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He held Jesse’s gaze as he asked, “Are we mates?”
A noise outside made both of them turn their heads, but the garage door was closed.
“I need to get you inside.” Jesse walked ahead of Sam and went into the house. Sam hurried behind him. It had been a forty-minute drive, in silence, and now Sam felt exhausted. But not tired enough to sleep. God, a third attempt.
What in the hell was going on? Was this really about his father? Was someone trying to abduct Sam to ransom him? Sam was fully aware that this kind of thing happened to wealthy families. It was the reason protection firms existed. He just never thought he would need one but was thankful for Jesse Hart and Driscoll Security. Sam wasn’t sure what had made Malcolm chose a firm with wolf shifters but was grateful.
And Jesse hadn’t answered Sam’s question. His nerves were frayed, and honestly, Sam was afraid of the answer. It was one thing to have a wolf guard him, another to be mated to one.
That’s your father talking. Jesse hasn’t acted savage, except for getting you away from that demon. Maybe your father is wrong about their kind.
Even so, Sam knew he wasn’t ready for the answer, so he didn’t press the subject. He was already dealing with enough.
“It’s not much,” Jesse said as he went around turning on lights, “but for now, it’s home.”
“Thank you.” Sam still felt in a daze. He was no longer cold, but he couldn’t stop shaking. “For saving me.”
Jesse walked over to him then stuffed his hands into his pockets. Hands Sam desperately wanted wrapped around him. “I take my job seriously, Sam. It’s actually my fault.”
Sam glanced up at Jesse. God, the guy was so tall. “How?”
After swiping a hand through his hair, Jesse sighed. “I should have been thinking. I should have told you to keep your bedroom lights on. Your first attack was by a demon. It should have occurred to me sooner.”
The guy was beating himself up over this, when it wasn’t his fault. “Did you send that demon after me?”
Jesse looked incredulously at him. “Of course I didn’t. Why would you ask that?”
“Then why are you shouldering any kind of blame? I’m thankful you were there to stop him. That’s all that should matter to you. Because of you, he didn’t get me.”
“I know.” Jesse slipped his suit jacket off, tossed it on the back of the couch, then rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt. And here Sam thought the guy couldn’t get any better looking. “I should have thought of the lights, though. That was a rookie move.” He looked at Sam. “Maybe you should try and get some rest.”
Sam hugged himself. “I don’t think I can. I’m too wired right now.”
Too afraid to close my eyes.
“How about some hot tea?” Jesse walked toward the kitchen. It was an open area that flowed into the living room, except for the long L-shaped counter that separated the two rooms.
“Yeah, that sounds good.” Sam kept rubbing his arms as he looked around.
“Hey.” Jesse placed his hands on Sam’s upper arms. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I learn from my mistakes, and for the foreseeable future, get used to having lights on all around you.”
Sam nodded.
“Are you still cold?”
Sam shook his head, hating that he was still trembling. The danger had passed, for now, yet he couldn’t get that hot breath on his neck out of his head, couldn’t stop shaking from the feeling of that hand over his mouth.
He gasped when Jesse curled his arms around him, hugging him tightly. Sam was stiff for a second but relaxed in Jesse’s arms, resting his head on the man’s chest.
“I promise you’re safe, Sam.”
He felt safe now that Jesse was holding him. The wolf’s scent invaded Sam’s lungs, stirring something inside of him. His groin grew tight, and he prayed Jesse didn’t feel his arousal.
“Go sit on the couch while I make the tea.” Jesse kissed Sam’s forehead before he set him away from him. “It won’t take long. I’ll even grab you a blanket to curl up in.”
There was only one place Sam wanted to curl up, and it wasn’t the couch. He wanted back in Jesse’s embrace, those strong arms holding him close. That need was disconcerting. Sam took a step back and turned, going to the couch as Jesse had asked.
He just needed to shake off the trembles. Sam needed to pull himself together. He wasn’t some simpering damsel in distress. Sure, the attempted abductions scared him, but Sam had always fought for his independence, his freedom to live his own life on his own terms.
