The Scent of Seduction by Trina Lane Page A

while ago. Most of the time, Jaryn had spent the party plastered to her side, his arm secure around her waist or their hands locked together, but unfortunately a little while ago, one of the pack members had needed his counsel and Jaryn had stepped away.
    When their gazes locked, Nicole was caught by the glow of his silver eyes. How such a cool colour could emit such heat was a mystery. As they continued to stare his lids got heavy and his chiselled face softened somehow. His wide shoulders seemed to fill the space around him. His look of lust and need caused every rational thought to flee from her brain.
    "Wow. I don't know how you're actually able to stand still over here. If my mate looked at me that way, we'd be half naked already."
    Nicole broke away from Jaryn's spell to see Jody smiling over at her.
    "Yes, well. Um..."
    "Honey, I suggest you leave politeness at the door. The mating heat between the two of you is so obvious, it's making everyone a little frisky tonight."
    Nicole looked around in shock. Sure enough, tucked into quiet corners there were several couples doing some heavy petting on the couches. In the open area, mates were wrapped up in each other's arms, dancing and talking between kisses to their partners’ necks. The pups had been corralled earlier and were tucked away in the annex, being watched over by a couple of teenagers. It was still odd to think of children as pups , but Nicole assumed she'd get used to it.
    "Does the mating heat of one couple of normally have this kind of effect?” she asked.
    Jody smiled. “It's not your mating heat that's sending everyone into a tizzy. It's sensing the chemistry between the two of you. Haven't you ever watched another couple make out at a party and become aroused yourself?"
    Nicole felt heat infuse her cheeks. She'd always had a bit of a voyeuristic streak in her, and it seemed that her new family wasn't any different.
    Jody chuckled. “Now give me that glass, go get your mate, and get the hell out of here."
    Nicole looked over to find Jaryn had silently moved across the room, and now stood next to them. She blindly held out her glass, and with her other hand took Jaryn's. They slowly made their way to the door. In the distance, Nicole vaguely heard more than one wolf-whistle, but she was so caught up in Jaryn's presence that the teasing innuendo barely registered.
    Jaryn led her outside. Under the clear night sky, they walked the pack lands. The air was scented by Mother Nature and in the distance a single howl sang. Leaves crunched under their feet, and when Jaryn brought them to a standstill, Nicole eagerly stepped up against his body.
    Their eyes met, and Jaryn's eyes mirrored the glow of the moon. His dark hair disappeared into the blackness above. Nicole lifted her hand and threaded it through the strands on the back of Jaryn's head. The soft ends wove through her fingers. This was it. There was no going back. Jaryn had said their first real kiss would begin the formation of their mating bond, but Nicole believed it had already happened. Jaryn was constantly on her mind. The sound of his voice made her smile and her body quiver. Was the mating bond responsible for the ache in Nicole's chest every time she pondered her life without Jaryn in it?
    She tilted her head up. Her lips parted. Her eyes drifted closed as she pulled Jaryn's head down to meet hers. Jaryn's mouth moulded to and caressed hers, then with one hot, delicious stroke his tongue sank inside. She moaned as the sensual slide of his tongue rubbed against hers. He locked his arms around her waist and pulled her deeper into his embrace. Her hands slipped over his shoulders to encircle his neck, latching on to his strength.
    Nicole sank into the kiss, meeting Jaryn's tongue. A powerful flavour filled her senses and Nicole arched against Jaryn, desperate for more. The muscles of his body rippled and tightened as they clung to one another. The longer the kiss continued, the higher Nicole flew and