Mating Games

Claiming your mate? Best. Game. Ever.

The Wallflower

Emma’s loved Max for years, but to him she was invisible. Now she’s in business—and out of her shell. Max returns home
to become the Halle Pride’s Alpha, and he finds Emma has blossomed into—his mate! Taking her out for a bite ensures
she’ll be his. But first she must convince the Pride she has what it takes…

Sweet Dreams

Getting attacked by some she-devil wasn’t part of Becky’s plans when she agreed to attend a masquerade. In a few
slashing moments, she learns things about the man she loves that she never suspected. When Simon rescues Becky
from one of his Pride, he finally confirms that she’s his mate. Carrying her off gives him the chance to mark her as his.
But a strange illness threatens to turn their sweet dreams into a nightmare.

Cat of a Different Color

Adrian has friends, a thriving business, and the occasional Saturday night date. Life is good. Until Sheri hits town. Sheri
knows Adrian is her mate, but she’s running from an ex who’s got the teeth to take whatever he wants. With Adrian by
her side, though, she might just survive—if he doesn’t become lunch…

Warning: This title contains a hot blond Alpha, his tall, dark and handsome Beta, and a Puma willing to do
whatever it takes to protect his mate.

After a few minutes of silence, Emma felt like she once again had the power of speech. “So, what’s your idea?” When he
looked at her like he wanted to devour her, Emma quickly clarified, “For the masquerade!”

“Becky goes as a female Zorro. If Becky’s uncomfortable with that, we can have Simon change his costume so the two of
them match.”
Emma sat back in her chair, frowning in thought. “Becky’s been talking about doing a lady pirate—”

“No.”

Emma blinked slowly, unsure whether or not to be pissed or amused at the firm order. “Okay,” she drawled, “and your
suggestion would be?”

“How about a saloon girl?”

Emma choked on her wine. “Um, saloon girl?”

“Yes. Simon can dress as a cowboy. Is there a problem with that?”
Emma bit her lip. “Maybe.” She latched onto the first thing she could think off to change his mind; Becky would never
wear the saloon girl outfit in public! She kept the picture of herself in that outfit all the way in the back on the
mantelpiece. “Becky’s self-conscious about her lack of…attributes.”

Max looked confused. “Attributes?”

Emma could feel herself turning red. “Boobies,” she hissed, looking around to see if anyone heard her.

Max choked. “She’s worried about her breast size?”

Emma nodded, shushing him with her hand.

Max sighed. “Okay, how about a flapper? Simon can pull off a gangster look, I think.”

Emma thought about dark, dangerous looking Simon and nodded.
Suddenly she flapped her hands at him in excitement as she remembered a costume she’d seen on-line. “Oh! What
about a fallen angel? I saw this really sexy number that would look incredible on Becky!”

“Have you ever looked at men’s devil costumes? They’re cheesy.” Max frowned in thought. “No, we need something they’ll
both be comfortable in.”

Emma grinned. “I saw bat wings he could wear over his shoulders. Put him in a trench coat with the wings, leather
pants, bare-chested…” Emma waved a hand in front of her face, making Max scowl. “Believe me, women will pass out
from the heat.”

Max picked up her hand and stared into her eyes. “Really?” he asked softly. With careless elegance, he took her hand to
his mouth, gently nibbling the back of her knuckles.

Once again Emma felt her cheeks heat. “Stop that!” She snatched her hand back and put it in her lap for safe-keeping.
She cleared her throat and willed herself back into the costume conversation. “Becky has a romantic streak a mile wide.
Maybe we can work with that.”

“Hmm. How about Robin Hood and Maid Marian?”

“Done to death.”

“Which leaves out paired vampires?”

“Yup. You know, maybe Lady Zorro isn’t such a bad idea, after all. And even better, Becky knows a bit about fencing, so
she’ll be comfortable wearing a sword.”

“She can use the sword on Simon if he doesn’t get the message?”

“Something like that.” Emma sat back with a sigh as the waiter appeared. Both decided on dessert, Emma going for the
French silk pie and Max picking raspberry cheesecake. Max had coffee; Emma took another glass of wine.

“The only other thing Becky’s interested in is Trinity from the Matrix. Think Simon wants to be Neo?”

Max shook his head. “As alluring as Becky would be in a leather cat suit, I think Simon would prefer Zorro.”

