He nodded. “Just a bit.”
“I am too, if anyone cares,” Tom quipped, trying to lighten the mood as he emerged with one of Jo’s shirts around his waist. “Although I’m guessing that right now, you two are just happy to be back together.”
Jo nodded. “I –” Her explanation was cut off as a loud growl came from over her shoulder, before turning into a scream of pain. “What’s that?” she whispered, her eyes widening.
Tom hurried over to the front of her car, catching the man’s forearm. “Looks like you’re not dead, then,” he said, grimly. Dan had changed back into his human skin, not pinned by the car any more. His body looked broken, as he struggled to stand up.
“What?” Nick strode over, with Jo behind him. “He’s not?”
“I’m not,” Dan bit out, his entire body shaking as he slowly collapsed onto the ground.
Jo stared at him, her mouth working for a few moments. “I’m not a killer,” she breathed, relief filling her.
Nick grinned into the darkness, putting an arm around her shoulders. “No, you’re not.”
Tom snorted. “Great. We get rid of one problem,” he began, gesturing at Jo. “Only to get another one.”
Jo opened her mouth to argue that she had never been a problem but closed it again straight away. She didn't need to start an argument now. She and Tom could work things out later.
“So what are we going to do with him?” Tom continued, looking at Nick.
Nick shrugged. “I don’t know. Leave him here?”
Jo gasped. “You can’t do that!”
“Why not?” he replied, frowning slightly. “His pack will come back and find him eventually.”
“Not if they think he’s dead,” Tom interrupted, scowling at Dan.
“He’s hurt!” Jo protested. “You can’t just leave someone out in the cold.”
Nick let out a long sigh. “He’s a bear shifter, he’ll be fine.”
“He’s a bear shifter who’s been hurt,” Jo insisted, walking over to Dan. “By me.”
“Because he was attacking us,” Nick reminded her, growing exasperated.
Jo bent down, just out of Dan’s reach. The last thing she wanted was for him to change and attack her, given what she'd just done to him. "How badly are you hurt?"
His throat rattled, as he glared at her.
“Hey,” Tom growled, bending over Dan. “She’s the one trying to help you, idiot. Be nice.”
Swallowing her fright, Jo looked back at him. “Can you walk?”
Sullenly, he shook his head.
“Right,” Jo decided, getting to her feet. “Tom, why don’t you stay with Dan, and Nick and I can go back to get another car.”
Nick raised an eyebrow. “We can?”
“Unless you want to change back and go that way?”
He grinned at her. “Good idea. Faster that way.”
Tom shook his head, raising his eyes to the sky as he sighed, heavily.
“What’s the matter, Tom?” Nick asked, innocently. “Do you want to go?”
Glowering at his brother, Tom shook his head. “Can’t,” he said, eventually. “Bad leg.”
The grin slid off Nick’s face. “Will you be okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” Tom replied, brushing away his brother’s concern. “Just go get that car, will you? And maybe some clothes?”
As Nick walked into the darkness, letting the bear free once more, Jo made sure that Dan was as comfortable as possible, even getting her coat to drape over his cold body.
Dan frowned, his face etched with pain. "Why are you being so nice to me?" He was the enemy, part of the Northern Wind pack. They had every right to kill him for what he'd done but instead, this human mate of Nick's was busy trying to look after him.
Jo shrugged. “It seems like the right thing to do.”
“Even though I tried to kill Nick.”
An arrested look came over her face, her lip trembling just a little. “Yes. Even though you tried to do that.” She looked at him then, her eyes angry. “Don’t think that I’m okay with what you did, or what your pack did, though. I just don’t want to have your death on my conscience.” Getting up, she walked away, around to the back of her car, leaning against the trunk. Her hands were shaking, as anger filled her. She’d just been helping the guy who’d tried to kill Nick, for no other reason than she didn’t want to feel guilty about hurting him, even though she’d done it to save Nick.
“You okay?”
She shrugged, not really wanting to talk to Tom. “I guess.”
