“Nice shirt.” Janie shut the door and toed off her tennis shoes, keeping her face bland. How in the world did the sight of him send her entire body into overdrive so easily? Several deep breaths calmed her.
Zane glanced down. “Logan gave it to me for my last birthday. Said I was being a pussy about taking out Suri.”
Men. They never made any damn sense. “So? How was the raid?” She’d already gotten reports about Zane taking Kalin alive, and she’d seen several battered vampires head into the infirmary as she’d trained outside, but she wanted to hear Zane’s take.
He flexed his hand, working bruised knuckles. “We took out the Kurjan headquarters and captured their leader. Damn good raid.” His eyes darkened, and his gaze swept her training outfit. “Been out hitting things?”
“Vampires, mainly.” And a couple of shifters. “Hand-to-hand and some blade training.” She rolled aching shoulders and finally padded across the room to drop onto the sofa. He drew her and always had.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, the question and tone loaded with intimacy.
When would she get used to seeing him in person and not in dreams? He was just so muchmorethan she’d expected. More intense, more handsome, more dangerous. “I’ve felt better.” She ran a hand down her still flat stomach. “I think the nausea is more from Virus-27 than being pregnant. All mates are sick, but witches seem to be bouncing back already.”
Zane sat up, his focus narrowing on her. “Is that significant?”
“Yes.” Janie pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. “Anything that gives us a clue about the virus is important. We don’t know what it means, but we can work with the knowledge.” She cleared her throat, her mind humming. “How did you feel working with vampires?” Her breath felt tight in her chest.
“They can fight.”
Janie bit back a grin. The three tiny words meant much more than most people would suspect. Zane and her family had reached an understanding. Her shoulders relaxed. “How are you feeling?” She returned his question.
His dark eyebrows rose. “I’m healing.”
“You know what I mean.”
He removed the ice pack to reveal a long scratch along his neck. “Yeah, I know what you mean.” His gaze raked her and warmed. “Come here.”
Two simple words, said in a low tone that trapped her breath in her chest. Tingles flared alive in her abdomen. “I think we should talk.”
“Me too. Come over here and talk.” A dimple flashed in his right cheek, below his scar.
“Are you flirting with me?” Her lips tingled with the need to smile.
“Maybe.” He tossed the icepack on the table. “Now get over here and do your duty.”
She stood and paused. “My duty?”
“Yes. I’m wounded. Kiss it and make it better.” His smile could only be described as sinful.
She coughed out a laugh and reached his side, only to be tugged down onto his hard lap. “You poor baby,” she murmured, running her fingers through his hair and leaning close to kiss his neck. “Better?” Her voice came out throaty, and her cheeks warmed. Oh, she’d flirted before, but those guys seemed like harmless boys compared to Zane.
“Much better.” He shifted her in his arms, settling her closer. “What are we talking about?” He played with her hair.
She spread her palm over his heart, marveling at the hard muscles. “I heard you shoved Kalin into the ocean. That showdown has been a long time coming.”
Zane kissed the top of her head. “I know, and I do feel unsettled. We finally have him, and we’re going to have to torture him to get information on Virus-27.” Zane ran a hand down her arm, and she winced. “What?”
“Nothing. Just a bruise.” Janie stretched her arm out.
Zane slid his palm up and over her bicep. “Here?”
“Yes.” She’d ducked when she should’ve dodged a punch. “I’ll be fine.”
Heat prickled her skin and dug deep, spreading warmth. Zane rubbed the area with circular motions. All pain dissipated. “There you go, Belle,” he rumbled.
She shook her arm. “Hey. You took away the bruise.” Sliding her hand along his arm, she pushed on his bicep. “Is it here now?”
“No. I took the injury in, held it, and healed the bruise already.” He grinned. “See how handy I am as a mate?”
