Moonlight Kin 2: Aidan's Mate (Mid-Length Novel) (13 page)

Was she going to go through with this? Could she really betray Aidan after all he’d done for her? If she did, that would make her no better than Ethan. The thought made her skin crawl.

She scanned the streets searching for Carl. Ethan’s lackey had to be here somewhere, lurking in the darkness like a troll.

“One problem at a time,” Jenna muttered to herself.

Aidan looked at her, but said nothing.

A spot opened up like it had been waiting for them. Aidan pulled the luxury sedan into the spot and parked. Jenna reached for the door handle.

“Sit tight.” He got out and walked around the front of the car to open her door.

No one could fault him on his manners.

“This really isn’t necessary.” Jenna glanced up and down the sidewalk. Where was he? There was no sign of Carl, but she was determined to remain vigilant.

Aidan smiled. “We’re celebrating the repair of your vehicle, remember?”

Jenna stopped. “About that, I know I keep saying this, but I will pay you back for parts and labor. It might take me a while, but I am good for it.”

He rested his hand on the small of her back and led her into a cozy restaurant that only had ten tables. Candles fluttered as he opened the door and stepped aside for her to enter.

“Mr. Fortier, how lovely to see you.” An older man rushed forward to greet them. “It’s been a long time.”

Aidan shook his hand. “Too long, Francis. Do you have my table?”

The man’s brown eyes crinkled. “But of course.” He led them toward the back of the room into the corner. Francis snapped his fingers and one of the bus boys rushed out carrying a table. He set it down and moved back as another one brought out two chairs. Within seconds the table was set and ready for them to dine.

Aidan signaled Francis to back away. “Allow me.” He held Jenna’s chair out and waited for her to take a seat.

Jenna gave him a small smile and sat. Could she feel any worse? She didn’t think so. How could she have ever believed that Aidan was anything like Ethan?

He took his seat across from her, angling the chair until his back was against the wall, then perused the wine list. “Do you have a preference?”

“Red.”

“Red it is.” Aidan closed the menu and ordered a bottle.

Jenna waited until the waiter poured the wine, then asked her first question. “Are you originally from Breakbend?”

“No, I just like the area. There are a lot of woods to get lost in,” he said.

“You like getting lost in the woods?”

He smiled. “On occasion. Keeps my instincts sharp. What about you? Where are you from?”

“I grew up all over,” she deflected.

People like Aidan wouldn’t understand how she grew up. Wouldn’t understand what it was like to go without, to be neglected, to have to lock your door at night to prevent one of your many ‘fathers’ from coming in. Jenna lifted the glass of wine to her lips and took a deep swallow to keep from choking on the memories.

“So what made you want to keep wolves?” she asked.

He stared at her, his expression inscrutable. “They’re not bees. I don’t so much keep them as allow them to roam on my land.”

“If that’s the case, how did you tame them?” she asked.

“I didn’t.” Aidan paused their conversation while the waiter took their order. When that was finished, he continued. “Wolves sense things on a deeper level than people. They can smell your fear, your intentions, and especially your pain.” He gave the last word added emphasis.

Jenna shifted in her seat. “Do you have family nearby?”

Aidan shook his head and laughed to himself. “I
always
have family around. It’s difficult to find a moment to myself. What about you?”

“No, no family.”

The answer surprised him.

Jenna opened her mouth to ask her next ‘interview’ question.

Aidan held up his hand to stop her. “Don’t you want to write this down for accuracy’s sake?” He sat back. “I’ll wait until you get your notebook out of your purse.”

Blood rushed to her face until the pressure threatened to pop her ears off. How was it possible to feel so hot and so cold at the same time?

Jenna considered denying his assertion, but she couldn’t. What was the point? She’d never been the type of person to betray another. It just wasn’t in her nature.

Jenna thought she could get the interview without him knowing, but she had a feeling she would’ve confessed even if Aidan hadn’t seen through her deception.

The wine in her stomach turned to vinegar. “I’m sorry.” Jenna placed her napkin on the table and rose to her feet.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Aidan kept his seat and casually swirled the wine around in his glass.

