by Dana Archer
She wrapped her legs around his waist. More. She needed more.
What they were doing was naughty. Wild. Completely unlike her. It only made her crave Rafe more. She loved the humming energy buzzing through her.
“Jasmine,” he groaned against her lips.
She heard the unspoken question, but the music drifting to her ears reminded her the hallway wasn’t the place to indulge in each other. “Not here.”
He twisted the handle and shoved the door at her back open with a push of their bodies. They stumbled into the office. Without breaking their kiss, he lowered her to the couch.
Somebody clearing their throat froze them both.
“I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed back here.”
Jazz looked past Rafe’s shoulders. Susan, the head waitress, stood at the doorway, her gaze downcast and a blush staining her cheeks.
“I really don’t want to call security, but I will.” The pleading tone in Susan’s voice was clear.
“No need.” Rafe stood, pulling Jazz with him. “We’ll make our way to the bar.”
“I really should—”
“One drink, Jazz.”
She opened her mouth to tell him she couldn’t. She was driving. He pressed a finger to her lips.
“No excuses. You can have a soda. Call your neighbor. Tell him you’ll be a little late.” He held out his cell phone for her.
“I already did. The boys wanted to watch another episode anyway.”
“Then you have no reason not to have a drink unless you’re not interested in getting to know me.”
Not interested? Here she was trying to stop dreams from taking root, and he was suggesting she didn’t want to learn more about him? Then again, she had tried to push him away earlier. “One drink, and then I really need to leave.”
Rafe smiled, triumph in his eyes. “Perfect.”
He took her hand, twining their fingers, and walked by Susan without so much as glancing in her direction. Jazz did, though, and caught Susan ogling Rafe’s backside. The nerve of her. Jazz glared at the woman, but Susan gave a thumbs up and winked. The flash of jealousy eased. Jazz grinned.
They made their way to a darkened section of the main bar area.
Rafe wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. “I’m sorry. I thought she’d walk by. I should’ve closed the door behind us.”
“It’s probably a good thing she interrupted us. It’s late. I really need to start enforcing a bedtime. The boys are going to kindergarten in the fall and waking up before noon is going to be a shock to them.”
They’d sleep most of the day away if she let them. Their animals liked to nap, so they did too.
“I understand. My mother had a hard time sticking to rules where my baby sister was concerned too. My parents had prayed for a daughter for many, many years. They kept popping out boys. When our family was finally blessed with a little girl, we all treated her like the princess she was. She got away with a lot.”
“Was? Did she die?”
“No. Not exactly.”
“I don’t understand.”
“She disappeared a long time ago. We searched for her, but couldn’t find her. The private detectives we hired ran into dead end after dead end, and the police gave up.” He stepped away from her. “We still keep our eyes out, hoping one day we’ll find her. Hasn’t happened yet.”
She stood on her tiptoes and caressed his jaw. “I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, my Jasmine. Your words comfort me more than I can express.”
The butterflies in her belly took flight. “You know, I’m starting to enjoy the odd way you talk. It makes me feel as if I’ve walked into a world where princesses wait to be swept away by knights in shining armor.”
He grinned. “You would make a beautiful princess.”
“Would I?”
“One to be fought for.” He twirled a lock of her hair around a finger. “What about me? Would I fill the role of your knight in shining armor?”
She ran her hands over his chest. The sensation of hard muscle under her palms sent a shiver of awareness through her body. “I don’t know if any horse would be able to carry you for long. I see you more as a warrior. Maybe a conqueror.”
“One who demands the bonny ladies as his reward after a battle?” He swept her into his arms. She gasped and grabbed his shoulders. “Oh yes, I like this fantasy, and in it I get to choose you as my booty.” He bent closer so his golden brown eyes filled her vision. “I think I might keep you.”
Her breath hitched. “I think you have a wild imagination.”
“Or a hopeful one.”
She pushed against his shoulder. “Put me down. People are starting to stare.”
