Lost Mates Books 1-3

Roman's head snapped up with enough power to make his teeth clash together. Sucking in a deep, shaky breath, his nostrils flared as his cornflower-blue eyes scoured the mass of people that surrounded him, darting to find the source of the smell that lit his very body on fire. It was a smell he knew well. One that haunted him. One that he had waited fifteen years to smell again. But even with his sharp eyes, he couldn't see what his nose knew was there.

The wolf inside of him stirred, raising its head, and the howl it released tumbled out of Romans human lips. The beast inside him scented the air that was thick with lust and desperation and whined. His animal wanted out. It pushed against his skin, making his chiselled features sharper. His skin stretched tight over his already sharp cheekbones, as if it would burst from his skin at any second.

She was here.

His wolf wanted to find her. Needed to find her. For the first time in his adult life, Roman struggled to control his wolf. Unconsciously, he reached to loosen his tie. As if somehow that would help. The fidgety movement was not lost on the people at his table; several pairs of wary eyes watched him from beneath their lowered lashes.

"You ok there Roman?"

He was silent for a second before his eyes left their endless search and he turned them on the younger man on his left. Smiling down at his packmate and friend in a way that he hoped conveyed that everything was indeed fine, even when it wasn't. He needed to find her, and soon before his wolf forced the shift. He nodded once. "All good here." raising his champagne glass he toasted the table, as if that somehow made his statement true. The delicate cut crystal looked so out of place in his big hands. Hands that were white-knuckled and shaking. If he wasn't careful, if he didn't gain some semblance of control, he would smash that delicate crystal into dust. He put the glass down gingerly.

"Just wondering what I could smell, it's making my wolf go a little crazed." Well that was the truth. It just wasn't all the truth.

The smaller man raised an eyebrow. Roman, who had impeccable control over every aspect of his life, and that included the animal side of him, was acting... strange. "I think the only pleasant thing I can smell is the smell of the desserts they just bought out." The younger man laughed "But I didn't peg you for a sweet lover, I thought you were all about the bloody steak?"

Roman turned in his chair to follow where the younger man was pointing. And his wolf clamoured in his head, pacing and whining like a caged animal.

Standing amongst the most lavish display of desserts he had ever seen, talking animatedly to the bride, was a small woman. No more than five foot four, she was curvy in a way that made a lazy smile form on his lips. His body quickened as he shifted to get a better look. Dark hair fell in loose waves down her back. His eyes took her in,feasting on the sight of the woman he had thought he would never see again. The shapely calves, the figure-hugging pale blue dress, the mass of wavy dark hair that was slightly darker then he remembered it being. Her shoulders moved as she laughed at something the man on her right had said. Roman's hearing was good, but not so good that he could hear a conversation over two hundred intoxicated people chatting. He needed to get closer. He needed to see her. To smell her. To touch her.

She was his.

She had always been his.

She turned as if someone had called her name, and her eyes met his over the dance floor. She looked bewildered, confused to find someone staring at her so intently but she smiled. A small, uncertain smile. And a million fantasies of what he could do with those full smiling lips flashed through his mind. His perfectly tailored suit became instantly snugger.

Roman had pushed back his chair with a loud screech and rose to his feet before he even realised what he was doing and stopped dead, his hand gripping the back of the chair until his knuckles turned purple. A growl spilling from his lips, making several people at neighbouring tables turn to him in shock. His pack, those that were closest to him, turned to him as the well trained unit they were, and followed his gaze across the hall to the petite brunette who was being led on to the dance floor by a slender blonde man in a well-tailored grey morning suit, and then back to their Alpha; more than one raised an eyebrow.

The next growl rumbled, louder. His wolf wanted out. His wolf wanted blood. And he wanted to give it to him.

"Uh oh boss, you need to get yourself together."

"Take your hands off me, Samuel, before I remove them." Roman's voice was low, his eyes never left that small woman, his woman. The woman who, at that second, was being held tightly against a man who wasn't him. The fingers that gripped the chair cracked and elongated, claws erupted from the skin.

His wolf wanted out NOW.

"Right, time for you to get some air, come on lads let's get Roman out of here." He lowered his voice, "I'm not sure what's got into you but snap out of it, you almost shifted in front of everyone, and no one here wants to see your naked ass when you shift back." The younger man had him under the arms as his other pack members crowded round. He struggled, but it was half-hearted at best. His pack was right; he needed to get his head together. Unfortunately, his wolf had other ideas. Ideas that involved blood and claiming what was his.

"For god sake, Roman get a grip! What the hell is wrong with you, there's humans here. Hell, most of the guests are human!" Samuel took an elbow in the gut with a grunt but didn't let go. If Roman had wanted to hurt him, he would already be down and he knew it. Roman let himself be moved, his fists clenched, and head bowed. To everyone in the room, he was just another knucklehead who had too much liquor, having to be escorted out before he started a fight. No biggie at a shifter wedding. If human weddings were notorious for upsets, then shifter weddings were ten times worse.

