Page 3 of Roguefinder

Jesse’s frown returned.

I stepped from his arms. “But we both know why they’re doing it.”

“Caleb—”

“So I can serve as bait.”

Jesse stilled, a hint of disapproval coloring his frown. And a sudden thought landed in my head like an arrow finding a bullseye.

He looked like he was fresh off rushing a frat. Slap a backward ball cap on him, and he could blend into any college campus. But Jesse was old. Not as old as Nin and Stefanos, but he’d clocked a century and change. He’d also fought in World War I. Maybe it was military service or just being born in a different time, but Jesse was a rule follower. He did things by the book. Respected the chain of command.

I specialized in the opposite. I’d spent twenty-three years breaking rules and pissing people off, and my track record as a werewolf wasn’t much better. I’d attacked my dean. Beat the hell out of a teammate. Exposed myself to two humans in Jesse’s backyard. Mouthed off to Nin and Stefanos and somehow kept all my limbs.

Jesse upheld werewolf law for a living. My very existence defied it. Maybe that said something about why we worked as a couple.

“I know why they’re sending us,” I said. “And I can’t even really fault their logic. Ulfrik turned me. If he’s alive and in Rome, my connection to him is the best lead the Council has. Using me as bait makes sense.” I shrugged. “I just want us going into this with our eyes open. We might be special, but we’re not expendable. The Council wants us, but it wants Ulfrik taken care of more.”

For a moment, Jesse was silent. He stared at me, and I could almost see him meticulously arranging his thoughts the same way he arranged his socks.

Finally, he nodded. “You’re right.”

Surprise shot through me. “I am?”

One corner of his mouth quirked up. He stepped into me and grasped my jaw, his hold gentle but possessive as hell. And, as always, that combination lit me up like a Christmas tree, colors blinking and burning inside me.

“Yeah,” he said softly. “Stop doubting yourself. The mission is straightforward enough. Rogues are beyond speech. Whatever is left of Ulfrik’s mind is gone. We can’t question him. Stefanos wants him dead and the body preserved for the Council to study. So we find him, we put him down, and we hand him over.”

“And then what?” I asked.

“Then the Council figures out how he survived. That’s not our problem. Our job ends when he does.” Something hard and possessive moved through Jesse’s eyes. “But I promise you this. The second this mission puts you in danger, I’m done. Finished. I’ll die before I let anyone even think of hurting you. Understand?”

The Christmas lights inside me got a couple plastic Santas and an inflatable snow globe the size of a parking lot. “Yeah,” I said.

“Good,” he murmured. Slowly, he leaned in, giving me plenty of time to pull away. I didn’t, of course, and he kissed me, licking into my mouth and pulling a low, desperate-sounding moan from my throat. His scent wrapped around me, the blend of evergreen and aftershave burrowing under my skin and sinking into my bones.

I returned the kiss, pushing my tongue against his. Getting us both a little messy. My hands found their way into his hair, and then I was rocking my hips against his, my dick eager to trade packing for something better. Like a ride in Jesse’s lap.

He trailed his lips down my jawline to my neck. He lingered there, his breath hot against my skin, and his voice was like gravel as he said, “It’s supposed to rain. We need to get across town before the storm hits.”

A groan of protest filled my throat. “We’re in England. Rain is the national export.”

His chuckle vibrated my neck. “I don’t think that’s how exports work.”

My groan broke free. “Whatever, Professor van der Meer. Didn’t you teach history, anyway?”

The question was rhetorical. I knew damn well Jesse had taught history before his immortality forced him to retire. Most people clung to youth as long as they could. But looking eternally twenty-five came with its own set of problems, career longevity being one of them.

He nipped my neck before pulling back, his eyes gone burnished gold. “More like I need to teach you how to behave.”

I licked my lips, tasting him. “I’m a slow learner. You might have to spank me if you really want to get your point across.”

Lust flared in his eyes. He cursed softly, his attention on my mouth. Then he planted a firm hand on my chest and eased me away like he needed the distance to keep a clear head.

“We really do have to make this meeting,” he said. “Sterling is expecting us.”

I didn’t even attempt to stifle my sigh. Giving Jesse a look, I stepped back and adjusted my erection. “I’d say rain check but I’m feeling less than favorable toward weather puns right now.”

He smiled. Then he sobered, a careful look entering his eyes. “Do you have any odd feelings about meeting with Sterling tonight?”