Page 34 of The Mating Need
Ornot.
Even Aiden admitted he didn’t know if the professor was victim to a rumor mill to smear his reputation. The alpha needed more information before arriving at adecision.
He hinted at meeting Perry himself to analyze what his motiveswere.
“Interesting book title.” He pointed to thehardcover.
Snake’s expression remained blank. “Yeah. He’s got some ideas I thought worthexploring.”
“Whichones?”
Snake shrugged. “Stuff about people with extraordinarypowers.”
The other cowboy gave him a level look that sent a warning chill down Troy’sspine.
His flash of gratitude for Snake vanished, replaced by rising suspicion. Troy kept a tight grip on Jenny’s arm as they wentoutside.
Jenny gave him a questioning look, which Troy ignored. His heart thudded against hischest.
He didn’t like or trust Snake, and now had better reasons, other than pure instinct. What if Snake discovered what Jenny trulywas?
Was he reading the book for entertainment or somethingelse?
The cabinat the forest’s edge looked modern, and was set far enough away from the other cabins to give them privacy. Troy thanked Snake and ushered Jenny inside, on guard as he watched the cowboy drive away in the other golfcart.
“I don’t like that guy.” He turned to see Jenny standing in the middle of the living room. “Stay away fromhim.”
“He’s odd, but doesn’t intend any harm. Not like the weird vibe I get fromsome.”
“How can you tell? That aurathing?”
Her ability to read auras to detect a person’s motives had stunned him from the moment he discovered her talent. Like her other ability he’d seen, he kept the knowledge quiet fromothers.
Jenny was different and different equaled bad in most packs. As in eliminating the different to protect the pack. She’d already drawn enough attention to herself by destroying the evil gem at Darius and Sam’scabin.
They explored the cabin. The sofa had a pull-out bed and there was a full bathroom downstairs. The bedroom upstairs was large, with a king-sized bed and a sizeable bathroom. Troy checked and made sure all the windows and entries were locked, especially the sliding glass doors leading to the deck outside the diningarea.
They returned to the living room. Troy knew he should return to the bunkhouse. Knew he had an early rising to help the other cowboys patrol the perimeter before the tourists arrived. Dale had been insistent on that because the security enforcer sensed things, the way animals sensed changingweather.
But Jenny looked frail and vulnerable, not her usual toughself.
“I need to leave. But I want to make sure you’reokay.”
“Stay here with me.” Jenny touched the sofa. “This feels so odd, Troy. I haven’t slept in a place this … homey … in months. I don’t want to bealone.”
He wanted to. He wanted more than anything to climb into that bed and curl up beside her. Maybe a few kisses to get things started and then they’d shuck their clothing and give way to their feelings atlast.
But more than sex, Jenny needed to feel secure. The way Snake had looked at her sent his hacklesrising.
“I have no intention of leaving, Jenny. Not now. I need to return to the bunkhouse and fetch my stuff and get your pack as well. Go get settled in the bedroom and I’ll sleep on the sofa when Ireturn.”
“That bed is big enough for both of us. Why not usethat?”
Troy gave her a level look. “First, if I sleep on the sofa I’ll know the minute if anything or anyone tries to break inside. Second, if you want me in bed with you, I ain’t sleeping,Jenny.”
He went to her and stood close enough to see the fascinating green flecks in her blue eyes. “I don’t know if you’re ready for that. If you are, I am. But I’m not pushing you into something you’re not ready for. And once we cross that threshold, sweetheart, I’m not holding back. All nightlong.”
Her soft complexion and huge eyes compelled him to lean closer. Confess his deepestdesire.
