Chapter 3

Rami held the door open for the delectable little pastry chef, noting the way she smiled approvingly at the old timey gesture. Not many modern New York women appreciated it when he did things like that, but it was in his blood.

Part of the Llewellyn family tradition of good manners and old-world courtesy. Most Shifters he knew behaved the same with females. Rare in this modern world, but to him and folks like him, females were meant to be protected and cherished.

The fact she’d been attacked by Wolves made his Lion tremble with rage. Those Mutts better hope he did not find them before the rest of his precinct did. He wasn’t sure he could keep his claws to himself if he got to the punks first.

“I appreciate the attention,” she turned to face him.

“My pleasure. Please, let me walk you through the back room just to check it out,” he said, waiting for her to lead the way before nodding to Terrie.

The young Lioness had given him only the slightest attitude, which he’d soon corrected with one well-placed snarl. Dominance was everything in a Pride or Pack, and she was simply a young woman testing the waters.

But where Noemi Donato was concerned, Rami would settle for nothing less than absolute obedience. No, he was not the Primus, but he was high ranking, and his reputation for being fair and just preceded him.

If Wolves were behind this attack, and the distinct scent of lupine urine and other markers they’d so carelessly left behind supported that theory, then Rami had cause to be concerned. The human female was beautiful and feisty, but her wit and charm would not save her in the face of two hardened criminals with the power of their Wolves behind them.

“Hi Terrie,” Noemi said with a bright smile for the young woman, who had brains enough to look embarrassed, “I am so sorry your vacation got cut short.”

“No, my bad, I, uh, wasn’t supposed to take my vacation till next month. I, uh, got mixed up,” she explained half-heartedly, her eyes carefully averted.

The Lioness knew better than to test his temper. She’d apologized, and took her instructions from both him, her brother Timothy, and their Primus, Captain Luani. The fact the victim of a supernatural attack was human was cause for alarm.

The Shifter Council of NYC would have to be notified. Reports would get made, and if the female in question caught a whiff of their world, well, she would have to be dealt with.

Rrrroooaarr.

His Lion objected to even the possibility of anyone coming to deal with Noemi. There was just something about her. Her smile, her big blue eyes, that delicious accent, all those curves, and the fact she smelled sweeter than his favorite candy was driving him bananas. Even now, as she walked to the bakery’s kitchen, backside swaying with each step in her cushioned Crocs, Rami couldn’t help but undress her with his eyes.

His own slacks were cut a little too tight in his opinion. He’d have to tell Manuel, his tailor, the next time he ordered some suits. Shit. On second thought, he better not. The old fucker would know just what his trouble was, and he was not in the mood to be ribbed by anyone.

“Looks good to me,” Noemi’s sweet, accented voice tickled his ears.

“Yep,” he agreed, coughing when she turned with one eyebrow raised, catching him in the act of ogling her peach of an ass as opposed to the kitchen.

“All’s clear,” he nodded and looked around.

Fact was, he knew the kitchen was empty. Could scent it. Watching her go back to the scene of her attack told him a lot about the woman behind the chef’s coat and the succulent pastries he’d all but inhaled that morning. Truth was, he wanted to learn more, as much as he could about her.

So far, Rami knew Noemi was brave, kind, sweet, had a strong work ethic, and was very forgiving, if the way she’d treated Terrie was a clue. The female was perfect, in his opinion. But he was not looking for a girlfriend. Definitely not looking for a mate.

Grrrr. His beast snarled and unsheathed his massive claws, the animal seemed willing to take a chunk out of himself for even thinking those things.

Well, fuck. What now? He had to go on stake-out tonight, and she had a few more hours till closing.

“Thank you, Rami, for taking such good care of me,” Noemi said stepping closer to him, “My mama would be pleased to know some northerners have excellent manners.”

“Not a big fan, is she?” he asked, moving closer to her.

“More like she’s not a fan of her only daughter living a thousand miles away.”

“I see. And what about you? You a fan of big city living?”

“I think so, detective.”

