She steps out of the way, and Jackie starts walking, occasionally glancing back at me as she leads the way, her expression troubled. I stay just a few steps behind her, close enough for her to know I’m on her trail.
Jackie leads us down the deck to the hall that houses her cabin. She uses the keypad to unlock her door and steps inside. I follow, closing the door behind us.
For a moment, she just stares at the room. I can hear her heartbeat quicken, panic rising in her scent. Without thinking, I grab her and pull her into my arms. She protests for a second, but when she looks into my eyes, it’s like her body understands what I’m trying to do. She relaxes, allowing me to pull her against me.
I gently rub her back. “I’m sorry,” I murmur against her hair. “I’m sorry my bearish reactions are pulling you into chaos.”
“Can we please pack up and get to the boat so we can leave?” she asks, her voice muffled against my chest. “I’m feeling a mix of things, and that’s natural. This is happening so fast, but...” She pulls back to look up at me, her eyes shining with resolve. “I want this. I want to go to Wintermoon with you.”
I just stare at her, this miraculous woman who’s willing to turn her world upside down for me. I lean down and press my forehead against hers. She lifts her head slightly, closing her eyes, and I take the opportunity to press my lips to hers.
The kiss starts gentle, a light contact that sends electricity coursing through my veins. Her lips are soft, yielding, tasting of the sweetness of the meal we just shared and something uniquely her—honey. Each gentle brush of our lips sends shockwaves through my system, awakening parts of me that have been dormant for centuries.
When she wraps her arms around my neck, something inside me breaks. I deepen the kiss, devouring her mouth with mine, drinking her in like a man dying of thirst. My bear roars as I explore her mouth, her taste more intoxicating than anything I’ve ever experienced. My hands slide down her back, pulling her closer until there’s no space between us, until I can feel her heartbeat hammering against my chest in perfect rhythm with mine.
Only when she breaks away, gasping for air, do I finally release her and take a step back. My own breathing is ragged, my control hanging by a thread.
I look around at her bags and start helping her pack, while she just stares at me, dazed, a hand pressed to her chest. I can hear how fast her heart is beating, matching the wild tempo of my own.
“We better get moving,” I tell her as I grab clothes from the bed and floor, stuffing them into her suitcase, “before I take youright here in this cabin.” I glance at the narrow bed. “And that bed is too small for me.”
“Oh, right,” she breathes, moving over to her makeup case to start packing it up.
Suddenly, a scent hits my nostrils—that foul cologne approaching her door. My bear surges forward, a growl tearing from my throat before I can stop it.
“That human male is at your door,” I snarl, stepping away from the luggage on the bed and starting for the door.
My patience has run out. I’ve waited so long for Jackie. This human male, who’s already paired with someone, thinks he’s going to take her from me? Not a chance.
Before I can reach the doorknob, Jackie quickly runs in front of me, placing her hands on my chest. “Jabari, stop. Let me handle it.”
“No,” I growl, gently grabbing her waist and lifting her. She squeals as I move her out of the way and set her back down gently on her feet. “I’ll just be a moment, baby. I’m going to rip his head off.”
My bear agrees wholeheartedly, but Jackie catches my hand, stopping me. “No, I want you to stop,” she says, authority ringing in her voice.
I smile at her commanding tone. She points to the bed. “Sit down.”
I gently slide the luggage aside and sit down on the mattress, her scent from the sheets enveloping me, sending another wave of desire through my body.
A knock sounds at the door, and we both know it’s that human male.
“Okay, that’s Kendrick,” Jackie says, straightening her clothes. “Stay here and let me get rid of him.”
I look up at her, loving that she’s commanding the moment. She leans down slightly and presses her lips to mine. I deepen the kiss immediately, pouting when she pulls back too soon.
“Stay here,” she whispers. “I’ll be right back.”
I obey, but my bear is on the verge of taking control, clawing at my insides, demanding I protect what’s ours.
She looks back at me as I stay put, and she opens the door, stepping out and shutting it behind her. I can hear her being sweet with the human male.
“Kendrick, what are you doing here? Is there something wrong with India?”
I don’t like hearing the sweet tone she’s using with him. One thing I know for certain—I’m giving this human male three strikes. Three chances where he might touch her, and after that, I’m going to kill him. If I sense even an ounce of discomfort from her because of him before those strikes are up, all bets are off.
My bear agrees.
11