“Okay. Then it’s settled. I’ll see about getting Becky’s costume.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll pick up Becky’s costume when I pick up your costume.”

Once again she was ready to throttle him. “And what costume will I be wearing?”

Max grinned. “It’s a surprise.”

“A surprise?”

Max picked up her hand and nibbled on her knuckles again, effectively shutting down her brain in the process. “Mm-
hmm.”

“Oh.”

With a look of satisfaction, Max put her hand back down on the table. “Are you going to finish your dessert?”

Emma looked down at her pie, suddenly no longer hungry. She took a deep breath and asked the question she knew
she was going to have to ask before they ever entered the restaurant. “How will I find you at the masquerade?” At his
raised brow she added hastily, “If we’re supposed to make sure Simon and Becky find each other, we need to make sure
we can find each other too.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t be a problem.”

Max’s purr sent a shiver through her. “Okay.” Emma bit her lip, wondering if she should ask her next question. “Will your
date mind you helping me out? I mean, I wouldn’t want to make things awkward between you and your current
girlfriend, whoever she is.”

“Do you think I would ask you out to dinner if I was seeing someone, Emma?”

Emma raised her eyebrows, clearly amused. “Well, if you’d asked me…”

“Emma.”

“I mean, the food part of the kidnapping was kinda nice.”

“Very well. Would I be trying to seduce you if I was seeing someone?”

Emma opened her mouth to make the comment that first sprang to her lips, but seeing the serious expression on his
face she bit it back. Instead, she went with her second thought. “I don’t know. You’ve been gone a long time. For all I
know, you’re gay.”

It was Max’s turn to open his mouth and have nothing come out.
Emma lifted her hand to the waiter. “Check, please.”

“I’m not gay.” Max stalked to the Durango, trying to decide if he was insulted or not.

Emma shrugged carelessly. “Bi then.”

“Emma!”

He was forced to stop when she collapsed against the side of the car, giggling like a schoolgirl. The only thing she
managed to gasp in between bouts of giggling was, “Oh, God, the look on your face!”
Max shook his head, wondering, knowing she had no idea how few people dared tease him. How the hell had he missed
this woman all those years ago? He could have dated Emma back then instead of Livia. He’d have had Emma all these
years, laughing at him, teasing him, driving him insane. The thought of his own blindness where she was concerned
made him grit his teeth in frustration.

No more. Never again would he allow himself to do without Emma.
Crossing his arms, he leaned against the car door and waited for her to stop laughing. “You finished?” he asked
indulgently, his heart beating a strange tattoo at the sound of her laughter.

She wiped the tears away with a final giggle. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Good.” With a swiftness only another Puma could match, Max snatched her close, bent down and kissed her. She barely
had time to gasp.
That small gasp of surprise gave him immediate access to her mouth. He stroked inside her, slow and deep, just like he
wanted to take her. He savored her taste, wine, chocolate and woman, and his head reeled. When her lips finally began
to move against his, he moaned, his cock twitching like she was stroking him there with her wet heat. Her tongue dueled
with his with a shyness that once again brought out his protective instincts. Without thought, he turned her so that her
back rested against the Durango, his broad shoulders and back hiding her from the view of those in the restaurant.

No one but him would ever get to see her passion again.

He wanted to open the door, lay her down on the seat, and strip her naked. He wanted to be sheathed so far in her
body she’d be able to taste him in the back of her throat. He wanted to mark her with his scent, his seed, and his teeth
so badly he shook with it.

But they were on a public road, outside a very public restaurant; he couldn’t do any of the things he wanted to do so
badly, except…
With a snarl he lifted his mouth from hers and buried it against her throat.

“Max,” she whispered in that soft, husky voice.

He suckled at the sensitive juncture of her throat and shoulder until she lay quiet and panting in his arms, her face
buried in his shoulder. Gently he scraped the area with his teeth to prepare her. One hand slid down to cup her ass,
reveling in the feel of her full curves; the other held her to him with a grip of iron, hard around her back. He had to
concentrate not to dig his claws in and knead. He pushed between her legs with his knee until she was practically riding
his thigh. With a rumbling purr he bit down, drawing blood and injecting her with the enzyme that would change her,
marking her for all time as his. Her cry was muffled by his shirt; feeling her shivers he realized she was climaxing from
the effect of the bite, riding his thigh as his essence and hers mingled.

