Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
L ucky groaned as Ezra called her name. Her body was exhausted. Between the run early this morning and the Ascension mayhem, she wanted to stay in bed for at least a week. The bottom of the bed shook and her mate tugged her foot.
“Up, princess.”
She peeked from under the pillow and glared at him.
He was dressed in a tracksuit, looking like he’d gotten a full night of rest instead of the three hours they’d had.
She frowned, sighing as her hair fell into her face.
She’d forgotten to wrap it last night. She’d tried resting when Hakeem had brought her home, but worry for Ezra had kept her awake.
All the emotions from his night had filled their bond.
Minutes after she’d settled in bed, something so stark and sharp had radiated down their connection.
It had shaken her until her panther insisted on a shift.
Instead of fighting the animal, Lucky had given in.
She was happy she had because the cat knew exactly what their mate needed when he’d finally made it home.
But their late night/early morning jaunt had left little room for rest. Now, she stared at her mate, groggy and irritable.
“Where are we going?”
“You asked for a vacation, remember?”
She groaned and laid her head back down. “That was a suggestion. Come back to bed.”
“Up, princess,” he insisted, snatching the comforter off of her.
Lucky growled and sat up, narrowing her eyes as she noticed two suitcases standing next to his feet.
“Wait, you packed for me?”
“I took your suggestion seriously. Now, let’s go.”
She grumbled but got out of bed, washing her face and brushing her teeth.
Thankful that her hair had been straightened last night, she easily pulled it up into a messy bun and changed into a pair of sweats with a cut-off shirt.
She didn’t bother with makeup, knowing she would cover her eyes with a big pair of shades.
When she reached her mate, he was waiting for her by the door of his suite. She stood on her toes and pursed her lips for a kiss. Obliging, Ezra took it further, deepening the kiss until she was breathless.
Satisfied, Lucky dragged her body after her mate as he walked them outside to a waiting SUV.
She curled into his lap instead of sitting in the other seat.
Ezra chuckled but held her tight. Griff was noticeably missing, but with everything that happened last night, she wouldn’t bring it up.
She wondered if he was hurt like Dave. That reminded her to check with Hakeem about that when she was fully awake.
Lucky drifted back to sleep in Ezra’s arms and when next she opened her eyes, he was gingerly settling her into a seat at the back of a private jet.
A new set of guards carried in their bags behind him, sitting in the seats at the front of the plane.
Excitement fluttered through her and she sat straighter to take in everything.
The scent of breakfast filled the interior and her stomach took that as its cue, rumbling in hunger.
Her mate chuckled next to her. “As soon as we’re airborne, we’ll have breakfast.”
The flight attendant smiled at Lucky as she informed them that they were closing the doors and preparing to leave. Lucky smiled at Ezra, unable to hide her excitement.
“Where are we going?”
“St. Kitts,” was his answer.
Lucky clapped her hands, happy with their destination. Soon after they steadied at altitude, the flight attendant came around with breakfast. She and Ezra ate, sharing soft and intimate conversation. After their plates were collected, Lucky straddled his lap.
“A private jet is sexy,” she told him.
He smiled, gripping her waist. “Behave, princess.”
“Why?” she dared him, leaning into his neck and licking over her mark.
He immediately bricked up beneath her. “You unruly woman,” he said, collaring her throat and bringing her head down to his for a kiss.
He stood and lifted her, carrying her to the back. Ezra dropped her onto a bed and she gave him an impish smile.
“What if I wanted to have sex in the main cabin?” His eyes lit with his tiger. “Oooh, Tiger doesn’t like that.”
With a growl, her mate dragged her to the edge of the bed, proceeding to shut her mouth up.
He fucked her so good that she fell asleep right after.
The next time she woke up, she was in the bed alone.
They were still in the air, but she felt a lot more refreshed and awake than when she’d first climbed on board.
Showering in the tiny bathroom next to the room, she came out, wondering where their suitcases were.
Forgoing underwear, she put on the clothes she’d boarded the plane in and walked into the main cabin.
Her mate was working at the little table, his face a mask of concentration. Their security was sleeping in their chairs, with one of them on guard. She sat next to Rah and put her legs into his lap. Without breaking stride, he slid his hands up her thighs while he kept on working.
She grabbed the iPad on the table next to his laptop and looked for a book to read.
Soon, the sound of his voice along with her book lulled her, and the time passed.
After an hour, she pestered her mate into putting away his devices and talking with her.
He explained that Griff was gone, the hurt from his friend’s betrayal still stinging.
Changing the subject to lighter topics, the two of them discussed what they wanted their lives to look like.
Settling into a routine would be their first order of business when they were back, but Lucky looked forward to it. The fasten seat belt light came on as they talked and before she knew it, they were taxiing. Ezra stood and stretched and Lucky followed suit, anxious to see what Rah had planned.
Sea air hit her the moment the door of the plane opened.
She inhaled, giddy excitement filling her.
Kaine and his security made quick work of customs and they deboarded the plane, loading into the waiting SUVs.
The drive to their hotel was scenic and Lucky took it all in.
She’d traveled before, but never at this level.
She was excited. Instead of a hotel, they pulled up to a whitewashed house on a hill.
Her breath caught at the views. She rushed to the balcony, inhaling.
“Rah, this is beautiful,” she told him a few minutes later when he came up behind her.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. “I’m sorry about last night.”
She turned and studied his solemn face. “I told you I accept all parts of you.”
“Your dad warned me to keep the grittier parts of this job away from you.”
She nodded. “Yes, I would prefer that, but last night couldn’t be helped. You kept me safe and let a room full of shifters know that you don’t play about me. In this one case, I’ll allow it.”
Lucky tried to tease a smile out of him. Instead, his tiger lit his eyes, the feral animal watching her. She cupped his cheeks and kissed him softly, little pecks until his eyes changed back to their normal dark brown and his shoulders relaxed.
Tightening his hold around her waist, Kaine deepened their kiss until they were both breathless. He pulled back and nuzzled their cheeks together.
“I love you,” he told her.
“And I feel that here.” She brought his hand up to rest against her thumping chest. “I love you, and I trust you. Last night doesn’t change that.”
He looked off into the darkening sky before sighing. “We could consider this our honeymoon.”
She snorted. “Nope. You’re giving me a fancy wedding and a tropical getaway afterward.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled and lifted her to the balcony railing.
Lucky opened her legs and pulled him between them. “How long do we have?”
Ezra hummed, his hands sliding up and down her thighs. “A few days for my men to clear up that shit. Maybe a week.”
“I’ll take what I can get.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “You ready for this life together?”
“More than.”
Lucky hugged him tight, closing her eyes as his emotions filled their bond.
Life with Ezra would never be boring, she was sure.
But even the thought of the danger did nothing to diminish the excitement of being his mate.
After last night, she’d seen how bad it could get, but she’d also seen the lengths he would go to protect her.
She would bet on him every time. In every lifetime.