“Not gonna run scared after today?” he asked.

Yeah, he was fishing, but with good reason. He needed to know before he touched her if she was going to run. Fuck knew, the second he laid hands on the woman, he was not going to let go. At least, not for a good long while.

Never, his Lion inserted the word. He wanted to argue with the animal but found himself shocked to realize the beast was right. He had no inclinations towards leaving the woman in front of him.

“I’m made of stronger stuff than that,” she said, her big eyes sparkling like aquamarines under the bright kitchen lights.

“Really? I could’ve sworn you were made of silk and honey,” he murmured, teasing a lock of her golden-brown hair between his fingers.

Noemi swallowed, her body leaning into his, and he knew he was going to kiss her. His heart raced with the knowledge. He preened with it. Like it was some great secret only meant for him, even though she too, would be in on it soon.

“I read somewhere that silk is stronger than steel, and honey is an anti-oxidant. One of nature’s superfoods. It’s even used to treat wounds. So, you see, I don’t mind the comparison one bit, detective,” her eyelids lowered to half-mast, and she lifted her arms, entwining them around his neck.

Rami growled deep in his chest, dipping down to capture Noemi’s mouth with his. Her ready submission left him breathless, hungry, and wanting more.

His arms wrapped around her like steel bands, pulling her closer into the contours of his body. Her softness molded to his muscle, fitting him to perfection, and fuck yes, he wanted her. Was dying to tear off her clothes, to lick her from head to toe, paying special attention to the juncture between her thighs.

He imagined her coming on his tongue, needed to taste her honey right from the source. Noemi moaned as he sucked on her tongue, and lowered one hand, squeezing her plump cheeks firmly, and thoroughly. She had an ass that made him want to drop to his knees and thank the gods.

Longing to sink into her heat, he was damn near overwhelmed with lust. His heightened senses told him a customer had just walked in, probably the one with the special order. They were not alone. This was not the time or place for what he wanted to do.

Even if Terrie pretended not to hear them from her perch in the storefront. Still, he knew the Lioness was aware of what they were doing. And when he did do all of the deliciously naughty things he imagined doing to the succulent little chef, Rami wanted no audience. Just Noemi.

Slowing the kiss was harder than cutting off his own paw, but it was necessary, he reasoned. She tasted like sugarcoated berries and sunshine. Decadent and delicious, and he wanted more.

Soon, he told himself, very soon. His feelings for her, the desire and need to protect, cherish, and possess, were surprising, but very real. There was no doubt in his mind that he would be spending more time with the female in his arms.

“Rami,” she breathed, resting her forehead against his.

“That was,” he began, but had no idea how to finish.

“If you say unprofessional, detective, you just might hurt my feelings,” she laughed, still struggling to catch her breath, and his chest swelled with pride.

“I was going to say wonderful,” he inserted, dropping a spontaneous kiss on her pert nose.

“I bet you have to go,” her blue eyes nearly swallowed him whole, and he found he didn’t want to go. Not now. Not ever.

“I do.”

“Come back? Maybe not tonight, but tomorrow?”

“Yes,” he answered immediately, capturing her lips one more time, and damn near bending her in half.

“Rami! Phone call!” Terrie called from the front, and he pulled up.

Still unwilling to let her go, his hands rested on her sumptuous hips as he inhaled, trying to calm his beast. Noemi laid a gentle hand on his chest, rubbing the spot as if she somehow knew that would ease his Lion. The animal chuffed inside of his mind’s eye, settling now that he’d seen to it, she was safe and would be watched by one of his Pride.

“What time will you be finished tonight?”

“Well, I lost some time this morning, and I have tomorrow’s baking to prep. But I’ll be ready to leave by eight.”

“Terrie will take you home.”

“Terrie? But she’s a child-”

“Uh, she studied self-defense with her brother. I would do it myself, but I am on stakeout tonight.”

“I see,” she frowned, “Well, if it will make you feel better, I guess it is okay. Be careful, will you?”

