He looked fatigued as well when she thought about it. “A movie sounds fine.”
Carrying her case into the meeting room, she reviewed Marlene’s business plan, going through it with a fine-toothed comb. Satisfied, she saved and sent a copy to the other woman, and then powered down. She was startled to notice that nearly an hour had passed.
“Finished?” How long had Jett been standing in the doorway, watching her?
“Yes. I’ll go change.”
“Need any help?” He was teasing but she picked up on some tentativeness.
It wasn’t her job to soothe him, at least not with that. “Nope. I’ll be down shortly.”
“I’ll make popcorn. Soda okay?”
“Fine.” She slipped past him, intensely aware of the warmth of his big body and thought about their physicality all the way upstairs. She came to the conclusion about the time she tugged on a pair of yoga pants. Sex with him was tremendous—pleasurable and satisfying—so she’d take it. As for the rest of the time … well, she knew how Desi presented herself, and it was no hardship to enjoy Jett’s company. Because she liked him too.
Her heart a hardening kernel in her chest, she went to join him.
Predictably, he’d chosen two movies. One was a pseudo-chick flick but with enough humor to presumably stave off any teeth grinding on his part, the other an action flick with lots of car chases and things being blown up. She’d seen them both, but it didn’t matter. Jett made the effort, as he always did. “Doesn’t matter to me.”
“C’mon, River. Choose.”
“The guy movie.”
“Really?”
“Sure.”
He called it up on the screen and patted the couch. “Sit with me.”
Didn’t she always? She plunked herself down and he pulled her close, like old times. If she tried hard, it felt like old times, before she’d opened her big mouth. The credits rolled and the opening scene filled the television and the sound echoed in the room.
“It’s good to have some down time.” He nuzzled her hair.
“It is.” She desperately watched the movie unfurl.
He offered her popcorn but she declined, accepting the can of soda. Root beer had always been her favorite, but it tasted like soap today. She leaned over to set it down and he ran a hand down her back, making her shiver. Locking her chest down, she let her body take over and didn’t resist when he slid that hand beneath her t-shirt and cupped her breast.
“I’ve missed this,” he murmured.
Someone breathed their agreement, and he flicked open her bra to tease her exposed nipples. “Take your shirt off, sweetheart.”
She complied and fell into the sensations of his clever fingers plucking her tight buds before his mouth covered one, and then the other to suck and nibble until her breasts ached. Her yoga pants and underwear joined her top on the floor, and his dark head fit between her widespread thighs as she fell back on the couch.
Whimpers and tiny moans escaped her lips as he placed an open-mouthed kiss on her pussy then lanced his talented tongue through the crevices to invade her channel. Circling her clit next, he tormented the tiny bundle of nerves until she bowed up to meet his touch, her hands scrabbling for purchase against the leather of the couch.
“God, Jett. Don’t stop.” Her voice pitched higher as he drove her up, pushing her over with a hard suck against his palate. She shrieked as the shudders of orgasm washed over her, and her heels drummed against the fabric.
He kissed his way up her stomach and between her breasts to the hollow of her throat, the rasp of his shirt and the rougher material of his jeans marking his progress. Freeing his cock, he notched it at her gate and fought for entry as she came down, her pussy clenching emptily.
“So fucking hot and wet. My little mate.”
Screwing her eyes shut, willing back a torrent of tears, she took him deep into her body and he powered toward his own climax. Several hard strokes and he poured himself into her. She stared up as he threw his head back, his handsome face a picture of tortured pleasure. Her eyes drifted shut as he collapsed, much of his weight on top of her before he withdrew. River turned her head into the back of the couch and wept.
****
Standing awkwardly beside her, his dick throbbing and glistening with both of their juices, Jett watched his mate cry as though her heart was breaking. And maybe it was. He had no frame of reference, but her tears cut him up inside.
Grabbing a roll of paper towels, he cleaned up and tucked his cock away before gathering her against him. She tensed, and then curled in on herself. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you? River, tell me.”
