In his head, Aidan heard his wolf howl.
He escorted Jenna to her room. “Take a quick shower and we’ll head into town.”
“Town?” Jenna’s eyes widened and she pulled her hand away. “Why would you want to go there?”
“To get something to eat,” he said slowly.
Her scent turned bitter. “Why not eat here?” Panic squeezed her voice, making the pitch higher.
“I eat here most nights. I’m in the mood for something different.” That was the absolute truth. His heated gaze slid over her, then Aidan paused. “You told me that you felt fine. Do I need to call Gabe back?”
* * * * *
“No! I mean. I am fine. Still a little shaken from the accident.” Jenna swallowed hard. The change in Aidan’s behavior toward her had her head spinning. Things were suddenly moving too fast.
Jenna wasn’t oblivious. She’d noticed there was sexual tension between them, albeit muted. There was nothing dampening it now. It was like the accident had removed a barrier. She could now see the full brunt of his desire.
Aidan’s intense focus thrilled her and frightened her. Jenna wasn’t convinced she could handle the heat without being consumed, which was why she found herself trying to bow out.
“Doubt I’d be very good company tonight,” she said.
Aidan was giving her the perfect opportunity to interview him, but the offer came with strings. Strings that threatened to bind her, making escape impossible.
Part of Jenna ached to give in. It had been so long since she’d touched another human being, or been held all night in someone’s arms. Her skin prickled. If she concentrated, she could almost feel the warmth of his hands on her body. But there were other things to consider beyond primal needs.
Carl’s pugnacious face flashed in her mind.
The thought of running into him drove the heat from her body, sobering her. She had no idea what Carl would do. Would he start a fight? Try to drag her into his car like the last time?
Jenna didn’t want Aidan in the line of fire. Better to drive a wedge between them now, than to have harm come to him. This wasn’t his fight. It was hers.
“It’s just a casual dinner. I’m not looking to be entertained.” Aidan seemed unnaturally calm. Like accidents, house calls, and strangers disrupting his life were the norm around this place.
She took a different tack. One Jenna was sure would hit its mark. “Wouldn’t you prefer one of your women to go with you? No doubt any one of them would jump at the chance.” The snap in her voice surprised her. All she’d wanted to do was douse the rising flames, but somehow her tone had had the opposite effect.
Aidan’s amber eyes appeared to glow and he looked unduly pleased. He didn’t dispute her claim. How could he? She’d seen the models with her own eyes. He also didn’t gloat, but then again, he didn’t need to. He was well aware of how appealing he was to the opposite sex. The only thing that had changed was now he knew she wasn’t immune to his charm.
“I want you,” Aidan paused, “to join me tonight.”
His words seared her flesh, exposing her vulnerability. She wasn’t clueless. She hadn’t missed the double-entendre. In desperation, Jenna tried one last time to dissuade him.
“If you’re looking to add to your harem, then you’d better look elsewhere.”
A nerve in Aidan’s jaw started to tic. “I do not have nor have I ever had a harem. They’re not culturally relevant for me and the concept is outdated. Don’t you think?” he continued. “What I do have is a lot of responsibility. More responsibility than you could ever imagine.”
Jenna massaged her temple. This wasn’t working like she’d hoped. The barb had hit too close and clearly wounded him. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. She only wanted to prevent him from making a mistake. And perhaps stop herself at the same time.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean it like that.” She had, but said aloud it sounded mega-bitchy. Not at all like she’d intended. “I have a bit of a headache.”
Aidan’s gaze bored through her. “Perhaps we should dine some other time, when you’re feeling more up to it.” He turned to leave.
“No.” Jenna stopped him.
This was her last chance to get that interview, and the last opportunity to be held in his arms. There wouldn’t be another. She stared at him. Saw the heat. Saw the offer in his eyes. If she wanted more, Aidan made it clear he’d oblige. Did she dare accept?
“I’ll get cleaned up and be out in thirty,” she said.
Aidan arched a brow.
“It won’t take me long.” Jenna planned to pack once she showered. After dinner, Aidan might very well toss her out of his house. She wanted to be ready for every contingency.
And just where do you think you’ll go without a car? You wrecked the one he gave you to drive. It’s not like he’s going to loan you another.
Her shoulders slumped. She’d forgotten all about the Bug. “Maybe I should go check on my car before we leave.” Could she somehow rig it to run? Doubtful. All she had to do was make it to the next town. Jenna supposed she could hitchhike again, but that was a last resort.
Aidan shook his head. “Not necessary. I had your vehicle repaired. I’d planned to surprise you, when you got home from work.”
Jenna’s heart sank. He was killing her with kindness, one act at a time. She didn’t think she’d survive another good deed. Aidan was making it so hard to betray him.
“When did you find the time?” she asked.
“Nic looked it over the night it was towed in. After he met you, he sent Josh into the city for parts.”
“So that’s the errand he was running?” She shook her head.
Aidan nodded. “Don’t be upset. Nic took care of the repairs personally as a favor to me,” he said.
There was something about his tone that gave Jenna pause. Why would Nic owe Aidan a favor? The guy worked for him.