“I thought now that you caught me, you’d want to...” The words died on her lips.

“Please sit down, Jenna. We need to talk.” Aidan waited for her to take her seat. “But first tell me why you were trying to get an interview.”

Jenna’s chin dropped. “I needed the money.” She sighed. “I have some legal issues that I have to take care of. The situation is embarrassing and I’d rather not go into detail. Suffice to say, landing an interview with you would go a long way toward hiring the experts that I need.”

“So you’re not just trying to further your journalism career?”

She scoffed and glanced around to make sure no one had heard her. “I’m a mechanic Aidan, not a journalist. This is just a job to pay the bills. My passion is cars. Running into you was a coincidence.”

Aidan took a sip of wine. “Why didn’t you just say so?”

Jenna sat up. While she spoke, she straightened the silverware in front of her. “I didn’t know how. You were being so nice. At first I was suspicious. People like you aren’t normally--”

“People like me?” He cut her off with an arched brow.

“You know what I mean.” She sighed. “People in your income bracket aren’t normally philanthropic toward individuals.”

“True,” he said. “So what changed?”

My feelings for you
, she wanted to say, but didn’t dare.

Cars drifted by the window down the darkened street. People strolled along the sidewalks. Still no sign of Carl, but he was out there somewhere. He wasn’t about to stop pursuing her.

“I ran out of time,” Jenna said.

Their food arrived. The aroma of rich tomato meat sauce filled the air. The waiter placed a basket of fresh baked breadsticks in the center of the table. The food looked great. Smelled great. But Jenna was no longer hungry.

Aidan picked up his fork and stared at her expectantly. “The food here is fabulous. Don’t let it go to waste.”

Jenna blew out a heavy breath and picked up her fork. “When we get back, I’ll get my things and leave.”

He took a bite and chewed his pasta slowly, seeming to mull over her words. Once he swallowed, he asked, “Why would you do that?”

“I know you have something going on over the weekend and honestly, I feel awful for betraying your trust. I think it’s best if I just pack up and move on.”

“Best for whom?” Before she could respond, he said, “Eat, we’ll discuss trust later.”

* * * * *

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Someone was watching them.

Aidan had been distracted by Jenna’s ripe and ever-changing scent. The sensual aromas made him want to push his plate of pasta aside and eat her instead. That overwhelming desire was why he hadn’t immediately heard the soft clicks. Now the noise had his full attention.

It took him a moment to locate the source of the sound. Once he did, his anger surfaced.

Was photographic evidence also part of her ‘plan’? He kept calm, even though all he wanted to do was run outside and confront the enemy.

“Did the interview I gave you include a photo spread?” He’d know the second she lied.

Jenna’s brow furrowed. “Don’t think so.” She picked up her napkin and dabbed the side of her mouth. “If it did, then the editor didn’t let me know about it. I could ask the paper to cover the cost of a photographer, if you’d like. Why do you ask?”

“Because I’m not fond of having my picture taken.” It was dangerous for Lycans given their slow aging process and long lives.

“Okay, I understand. I’ll let Paul Welling know,” Jenna replied, undisturbed by his response. She picked up her fork and took another bite. Her scent never wavered.

She was telling the truth.

So who was watching them? And why take the pictures? And did this have anything to do with why Jenna was so scared?

Aidan spotted movement in the alley across the street. The man hadn’t concealed himself well enough. If he had, Aidan might not have detected him, which meant he wasn’t dealing with someone used to hunting Lycans.

The lighting in the restaurant made it difficult to make out the man’s features, but Aidan could see he was a burly man. He needed to get the man’s scent before it faded, then there wouldn’t be anyplace for him to hide.

Their spy was gone by the time dinner drew to a close. Aidan waited for Jenna to finish her coffee. She’d gotten her interview, but hadn’t spilled all her secrets yet.

Aidan needed a better setting, a more private one, before they continued their conversation. Fortunately for him, there were other ways, more pleasurable ways to obtain the information. Once he had her safely sequestered, he’d get his answers. Aidan would find out who the man across the street was and how he factored into the picture.

“Ready?” he asked.

