Page 84 of Healer’s Betrayal

“Okay.” I whisper.

He pulls me the remaining centimeters towards him. “Is this okay?”

I nod, and he pulls me the rest of the way. His lips meet mine so lightly, I almost don’t feel it. Then he kisses me again. And again. Each touch is featherlight. I pull back slightly. "Huh. That was my first kiss. I gotta say, Jackson. That was really a disappointment. I really thought it would be more—” I don’t get any more out. He drops an arm around my back and pulls me towards him, while he pulls lightly on the back of my hair, angling me better. Then he consumes me; that’s the only word I have to describe it. Heat explodes through me, and my heart starts racing. His body is wrapped around mine, and still, it’s not enough. I put my hands on his chest, and he growls low in his chest. I wrap my fingers in his tank and pull him closer. His growl is much deeper this time, and my body ignites. I run my hands over his shoulders and down his biceps, getting a feel of solid muscle that makes my heart race even more. I reach up to the back of his head and pull his head down, wanting him closer. Suddenly, I’m airborne. He puts a hand under my backside and lifts me, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he deepens the kiss. I gasp at the sensation, and he takes full advantage. He thrusts his tongue inside my mouth. His tongue chases mine, and I don’t know where he starts and I end. I don’t know how long we kiss, but it feels like both forever and only for a few seconds. He pulls back, and I resist groaning. I stare up at him and try to remember what my name is. His eyes are so bright, they almost hurt to look at.

“I don’t think chemistry is going to be a problem.” He pretty much growls the words at me.

I throw my head back and laugh. I look at him, nearly eye to eye with how he’s holding me. “You’re a pretty good kisser, Jackson. Had lots of practice?”

“I haven’t had any practice. How about you, Baby? You’re wickedly talented with that tongue of yours.” He raises an eyebrow, and it’s so sexy.

I grin. “Wouldn't you like to know?”

He growls and doesn’t smile. “Yes. I want to know.”

“Why?” I ask, running my fingers through his hair on the back of his head.

“Because they’re all dead.” He doesn’t smile, and I’m pretty sure he’s not teasing.

I smile. I probably shouldn’t encourage this behavior, but it’s hard not to. I’ve never been the center of someone’s universe before; it’s a pretty heady feeling. I drop my smile, so he knows I’m serious. “I’ve never been with anyone, Jackson. I’ve never even kissed another guy. Like I said, that was my first kiss.” My words feel embarrassing to me, but he doesn’t seem to think so.

“Good. Because all of your kisses are mine.”

I can’t resist pushing his buttons; I think it’s becoming my new favorite pastime. “Are they now?” I ask.

“Yes.” His voice is harsh.

As good as this feels right now, I can’t help but ask. “What if you change your mind?”

“I won’t.”

“I know you say that now, but what if you do?” I can’t help my worry.

He looks me right in the eye. “That’s the thing about a shifter. We don’t change our minds. Once our minds are made up; we are dead set. I know you’re not from our world, and you don’t know this about wolves. But we don’t ever change our minds about our mates. We are obsessed with them. I used to think it wasn’t really true, but then I met you. You’re it for me, Kayla.” He chuckles, and I can feel it vibrate through his chest. “I’m obsessed with you, with everything about you. The more I get to know you, the more obsessed I become. I realize it’s all just words, but I’ll show you. Give me time; give me a chance. That’s all I’m asking for.”

I stare up at him. “I want to get to know you better; I want to give this a chance.”

He blows out a breath and leans his forehead against mine. “Thank you; that’s all I’m asking for.” He leans forward and kisses me again, but this one is gentle and tender. It feels like more, like so much more. When he pulls back, I’m glad he’s holding me because I feel like mush. “We should probably get back.”

I nod. “You’re right.”

He gives me one more quick kiss and then sets me on my feet. He takes my hand in his, and I can’t hardly wrap my mind around what just went down between the two of us. “Where is home for you?” I ask when we’re settled in his truck.

“Alabama,” he says as he starts the truck and puts his flannel shirt back on.

“If you insist on wearing long-sleeved shirts when it’s this hot, I’m going to find you a better material.”

He glances over at me. “Okay.” He reaches out his hand, and I don’t think twice about it before I slip mine in his. “There is one thing we haven’t talked about yet, something you need to know about our connection, our bond.”

I look over at him. “Okay.”

“Because of the mate bond, we’re connected kind of like pack members are. Because of our bond, we can speak directly to each other, mind to mind.”

I blink. “Come again?”

We can do this. His voice in my head startles me so much, I jump in my seat. He squeezes my hand. “Sorry, I guess I should have warned you.”

“No kidding, but now I’m intrigued. Can I do it back to you?” He nods. “How?”