“I should probably go out and thank him,” she said. “Is he still in the garage?”
Aidan caught her arm, his thumb brushing gently over her skin. “There’s no need. He was honored to help.”
“Honored?” She let her incredulity show.
“When you speak to him later, you’ll see. For now, get ready. My hunger is growing by the second. Soon I’ll be ravenous and we might not make it to the restaurant.” Heat poured off his body, causing his wild scent to deepen. The woodsy spice perfumed the air, making her feel giddy.
Thoughts of food deserted her. Despite a slight headache, something inside Jenna flared to life, answering the unspoken question she saw in his eyes. Was she prepared to meet the inferno head on? If not now, when would she get another chance?
“I better hurry.” She hiked her thumb over her shoulder toward her room.
“You do that.” Aidan’s feral grin curled her toes and sent a thrill tripping down her spine. He glanced at his watch, then leaned in next to her ear. His warm breath brushed the skin, then he inhaled. “If you’re not out in twenty-five minutes, I’m coming in after you.” Threat. And a promise.
* * * * *
CHAPTER TWELVE
The drive into town was a strange combination of tension and heightened awareness. The knot in Jenna’s stomach grew the closer they got.
Was she going to go through with this? Could she really betray Aidan after all he’d done for her? If she did, that would make her no better than Ethan. The thought made her skin crawl.
She scanned the streets searching for Carl. Ethan’s lackey had to be here somewhere, lurking in the darkness like a troll.
“One problem at a time,” Jenna muttered to herself.
Aidan looked at her, but said nothing.
A spot opened up like it had been waiting for them. Aidan pulled the luxury sedan into the spot and parked. Jenna reached for the door handle.
“Sit tight.” He got out and walked around the front of the car to open her door.
No one could fault him on his manners.
; “This really isn’t necessary.” Jenna glanced up and down the sidewalk. Where was he? There was no sign of Carl, but she was determined to remain vigilant.
Aidan smiled. “We’re celebrating the repair of your vehicle, remember?”
Jenna stopped. “About that, I know I keep saying this, but I will pay you back for parts and labor. It might take me a while, but I am good for it.”
He rested his hand on the small of her back and led her into a cozy restaurant that only had ten tables. Candles fluttered as he opened the door and stepped aside for her to enter.
“Mr. Fortier, how lovely to see you.” An older man rushed forward to greet them. “It’s been a long time.”
Aidan shook his hand. “Too long, Francis. Do you have my table?”
The man’s brown eyes crinkled. “But of course.” He led them toward the back of the room into the corner. Francis snapped his fingers and one of the bus boys rushed out carrying a table. He set it down and moved back as another one brought out two chairs. Within seconds the table was set and ready for them to dine.
Aidan signaled Francis to back away. “Allow me.” He held Jenna’s chair out and waited for her to take a seat.
Jenna gave him a small smile and sat. Could she feel any worse? She didn’t think so. How could she have ever believed that Aidan was anything like Ethan?
He took his seat across from her, angling the chair until his back was against the wall, then perused the wine list. “Do you have a preference?”
“Red.”
“Red it is.” Aidan closed the menu and ordered a bottle.
Jenna waited until the waiter poured the wine, then asked her first question. “Are you originally from Breakbend?”
“No, I just like the area. There are a lot of woods to get lost in,” he said.
“You like getting lost in the woods?”
He smiled. “On occasion. Keeps my instincts sharp. What about you? Where are you from?”
“I grew up all over,” she deflected.
People like Aidan wouldn’t understand how she grew up. Wouldn’t understand what it was like to go without, to be neglected, to have to lock your door at night to prevent one of your many ‘fathers’ from coming in. Jenna lifted the glass of wine to her lips and took a deep swallow to keep from choking on the memories.
“So what made you want to keep wolves?” she asked.
He stared at her, his expression inscrutable. “They’re not bees. I don’t so much keep them as allow them to roam on my land.”
“If that’s the case, how did you tame them?” she asked.
“I didn’t.” Aidan paused their conversation while the waiter took their order. When that was finished, he continued. “Wolves sense things on a deeper level than people. They can smell your fear, your intentions, and especially your pain.” He gave the last word added emphasis.
Jenna shifted in her seat. “Do you have family nearby?”
Aidan shook his head and laughed to himself. “I always have family around. It’s difficult to find a moment to myself. What about you?”
“No, no family.”
The answer surprised him.
Jenna opened her mouth to ask her next ‘interview’ question.
Aidan held up his hand to stop her. “Don’t you want to write this down for accuracy’s sake?” He sat back. “I’ll wait until you get your notebook out of your purse.”
Blood rushed to her face until the pressure threatened to pop her ears off. How was it possible to feel so hot and so cold at the same time?
Jenna considered denying his assertion, but she couldn’t. What was the point? She’d never been the type of person to betray another. It just wasn’t in her nature.
Jenna thought she could get the interview without him knowing, but she had a feeling she would’ve confessed even if Aidan hadn’t seen through her deception.
The wine in her stomach turned to vinegar. “I’m sorry.” Jenna placed her napkin on the table and rose to her feet.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Aidan kept his seat and casually swirled the wine around in his glass.
