Heart Mates Read Online Free Page A

sparkled like firecrackers. She lifted on her toes for more.
    His kiss slanted and deepened, the wild taking of the wolf but also the mastery of the man, one who knew how to give a woman what she wanted. Her mouth opened and his tongue plunged. His fingers threaded in her hair to pull her closer. Their bodies melded like two candles dripping hot wax.
    Mason cleared his throat.
    Noah stiffened. Lifted his head with a soft sigh.
    Without the liquid caress of his hot, expert mouth, Sophia’s sanity returned. What had she done? Witch and shifter…no, not, never . She gathered enough tattered willpower to step out of his arms.
    “I’m sorry…” Her voice was breathy. Damn singing hormones. She tried again. “I’m sorry that happened.”
    He stepped back too. “Why?” He crossed his arms, his biceps and pecs bulging. “I’m not.”
    She swallowed her tongue, totally forgetting why she should be sorry. Oh yeah, shifter/witch taboo—but he wouldn’t know she was a witch. And even if he did, he wouldn’t care. Most shifters pretended the Witches’ Council didn’t exist.
    “Hey,” Mason said. “I didn’t want you two to stop. I just wanted to let you know that if you’re going to get friendly —” Mason’s grin was so big Sophia wanted to punch him, “—I’m heading out now. There’s a couch in the office. Lock up when you’re done.” He lumbered off.
    “Stars,” she said. “What was that all about?”
    “He’s encouraging me to find a wife.” Noah grimaced.
    Noah wasn’t mated. Yes . No. None of her business.
    But poor Noah. He had his own Aunt Linda, nagging for the pitter-patter of little paws. Although with the confident way he stood there, bigger and badder than anything, it was hard to feel too sorry.
    Noah thrust his hands in his pockets. It framed all that was glorious. “I should go too.”
    “Wait. I wanted to talk with you.”
    “Why?”
    “Why? Um, well, the reason I wanted to talk with you is…” What had she wanted to ask? Are you dating? What’s your phone number? What size condom do you wear? She rubbed her eyes. “My aunt. Linda.” She dropped her hand and met his silver gaze. “I think you were the last person to see her. Do you know where she went?”
    “I’m sorry, no. She left the bookstore when I did, but she didn’t share her plans with me.”
    Disappointment gnawed Sophia’s gut. “Can you at least tell me if she was okay?”
    “Yes.” His response was immediate and reassuring. “Don’t worry about your aunt. She was fine. A little flustered, but fine.”
    He’d seen her worry and didn’t hesitate to comfort her. He must be a very good alpha.
    “I’m relieved to hear it. What about that boy my aunt called you in for? Was he still in the store at that point?”
    “Marlowe? The boy is my responsibility. I can assure you he will be punished and your aunt reimbursed. In fact, if you want to get repairs going, I’ll personally vouch for the funds.”
    “Thank you.” All that muscle, and responsible too. Some little she-wolf was going to be very lucky someday. “But that’s not what I meant. I’d like to talk with him. Do you know where he lives?”
    Something shuttered in Noah’s gaze. “The boy left before I did. He knows nothing.” The reply had “back off” stamped all over it.
    As if that would stop her. She gave a mental shrug. She’d have to get the boy’s address another way. “I’d better get back to the bookstore. If you think of anything, come see me, okay? The sign will be Closed, but I’ll be there.”
    “You and me. Alone.” His molten gaze ran over her, chasing a shiver from her head to her toes and back again, lingering on her lips so long she had to work not to lick them. Finally he said, “Let me get this straight. You want me, a stranger, to come to the bookstore, where we’ll be alone—after what just happened between us?”
    Put like that, reinforced by his hot all-over gaze, it sounded like an invitation to ravish