Free Eden's Charms by Jaclyn Tracey Page B

that B-rated Zombie look each time one of you sees me?”
    “Because you’re a walking dead man.” Raven ran her fingers down the front side of her body. “As you can see I’ve no baby. So you work for the Sinclair’s? Who in Hell did you piss off to get that job?” Raven’s voice couldn’t have held more sarcasm if she were made of spandex.
    “Well I’m not surprised I was given the wrong info yet again. I apologize. So—if you’ll all just untie me and get this tarnished silver off me, I’ll be moving on. No harm done. Seriously, do I look like I have an idea what to do with a baby?” Ethan scoured the room, waiting, hoping to find an ally in any one of them. Not even his tall, dark beauty budged. The look she gave him reminded him of a lover scorned. Yeah, he’d seen it more than once. Just tonight as a matter of fact, from that buoyant little trickster.
    Behind Savanah, a cyclone of black dust caught Ethan’s eye as it gelled into a figure. The air pressure seemed to expand then shrink. His ears popped. Woodchips and sawdust filled the air. All the horses became restless; grunting and shuffling in their stalls. Out of the dust storm, a tall man with a deep olive completion and bristle-short, black hair emerged.
    Ethan sat back on his haunches. I knew I shouldn’t have asked if this night could get any crazier! Ethan held a paw to Savanah. “You might want to turn around.”
    The stranger brushed past Savanah to Ethan, and dug his long thin fingers into his fur. “Ethan, dude, you’ve looked better. I knew you were into bondage, but this is different even for you. I didn’t know you were into putting on shows for crowds.”
    Ethan noticed Savanah’s posture stiffen and if looks could kill, he thought he really might die tonight. Little possessive there, Pippy?
    Savanah’s snow-white complexion went green as a little thing called jealousy chewed through her epithelial cells. She didn’t like the idea of Ethan being bonded with anyone, man or woman if it wasn’t her. Visions of him handcuffed in silk restraints and being used as a sex toy bombarded her brain. Sometimes her imagination was her worst enemy. She couldn’t help the hurtful look she shot him. And to add insult to injury her conscience began giving her grief. Part of her wanted the lying, would-be kidnapper with ties to the one family they never wanted to see again gone. But her hormone’s conscience? Is there such a thing? She wondered. Each and every little wanton cell wanted the blond wolf/man to stimulate them. Just thinking of Ethan left a burning, licentious, desire scorching a path directly between her thighs. She attempted to reason with herself the damned man came here to kidnap a child her aunt supposedly birthed. What if Raven had the baby and he’d succeeded? Confusion reigned control between her head and her heart. Every instinct said this man would be the end to one-hundred-thirteen year drought, also known as her loveless life. God, I know how to pick them.
    “Pip, you all right? You’re looking a bit off color.” Ethan asked his voice calm and soothing, sincere.
    Oh, I wish he’d stop calling me that . Savanah crossed her arms, confused. Could he be genuine with his interest? Or is this just a new angle?
    Ethan glanced upward. “Sorry, Pip, but the name suits you. Really, you okay?”
    An epiphany hit them. Both gasped in unison as they locked eyes, realizing privacy just became a thing of the past. Savanah’s hand flew to her mouth but, “Oh shit,” flew out regardless.
    “Mouth, Savanah,” André warned.
    “Sorry, Papa.” Her eyebrows pinched at Ethan she answered, “I’ll be fine, thanks. Anyone remember that Mel Gibson flick where he wore tin foil around his head to block people’s thoughts? I need some. Now!”
    “Oh Jesus!” Jovan mumbled.
    Ethan howled with laughter. “I was thinking the—”
    “I know. This can’t be—”
    “But it is, Pip. Deal with it. Vonnie? Were you the other passenger