Jenna nodded. “Thank you again for the interview. You’ve saved my life.”

Did she mean that figuratively or literally?

“It’s still early. How about we go for a stroll once we get back to the compound?” he asked.

“I could stand to work off some of these calories.” Jenna glanced at her watch. “But are you sure it’s safe?”

“Safe?”

“With the wolves in the woods?”

“Ah,” he said. “They won’t bother us.”

“Wouldn’t be too sure. The black one and I have bonded. He doesn’t like it when other people are near me.”

Aidan bit back a grin. “Wolves are very territorial, but then again, so am I.” He allowed his gaze to roam over her body. He planned to help her work off every calorie she ingested—after their walk.

Jenna blushed.

Aidan quickly paid for the meal, then walked around the table. His hands rested lightly on her shoulders before sliding to the back of the chair. He gently pulled it out. “I can’t wait to see you in the moonlight.” And neither could his wolf.

* * * * *

He made it sound like he couldn’t wait to see her naked. Jenna could think of a lot of reasons taking a walk was a bad idea. The biggest of all was Aidan himself.

For the first twenty minutes of the dinner, she’d been riddled with guilt and terrified that Carl would show up. Sometime during the meal, she’d relaxed. Her guilt had abated and the sexual tension had returned. The heat had continued to build until Jenna half expected to see smoke rising from her skin.

She didn’t think she’d make it through a walk without jumping him. Heck, Jenna wasn’t convinced she’d make it to the car.

She stood, doing her level best to avoid eye contact. It had been the eye contact that had sucked her in, in the first place.

Aidan’s amber gaze trapped her, immobilizing her as effectively as the real stick substance. He had a way of staring that made her believe she was the most important person on the planet. Jenna could see how a woman could easily become addicted.

He flashed her a devastating grin that sent butterflies aloft in her stomach. “Let’s go.”

Jenna scanned the sidewalks before she stepped outside.

“Looking for someone?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No, it’s habit. I like to be aware of my surroundings.”

“Smart woman.” Aidan opened the car door for her and waited for Jenna to climb inside. Before he shut the door, he said, “Excuse me for a moment.”

Jenna watched him dart across the street and slip between two buildings. Where was he going? What was he doing?

Aidan didn’t strike her as the kind of guy who urinated in public, not when there was a perfectly good restroom in the restaurant. He was back before she could ponder it further.

He opened the car door and climbed in. “All set?”

“What were you doing in the alley?” she asked.

“I needed to check something really quick.”

“What?” she asked.

“Nic thought he lost his wallet over there,” he said.

Jenna glanced at the dark alley. “You probably need a flashlight to find it, unless it glows in the dark.”

“True.” Aidan’s amber eyes glittered with amusement. “Fortunately, I discovered everything I needed to know.”

* * * * *

Aidan had hoped that the house would be quiet by the time they returned from dinner. He should’ve known better. The estate bustled with activity as everyone prepared for the moon run.

He pulled the car in front of the house, then opened the door for Jenna. Once he helped her out, Aidan popped the trunk and grabbed a blanket that had been tucked in the back. “I think we picked a good night to go for a walk.”

Jenna raised a brow at the blanket, but didn’t comment. She glanced at the house. “What’s going on?”

“Prep for the weekend festivities,” he replied. “Come.” Aidan shoved the blanket under his arm and took her hand. He led her around the back of the house and across the yard. “I’d like to show you one of my favorite spots.”

She smiled.

“You warm enough?” He examined her sweater, then checked her feet. The shoes she had on were practical like the woman. No need to go in and change, but he wanted her to be comfortable.

“It’s a mild night. I should be fine. The walk will get the blood pumping,” she said. “And if it doesn’t, I could always use the blanket under your arm. That is why you brought it, isn’t it?” Her green eyes sparkled with mirth.

Aidan thought it best to keep his mouth shut. Any answer he gave would either incur her wrath or reveal his intentions. He walked them into the woods.

“Don’t we need a flashlight?” Jenna asked.

“Not with the moon so full above us. Give your eyes time to adjust.” Aidan guided them down a rarely used path that wound its way through the woods, eventually buffeting a small creek.