He lapped at the small wound, not surprised to see it was already closing. With his mark on her and her orgasm, some of
his own urgency left him. She was his.

Read an Excerpt from Sweet Dreams:

He was naked. All that glorious male flesh rose above her as he kissed her softly. “Good morning, baby.”

She licked her lips and tasted them both. “Good morning, Simon.”

She was still warm and sleepy, the remnants of her orgasm fogging her brain. He leaned down for a more thorough kiss,
his tongue gently trying to stroke into her mouth. She bit down on it gently as she felt his cock nudge her opening.

“Ow. Cah I haf ma thongue bach?”

She giggled and released him.

“What was that for?” He sat up, a cute little boy pout on his face. His cock bobbed above her mound.

“A, I have morning breath, b, I have to pee, and c, you have morning breath.”

He sighed with exaggerated impatience as she shuddered. “Fine. Bathroom’s this way.” He crawled off her and helped
her get up. The small smile on his face faded away to concern. “Any pain today?”

“My shoulder, a bit. My stomach feels fine.”

The relief that touched his face made her heart melt. She smiled up at him, startled when his eyes turned gold.

He put his hand at her waist. “Morning breath and pee break. Right.” He steered her into the master bath. He picked up
a toothbrush and started putting toothpaste on it while she stared at him.

“Simon?”

“Hmm?”

She thought about crossing her legs and hopping but didn’t think he’d take the hint. “I have to pee. Badly.”

He looked at her, confused. He pointed with the toothbrush. “Toilet’s right there, baby.”
“I can’t do it while you’re in the room!”

“Why not?”

“We haven’t even done the nasty yet and you want to share space while I pee?”

“I just licked you to orgasm and you’re worried about me being in the same room while you relieve yourself?”

“Yes! Duh!”

He rested one hip against the countertop, the adorable confusion morphing into a smug male look that made her want
to bop him on the head with the toilet brush. “This is a girl thing, isn’t it?”

“Out!”

“Okay, okay!” He left laughing, toothbrush stuck in one corner of his mouth. She tried not to stare at his ass as he went,
but apparently her willpower just wasn’t up to the task. She nearly ran to the door to watch it flex its way out of the
bedroom and down the hall. She would have if the memo from Mother Nature hadn’t been marked Urgent.

It was only after she was done that she realized she was so comfortable being naked in front of him that she’d
completely forgotten about it.

“Here.”
Okay, I haven’t forgotten the fact that he’s naked. Yum. She bit back a sigh and stared at whatever it was he was
waggling under her nose. She frowned at the toothbrush in his hand. It was hers. “How did you get that?”

“I went by your place and picked up a few things after you fell asleep.” He put a finger over her mouth, stalling her
immediate reaction. “I thought you’d be more comfortable with them.”

That’s so sweet. “Thank you, Simon.”

“You’re welcome. Now brush your teeth.” He grinned and gently tweaked one of her nipples. “I haven’t finished my
breakfast yet.”

This time, when that fine ass left the bathroom she did peek out the door. She stared as he walked back out of the
bedroom, his butt cheeks flexing in the most mouth-watering way. The sexy grin he tossed over his shoulder as he
chuckled on the way out let her know he was well aware of what she was doing.

She collapsed against the doorjamb and sighed. Okay. Obviously I’m in a coma brought about by an accident or
something. I’m actually lying in a hospital bed covered in tubes while some husky nurse bends my legs so my muscles
won’t atrophy. Because hell if I’m not having the best God damn dream of my life.

She picked up her toothbrush and began brushing her teeth. Not even his dream self was going to taste the early
morning funk in her mouth.

Simon stood in his kitchen and waited for the coffee machine to finish working its magic. He could hear the sounds of
water splashing in his bathroom, bringing a sense of peace he’d never experienced before. His mate was naked in his
bathroom, coffee was brewing and donuts rested on the table ready to be eaten. All was right in his world.

He heard the water cut off and pulled out two mugs. He’d barely begun pouring when he heard her behind him.

“Coffee?”

“Mm-hmm.” He held out a mug. “Come give me a kiss and I’ll give you some.”
Her lips curled in a snarl. “Cooffeee.”

He bit his lip to keep from laughing. “Down, girl.” He handed her the mug, groaning at the look of sheer bliss that crossed
her face. She’d had that same look on her face the first time his tongue had brushed against her clit. He gently lifted her
onto the countertop, careful not to spill a drop of the mug she cradled protectively against her chest. No way in hell was
he going to allow her to be hurt again, even by her favorite beverage.

