he’d knocked his head on something. “Oh is that how I’m supposed to be? I wasn’t aware. You’re the one who’s totally random. I thought lawyers were supposed to be logical and liked gathering information before making judgments. Did you huff Lysol or something? What’s wrong with you?”

He stopped and stared before a laugh erupted from him. A deep, smooth, smoky laugh that sent her agitation fleeing.

“What? Now you’re laughing at me? Haha! I’m a super sexy jaguar, fear me!” she mimicked.

One of his eyebrows rose and again with the tingles. The man was a menace. “Do you think the laugh was to make you afraid? Why do I get the feeling that when it counts, you push past the fear and do what needs to be done?”

Not like anyone else was going to do it for her. “Max, don’t try to analyze me, I’m not that interesting.”

He stepped close, not scaring her at all, just sort of stealing her breath with his nearness. “Sexy huh?” Leaning down, he nuzzled at her neck, and she had to trap the groan she wanted to give him for it.

“I’m trying to work here.” She hated that her voice had turned breathy like a cartoon-character vixen.

“So am I. You’ve been here long enough to get to know us, see how we are. It’s in my DNA to protect.”

“Is it in your DNA to sniff me?”

He did it again and this time she couldn’t stop the soft sigh of pleasure from sneaking through her lips.

“It’s because you smell so good. Your magick, the way your skin smells right here below your ear, drives me crazy. Three days since the last time I could touch you, taste you.” He licked her neck and she nearly came.

Her heart thundered in her chest as she stepped back. “Shut the fuck up while I do this. You’re messing with my concentration.” She stomped off, annoyance warring with warmth and undeniable sexual chemistry.