Free Doctor Wolf (The Collegium Book 4) by Jenny Schwartz Page B

teased her lower lip, and then, the kiss got serious. He filled her senses, shutting out the dance floor, the crowd and music, shutting out everything that wasn’t him. She growled in her throat when he drew back.
    “You said there’s an elevator,” he murmured in her ear.
    She nearly collapsed at the sensation of his warm breath. “Yes.”
    “Lead the way. We’re going home.”
    His left hand stayed on her hip, keeping her close in front of him, using her to hide the semi-arousal she’d felt.
    She waved good-bye to Evan, and to Santos who watched from the bar.
    They were alone in the elevator, but there was a camera. She felt Carson note it as he stood behind her.
    He wrapped two arms around her waist, dipped his head, and kissed her shoulder where it curved to meet her throat. He opened his mouth wider to play bite it. She shuddered deep and hard, and he jerked her tight against him.
    “You’re dangerous.” He relaxed his hold as the elevator doors opened.
    They walked out into the night. Streetlights and the golden light spilling out from restaurants and bars lit the road. It was a relief to reach the darkness of the alley, the shortcut to her home. She went into Carson’s arms with the inevitability of iron filings to a magnet. She slammed into him—her haste, his. Theirs.
    They kissed till they were out of breath.
    “This damn alley,” he panted. “I want to press you up against a wall. Those dance moves, but harder.” His nostrils flared, scenting her flooding arousal. “They got to you, too,” he added, darkly satisfied. “Come on.”
    He hurried her out of the alley, on towards her house.
    The concert in the square was over, the garden dark. She glanced up at her house and its front windows were equally dark, but it reminded her. Kylie had promised to keep those rooms dark. She’d be in the back rooms, her room or the kitchen.
    But if Liz brought Carson into the house, he was a were. He’d know someone else was there, even without seeing her.
    He’d know and he might mention it to her grandfather. Heck, even to Evan and Santos!
    Her pace slowed. And Kylie’s scent was embedded. Liz couldn’t claim that she was a friend staying the night. Kylie was a resident, one no one in the family knew of.
    I didn’t think this through. In hiding Kylie’s presence from Brandon, Liz had made it possible Carson would discover her. I promised Ooma and Kylie I wouldn’t tell anyone . Secrets shared weren’t secrets any more.
    Damn .
    “Damn.”
    She stopped, and so did Carson. They halted with the railings of the garden behind her, her gaze to the house.
    “You’ve changed your mind,” he said neutrally.
    Her gaze abandoned the house to study his face in the shadows of a plane tree that brought mystery and hid secrets despite the moonlight, streetlights and the security services employed by the square’s wealthy residents.
    “I don’t want to change my mind,” she said honestly. She touched his face, traced the line of his mouth and felt her heartbeat kick up. Such a harsh line, tautened by passion. “But I have to.”
    “Us getting involved for real would complicate things.”
    “You’ve no idea,” she said fervently.
    He tilted his head.
    Double damn. She recognized the characteristic gesture that said he’d heard something intriguing in her response.
    “Liz.” A long pause. “Are you in trouble? Something you don’t want to tell your family for fear they’ll overreact? Santos threatened me if I hurt you, and I’m guessing that’s standard practice,” he added in explanation of the question. “I can promise not to overreact.”
    “But not to refrain from doing whatever you think is right?” She smiled as she shook her head. “No, an alpha would never limit himself by promising that. I’m okay, Carson. I swear. Thanks for your help, tonight. Brandon shouldn’t be a problem. There were a few weres at the club. Word will get around. You’re released from Liz-protection-duty. You