Page 15 of Plus-Size Mate

When it came again, she knew she hadn't imagined anything.

Alert for trouble, knowing all too well the targets that witches could be to other supernaturals in town, Winter crept towards the back door and called, “Who’s there?”

As she drew closer, she felt the oddest tingling sensation in her gut, one that had her reaching for the key in the door even before she heard the response.

“It's me.”

The voice could have belonged to anyone, and yet Winter recognized it immediately, for it made her heart skip several beats.

Shaking herself mentally, she unlocked the door and gritted her teeth, pulling it open firmly.

“Eddie? What are you doing here? It's late.”

Just seeing the werewolf standing there, his eyes practically glowing in the light of the candle, Winter felt all kinds of things she ought not to be feeling. It was ridiculous to even consider what these sensations might be leading her to, and yet she was frozen to the spot, unable to stop from staring into those brilliantly green eyes.

And those eyes sparked back at the sight of her, making her thrill all over as Eddie smiled and apologized, “Sorry todisturb you so late, but I was really hoping you might have some more advice for my friend.”

Winter sighed deeply, cocking her brow. “Is that all? Couldn't it have waited until tomorrow?”

“I didn't think you'd want a werewolf scaring off all your good customers,” Eddie said, shrugging his broad, masculine shoulders. Winter's fingernails tingled with an urge to rake over them, to see if they were as damn hard as they appeared.

Leaning out of the door, Winter glanced this way and that, checking to be certain there was nobody else around. “You're right. It's not exactly good for business.”

Eddie scoffed at that. “I can leave if you want me to?”

“No!”

Winter shocked even herself with the speed at which she responded.

Gritting her teeth, hoping he wouldn't see the embarrassment on her face, she cleared her throat and said, “You had better come in.”

Eddie hesitated only a second before he made his way up the steps.

The second the door was closed behind him, his scent filled Winter’s nostrils. Masculine and heady with a hint of juniper, Winter couldn't help but breathe it in deeply.

Had he smelled like that earlier when she had seen him? She couldn't be sure. But now that she had smelled it, she couldn't unsmell it, and she found herself leaning in towards him from behind.

Taken by surprise when he turned to face her, Winter found herself unbalanced, the handle of the candle stick slipping from her fingers.

“Oh!” she exclaimed, startled by the speed with which Eddie reached out and caught it. At the very same moment, he gripped her arm and pulled her close.

For a moment, she was spellbound, her eyes fixed upon his. His breath, warm and sweet, caressed the tip of her nose. Her eyes fluttered, lips tingling to be kissed.

Then she rememberedhe's a werewolf.

That insane moment was gone in the blink of an eye, and she urged herself away from him.

Clearing her throat once more, she stated, “You came about your friend.”

“I did,” Eddie said, his voice husky as he set the candle down on the desk.

“Are you quite certain?” Winter asked, arching her brow.

Eddie cocked his head. The gesture was such a simple one, and yet, in the light of the candle, it set his face aflame with mysterious interest.

“Why else would I be here?”

Winter’s heart quickened.

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