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protect you.”
    I shouldn’t let him touch me so intimately, but it feels nice to have someone be tender with me. The magnetism I felt from his stare last night is stronger when he touches me.
    “What is going to happen to me?” I whisper.  “Shifters don't frown on murder?”
    Bastien takes hold of my chin and forces me to meet his gaze.  “What you described isn’t murder.”
    Relieved, I hug Bastien’s neck. He gives me hope and I've been without hope for a long time. I kiss him. I meant it to be a chaste touching of lips. Brief and passionless, to show gratitude. When our lips touched a spark flickers to life. His lips move gently under mine. My hand trails to his smooth cheek. He teases the hem of my shirt up just a fraction to stroke my side with the back of his fingers. Bastien stops the kiss to place tiny kisses down my neck. He pays special attention to the pulse at the base of my throat. Sharp teeth nip at the skin.
    “What is that scent you’re wearing?” Bastien asks me.
    I shake my head.  “I’m not wearing any perfume.”
    Bastien and I are kissing again, deeper this time. I’ve had sex once before. What an epic fail. I decided to fly solo until I found a better reason not to. Bastien is better than any fantasy I ever had.
    “Ahem. Perhaps you can find a better time and place for this, son.”
    Wrapped up in each other, Bastien and I didn’t hear his father approaching. I want to shrink away, but Bastien won’t let me hide. I am wrapped around him like a vine, and he won’t allow me to let go.
    “We’ll be up in a minute, Dad.”
    “Don’t make me wait too long, Bastien.” His footsteps recede up the stairs.
    Alone again, Bastien chuckles against my neck. I jump off his lap.
    “How awful!” I cry. He arches an eyebrow at me.  “Oh no! Not the kiss. The kiss was nice. I meant your father walking in. Aren’t you embarrassed?”
    “Not particularly.” Bastien reaches up and holds out his hand to me,  “Wanna meet my family?”
    Sure, why not?
     

 
    Chapter 5
     
    Rachel
        Bastien leads me upstairs to his father’s study. Claude Bonvillian introduces himself from behind a tremendous wooden desk. Its size emphasizes how big he is. He assesses me as we near the chairs in front of the desk.  “Well Rachel, you have made quite an impression in a short time. Especially on my son.” He smiles a little, putting me at ease. Bastien’s dad owns the Lune Rouge.
    “That was a misunderstanding. I mean it wasn’t supposed to happen. I threw myself at him. Oh God.” I’m mortified but Bastien is amused. His hand is in front of his mouth, and he’s shaking with suppressed laughter.
    “She’s cute, son. I understand your fascination with her. Happy as I am to see my boy take a serious interest in a woman, we’re short on time. You brought my granddaughter home; I am grateful. If you are going to survive the scrutiny of the council, you need to learn Therian’s laws before tonight. My daughter Madalaina will go over protocol and teach you all she can.”
    “Dad, I can teach protocol,” Bastien protests.
    “I think she will learn more with Madalaina. Fewer distractions.”
    Bastien opens his mouth to argue again when a blonde girl bounces into the room popping bubble gum.
    “He has a point big brother. I won’t be tempted to kiss her.” She gives him a cheeky grin. Bastien narrows his eyes at his sibling. Claude smoothly cuts off his son before he can say anything. He points Bastien out of the room. I’m nervous without Bastien beside me.
    Madalaina reclines in Bastien’s empty chair with her legs draped over the armrest.  “Just us girls now.”
    “Relax. I’m here to help you.” She pops her gum in between sentences.
    “How’d you know we kissed?” I say to her.
    “Smell. You smell like Bastien. Scent marking.”
    I didn’t think it possible, but I’m even more flustered.
    The carefree girl facade slips for a second and I can see the mature woman