“I thought now that you caught me, you’d want to...” The words died on her lips.
“Please sit down, Jenna. We need to talk.” Aidan waited for her to take her seat. “But first tell me why you were trying to get an interview.”
Jenna’s chin dropped. “I needed the money.” She sighed. “I have some legal issues that I have to take care of. The situation is embarrassing and I’d rather not go into detail. Suffice to say, landing an interview with you would go a long way toward hiring the experts that I need.”
“So you’re not just trying to further your journalism career?”
She scoffed and glanced around to make sure no one had heard her. “I’m a mechanic Aidan, not a journalist. This is just a job to pay the bills. My passion is cars. Running into you was a coincidence.”
Aidan took a sip of wine. “Why didn’t you just say so?”
Jenna sat up. While she spoke, she straightened the silverware in front of her. “I didn’t know how. You were being so nice. At first I was suspicious. People like you aren’t normally--”
“People like me?” He cut her off with an arched brow.
“You know what I mean.” She sighed. “People in your income bracket aren’t normally philanthropic toward individuals.”
“True,” he said. “So what changed?”
My feelings for you, she wanted to say, but didn’t dare.
Cars drifted by the window down the darkened street. People strolled along the sidewalks. Still no sign of Carl, but he was out there somewhere. He wasn’t about to stop pursuing her.
“I ran out of time,” Jenna said.
Their food arrived. The aroma of rich tomato meat sauce filled the air. The waiter placed a basket of fresh baked breadsticks in the center of the table. The food looked great. Smelled great. But Jenna was no longer hungry.
Aidan picked up his fork and stared at her expectantly. “The food here is fabulous. Don’t let it go to waste.”
Jenna blew out a heavy breath and picked up her fork. “When we get back, I’ll get my things and leave.”
He took a bite and chewed his pasta slowly, seeming to mull over her words. Once he swallowed, he asked, “Why would you do that?”
“I know you have something going on over the weekend and honestly, I feel awful for betraying your trust. I think it’s best if I just pack up and move on.”
“Best for whom?” Before she could respond, he said, “Eat, we’ll discuss trust later.”
* * * * *
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Someone was watching them.
Aidan had been distracted by Jenna’s ripe and ever-changing scent. The sensual aromas made him want to push his plate of pasta aside and eat her instead. That overwhelming desire was why he hadn’t immediately heard the soft clicks. Now the noise had his full attention.
It took him a moment to locate the source of the sound. Once he did, his anger surfaced.
Was photographic evidence also part of her ‘plan’? He kept calm, even though all he wanted to do was run outside and confront the enemy.
“Did the interview I gave you include a photo spread?” He’d know the second she lied.
Jenna’s brow furrowed. “Don’t think so.” She picked up her napkin and dabbed the side of her mouth. “If it did, then the editor didn’t let me know about it. I could ask the paper to cover the cost of a photographer, if you’d like. Why do you ask?”
“Because I’m not fond of having my picture taken.” It was dangerous for Lycans given their slow aging process and long lives.
“Okay, I understand. I’ll let Paul Welling know,” Jenna replied, undisturbed by his response. She picked up her fork and took another bite. Her scent never wavered.
She was telling the truth.
So who was watching them? And why take the pictures? And did this have anything to do with why Jenna was so scared?
&n
bsp; Aidan spotted movement in the alley across the street. The man hadn’t concealed himself well enough. If he had, Aidan might not have detected him, which meant he wasn’t dealing with someone used to hunting Lycans.
The lighting in the restaurant made it difficult to make out the man’s features, but Aidan could see he was a burly man. He needed to get the man’s scent before it faded, then there wouldn’t be anyplace for him to hide.
Their spy was gone by the time dinner drew to a close. Aidan waited for Jenna to finish her coffee. She’d gotten her interview, but hadn’t spilled all her secrets yet.
Aidan needed a better setting, a more private one, before they continued their conversation. Fortunately for him, there were other ways, more pleasurable ways to obtain the information. Once he had her safely sequestered, he’d get his answers. Aidan would find out who the man across the street was and how he factored into the picture.
“Ready?” he asked.
Jenna nodded. “Thank you again for the interview. You’ve saved my life.”
Did she mean that figuratively or literally?
“It’s still early. How about we go for a stroll once we get back to the compound?” he asked.
“I could stand to work off some of these calories.” Jenna glanced at her watch. “But are you sure it’s safe?”
“Safe?”
“With the wolves in the woods?”
“Ah,” he said. “They won’t bother us.”
“Wouldn’t be too sure. The black one and I have bonded. He doesn’t like it when other people are near me.”
Aidan bit back a grin. “Wolves are very territorial, but then again, so am I.” He allowed his gaze to roam over her body. He planned to help her work off every calorie she ingested—after their walk.
Jenna blushed.
Aidan quickly paid for the meal, then walked around the table. His hands rested lightly on her shoulders before sliding to the back of the chair. He gently pulled it out. “I can’t wait to see you in the moonlight.” And neither could his wolf.
Moonlight Kin 2: Aidan's Mate (Mid-Length Novel) Page 10