Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
K ile stood in the shadows, his eyes glued to the dance floor. No, that was a fucking lie. His eyes were glued on a dark-haired beauty in a yellow dress he wanted to rip off and see the body she expertly moved on the dance floor. Never in his life had he wanted anyone more than he wanted Sadie. Everything about her called to him. Only once had he stepped in to back off one of Lance’s men when he got too friendly with Sadie on the dance floor. He had thought a clear message would be sent to the unmated males and humans that she was off limits, but seeing men continue to walk up to her asking her to dance proved that wasn’t the case.
He couldn’t blame them, but she was his, and soon everyone would know it. She would know it. Watching her walk closer to the fire, he moved out of the shadows as soon as another slow song began to play.
“Dance with me.” His voice was firm, more of a command than a question, but he had no intention of leaving until he held her in his arms. She glanced up at him, and he could tell from the look in her eyes that she was about to turn him down. But Kile Jackson wasn’t someone who handled rejection easily. One way or another, she would end up in his arms.
“I just told someone no,” she whispered as if she might be overheard. “It wouldn’t be right to dance with you after that. But thank you.”
“Do you want to dance with me?” he asked, knowing full well the answer. Her eyes betrayed her. “I don’t care about the other men.” That was a lie. He cared enough to have wanted to knock out every guy who approached her. But he kept that part to himself.
“Yes, I do,” She replied, looking a little surprised by her honest answer.
"Good," he replied with a grin, tightening his grip on her hand as he led her to the dance floor. He could feel the glares from the men she had turned down, but he didn’t care. If they had a problem with it, they could settle it later—after he was done with this dance.
As he pulled her into his arms, he felt her shiver against him. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, "Are you cold?"
She whispered back, “No,” and that simple answer pleased him. Her body responded to his presence just as his did to hers. He was delighted with that realization.
"You look beautiful," he murmured, cupping her chin and lifting her face to meet his gaze. He wanted her to see the sincerity in his eyes. Her soft blush only enhanced her beauty, and he had to resist the urge to kiss her right then and there. But not for long. He knew he'd be tasting those lips again soon. Her shy smile made his heart pound as he gently dropped his hand from her face and pulled her closer.
Sadie fit perfectly in his arms, her head barely reaching his chin, as if she was made just for him. The feel of her soft curves pressed against him had him fighting to control his own reactions. She wasn’t one of those thin, fragile women who thought men only wanted skin and bones. No, Sadie was exactly what he wanted—a woman with strength, with substance, someone who wouldn’t break under pressure. She was his mate in every sense, and he ached to claim her as his. But she wasn’t like him. She was human, not a Shifter, so he knew he had to approach her carefully.
The song slowed to a stop, only to be replaced by a faster beat, but he didn’t let go. He kept swaying with her, ignoring the stares they were getting.
"Walk with me?" he asked softly, finally stopping their dance. When she nodded, he smiled, wrapping an arm around her as he guided her away from the crowd toward the quiet shadows where they could be alone.
He walked far enough away that they wouldn’t be disturbed but close enough to hear the faint sound of the music. He stopped near a large downed tree. The full moon filtered through the canopy of branches. Sadie in the moonlight was a beautiful sight.
“Is this still Gemma’s property?” She asked, looking around before leaning against the higher part of the tree.
“It is.” He nodded, watching her look around, her eyes taking in everything around them. “When there isn’t a full moon, it’s pitch black in the wooded areas. It's easy to get lost. Never wander too far at night.”
“It’s so peaceful. I love the sound of tree frogs.” She smiled, then frowned. Hearing a rustle of leaves, her head snapped that way. “What was that?”
“Probably a night animal trying to find it’s dinner.” He smiled, not taking his eyes off her. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
She looked up at him, staring into his eyes. “I believe that.” She replied, still searching his gaze. “In such a short time that I’ve known you, I feel safe with you.”
“As you should.” He took a step, reached out, and pulled her closer. “I will never let anything or anyone hurt you.”
“Why?” Sadie asked, the confusion of her feelings evident on her face. “You barely know me.”
“For the same reason that Eric protected Gemma the first time they met and why he continues to do exactly that.” Kile didn’t want to scare her away, but it was past time she knew. Fuck how long they’ve known each other. This is what it was, and she needed to know.
“But they’re mates,” she replied, tilting her head and trying to understand.
“Yes, they are.” He replied with no further explanation as he let that soak in. He knew precisely when it clicked in her mind because her eyes widened in surprise. Now, it was the time for truth. Would she accept it, or would she run as she planned on doing when she first arrived? His wolf howled in anticipation of that answer.
All Sadie could do was stare up at his handsome face, her mind spinning from what he had just implied. His mate? She was his mate. Was that what he was saying? Her parents had explained the concept of mates to Lily, and Sadie had listened carefully. She had always found it fascinating—the idea of seeing someone for the first time and knowing they were meant for you. But her parents had also warned that it wasn’t always clear-cut, like what happened to Lily with Colton.
