“I’m sorry Zan, but it’s important.” Scott didn’t sound amused at finding his buddy half-naked with a mouth full of breast. Maybe this wasn’t the first time Scott had come upon Zan in this position. Jackie cringed at that delightful thought.
“If someone isn’t dead, they’re about to be.” Zan’s body radiated tension and sexual frustration. The power he was sending out was enough to make the hair on her arms stand up. His wolf was strong. Jackie already knew Zan was an alpha male, but the energy pouring out of him at this moment was enough to rival that of his brother’s.
She couldn’t stop the trembling that took over. Going from hot and horny to cold and embarrassed in zero point zero seconds hurt. Zan cupped her head, the pads of his fingers moving in small circles over her scalp, calming her, soothing her.
“Russel thinks it’s a possibility. That’s who’s on the phone.”
Zan cursed low and harsh. “Fine. Keep him busy for a few.”
When the footsteps faded, Zan brushed his lips over her temple. “I’m sorry about that.”
Gingerly she extracted herself from his lap and turned her back, righting her bra and shirt with shaking hands. “For what? Lying to me, mauling me, humiliating me, or having to kill someone?”
Rough hands gripped her arm and swung her around. “You think I was mauling you?” He looked incredulous and furious at the same time. A tingle of fear wormed up her spine when he shook her. “I’m a shifter. I can tell when you’re aroused, and baby, you were ready to explode.”
When she tried to pull away his fingers only tightened. His grip wasn’t cruel, but it most certainly wasn’t gentle. Amber began to bleed into his eyes, letting her know his wolf was nearing the surface. High emotional levels had a tendency to do that to male shifters. “And as your mate it’s my job to take care of you. The only thing I’m sorry for is not giving you what you needed.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t get to take care of me,” she hissed out. “And you have no idea what I truly need, so let me tell you. What I need is a mate that isn’t presumptuous. One who doesn’t take my choices away, doesn’t lie to me and hey. Let’s add not killing people as an everyday occurrence to the list just for the heck of it. You don’t fit that bill.”
Muscles in his jaw clenched and twin spots of angry color rose in his cheeks. “If that’s what you think about me, you’re way off base. And you have no idea just what a male shifter will do to claim and keep his mate. And as for taking your choices away, I’d never do that. But you are by rejecting me. Denying me my mate.”
“Never fear, big boy. You’ll find another.” She yanked herself free. “Really Zan. What did you expect? That I would fall into your arms and leave my home, my practice, and head back to Virginia with you when you tired of your brother. Then you’d leave me alone every time you headed out on one of your missions, knowing damn well you may not come back? Do you really think that would be good for me? Is that the right way to take care of me?”
He took a step back. “What do you know of my missions?”
She couldn’t stop her gaze from briefly flicking to the tattoo riding his shoulder. The one she’d forgotten about while in his embrace. “You already stated you’re in the military and with all the chaos going on right now, it’s a dangerous profession to be in.”
His eyes narrowed. “And if I said I was nothing but a paper pusher?”
Jackie laughed humorlessly. “Right. Even if Joe hadn’t opened his mouth I’d know better. You’re a strong man in the prime of his life. A born predator. An alpha even. You’re very nature demands variety and action. You couldn’t sit behind a desk for hours on end, day after day any more than I could submissively wait around for you to remember I exist. You are who you are and I am who I am. And together, we are not compatible.”
His hands curled into fists at his side. “I will not let you do this, Jackie.”
She snatched up her bag. “Goodbye, Mr. Sutton.”
Only angry growling followed her as she fled the house. Which was a good thing. Right?
But if this was what she wanted, why did it feel like a large black hole took up residence in her heart? And why were tears blinding her sight as she drove away?
Chapter Nine
Jackie turned off the engine of her truck in the parking lot of Thirio’s Keep, the shifter bar located on the outskirts of town. She didn’t come here often, preferring to spend any free time alone. Between clinic appointments and the numerous house calls she made on the side, she needed time alone to recoup. Whether working in her small garden or reading a book, she liked her down-time. She needed her down-time. She’d planned to enjoy this Tuesday evening, alone, at home. Only when she got home from work the house seemed too empty.