Havoc's Mate (Badlands Territory #2) - Lila Rose Page 0,15

will be thrilled you’re sticking around.”

“She’s sweet.”

His smile was warm. “Yeah, she is.” He side-eyed me and then looked back to the road. “Do you know anything about mates?”

My belly flipped. “Are mates a partner who you bond with for life?”

He nodded. “That’s right. Kathy is mine and I’m hers.” With the way his expression softened, I could tell how much he really loved her. It was sweet and amazing to know you had someone in the world who was just for you. However, there was a downside to finding a mate because you’d be stuck with that person for the rest of your life. I read there was no leaving, no divorce, so what happened if Fate put you with someone like Sean?

Thankfully neither of us were shifters.

Alton drove down a long winding road and paused at a tall gate. He waved at the camera at the top of the wrought iron before it slowly slid open, and he continued to drive by a cottage-type house. Finally, we stopped out the front of a large two-story wooden home.

This was it. This was where Jackson was. The alpha to the Havoc pack. And I was going to work for him. Well, at least for the day. My heart transformed into a hummingbird and fluttered crazily as I climbed out of the car.

Chapter Six

Cora

As we made our way up to the front porch, I was a bit slower than normal. A sound dropped from my mouth when the front door banged open and Jackson filled the frame. His eyes were wild and wide, his chest heaving with every breath.

Jackson stood in the doorway with a bare chest, jeans, and his hands clenched at his sides, and he wouldn’t look away from me. My belly swirled in the best way, my nipples hardened, and once again, my clit throbbed—my new norm in this man’s presence.

God, he was sexy.

His muscles.

His tattoos.

His skin.

Everything about him was perfection.

He drew in a deep breath, and something flashed in his gaze.

“Alpha,” Alton called.

His eyes stayed on me when he said in a deep, almost gruff voice, “You’re here.”

I licked my dry lips and nodded.

“Cora wanted to work today to see if the job is to her liking,” Alton offered, and I was a little less frustrated about being played, since it looked like Jackson knew nothing about me coming today.

“If… if that’s okay with you?” I asked as I hid my trembling hands behind my back.

“Yes,” he replied softly.

“Alpha, how about you get ready for the day and I’ll show Cora to the offices?” Alton offered.

He nodded but didn’t move. Alton’s hand touched my back and got me moving forward, only I stopped abruptly when a growl came from the top of the steps. Alton’s hand dropped away. I glanced at him and found his neck tilted to the side.

Alton straightened, smiled down at me, and said, “I think it’s best if Havoc shows you the ropes.”

“But—”

The beta shook his head and gave me a salute. “You’ve got this. The job was made for you, I’m sure of it. Have a good day.” He turned and went back to his car, where he got in and quickly drove away.

I gulped at the thought of being alone with Jackson.

I would be alone.

I’d thought Alton would be here all day as a good buffer between us. Yes, he was a shifter, but he wasn’t the man who sent my mind and body into a spin.

“Cora,” Jackson called gently.

Facing him, I tipped my head up, looking to his chin. “Yes?”

“Come inside?” He made it sound like a question. Like I had a choice to go into the wolf’s den or back out and leave his property, never to return. Never to see him. Again, that foul taste touched my tongue at the possibility.

Sucking in a deep breath, I made my way to the porch, up the stairs, and when Jackson shuffled back from the doorway, I entered the house. He needed to get some clothes on. I had to drag my gaze away from his sculpted chest to look down a dark hall.

“I haven’t opened the blinds yet,” he told me, his tone soft.

“How about I do that while you get dressed?” I offered. Or else there was no way I’d get any work done.

“Cora,” he whispered, and I stilled when I felt his heat at my back. His nose pressed into the back of my neck before I heard his intake of breath. “I thought you would be long