He limped over to her, his leg getting more and more painful as he walked. “You don’t have to feel responsible for him.”
Jo shook her head, not looking at him. “My head’s just a mess.”
Grinning, he leaned against the trunk next to her. “Guess it’s been that way since you found out about us.”
“You can say that again!”
Chuckling, Tom sat quietly for a minute. “Jo, I want you to know that this was never about you. You seem like a really nice person and you’re good for Nick, but I was just trying to protect him.”
“I know that now,” she replied, softly. “Humans and shifters don't mix, right?"
“Right.”
“What if I decide to stay?”
Tom patted her awkwardly on the shoulder. “Jo, the fact that you came back is proof enough for me.”
“Proof of what?”
“That you’re Nick’s mate.”
“His what?”
He chuckled. “I forgot you wouldn’t know what that was. Basically, you and Nick belong together. The bear says so.”
Jo frowned, wondering if he was being serious. “The bear?”
“Yeah, his bear’s basically chosen you and that means you and Nick are bound together for life.”
“And what would happen if I decided that Nick wasn’t right for me?”
“Then he wouldn’t find anyone else.”
“Ever?” Jo asked, surprised.
Tom shook his head. “No, never.”
Jo let out a long breath. “Then I guess I’m staying.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“I thought you’d want me to leave.”
Letting out a long breath, Tom shook his head. “You make Nick happy, and that’s all I want for my brother. If you left, he’d be a wreck. I know it. So yeah, I’m glad you’re staying, Jo. He needs you.”
Jo smiled softly. “And I need him,” she whispered to herself.
CHAPTER 21
Nick’s throat rattled in warning as Tom put Dan down on the worn couch at the back of their office. He’s injured, he told his bear, settling him. He can’t hurt us.
“Are you going to call a doctor?”
Tom laughed out loud. “No, of course not. How would we explain what had happened?”
“Oh, yeah. Right,” Jo replied, completely embarrassed. Tom was right, they wouldn’t exactly be able to explain all the injuries away.
“Don’t be embarrassed,” Nick grinned, catching her hand. “It’s just a different way of thinking, I guess. Takes time to get used to.”
Tom leaned against the door. "I'll see to Dan," he said, firmly. "There's a lock I can fix on the door too if I have to. Why don't you guys go on up to the cabin?"
“What about your leg?” Jo asked, worried.
“Nothing I can’t take care of,” he replied, calmly. “You guys need some time to talk.”
Nick raised his eyebrows, surprised at his brother’s thoughtfulness. “Thanks,” he said, smiling at him. “I appreciate that.”
“Come up to the cabin when you’re ready,” Jo commented, making him promise he would before leaving the office.
Their ride up to the cabin was quiet, a slight awkwardness between them. Jo gasped as she saw the boarded up windows. “What happened?” she asked, squinting in the early morning sun.
Nick rubbed his chin. “It was another warning.” He shrugged his shoulders, trying to make light of it
. “It’s just the downstairs windows. The upstairs ones are fine.” He was going to get them fixed as soon as he could.
“Nick,” she sighed, sadly. “I’ve only made things worse for you, haven’t I?”
He shook his head, unlocking and pushing open the front door. “This was always going to happen, whether you were here or not.”
“Yes, but Dan –”
Pressing his finger to her lips, Nick quirked an eyebrow. “Will you stop worrying? This ain’t your fault.”
Jo sighed against his hand, as he slowly moved his fingers over her cheek and down her jawline. Her eyes fluttered closed. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured, as his fingers dug into her hair.
“Sorry for what?” he asked, stepping closer and wrapping one arm around her waist.
“Sorry for running away.”
Nick kissed her then, brushing his lips against hers before delving in deeper. Jo pressed her hands against his chest, as his hands slid up the back of her neck and into her hair.
“Don’t be sorry, Jo,” he murmured against her lips. “I just can’t believe you came back.”
She sighed, molding her body against his. "Well, I did," she replied, quietly. "Besides, after all of this I don’t think I’d be able to return to a normal life, Nick. I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about you."