She didn’t fight him as he spread her knees apart. He wasn’t even certain she noticed him at first. She was so wrapped
up in her caffeine intake she could be sitting on a purple elephant and not notice. He made sure he had one hand
wrapped around her mug when he touched her pussy.

“Simon?”

“I told you I wasn’t done eating breakfast.”

She shuddered as he circled her clit slowly. The coffee look isn’t the same. This one is much better.

“Drink up, sweetheart.”

She gulped and finished her mug in record time. Lifting it out of her hands he wrapped her legs around his waist and
carried her back to the bedroom.

Donuts be damned. He had something much sweeter in mind to nibble on.

Read an Excerpt from Cat of a Different Color:

“Where are we going?”

She could hear the smile in his voice. “My place.”

“No.”

“No what?”

“No, I’m not going to your place.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“Good. Take me back.”

“Nope.”

“Then what are you sorry for?”

“For disappointing you. You are going to my place.”

“Dr. Giordano,” she started to say.

He put his hand over her mouth. “My name is Adrian.”

“Mph rr hmph.”

“What?” Adrian took his hand off her mouth.

“Thank you.”

“Uh, you’re welcome?”

“Now take me back to the store.” She folded her arms across her chest again and glared at him, trying desperately not
to shiver with cold. He noticed it anyway and put the heater on.

“No.”

“Now.”

“No.”

“I mean it!”

“No.”

She growled. She freaking growled at him. “Adrian.”

“Sorry, mate, not happening, stop asking.” They pulled into a driveway. Just as he hit the garage door remote she opened
her car door and got out, intent on walking back to Wallflowers.
She’d only gotten about ten steps before he picked her up and slung her over his shoulder.

He patted her butt soothingly as she growled at him.

“Oh, no you don’t. I have your dog, remember?” The laughter in his voice merely caused her to snarl. She could feel her
eyes turning red with aggravation.

“Good morning, Dr. Giordano.”

“Good morning, Mrs. Anderson.” She felt him lift a hand off her butt to wave at someone.

“Isn’t that the newest Pride member?” the elderly lady asked in a scandalized whisper.

“Yes, and she’s my mate,” Adrian whispered back with wicked humor.

Sheri snarled again.

“Oh, good for you! Welcome to the neighborhood, young lady!”

“I’m being kidnapped against my will,” she called out calmly. One of them needed to remain sane.

“That’s nice, dear. Have a good day.”

She could feel him chuckling under her stomach and punched his ass as hard as she could. Double dork.

“Ow.” The slap he landed on her butt stung like hell. “Stop that.”

“Put me down!”

“Just let me get the dog…there you go,” he said as Jerry got out of his car and fell into step beside him. He slammed the
car door shut with his foot and carried her into the garage.

She glared at her dog and considered making him cat chow. “I want to go back.”

“Sorry, darlin’. No can do. Welcome home,” he purred as the garage door shut.

“Your car is still outside,” she pointed out, her teeth chattering a little in the cold air.

“But my mate is inside.” He ran his hand over her bottom. “Hmm, a thong? I love thongs.” He sighed happily.

“Pig,” she muttered, amused despite herself.

“Where you’re concerned? Oink oink.”

She choked back an outraged laugh as he carried her into the house. He didn’t put her down until they reached the
living room. She could see dark brown hardwood floors, the burnt sienna walls and the beige furniture with chocolate
and burnt sienna patterned cushions on it. The coffee table was a carved piece of dark wood, but she couldn’t bring the
carvings into focus. It looked so rich she longed to run her fingers over it and examine it more closely. She’d be able to
see it if she got close enough, but she didn’t want him to know she was interested in anything in his house. His furniture
was modern and comfortable. She found out how comfortable when he unceremoniously dumped her on the sofa. The
fabric had the soft feel of velvet under her fingertips, which meant it was probably microfiber. She damn near purred as
her hand stroked over it once, then twice before she remembered she was pissed. She decided to go on the attack.

“You’re not my mate.”

“Yes I am. Soda or juice?”

She opened her mouth to reply juice, then shook her head in disgust. “I’m leaving now.”

“Take one step towards that front door and you won’t sit down for a week,” he called back in the same cheerful tone of
voice he’d used to ask her drink preferences.

“I’ll call the cops and claim you kidnapped me!”

