Therian Prize: 5 (Therian Heat) (6 page)

“Yeah. I’ll find room for it.”

She looked as if she were going to ask what he meant. Instead she just followed him out of the apartment and down the back stairs. He grabbed the spare helmet off one of the shelves in the storeroom then exited into the alley. She glanced at the dumpster and shivered, clutching the overnight bag to her chest.

He led her to his motorcycle then handed her the spare helmet. Using bungee cords, he secured the overnight bag to the small rack behind the padded backrest. He had saddlebags for the bike but he didn’t put up with the bulk unless he was hitting the road for several days.

After putting on his helmet, he swung his leg over the bike and held out his hand for her.

She stood a step back, clutching the helmet to her chest, eyes wide and filled with dread.

“You okay?”

She slowly licked her lips then asked, “You don’t have a car?”

“Not here. There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ve been riding motorcycles since before my legs were long enough to reach the ground.” But it wasn’t fear he saw in her eyes, more like loathing.

With obvious reluctance, she put on the helmet then fumbled with the chin strap.

“Come here.” He motioned her closer. He secured the strap for her then pushed the button on the side and a tinted visor snapped down in front of her eyes.

“Cool.” She managed to smile and he helped her mount behind him.

“The exhaust pipe gets really hot, so watch your leg.”

“I’ve been on a motorcycle before. I just don’t like them.”

He fired up the bike and she tentatively placed her hands on his sides. With a chuckle he grasped her wrists and drew her arms around his waist. “Hold on, angel. I like to
move
.”

Heather barely suppressed a cry as Jake set the motorcycle in motion. He kept things fairly tame until they left the clutter of downtown then he opened up the engine and the bike lunged beneath her. She locked her arms together around his lean middle and pressed against his back.

As if her nerves weren’t frayed enough, Jake had to ride a motorcycle? Ever since David’s fatal accident, even the rumble of a motorcycle engine sent unwanted emotions echoing through her being—grief, anger, loneliness and loss. And the unintentional reminder of her fiancé was the last thing she needed right now.

She turned her face into the curve of Jake’s shoulder and snuggled against his back. Despite the summer heat of daytime, mountain nights were always cool. So why wasn’t he cold? Wind whipped around them, easily penetrating her sweater. All he wore was a t-shirt and jeans, yet his body heat radiated like the midday sun. She fought the urge to slip her hands beneath his shirt and explore the firm torso pressing against her splayed fingers. She’d just escaped pain and degradation at the hands of lust-crazed males. How could any man appeal to her right now?

But there had always been something about Jake that fascinated her. Therians had higher metabolisms and stronger immune systems than humans, so they tended to remain lean and healthy without much effort. Jake was handsome by anyone’s standard but so were a lot of Therian males. Whatever drew her to this particular cat was more than physical.

Despite her denials, she wasn’t surprised that she’d ended up in Aspen. Thoughts of Jake had teased her days and haunted her dreams for the past two years. She’d seen Jake in person for the first time shortly after Landon joined the rebels. Her father had spotted Jake and several of his friends at a restaurant in Frisco. Nate stormed over to the tigers’ table and accused them of coercing Landon’s participation in their “juvenile mutiny”.

Jake had attempted to de-escalate Nate’s anger, but when it became obvious Nate would not back down, Jake dug in his heels and refused to be intimidated. Heather could still remember the intensity of Jake’s gaze. His dark-green eyes flashed with warning, yet his expression remained calm, controlled. She’d never seen her father so angry or anyone so indifferent to his rage. No one stood up to Nate Fitzroy. No one looked him in the eye and told him to go to hell.

That’s where her fascination began but she wasn’t sure what kept it going. She didn’t interact with him on a regular basis and still the fire smoldered.

