Page 58 of The Secret Mate Society

"I don't know how to ride a motorcycle."

A slow, predatory smile spread across his face."I'll drive.You hold on, pup."

Twenty minutes later, I was clinging to Calder's back as his motorcycle roared through Portland's leaf-strewn streets.The leather of his jacket was smooth beneath my fingers, his body solid and warm despite the chill in the air.I pressed my cheek between his shoulder blades, breathing in his leather-and-spice scent, letting it ground me.When we pulled into the Gazette's parking lot, I reluctantly unwound myself from around him.My legs felt wobbly as I dismounted, partly from the ride and partly from the way Calder had looked at me when he'd handed me the spare helmet, possessive, protective, hungry.

"One hour," he reminded me, killing the engine but making no move to get off the bike.

"You're not coming in?"

He shook his head."I'll wait here.Keep an eye on things from outside."

I frowned."It looks like it might rain again.You'll get soaked."

"I'll survive."His tone made it clear the discussion was over.

Rolling my eyes, I turned toward the building."Suit yourself, tough guy."

The familiar buzz of the newsroom washed over me as I pushed through the glass doors.The place was quieter than usual for a Monday morning, half the staff was probably at that seminar on digital engagement that I'd managed to wriggle out of.I made my way to my desk, nodding at the few colleagues who glanced up from their screens.

I was halfway through downloading my new assignments when a shadow fell across my keyboard.

"Hey there, partner."

I looked up to find Jake leaning against my cubicle wall, coffee in hand and that easy smile playing at his lips.But something felt different about him today.The warmth in his brown eyes seemed forced, and there was a tension in his shoulders that hadn't been there during our lunch last week.

"Jake," I said, saving my work and swiveling in my chair to face him."How was your weekend?"

"Quiet," he replied, though his gaze swept over me with an intensity that made me shift uncomfortably."You look...different.Relaxed.Good weekend?"

Heat crept up my neck as memories of Calder's hands on my body, his mouth at my throat, flashed through my mind."Yeah, it was nice.Stayed in mostly."

"Alone?"The question came out sharper than casual conversation warranted.

I hesitated, something in his tone setting off alarm bells."Not exactly."

Jake's smile faltered for just a moment before snapping back into place."Ah.The mysterious Calder, I'm guessing?"He took a sip of his coffee, watching me over the rim."Funny thing, I was asking around about him.Turns out nobody knows much about the guy.No social media presence, no digital footprint to speak of.That's unusual these days, don't you think?"

My stomach clenched."Some people value their privacy."

"Sure," Jake agreed, but his eyes had gone cold."Or some people have things to hide."

“Look Jake…” I said softly, shaking my head.“I’m sorry.I know you feel something for me?—”

“You’re right,” he cut in.“I do.”His tone was intense, but not scary.“I feel a lot of things for you, Ethan.I just wish you’d give me a chance.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, the weight of Jake's stare making me feel pinned in place.This wasn't how I'd wanted this conversation to go."I'm seeing someone now," I said quietly."It's...complicated, but it's real."

Something flickered across Jake's face, disappointment, irritation, maybe both, before his expression smoothed into professional detachment."The mechanic," he said flatly."The one who's waiting outside on his motorcycle right now."

I blinked in surprise."How did you?—"

"I saw you pull in."Jake set his coffee down on my desk with deliberate care."Hard to miss, really.Big guy, leather jacket, staring at the building like he's expecting trouble."His eyes narrowed slightly."What's his deal anyway?He looks like he's casing the place."

"He's just protective," I said, feeling defensive without really understanding why."After what happened at my apartment?—"

"What happened at your apartment?"Jake interrupted, leaning forward with sudden intensity.

I hesitated, mentally kicking myself.I hadn't told anyone at work about the incident, about the heart left in the parking lot.