“It does make me feel better, roohi. You be careful too.”

Later that night…

“You called her what now?” Officer Timothy Swavely scratched his head and cocked it to the side.

“Nothing man,” Rami grunted.

Why the fuck had he told the man about his conversation with Noemi anyway? Stupid. Real stupid.

But the fact was he’d called the woman roohi. He’d grown up hearing his father call his mother that, along with a slew of other Arabic terms of endearment. For some reason, when he’d looked into Noemi’s azure gaze, it just clicked.

Roohi literally meant my soul. His Lion chuffed, agreeing with the sentiment from the place he rested deep within Rami’s mind’s eye. Even though his human side wasn’t quite ready to face that, or to examine the reasoning behind his sudden attachment to the attractive normal.

Fuck. It was going to be a real issue. He needed to get approval from his Primus before revealing his Shifter secret to the sweet human. With the Shifter Council meeting coming up at the end of the month, Rami would probably have to request a formal hearing there too. He would need their consent as well.

This kind of shit was complicated, and honestly, maybe he was jumping the gun. The woman barely had time to settle into her new life and work. How was he going to spring all this on her? Never mind his Nana had gone positively berserk when he mentioned meeting the female when he’d stopped home for a fresh shirt.

“You talked to the Southern girl from the bakery? Oh, Rami, and?”

“And what? She was the victim of a crime, Nana.”

“So, that is why you rushed from the station to see to her and why you had to take her home?”

“Are you spying on me again? I thought we set boundaries last time, Nana,” he’d warned.

“Shush, you are my grandson, I want you safe and happy always. But Rami, you think about her, yes?”

“Yes, I’ve been thinking about her ever since I saw her,” he responded honestly. He knew no other way to be with his grandmother, intrusive though she may seem.

“Good.”

The old woman had left it at that, but Rami wasn’t able to take his mind off the pastry chef as easily. They’d kissed. And it was great. Like really, really great.

BFD, he snarled at himself. He was behaving like he was in junior high! Rami needed to slow his roll and allow things to progress naturally if at all. Chances were, he wouldn’t even remember her name in a day or so.

Grrrr, his Lion snarled, not fucking likely.

Fine. He was man enough to admit he was attracted to the woman. More than attracted, he was mesmerized. Kissing her was an experience he wanted to savor again and again. For many long and cool Autumn nights to come.

To hell with just the fall, his beast growled. Rami wanted winter, spring, and summer too. He wanted to fall asleep holding the curvy female tight. Wanted to experience ecstasy in her arms, to bring her to heaven with his lips and body. That sounded like a good fucking plan.

“Anyway, bro,” Tim interrupted his musings, “Terrie said she walked the chick home, and nothing happened.”

Don’t call her a chick,” Rami snapped, then shook his head.

“My bad,” Tim grinned.

“Sorry, and thanks for the update, bro,” Rami fist-bumped the guy, and walked outside to his unmarked vehicle.

“Just another long night in this fucking ride,” he grumbled to himself.

Normally, he was psyched to be on stakeout, but right then he had other things on his mind. Curvy things. Soft and sweet. Sassy too.

Shit. He really needed to focus, he reminded himself as he pulled into a vacant spot outside of one of several nightclubs run by the Greenwich Wolf Pack.

Wolves were at the center of this whole thing. Now, he had no problem with the current Alpha of the Greenwich Pack.

Hell, their leader was a good guy. Though he knew the Pack’s representative on the Shifter Council better. Desi Pascal. He’d been around for as long as Rami could recall. But something was going on that neither Wolf was privy to.

He needed more information, and this was the place to gather it. The QUINNtessential was hopping as usual. And as usual, Rami had no probable fucking cause to get any closer.

Rami could not surveil the Wolves without evidence. But he couldn’t get evidence without surveillance. Being a cop could be quite the motherfucker, to be honest.

Ever prepared, the detective pulled out his camera and snapped some shots of Pack members coming and going. Most he knew by name, others by face. A couple though, including two sleazy assholes who looked guilty as hell, he did not know at all. Rami zoomed in on their mugs and tried to get detailed photos. He would need them to identify the strangers.

