I smelled cedarwood, thunderstorms. I knew that scent. Expectancy and panic warred as I looked around for the source, and Mys met my gaze across the crowded establishment.

I hadn't seen Aurie's friend since the interlude in the alley. I wasn't ready to see the Empath. Flashes of erotic memory exploded in my mind: The taste of their minty kiss. The sound of their moan. The feel of them in my arms. Aurie's visible excitement at catching us. Passion tugged at me.

"Sorry. What?" I glanced at Tegan squeezing my hand.

Her flustered expression softened when she succeeded in getting my attention. "I said I'm glad we picked this place. I miss going out with you."

"Yeah. Wanna sit here?" I pointed out a table. Any table.

As we took seats, Tegan launched into a conversation I hardly heard over the music and a pounding headache—a sign too long a stretch had passed since my last transformation. I needed to get to my cabin soon or I'd lose control, triggered by seeing Mys on a date, for instance.

And out with the mayor?

Seeing them forced me to deal with the amassing complications of this case. Not only did Aurie's mother think I was incompetent and distracted, but the actual distraction was away from the task I had assigned. Mys was supposed to be watching Aurie. I wanted to say something. It would make me look jealous.

Because I was jealous. Aurie was fine at the protected studio. This was simply business, as usual, for Mys.

I rubbed my face, trying not to stare. A server stopped beside me, and I absently ordered tonic water. My partner asked for the same. Tegan's confession to Mrs. Edison that she had been treated for alcoholism had been news to me, although I vaguely recalled her mentioning AA. I had been preoccupied lately.

Again, my attention shot across the room as the suave mayor leaned toward Mys with a pleasant smile. My restless foot-tapping jostled our table. Tegan slid a hand over my knee. "What's wrong with you, big guy? It's like you're ready for war."

"Nahin. We haven't been out together in a while, that's all. What's up?"

"You don't remember, do you?" Her tone made me suppress my emotions and try to focus because the stiffness of her smile and her wounded eyes told me I should remember. I wracked my brain, snapping my fingers as it came to me.

"Wait a minute, it's your birthday, isn't it?"

"Yeah, thirty-two today! Now, tell me I don't look a day over twenty-five."

"You don't."

"Stop lying!" Tegan howled. I shrugged and chuckled. It was the truth. She was fit, and she took great care of her herself. She was undeniably attractive.

"Birthday jitters behind the extra-flirty attention lately?" I asked. I crossed my arms on the table and tried to relax. She flushed, erupting in giggles.

"I have not been extra-flirty."

"You have," I said lightly. "I don't want people like Mrs. Edison thinking there's chemistry between us."

"Point taken," she conceded as amused blue eyes met mine. "I guess getting older has me feeling slightly out of sorts. I never thought I'd live to be my age."

"I guess in our line of work—"

"No, not that." She snorted a laugh. "Want to know something? I lied about being a clumsy kid. It's embarrassing to admit I was abused growing up. Go figure, I married Reggie. After him, I vowed to never be under anyone else's thumb, but I can't seem to stop making the same mistakes!" She laughed, and it sounded forced.

I nodded again, staring at Mys.

Tegan sighed. "And my thirty-two years feel way too heavy. I'd love a fucking drink, but I'm twenty days sober after a hard detox. If I fall off the wagon, I have to double my volunteer hours to pay for it."

"Double your volunteer hours? AA makes you volunteer?"

Shaking her head, Tegan bit her lip and grinned at me. "Know what? I hear sex gets better after thirty. Make me feel my age."

I blew out a breath at the come-on that came out of nowhere. The way I was feeling, I probably needed to take her up on the offer, but I glanced across the pub. Yep, Mys was watching. I was certain Tegan and I appeared intimate, especially when my partner grabbed my hand and brought it to her face.

A part of me was glad the futanari had no idea Tegan worked with me. They were out with—A gorgeous blonde joined the couple's table, and the facts clarified—friends. They were out with friends. It wasn't a date. It was a friendly night on the town, and desire was truly fucking with my head.

Inwardly berating myself, I extricated my hand from Tegan's grasp. "Hey, listen to me. You're smart, vibrant, and sexy. I'm not just blowing smoke up your pretty little ass. You really are. You can do so much better than a one-night stand with a guy like me," I said to her.

"My god! Tell me you're not interested. I can handle it!" Tegan said jovially. My gaze slid to Mys reacting to something her glamorous blonde friend was saying, and my heart rate accelerated. Tegan casually peered in the direction I was looking. "Oh, I see," she drawled.

"See what?" I sat straighter.

"You've been staring since we came in. I thought she was an ex, but is she someone current? Why don't you invite her over?"

"No, of course not. There's no, um...Would you excuse me?"

I made a mad dash for the men's room, knowing my answers wouldn't hold up to Tegan's skillful interrogation techniques. As I slipped to the walled-off corridor where the restrooms were located, Mys followed. My glare warned them to stay put, but they ignored me. We entered together, and I locked the door behind us.

"What are you doing?" I hissed.

"What do you think I'm doing?"

"I thought you were—" I stopped, unwilling to admit my error.

Mys crossed their arms. "Out playing escort? Yeah, you've battered me with your disapproval since you got here. For your information, I'm—"

"Out with friends. I got it."

"Good...And you?" Mys shifted weight from one foot to the other. I smiled, surprised and pleased that it mattered. I casually swept back my blazer, hands on my hips, as I stood with legs slightly gapped. My eyes roved their captivating face, noting the purple contacts, the straight black hair accentuating the flawless skin.

"She's my partner. There's nothing there," I murmured.

"Oh."

"That's it?" I asked, stepping forward.

Mys backed against the wall. "No, I followed you in here because I sensed what you were feeling."

"You sensed how much I wanted to do this?" My teeth caught the corner of their jaw, and I inhaled their stormy, sexy scent before turning and capturing their trembling lips in a rough kiss. The futanari emitted a moan, and I retreated a half-step with a shaky laugh. "You must be psychic because I wasn't even sure I wanted it."

"That's the irony," Mys whispered. "I usually know what people want before they're sure themselves. For example, I know you want to be in control. You don't want to do anything crazy tonight. Yet, you're all riled up."

"Generalizations. I'm calling your psychic bluff."

"I'm not a psychic. I'm an Empath. There's a difference, and I'm glad I ran into you here tonight because I sense you're ready for that 'favor for a favor,' Detective. It's for Aurie. She needs you," Mys breathed against my lips, unzipping my pants. I lifted a brow. "The crush wasn't her unfinished business, but you can still give her the release she deserves."

I shook my head and chuckled. "I'm listening," I said as my mouth coasted over theirs again.