Page 36 of Stray Cat

Xav cupped Lindsay’s face with one hand and pulled her close for a kiss. Lindsay had meant to keep it short, because of their watchers, but one touch, and she was lost.

Xav tasted of coffee and afterglow, plus the tingling fire that confused Lindsay as much as it exhilarated her. The kiss turned deep, a spark of passion from the previous night igniting.

When they finally eased back, Lindsay realized she’d wrapped her arms all the way around Xav and pulled him close. She continued to hold him in the embrace Shifters used for comfort, for security, for the joy of being with that person.

Lindsay exhaled over Xav’s neck, strengthening the scent mark she’d begun the night before.

Even now, Lindsay wasn’t certain if Xav had escalated their relationship to one more serious but the scent mark broadcast to every Shifter thatshehad.

Xav sent her a puzzled look when Lindsay pulled away. “I’ll call you when we’re done,” he promised.

“Sure,” Lindsay said.

Xav’s bewilderment grew as Lindsay quickly turned away. Neal and Brody stared at her hard, knowing exactly what she’d just done. Emma, sensing something was up, watched Neal and Brody.

“Let me get dressed and grab my stuff,” Lindsay said to Emma. “Meet you out front.”

Emma only nodded, and Lindsay left the kitchen as rapidly as she could. Brody watched her go in surprise that was turning to amusement, Neal in understanding.

* * *

“You gonna tellme what that was all about?” Emma asked as they headed out of Xav’s neighborhood.

She drove a modest minivan, nothing flashy, which Lindsay supposed made sense if Emma wanted to keep herself low-key. No one paid attention to a thirty-something woman in a beige car.

Lindsay could have feigned innocence and saidWhat was what all about?but she knew Emma would call bullshit.

“I marked Xav as mine.”

Emma’s brows rose. “You mean walking around in his T-shirt and not much else didn’t say that loud and clear?”

Lindsay didn’t laugh. “It’s a Shifter thing. I thought you knew about Shifters.”

“Apparently not everything. Subtleties can’t be found in a database.”

“Tell that to our male friends back at Xav’s house.”

Emma laughed. “I like you, Lindsay. I hope you don’t mind. I’ll take you all the way to Shiftertown, don’t worry.”

“I don’t mind.” It might be nice to have another friend. Lindsay still spent plenty of time with Cassidy, but it wasn’t the same as when they’d run around everywhere together with no cares. Cassidy had a mate and cub now, with more to come, plus she had much to do being Eric’s second.

Then again, Emma had been with Shifter Bureau. Lindsay didn’t scent lies on her when Emma had proclaimed why she’d quit them, but it was wise to be cautious.

“Don’t mind at all,” Lindsay repeated. “Call me when you have a free night, and we’ll party.”

“Sounds good to me. Diego and his boys sure like to work.”

“They do.” Lindsay sighed. “Maybe a little too much.”

“I saw the way Xav looked at you,” Emma said as she navigated through Monday morning traffic. “And the way he kissed you. Trust me, Xavier’s mind isn’t entirely on his job.”

Lindsay would like to think so. Her own thoughts, on the other hand, were all over the place. She needed a good run out in the open or through the mountain woods to sort things out.

It wasn’t long before Emma turned down the long street that led to Shiftertown. Lindsay expected Emma to drop her off at the gates, but Emma continued through, as Xav had done last night.

Lindsay directed her to the Cummings house, and Emma slowed to a halt in front of it.

“I’m taking you up on the party thing,” Emma informed Lindsay as Lindsay hopped out. “Hope you weren’t just being polite, because I’m in the mood to dance.”

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