On a hiccupping sob, she swiped at her face and he offered a napkin. As she mopped at her face, she said, “Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine. Just emotional.”
Had he ever hesitated or flinched when facing his sire? His pack? The rogues? Even his mother? Never. So why now? “River…”
“Can I…” She gestured at the paper towels and he handed them over. She wiped her thighs and he cursed inwardly. He liked to take care of her himself and if he was honest, the sight of his mate filled with his cum met a primeval need for both him and his wolf.
“You’re not pregnant.”
“You know I’m not.”
He did. Her heat had passed and he’d bought the test himself, just in case. Two of them. Human pregnancy tests worked the same for shifters. “So why so emotional?”
“I don’t know. Female stuff.”
She wasn’t telling him the truth and it was time they hammered it out. “You’re upset because I can’t tell you that I love you.”
Shaking her head, she looked everywhere but at him.
“Things changed the minute we had that conversation, sweetheart.”Her eyes popped wide and a small hand crept up to press against her lips. She shook her head. “Don’t. Please. Don’t talk about it,” she mumbled.
“We have to talk about it. Goddamn it, River. Men have a hard time talking, but I’m willing to do it for you. I want our connection to go back to the way it was before I … before I hurt your feelings.”
With an audible gulp, she replied, “You did hurt my … feelings. You bruised my pride. So I’m emotional.”
“For how long? Sweetheart, things can’t continue this way. We were doing so well together. I don’t want you to cry every time we have sex, and we have to present a united front. My mother sensed something was off today.” The pile of crap that tumbled from his mouth couldn’t be recalled.
His mate’s petite form shook visibly and her tears dried before his eyes. “Screw you, Jett Reeves. Screw you and your time limit. It’ll take as long as it takes. And as for the sex, you’ll just have to wait for my next heat when you’ll get all the fucking you want—without the tears.”
Her words provoked him but he pushed down his anger. “Sweetheart—”
“Don’t call me that. Ever again.” She clambered to her feet, a naked Fury, with her eyes blazing golden fire and her fingers curled into claws. She was close to shifting and his wolf raged against his skin. “I’m your mate, and I’ll fulfill those duties. For life. But don’t you call me that. I’m nowhere near in your heart.”
Not trusting himself to react in a way that could spell an irretrievable blow to their connection, he made himself back off. “I hear you, River. I’ll give you the time you need.”
Tugging his cell from his pocket, he hit a number. “Mik? How long for you to get back here? I need you to stay with River. Stephen can spell you.”
Resisting the desperate urge to pull her indignant, furious body into his arms and make it all go away, he nodded instead. “I’ll see you … later.”
****
How dare he? Standing there completely clothed and put together while she sprawled on the couch, naked, and a hot, wet mess. She’d accommodated him sexually—not a hardship. They’d continued their physical relationship. And then he’d wanted to talk? He couldn’t give her a day to come to terms with the fact their rel
ationship was one-sided? Impatience—or coldness—must run in the family. And she had to remain in this family until death do them part.
Even that awful thought didn’t distract her from her rage. If that burned out what would she have left? A frigid detente was in the cards for at least three weeks each and every month of each and every miserable year of the rest of her life. Lovely.
Jett had watched implacably as she stormed past him to head up to their room, something that was going to change lickety split. She’d choose one of the guest rooms down the hall and they could cohabitate here when her heat flared. It’d be like taking medicine, albeit a great tasting one with wonderful side effects.
Her laughter was punctuated by shuddering sobs as washed herself at the sink before yanking on some clothes. She gathered up armfuls of fabric and toted her belongings down the hall to the furthest bedroom, tossing everything on the bed. She made several trips before her Alpha called up to her.
Willing her angst into compliance, she sent down to see Mik dropping a duffel beside the door and Jett explaining the alarm system. “She’s not to go outside without one of you. I’ll check in regularly.”
