Page 19 of Jake

Kai’s thoughts shifted to her sister, and guilt speared through her. Although she craved to explore her fragile relationship with the wolf, she shouldn’t be bothered with him. Kai knew the first thing she must do was see Ilsbeth, but Jake had adamantly refused to entertain the discussion. Given little choice, she would go with or without him to seek the spell, and ask forgiveness later.

Pattering water sounded, and Kai glanced to a slightly ajar bathroom door. Jake. He’d been the only supernatural who’d touched her skin, sent her over the edge of ecstasy. Ignoring the temptation to go to him, she heeded the logic that told her to be cautious.

She blinked, rubbing her eyes, and took in the sight of her surroundings. Sunlight streamed through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows of the master bedroom. Stark white walls surrounded the California king bed. She shoved up onto her elbows, resting her head against its black leather headboard. A Brazilian rosewood armoire faced the bed, a matching floor mirror rested against the adjacent wall.

Kai bunched the sheets around her as silence settled, the sound of dribbling water echoing in the room. As he pressed open the door, her breath caught at the sight of the glorious Alpha.

“Mornin’ sweetheart. Feel free to shower. I’ve gotta go call Logan.” Jake gave a sexy smile as he dried his hair.

Kai wished she possessed a shred of control but as he came closer, her eyes fell to his broad chest, devouring the sight of him. The hard ridges of his abs tapered into a v, and she resisted the urge to tear away the towel that hung low on his hips. Get your shit together, she told herself. She took a deep breath and diverted her line of vision to the window.

“You like what you see?” Jake asked with a small laugh.

“Um, yes…it’s quite a view,” she nodded, her cheeks heating. “Breathtaking.”

“Sometimes you just don’t expect to see such a beautiful sight in the morning.”

“It’s definitely,” Kai turned her head to face him, and stared at the bulge pressing through his wet towel, “um…spectacular.”

Jake gave a laugh, edging toward the bed. “Spectacular, do ya say? Well, you haven’t even seen all of it.”

Smartass.Kai grinned, her eyes lifting to meet his gaze. “Well, I suppose in order to really give an honest opinion, I’d have to see the whole thing. I mean, it’s only the right thing to do.”

“You sure about that, now?” he joked.

“Fairly sure. I think I should experience it for myself.” Kai’s courage rose and she dropped the sheet, exposing her breasts. The sexy as sin Alpha teased and tempted her, and her need to play outweighed reason.

“Ah, Kai. I’m not sure this is such a good id…” Jake sighed as she pressed to her knees and inched closer to him.

“I’ve lived many years confined to good ideas. Last night…it seems we didn’t finish.” She reached for him, placing her palms on his chest, brushing her hardened nipples against his skin.

“We can’t do this…ah…” Jake paused as Kai ran a fingertip under the rim of his towel.

“I’d like to see the full view.” Kai’s body flared in arousal. This man, this wolf drove her wild with desire. She attempted to flick open the edge of the towel, and he snatched at her hand.

“That’s the thing, Kai. Sometimes we want things. They’re so close in front of us we can touch them.” Jake tugged away the covering, his erection springing free. He pressed her palm along his abs, slowly sliding it down his skin, but stopped short of his cock.

“Alpha, please,” she begged. Her pussy ached, and she struggled to maintain eye contact.

“Someday, sweetheart. I’m goin’ to fuck you so hard, you’ll scream my name so loud that they’ll hear you across the state line. But it’s only happening after I get the truth.” Jake leaned toward her, the tip of him mere inches from her lips.

“I can’t…” Kai whispered, her breath brushing over his sensitive crown.

“And so, this lesson is a hard one. I’m afraid all you’re going to get is the view,” Jake told her. Releasing her, he turned and walked away. He opened a drawer, retrieved a pair of loose sweatpants and slipped inside them. “Good things come to those who tell the truth. It may seem like there’s nothin’ between us, but there is. You think on this and we’ll have a chat over breakfast.”

Anger stabbed through her as he strode toward the door. Kai tore a sheet off his bed and covered herself, her eyes filled with rage.

“There’s a robe in the bathroom. And Kai,” Jake paused and shook his head with a grin. “You are beautiful…last night, you have no idea how much I wanted to take things further. But I meant what I said. There’ll be nothing between us when we make love. I’ll help you find your sister, but no lies.”

“Fuck you,” Kai mumbled under her breath, and threw herself back onto the bed, her head landing on the pillow.

She cursed the wolf for teasing her. The truth. She’d never spoken the whole truth out loud. Safety had been paramount. She didn’t even fully understand her powers, let alone how to use them in front of others. The anxiety that had rushed through her in the ballroom was proof enough that she couldn’t handle the energy of supernaturals. Why she could control her urge to absorb the Alpha’s had been a welcome mystery but she couldn’t let him become a distraction. Although she needed him to help her find Shilan, her priority was the spell.

As she bounded out of the bed, she became more determined than ever to right her glamour. Whatever journey lay ahead, cloaking her existence was essential. If the wolf wouldn’t go with her to Ilsbeth, she’d go alone.