"Especially those. " Lance's smile was tight, merciless. "Remember that. And while you're at it, get your asses out of my department; I'm damned sick of dealing with Breeds. "
That seemed to be the general consensus of anyone dealing with Jonas.
Braden stayed silent, watchful, measuring the sheriff as he scowled back at Jonas. The man had an unusual air about him, at once old and young.
He had seen pain, he had known death, and he had come back, wary, bitter. Braden knew his past, knew his file down to the last detail, but sometimes one could read much more in eyes that stared back from a weary expression.
"I'll head back to Sanctuary. " Jonas nodded abruptly, drawing Braden's attention from the sheriff. "Let me know when you're ready for me to return with Elyiana. "
The tests. The very same ones he suspected Megan would fight like a rabid wild cat.
"I should know something soon. " Braden nodded before heading to the door.
As he stepped into the hall, he clearly heard Jonas's last warning comment to the sheriff.
"We'll be talking again soon, Jacobs. Very soon. "
And Braden wondered just what the hell the Director of Breed Affairs had up his sleeve now.
Chapter Ten
Megan stalked into the house and up the stairs more than an hour later. She heard the back door open behind her.
She had known Braden would be coming in soon, knew she had to face him eventually. But not yet. She couldn't force herself to stay, to face the rejection she felt in Lance's office. To see in his eyes the anger that
surged through him at the knowledge that they were bound together in ways she could have never imagined.
She had left the office without him, sneaking from the building and rushing to her Raider. She hadn't expected to be greeted by the sleek black heli-jet Jonas had flown in on, or to see Braden as he lounged against the side of the house waiting on her.
Mating Heat. Adrenaline rushed through her at the thought, sending her heart racing and, unfortunately, her womb clenching. Whatever it was, it had bound her to him. She had felt it from that first moment they met, the aura that surrounded her, calmed her. The arousal that tormented her. The kiss that left her weak, hungry for his taste. Cinnamon and brown sugar.
She could almost taste it on her lips, her tongue. Craved it, had been craving it since he had kissed her the night before.
The heat that filled her sex was driving her crazy. She clenched her thighs against it, determined to hold back that particular need. She had never just rolled willy-nilly into bed with any man and she would be damned if she was going to start with Braden.
At least, not right at this moment.
She slammed her bedroom door closed before stalking to the wide window at the end of her bed. She swiped at the tears that dampened her cheeks. The drive from the sheriff's office had left her alone just long enough for her to lose control of her emotions. She knew she needed to be stronger than this. But it hurt. For the first time since her talents had shown themselves she had been able to be close to a man. She could feel his arms around her and had known only his heat and hardness, not his nightmares or his fears. She had begun to hope that it meant something.
How stupid. A cynical, weary breath accompanied the thought. She should have known better. Life didn't work like that. And now she was bound to a man who had rejected the bond that she had felt growing between them. It had a name. Mating Heat. It wasn't natural, or so Jonas claimed; but her heart had other ideas. And the blow to her emotions that Braden's rejection had caused had shredded her control.
She flinched as her door opened, her breath hitching, another tear falling as she felt him enter the room.
"Megan. " His voice was soft, regretful. "I know what you felt at the office. It wasn't you. It wasn't a denial of you. You have to understand that. "
She hated the fact that she had given away her pain, revealed how much that single impression had affected her. How much she had hoped the feelings building between them were more than just lust. For her they were, and that hurt the most, knowing they hadn't been for him.
"It doesn't matter, Braden. " She fought to swallow past the emotion blocking her throat and kept her back to him, her tears hidden. "I understand. "
His life was a battle, day to day. Why would he want or need someone
who couldn't fight her own battles, let alone stand beside him in his?
"Do you, Megan? I don't think you do, but you will. Very soon. "
"Stop. " Her voice broke as she shook her head.
She could feel him moving closer, could glimpse the image of him in the glass of the window. "Please Braden, I need time_" Her shoulders shook as she fought the sobs that built in her chest. "I'm sorry. Please_"