Microsoft Word - Corey-Toni_Griffin.doc (13 page)

"Yeah, trust me. I understand the implications, not only to me and my pack, but shifters in general. I'll be far more careful in the future. There is no way in hell I want to be responsible for announcing our presence to the nation at large, all because I made one little error."

Ben nodded at Corey and then turned back to

Damon.

"I appreciate you taking the time to come out here. I

130

Corey Toni

Griffin

know this can't be an easy position we've put you in, but we would appreciate it if you could bury the evidence. How long are you going to be in town for?" Ben asked him.

"I wasn't sure what I would find when I arrived and so I booked a return flight for a week's time." Damon smiled at them and ran his fingers through his short black hair. There wasn't a lot of it. It was almost military short. "I figured that would give me sufficient time to do some investigating if need be or if that wasn't required, I'd use the time for a short break. I haven't had a holiday in two years and I've never been to this part of the state. I can always change my flights and go home early if needed."

Joseph started to fuss in Tommy's arms and he excused himself to go care for the now crying baby.

"You're welcome to stay as long as you want, and you're also welcome to the use of our pack lands if you would like to go for a run. Just let me know first, and I'll have someone go with you so there's no trouble."

"Thank you, Penneath Alpha Taylor. That's very generous," Damon said, as he bowed his head.

Ben reached into his pocket, pulled out a business card, and handed it over to the policeman. Damon glanced at it then tucked it into the pocket of his dress slacks.

"Thank you, again. I'll be in contact throughout the week. If you need to contact me for some reason, I can be

131

Corey Toni

Griffin

reached on the mobile listed." He then handed Ben a business card and Lieutenant Kelly said his goodbyes and left the house. Corey saw him to the door.

His mate looked troubled and angry with himself when he came back into the room.

Ben had sat back down on the couch while Corey was gone and his mate sank into one of the chairs. Ethan, wanting to offer Corey a little comfort, got up and walked over to him before sitting down on the arm of the chair and taking Corey's hand in his own.

"Don't beat yourself up over this, Corey. It was bound to happen eventually. And, as you said, I can't blame you for having a scattered mind the morning after you dealt with me and my breakdown, Tommy having Joseph, and you finally pulling your head out of your ass and claiming your mate. It's understandable." Ben looked at him then narrowed his eyes a little.

"Just please be more careful in the future. We don't need a repeat performance of this."

"You got it," Corey said. Ethan could still tell his mate wasn't happy with himself though, no matter what Ben said to him.

"Let's head back to your place," Ethan said, and squeezed Corey's hand gently.

Corey looked at him and smiled. "How about we

132

Corey Toni

Griffin

make it
our
place?"

"On that note, I'm going to go find my mate and son," Ben announced, as he stood and left the room.

"Huh?"

"I want you to move in with me, Ethan. Please. You spend every night at the house as it is. I love waking up with you in the morning and going to sleep holding you in my arms every night. I want to see your things next to mine, filling up the spaces like they belong together."

Corey tugged and Ethan fell down into his lap.

"So what do you say?" he asked.

"Yes. I would love to live with you." Ethan reached up and cupped the side of Corey's face as he dragged Corey down to him. Their lips met and Ethan felt his body light up at the touch of his mate. Their tongues duelled and Ethan felt his prick start to respond. He could also feel Corey's start to harden under his ass.

"Let's go home," Corey whispered to him, as he pressed another light kiss to Ethan's lips. He didn't take this one any further though.

Home. Ethan had never really had a home before. It was something he'd longed for his entire life after his parents had passed away. Now his dream was finally coming true and all because this one man had chosen to take a chance on him and bet his heart that Ethan wouldn't

133

Corey Toni

Griffin

hurt him.

"I love you," Ethan whispered. "Thank you for giving me everything I've always wanted."

"Ah, babe, I love you too. I may have fought it tooth and nail, but there was just no stopping you." Corey leant down and kissed him again, this time with heat and passion, their tongues tangling, their hands roaming each other's bodies.

Ethan forgot where they were and leant back, only to encounter air. He fell to the ground, Corey following him down, their lips never separating. Ethan laughed as the breath was knocked from him.

