Read Cat of a Different Color: Halle Pumas, Book 3 for Free Online Page B

left bruises on those pretty ass cheeks and scratches on her hips from his claws. He resisted the urge to kiss those marks better, knowing by the way she breathed that she was exhausted. That bastard who’d been chasing her would pay for making her so afraid she couldn’t sleep. He’d pay double for hurting her, leaving a mark on that perfect skin.
    He resisted the urge to throw up his head and snarl his challenge to the world as thoughts of Parker intruded on his lovely afterglow. He wondered if the bastard was in town yet, and what he’d try to do if he found out Sheri was mated.
    He thought of his Mustang out in the driveway and decided it might not be a bad idea to move it into the garage. He got up carefully, not wanting to disturb Sheri. His princess needed the sleep. He had plans for her once she was awake again. Going to his closet he pulled out a worn pair of jeans and slipped them on, then threw on his oldest sneakers and his warmest flannel shirt. He picked up his shredded pants and carried them down to the living room, pulling his keys out as quietly as he could, then went to the closet and pulled down his father’s old service revolver. He’d checked the gun carefully the day before, taking it out to the shooting range to make sure everything still worked properly. It did. He tucked it into the back of his jeans, covering it with his shirt. He went into the garage and opened the garage door.
    Fuck. Looks like Parker’s been here , he thought as he stared at the four flat, obviously shredded tires. He pulled out his gun and closed the garage door, eyes peeled to see if the bastard was still out there. When nothing happened he tucked the gun away and went back inside to call Gabriel Anderson, Max, and Simon.
    He looked up just as he hung up with Simon to see Sheri wrapped in one of his shirts standing at the top of the stairs, her pretty blue eyes full of regret.
    And that pissed him off.
    “Don’t even fucking think it,” he growled, bounding up the stairs two at a time.
    “Adrian…”
    “No.” He took her in his arms, her head resting in the cradle of his shoulder. Compared to him she was so small and delicate he felt like a caveman. The urge to protect his mate was so strong he trembled with it. “You’re not going anywhere.”
    “I have no clothes,” she said, smiling softly. “I have to go and at least get those.”
    He pulled back and looked down at her. “I think you look beautiful.”
    She rolled her eyes. “What happened to your car?”
    “Someone decided to sharpen their claws on my tires.”
    Her jaw clenched, her eyes flashed red and her back stiffened in anger. He could feel her claws digging into his back.
    “That is so fucking hot.”
    She frowned. “What is?”
    “Watching you go all Xena on me. Makes me want to dress you in leather and bend you over a tree trunk.”
    She raised one brow, the regret gone from her eyes as she glared up at him. “Pig.”
    “Didn’t we already have this discussion? Oink oink, baby.”
    Her lips twitched.
    “Go on upstairs. I have a long robe you can wear. It’s hanging inside the bathroom door. You’ll have to come down and talk to Gabe and the others, but then we should be able to get some sleep.”
    “What about your car?”
    “Max and Simon can help me replace the tires first thing in the morning. Belle can walk with you to work.”
    “I repeat: in what clothes?”
    He frowned thoughtfully. “Good point. Let me call Max back. Emma can get some of your clothes from your hotel room.”
    “If Rudy knows I’m here, that might not be safe for Emma.”
    “Another good point.” He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Max’s number. “Hey, Max? I need you to bring Emma with you. Sheri needs some clothes from her hotel room.”
    “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Max replied. “If he’s already been to your place odds are he knows where she’s staying. He might have the place staked out.”
    “Yeah, she mentioned that. I