Page 19

“Perfect timing,” Shep murmured, shifting us so that I sat between his legs, my back against his chest, his arms around my waist. “Best seat in the house.”

As the fireworks continued to burst overhead, painting the sky in vibrant colors, I found myself relaxing completely into his embrace. His chin rested on my shoulder, his warmth surrounding me in the cooling evening air. It felt right in a way I couldn’t explain rationally—which, for someone who had built his life on rational explanations, was both terrifying and exhilarating.

“What are you thinking?” Shep asked during a lull in the display, his breath warm against my ear.

I tilted my head back to look at him, the fireworks momentarily forgotten. “I’m thinking that for someone who came to town to enforce safety regulations, I’ve been making some remarkably risky decisions lately.”

His laugh was warm against my skin. “And how does that make you feel, Inspector?”

Instead of answering with words, I turned in his arms, straddling his lap to face him directly. His eyes widened in surprise, then darkened with heat as I deliberately ground against him.

“It makes me feel alive,” I admitted, leaning in to brush my lips against his. “More alive than I’ve ever felt.”

His hands settled on my hips, encouraging the slow rhythm I’d established. “Out here? In the open?” he questioned, though the growing bulge beneath me suggested he was far from opposed to the idea.

“The visibility assessment indicates minimal risk of observation,” I informed him seriously, rocking more deliberately against his hardening length. “And the acoustic analysis suggests the fireworks will mask any… sound emissions.”

His laugh turned into a groan as I reached between us to palm him through his uniform pants. “You’re using safety terminology to justify outdoor sex,” he observed, sounding both amused and aroused. “I’ve corrupted you completely.”

“Not completely,” I corrected, leaning in to nip at his ear. “There are still several items on my list we haven’t explored yet.”

His hands slid from my hips to cup my ass, pulling me more firmly against him. “Such as?”

I shifted to whisper directly into his ear, detailing exactly what I wanted him to do to me while the fireworks exploded overhead. His grip tightened with each suggestion, his breathing becoming more ragged.

“Jesus, Evan,” he finally groaned, pulling back to look at my face. “Where did that come from?”

I smiled, feeling powerful and desirable in a way I never had before. “Rule fifteen: Surprise your werewolf occasionally. Keeps the relationship dynamic.”

His eyes flashed gold in the darkness, his control slipping with his arousal. “Consider me surprised. And extremely on board with this plan.”

Another firework burst overhead, illuminating us in blue and silver light. Shep used the moment to flip our positions, laying me back on the blanket with a fluid grace that reminded me of his other nature. He loomed over me, silhouetted against the night sky, his eyes reflecting the fireworks’ glow like a predator’s.

“Last chance to change your mind,” he warned, his voice already roughened with desire. “Once I start, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop.”

In answer, I reached for the buttons of his uniform shirt, popping them open with uncharacteristic impatience. “I don’t want you to stop.”

That was all the encouragement he needed. His mouth claimed mine in a kiss that was equal parts possession and worship, his hands working to rid me of my clothes with efficient urgency. The cool night air raised goosebumps on my skin as he exposed it, but his hands and mouth followed quickly, warming each newly revealed inch with touches that grew increasingly desperate.

By the time he had me completely naked on the blanket, the fireworks display was in full swing, explosions of color and sound providing the perfect cover for our more intimate activities. Shep sat back on his heels to look down at me, his expression one of hunger and something deeper, more tender.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he murmured, his hands skimming down my sides. “I still can’t believe you’re mine.”

I reached for him, pulling him back down to me. “Show me,” I demanded against his lips. “Show me I’m yours.”

He growled, the sound rumbling through both our bodies. His mouth left mine to trail down my throat, leaving marks that would definitely show tomorrow. I tilted my head back, offering more access, reveling in the primitive claim.

“These need to go,” I gasped, tugging at his pants, frustrated by the barrier between us.

He chuckled against my skin, sitting back to unfasten his uniform pants with torturous slowness. “Impatient, Inspector?”

“Efficient,” I corrected, my eyes fixed on each inch of skin he revealed. “Time management is a critical component of—oh!”

My administrative lecture was cut short as he finally freed himself, his erection springing forward with eager enthusiasm. Before I could continue, he’d stripped the pants completely off and returned to hover over me, now gloriously, perfectly naked.

“You were saying?” he prompted, his smile wicked as he deliberately pressed himself against my thigh.

I reached between us, wrapping my hand around his impressive length. “I was saying that I want this inside me. Now.”