Illicit Mate (Abducted 4)

Jenna shook her head. “No. It’s not as simple as that. I’m sorry, I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but what I feel for Darrick is real. As soon as I saw him, I felt a powerful longing. Even the short time we spent together this evening… I know that I’m in love with him. And I’m sure that he’s in love with me, too.”

Jenna bit her lip, her heart weighing heavy in her chest.

“I don’t mean to hurt you,” she continued, “but something’s gone very wrong here, because it’s clear to me that I’m meant to be with Darrick. You believe in soul-mates. You must understand that this is beyond my control. And it’s beyond his, too.”

Casey’s heart ached at Jenna’s words. The thought that Jenna couldn’t even conceive of loving Casey hurt more than she could bear.

But Casey knew that what Jenna said was possible. Darrick knew it, too, but he was in deep denial. Because of his loyalty to her, Darrick would have fought the blinding need gripping him to be with Jenna. But how could he stand up to so great a force when it was clear Jenna wanted him in return?

It was a testament to his loyalty to Casey that she’d only found them kissing. With a willing tanash’ae in his arms, it would be nearly impossible to resist the impulse to consummate their love.

But Casey felt that same need. A need strong enough to pull her from Darrick’s arms in the first place.

So far, she had held back, determined to give Jenna all the time she needed to come to terms with their relationship. She’d been almost timid when it came to Jenna, which was not typical of Casey. But her uncertainty at being paired with a human female who seemed to be romantically interested only in men had thrown her off balance.

Now she knew she had to take charge. Neither Jenna nor Darrick had the proper perspective about this relationship.

She strode toward Jenna.

“You say you felt a powerful longing for Darrick. What you keep ignoring is that you and I have a powerful link, too. I know you feel it, but you keep denying it.”

Jenna’s beautiful blue eyes widened as Casey gripped her wrist. As soon as she touched Jenna, a need beyond reason gripped Casey, making her ache inside. This should be the most wonderful feeling in the universe, but the flood of loving energy was tainted with uncertainty and intense feelings of rejection.

But still she held on.

Jenna began to tremble. Her barriers had deflected the first blast of need, at least a little, but as Casey continued to hold her wrist in a tight grip, her defenses started to crumble and raw emotion ravaged her. Her heart pounded in her chest and she felt dizzy.

She grasped Casey’s other arm for support and suddenly found herself staring into Casey’s confident violet eyes.

Oh, God, she was filled with an overpowering urge to lean forward and brush her lips against Casey’s.

“Good. You feel it now.”

“No, I—”

Casey pulled Jenna against her body, her arm tight around her waist. Their breasts crushed together and she could feel the beat of Casey’s heart. Jenna could barely breathe.

“Jenna, you want Darrick, but you can’t deny you have the same feelings for me. It may confuse you, but we need to figure this out.”

Jenna’s pulse raced as the reality of what Casey said seeped into her.

Finally, Casey eased away, allowing Jenna to suck in a breath, but still keeping a grip on her wrist.

“And we need to figure it out together. The three of us.”

CHAPTER 8

Jenna followed Casey back into the living room.

Darrick stood up when he saw them. Jenna’s heart went out to him at the forlorn expression on his face.

“Casey, I—”

“Darrick, stop. I know you’re sorry,” Casey said. “My question is are you willing to make it up to me?”

“Of course, I’ll do whatever you want.”

Casey nodded. “Good. Since Jenna wants to be with you… I want you to make love with her.”