Just One Drop (29 page)

Fane shut the book with a snap and set it aside. He rolled onto his side, propping himself up on one arm, effectively evading her roaming hands. Jacque frowned at him.

"I will admit that I am new to relationships, and obviously new to being mated. However, I've seen enough American television to understand that women think they can distract a man with sex when they are trying to avoid something."

Jacque knew her face was turning red because she could feel the heat creeping up her neck.

"So, as I spent most of the day in a semi-state of shock from the direction your thoughts have been going, which is normally not something you are super comfortable with, I came to the conclusion that you must not want me to know something." Fane narrowed his eyes. He wasn't angry, but he was slightly annoyed. "Is my assessment of the situation accurate, Jacquelyn?"

"It's not really my secret to tell, Fane. I'm not trying to be sneaky." Okay, that wasn’t absolutely true.
But still
, she thought. "I promised not to tell you."

Fane held her stare, frustrated, but also understanding of the fact that she didn't want to break her promise. He admired that quality.

"Luna, I've let you -" He stopped and closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I mean, I've been willing to have you spend the majority of your time with your friends, while we've been here. Mainly because I know that I get you at night." Jacque blushed. "I understand that Jen needs you. I understand that they are very important to you. But just as my family and friends no longer come first in my life, yours do not in your life either." He reached across the space between them, hating the distance. He ran his fingers across her cheek, down her neck, shoulder, and arm, landing on her hip. He pulled her to him. "I don't mean for that to sound mean, or bossy, but your safety comes first. Jen has a tendency to throw safety out the window, along with her sense of survival."

Jacque grinned at his words, but she knew that although he was teasing, he was also telling the truth.

"I love you. I hate keeping something from you, but I need you to trust me." Jacque winced inwardly at her words, knowing she was asking him to give the trust she did not deserve at the moment.

Fane brought his hand up to the nape of her neck and pulled her face to his. He pressed his lips firmly against hers and loved that she moaned and relaxed against him. He loved that he had that effect on her. He nearly growled when he felt her tongue sweep out, seeking entrance. He opened his mouth, deepening the kiss, and listened as her heart sped up – music to his ears.

He slowed the kiss down and finally pulled away. He grazed her thoroughly loved lips with his thumb and chuckled when she nipped it. His breath caught when he saw that her canines, which only made an appearance at certain times, had descended. His eyes began to glow in reciprocation.

Fane watched in fascination as Jacque flicked her tongue against one of the sharp canines and grinned wickedly at him.

He was ready for the conversation to be finished, at least for the night. "I will trust you, love. But if something happens to you because of this secret -"

"Shhh," Jacque cut him off as she nipped his bottom lip gently. Fane growled and pulled her impossibly closer.

"Are you hungry, mate, or just happy to see me?" he teased, in regards to her canines making an appearance.

"It's been a while since I've had your blood,
" she said in response to his jest.

Fane's face sobered.
"You know you don't even have to ask."

"I know."
She had dropped her eyes from his and was fidgeting with his shirt collar.
"It's just...embarrassing."

Fane let out a loud laugh, throwing his head back.

Jacque looked at him, her eyes narrowed and mouth tight. "Why are you laughing at me?"

Fane's laugh finally wound down. He tugged at her ponytail to pull her hair free. He ran his fingers through it and continued to grin at her. "After the thoughts you were sending me today, you little vixen, I don't see how anything can embarrass you."

Jacque rolled her eyes. "Are you going to kiss me or tease me all night?'

Fane grazed his teeth along the flesh of her neck where his mark was, his own canines descending.
"Who said anything about kissing, Luna?"

Decebel stood up after finishing several hundred crunches and pushups. He was restless; his wolf was getting very edgy. He paced around the room, flexing his hands as his claws kept descending and retracting. He had been in a state of partial phase all day and knew that at the moment, he was more dangerous than ever.

All he could do was hope to the fates that Jennifer was staying out of trouble and that Vasile was keeping a close eye on her. Because he knew that when he got out of confinement, and found her in any less safety than being locked in her room with the door guarded, he was going to lose the minuscule amount of control he was grasping onto with both hands.

He was still fuming over the wolf who had dared to touch what was his. Then his mate had pulled that little stunt in the hall for every one's enjoyment. He wasn't going to lie to himself, Jennifer had a beautiful body. He just hadn't planned on seeing it along with the rest of his pack. Maybe he needed to explain to her that the Blood Rites performed after the Bonding Ceremony was generally where the clothes came off – in private. He would make sure to emphasize the
private.

Her little exploit had allowed him to see the evidence of the wolf's hand on his mate's body. The bruises where his fingers had pressed hard, and the angry cuts where his claws had penetrated her flesh. To top off the day from hell, Decebel had watched – in a haze of red – a room full of unmated males lust after his mate and two of his pack mates. He snarled at all the memories, realizing that at that moment he would have killed any and all of the wolves responsible.

There was only one thing that would calm him and his wolf – Jennifer.

"Alpha," Decebel spoke into the open room. "I need to speak with you, please." His voice was guttural, so close to phasing.

"Then at least give me a phone so I can talk to her." Decebel had never been one to beg, but he was on the verge of groveling just to hear her voice.

"They will hear if you talk to her." Vasile's brow furrowed. "But...they wouldn't be able to see a text."

Decebel felt a smile spread across his face – not really a happy one, more like a “I just got away with sneaking a cookie from the cookie jar” smile. Six months ago, he wouldn't even have considered texting, but since Fane and some of the other young wolves had started to, he had sort of been forced to, and learn the lingo on top of that.

Turned out, Decebel preferred texting to talking any day. Except with his mate.
But it will have to do for now
, he thought.

"I'll return in a moment. I will have to get Jen's number."

"Hurry," Decebel growled, but added, "please."

Decebel paced and paced as he waited for his lifeline to be brought to him. If he'd any doubts about Jennifer being his mate, they had been abolished while he felt his rage grow at being apart from her.

Eventually Vasile walked in, holding out his phone. Decebel forced himself to retract his claws so he would be able to text unencumbered.

Decebel knew the only way he was going to get her to go to sleep would be reverse psychology. As much as he wanted to sit and text her all night, she needed her rest.