Undercover Magic by Judy Teel

been part of Cooper's entourage since they'd both
     started shifting. "A prince second, a man first with a man's instincts. That doesn't
     mean he's mated."
    Marc gave her an amused look and she wasn't sure whether to be ashamed of her assumption
     or more offended that he was laughing at her. "So, driven only by sex, all men are
     basically flawed?"
    "Being a man makes him...vulnerable," she said, scowling.
    "We all dream of finding that vulnerability someday. All but you, Maggie."
    She dreamed of it, though not in a way he'd ever understand. "She's not capable of
     being bonded. She can't feel what Cooper feels. What will that do to him? To the Clan?
     As a human—"
    "If she is."
    Margaret's heart seemed to catch in her throat. "What do you mean?"
    "Nothing. Just the prodding of a flawed male's instincts." He turned away from her
     and studied the house where Addison and Cooper were enjoying their current rendezvous.
    "The world's a new place, Maggie. We become new with it, or we die. The only thing
     that never changes is truth."
    He settled more comfortably on the roof and gazed across the ruined remains of a neighborhood
     playground toward the safe house. "But you're right. Sometimes things are exactly
     as they appear to be. Though usually not."
     
    *  *  *
     
    The morning sun streamed in through the safe house window and I snuggled deeper into
     Cooper's chest. It had been a great night.
    "Safe house six in two days?" he said, his voice rumbling through his chest.
    "I might even be early."
    He pulled me closer. "Now that I'm temporarily kicked out of the Bureau, I can admit
     something. I was hoping that you'd break into the school."
    "Yeah. I figured that."
    "I'll make contact with Laswell."
    "I'll flush him out. You alert the FBI anonymously."
    "It's Clan business now."
    I pulled away from him so that I could see his face. "No, you're trying to protect
     me again."
    "If Laswell's guilty, the Weres working for him have overstepped the line. I have
     to address that."
    "Your job is to keep from getting killed. I have resources. I'll be fine."
    His expression closed down. Going blank in a way I hadn't seen since before we were
     dating. "Resources. Like Bellmonte?"
    "What does it matter?"
    "He wants you," he growled and the hairs stood up on the back of my neck.
    I ignored them and gave him an equally fierce look. "Tough. He can't have me."
    "Which won't stop him. You know that."
    "You're such an idiot." I pushed away from him and got out of the bed. I didn't have
     time for jealousy-crazed Weres. "Getting me to come willingly is the game he's playing.
     He won't spoil that for himself by forcing me."
    "You can push him too far. If you do, he's capable of anything."
    "Stay away from Laswell's, Cooper. I'll handle it. And back off on the big protective
     male shit. It's pissing me off."
    I collected my clothes from the floor. Turning my back, I pulled on my underwear and
     shrugged into my bra. In a blur of movement, Cooper left the bed and landed in front
     of me.
    His hands wrapped around my upper arms and he tensed like he wanted to shake sense
     into me. "I will protect you, Addison. Like it or not."
    "I don't." I slammed my heel down on his instep and pulled out of his grip. I hated
     being smothered. He knew that and yet here he was getting all overbearing on me.
    "I hate your luck," he said, pulling me into his arms. "I'll do everything I can to
     keep you safe." He smelled like woods and lust and male, and I started to cave.
    "If I see you near Laswell's tonight, I'll shoot you," I said, telling myself to stand
     tough.
    His soft lips brushed across mine and I pushed against the muscles of his chest, though
     not with as much conviction as I should have. He smiled and I had a moment to catch
     my breath before he swooped in and devoured me.
    His kiss sank into my senses and heat bloomed in my belly, sweeping over me in a tidal
     wave of love and longing. I couldn't help myself. I melted against him.
    After a