“No, I want to feed you because I like to cook and I haven’t had anyone to cook for since Shelby left. Don’t you eat with all your clients?”

“No. No one has wanted to eat with me before.”

“Oh, well that’s rude and inconsiderate.”

“I am only the hunter. Our relationship is I protect and they get to continue their lives.”

And suddenly I feel sad at the thought of this ending someday and I never see him again.

I open a lot of cans and heat up a quick five bean soup with lots of melted cheese and a loaf of reasonably fresh baguette. He loves it. And I make sure to give him a big bowl of ice cream.

While we eat, I tell stories of my childhood growing up in San Francisco, which he seems to find fascinating. He surprises me with stories of how he was taught to hunt by his mother, which are a thousand times more fascinating than growing up around here. I learn that he has a very large family and he keeps in touch with them even though he lives far away.

I find myself staring at him in wonder as he talks, because he’s so handsome. I love that beard and the ripple of muscles on his forearms is swoon-worthy. At the same time he’s easy to talk to and I simply enjoy his company.

Vander insists on helping me clean up.

I bend over to put a dish back in a lower cabinet. I glance back over my shoulder and I’m startled at what I see: Is he staring at my ass?

Vander lets out a nervous cough and our gazes meet and we both stand quietly. I’m not sure what to say and I don’t think he knows what to do either.

“I’m going to do a final check of the perimeter, then bed,” he finally announces.

And then he’s gone.

And a big smile widens across my face.

Chapter 4

Vander

The next day I don’t even bother with the main entrance, which I consider unsafe. If we’ve been precleared, why go that way? It is not logical to enter in the midst of a flood of humans who I am unable to confiscate and pat down. These beings could be armed with almost anything prior to the security clearance.

I am keeping this female safe, even if my own life depends upon it.

I’ve discovered the existence of a secret service elevator, and I make sure I have the code so we take that up from the garage.

“How do you even know about this?” she questions.

“I do my research.”

A group of important-looking humans try to enter the elevator at the same time as we do, and I growl at them and they cower away. I get Katie inside and we go up to the appropriate floor.

“I think you just kicked out the Attorney General and her entourage.”

“I don’t care. They can wait.”

We exit and I enjoy watching Katie stride down the hallway of this courthouse. She lacks pigment and isn’t as physicallystrong as a Zagwe female, but she speaks with quiet authority to the other human jurors and they listen to what she says, because she’s their leader. She is delicate, but also bold and smart. She is kind but strong. And she’s so sexy that now my cock thickens whenever she is near.

No one is going to hurt her. No one.

Last night I gave myself away when she caught me staring at her ass again. I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to sink my shaft into her from behind.

I’ve also been touching her as we move, which is entirely unnecessary, but I can’t help myself. And she allows it.

She wants me as much as I want her. I continue to scent her arousal every time she is near, which drives me slightly crazy. I’ve scented arousal before from other females, but I ignore it as if it is nothing and continue with my business, but this time her scent affects me greatly.

I begin to entertain unprofessional thoughts of taking this female as a mate. She would have to be a mate and not simply a temporary pleasure mate. I’d never jeopardize my career or her safety over something as simple as pleasure mating.