He got into bed beside her and stroked her bound breasts. He pinched her engorged nipples.
“I’ve decided what I want to do,” he said.
She tensed. This was it, she thought. The moment he was going to tell her he was leaving. I’m sorry. It’s been nice, what we had, but I now have to pick up the shambles of my life and move on from you.
He said, “I have to go to New York.”
Her heart sank. But you knew it was coming! Of course he was going home. What else was there left for him here but pain and reporters and gossip?
Me. I’m here.
But am I enough for him?
He went on, “I’m going to meet with my parents. Talk certain things over. I haven’t seen them in a while.”
He paused.
“I’m going this weekend.”
A lump bolted to her throat. She wanted to hold him, plead with him not to leave, but her hands were literally tied behind her back.
Then he said, “Do you want to come with me for the weekend?”
Her heart stopped. What was it about this man that he could play her emotions like guitar strings?
“Come with you just for the weekend?” she squeaked.
“There’s a ‘thing’ going on. Shifter gathering in New York.” He paused. “I’d like you to go as my mate.”
Your mate? Was she hearing things clearly?
“It isn’t as if we’re mated for life or anything,” he said hastily, lest she get the wrong impression. “It’s just like a date . . . only . . . different. It’s a shifter gathering. Kind of like a rave. But don’t worry. No one will touch you with me there. Unless you want them to. And if I let them.” He said this last grimly. Possessively.
A delicious thrill coursed down her spine. A rave. A shifter rave.
He was asking her to be his mate for the Gathering?
He said, “I’ll cover all your expenses, of course. And have you back here by Monday so you can go to class.”
“I see.” She hesitated, not wanting to sound like a clingy girlfriend. “Will you be coming back?”
Ever?
So many questions. So many unspoken words.
“I have things to sort out,” he said evasively. “I’ll let you know, OK?”
“OK,” she said in a small voice.
He tweaked one of her nipples and then bent down to kiss her lips.
“You’ll like it,” he said.
9
What choice did she have, really? He had her at ‘New York’. She didn’t want to ask him anything else beyond that. She sensed he didn’t know the answers himself.
So she told Michaela where she was going and no one else.
“Are you sure, girl?” Michaela said with concern.
“I’m just going for the weekend.” Kate brushed it off with a laugh.
“And then? What if he asked you to stay?”
“We haven’t crossed that bridge yet. If he does – ” She took a deep breath. I hope he does.
Tears glistened in Michaela’s eyes. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m only gone for the weekend!”
“No. I mean . . . I’m gonna miss you . . . after you leave us forever.”
“We don’t know that!” It was true.
They hugged anyway. And she felt like it was really goodbye.
After that, Kate took a cab to the airport. She and Rust were on separate flights, and he had already gone two days earlier. He had gotten her a first class ticket. First class! She had never flown anything beyond coach before, and so she was all goggle-eyed when she checked into the first class lounge and sampled everything on the buffet table. (OK, a little slice of everything.)
Rust had told her not to bring an extensive suitcase. “Wardrobe provided.” And she knew he would mean exactly that.
Then it was on to the plane. United Airlines. Her every whim on the plane catered to.
“First time to New York?” the stewardess asked her knowingly.
“First time on first class,” Kate admitted. “First time to New York. First time for everything.”
“Going for a special occasion?”
“Yes.”
“Ah . . . there’s a special someone in your life. I can tell by that glow on your cheeks. You do have the most amazing complexion,” the stewardess cooed.
Kate wondered if she did that to all the passengers.
“Yes, there is,” she said happily.
She landed. There was a limo waiting to pick her up from the airport. The driver came around to help her with her suitcase.
“Traveling light,” he joked.
“Yes.”
“I’m Hector, by the way. I’ll be your driver for the weekend.”
Kate was hoping Rust would be in the passenger’s seat, but he wasn’t. Oh well –