What This Wolf Wants(49)

Scott held out an arm. “My lady,” he said, complete with a charming smile that made Zan want to smack the younger shifter.

Her smile was warm and bright as she accepted Scott’s arm, making Zan want to snarl and retract his command. “Might as well take her case.” That way he’d have to keep his grubby paws off her.

“I’ll get it.” Joe appeared out of a door three rooms down, a duffel bag over each shoulder. He tossed one to Scott who expertly caught it, without ever letting go of Jackie. Damn show-off. He growled.

“Easy there, big boy. I think you need a cold shower.” Scott snickered.

“And I think you need to be dropped on your head. Maybe then you’ll gain some sense.” With that Zan wrapped a hand around Jackie’s neck and kissed her quick, hard, and thoroughly. When he pulled back, he was pleased and somewhat comforted at the glazed look in her eyes. “I’ll be down shortly.”

“Okay.”

He smiled at Scott. Well, it was more a baring of his teeth. “With your life.”

Scott sent him a smart salute before turning his attention to Jackie. When Joe passed by him the young soldier sent him a half-shrug. “You know how he is.”

Zan slammed the door. Yeah. Zan knew how Scott was. He was a charmer. Loved women. And was loyal to a fault. Zan could trust Jackie with Scott, or Joe for that matter, and never worry that either one would trespass. But knowing that didn’t make either man or wolf happy. Because their relationship was still too fragile, and his emotions too raw to allow anything or anyone to come between them.

Even if the man loved Jackie, would his wolf fall in line or would it still need the excitement of the hunt. The kill. All the man knew was that his beast roared whenever she was near and when she was too far away.

It made Zan think that his father had been right after all. Living and loving his one true mate would be the greatest adventure of all.





Chapter Sixteen

Jackie was feeling confused. Again. Last night had been amazing and a bit frightening. She’d lost herself, totally, irrevocably. Again. Sex had always been pleasant, but nothing like the earth-shattering experiences she’d shared with Zan. She couldn’t help wonder if it was due to the mating heat or not. But if all mates had this kind of wild and wanton physical attraction to one another, how could her uncle ever leave her aunt for such long periods of time? Jackie knew sex wasn’t everything, but dang. Going six months without that? It was like going half a year without chocolate, or ice cream, or a big bowl of ripe fruit mixed with thick, decadent whipping cream.

Totally obscene.

She let out a small sigh and stared out yet another car window as the four of them made the last leg of their journey. The sun was starting to set, sending out a dazzling display of reds, oranges, and golds, mixing with the greens and browns of the large trees in full foliage. She liked Virginia, but she loved her mountain. While she could live here pleasantly enough, and had, she would always miss the clean, crisp air thick with the scent of pine that surrounded Woodcliff.

Zan pressed a button on his sun visor and slowed the SUV down to pass through a large wrought iron gate and onto a long driveway. According to Scott, one of their team members, a shifter named Todd, had dropped the vehicle off at the airport this afternoon for their convenience before taking off in the opposite direction for his week of required R&R. No other reason. Just...being nice. It was all starting to mess up her preconceived notions about Zan and his crew of tough, hardened soldiers. They weren’t hardened at all. They were tough, strong, and stubborn with a kindness and sense of humor that surprised her. They were becoming real, with all the real-life emotions of any human. Or shifter.

The road curved and a large, two-story brick house came into view just behind a circular driveway. It would have reminded her of the Kolter house if not for the black security bars that lined each window. While Jackie understood the necessity for safety for these men, it made her think of the building as more of a prison rather than a home.

“What’s the general doing here?” Zan asked.

At his words, Jackie’s gaze flew from the house to an immaculate dark blue 1962 Chevy Impala SS. The sight of the restored classic made all the spit in her mouth dry up.

“I called to inform Russell we were bringing home a new friend.” Jackie swiveled around in her seat at Scott’s response. But the kid wasn’t looking at Zan, he was staring right at Jackie. “Russell must have told him.”

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, and the idiot shifter had the nerve to wink. The silent laughter in his eyes only confirmed her fear. Scott knew. Oh God. Had he told Zan?