Alpha Warriors of The Cause - Tamara Rose Blodgett Page 0,53

dusting off her impossibly wrinkled uniform while she gains control of the mudslide of her emotions. “I was just thinking I'd miss you guys.”

Jacky cocks his head. “I'll miss you to, Jasper. But I'm not gonna get all gooey and stuff.”

Maddie brightens, giving him a hard poke in the ribs. “Yeah, ya are.” He bends over, and a gale of guffawing laughter pierces Beth's eardrums.

Maybe the quiet will be nice, she muses.

“Don't—” Beth begins, but Jeb strides through the door.

“Don't what?” he asks.

Jacky coolly answers, “Don't forget to say bye-bye, Merrick.”

Merrick scowls. “I would never leave my partner without a goodbye.”

Before Beth can react, Jeb pulls her against him so tightly that she can’t tell where he ends and she begins. Flesh, bone, and heat meld, and his lips hover above hers.

I shouldn't kiss him.

His hands move, one to her lower back and one to her nape. She dissolves against him, and his lips crush hers.

Beth's lost.

If he's not her soul mate—who would it be? How can something feel this right and not be the answer?

Her hands grip his neck, and the kiss deepens. He tastes so good that she lets the smallest moan escape. Jeb notices, and his hands tighten around her, just shy of causing pain.

“That's not a goodbye. That's an invitation,” Jacky deadpans.

They break apart and Jeb ignores the boy. “I'll return.”

The for you he left off the end of the sentence hangs between them.

Beth touches her swollen lips, never taking her eyes off Jeb. “I know.”

Guilt seizes her. She doesn't reply with “I'll be here” or “I'll see you soon” because she can't lie—not to Jeb. But she cannot tell him she plans to take off in stealth—to perform part of the mission without him.

Jeb wouldn't condone her plan, but she doesn't need his approval.

Beth was Reflective before she was Jeb's declared soul mate.

The Cause calls to her first.

And Beth will answer—no matter what the price.

*

Jeb stares at Beth and Slade, making her feel awkward.

“Just kiss him already!” Jacky says.

Slade utterly ignores Jacky and everyone around them. He cups her face. “I do not need to kiss you, tiny frog—for you know how I feel.”

Beth looks down, though his hand burns his fingerprints against her flesh.

She doesn't want to know how he feels. Knowing what Jeb feels is enough knowledge for a lifetime.

“Look at me,” his voice rumbles at her—through her.

“No,” Beth whispers.

Slade's hand clasps lightly around her forearm, and Beth’s eyes move to his huge hand, which encircles her entire arm. Her pale skin is milk to the pearl gray of his.

Her pulse beats against the underside of her wrist as though searching for his lips—and his fangs.

Beth closes her eyes. Her breaths come in pants that she tries—and fails—to control.

“Stop touching me.”

“Slade,” Jeb says in a voice of warning, and he sounds closer than Beth likes. She doesn't want the males to fight again right before they're set to depart.

“No, tiny frog, I will not.”

Anger infuses Beth, her face finally rising to meet his. His eyes are black gems, deep like the sea under a new moon. They glitter with raw emotion, and Beth gasps at the visual telepathy.

His hand tightens imperceptibility.

“I will not force your feelings.”

Like Jeb has, she hears, though he doesn't say it.

His thumb leaves trails of fire where he strokes her jaw.

“Slade,” she breathes, and his thumb crosses the threshold of her lips. The sensitive flesh trembles against his touch.

“Yes, tiny frog.”

“Slade—let's go,” Jeb interrupts harshly from a half-meter away.

They turn and part. Slade's fingers reluctantly trail away from her face.

Beth wants to kiss him; the need burns like a dark flame in the deepest part of her being.

She retreats so she won't, clasping her hands behind her back. He studies her expression, no doubt seeing her struggle, because she can't hide it. Not from him. Maybe not from Jeb. Guilt washes over her, making her ill. She sucks in a breath. “Good fortune, Slade.”

His lips turn up at the corners. “And to you, Reflective Jasper.”

He doesn't call her Beth or use the amphibian endearment.

Sadness bites at Beth. Some of what she feels must show on her face.

Slade stares at her silently.

Jacky and Maddie begin talking, and Jeb sighs with impatience.

But Slade ignores the others, gazing at Beth with such longing and depth of want that her lungs ache for a breath without him in it.

Beth's eyes fill with water, and finally, Slade inclines his head and turns partially away from her.

“I will come back for you.” He said what