She looked at him, wondering what brought on the change. “That’s a different song than you sang before.”
“I had time to talk to him today, and let’s just say I approve.” He ran his hands down her arms. “He’s a good man, but before you finalize the mating make him tell you everything. You need to know what you’re getting into.”
“Why can’t you tell me?”
“I can’t, it needs to come from him.” He kissed her forehead and walked away.
Ben had left her full of questions. As she sat down on the outdoor sofa, she wondered what Jinx was hiding. She didn’t have time to question it when she heard footsteps behind her. For a moment she thought it might be Ben returning.
“I’ve been looking for you,” Jinx’s deep voice whispered behind her. “May I join you?”
“Sure, but you missed the best part.”
“I believe you’re wrong.” He sat down next to her.
She turned to find him looking at her, not the sunset. “I was talking about the view.”
“So was I.” He smiled, and it made her heart flutter. “I’ve missed you today. I tried to find you earlier but Ben said you were busy.”
“I was helping soothe out some fears for him.”
“Sounds like my day. I feel like I’ve been running around putting out small fires.” He crossed his legs at the ankles and leaned back.
“You should be resting. You’re tired.”
“I tried to sleep earlier, but all I could do was think of you. How about you come upstairs with me? Let me hold you in my arms. I promise I don’t bite.” His lips curled up in a smile. “At least not too much, and only if you enjoy it.”
Every nerve in her body sprang to life, firing with need. She wanted to take him upstairs, and run her hands over his body. To see every part of his toned physique that was evident under his tight jeans and white tank top. Her fingers itched to trace the lines of his biceps, and more that was hidden.
“You need sleep, not sex,” she said, flushing. “They both start with the same letter but they are completely different.”
“I’d like both, but right now I was only talking about sleep. I’m not sure what’s on your mind, though.” He winked, taking off his cowboy hat, and running his hand over his face. “Things are calming down, at least for the moment. With Ty returning to Alaska in the morning, I need to get some rest. What do you say?”
She bit her lip when she realized she’d misunderstood him. Without giving herself a moment to back out, she nodded.
“Okay.”
Chapter Six
In the elevator, Summer considered changing her mind. She hated feeling guilty about what she was doing. Mating was supposed to be a joyful occasion. With everything the clan was going through, she felt as if she shouldn’t be happy. She pushed her doubts aside and followed him down the hallway of the eighth floor where Jinx had checked in, and the rest of the Alaskan Tigers and Kodiak Bears had taken up residence, two floors below her room.
“Everything okay?”
“Fine.” She answered in a voice that was a little too high pitched for her. When he looked at her instead of opening the door, she added, “The timing is just wrong. I’m burying my sister in the morning, the clan is all shaken up, and here I am about to go into the room of a man I just met, one who came and stirred everything up.”
“Would you have rather I hadn’t come?”
“No. Just forget it, I’m not making any sense, it’s just all confusing.”
He slid the key into the lock and pushed open the door. “No, you’re making perfect sense. Your feelings are all jumbled. I can sense that, but I can also sense you’re longing to be with me. All I’m asking is for you to come inside so I can feel your body pressed against mine.” He held the door open, letting her decide.
She threw caution to the wind and stepped in. “Thank you for arranging the service for Autumn.”
“You’re welcome. Ben played a big part in it as well.” He made his way through the living area, and headed straight for the bedroom. Tossing his black cowboy hat on the dresser, he sat down on the bed to take off his boots.
“Speaking of Ben, he mentioned I should ask what I’m getting into. Something about the future. He wouldn’t tell me anything, just said I needed to ask you. Hopefully you know what he was rambling about.” She stood in the frame of the double doors between the living area and bedroom, not sure what to do with herself.
“I do, and I planned to tell you.” He pulled the jeans down his legs, the muscles in his thighs tightening, the outline of his shaft straining against the material of his boxers, forcing her to look away or go to him. She chose to avert her gaze. “Ty’s mate, Tabitha, she’s going to announce soon that she’s the Queen of the Tigers.”