Then two weeks ago Lexxie and Jake had been thrown together by Dhane’s health crisis. If Jake was aware of Lexxie’s matchmaking efforts, it was possible he believed this was the next step in her plan. Heather dismissed the possibility. If she’d wanted to capitalize on his supposed infatuation, the last thing she would have done was roll around in a truck bed full of manure. How humiliating. No, Jake had to know that this crisis had nothing to do with the conversation he’d had with Lexxie.

Still, the possibility of exploring her feelings for Jake hovered on the horizon like a shimmering mirage. Loyalty to pack had always held her back. Jake was handsome and well-respected, ridiculously sexy and easygoing. He’d basically put his life on hold in order to protect and provide for his orphaned sisters. It was so noble, so honorable. It made Heather ache for just a taste of that sort of devotion.

Still, he was a cat and she wasn’t just a wolf, she was Nate Fitzroy’s daughter. Her father’s pack, perhaps the entire Canine network, was waiting to see who would eventually claim her. The thought made her tense and drew her focus back to the present. Tonight had been close, too damn close. And the danger was far from over.

Her feelings for Jake, however tempting or convoluted, would have to wait until this crisis was resolved.

He maneuvered off the main road, which ran through the wide valley, and onto a street that wended up the side of one of the mountains. She lifted her head and looked around. These weren’t ordinary houses. They were multimillion-dollar estates, most situated behind security gates. Did Jake own one of these mansions? Therians were often well-connected but few liked to flaunt their wealth. It drew too much attention.

Like the perfect jewel on the crest of an opulent crown, Jake’s house perched upon the hilltop. It was too dark to see much but the view had to be spectacular. He triggered the gate with a remote and drove onto the circular drive. The house wasn’t as large as some they had passed but real estate was all about location. The best seat in the house didn’t come cheap.

He activated one of the four garage bays and drove inside. The doors were separate but the garage was one open space. She looked down the row of automobiles and tried to keep her jaw from dropping. Sports car, sedan and SUV, all black and all the height of luxury.

Jake climbed off the bike then helped her down.

“Someone is fond of toys,” she muttered as she handed her helmet to him.

“Cats like shiny things. It’s a fact.”

His unabashed enjoyment made her smile. “Is Toulouse Tavern doing this well or do you own other businesses?” The question was out before she realized how rude it would sound.

“The tavern’s my only business, but I own lots of things.” His grin made it obvious she would get no more information. He unfastened the overnight bag and tossed it to her before they headed inside.

“There’s a guestroom down the hall or three empty bedrooms on the second level if that makes you feel safer. Take your pick.” Rather than heading for the stairs, however, he walked into the large kitchen. The lights came on automatically. “Feel free to turn in. I know you’ve had a hard night. I’m hopelessly nocturnal. Occupational hazard, I guess.”

She was an uninvited guest, imposing on his hospitality. It made sense to be as inconspicuous as possible. Even so, she set the overnight bag down by the stairs then joined him in the kitchen. She didn’t want to be alone and she wasn’t ready to leave him.

“Want something to drink? I make a mean sandwich if you’re hungry.”

“Actually I’m starving. The energy transfer helped, but my tank is still pretty empty.”

“Completely understandable. Have a seat.” He motioned to the row of barstools lining the breakfast bar. “This will just take a minute.”

The bar faced the adjoining family room but she turned the stool so she faced the kitchen. Jake moved about with quiet efficiency. She watched him in silence, feeling rather intrusive. He was being polite and kind but he hadn’t asked for this complication. He led the most influential tiger clan in North America. There was no way he needed more drama in his life.

He pulled open the refrigerator and scrounged around before he asked, “Is turkey and bacon okay? I could probably whip up tuna if you’re not into meat.”

The unintended innuendo made her cheeks burn. She was definitely into meat, or at least she was whenever she thought of him. “Turkey and bacon sounds wonderful.”

“And to drink?”

“Anything hot. Coffee, tea, I don’t care. My hands are frozen.” She rubbed her hands together and breathed on her chilly fingers. The kitchen was light and spacious with glass-front cupboards and recessed appliances. Modern elegance was echoed in the rest of the house. Each room was open and uncluttered, yet the décor seemed almost generic.