"He's touching her!" He spat it out of a mouth that had far too many teeth. His wolf pushed at his skin, wanting freedom, wanting what was his, wanting the blood of whoever had their hands on her.

Samuel glanced back "You on about the pretty dark-haired girl in the blue dress? Yeah, she's gorgeous but come on man, you don't act like this around women." Playfully he punched Roman's shoulder.

"She's mine!" Roman growled again. His human half losing the battle with every minute that passed. "Mate."

Samuel's eyes went wide, and he glanced back into the party. "Mate as in ...?"

Roman nodded, growls rumbling through his chest. Samuel grimaced.

"Oh shit."

It was hot as hell.

Aurora Jones pushed a wandering tendril of dark hair out of her eyes where it had escaped her messy bun, and plastered itself to her sweaty skin for what seemed the millionth time that day already. For September it was unusually hot. The British summer dragged on a lot longer than anyone had anticipated. Not that she was complaining about the weather. It was such a nice change to wear something that didn't add ten pounds to her already curvy figure. But it sure was gruelling when you had ovens and heat sources going at the same time. She may not even complain when the weather broke and the rain started. Anything for a little relief.

"Morning Rory."

Of course, no one actually called her Aurora, honestly what were her parents thinking? Anyone would think they hated her. Not that was far off the truth. She hadn't spoken to her mother since filing for the divorce eighteen months ago.

"Morning Mrs. Ames, what can I help you with today?" Rory knew most of her regular customers by name, she knew their birthdays and what their preferences were when they walked through the door of her little bakery.

Mrs. Ames was no different. She was a regular customer, but as the menu at Sweet Dreams changed daily, Rory always asked. Even when she already knew what the older woman was going to say. "What's good today dear?"

Rory laughed, "There's a chocolate eclair with your name on it" she busied herself with a plate. It was always something chocolate for Mrs. Ames, she was a predictable soul.

Sweet Dreams had been her baby, her love of baking had gotten her through the separation with her husband. It quickly went from a hobby to her first little shop just over six months ago. Since then Sweet Dreams had exploded, and she would need to think about bigger premises soon- although she hated to leave her gorgeous little shop.

Rory smiled and laughed her way through their busiest times, just as she always did. Her personal life was in shambles, but at least at work she had some semblance of control. And even in her permanently exhausted state, each day seemed to be over in a flash. Leaving her to fall into bed each night.

"Rory, are you joining me?"

Rory glanced up from where she was busy wiping down the counter, to spot one of her best friends sitting at her usual round table. "Oh hey Jo, let me get some coffee and cake and I'll be right over, carrot cake ok with you?" Jo was the polar opposite of her. Blonde and professional. Their friendship shouldn't work but yet somehow it did.

"No chocolate?"

Rory laughed "You know there's never any chocolate left, it's carrot or nothing."

"Carrot is fine." Jo's blonde hair was twisted at the nape of her neck. Sweat had stuck the striped blouse to her back,but she looked perfectly put together as if the heat didn't bother her at all; in stark contrast to Rory, whose face was shiny with sweat. "So come on and spill, how did the wedding go? Dance with any fitties?"

"I was there to work Jo." It was a stroke of luck that she had even landed a job so big, and was all thanks to her other best friend Andre, who's cousin had been the bride.

Her laughter tinkled through the almost empty shop. No one looked up, Jo was a common site near closing. She always popped in on her way home from work. Monday to Friday, it was a ritual they would sit and chat over coffee and cake. Saturdays, on the other hand, were reserved for wine and man-bashing. Though it usually turned into wine and sordid stories of their sex lives. Not that Rory had any of those, but a girl could live through her friends right? That's what friends were for.

"Work, yeah right, okay, so you didn't bonk any hot groomsmen?"

Rory snorted. "Bonk, what are we sixteen?"

"Well you might as well be with all the action you're getting, let me guess the dick has been back in touch?"

Rory shrugged, "He won't take the hint, says he's changed, she was nothing blah blah." The dick, otherwise known as her ex, or soon-to-be ex-husband, who had problems keeping things in his pants. Her parents thought she should just suck it up, but Rory had too much self-dignity for that. If he wanted some twenty-year-old blonde, then let him have her. She knew she was worth more. She didn't even miss the sex, she had more fun in bed on her own anyway.

"He's a dick, don't you even think about going there" Jo waved her fork threateningly.

"No worries there, though..."

Jo leveled her fork "Don't even think about it, you're going through a dry spell that's all."

They were interrupted by the bell over the door tinkling. Rory frowned at her watch. It was a little late in the day for last-minute customers. There wasn't exactly a lot left. Most of the shelves had been emptied and wiped down, ready to close.

