Page 80 of Facade

Kissing him was a long-awaited indulgence that didn’t disappoint. Jace kissed her like he worshipped her. It was a reverent exploration that heated the blood in her veins.

Clarke was beyond tempted to tear Jace’s clothes off, and have her way with him right there on the couch. But Heath could walk in the door any minute. When they did have sex for the first time, Clarke didn’t want to worry about being interrupted.

She and Heath weren’t at that stage in their relationship yet. There was also the fact that Nadine and her mates would be coming over sooner than later. The timing wasn’t right.

She was determined to focus on the positives rather than her sexual frustration. Instead of getting pushy or cranky, Jace seemed content to kiss and touch. He clearly preferred privacy over trying for a quickie on the couch.

It said a lot that getting his rocks off wasn’t Jace’s highest priority. Her wellbeing and happiness took the top spot for him. He was completely devoted to her.

Her claiming mark tingled from the skin-to-skin contact. That was an indication that the bond was near completion. Clarke felt more settled and at peace than she had since her dad went missing.

He would be thrilled that she was bonded. Clarke’s dad was already very fond of Jace. She was positive that he would also approve of Heath.

Instead of being filled with sadness and anxiety, Clarke now looked forward to introducing her dad to her mates. She still worried about him. It was impossible not to. But with a support network and more brains working to find him, Clarke had hope that they would find her dad, and charge to the rescue.

She and Heath didn’t know each other well yet, but Clarke felt closer to him every day. He was just as sweet as Jace, albeit in different ways, as well as being thoughtful, smart, and funny.

Revealing her identity to Nadine, Roger, and Brady had been scary at first. Their acceptance meant a great deal to her. There was a greater risk of exposure, but Clarke felt seen.

Having the freedom to be herself just for short snippets of time with Jace, Heath, and Russell made it easier to maintain the charade at work. Clarke no longer felt like she was losing her sense of self. It was logical to hope that adding Heath’s sister and her mates to Clarke’s confidants would increase that stability.

Dropping the pretense with Nadine and her husbands diminished her stress levels. They were kind, supportive, and had wise suggestions. She really was blessed with her mates and their families.

Moving the cats was rewarding. The six of them worked together like an established team. There wasn’t a single hiccup or conflict.

Clarke appreciated that Heath and his family loved animals as much as she did. It was one more thing that made her feel closer to him. They really did fit together, and it should be the same with the third.

Jace loved animals as well, but she had always known that. It was also normal for shifters. Sharing their souls with an animal spirit meant that most, if not all shifters, had an innate respect for creatures great and small, wild and domestic.

Once they were relocated to the basement, Clarke was tempted to fuss over the cats. But she knew they would adjust faster and feel free to explore their new home without human interference. The students reluctantly headed upstairs after unlatching the cages, with the rest of them following.

Nadine and her husbands headed back to their house in Clementine. Jace, Heath, and Clarke stopped in town for takeout. Then they drove to Heath’s house to eat their dinner.

“That went about as well as I could have expected,” Jace said as they sat down in the dining room. “All of it. Your sister, her husbands, and the cats.”

“Yeah, Nadine was a little crazy outside. But it was all protective, mother-hen instincts, thinking I’d gotten myself into some kind of trouble,” Heath said. “So, I told her I was bonded, which redirected her, and you know the rest.”

“I’m just glad I can be honest with them. That is a weight off my chest,” Clarke said. “It’s one thing to pretend I’m someone I’m not to the students and my coworkers. But deceiving my mate’s family is totally different, and doesn’t sit right with me.”

“Speaking of which, can I tell my parents?” Heath asked. “They all teach at Northeastern Evolved, and don’t have any close friends here, if that helps. I trust them to keep their mouths shut, but they’re far enough away that it shouldn’t be an issue regardless.”

“I didn’t realize your whole family was involved in education,” Jace said.

“Yeah, Nadine and I came by that honestly,” Heath said. “We were raised to respect educators, and love the process of learning.”

“As long as you’re positive that none of them would contact Dean Stanhope and expose me, you can tell them. I don’t want you to feel like you have to hide this from your parents,” Clarke said after taking a minute to think about all the aspects and possible consequences. “Telling them everything should underline the need for discretion.”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I thought for one second that any of them would rat you out to the faculty here. Thank you, Clarke. I know my parents will adore you as much as Nadine does,” Heath said with a smile that lit up his face.

“I’m sure that will be mutual,” Clarke said. “They have to be awesome people to have raised you and Nadine to be who you are.”

“Well, I’m biased, but I think they are pretty amazing,” Heath said.

“You’ll swear them to secrecy, and make sure your parents understand the risks to Clarke if anyone finds out who she is, and why she’s really here?” Jace asked seriously.

“Absolutely,” Heath said with a nod. “I would never jeopardize her safety.”

“Ok,” Jace said with a nod.