It took a few clicks, but he zipped the digital files over to the photo lab with instructions that these were high priority. He’d add the two unknown suspects to his board back at the station first thing. After six more hours of nothing special, Rami called it a night.

He was restless and antsy, even after he got home. Something was bugging him. Like there was a piece he was missing. He needed to burn off some energy, but it was too late to drive to the park. His next shift would start in just five hours. Rami would just have to make do without unleashing his beast.

Neither sleep nor sitting around was happening for him. He was too wired. Rami grabbed his keys, jogging quietly down the stairs so he didn’t wake his grandmother. He decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. To ease some of his angst.

He should have known where his feet would lead him. The beast inside pressed him to move faster, on silent feet, to approach with care. Rami paused just outside the quiet storefront of D’Angelo’s Bakery. The guys had done a good job on replacing the window. A fact he hadn’t noticed till now.

Searching hungrily for any sight of movement in the back, he cursed to himself. He looked like a fucking stalker. It was still too early for her to be there, but soon she’d arrive, probably decked out in some adorable little outfit that chefs seemed to prefer.

Sigh. This was so not healthy. He was completely enthralled by his unparalleled attraction to the baker. And for the record, Rami never did understand why people who worked in the culinary arts, and even in medicine, got to have all the fun with their uniforms.

Then again, if cops wore baggy pants with chili peppers or hearts all over, people might not take them seriously. Oh well. He supposed he’d keep that to himself, then.

Rami shook his head not knowing how or why his thoughts were all over the damn place. Maybe he was finally getting tired? He ran a large hand over his face and turned the corner.

Whatever. He should just go home so she didn’t think he was nuts. Mind made up, he hurried his steps, and bam, just like that, he had his arms full of the very woman driving him insane with need.

Mine.

“Oops!”

“Whoa!”

He closed his eyes, drinking in her sweet Southern accent as she grasped his elbows to steady herself. Rami’s arms shot out to catch her before he’d even realized he’d almost knocked her down.

Taking a moment to prepare himself, he opened his eyelids slowly only to be dazzled by the sparkling mirth in her own crystal blue stare.

“Noemi,” he breathed, taking in her bright and cheery expression despite the ungodly hour.

“Good morning, detective,” she grinned back at him, seemingly at ease in his arms, and it was like watching the sunrise.

“Sorry about running into you. Literally,” he said, emotions too taut to smile back at her, “I didn’t mean to.”

“I guessed as much,” she laughed, “Hey, would you like to come in for a cup of coffee? I always brew a fresh pot while the ovens heat up.”

“Yeah, that’d be nice,” he answered too quickly, but his heart was damn near pounding him to death just being in her presence.

He wasn’t about to walk away. Not yet. Whatever this crazy appeal was, be it animal magnetism or pure physical need, it was certainly worth exploring.

The street was still quiet, though the rest of New York was undoubtedly awake, and he was grateful for it. He did not want anyone to intrude. Didn’t want to deal with the reality of others interrupting the time he had with sweet Noemi Donato.

“Great,” she purred, taking his hand easily in hers, and tugging him towards the door.

Fuck, that sounded good. The delicate rumble of her voice was almost too alluring for words. It sent zings of desire zipping through his veins, straight to his cock, which had already been halfway to a hard-on the second he touched her.

Rami took a moment to simply stare at her while she unlocked the door and punched in the code to the alarm. Her honey-colored hair was wound up in a braided bun at the nape of her neck, secured with a pretty ornamental chopstick or some such thing.

She wore no makeup save a little gloss on her lips, but she didn’t need any in his opinion. Not with skin like that and her unique coloring. Her blue eyes and light brown hair, he would’ve thought her naturally pale or fair-skinned, but Noemi was golden, it seemed, all over.

We should find out for sure, his Lion inserted, but he batted the wily beast down. He wasn’t about to jump the woman at her place of business.