"I got this Rory." Sarah chirped from behind the counter, her voice unusually high and breathy. Sarah was only fifteen, but helped most days after school; learning to bake was Sarah's dream and Rory needed some help with the constant influx of customers. It suited them both perfectly. And Rory generally liked the younger girl, she had a drive that Rory wished she had had at that age.

"A dry spell, pfft, is that what you call it?"

Rory settled herself back into her chair and pouted at her friend. Jo always had a new beau. Men loved her, and no one could blame them. She looked like a centrefold model in a power suit.

"Maybe you would get laid if you went out more, or you know, ever." Jo scratched her nose absently "You're a beautiful woman. When was the last time you went out dancing and went home with some hot piece of ass whose name you forgot the next morning?"

"I don't do that."

"Exactly, maybe you should."

Rory laughed, "Maybe I should." she admitted with a sigh. Yeah, maybe she should. But it wasn't that easy for her. Years of being hurt had taken a huge chunk of her confidence. If she was going to put herself back in the dating game, she needed to be one hundred percent sure the person was worth it. And that didn't mean they had to be cracking in bed, no matter what her friends said.

Although it wouldn't hurt.

Rory wanted more, and maybe that was why she wasn't getting any. Maybe she needed to stop being so uptight and start living life on the wild side.

She felt the person standing behind her before he said anything. The warmth that radiated over her skin made every hair on her body stand to attention. It was like standing outside in a thunderstorm.

"Excuse me, can I squeeze past ladies?" The voice was low, husky. It was the kind of voice you imagined when you were alone in your bedroom, with the door closed.

Jo's eyes had gone like saucers, her lips parted. Rory sighed and stood, moving her chair out the way; it was only then she looked up.

And then up.

And up some more.

Her breath caught in her throat. Holy fucking shit. She didn't know where to settle her eyes. Especially when her eyes were at the level of a superbly formed chest that the black cotton that was covering it did little to hide.

"Hello." Roman's voice was breathy.

Roman looked down at her, a smile lighting up his face. She looked flustered, he liked that he made her uncomfortable. The way her eyes widened. He liked even better the fact that her heart had sped up as she raked her eyes over him.

"Oh yum, I mean... yeah sorry let me get out of your way" she scraped the chair further out of his way, her movements jerky as she tried to control her reaction. Conscious of his size, his bulk. He seemed to fill her small shop with muscles that no black t-shirt could hide. Tattoos ran down both arms and disappeared under the black material. How much of his body was covered in tattoos? She had the overwhelming urge to yank his shirt up and find out. Her eyes met his, and took in the chiselled jaw and the shadow of dark stubble. She wanted to bite his abs so badly it instantly made her blush.

Heat crept up her cheeks. She had been staring at his body with her tongue poking out between her lips. God, why couldn't she have made more of an effort today? Why couldn't she be normal and say something witty and charming? "I mean hello." Oh way to go, Rory, that was perfect. She mentally slapped her own forehead. Why was she such an imbecile? She threw a pleading look over the table at Jo, who was smirking knowingly.

His smile turned lazy, she had been checking him out. His eyes searched her face. Searching, looking for any sign that she knew who he was. But all he saw was a beautiful woman who was sexually attracted to him, that much he could tell even without the scent of her arousal.

She had no idea who he was.

"Hi, I'm Jo." Jo put out a very well-manicured hand, finally coming to Rory's rescue. He glanced at it, gave it a light shake and then dropped it. It wasn't her hand he wanted to hold.

"Hi Jo, I'm Roman." he didn't turn away from Rory though. Her eyes were darting across his face, a small line deepening between two arched brows and he smiled. "And you?"

"I'm Rory." it was a mumble of words, her eyes never leaving his face. The line between her eyes deepened.

Was she remembering him? He gave her a quizzical look, his smile lopsided. She shook herself and chuckled "Sorry I thought for a second I had met you before."

His smile lit up his face. "I would hope you would remember me. I sure as hell would remember you." he said softly.

God, he wanted to touch her. He wanted that more than anything. Was it too late to offer his hand? Did he care?

Jo's cough interrupted the moment. Too late, but then it might be best if he didn't touch her yet. He was likely to throw her over his shoulder, and take her home Neanderthal style, he sighed. "Well it was lovely to meet you ladies" he moved around Rory, his body brushing hers as he slid past. It wasn't enough. He needed to touch her skin, his beast needed him to touch her, to smell her all over. A growl escaped his lips. He pushed the animal back down. No way could he have another repeat of Saturday night. How close he had come to losing control of his animal had frightened him. It couldn't happen again.

He was Roman, Alpha to the Brentwood pack, ex-special forces. He didn't lose control of ANYTHING. He was in control.

"Wedding..."