Nick clenched his jaw as she lifted her lips to the side of his jaw. The bear was wide awake, urging him to take her again, but his strength might be too much for her. “I can’t,” he growled, steeling his resolve. “It’s not safe, Jo.”
In response, she twined her hands around his neck, pressing butterfly kisses along the side of his jaw all the way down his neck. “I’m not scared,” she whispered, her breath tickling his ear. “I didn’t know what you were before, but now that I do –” She leaned back to look into his eyes. “It makes me love you all the more.”
Nick froze, stunned. She loves me? Staring into her eyes, he could tell that she was just as surprised as him. She hadn’t meant to say that.
Jo stepped away from him. “What I meant to say was, uh…”
“You love me?”
She swallowed, glancing up at him before dropping her eyes to the floor. “I guess. I mean, it’s been a long time since I –”
“Even though you know what I am? What I could do?”
Sympathy flashed into her eyes as she stepped closer. “Nick,” she said, softly. “You would never hurt me. I know you wouldn’t. I’ve seen your bear and I’ve seen you, and both sides of you want to protect me. Protect us.”
Nick felt his breath catch in his chest.
“Yes, but I could change at any moment. The last time we were together, the bear was tired and peaceful.”
Jo smiled gently. “What if the reason it was peaceful was because you’d found your mate?”
He jumped in surprise at her use of the word. “You know what that means?”
She nodded. “Tom explained it to me.”
Nick ran a hand through his hair, blowing out a breath of surprise. He didn’t know what to do. He wanted to take Jo in his arms and make her his, knowing that she accepted him and his bear but his fear held him back. What if Jo was right? What if the bear was quiet because he was finally with his mate?
“I’m not afraid to tell you that I love you,” Jo continued, trying to be brave. “You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”
Nick let out a long sigh, catching Jo up in his arms. “I love you too, Jo. I mean, we’ve only known each other for a short period of time, but I’ve never experienced these feelings before. I tried to hide it from myself for so long, but it can’t be hidden anymore.”
“Then love me,” she whispered, her mouth dangerously close to his.
Letting out a groan, Nick leaned down and brushed his tongue against the seam of her mouth, which opened for him instantly. He caught the scent of her arousal, which only heightened his. Lifting her bodily in his arms, he strode up the stairs, not even breaking their kiss. Dropping her to her feet, he stepped back and grinned lazily.
“Back to where it all began,” he murmured, turning on the hot water.
Jo licked her lips, her cheeks pink. “You do need to clean up after all that fighting,” she replied, stepping closer and running her hands up his shirt. His breath came out in a hiss.
“You first.”
With a coy smile, Jo pulled her shirt over her head, only to catch her breath when biting kisses slammed against her neck, his hands running down her back and into her jeans. “Don’t cheat,” she murmured, dragging his torn and bloodied shirt out of the waistband of his jeans.
“Never,” he growled, dropping all his clothes to the floor in what seemed like seconds. Then he helped her out of hers, before pulling her into the shower.
CHAPTER 22
Jo waited until the shower water stopped running red, before letting her hands trail over Nick’s skin. He was cut and bruised all over, but it didn’t seem to bother him too much.
“Does it hurt?” she asked, her fingers circling a large dark bruise at the side of his ribs.
He shrugged, his eyes focusing somewhere below her chin. “At the time, yes. And after, but we shifters heal quickly.”
“Good to know,” she grinned, her eyebrow lifting as she saw his aroused state. “No problem there, then.”
Nick’s eyes darkened. “None.” His hands were gentle, as he slowly lowered his head to her breasts, pulling a cry from her lips.
He stood up immediately, his eyes searching hers. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you?”
Her chest was heaving, as she stared into his eyes. “Why did you stop? Keep going!”
“I’m not hurting you?” he asked, confused.
Jo shook her head, pushing him back down. “No, you didn’t.”
Relieved, he tugged her close. “It’s hard for me to stay gentle.”
