Page 8 of Shifter Mate Magic
He pulled onto the road just as the pickup truck passed them, taking care to keep his face and hands in shadow. Jackie’s story had him wanting to avoid creating the memorable sight of a black man and woman in a big-rig truck in the middle of Nebraska farm country at night. “I’ll turn south at the intersection. We’re about eight miles from the interstate.”
“Do you mind if I use magic on your map to find someplace safe?”
He didn’t blame her for the caution in her voice. Magic could be a touchy subject, even among people who knew it was real. “Sure, if it’s not destructive. Good maps are hard to replace.”
The power overspill caressed him like an ocean wave, hardening him to an erection and making his body sing. He wished he had something to put over his lap. Not even diving naked into an icy pond would help at this point.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her spread out the map. She waved her hand, and points on the map appeared like tiny sparkles.
He slowed for the intersection, glancing at the map. “What’s that bright blue spot?”
She lifted the map and pointed the flashlight at it. “Ko- something or another, in Wyoming.” She frowned. “What was the name of the town your mechanic friend lives in?”
“Kotoyeesinay.” He should tell her about the call from his aunt.
“That’s the place.” She made a frustrated sound. “Damnit. As of this moment, that’s the only safe place to be in the four-state span of this map.” She dropped it to her lap. “But I’ll be backtracking instead of adding distance between me and the pride’s hunters and enforcers. Regardless, we can’t make it there tonight.”
The exhaustion in her voice concerned him. “How about the closest safe motel, for now? You can do the map spell again after you’ve had a few hours’ rest.”
He kept his eyes forward, toward the intersection, but everything else in him focused on her. She had to be close to her breaking point and could still kick his shifter ass out of her life. He didn’t know what he would do if she did.
“Okay. Turn right. The Lark Sleepytime Inn is about six miles south on the left.”
He let out the breath he’d been holding and turned right.
