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"No" He glowered at her Nothing on earth could er Caitlyn’s life
"Dammit," Caitlyn or, but each time the results remained the same
"Well, at least you’re consistent" Toni yanked the knife out of Igor’s groin
"I really was ai for his chest"
Toni strolled toward her with an a soer toward Carlos?"
"No Okay, yes But I don’t have a secret desire to castrate hi for him, don’t you think?"
Toni chuckled as she set the knives on the billiard table "I am still in shock I can’t believe you two areinvolved Just two days ago, I thought he was gay"
Caitlyn’s gaze wandered to the mat where she and Carlos had rolled around in passion "Definitely not gay"
"I can see that The sparks were flying off you two"
With a shrug, Caitlyn sluainst the billiard table "You heard him He’s deterht for hiht for hiive up" Toni yawned "These men can be a little slow, but eventually they co" Caitlyn folded her ar have you known Carlos?"
"About five years He wasto NYU You couldn’t ask for a better friend He helped me rescue my roommate when she was in trouble And he saved ht She’d accused hi a chicken, but she knew better She kneas brave and strong and everything she’d ever wanted in a man "He rescued the were-panther children, too"
"Yes I don’t know much about that other than he and Fernando ended up as the kids’ guardians"
"Is Fernando a were-panther, then?" Caitlyn asked
"No, he’s mortal I don’t kno he fits in exactly Carlos has always been very close-mouthed about whatever happened in Brazil But you should be able toin to stay with the kids while Carlos goes on his trip"
Caitlyn nodded "I would like to ain"
"They told ain "I’ll "
"Thank you Where is the school?"
"The location is secret A Vamp will teleport you there"
Teleport? Caitlyn smiled That would be an adventure in itself "Great I’ forward to it"
Toni headed for the door "Let’s take a break I’ a nap in the ht with Ian"
Caitlyn followed her up the stairs "A nap sounds wonderful I didn’t get ht"
They crossed the foyer to theHe appeared to be sanding a spot on the banister
"What’s wrong?" Toni asked
He straightened with a jerk "Nothing"
A surge of tenderness spread through Caitlyn How adorable could he be? He was repairing the holes he’d made with his claws She wanted to run up the stairs and shts jolted with a sudden realization She wanted to love hio This was more than an attraction More than lust More than curiosity She was falling in love
He caus and E a break for a few hours," Toni explained as she started up the stairs "I’ll be on the fifth floor"
"All right" Carlos reached the base of the stairs
"I’aze met hers, and she could swear the a like hot coals
Why don’t you join me? She wished she had the nerve to say it out loud If the heat in his eyes was any indication, he was already thinking it
"Sleep well, Catalina," he whispered, then strode to the kitchen
Her heart sank as she watched the kitchen door swing shut in his wake
"Hey," Toni said softly, halfway to the landing "Don’t give up"
Caitlyn nodded and headed up the stairs She knew Carlos was attracted to her He’d ad it so hard? What was he protecting her fro nap, she took a hot shower and readied herself for a trip to the school where Raquel and Coco lived She called Shanna to learn on Nest Academy Her sister had founded the school so that hybrid, shape shifter, and a few mortal children who knew too much could all learn in an environment where they would be free to be themselves
The current roster of students included Constantine, a group of ten outcast olf boys, five were-panther children, and two mortal students, Bethany and Lucy
As the sun neared the horizon, Caitlyn left her rooo to the kitchen Just as she started down the stairs, the doorbell rang She quickened her steps so she could answer the door, then halted on the landing Carlos was already at the security panel, punching in the number to turn off the alarm He opened the door to reveal a tall, handsorin
"Carlos!" The e suitcase behind hirabbed him by the shoulders and quickly pecked each cheek "Thank you for couese She hesitated on the landing, reluctant to interrupt their reunion, but not wanting to eavesdrop, either
Fernando let a large tote bag slide off his shoulder to land on the floor "You know I’d do anything for you" He wrapped his ar, his eyes squeezed shut As the two men continued to hold each other, Caitlyn’s psychic senses tingled There were no words spoken, no language for her to co between the two men
Goose bumps skittered up her arms This was deeper than co that tied theand tender, and it had her co for an explanation They were both guardians of the children Had they rescued theether in order to save the children? Whatever had happened, she sensed it had been traumatic for both men
Fernando leaned back and placed a hand on Carlos’s cheek "I missed your face"
Caitlyn’s breath stuck in her throat There was nothe love in Fernando’s eyes And Carlos, his eyes were gli with tears She pressed a hand to her chest Was this why Carlos kept rejecting her? But he’d said he wasn’t gay It didn’t ht to witness this