Page 116 of Healer’s Betrayal

And then he does.

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The next morning, I finish my hair and step out of the bathroom. Before I make it any further, Jackson snags me around the waist and pulls me into his chest, his bare chest, before kissing the breath right out of me. When he finally pulls back, and I struggle to catch my breath, I stare up at him. “If you keep doing that, we won’t make it to the meeting.”

“Are you asking me to keep my hands off you, Mate?” he asks in a voice that’s all wolf. “Because that’s not going to happen.”

I smile as pure contentment flows through me. “No, I’m never going to ask you to keep your hands off me.” He growls in agreement. “I’m just reminding you that we have to get to that meeting.” He kisses me one more time and then rests his head against mine.

“As soon as the meeting is done, you and I are coming back here. Alone.”

“And doing what?” I ask in a hushed whisper.

“Just some things,” he says, pulling back. “The old-fashioned way.”

I laugh. “What about Noah?”

“I’ll ask Ransom to take him.”

I shake my head, still smiling. “Ransom already kept him last night for us.”

“And he’ll keep him again if he knows what’s good for him,” he all but growls at me.

I laugh and then reach up on my toes and press my lips to his, needing to one more time. He doesn’t disappoint. I love you, I send him through our bond, the bond I officially sealed when I bit him last night and we came together for the first time.

I love you more than life itself, he sends back. I had no idea life could be this good.

It’s only going to get better, I send him. He deepens the kiss, thrusting his tongue into my mouth; and we both groan at the contact. Knowing I need to end this, I pull back first. Bright blue eyes meet mine. “Let’s go before we end up back in bed again.”

“I don’t see the problem with that,” he says, his voice full of his wolf.

“Come on.” I take his hand in mine, and he reluctantly follows me.

Nearly ten minutes later, we walk up to the building where the meeting is set to take place. Stay close to me, Jackson says, squeezing my hand before he opens the door.

I tense. Are you expecting trouble?

No. There’s going to be unmated males in here; and I need you near me. The bond is still too new. My wolf doesn’t understand why we’re not back at the house in bed.

I feel my face heat. Jackson, you can’t say stuff like that when we’re out in public.

Why not? I love seeing your face flush and knowing I put it there. Did you know that when you flush, it’s not just on your face. It spreads down—

Do not finish that thought!

He chuckles and opens the door. He instantly changes, going on alert and dropping a hand to my back. Ransom and Martin walk over to us. “Morning,” Ransom says, more serious than I’m used to him being.

“Keep an eye on Kayla today,” Jackson tells both of them. “Her safety is top priority.”

I expect Ransom to make a wise crack, but he only gives a short nod. “Always.” With that, Ransom walks on my other side, and Martin falls into step behind us as we make our way over to where the pack leaders are gathering. I follow Jackson into an aisle and sit in between him and Ransom, and Martin sits on Jackson’s other side.

“Where’s Noah?” I ask Ransom once we’re settled.

“He’s with the other kids; they’re all kept in a safe place during meetings like this. Don’t worry,” he says, when my eyes meet his. “There’s lots of protection.”

Several of the Northwoods Pack members smile and wave when they see me. Raechel stops at the end of our row. “Did it work?” she calls out, and I want to crawl into the floor and disappear.

“Yes,” Jackson calls out in his deep voice. “I love doing things the old-fashioned way.”