“Come on in,” she said, and he realized he was still standing just outside the door.

“Oh, uh, should I lock this?”

“Yeah. I don’t like to unlock it until after Terrie is here, or six o’clock rolls around, whichever is first.”

“Am I intruding? I don’t want to be a bother-”

“I wouldn’t have offered if you were,” she answered simply.

Rami appreciated her candor. Even more shocking, he believed her too. She had no reason to lie to him. In fact, she seemed to enjoy being near him, and that was a miracle.

Too many times he had tried to date human women, and it never worked out. There was always too much secrecy between them for any relationship between him and a normal to take root. One of the reasons he avoided human women. But she was special. Noemi called to him, to his Lion, like no one ever had.

She moved efficiently, turning on the large drip coffee machine and grinding a fresh cup of beans to put inside. Noemi left the main light off, opting for the one just behind the counter. It left them in a sort of darkness with the slightest glow coming from the bulbs. So soft and pale yellow, it was almost otherworldly.

“I’ll be right back,” she whispered, as if she too thought using her regular voice would have been too obtrusive in that magical quiet place they’d created inside the store.

A small smile teased the corner of her mouth, and she gestured to one of the stools behind the counter. Rami took a seat, listening as she moved about the back room, switching the ovens and fans on.

Saturdays were busy for small shops like this, and he knew D’Angelo’s had steady customers even if business was a bit slow lately. That was cause for concern. Slow business meant she might leave. The thought did not sit well with him.

“Here you are. Cream, no sugar, is that right?”

“How’d you know?”

She shrugged and handed him a large ceramic mug filled with fresh brewed coffee exactly how he liked it. Lucky guess, he figured and took a sip.

“Damn, that is good.”

“Thank you,” she smiled, and sipped from her own similar cup “Any news on the break in?”

“Not yet. I have a few theories though,” he replied easily.

“As long as you didn’t forget about me. I thought maybe you, uh, thought I was a little too forward yesterday afternoon.”

“Actually, that kiss has been haunting me ever since I left here, Noemi. I liked it.”

“Oh, yeah?” Noemi moved closer to him, licking her lips, and tempting the beast within.

“Yesss,” he hissed, dragging out the last consonant of the word, “in fact, I’d very much like to do it again.”

“I was hoping you’d say that, detective,” she murmured, setting her cup down, and grabbed him by the collar.

Rami barely had time to place his own mug down before she tackled him in an openmouthed kiss that had both man and Lion roaring loudly. Holy hell, she was fucking fantastic. Eager, and responsive, and so damn hot he was liable to walk away with third degree burns when she was finished.

The naughty little vixen pushed her body against his, and Rami knew without a doubt she felt the hardness of his desire against her belly. But she didn’t flinch or move away. Instead, Noemi moaned, opening wider and he pressed his advantage.

Tongues tangling, the kiss became a duel. Triggering his need to possess the sweet female in his arms, Rami grabbed himself two hands full of her ass and pulled her tighter into his raging arousal. She moaned, the sound sweet and needy. A testament to her own pleasure-seeking drive.

Was it wrong for him to want her this way? As desperate and hungry for him, as he was for her? He could not find a single argument against it. Couldn’t bring himself to stop her from tugging him down the hall, into the tiny office of the bakery. Noemi took his mouth again, her sweet essence stamping itself on his tastebuds while she dragged him to the floor. The tile was cold, but Noemi did not seem to mind as she pulled on his shirt which he tore off and bundled beneath her head.

Swallowing her cries, Rami ran his hands over her lush form. He was breathless, starving, desperate for her. He growled as she stuck her hands into his loose pants and found his thick, hard cock. Her warm grip stroked his length with the perfect firmness and speed. Rami hissed as she pumped him, working his dick expertly.

Fucking hell, he should stop her before it was too late. But need warred with reason, and the Lion snarled at him. No fucking way was he letting her go. Rami allowed her to pump him once, twice, by the third time he felt precum coat his mushroomed head and took her hand away.

