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center must come first. With her rocketing relationship with Mike, she might overlook something or someone in need. She couldn’t live with herself if she let down or failed someone who needed protection from battling parents…or even one dangerous parent.
    She could definitely use some additional security help right now. Mike had agreed to fill that need. Hopefully, it would work out the best for everyone.

    * * * *

    Mike flopped onto Melissa’s couch after helping her with the dishes from dinner. He could hear her quiet activity in her bedroom. Was she changing into something more comfortable? A vision of her wearing a short, see-through top and bikini panties sent lust surging. He had no problems making love to her, but fear of failing Melissa and her charges preyed on him.
    He’d always felt lacking, sort of an outsider. That came from the chaotic home he’d been raised in, rather than a well-rounded family like Melissa had. Tormented by his father, who hid the physical form of his werewolf nature but not his abusive temperament.
    Mike had failed to protect his mother. He’d failed her in every way. Would he fail Melissa, too?
    He’d become a private eye to prove himself and to protect others. Also to prove his self-worth, if he were truthful. He hadn’t been there when his mother needed him.
    He feared what would happen if he continued to spend his days and nights with Melissa. If at some point, they had to call it quits, he’d leave with half of himself missing. She made him feel whole for the first time in his life.
    In the low light of dusk, she crossed to him from the hallway, her bare feet padding softly, and joined him on the couch. She wore a soft cotton T-shirt with straps and hip-hugging jeans. She snuggled close against his side. Seeing her sweet smile, he couldn’t resist kissing her. Her lips were warm and pliant. Her scent of warm woman and lilacs affected him like a strong aphrodisiac.
    “Make love to me,” she whispered.
    He couldn’t resist. His kisses turned passionate. He was going to have to tell her soon what kind of life he’d come from. It would be up to her afterward whether she wanted to continue their relationship or not. He feared she’d run in disgust from him if she knew his mother had been an alcoholic or if he told her about his mother’s death.
    Melissa had no idea he was after the Hawks’ leader because of his mother’s death caused by a possible drug overdose.
    He’d hate for her to find out about his parents’ terrible relationship, too. If she did know everything, would she turn her back on him? Derek and Juan were the only ones close to him who knew, and both of them were also suspicious of Tito Gonzalez.
    Melissa’s lush lips caressed his jaw before nibbling his ear. Her hands unfastened his shirt and pulled his thoughts to focus on her teasing fingers sliding his shirt away from his chest.
    Before he could embrace her and ravish her lush lips, she moved down his chest, following the dark line of hair. She touched the tip of her tongue below the first pair of abs. Outlining each one with her warm, wet tongue, she moved lower over the ridges. His cock rose high and hardened, his balls fully engaged. God, he was close to coming already.
    She tasted every inch of him, stopped at his waistband, and unfastened his jeans.
    Melissa wanted to see all of him, touch all of him, taste him. She glanced up and met the hunger revealed in his eyes. After pulling down his boxer shorts, she gazed in admiration and smiled. With one finger, she continued to trace the silken, dark line to the blanket of hair below framing the base of his shaft. It leaped at her touch.
    She searched his face. His eyes were dark, half closed, and watching her. He must burn with need like she had from his touch before.
    As she closed her fingers around his cock, his eyes closed, and his nostrils flared with his deep breath. Her own body reacted and ached to have him inside her. Not yet. First, she