He turned back to her, a smile playing over his face. It wasn't the memory he wanted her to remember but it was a start. They hadn't even spoken at the wedding, but she had obviously noticed him. Of course, a six-foot-three shifter almost losing control and having to be escorted out by some equally ferocious beasts was memorable. Especially if you hadn't much experience of the shifter community.

"You were at the wedding weren't you, I remember thinking you had the most beautiful eyes." Rory blushed, as the words left her lips.

He looked down at his arm, where her hand had stopped him. And his animal howled in triumph. "I was."

"Well, it's good to see you again. Please let me know if you would like anything else." she smiled, motioning to the counter, and turned back to her friend.

Roman took the seat by the window, which had been unexpected. She was just as he remembered from all those years ago, and even more stunning than he had ever hoped to dream. Those curves. She hadn't had those curves when they were teenagers. It made him curious as to what else had changed.

He had been beyond himself Saturday, no way would he lose her again. Samuel had taken one look at him and made several calls whilst Roman had let his wolf free and run. The woods around the hotel were not home but it felt good to let his animal-free. To Push himself until his lungs burned. He had returned to his hotel room calmer. He vowed that he wouldn't lose her again. He would make her his.

Sam hadn't said a word, just handed him a piece of paper as he stalked into the lavish hotel room, barefoot in nothing but an old pair of grey sweatpants.

Sweet Dreams. That's what the scrap of paper had said.

Roman had raised his eyebrow, but the younger man had questions of his own. Roman's search for his mate was common knowledge in the pack. That romantic tragic story of young love lost. "Was that really her?"

Roman nodded. She had changed, changed A LOT, but he would know her anywhere. She had grown from a geeky, if somewhat troubled girl, to a woman who was everything he wanted in a woman. Those curves would be in his dreams tonight, she was so much better than he had ever hoped to imagine. He had always known she would be beautiful, but not that beautiful.

"Geez man," Sam pushed his hand through his blonde curls "What are you going to do?"

Roman's wolf growled, was the boy stupid? Or just pretending to be. "Find her, make her my mate." Wasn't that obvious?

"Roman, wait, what if she doesn't remember you? What if she's married, or has a family?"

"Married?" Roman's voice broke. Nope, that wasn't an option. The fact that the girl

he had fallen in love with fifteen years ago could have moved on and forgotten him, had married? Could be at this very moment being embraced by another man. Images of her in the arms of the blonde stranger she had been dancing with at the wedding flashed behind his eyes. Was that her husband? Were they together right now, secure behind closed doors? Was some other man touching what was his?

He howled to the ceiling.

"You need to calm down Roman." he turned, he hadn't even heard his mother come in. "Aurora Jones, I knew as soon as I saw her that you would be beside yourself. Now take the piece of paper Sam is trying to give you and start acting like the man you are, and not a love-struck teenage boy"

"What is it?"

"Aurora's bakery, she was catering the wedding."

Roman looked down at the scrawl of writing. "What if she's married?"

"She is," his mum patted his arm, soothingly. "but there is no need to get yourself worked up, she's also going through a tricky divorce, now go get your woman. Take as long as you need."

So here he was. Seated as far away from them as the small seating area would allow, he stared out the window- not because of the view outside but because he could see her mirrored in its reflection. He could study her, without reproach. A smile curved his lips, he was the hot topic of conversation at her table.

"Ok Miss prim and proper now spill, why wasn't Mr. Tall dark and growly mentioned?"

Rory blushed and leaned forward over the table towards her friend "Lower your voice, shifters have great hearing."

Jo glanced at the window, not even attempting to be subtle about it. "How do you know he's a shifter? Lots of men growl" Jo winked. "It's sexy as hell coming from lips like those though."

Rory shrugged, though she had to agree "I can just tell, look at him. Know any human men that look like that?" Rory shrugged, "Plus the energy coming off him was almost unbearable."

Jo giggled "Only in my wettest dream, and what you call energy I call panty-dripping wet-dream-inducing good old lust!"

"Jo!"

"Oh, hush I saw the way you looked at him, don't deny it, he got your panties wet!"

Colour flushed her cheeks

"I knew it, you got laid at this wedding, didn't you? Work my ass." Jo's nails clicked on the cup impatiently. "I need details, lots of details."

Laid? "No, I didn't, I was there working, I already told you that." but she wished she had. Even across that packed dance floor, the weight of his gaze had floored her. She had never wanted anyone as much as she did him at that moment. And seeing him again, the way he smiled at her, the feel of his arm under her hand. Hell. Maybe she needed to have a cold shower.

Rory giggled.

Jo squeaked "I knew it, you want to get Mr. Shifter naked."

Rory glanced up in a panic. "God Jo, lower your voice!" Had he heard? He didn't seem to be paying them attention at all, so maybe she had been lucky.

"Miss Jones? "

Rory stopped the keys clutched tightly in her hand, she whirled from the darkened doorway and would have fallen, but big hands caught her around the waist. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to startle you"

"Oh," She squeaked. "Roman?" What was the delicious man from the shop doing here? Loitering around in the dark?