“Let them. It’s not my fault the men in this town were stupid enough not to claim you.”
She caught her lip to stop her grin. “You know how to flatter a woman, don’t you?”
“I’m only telling the truth.”
“Are you now?”
“Yes, and I’ll give you another fact.” He focused his lust-hazed gaze on her. “I want you.”
The look in his eyes told her exactly what he desired from her. She wanted to give in to her body’s needs too. Tonight wasn’t the right time for it. Being late because she got caught up in the moment was one thing. Ignoring her responsibilities to have sex with a man she barely knew was another.
“Look, what we did wasn’t normal for me. I’m not like that. Easy.”
“I know.” He set her on her feet and took her hand. “Come on, let’s get our drinks before it gets any later.”
“Sounds good.”
He led her across the dance floor, weaving around the couples swaying to the music. Susan stepped from the bar, a tray of drinks held high. A guy seated on one of the stools yelled for another beer, calling her a slew of derogatory terms that made Jazz cringe. She hated how rude some people could be after they had a few drinks in them.
Rafe headed Susan’s way. He released Jazz’s hand and laid his fingertips on Susan’s arm. “Let me handle this.”
Susan sucked in a rough breath and jerked. The tray she held tipped, spilling beer all over Jazz. The pitcher and glasses shattered on the floor, spraying more booze on her legs.
Jazz gasped.
“Oh no!” Susan dropped to her knees and gathered the largest pieces of glass. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Jazz ran a hand over her top. She was soaked. “Accidents happen.”
Rafe moved closer but didn’t touch Jazz. She couldn’t blame him. Who wanted to go home smelling like a brewery?
“Are you hurt?” Rafe asked her.
Jazz shook her head. “Just wet.”
Susan dropped the handle of the pitcher on the tray and reached for another jagged section. “I don’t know what got into me.”
“No.” Rafe grabbed Susan’s shoulders and urged her to stand. “It’s my fault. I startled you.”
“Look at you, Jazz.” Susan pressed a hand to her mouth. “I ruined your outfit.”
Jazz smoothed her damp skirt. “It’ll wash out.” She’d just smell like stale beer until then.
“I have extra clothes in my locker.” She motioned to the employee hallway. “You can at least dry off and put them on. I’ll get your clothes cleaned.”
“I think that sounds like a good idea,” Rafe added. “Otherwise your car will smell too.”
“Yes, okay.” Jazz followed Susan back to the employee break room.
She cleaned up, using a wet cloth to wipe the stickiness from her skin left by the drinks, then tugged on Susan’s spare clothes—shorts and a T-shirt with a black widow spider on it. The stench of booze still clung to Jazz. Her hair had gotten sprayed too. Seth and Levi would cringe when she picked them up. There’d be no hugs from them tonight. Just as well. They’d smell a strange man on her. She didn’t want to have to answer any questions about Rafe, not until after their first date.
Rafe waited for her in the hallway. He gave
her a small smile. “This was a memorable first meeting, wasn’t it?”
She tugged on the too tight shirt. It barely covered her stomach. “Yes, I’ll say. Let’s hope our first date is less action-filled.”
“I’m sure it’ll be pleasurable.” He raised his gaze from her chest to her face. “No matter what we end up doing.”
She blew out a slow breath. “I hope so.”
A pleased grin spread across his mouth. “How about a rain check on the drink so you can go home and shower?”
“I’d like that.”
They left the bar, and Rafe walked straight in the direction of her car, not even pausing by the other ones or asking where she’d parked. The memory of him inhaling deeply after she’d lied returned. A feeling of unease slithered over her. Hadn’t she thought how similar the act was to the way her boys tasted the air? They told her they could tell when people were lying. They could also track people by scent alone.
Part of her felt silly for even allowing the doubt to take root. Shifters were rare. The odds of Rafe being one were slim. But the whispered warning Seth and Levi’s birth mother had given repeated in Jazz’s head.
