"MAY I SPEAK TO JACQUELINE?""Ah. She's been waiting for your call." He says nothing more, but Mémé voice come on. "Minette! Dieu merci. Is it safe to take?""Yes. Where are you?""I am with Tucson wolf pack. Downtown."For a moment, I simply reply her words as my brain struggles to catch up. "Did you say wolf pack?""Oui. I'm sorry, I never told you, Minette. I am a shifter–cat. Your mother too."I've had too many surprises today to take it all in. My hand drops limp at my side. "Wh-what?""Where are you, Minette?"Minette. The French word for puss. She's always called me little cat because... she's a cat. My mind topples ass over tea kettle down a slope of dawning. "My mom?" I croak."Yes, your maman, too. This is why, this wolf is attracted to you. Where are you, my sweet?""Not far from downtown. Are you hurt? What happened?""I was hurt, but I will be better soon."My engines finally start firing. "We need to leave town right away." I stand and pick my leather backpack purse."
BRITISH accent yanks my hair again. "Help him."I allow my anger to show. "Okay asshole. Do you know anything about hacking? No one ever knows the way in. It's about experimentation. You just keep trying things until you make some headway. If I'm going to help Stu, I need my own computer and my fingers. Me looking over his shoulders just slows us both down.British accent–I'll call him BA, looks at Stu, who shrugs. "She's right." It's too much to hope they'll give me my computer, but he does slide the tape off my wrist and shove another laptop in my face. Despite the fact that I'm still wearing the mini skirt from days before, I prop one ankle on my knee to make a desk and flip open the laptop. I've been in Jackson's system all week through his computer, but I left an open door for myself, which is how I transferred the funds back today. I don't go in through the door, now. I go at the firewall, same as Stu."Is she doing it?" BA demands.Stu looks over my shoulder. "Yeah."I ignore
JACKSON POV:THE first rays of light come up over the mountains as Sam pulls into my garage. On my orders, he stopped to pick up Jacqueline. I knew how worried her grandmother had been, and vice versa. I want Kylie to have all the support she needs, especially considering it's her first shift. While the shift was necessary for her survival, she may not know to shift back when the time comes.I carry her in. Sam tries to carry Jacqueline, but the old cat insists on walking on her own, leaning heavily on Sam. We install them both in the upstairs guest bedroom. Jacqueline shifts and curls her body up beside Kylie's, lending her purring vibrations for her granddaughter's healing.I sit beside the bed, my heart rammed up behind my chin, my fingers moving over Kylie's sleek black fur.She's fucking magnificent. A huge black Panther with golden eyes. Truly awe-inducing. It's the first time in my life anything's made sense. Of course my wolf chose this incredible
ONE MONTH LATER KYLIE POV:"PULL that skirt up, baby. Let me see what's waiting for me when we get home." My mate hasn't grown any less bossy since marking me. Our drive home from work together has become just one of the many pleasures of working for Jackson King. Shared lunch breaks are another one. And getting to help him with his new code. He stares over at me like a starving man. Like he hadn't already fucked me over his desk after using a rule on my ass during lunch. Like he doesn’t have full access to me every night at home."Now, kitten. Every second you make me wait will earn you a stroke with my belt."I already reached for the hem of my tight fitted skirt, but I stop now, flashing a naughty grin. "Is that so?"Now that I've switched on my shifter DNA, my body heals almost instantaneously, which means Jackson can employ any form of punishment he desires and the pain is only fleeting. It's a bit sad, really. Because now I can never get enough. Ja
Holy irony, Batman! As a teen, I hacked into a company and waved a virtual victory flag in the founder and CEO's face.Nine years later, I'm interviewing for a job there. And not just any job - one in infosec. Information systems security that is. If I get the job, I'll be defending the company against hackers. Like Catgirl - my old DefCon identity.So here I sit, in the opulent lobby of SeCure's International Headquarters, wondering if they'll somehow recognize me and send me out in handcuffs.A group of employees syroll past me, laughing and talking. They look relaxed and happy, like they're headed into a resort, not their nine-to-five grind. Damn, I want this job.I changed my outfit appropriately ninety-seven times this morning, and I usually don't care what to wear. But this is the interview of a lifetime, and I've obsessed over getting every detail right. In the end, I chose a sleek black suit, the kind with a fitted jacket and short tight skirt.I opted for no hose, going bare-legg
The big guy curses. "No reception in here!" My heel twist under me, and I grab the rail, breath coming in quick gasps. "Hey." The guy has a voice to match his giant size, deep and resonant. I'd find it sexy under different circumstances. "Are you freaking out?" Slight disdain in his tone. It's not my fault, buddy. "Yeah ." I barely get the word out on a pant. My death grip on the handrail tightens. Stay on your feet. Don't faint - not now, not here. "I don't like small spaces." Understand of the year. Did the elevator just move? Or is my body reeling out of control? Old panic grips me. I'll die in here. I'm never going to get out . Two large hands push me back against the elevator wall, pinning me with pressure on my sternum. "Wh-what are you doing?" I gasp. "Triggering your calm reflex." He sounds calm, as if he shoves hyperventilating girls up against a wall on a daily basis. "It is working?" "Yeah. Having a strange guy grope me always calms me down." I swore I'd hide my sarc
But that is insane. I can't mark a human she wouldn't survive it. This human beautiful, though she may be, can't be my mate. I look her over at a distinct advantage because I can see in the dark, and she can't. She's stunning in every way long, shapely legs, an ass that fills her short skirt, and Batgirl tits. That is, she has a hot pink bat on the front of her skirt, right over a pair or perky tits. And something about that bat just throws me over the edge . Spunky little superhero, begging to be bested. Guess that makes me the villain. "What's your name?" she asks I hesitate. "JT" "I'm Kylie. I'm here for an interview, so I was nerved up to begin with." I don't do friendly. I discourage my employees from engaging with me except to give me information in its most distilled format. But, for some reason, I don't mind her feeble attempt at conversion. That doesn't mean I' ll bothering answering. I'm too busy convincing my wolf not to jump her. She tries again. "What departme
"Pack?" "I mean tribe." "No, I like pack. That makes me alone wolf." There's a smile in her voice, and I bite back a sharp remark. Being alone wolf doesn't as cool as it sounds. Even if it's all I deserve. "So..." She has the tone of someone who's been waiting to ask something. "Have you ever met Jackson King?" I hide a smile even though she can't see it. "Mmm... A few times, yeah." "What's he like?" I shrug in the darkness. "Hard to say." "Hard to say because he doesn't reveal much?" I keep my mouth shut. "That's what I've heard. So is he the awkward King of geek or the creepy kind?" I wasn't aware of the various categories of geek. I don't consider myself a geek, but then, as a shifter, I don't consider myself in any human category. "I'm guessing the creepy king." She goes on. "Because no one that hot should be so anti-social. I mean, he must have some serious flaws. According to rumor, the man never dates. They say he has no social life whatsoever. Never goes out. Tota