His arms about her felt like they belonged there. "Hello again."

A nervous giggle escaped her lips.

He was still holding her, his hands firm on her hips. She didn't want to move away. The feel of his hands on her body made her throb in ways she never even realised existed, and definitely in ways she shouldn't be feeling with a complete stranger. "Hello beautiful."

Oh, his voice. She squirmed.

"Hello." She squealed, her face inches from his chest. It would be easy enough to lean forward and bring her lips to his chest. His calloused fingers brought her head up instead.

"Hello," He echoed. "You are even more beautiful than I ever imagined." His fingers ran down the length of her jaw, and a shiver ran through her, a low moan escaping her half-parted lips. What the hell was wrong with her?

"I'm going to kiss you soon." it wasn't a question, Roman's large thumb brushed over her lips. "Yes, soon my love." She watched his eyes spark as she licked her lips. "Can I call you tomorrow evening Rory?"

She couldn't even make a coherent word, mute she nodded. Her pink tongue slid again against her plump lips.

Roman, his face so far above her own, was suddenly so much closer. He groaned. "Aurora, I need to kiss you." his lips were inches from hers, his true-blue eyes staring at her intently. A golden fire was starting in their depths. His voice was hungry, that of a starved man.

And by god she wanted his lips on hers, she wanted it more than she wanted the air in her lungs. Feelings she hadn't thought possible swept her body like a tidal wave.

Damn. What the hell was happening to her. Was this instant lust?

She squeezed her legs together. No way did she want this gorgeous brooding stranger to know how he affected her, how being this close was making her wet.

Roman grinned at her, blue eyes sparkling, the golden fire growing stronger threatening to take over. His hands slid around her waist until she was held in the circle of his arms, and his arms tightened around her. He sniffed deeply and grinned at her beetroot face. His lips just inches from hers.

Was she about to be kissed by a handsome stranger? Yes, yes she was.

And then he was gone. "Tomorrow at seven-thirty Miss Jones." he winked.

Shit, shit, shit.

She was going to be late! Being self-employed sucked sometimes. Her whole life revolved around work; she was either in the shop or prepping for the shop. That was her life. She didn't date, she didn't have time. Not that Roman had asked her. It was more a statement than a question.

Of course, she had no idea where he was picking her up. First guess the shop, as let's be honest, he would have no way of knowing where she lived- or that her "house" was the tiny one-bed apartment above. Unless he was a stalker. Some sex-crazed stalker. Rory grinned. If only. It still hadn't sunk in that he had kissed her, and that she had let him. He was a total stranger with the most familiar eyes. She sure as hell would remember meeting him before, wouldn't she? He looked like he just stepped off the cover of a romance novel. No way she would have forgotten that face. Maybe for one night she could let her hair down and have some fun. Be young and free, and a little wild?

So now the big question, what to wear? She had absolutely no idea where they were going. Or what people wore to dates with sexy strangers who accosted them in dark doorways. And Jo's advice had been next to useless. Anything that showed some cleavage was not helpful at all. When you had as much up top as Rory, a little cleavage could look slutty quick. Casual or sexy? Did she even have enough time to pull something sexy together, even if she owned anything remotely feminine? Rory sighed, this was why she didn't date.

Married life had ruined her wardrobe. "Dammit!" She slammed the third pair of black jeans down on her bed. Why didn't she have anything remotely suitable in her wardrobe? "Shower!" Yep, that sounded like a good idea. Shower first, stress over what to wear second.

She had just slipped into her favourite shorts and tank top pyjamas, the ones with the famous boy wizard on the front, when the door knocked.

No. It couldn't be. It was too soon.

It was only a little after seven.

He was early.

She wasn't even wearing a bra!

She stood there frozen. Maybe she should pretend she wasn't home, maybe if she was quiet, he would get the hint and leave her to her boring, mundane life. A life where the only shifters she knew were the ones that came in for sweet treats and harmless flirting. None of them made her insides quiver. None of them looked at her like she was the juiciest piece of steak they wanted to devour. The door knocked again, louder. Well, there was no point trying to be quiet; he could probably smell her through the door. Damn sexy shifters and their super senses.

Crossing her arms over her chest, and conscious of the fact that her vest showed way more than she was comfortable showing, she opened it.

Holy crap. He was even more disgustingly hot than she remembered. How was it possible to look that good? It wasn't even fair on the rest of mankind. His eyes took in every inch of her and twinkled, there was no gold today, just a dazzling blue fire. A stark contrast against his dark lashes.