“Maybe I like it a little rough.”
That’s all he needed to hear. Nick groaned, kissing her hard before letting his hands explore her body further. Jo let out a shuddering breath, tangling her fingers into his hair and throwing her head back. Resting her back against the shower wall, she gave herself up to the sensations he was pulling from her.
Nick lifted his head, letting his hands caress her breasts instead of his mouth. Kissing her hard, he caught his breath as her hands reached for his cock, forcing a snarl from his throat.
Jo glanced up at him, her eyes wide. “It this okay?”
He closed his eyes, nodding. It would take a bit of time for her to get used to the sounds he made, but right now they were sounds of pleasure.
Jo grinned, even though he couldn’t see her. “Good,” she murmured, exploring him gently. She looked up at his strong jaw, touching the scruff on his face with her free hand. He looked rugged, almost dangerous. After everything she’d seen, Jo finally understood why.
With one hand, Nick pulled her palm to his mouth, kissing it before working his way up her arm and towards her shoulder. A shiver shook her, speeding its way up her spine but she didn’t let him go. Working her hand slowly, she gave him a wicked grin as he rolled his hips and groaned.
“Jo,” Nick muttered, his voice low and husky. “I love you.”
Her heart raced, as she lifted both hands around his neck. He was irresistible. “I love you too, Nick.”
He pulled her up into his arms, her legs spanning his waist. Pressing her back against the shower wall, he braced his legs and grasped the top of her thighs, strong enough to hold her tightly.
Nick looked into her eyes, pressing a kiss to her mouth as his arousal rested against her core. Slowly, he slid into her soft folds, a moan of pleasure coming from her lips. She was ready for him.
Flooded with sensations, Nick held himself back. He didn’t know what would happen when the bear was awake. He didn’t want to hurt Jo, unable to help himself from letting his teeth graze the skin at her collarbone as he dropped his head.
“Don’t hold back
,” she exclaimed, her face a mask of ecstasy. “Don’t be scared, Nick. This is right. You know it.”
His hands cradled her face, as the bear let out a growl of satisfaction. Jo was right. She was his mate and he was hers. He had to let this happen, to trust that the protective instinct he had for her wouldn’t allow the bear to hurt her in any way.
“I know it is,” he whispered, gently nipping her lip as he pressed himself a little deeper into her. She leaned back, her hands grasping the top of the shower cubicle, giving him greater movement. Nick bucked into her again and again, waiting for her to find her release as he’d done before.
Pressure built, her whole body on fire. His strokes drove her closer to the edge, the strong grip of his hands making her crave him even more. As he began to move faster, Jo moaned again, her world exploding around her as she came. Closing her eyes, she held onto Nick. Her bear shifter. Her mate.
Nick couldn’t help the snarl that ripped through him, his release imminent. “I need to let go,” he shouted, his hands letting go of her thighs.
“No,” Jo urged, tightening her legs around his waist. “No, Nick. Stay with me. It’s different this time.”
He could barely breathe, knowing he was too close to stop now. Reaching for him, Jo tangled her fingers in his hair, her breast pushing against his chest. Dipping his lips to the curve of her neck, he pushed into her again and growled out her name, letting his teeth sink lightly into her skin.
Warmth flooded her as Nick let go, his head thrust back as he growled loudly. His chest began to heave with breath, his hands gripping her tightly. The bear reared up, stretching wide but there was no urge to change. There was no snapping of bones, no muscles stretching and snapping – there was just Jo.
Jo clung to him for a long moment, waiting until he’d set her back on her feet before looking up at him. The bear growled again, settling down quietly as Nick pressed a kiss to Jo’s forehead. “I love you, Jo,” he murmured, smoothing her hair back.
“And I love you,” she whispered, resting her head on his chest.
When Tom walked in, a few hours later, he grinned at the innocent picture Jo and Nick presented. They were both showered and dressed, lazily sipping cups of coffee on the sofa.
The Dragon's Mate (Elemental Dragons Book 1) Page 110