“Got it, boss.” Mik noticed her and cocked his head. “Hey, River.”
“Hi, Mik. Back to babysitting me?”
“Looks like it, not that I mind!”
“I promise not to cause you any trouble,” she said, knowing she looked worse for wear and the young male had noticed.
“River isn’t feeling well.” Jett wasn’t lying, and he probably knew it. “So, are you set?”
“Sure. I’ll call if anything seems off, sir. Where do you want me to sleep?”
“There’s a safe room off the kitchen. Closed security screens, the usual.”
“Are you expecting trouble?” Mik stood straighter, obviously not fearful, but alert.
“Just being careful. That rogue leader is out there.”
Jett hoisted a duffel of his own, and she fixed a polite smile on her face. She had no idea where he was going and wouldn’t let it matter. “Goodbye, River.”
“Bye.” She waited until the door closed behind him before making an excuse to Mik. “Help yourself to anything in the kitchen. I’m going to lie down.”
“You take care, River. And let me know if you need anything.”
As if anyone had what she needed. “I will.”
She had a room to straighten and make her own, and then she’d sleep. Exhaustion didn’t cover the way she felt. Maybe she’d have a nap before she put things away.
****
Waking, she wasn’t sure where she was, before memories crashed around her and yanked her into her reality. The house felt empty without Jett, despite knowing a bodyguard was on the main floor. She felt around for her cell phone and studied the screen. A couple of texts from Desi and one missed call from Marlene, a few voicemails from other members of the pack. Some of the females wanted her to stop by for a visit. Maybe when she could fake her way through an hour or two. What had he called it? A united front. She bet he was regretting his claim.
Hanging up clothes and setting smaller items in the dresser, she paused in the middle of folding a gauzy nightgown. Her former Alpha’s grown children were in Jett’s age group, so what was that edict about fidelity? Maybe it didn’t apply to alphas. Maybe Jett was out there right now getting his needs met.
Refusing to label it jealousy, she coaxed her reaction into a more palatable emotion—anger. Shifters didn’t carry disease, so she had no concern on that front. And if it meant he’d stay away for periods of time, surely that would make it easier for her.
Her belongings stowed, she went in search of her laptop, and began the arduous task of installing her new accounting program. Numbers were easy for her, following instructions written by some person who spoke code, not so much. Mik poked his head in to offer a meal, but she refused—nicely. He brought a cup of weak tea and renewed his well wishes before retreating. Probably didn’t want to catch what was going around.
Entering the pack’s books took her well into the night before her vision blurred and her head ached too much to continue. River dragged herself up to her room and collapsed.
****
Tahl’s home was comfortable and clean. That about summed it up. The main thing it lacked was River, and Jett found it extremely difficult to come to terms with. He explored the entire dwelling before putting away a few groceries he’d picked up, and then tossed his duffel in the master bedroom.
He knew River wasn’t sleeping in theirs. He’d heard her pacing back and forth to one of the other rooms, and panic momentarily froze his thoughts, thinking she was packing, before he spoke to distract Mik. He told the man he was leading the task force to hunt down the rogue leader to put an end to the issue once and for all. In fact, had he not been mated, he’d have been doing just that earlier.
The young male came highly recommended by Tahl, and Stephen was no slouch either. He wanted River well protected in his absence while he did his job and gave her the time she needed. Though somehow he doubted there was enough time in the world. But he hadn’t become Alpha by being indecisive, and she really hadn’t left him any choice.
His cell vibrated and he nearly dropped it in his haste to drag it from his pocket. His anticipation wavered when he saw the name on the screen. “Yes, Mom?”
“Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No. I’m organizing another push to find that rogue.”
“You’re not with River?”
“No.”
“What did you do, son? Oh, I know she says you did nothing, but in my experience—”
River said he’d done nothing? He supposed it was true. “Stay out of it, Mom. We’re working things out.”
“She’s hollow, Jett. I’m worried. She’s not like me or a lot of the other females.”