"I'm early. I hope that's not too much trouble. "

Well yeah, it was loads of trouble, especially when he looked like that and well, she looked like she had just rolled out of bed. Why did he have to keep looking at her like that? Squirming, she tightened her arms more firmly, aware of the changes his presence had on her body. He was a shifter. He could probably smell that she lusted after him so there was no point trying to deny it, but she didn't have to poke his eyes out with nipples that had gathered and hardened at the very sight of him. "I'm running a little late, but I won't be long," Rory paused. "Would you like to come in and wait?" She opened the door wider. "Please make yourself at home." She motioned to the sofa, overstuffed with mismatched cushions. "Can I get you a drink? I won't need very long, just need to throw some clothes on." she grimaced. Shut up, she told herself silently. Stop talking, but it seemed her brain was refusing to play ball. He caught her hand as she moved to make it to her bedroom. Why did he have to look so delicious sitting there on her old cream couch? He tugged on her hand "You look fine the way you are."

Her heart flip-flopped in her chest, "I can't really wear my PJs out and about, where are we going exactly?" She giggled. "Just so I know what to throw on"

Throw on, yeah right, she was going to end up having a silent tantrum over her lack of clothes at any second.

"What would you usually be doing on a Tuesday evening?" His voice was so soft, like velvet rubbing on her skin. Hell, it was like velvet rubbing on her most intimate parts, he raised her hand to his lips but didn't kiss her. Instead, he took a deep breath and Rory almost collapsed in a Potter coloured heap as his tongue flicked over the pulse in her wrist. His stubble tickled her arm.

Holy crap.

She needed to find words now. Find words to make yourself interesting, her brain was screaming at her. Do not tell him the truth. "Um work, I usually prep for the shop in the evening then you know maybe a pizza and watch a rubbish film" Rory groaned inwardly. Good one, that made her sound like a complete moron.

"Let's do that then "

She stopped "Don't be silly, you're all dressed and looking, well, gorgeous. You didn't plan for a night covered in flour." She motioned to his suit. His very well-tailored, obviously expensive suit. "You would ruin your suit."

His lips brushed where his tongue had recently licked. "My suit can be cleaned." his kisses kept coming. "I could always take it off, if it worries you that much."

Whoa. This guy was full-on. She pulled her hand out of his grasp and recrossed her arms. "Roman."

He grinned "Too forward?" He stalked towards her as she backed away a few steps. She needed some space between them. "Forgive me, I just feel like I've known you for a long time, I'll try and behave." His lips brushed her cheek. "I would like to stay in with you tonight. I can't say I'm going to be much help with baking, but I'm willing to give it a try." His hands ran down her arms. His hands were shaking as if he was struggling to control himself. "God I want you." he investigated her face. "Do you realise how hard you're making me, how it's taking every ounce of my control not to throw you down on that sofa and use my tongue to explore every inch of your body." He sighed and stepped back. "I'm coming on too strong again, aren't I?"

Rory giggled, no coherent words would come out.

"I'll get pizza and a few bottles of wine and then you can put me to work, however you want to." he grinned again, winking,

Bloody git knew exactly what he was doing to her, with his sexy voice and inappropriate words.

"Plates?" He sat there looking like he had stepped out of her dirtiest fantasy and totally at home, and held the pizza box out "Or shall I just eat it off you?" He winked. She was far too aware of how sexy he was with his beautiful white shirt sleeves rolled up over his forearms. Who knew forearms could be sexy?

"I'll get plates." she hurried to the kitchen, needing a second to catch her breath.

"Spoilsport." his throaty chuckle carried easily from the living room. She had thrown on some underwear, one of the newer nicer sets that Jo and Andre had made her buy. Just in case, well, just in case she decided to live on the wild side. Literally, it would seem in this case.

"You are taking too long." his arms wrapped around her from the back, making her jump. Caging her against the white units. "God you smell amazing." His nose was buried in her hair, the bristles on his chin tickling the sensitive skin on her throat, she squirmed. She could think of several other places she wanted to feel the brush of his stubble, and none of them were places a lady would let a guy she had just met see. Yet she didn't seem to be acting like a lady at all tonight. He was so touchy-feely it was hard not to be swept along.

His lips brushed her jawline.

A moan escaped her lips before she could stop herself "Roman..."

His lips didn't stop. "One kiss, one kiss and we can eat pizza and drink wine and you can get to know me better. I'll even promise not to mention how much I know you want me. How much I can smell you do." His firm hands turned her around, lifting her crimson face.

"Are all shifters this full-on?"

He nodded, his lips still on her jaw, making a hot wet trail to her lips. "Uh-huh," he captured hers softly, full lips barely brushing hers "only when we have what we have wanted for half our lives in our arms. When we have found her, we don't know how to control ourselves." He mumbled against her mouth. Another brush of lips and hers parted. He groaned and grabbed her closer. His tongue touched hers as his hands pulled her to him. She felt the thickness of him against her belly and moaned into his mouth again, reaching up to tangle her fingers into his short dark hair. "God Rory. What are you doing to me?" One last kiss and he pulled away. "You make it hard for me to keep my promise of being a gentleman." He kissed her again and stepped away. Leaving Rory standing there, mouth open and legs like jelly. "Well, some things are definitely hard," she giggled. He glanced down and smiled

"Naughty, now let's eat pizza and drink some wine before I decide to bend you over right here." He patted the cabinet she was leaning on. "Is this a good idea?" He led her by the hand, pulling her down next to him on the couch cushions. It was almost as if he couldn't bear to be separated from her, not even by an inch.

