Sam flinched at my harsh words, but she had to know whom she was getting involved with. It was better if she found out exactly how monstrous I was now, rather than later.
Sadness crept into Sam’s eyes, as she stared back at me. It killed me to see her so miserable, but my gaze stayed cold and hard. It was a familiar mask, like slipping on a favorite piece of clothing. My lips were thin and unmoving, as she lowered her lashes, hiding those gorgeous chocolate and caramel swirled eyes and began to turn around.
She turned slowly on her crutches, her pregnant body making her movements awkward. It took everything in me not to help her. If I showed the slightest weakness, she might not leave, and leaving was best for her.
As Sam made her way slowly to the door, my eyes caught a glimpse of Alex. I had completely forgotten he was there. I turned to look at him and immediately wished I hadn’t. If looks could kill… I had never seen him so angry, not even when he thought I’d taken advantage of Sam.
Alex’s dark brown eyes were swirling gold. His razor sharp glare pierced into mine. His nostrils flared, and I glanced down at his clenching fists. Claws were emerging from his fingertips.
There was going to be one hell of a fight. I wondered if this was the end of our friendship. Probably… A growl rumbled from Alex’s chest. Most definitely, I thought.
Sam suddenly stopped and turned around, claiming our attention. She began striding towards me, determination in her eyes. I couldn’t help admiring the beautiful woman who looked ready to spit nails. Her long brown hair flowing down her back had my fingers aching with the need to wrap it around my hand, to tug it hard and hear her whimper.
I thought her eyes would explode with all the sparks they were emitting. Her pouty pink lips parted, as she breathed heavily. My gaze shot down to her heaving breasts. My lips tugged into a grin, when her nipples beaded through her silky robe.
A growl had me raising an eyebrow, as I looked up. Sam’s eyes flared even more, but this time, I could see the desire mixed with her anger.
“I know what you’re doing.” She hissed. I didn’t say anything.
“You’re trying to push me away, but it’s going to take more than that to get me to leave.”
My shoulders pulled back at her challenging tone. “You will leave when I tell you to leave.”
“Oh, cut the bullshit, Jordan. You think I will cower down, or worse, run because your job isn’t pleasant? Or do you just want me to be afraid of you, to think of you as a monster?
My eyes widen in surprise of her using my own thoughts.
“Yes, I know that’s what you’re thinking. If you tell me the nasty bits, I’ll know how horrible you are. You obviously don’t know me well, if you think I’ll scare away so easily. I am not as weak as you believe me to be.”
“You didn’t show much strength when Alex was shifting,” I snapped, angry she could read me so well. I didn’t think she was weak, but I would imply that she was if it got her to go away.
Sam snorted and shook her head. “I admit having a very large jaguar suddenly staring at me was hard to take, but I got over it quickly. It wasn’t his shifting that had me scared. It was the ingrained notion in all humans that says we should run when a predator is in our sights.
“Jordan, I can’t say I completely understand your race, but even our own military has to kill in order save others. They protect us. It’s what gives us our freedom. You do the same. I may not agree with all of your rules, but they are there to protect the ones that cannot defend themselves.
“As far as what you have to do in order to gain information, well, I think you told me that to hurt me. And it did hurt, painfully.” Sam’s shoulders slumped tiredly, her lashes lowered. “But you have to do whatever brings you back home to me safely.”
My mouth opened, but I couldn’t find words. This woman surprised me, yet again. Would I ever stop underestimating her? She had a strength any shifter would covet.
“Just a few hours ago you were confessing your love for me. You said you didn’t want to lose me. Well Jordan, continue being an ass and maybe you will.”
Sam began turning around to leave. She wobbled on her crutches, as she tried to find her balance. She was tired and had stood too long on those damn sticks. I reached out with shaky hands and pulled her to me. I threw the crutches to the floor and held her in my lap once again.
Placing a kiss to her forehead, I gently urged her head to rest on my shoulder. She did so with a sigh that had my bones melting. I loved this woman, and I had decided that whether I deserved her or not, I would never let her go. I just couldn’t.
“I know,” she whispered, her warm breath caressed my neck, sending goose bumps down my arms. “I love you too.”
22
Alex