“Go ahead. The sheriff is one of us and Mrs. Anderson’s grandson to boot.”

“Ugh!”

“Yes, dear.” He handed her the juice with a grin, and she stifled the urge to throw it in his smug face.

She tried a different tack. “You don’t want a mate. You told me so.”

“True, I told you that.”

“I don’t want one either,” she growled.

“Too bad, so sad. You’re stuck with me.”

She bared her teeth at him as he sat down next to her, can of soda cradled in one big hand. “Not if I kill you first.”

He reached out and took her juice out of her hand. “You know,” he said, putting his can down next her juice, “I haven’t
marked you yet.”

She jumped up just as he leaned in. “Don’t even think about it!”

He sighed, lounging back against the cushions. “You’re my mate. I’m your mate. I’ll bite you, you’ll probably bite me-”

“But not where you’d want me to.”

He glared at her, finally losing some of that cheer. “Is this because I said I didn’t want a mate?”

She rolled her eyes. “Dork.”

“Because if you say it’s to protect me from Parker I’m really going to paddle your ass.”

She shook her finger at him. “You’ve had as much touchy-feely on my butt as you’re going to get. Eep!” He’d pounced up
from the sofa and grabbed her, both hands landing on her ass and pulling her tightly into his body. He ground his hips
against hers, letting her feel the erection under his slacks. “Oh, my,” she gasped.

He took her sunglasses off, his dark eyes flaring gold as they caught the bright red of hers. “You are so fucking beautiful,
you know that?”

“I’m not,” she muttered.

His smile was slow and sensuous. He looked at her like she was a bowl of cream and he wanted to lap her up. “Oh yes,
you are.”
One hand continued to hold her against him; the other dropped her glasses on the sofa and lifted to caress her hair.
“Do you know what I thought when I first saw you?”

“Crap?”

He huffed a laugh. “No. I thought you looked like a snow princess.”

“Snow princess. How original,” she sneered, trying not to let his nearness (and his erection) distract her. It would have
worked if her voice hadn’t been trembling.

“I wanted to throw you down on the floor and fuck you until we both passed out.”

Her knees wobbled.

“Then I wanted to mark you and hide you away so no one would ever see you again, want you again. Do you know why?”

“Pheromones?” she replied weakly. Her nipples were beading beneath her bra, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

His hand began to caress her ass again. “Because you’re mine.”

She frowned. If it wasn’t for his damn scent she’d be kicking him in the nuts for that one. “I belong to no one.”

“It’s okay. Because I’m yours,” he whispered before he took her mouth in a kiss that nearly dropped her to the floor. This
was no gentle persuasion, no first-date kiss. This was a warrior staking a claim to his woman, invading her mouth
roughly, no quarter given, forcing her lips and teeth to part for him with all the finesse of a raging, hormonal bull. And
she loved it. His hand on her ass tightened to the point of pain, and the one in her hair clenched and pulled until her
mouth was exactly where he wanted it.

He plundered her, claimed her even without his bite, and she reveled in it. In the past lovers had treated her like spun
glass, with delicate care, almost as if they were afraid they’d break her. They’d ignored her strength. Adrian not only
acknowledged it, he savored it. She practically climbed his body, burying both hands in his short dark hair and placing
his mouth where she wanted it. He helped by cradling her ass in both hands, pulling her in tighter against him. She
wrapped both legs around his waist and moaned as they continued to orally assault one another.

When he reared back and bit her, marking her, she came so hard she saw stars. He hadn’t even bothered to push the
cloth of her shirt aside. He’d bitten her right through it, the savagery of the act heightening her arousal to a peak she
hadn’t even known was possible.

“Bed. Now,” he muttered.

“Mm-hmm.”

"(Becky) is sassy and her snappy dialogue with Simon and her friends make for some humorous moments. There are some
suspenseful moments as well and the love scenes really make the story special. I can't wait to read the next book in the
series." 4 Hearts,The Romance Studio

"What a fun book this is. There's just enough humor interspersed throughout combined with the action to make this a quick
read where you'll laugh out loud quite a bit. The rest of the time you're just chuckling. Well, at least when you're not cheering
the hero on to kick the villain's ass, that is.", A, The Good, The Bad, The Unread

Halle Pumas Books 1, 2 & 3
Genre: Paranormal Romance

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ISBN: 1-978-60504-765-2

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