What was that supposed to mean? It didn’t matter. This was between him and his mate. “If we need your help, I promise to call. Now, let me work.”
His cell signaled again almost immediately and he sighed. “Mom.”
“Uh, no. It’s Tahl.”
“Oh. You got my message?”
“A few minutes ago. You’re staying in my house?”
“Until we catch the Regent.”
“Is your place a target?”
His chest clamped as though a giant hand had clutched it. He’d left River alone. No, she wasn’t alone. Mik was with her. “I don’t think so, but River distracts me and this is serious.”
“Mik brought me up to date when I suggested he offer to watch over your family. Pretty messed up, that thing with Denise. She was nearly catatonic when Kris carried her out of that room.”
“Totally messed up. How’s it going with you and Peyton?” Silence. Jett counted at least five seconds. “Hello? Tahl?”
“I’m here.” A chuckle sounded. “I think I might want to dodge a bullet, but I’ve set things in motion. Expectations and all.”
“What?”
“She’s not who I thought she was.”
“What female is, Tahl?” Who knew his sweet little River would want to bite the hand that fed her? Knowing it was his own fucked up thinking that fueled his reaction, he changed gears. “Sorry. I just meant there are depths to everyone and it takes time to know a person.” Like the time you gave River before you spirited her away from her home. He wasn’t going to regret that. He’d done the right thing. River was right for him, and he for her.
Tahl was mumbling about princesses and entitlement. “I didn’t see past her looks, Jett.”
“So you don’t want to claim her? You’d come home?” Good thing no one was listening in, because his desperation was palpable. He’d missed his lieutenant.
“I’m trying to figure out a graceful way to bow out without souring relations between the packs.”
“Tell Ashton our situation has deteriorated and I’ve ordered you home.”
“And make you look weak? I don’t think so. I’ll find a way.”
/>
“See that you do. Sooner the better.”
“How’s Desiree?”
Misery loves company, wasn’t that the term? “My mother says she’s hollow.”
“Fuck.”
He felt a little better. “Keep me updated.”
“Jett? What’s really going on with River?”
“Saw through my subterfuge, did you? I can’t betray her by telling you, buddy. But it was me who fucked up. And no way to fix it.”
“You have a lifetime to try.”
Maybe his feelings would transform to match River’s over time. If she didn’t succeed in shutting him out.
He called one of the teams to establish their whereabouts before heading there to join them. Canvassing all the likely places a rogue might take cover in was time-consuming and another pair of legs and eyes wouldn’t hurt. Eventually, they’d drive the man out, ahead of the sweep.
Chapter Thirteen
It might have been the noises that dragged River from her sleep. Stifling a groan, she lifted up on one elbow and listened, but the breaking of glass—or whatever it was—didn’t sound again. But still, hadn’t there been a thud, too? She peered around by the aid of a nightlight but saw nothing.
She was still wearing the same long-sleeved t-shirt over the leggings she’d donned after the impromptu sexual escapade with Jett. Best she think of it that way. Her bra hung loose over her arms and she twitched it down one sleeve to toss it on the floor. Mik would have to be offended by the sight of unrestrained breasts. Ha.
Halfway down the stairs, relying on the light spilling from the outside lamps, she wobbled with one foot hovering over the tread. Living in a safe, protected pack, despite all her groundless fears about males and claiming, had softened her instincts. Her wolf was wide awake and howling for her to stay alert. She opened her mouth to call for Mik before swallowing his name. She didn’t even have her phone with her. Stupid. Really stupid.
Quietly, she reversed her path and raced back up, clutching the railing. She nearly turned toward the master before catching herself and running along to her room. Her cell should be on her dresser. She grasped it in a sweaty palm and it flickered on in response to her fingerprint. Stabbing at Jett’s icon, she listened to it ring before the sound of his voice coincided with a growl and a huge hand batted the phone across the room.
Bound by Destiny (Blue Star Shifters Book 1) Page 16