Page 37 of Crimson Moon Falling

He fingered a strand of her silky hair. “The registration requirement has always been a battleground. They’re stirring up fear with the Normals. It’s terrible timing, with everything happening in Yellowstone, but I can’t postpone it.”

“Gunnar and I will be alright if you need your Betas with you.”

Conall shook his head. “Jamie and Freda are going back with you this time.”

“I won’t be sad to see Bennion go, but I’ll sleep better if you keep your best Betas.”

“Ash is coming with me, but I need to know you’re safe, especially after Zaria’s murder and Langston still sniffing around.”

She sat up, the sheet pooling around her waist. “Langston agreed to our terms. Do you think he’s going to try something else?”

“The man is a snake who only backed off because we cornered him in front of witnesses. Someone tortured and killed Zaria. I think they’re eliminating everyone connected to your father and whatever he knew.” Riley opened her mouth, but Conall held up a hand. “This isn’t just about protection. Jamie and Freda are familiar with your situation and can help implement Dr. Wharton’s recommendations.”

“You’re worried the implant advances when I’m away and working.”

There was no point in denying it. “I think the investigation will put you in exactly the kind of analytical, emotionally detached state that feeds it. Jamie and Freda will help counter that. I’d send Ash too, but I need him. He has a cool head and is my best negotiator. The Council respects him, and the government representatives respond to him better than they do to me.”

“Because you intimidate them.”

His mouth curved into a humorless smile. “Ash is better at hiding his disgust and rage. Do you want to take the hellhounds? Mangus gets mopey after a day or two without you.”

“You’d let me take the hellhounds back with me?”

“Let you?” He traced the line of her jaw with his thumb. “Mangus is your familiar now. No one really owns a hellhound, but he’s yours. And where Mangus goes, Athena goes too.”

She stared at him. “I’ve never heard of a Cog having a familiar. I’m not a witch.”

Conall shrugged. “There’s probably a better name for it, but you have a bond.”

“Okay, I’ll take them with me.” Riley smiled and slid her hand behind his neck, then tugged him down for a kiss, her tongue tracing his lower lip.

Conall reveled in the few times Riley instigated sex, and his beast surged forward, delighting in her taking the initiative. He ran hot after a Pack run, and before he met Riley, he’d usually find a willing female shifter to work off his aggression and lust. This was so much better.

Her fingers threaded through his hair, tugging him closer as she deepened the kiss. Then she put her hands against his chest and pushed, clearly trying to roll him onto his back.

Despite her effort, he barely moved. She pushed harder, straining against him. He smiled against her mouth.

When she couldn’t budge him, she tried a different approach, hooking her leg around his and leveraging her body weight to flip him. He stayed firmly in place.

Riley made one last attempt, her small hands planted against his chest, pushing with all her might. “Are you laughing at me?” She grunted.

“Never.” His lips twitched. “I’m just enjoying your body writhing against me.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You’re twice as strong. This isn’t a fair contest.”

“I never claimed to fight fair.” He captured her mouth, this time taking control of the kiss. His hand slid beneath her hair, cradling her head as he explored her mouth with slow, deliberate intensity. Her pulse accelerated, and he smelled her sweet arousal. Then he fell onto his back.

She stopped pushing against his chest, and her fingers dug into his shoulders. Conall gathered the hem of her sleep shirt and slid it up her body.

She raised her arms, and he pulled the garment over her head. The soft light cast her skin in gold shadows, highlighting her collarbones and the swell of her breasts. His throat tightened at the sight of her.

“Now you,” she whispered.

He stripped quickly, then rolled them over and braced himself on his elbows. Her skin felt warmer, and his wolf wanted to flip her onto her stomach, pull her ass up, and take her hard and deep from behind. But the man wanted to savor her slowly and revel in her velvet skin.

She panted beneath him, their energy feeding on their lust as he bit and sucked his way down her body. Riley reached in and took his cock, running her thumb over his tip. When she brought her finger up to taste him, his gut clenched, and his wolf preened.

He took his time savoring each sensation and her responses. When he finally pushed inside her, she was so wet and hot.