She remembered asking if humans could have mates or if it was only something Shifters experienced. Her parents had been honest—they didn’t really know but believed it was possible. And now, here she was, staring at Kile, wondering if this was the moment they had talked about.
"I don’t think I’ve ever left anyone speechless before," Kile said, watching her intently as a slight grin played at the corners of his mouth.
“I’m sorry,” Sadie jumped at the sound of his voice in the silence of the woods. “Are you saying that you think I’m your mate? I don’t want to misunderstand.”
“I don’t think anything, Sadie.” Kile’s voice soothed her like a warm blanket over her body. “I know.”
“Like Lily knew Colton was her mate?” Sadie said, then frowned at how that sounded, but it was true. Lily made a mistake. If Kile had made that same mistake and found his true mate, what would happen to her? Would she be discarded, forgotten, devastated, and broken? Crucial questions from her point of view. “Not a few hours ago, Lily yelled at me for saying this, but I will say it anyway. I’m human.”
“I am well aware of that,” Kile replied, his tone even as he stared at her. However, she noticed the complex frown form across his lips at the mention of Colton.
“So, what if you find your true mate? A shifter woman.” Sadie ventured to ask, wanting the answer. She knew she had feelings for this man, and yes, it was an instant attraction when he ran into the parking lot like a knight in shining armor. Okay, that was cheesy, but it did feel that way to her.
“Have you met Gemma and Eric?” Kile asked cocking his eyebrow. “For us, it doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t matter?” This time, Sadie frowned, then when she was nervous, said whatever came to her mind. “So you could mate with a frog?” Even with the seriousness of the conversation, Sadie chuckled at the look on his face. Yeah, her mind worked in weird ways.
“So, the human has jokes.” Kile laughed, shaking his head. “Humans and Shifters mate all the time. The older generation of shifters doesn’t smile upon it, but it’s not taboo like it once was. It happens; Gemma and Eric are a prime example of that.”
“I’m sorry. I say stupid things when I’m nervous.” Sadie felt a little bad for making fun of the mate thing shifters seemed to take very seriously.
“Never say sorry for being yourself, Sadie.” He cupped her face with his large hand, then slowly moved to where her pulse beat frantically in her neck. “And I don’t ever want you to be nervous around me. Is that nerves I feel or something else.”
“Maybe a little bit of nerves...mixed with something else.” She admitted as her stomach tightened in anticipation of what was to come. His nostrils flared as if he could sense her desire for him. She wanted his kiss so bad that she was physically stopping herself from jumping into his arms. What was happening to her? Is this what finding your mate felt like? Was it as if you couldn’t get enough of that person? You wanted to crawl inside them and stay there forever because that was precisely what she was feeling. Or was he just a smooth talker who knew how to get a woman to fall to her knees?
"Let’s get one thing straight about that comment you made about Lily and that asshole," Kile said, his voice low and intense, sending a shiver through her. "I don’t lie. We wouldn’t be here alone if I didn’t feel this way about you. I don’t play games. I’m a man who knows exactly what I want, and I want you , Sadie. You are my mate, and if you refuse me, which is your right, I’ll respect your wishes."
“Lily said something that has stuck with me,” Sadie said, her voice as low as his. “She said that her wolf tried to warn her against Colton, but she refused to listen. What does your wolf say about me?”
He lowered his head slightly, his gaze so intense it felt as if he were peering into her soul. "The same thing the man knows," he growled, his voice rough and almost animalistic, making her wonder if she was hearing his true Shifter nature. "Exactly what the man said. You are the one. My mate. The only one."
Sadie felt tears well up but forced them back. His words had spiraled her emotions, and she couldn’t understand why. She had always been so against this. After watching her step-parents’ intense relationship and then witnessing what Lily almost endured with an overbearing man, she wanted to swear off men. She didn’t want that kind of bond. Or did she? The truth hit her as she caught a glimpse of uncertainty flickering in his eyes. She did want this. She wanted him. Stunned by her feelings, she threw herself into his arms, clinging to him tightly, feeling both afraid and uncertain.
“Don’t hurt me,” She whispered her biggest fear into his chest.
“I would cut my own throat before I ever hurt you, Sadie.” He whispered back, then forced her to look at him. “I swear it.”
Feeling the truth of his words deep in her heart, she met his kiss with every ounce of passion she possessed. It was wild and reckless, but it felt so right. Like a woman starved, she clung to him, her body pressing against his as his strong hands gripped her ass. She wrapped her legs around him, her lips leaving his as she kissed and nipped at his neck. The sound of his growls drove her to the edge, filling her with a desperate need for him, a need stronger than anything she had ever felt before.
Who was she right now? She didn’t care. All she knew was that she wanted this man more than she wanted to breathe. The intensity of her emotions scared her, but for the first time in her life, she was letting go, trusting herself and her instincts. If this turned out to be a mistake, she would deal with it later. But at this moment, all she wanted was him.