“The night wind can be brutal if you’re not used to it.” His deep voice drew her attention back to her host. He was watching her closely, deep-green eyes assessing. His black lashes were so thick they made him appear as if he were wearing guyliner. “I find it invigorating.”

With an intentional blink, she severed the connection long enough for her mind to reset. She was not here to flirt. She was in serious trouble. “How long have you lived in Colorado?”

“All my life. And you?”

“Third generation native.”

He chuckled. “I’ve got you beat by a generation.”

She wasn’t usually one for small talk but tonight had left her physically and emotionally exhausted. She didn’t have energy enough for anything more meaningful.

He set a steaming mug of hot chocolate in front of her a few minutes later. “Want a shot of schnapps in that? I think we could both use a drink.” She nodded and he retrieved a bottle from the freezer. “If this cools it down too much, let me know.”

She tested the drink and smiled. “It’s great. Thanks.” The cocoa was sweet and the schnapps created a minty heat in the pit of her stomach. She wrapped both hands around the mug, greedily absorbing the warmth.

“Why do you hate motorcycles? Lots of people are afraid of them but you seemed almost hostile.”

The past tugged at her heart, threatening to shatter her fragile composure. Tonight had been enough of a nightmare without adding memories to the mix. “My fiancé was killed on a motorcycle.” She forced the fact out without allowing her soul to register the loss. “If he’d been in a car when he was hit, he might have survived.”

Jake nodded and compassion lit his gaze. “I’m sorry. That must have been horrible.”

She accepted his statement with a nod and raised her mug to her lips. The past could not be changed and right now the future required her full attention.

“How’s your brother doing?” Jake returned the schnapps to the freezer then gathered what he needed to make her sandwich. “He was still unable to transform last time I talked to Erin.”

Taking a long, slow sip, she decided what to tell him. The rebels had been searching for one of their own when they stumbled upon Dhane in a secluded laboratory. The female cat they’d been searching for was there as well, but Dhane still owed the rebels his life. Jake probably knew more of the details than she did, so there was no reason to lie. Still, it felt odd to share secrets with a cat.

“Landon has been keeping Lexxie informed and Lexxie tells me. It’s too dangerous for Landon to call me directly.”

“Have they made any progress?”

A faint smile curved his lips and Heather realized she hadn’t answered his original question. “His shifts are still spontaneous. Or actually he can intentionally shift into a wolf, but he has no control over when he shifts back.”

“That would be…inconvenient.”

“To say the least.”

“How long have you known Lexxie?” His lips finally parted as he assembled her sandwich.

She wasn’t fooled by his casual tone. There was a wealth of meaning in the question. “We grew up together. She’s like a sister to me.”

He glanced at her, eyes suddenly vivid green, before he turned back toward the counter. “She’s quite a character. Very talkative.” He crossed the kitchen and handed her the plate supporting a massive sandwich then returned for his mug of hot chocolate.

She laughed. “Are you going to help me eat this?”

Pulling out the stool next to hers, Jake joined her at the bar. “You said you were hungry. Satisfying appetites is what I do.”

“So I’ve heard.” She quickly took a bite of the sandwich to hide her smile.

“I was talking about the tavern.” He ran his index finger down her arm, drawing her gaze back to his face. “What were you talking about?”

Awareness arced between them, tense and electric. She’d felt this crackling pulse before but it had never been so powerful. “Lexxie mentioned your fondness for casual relationships.” She tried to minimize the inference but suspected it was too late.

His brows arched then he raised his mug to his lips. After taking a nice long sip, he licked the residue and looked into her eyes. “And Lexxie is a dependable source for information?”

Damn. She really didn’t want to go down this particular road. Admitting she knew what he and Lexxie talked about made her look like a coconspirator. She wasn’t here to be seduced. Was she? She took a deep breath and whispered, “She has a tendency to exaggerate.”