Taming Kiera (Therian Agents Book 3) Read Free Page A

feeling that Riley was holding something back. So much had happened while Kiera had been trapped in animal form, and the small pieces she could remember did little to curb her apprehension.
    But if she wanted out of there, she needed someone to teach her how to maintain her human form.
    “I can stay with Riley. The man she’s living with is a…” She licked her lips, wincing at the word. “Metamorph, isn’t he?”
    It wasn’t an ideal situation. Her sister claimed the man had marked her, made her his mate. Whatever that meant. The entire situation was like something out of the movies. But, Twilight had nothing on reality.
    “Turner won’t always be there. Riley would never be able to defend herself if you shifted.” Jacob’s left eye twitched slightly.
    “You think I’m a danger to her?” A chill shot through her body and she couldn’t suppress the shiver that ran down her spine. She wiped her palms over her light blue hospital gown.
    “Can you guarantee that you won’t shift?”
    Kiera closed her eyes and rubbed her temple. No matter how much she hated it, he was right. Until she learned how to control the beast inside of her, she wasn’t just a threat to Riley, she was a threat to everyone.
    “So I’m stuck here.”
    “There’s another option.” He met her gaze coolly. 
    She cast him a suspicious look. “What?”
    “You can stay with me.” He ran his hand over the dark scruff on his jaw. 
    “With you?” She smiled until she realized he was serious. “I barely know you. Why would you take me in?”
    “I have the space and I can train you.” He rocked back on his heels and his lips thinned. “You’ll be safe.”
    She had no doubt she’d be safe with him, but he still didn’t answer her question. “Why?”
    “It’s my job.” He crossed his arms over his chest, the outline of every knot and muscle well defined.
    Living with him was an interesting option. If the man wasn’t so uptight, she’d suggest sharing a room. A small giggle tickled the back of her throat. She could only imagine his response.
    The corner of his lips turned down as if he could read her thoughts.
    Her cheeks warmed and she glanced down at the tiled floor.  Shit. Was she that transparent?
    She cleared her throat. “It’s your job to take random strangers into your house?”
    “You can stay here if you prefer,” he said tightly.
    No. That wasn’t an option she wanted to consider. She needed fresh air, space to breathe, and most important, she needed her brushes and paints. Everything would be better once she could paint again.
    “Okay.” She tilted her chin and gave a brisk nod.
    “Okay?” His eyes widened.
    “I’ll stay with you. But I have a few rules.”
    Jacob’s golden eyes narrowed on her. “What kind of rules?”
    “First, I want my art supplies…and my clothes. I need a room to work, where I won’t be interrupted.”
    “That can be arranged. Anything else?”
    “This has got to stop.” She waved her hands at him. “The hovering. Acting like I’m fragile, like I’m going to break at any moment.”
    She slid off the bed and winced as her feet hit the icy floor. With teeth clenched, she ripped the tape off her IV and pulled the needle out.
    He opened his mouth as if to argue, then snapped it shut. She swore she could hear his teeth grinding.
    “I’ll ask for help if I need it.” She grabbed the duffle bag her sister had brought and tossed it on the bed, pulling out a pair of jeans and a black Jimmy Hendrix t-shirt. She reached behind her neck and pulled the string that loosely held the hospital gown she wore.
    “What are you doing?” he growled.
    “Getting dressed.” The gown dropped to the floor, exposing her pink lace bra and panties. She shot him a satisfied smile when his eyes went wide and his face turned red.
    “Shit.” He spun around so his back was to her and raked his fingers through his hair, making it stand on end.
    It was more of a reaction than she’d expected. She