Page 66 of Between Imminent Fates

“When you’ll connect with Aidan, he will teach you more about the immortal societies,” she said. “He’ll introduce you to the pack alphas.”

His thumb brushed against her chin, but his gaze was on her lips. “What about you? Can’t you teach me more?”

A tragic chuckle. “If I could, I would, Jax.”

Tomorrow was still a mystery. Whether or not her plan would succeed remained to be seen. One way or another, Key’s time was nearing an end. Exhaustion beat at her, and sleep claimed her before the movie’s first kiss.

Yawning, she let Jax link his arms around her back. Gravity shifted as he drew her up against his chest and carried her to his room. The only thing she truly wanted was to curl up with him.

The strong, masculine scent of spice and leather filled her as she slipped beneath the sheets. He drew alongside her, twisting her so that she was fully cocooned against him.

Gently pulling her hair from her neck, his lips pressed into the sensitive flesh just below her chin. Suppressing a shudder, she leaned back into him, tracing her fingers along where his hands linked over her waist.

It was bliss.

A night of heaven sleeping in a stranger’s arms. But Jax wasn’t a stranger anymore—not really. He was the man she had begun to fall for, the one she’d never seen coming.

***

That night, Key slept without the nightmares that typically plagued her. The soft breathing of the man behind her was like a purr, his warmth cocooning her from behind. His legs had entangled hers during the night, the intimacy of their position leaving her feeling claimed and treasured.

The day all her plans had been made for finally dawned. It would either end in the devastation of defeat or in sweet victory. One would mean the complete annihilation of every immortal on the planet. The other … Key’s gut clenched painfully.

“You awake, Key?”

Jax’s muscular arms tightened around her at her startled reaction. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“I’m used to waking up alone.”

The deep rumble of his chuckle warmed her inside and out. “Perhaps we can change that.”

The sensual caress drew another shudder from her. Her hands began to roam upward, cupping his head as she relished the feeling of being wanted. The bed dipped as Jax hovered over her, his teeth delicately nipping. A primal growl built in his chest, the sound both a warning and a claim.

The wolf that lived beneath his skin wanted to play.

Key linked her hands around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. The weight of his body against her was a foreign sensation, but a welcome one, and desire roared through her like a flame to kindling.

Infused with both the raw masculinity and the confidence of an alpha, Jax claimed her as thoroughly as she claimed him. While the wolf’s nature compelled him to be dominant, it was tempered by the sweetness of the man. And though Key wanted nothing more than to give herself to him completely, she couldn’t hurt him like that.

Not today.

Not ever.

Fisting a hand in his shirt, she turned away, closing her eyes to keep tears at bay. If she continued down this line, leaving would be impossible—and leaving was imperative.

“I have to go, Jax.”

A tragic sound formed in his throat. “Now? Where?”

Deliberately shifting out from beneath him, Key moved to the side of the bed and simply said, “Today, Jax. Today is the day it all ends.”

Somehow, the manknew. “Don’t go. Don’t do it. Please, Key, I’m begging you.”

“I have to.”

It felt as though she was being torn apart, piece by piece. She stood, half to convince him and half to convince herself. He was on his feet only seconds later, his expression pleading with her.

“Stay with me. Just think about it, Key—I can protect you here. I can take care of you. You wouldn’t have to worry about any of this anymore. You could just be here. Withme.”

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