Electric Storm(16)

Taggert’s eyes flickered and little crow marks appeared at the corners. Then his expression cleared, leaving her with a pleasant man with no personality. “I’ll move if it displeases you.”

Jackson stepped between them, blocking her view. “Pack members usually bunk together as a rule.”

“A rule?” She studied his face closely, but couldn’t see or smell a lie on him. The thought of sleeping with two attractive men within touching distance, alone, did weird things to her body.

She wished she could say it was fear, but she knew that for a lie.

Normally dormant, she was surprised when the beasts around her core crept closer to the surface. Though she’d never been able to tell the animals apart, they were becoming bolder since Taggert and Jackson moved into the house. She shivered at the thought and what it could mean.

“Yes.” Jackson kept changing his mind about her as it suited him, and it irritated the snot out of her. “Am I pack now?”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “To be pack, the alpha has to petition the council or take a pledge of blood. For Taggert, there’s no reversing that but death. Are you ready for that step?”

His blunt comment took her aback.

“She doesn’t have to decide yet.”

Raven peered around Jackson’s shoulder at Taggert, admiring the way he stood up to Jackson. She had to wonder if it was fear of her turning him away that prompted him to speak or if he was defending her.

“I don’t spend much time in this room. If I sleep at all, it’s usually on a cot in the basement between work. I’m not sure–”

“I promise not to get in your way.” His earnest answer hurt.

Her heart thudded in her chest, a heavy, pounding rhythm. Could she do it? Her control wavered when she slept. Dreams haunted her sleep, dreams of the dead, ghosts asking for help. What if she hurt him? She bit her lip, contemplating the ramifications.

“He’s not use to sleeping alone,” Jackson prodded her. “Touch for a shifter is an important part of building trust. Denying him is also considered a punishment.”

It irritated her that he kept stepping between them, almost like he was afraid to have her focus on Taggert.

Or he was jealous, which was preposterous.

She felt herself weakening. What he said matched too closely to what she’d learned in the labs for him to be pulling one over on her. A little spurt of fear at even contemplating such an action couldn’t keep that damn curiosity at bay. “No funny business?”

They both solemnly shook their heads.

“And you? Are you fine to sleep alone?” The only reaction was a flinch around his eyes.

“I will be within calling distance.”

His answer gave her pause. Though she didn’t want him in her bed, she liked it even less knowing he’d be watching, listening, and free to wander.

And a tiny part of her wanted him there with her. His presence irritated the hell out of her, but she could relate to him.

“I’ll bring in a cot or a couch.” He bristled, and Raven raised a brow. “You said it yourself, you’re here to protect him. I doubt he’d raise any alarm if I tried anything.”

Safety in numbers. Neither would try anything with the other in the room and maybe she could work on her control. If anything happened, Jackson would protect Taggert.

Taggert smiled slightly, his bland persona once more firmly in place. She couldn’t help narrow her eyes a little. There was something beneath the surface, something she couldn’t put her finger on that plagued her.

Then it hit her. It was the way he watched her, picked up small clues about herself that she’d tried so hard to eradicate. It left her feeling very exposed.

“Fine.” Jackson bit off the one-word answer, and she wondered if he agreed just to distract her from her line of thought. Then a muscle ticked in his jaw, and his adam’s apple bobbed. The big fraud was as nervous about sharing a room as her.

The second she opened her mouth, the fire alarm blared. Raven closed her eyes and sighed. “Gentlemen, dinner is ready.” The comical looks of dismay on their faces had her smiling. Shifters loved their food, burning through calories at an amazing rate. This was going to be an unforgettable stay for them.

Both men followed her down the stairs. Though she couldn’t hear them, she could sense them crowding close to her back. Even before they reached the kitchen, the smell of caramelized, burnt food clogged the air.

The odor grew worse when they opened the door. Everyone was seated, waiting for them. Raven swallowed hard at all the food. Jackson sat, but Raven couldn’t make herself move. Taggert remained glued close to her side, his distress barely contained.