“If you ever cross paths with a shifter, run with my boys as far and as fast as you can. They’re special. Others will hurt them because of it.”
Jazz didn’t doubt the threat that existed. She’d seen firsthand what awaited them if the wrong people got hold of them, but Rafe didn’t come across as evil or cruel.
“Our males lie. They pretend to be good, but they’re not. They’re animals, and if given the chance, they’ll hurt those weaker than them just because they can. But they don’t have to be like that. Not if they learn respect. Please, Jazz. If we get separated, you will teach my boys to be kind. I don’t want them to end up like their father.”
Jazz stopped and jerked her chin toward her car. “Why do you think I parked there?”
He glanced from the cluster of vehicles to her. “Your keys. You drive a Ford, and I figured you’d be parked by a light.”
Intuitive or something more? She really didn’t want to be suspicious of Rafe. But if she was wrong and something happened to her boys, she’d never forgive herself.
“Why not think I parked there?” She pointed toward the lot closest to the bar.
“I’m sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I just assumed that since you arrived so late you would’ve been forced to park as far away as I did.”
He pivoted and headed toward the other lot.
Embarrassment choked her. “Wait. You were right. I was just curious, I guess. You’re a very observant man.”
He glanced at her, a careful mask hiding his features. “It’s second nature, I suppose. A consequence of my…job.”
“Really? What do you do?”
“Security.”
The job fit him. She could easily see him working as a bodyguard for some important official or maybe a rock star. She grinned at the possibilities and followed him to her car. She unlocked the door, but Rafe planted his hands on either side of her body, preventing her from opening it.
“I don’t want to let you go. Invite me home.”
She wanted to. Her boys were already at Mr. Wilkins’. They’d slept over there before, but they didn’t have their favorite stuffed animals or their toothbrushes.
Jazz shook her head. “I can’t, not tonight.”
“Because of your boys.” He sighed. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have asked, but you make me wild. I can’t get enough of you.”
“Same here, but I can’t. I hadn’t planned for my boys to stay over tonight. That’s not fair to them or Mr. Wilkins.”
“Your neighbor?”
“Yes, Mr. Wilkins loves my kids and wouldn’t mind having them stay, but I can’t expect him to do so without talking to him first.”
“Can I meet them? Your boys.”
She grinned, warmed by his interest in her kids. Maybe he was exactly the man she’d been waiting for. “Not right away. I don’t want them to meet you, maybe get attached and have them be let down when you leave. I won’t do that to them.”
“I understand, but I have no intention of leaving anytime soon. My job requires I stay here for a while.” He ran his fingertips over her shoulder to the edge of her sleeve. “And plans change. I have no one to go home to once my job is done. Maybe I’ll stay permanently.”
“Oh, well…”
He skimmed the back of his hand down the front of her shirt. Her thoughts scattered, not that she knew what she’d planned to say.
“Can I take you out for dinner tomorrow?” His voice sounder deeper, richer.
“Sure.”
Rafe gave her a satisfied smile, the kind a man got when he knew he’d be getting a woman naked. Confident, assured, irresistible.
“Maybe you should plan for that sleepover.”
She let out a shaky breath. “We’ll see.”
He chuckled softly and opened the door for her. She got in and tipped her head for a kiss. He hesitated a moment, then brushed his lips over hers, not a kiss exactly but it stirred the butterflies in her belly.
He eased back. “I’ll call you.”
He closed the door, and she drove away but glanced in the rearview mirror before the bend of the road blocked him from view. Gorgeous, strong, mysterious. She smiled and started making plans for dinner…and maybe more.
Chapter 7
Rafe ran to his SUV as soon as Jasmine’s car disappeared from view. He threw his vehicle in drive and peeled out of the lot. His heart pounded hard. The felines that shared his body paced, their anxiety matching his. He didn’t want Jasmine out of his sight for a minute.
The urge to lock her to his side had grown in the short time he’d spent with her. Part of the reason stemmed from the allure of the woman herself. The rest came from the knowledge that she was the mother of Royals—two young boys who were more valuable than she would ever guess.