"I had a friend once who loved Tuna on pizza." Rory laughed as she reached passed where this tall dark almost-stranger was leaning against her kitchen units, quite at ease sitting on the side, taking up way too much room and not helping. She grabbed the canister next to his left hip and grinned up at him.

The last three hours had been some of the most comfortable she had ever spent with a man she didn't know. They laughed and chatted on the sofa over his strange Tuna and red onion pizza. He had poured wine into her cheap glasses and toasted that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He had kept his hands and lips to himself, and Rory didn't know whether that was a good thing or not. She had really enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms. She wanted to see what was under his clothes.

"Your friend sounds like he has impeccable taste." He sipped his wine. "Were you close?"

She shrugged "Many years ago."

"Boyfriend?" His voice had turned rough "The man at the wedding seemed to know you very well"

"Andre" she flicked him with the tea towel "Andre knows me very well indeed, we are super close."

A growl.

"Okay," another towel flip. "Don't you be going all growly on me! Andre is one of my best friends, we are extremely close." Why was it so easy being around him? There were no awkward silences. Just two people who were comfortable in each other's company. Like two friends. But then she had never wanted to lick the stomach of any of her friends before. So maybe that wasn't the best example.

"Then where is he tonight?" Roman raised his eyebrows and glass "Where was he a few hours ago when your nipples were puckering, and your lips were on mine?" He smirked, "And don't deny it, you wanted me to kiss you! Hell, you wanted more than that, if I wasn't such a gentleman..." he chuckled and shrugged in a way that was a thousand percent masculine. It wasn't really a question, more a statement of fact.

"Wasn't going to deny it, a woman would have to be blind not to find you attractive and you're well aware of that." Rory turned, hands on her hips. There was no point lying to him. He knew she wanted him. "And my date at the wedding is most probably having amazing sex with Dean, he tells us about it all the time" she winked at him.

Roman looked confused. Was she sharing her boyfriend with another guy? Rory didn't seem the type to have ménage and he sure as hell wouldn't be sharing her either. That was the kind of shit the Mermaids did. It worked for them. No way would it work for him.

"That's his boyfriend by the way."

"You are an evil, evil woman Rory!" His wolf huffed and settled. No ménage, no boyfriend of any type let alone two that he would have to rip apart.

She giggled.

"The man you were dancing with is your gay best friend?" He took a sip of his wine. "And this friend from many years ago, the one who likes fish on pizza, was he gay too?"

"No" she touched his leg, urging him to move it out of the way so she could open the cabinet. "Well he wasn't back then, who knows whether he has come out since it was a long time ago."

"Sounds like you liked this guy a lot?"

She shrugged. What could she say, that he had been her first kiss, her first love. The rock that got her through the summer she realised that her parent's marriage was a sham. "It was a long time ago, you remind me of him sometimes. I think it's your eyes and of course the pizza"she laughed. Crouching down to get trays from the cupboard between his legs. "I'll take that, but god woman, I like you looking up at me from down there"

"You're being good, remember "she chuckled.

"Oh, I am good, I'm gonna show you how good I am pretty soon!"

"Roman, you made a promise." She wagged a finger at him, but her voice was playful. The thought of him naked made her voice quiver. She had no doubt at all that he would be good, hell she would bet money on it. He oozed sex and her body wanted him.

"I think we would both enjoy it if I broke this one."

"I think we would, but it doesn't mean I'm going to." She used his knees to raise herself to standing. "I don't doubt the sex would be amazing, and that it's probably just what I need right now, but... "

"Is that what you think, that's what I want? All I want? Do you think I just want to fuck you?"

"Roman I..." he stopped her with his lips. She had obviously been taken aback by the crassness of his words. And the last thing he wanted to do was scare her off.

"Aurora Jones, I worship you, I want to worship your body. I want to be so far inside you that I become a part of you. I want you." He kissed her again, a chaste soft kiss. "But if you think I just want sex then I'll wait, I've waited a long time. A little while longer won't make any difference."

His fingers stroked her cheek. No difference, of course, he might just explode. "Now let's finish up here, I think we have a movie to watch."

Roman was at peace, totally relaxed for the first time in so long. He gazed down at a sleeping Rory, the film hadn't even ended when she had fallen asleep. Snuggled tight into his chest. Having her in his arms was all he wanted. Well, not all, but it was perfect right now and had been perfect all night. He hadn't moved though it was cool in the apartment; she had moved into his chest, wrapping her arms around him, comfortable with the heat that radiated from him. But the night was over, and dawn was fast approaching. It was time to say goodbye, even if it was for a little while.

