On The Prowl Read Online Free PDF Page B

feeling generous, then…” He shrugged, an elegant and chilling gesture.
    “I accept.” It didn’t matter what he wanted. What she wanted was more important. Griffin’s eyebrows rose, then came down in a deep frown.
    “Addison, don’t be insane.” Daniel hissed his objection. She turned, putting a hand up to silence him, shaking her head.
    “I need this, Daniel. I don’t care what he wants. I’ll do whatever it is.” She turned back to Griffin. “Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”
    “You are either extremely foolish, or very brave. Come with me. Only you.” He pointed to her, then turned away, striding toward the open door. She took a step, then turned back to Daniel.
    “Wait.”
    Griffin turned back, his scowl deepening. “Do not try my patience. Come.”
    “I have a condition of my own. Only one.”
    There was a moment when she thought he was going to leave her, to walk out. But he walked back slowly.
    “And what is this condition?” He drew himself up tall, looking very imposing, and crossed his arms over his chest again.
    Addison pointed over her shoulder at Daniel. “He is not to be harmed, by you, or your…jaguars. Or anyone else. He is to be here, just as he stands now, when I return.”
    Griffin looked over her head at Daniel. She didn’t turn, didn’t want to see the expression on Daniel’s face. For a long moment, no one moved, or spoke. Even the jaguars were silent. Then Griffin looked at her, brows drawing together briefly, a flash of annoyance in his eyes. She had the distinct impression no one spoke to him this way and lived to talk about it.
    “He is to be protected, from all harm. He will be here, as he is now, when you return.”
    She let out the breath she was holding, the tension in her body diminishing slightly. “Thank you.” She finally turned to look at Daniel.
    “Addison. No. This won’t work.” He took a step toward her and the jaguars slipped into the shadows, but they remained close.
    “It has to work, Daniel. There can be no other way.”
    He reached out, pulling her against his chest. Beneath his shirt his heart was beating fast, almost as fast as hers.
    “I’ll be fine, Daniel. I promise… I’ll be fine.”
    “You better be. I’d never forgive myself if you don’t come back.” He hugged her hard.
    “I’ll be back. Trust me.” She pushed away, turning from him before she changed her mind. Griffin was still standing in the doorway, waiting.
    “Come. We have a long way to go.” He went through the door and was gone.
    Addison ran through the doorway, catching up to Griffin as he strode down the passageway.
    “Stop. I mean, wait.” She was breathless, from excitement, fear, from trying to keep up with his pace.
    He turned, one eyebrow raised. “You speak as if you’ve forgotten your place.”
    “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be disrespectful.” He’d stopped, to her relief, and she stood next to him. This close, he was even more imposing. She caught his scent, deeply masculine, nothing covered or camouflaged with artificial scents. It was pure male, and it was as heady as it was distinct.
    “I want to know what I’ve agreed to, what your condition is.”
    “Come.” He growled impatiently, and started down the passage, but at a slower pace. She could keep pace with him as he walked, without having to jog.
    “You have agreed to provide me with progeny.” He threw her a sidelong glance. “You do know the word? Family, if you do not.”
    She gasped, not from exertion, but from his words. “Progeny? You mean you expect me to…that we’re going to…that I’m going to sleep with you?”
    “Very good. You understand.”
    “But why on earth would I want to do that?”
    “It doesn’t matter if you want to. It matters that you agreed to.” He stopped and she almost ran into him.
    “You agreed to the condition before hearing it. If you wish to change your mind, you can turn back, and you will be left to your own defenses. I cannot agree to