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It was a very different landscape than he was used to at home, and here with her, he felt a sense of peace that he hadn’t realized had been missing for him in the pack.
Julian was a fair ruler unlike his previous alpha and despite the poor reputation that the Yellow Claw pack had received in the past Julian was dedicated to turning things around for them.
Clay wasn’t an alpha though and so claiming an outsider as his mate would be challenging unless she was willing to leave here and move with him to Yellow Claw territory. As a bata, it would be challenging to fit into a new pack dynamic. As it was he didn’t even know if that would be an option. Jade hadn’t given any indication that she was aware of his kind and Martin wouldn’t thank him for exposing his pack.
You’re getting ahead of yourselfhe scolded trying to bring his focus back to Jade.
“What are you thinking about?”she asked.
CHAPTER SIX
Jade watched the play of emotions as they crossed his face relaxed one moment, then pensive and filled with worry. She didn’t want to pry but she needed something to take her mind off of how deeply their kiss affected her.
She fought the urge to press her fingers to her lips which were still swollen. When her tongue brushed the seam she could still taste him and it made her want to initiate another kiss. One that was deeper. It didn’t matter that she shouldn’t get involved with him. When they were alone she couldn’t think clearly and it was difficult to remember that if anyone found out about them Quinn could cause real trouble for Clay.
Suddenly the thought of the two of them locked in battle flashed in her mind causing a shudder to go through her, the idea that he could be hurt had bile rising in her throat.
“I was thinking about how beautiful it is here, and how I’d like to see more of the area.”
“You should see it from the air. It’s breathtaking. There’s a helicopter tour available. If you have the time before you end your trip.” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them despite her intention to put distance between them.
“Well, now that depends if you’re offering to be my tour guide.” He winked at her and Jade felt a flutter in her stomach. As if a swarm of butterflies had been set loose inside her.
She meant to say no. She even bit down on her tongue to hold the words back but her agreement slipped out anyway.
“I’ll see what I can arrange if they have an opening,” she said. Silently hoping that the company that ran the tours would be too busy, but knowing they wouldn’t because it was still early in the season.
“How long are you staying?” Her breath caught as she waited for his answer, her heart thumping hard. Why it mattered how long he’d stay she wasn’t sure but she was drawn to him in ways that she couldn’t explain. She bit into a piece of cheese while she waited for him to respond. Trying to distract herself from how nervous she was at what he would say.
“It’s open-ended. I was anxious to head home soon. I’ve been away longer than I like, but now I think I’d enjoy staying around a while longer.” The look in his eye left no room for doubt that she was the reason that he’d be happy to stay.
“This is crazy we don’t even know each other.”
“So eat your lunch and we’ll get to know each other better.” He grinned at her, his lips curling into a slow sensual smile.
“It’s not that easy.”
“It is if we want it to be.”
She watched as he popped a grape into his mouth biting her tongue as heat and need slowly unfurled in her belly while she watched him.
Could it be that easy? Could they just get to know each other? Could they just spend time together if they wanted?She thought about Quinn again, and how angry he’d be if she showed interest in another man when he’d already staked his claim.
The only reason that he’d left her alone had been because she’d hidden her magical ability. If she slowed the slightest interest in Clay Quinn would likely start sniffing around again and it would be that much harder to keep him and her family convinced that she wasn’t a strong witch and the life that she knew would be over.
It wasn’t something she was ready to consider and still, she couldn’t stay away from Clay.
Two days later they were together again standing in the helicopter lot listening as the pilot gave them safety instructions before they climbed in.
“Where do you disappear to for days at a time?” Clay asked his voice barely a whisper as he slid closer to her.
“Shh, pay attention this is important.” She answered never taking her eyes off their pilot but she also didn’t move away from Clay.
“Ok hop in and we’ll be on our way.”
THE LIFT OFF was so smooth it felt like they were on a cloud and as they ascended to five thousand feet above the surrounding mountain range his breath caught in his throat at how stunning the scenery was and it was almost enough to make him forget the jealousy that had surged through his system as Jade had watched their pilot. He’d held it together only because he hadn’t smelled any lust or desire coming from his mate.
They banked to the left and the headphones he was wearing crackled to life.