"Rory" he brushed the hair out of the way, taking in her face. The dark lashes that curved against her white cheek. The plump lips. "Rory my love I need to go, and you need to get ready for work."

She snuggled in tighter, her breath hot even through his shirt. "A few minutes longer."

"I'd never leave your side, but it's morning.'

She yawned "What? Oh god, did I fall asleep?" She gawked and sat up straight. Praying that she hadn't left any drool marks on his shirt. "You slept the night away." He wanted her back in his arms; the sudden feeling of loss, as she moved away, was like a part of him was missing.

"Why didn't you wake me? You could have left, you must have been so uncomfortable all night." she jumped up. "I'll make coffee, it's the least I can do." She was rambling again. How was it possible that on one side she could be so at ease around him, and the next she was left like a tongue-tied girl.

"Not so fast" he pulled her onto his lap. "Kisses first I think "

"I need to brush my teeth, morning breath you know."

He captured her lips "I don't care."

His lips were the softest she had ever had. Tentative as if the man from last night had lost his nerve. As if he was doubting himself. "Rory I can see your bra" he spoke into her mouth. His fingers lightly trailing over the black lace that was visible where her tank top had fallen obscenely low in her sleep. He had been dying to touch it for hours.

She kissed him back as need exploded in her body. "I don't care."

He groaned loudly, and his fingers were replaced by his whole hand. He cupped her breast, and captured her mouth with his in a kiss that soaked her lace panties instantly. "Roman I need..." she couldn't finish, his lips were trailing kisses down her neck. He nuzzled into her breasts where they heaved out of the confines of lace and satin. "I know" his hands were under her top now, hands trailing up the bare skin of her tummy. "This needs to come off." He pulled at the lace bra with his teeth. "But not now." He tore his mouth away. "Later, later I'm going to make you mine, you're going to be screaming my name." He kissed her. "Now go and shower, and I'll help you get everything downstairs to the shop before I shoot off."

"I'll pick you up at seven?" His lips brushed her's as they stood in the dawn light outside Sweet Dreams door. "I'm going to wine and dine you out of those clothes." He tugged at the hem of her shirt.

"These ones?" She motioned to her black jeans and t-shirt ensemble. Her usual work outfits.

"Any of your clothes," he said against her mouth.

"Where are we going tonight, if you would give me a hint, I might be able to prepare a little easier." Who was this woman, standing making out with a hot shifter in public. Rory didn't recognise herself, but she liked her.

He shrugged his hands reaching under her shirt to lay flat on her back, his fingers caressed her bare skin. "It doesn't matter what you wear beautiful, because I'm going to be taking it off," he chuckled.

"You're terrible." She playfully pushed at his chest. She wasn't sure what had gotten into her. "Until later my love."He kissed her one more time and turned on his heel. Getting into the sleek black car parked at the curb. She watched him until he was lost into the early morning traffic. Roman was one of a kind, that was for sure. Maybe tonight she would get to see what was under the clothes. He wanted her, you didn't need to be a wolf with their otherworldly senses to see that. And the fact she wanted him wasn't debatable either.

"Who the hell was that?"

Rory whirled, her hand fluttering to her throat. Standing there, the rage coming off him in waves, was her ex- or soon-to-be ex-husband. "Dale, what are you doing here?"

"Who was that Aurora?" His voice shook with anger. "And don't give me that look, I saw the two of you leaving your house, so he had obviously spent the night."

"We aren't together, how I spend my nights doesn't have anything to do with you!" She turned back to her work. "And what are you doing spying on me? You need to get over it. We are over."

"Don't you dare turn your back on me, you ARE MY WIFE!" His hands gripped her arms painfully.

"Take your hands off me, Dale, Now! "

"You are my WIFE!" he forced his lips down on hers. "Mine!" His hands moved to push her top up. "You belong to me, not some jacked-up ass hole. You made vows to me." His hand moved over her body cruelly, Rory fought back but he had her face in a vice-like grip, his lips bruising hers.

"Get your fucking hands off her Dale, now!" Neither of them had heard Andre walk in.

Scooting out from the prison of Dale's arms Rory clenched her fist, threw back her arm and punched her ex-husband straight in the nose. It exploded in a splatter of blood. She grinned at the crunching sound it made. "Don't you ever touch me again!" She hissed.

The slap was unexpected. Dale had never been physically abusive. It made her head rock back, she tasted blood at the corner of her mouth, but she met his eyes. "You will never touch me again Dale." she touched the bead of blood, looking as her fingers came out smeared crimson. "You should leave now before I phone the police."

It was only when she had heard the car pull away, that she collapsed into her best friends' arms.