“Need you. Don’t stop,” she murmured, wiggling her hips, and helping him to undress her.

“You’re sure, roohi?”

“Yes. Oh yes, Rami,” her voice husky in her need.

Noemi bucked beneath him, crushing her breasts to his chest and drove her tongue back between his lips. Rami growled, more turned on by this curvy little normal than ever before.

He grabbed a condom from his wallet and sheathed his cock. Shifters didn’t get STDs, but she wouldn’t know that, and he wanted her safe, protected. He kept kissing her as he stroked along her pussy lips, feeling the evidence of her arousal coat his fingers as he moved into the cradle of her thighs. Rami’s whole body tensed as he positioned his cock at her slick entrance.

Bloody fucking hell, this was moving fast. Lightning speed, but he was a Shifter, and Shifters were physical beings. Sex was good. It was a celebration of life, and Rami was really fucking glad to be alive in that moment.

“Oh,” they both moaned in unison as he pushed inside her welcoming heat.

Rami held her face between his hands, holding her widened gaze, the blue of her eyes even more intense, as he thrust and withdrew. In and out, stretching her walls, until finally, he filled her with every inch of himself. Noemi’s arms circled around his waist, holding on tight while together they moved in a dance old as time itself.

Seeking new heights and exploring the incredible connection he felt to the female, Rami held her close. The need to touch her everywhere was so strong, he could not deny it. She was so beautiful, soft, and warm, the sexiest woman he had ever seen. Confident in her sexuality, his roohi was no shying violet. Her thick thighs gripped him tight as she flexed her hips in time with his movements.

“S’good,” he moaned, licking, nibbling on her neck and ears.

He found her plump breasts with their puckered tips like ripe berries for picking and suckled one then the other. The added pressure had her core tightening around his cock. She was close, so close, and he was going to push her over the edge.

Raining kisses up the valley between her breasts till he reached her neck, Rami teased the soft skin with his fangs. He put a check on his beast just in time to stop the creature from marking her with his bite. Focusing on her soft mewls and cries, he drove deeper, harder, and faster.

He wanted her deaf, mute, and blind with rapture. Noemi scratched his shoulders, and he had to force the Lion back again. The thin leash he had on his animal, especially where she was concerned, was worrisome, but fuck if he cared. Rami was too far gone to worry about anything other than pleasure, his and hers combined.

All he wanted in that moment was for the beautiful woman to come on his cock. Hell, he demanded it from her. Now, now, now.

“Fuck, roohi, you feel so good. Come for me, come now,” he growled his demand.

“Close,” she moaned in response.

Her head whipped from side to side. The sounds of their bodies meeting a beautiful rhythmic pounding that was symphonic to his sensitive ears. But still, Rami wanted more, demanded more from her perfectly sublime body. He reared up, taking her with him as he rose to his knees. Noemi yelled as his cock went even deeper, stretching her sheath until he thought he was going to explode.

She opened her lust-glazed eyes, holding his gaze as she worked with him in tandem, racing towards her orgasm. She was so beautiful, so perfect. He wanted her to come, wanted to bask in the glow of her pleasure. Rami hated the condom for separating them. But it was necessary for now. His fingers burned with the need to release his claws, to scratch her hips just as sure as he would one day mark her with his fangs.

Not now. Not now. He roared at his beast, grabbing the Lion by the mane, and shoving him down.

This is about her pleasure. We take ours later.

“Come for me, Noemi,” he commanded once more, and this time, oh fuck yeah, she did.

The deep guttural moan tore from her throat as she arched her back and went still. Rami snarled his approval, holding her hips, he pumped furiously until her voice went hoarse. Then he was coming too.

Pure unadulterated bliss coursed through Rami’s veins. He’d never been much for church, but he saw heaven right then. Had found it in her arms, and between her legs. She was nirvana. His promised land. And he wanted her. Always.

“Mine,” he snarled, crushing his mouth to hers one last time before the rest of the world could intrude on them.

Mine, his Lion echoed.