“You’ve been quiet tonight,” Kisten said. “Are you sure you’re okay?” His fingers began tracing a path along my neck, hunting for my demon scar, hidden under my perfect skin, and the light touch tickled.

He was asking after me, but I knew his thoughts were on Ivy’s kiss. And with his fingers bringing my scar alight to mix the memory of it with the sensations he was pulling from me, I stifled a shudder of adrenaline. “I’ve a lot on my mind,” I said, not liking how his touch and the memory of Ivy’s kiss combined. I was confused enough already.

Turning in his arms to face him, I drew out of his reach, scrambling for something else to focus on. “I think I’ve gotten in over my head this time, is all. With the Weres?”

Kisten’s blue eyes went soft. “After watching you curb two of Cincinnati’s more influential packs, I would say that no, you aren’t over your head.” His smile widened, taking on a tinge of pride. “It was great watching you work, Rachel. You’re good at this.”

A puff of disbelief escaped me. It wasn’t the Weres that had me worried, but how I’d gotten them to back off. Exasperated, I threw my head back against the top of the couch and closed my eyes. “Couldn’t you see me shaking?”

My eyes flew open when Kisten’s weight shifted, and I slid into him. Our hair mingled, and with his lips brushing my ear he said, “No.” His breath came and went on my shoulder, and I didn’t move but for sending my fingers to play with his torn earlobe. “I like a woman who can take care of herself,” he added. “Watching you got me all hot.”

I couldn’t help my smile, but it faded distressingly fast. “Kisten?” I said, feeling vulnerable despite having his arms around me. “Really, I’m scared. But not about the Weres.”

Kisten’s searching fingers stopped. Removing his encircling arm, he leaned back and took my hands in his. “What is it?” he said, concern heavy in his gaze.

Embarrassed, I looked at our twined fingers and saw the differences. “I had to use the threat of a demon to get them to back off.” I lifted my gaze, seeing the worry etching his brow. “It makes me feel like a demon practitioner,” I finished. “I’m an idiot for using a demon as a bluff. Or a coward, maybe.”

“Love…” Kisten drew my head to rest against his chest. “You aren’t a coward or a practitioner. It’s a bluff, and a damned good one.”