There were certain humans and shifters who’d kill to get their hands on them. To exploit them. To experiment on them. To steal the gifts the goddesses bestowed upon them. Immortality. Strength. The blood of the heavens.
Rafe tightened his grip on the steering wheel and breathed through the frustration. Their tie to the heavens had screwed the Royals. Immortality was not all it was cracked up to be. Not only did boredom set in after a couple of centuries but so did loneliness.
It sucked growing close to humans then watching them die. It was the same with the single shifters, but the sting of loss with them wasn’t as profound. They lived longer, a few centuries; some more, some less, depending on how strong they were. No matter how long they walked the earth, they still eventually passed on, though. Leaving their Royal friend or lover behind.
Alone.
He shoved back the memories of friends he’d lost before depression gripped him. Allowing them to take root wasn’t wise, especially with the possessiveness humming in his veins for Jasmine.
Humans could be injured. They got sick. Died in tragic accidents. All in the blink of an eye. One minute, they could be alive and healthy. The next? Gone. That was reason enough to justify holding their loved ones close. Or avoiding them at all costs. The latter wasn’t possible for Rafe. Jasmine was too important to let go.
Rafe forced his fingers to unclench. He caught a glimpse of a car ahead of him. The tension drained from his body. He allowed his cats to rise and offer their increased senses. The red taillights turned to dark gray and the world around him brightened as his cats’ night vision became his.
Rafe breathed a sigh. The car was hers. He remembered the decals she’d had on her windows—stickers to save big cat habitat and to put an end to animal research. They were worthy causes and ones he approved of too.
He dialed Kade.
“Where are you?” Rafe asked as soon as the call connected.
“In the middle of nowhere. It’s no wonder these humans got away with hiding our shifter kids so long. They live in the boondocks.”
>
Rafe laughed, not at Kade’s irritation but at Jasmine. Her head was bopping as if she was singing along to music.
“It’s not funny, Rafe. I stepped in dung! Do you know how bad that stuff smells?”
“It hasn’t been that long since our only mode of transportation was by horses. I remember.” He cleared his throat. “Did you find Jasmine’s children?”
“Not yet. Her property is smack-dab in the middle of two large cow pastures. I checked those first, found nothing.”
Whether her home choice was intentional or not, she couldn’t have picked a safer location. The stench from manure would cover up the scent of her boys and deter other shifters from investigating.
“She said they’re with a Mr. Wilkins.”
Kade grunted. “Figures. He was next on my list. He’s on the opposite side of the bigger farm.”
Up ahead, Jasmine’s car slowed. She turned down a smaller road. He drove past it then did a one-eighty. He waited for her to disappear from view and followed behind with his lights off.
“Looks as if we’re headed there too. Wait until you see headlights then go out to her home and make sure it’s safe.”
“More orders. Sure thing, brother.” Kade ended the call.
The one-lane macadam turned into a gravel road. Rafe pulled into the bushes, so as not to stir up dust. His heart raced. The separation from Jasmine was unavoidable. He didn’t want to alert her to his presence, but he hated not knowing where she was, if she was safe.
He dropped his head against the back of his seat. Unless a bear or deer ran into her path, she wouldn’t have an issue. The woman had survived perfectly fine without someone watching over her.
Of course, she’d probably hadn’t caught the attention of anyone who’d be a threat to her or her kids. She lived a good twenty miles from any shifter territory. The nearest was the Kagan single shifter pack to the west of her property, but wolves rarely left their pack lands and likely wouldn’t have stumbled over her.
In all honesty, the Royals wouldn’t have either. They tended to avoid single shifters and humans alike, preferring to remain isolated. The Alexander pride was no different. Their plantation home and its surrounding acreage sat in one of the least populated counties of Virginia. The only reason Rafe had left was because of the information sent to them from Shifter Affairs, a small department of the human government few knew about.
