Chapter 33 #3
“The universe is sending you strong messages that would only get stronger if you were able to continue to evade mating, if not for you getting it all from Lucinda and from us in plain words today. Erica telling you that just now spares you from having to receive those messages in ways that might be distressing to you. Though, whether you get any more messages will depend on how long it takes until… you know.”
“So… the spell is over. It won’t be stopping him,” I say.
“Correct,” Erica confirms.
“Can I have one more day?” I ask. “Please? I’m kind of… having trouble.”
I look at Dani. She looks upset, I think. Angry? Concerned? I guess her hands are tied.
“Sorry,” Dani says. “It’s over.”
“You’ve done a great thing for shifters, Bailey,” Vivi states.
“For other beings as well. Shifters aren’t the only ones who have fated mates.
We already know that what you’ve done is going to make a difference.
We don’t know how or when, but we know it will make a difference that we’ll all get to witness.
And soon. I hope it helps, despite this not being the answer you wanted.
Lucinda understands you were distressed. She’ll reach out about the task force.”
Now there’s awkward silence.
And Erica and Ronnie both speak the same words at the same time, Ronnie jerking her thumb toward the door.
“We should…”
“I want a word with Jase first,” Dani demands, looking angry.
“Not necessary,” Jase finally speaks, getting to his feet beside me. “Bay?”
I force myself to look at him, though I’m afraid of what I’ll see.
He asks, “Can I pick you up tomorrow night and take you to dinner?”
My jaw drops in shock.
Silence stretches while he waits for me to answer.
Finally, I ask, “Um… what?”
He smiles. “Did you think I was gonna grab you by the hair and drag you back to my cave so I can rut you?”
His eyes sweep over me in a way that I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what he wants to do.
And visions of Jase’s naked body flash in my mind. Oh shit. Now my underwear are wet.
His eyebrows quirk up. “Unless you’ve changed your mind and it’s what you want…”
“It’s not,” I say quickly.
His eyes rove my body long enough for me to know he’s wordlessly communicating that he smells arousal.
If he smells arousal, does he also smell my fear? And my confusion? I’m utterly bewildered right now.
“Baby,” he says softly, “If you think I’m gonna go back on everything I just promised before the SCC called, then you should never have wanted me in the first place. I’d like to think you’ve got higher standards than that.”
Dani jumps to her feet and enthusiastically reaches toward Jase for a handshake while letting out a relieved-sounding sigh.
He shoots her a dirty look for a second before his expression clears. Yeah, he’s still holding a grudge. But he shakes her hand.
She lets go and leans over and hugs me, though I stay sort of frozen.
“Call me any time,” she says. “Any time at all. And we’ll have more sleepovers. Okay?”
I nod, about to burst into tears. I manage to fight it back.
Ronnie hugs me next. Then Vivi.
And now Erica. “We think it’s gonna work out okay. Better than okay. Call me if you need anything. Love ya, babe.” She squeezes me and then gives Jase’s shoulder an affectionate squeeze before she leaves.
It’s just me and Jase here in the sunroom.
“Pick you up here at six tomorrow?” he checks.
“Do I have a choice?” I ask a little snottily.
He smiles a blinding dimpled smile, looking like the old Jase instead of the frustrated, angry one I’ve gotten acquainted with lately.
“Not really.” He gets up and leans over, putting his lips to my forehead.
I seize up, shoulders bunching toward my ears, and he makes a sound I’ve never heard him make in the back of his throat. A pained sound.
He speaks without moving, meaning I feel his lips against my skin as he talks.
“I can’t wait to hold you.” He presses another kiss there.
“Kiss you all over. Fall asleep beside you and wake up beside you knowing I can actually touch you. I can’t wait to claim you.
Make love to you. Knot you. Give you my mark.
It’s hurting to wait, hurting like you would not believe.
But I’ll wait. And I promise I’ll try to be worth all this trouble. ”
My shoulders drop to their normal position as some of the tension leaves my body.
The tip of his nose trails from my forehead down my temple and though I’m perfectly still, goosebumps are now rising everywhere. He gets his mouth to the crook of my neck and takes a deep inhale of me before his hand cups my jaw and he presses his forehead against mine.
And I’m absolutely mortified because my panties are beyond soaking wet.
And I know he smells it. Biology. And Fate making decisions for shifters instead of letting us decide ourselves.
Though I don’t know if I’m protesting too much right now, holding onto my grudge, because everything he said today definitely made an impact.
And the fact that he seems to be keeping his word feels important.
It doesn’t erase everything, but it’s… it’s something.
His voice is a deep rumble against my skin.
“I know this wasn’t what you were hoping for today.
But I’m gonna make it so you eventually forget how it felt to be afraid of me touching you.
I’m gonna make it so you can’t keep your hands off me.
I can’t fuckin’ wait. No, actually I’m making myself wait.
For your sake. Really hate to walk away right now but I will.
Because you and me have forever. And I’m so, so happy about that, Bailey.
I’ll see you tomorrow. Be here or I’m gonna have to hunt you down. ”
He leans back so I can see the grin.
“Would it be too much to ask you to wear that gold dress you wore to Erica’s party? That way I can appreciate it this time?”
Without waiting for an answer, he winks before he backs up just a little more while he runs the back of his fingers down my jaw, his thumb skimming my bottom lip for just a second as his eyes rove from my eyes to my mouth, down to my chest, then back up again.
He gives me one more panty-dissolving smile with dimples and walks out, leaving me sitting here. Sitting here in absolute shock.
A loud wolf yelp pierces the air, making me jump. And I could almost swear the sound comes from my own chest. Is it the soul or spirit of that future daughter the lady on the plane spoke of, having the last word for a while?