Free Primal Instincts by Susan Sizemore

befalling the packs of paparazzi they spent time fending off.
    “No permanent damage was inflicted on any innocent mortal we encountered tonight, Ben. We messed up some memories, but nobody was hurt.”
    Lancer gave a sharp nod, satisfied. “Make sure you keep it up.”
    “Keep what up?” Domini asked, coming into the kitchen. She glanced at the kitchen clock, then at her grandfather. “Weren’t you going to bed?”
    “Weren’t you going home?” he growled back.
    “Not until Alec picks me up.” She jerked a thumb at Tobias. “He’s”—her eyes glazed over briefly—“going to have a baby.” She blinked. “Damn. I hate when that happens.”
    Tobias stared at the woman.
    “You do know she’s a seer?” Lancer asked.
    “Don’t mind me,” Domini said. “I see real things, but I’m pretty sure it’s Francesca who’s going to have a baby. My sixth sense is having directional problems this evening.”
    “I have every intention of having a baby,” Tobias admitted.
    Domini looked him over from head to toe. If he hadn’t been aware of her bonded status, he might have leered back at her. “Good luck with that,” she said after she’d assured herself of his masculine gender.
    “That does it,” Lancer said. “This time I really am going to bed.” He kissed his granddaughter’s cheek, gave Tobias one more stern glance, then walked out of the kitchen.
    “What was that all about?” Domini asked, eyeing Tobias with protective suspicion. “You aren’t trying to get him to do more than host this little party of yours, are you?”
    What was it with the Lancer family? Tobias wasn’t used to being questioned. Nagged, yes. Dee was an expert at it. But the first rule among the Dark Angels was absolute, unquestioning obedience. Not that it wasn’t good to be questioned sometimes, at least by competent outsiders. He needed reminders that he wasn’t omnipotent.
    Such as Flare? Oh, yeah, she was a major reminder.
    She’d looked sexy walking up the street dressed like a tramp. And he couldn’t do a damn thing but stand there and want her.
    Domini glanced at the wall clock again. “I’d really love to get home, but my bondmate isworking late tonight. Who do you have on my house?” she asked casually.
    “A couple of werecoyotes,” he answered. “Stationed on the hill above your place.”
    She nodded. “Good choice. There are coyotes in the neighborhood. No one will notice a difference if they see them.”
    It was so nice that this professional bodyguard was comfortable with the idea of being protected herself. Unlike, say, Flare.
    “What is wrong with that female, anyway?”
    He hadn’t meant to speak and the words came out as a low, growling complaint. The mortal woman still picked up on them.
    “Francesca’s really a sweetie,” she said.
    “How do you know I mean Flare?”
    Domini chuckled. “You’re a Prime, and she’s the one you all want. Not that any of you have the faintest idea of how to go about it.”
    Oh, he knew how to go about it—but the proper method for taming a vampire female wasn’t something he could talk to a mortal female about. Especially not one bonded to a civilized Clan male.
    “Care to give me some advice?” he asked. “Lancers seem determined to give me advice tonight.”
    Domini shook her head. “My name isReynard, remember? Francesca is family. You’ll have to work it out with her.” She turned to go, then glanced back at him. “One thing, though: she absolutely loathes, hates, and despises anyone but her brothers calling her Flare.”

Chapter Thirteen
    “F
rancesca.” His whisper was hoarse with need.
    “Hmm . . . ?” the female lying flat on her stomach murmured. Awareness of him had not yet really intruded on her peaceful sleep.
    “I’m a dream,” he whispered. “A good dream. The best dream you’ll ever have.”
    He leaned forward from the chair beside her bed. Her bare back was covered by a bright red sheet, only her shoulders visible, a