Ethan knew his life had changed in ways he'd never thought possible when he'd first applied for the position as Ben's assistant. He never thought he'd ever have a real home. Now, Ethan not only had friends he could see being in his life for a long time to come, but he also had a mate he loved more than words could ever express. Who knew what the future may hold. One day, Corey and he might just add to their little family of two.

134

About the Author

Toni Griffin lives in Darwin, the smallest of Australia's capital cities. Born and raised in the state, she's a Territorian through and through. Growing up, Toni hated English with a passion (as her editors can probably attest to) and found her strength lies with numbers. Now, though, she loves escaping to the worlds she creates and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come.

She's a single mother of one and works full time. When she's not writing, you can just about guarantee that she will be reading one of the many MM authors she loves.

Feel free to drop her a line anytime at [email protected]

Webpage:

www.tonigriffin.net

Blog:

www.tonigriffin.blogspot.com

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/toni.griffin.author#!/toni.griffin.a uthor

Email:

[email protected]

Titles by Toni Griffin

Available at
Silver Publishing
:

My Christmas Present

A Very Holland Christmas

HOT ENCOUNTERS

Frankie's Vamp

Bryce's Cop

THE THOMPSON AGENCY

Dealing with the Dead

Dealing with the Past

THE ATHERTON PACK

Liam

Ben

Corey

Available at
Mischief Corner Books
:

"A Bear in the Woods"
in the
Cabin for Two
anthology

"Archie's Accidental Kidnapping"
in the
Horns and Halos
collection

"Once a Cowboy"
in the
Hot off the Range
anthology (Coming Soon)

THE HOLLAND BROTHERS

Unexpected Mate

Determined Mate

Protective Mate
(Coming Soon)

Forbidden Mate
(Coming Soon)

Available at
Extasy Books
:

TASSIE WOLVES

Hidden Wolf

Reviews

Liam

Toni Griffin's
Liam, Atherton Pack 1 is a delightful follow up to the
Holland Brothers series
and well worth the read…

Ms. Griffin
does a wonderful job of easing into the new series as she uses references to the Holland Brothers and keeps the flow from one series to the next. I enjoyed the easy banter she wrote between Liam and his fellow pack mates and the care they all felt for each other. I look forward to reading many more installments of the Atherton Pack and the newly mated couples, with a few surprises to follow. Another well-developed series, that will keep me interested for many books to come.

Rated 4 Delightful Divas!

—Elise at Dark Divas Reviews

My Christmas Present

This is a romantic, sweet, and very sexy story about a younger man who has been in love with his father's best friend for nine years. Now that he's finished with university, he is no longer willing to take no for an answer and goes to get his man. They both have help from the most unexpected person of all and, boy, do the sparks fly!

If you like hot and sexy stories, reading about men working on a ranch in Australia (with all the cowboy-ness that entails) and enjoy the main characters having to overcome some (minor) obstacles before they can admit they love each other, you will probably like this story as much as I did.

—Serena at Rainbow Book Reviews

Dealing with the Dead

"Toni Griffin starts a new series, The Thomson Agency, with Dealing with the Dead."

Toni Griffin's Dealing with the Dead is the first book in The Thompson Agency series. With six more brothers, we have much enjoyment to anticipate. Jayden was an amazing hero with his abilities that far surpassed what his family though. Noah was a perfect match. The reason he needed Jayden was a perfect way to bring them together. Cleverly written, with heat and surprises, Dealing with the Dead by Toni Griffin will quickly become a readers' favorite with all of us anxiously awaiting the next story.

4.5 Stars

—Sensual Reads

*

Wow. Toni Griffin has created a new series that is unique and extremely interesting. I love when we find a new series and we can discover a new world within the pages of a book. this world that we are introduced to is just like yours or mine, but it has the added wonder of Necromancers, Shifters, Witches, Vampires and Fey (although we only meet necromancers in this one). We are given detailed information about what a necromancer does (so no zombies floating about) and the mating details as well.

I loved that necromancers are shown in a very favorable light, and that the paranormals don't seem to be shunned, but seemed to be embraced by society. a refreshing change from having to hide or being hunted. I am really looking forward to the rest of the series, so I can get to know the brothers better.

I recommend this to those who love the paranormal, alternative worlds, necromancers, hot men, a great storyline, hot sex and a very, very happy ending. This is a very easy story to read and you can just relax and enjoy so give it a go.

4½ Stars

—Pixie at MM Good Book Reviews