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than three minutes, and that was with keeping you from harm. With not scaring Janie. You can’t protect her. Hell, your government can’t protect her. Face it Cara, I’m all you’ve got.” He straightened his stance.
    She took another step back. “If our government isn’t helpful, why are we here? Why are we meeting with them?”
    “I didn’t say they weren’t helpful. I said they can’t protect you. They do come in handy for a good cover story, which you’ll need. Since you just disappeared.”
    Disappeared? Oh God. A sob rose in her throat, and she stamped down on the fear. Who was going to water her plants? She scrambled to reason with him. “I’ll hire you.”
    “I don’t need money.” He pushed away from the door.
    Toward her.
    “If what you say is true, and I’m not saying I believe it, but, even so, if I marry you, the Kurjans would still want me.”
    “No. You only get one mate, darlin’. You’ll be safe as soon as tomorrow. They won’t be able to touch you. Literally.” Two slow strides and he stood less than a foot away.
    She lifted her head to meet his eyes, refusing to retreat another step. “Why?”
    Talen pushed a curl off her cheek. “Chemicals. Something exchanged during the mating act.” Another step and his energy swam over her, through her. The scent of man and purpose mingled with spiced pine to dance over her skin.
    The gold of his eyes held her in place. Her heart started to thrum. His hand cradled her chin and those eyes dared her to stop him. Tension threaded through the room, and a buzzing began between her ears. She opened her mouth to say something, anything.
    He lowered his head. Then, fire.
    Firm lips heated hers, taking her under. His other hand moved to the small of her back. He pressed her closer. Into impossible hardness. Lava washed through her and she slammed shields into place, but this passion was her own. She couldn’t shield herself from within.
    He bent her to fit him, his mouth taking hers with a hunger barely checked. She forgot where she was. Hell, she forgot who she was. She returned his kiss, whimpered deep within, and pressed into pure strength. Her body softened as his hardened.
    Still, he went deeper.
    His growl echoed in the blood racing through her veins. He pivoted, lifting her onto the table. Her butt slapped hard wood as he stepped into her, one hand fisted in her hair, the other holding her upright. Her knees clenched his hips, and his tongue took hers, fiercely and without question.
    He lifted his head, and she could only stare, bemused. The green dominated the gold in his eyes. How was that possible? A dark flush worked its way across his high cheekbones, and his canines dropped low and sharp.
    Alarm cut through her desire, her body froze, preparing to flee. Her heart galloped into a run, and her mouth went dry. “Wait.” She started to struggle.
    Talen lifted his head toward the door like a wolf catching a scent. He released her and stepped away. “They’re returning.” His canines retracted again.
    Cara jumped off the table to straighten her hair and clothing. What in the hell had just happened? Good God, she’d kissed him like the truth to the universe existed on his tonsils. Her breasts still ached heavy and full—for him. A deadly stranger with fangs—one who could probably kill her without breaking a sweat—and she’d kissed him like he was hers. She needed a shrink.
    “Still questioning our bond?”
    She concentrated on the closed door, refusing to look at him. “We don’t need to get married.”
    “Yes, we do.”
    “You believe in marriage?”
    “No. Our mating rituals predate your marriage. But I find I want your vows.” He watched the door as well. “Since I can hear our minister with the director, you might want to accept that fact now.”
    “Talen—” There had to be some way to reason with him.
    “Janie isn’t safe until we reach my headquarters. Only mates are allowed to know its location, and we’re not