"No," Tim agreed, his voice gentle."But maybe that's exactly why you're the right person to do it."
Before Ali could ask what he meant, the air in the cab grew thick with tension, and she realized he was fighting his own internal battle.
"Ali," he said, his voice rougher now, "I need you to know something.The mate bond...it's getting stronger.Being this close to you, knowing you're choosing to stay with me despite the danger...it's making it hard to think straight."
Ali's breath caught at the honesty in his voice.She could see the way his pupils had dilated, could smell the arousal mixing with his pine-and-musk scent.Her own body was responding in kind, heat pooling low in her belly despite their circumstances.
"What does that mean?"she asked.
"It means I want to mark you so thoroughly that every supernatural within a hundred miles knows you're mine," Tim said, his voice dropping to a growl."It means I want to taste every inch of your skin and find out what sounds you make when I touch you properly.It means I'm fighting the urge to pull you into the sleeper berth and claim you right now, convoy and corrupt sheriffs be damned."
The raw need in his voice sent fire racing through Ali's veins.Her magic supercharged the air around her, and the truck's electrical system flickered.She had to grip the seat to keep from climbing into his lap.
"Tim," she breathed.
"I know this is complicated," he said, leaning closer until she could feel his breath against her skin."I know we barely know each other, and I know you're scared about confronting your stepfather.But Ali, what I feel for you isn't just biology.It's recognition.It's coming home."
Ali stared into his dark eyes, seeing her own desire reflected there, feeling the pull of the mate bond urging her to close the distance between them.But underneath the want was genuine uncertainty about what she was getting herself into.
"I don't know if I'm strong enough for this," she whispered.
"You are," Tim said with absolute conviction."You stood up to Cottonmouth in that diner.You chose to come with me knowing it was dangerous.You're stronger than you think."
The belief in his voice made something inside her chest crack open.When was the last time someone had seen her as strong instead of fragile?When had anyone believed she was capable of more than playing it safe?
"The convoy's waiting," she said.
"Let them wait," Tim replied, his hand coming up to cup her face."Right now, the only thing that matters is what you want."
What did she want?Ali stared at this man who'd turned her life upside down in the space of a few hours.Her magic sang and her body burned with need.
"I want..."she started, then stopped.What she wanted was complicated and probably insane.
"Tell me," Tim said, his thumb brushing across her cheekbone.
"I want to kiss you," she admitted."I want to forget about Cottonmouth and corrupt sheriffs and federal investigations.I want to pretend, just for a minute, that this is simple."
Tim's smile was soft and dangerous at the same time."Then kiss me."
Ali didn't need to be told twice.She closed the distance between them, her lips meeting his with desperate hunger.The moment they touched, her magic exploded outward in a shower of golden sparks that lit up the entire cab like a supernatural light show.
Tim's response was immediate and overwhelming.His mouth claimed hers with twenty years of loneliness and need, his tongue sweeping past her lips to taste her properly.One massive hand threaded through her hair while the other spanned her lower back, pulling her closer until she was practically in his lap.
Ali moaned into his mouth, her hands fisting in his flannel shirt as heat raced through her body.She could taste pine forests and promises on his tongue, could feel the careful restraint in the way he held her like she was something precious he was afraid of breaking.
But it wasn't enough.The mate bond was screaming at her to get closer, to claim and be claimed in return.She shifted against him, and the feel of his arousal pressed against her hip had her gasping with desire.
"Ali," Tim groaned against her lips."Sweetheart, if you keep doing that, I'm going to forget we're parked on a public highway."
"Maybe I don't care," she whispered, nipping at his lower lip.
Tim's grip on her tightened, and for a moment she thought he might actually carry through on his threat to pull her into the sleeper berth.His scent was thick with arousal, and she could feel the tremor in his hands as he fought for control.
Then the CB radio crackled to life with Luna's urgent voice: "Big Timber, you copy?We've got law enforcement vehicles forming up at the county line.If we're doing this, we need to move now."
Reality crashed back over them like cold water.Tim pulled back with obvious reluctance, his breathing harsh as he tried to regain his composure.
"We have to go," he said, though his eyes were still dark with want.
