As if he could read her mind, his eyes flared with heat. “What are you thinking about?”
“The kiss in my apartment.” The moment hadn’t left her thoughts much. And now she wanted to think about anything but the trail of death she’d left in New Orleans.
He licked his lips in thought. She fought a groan in response. Desire began to shove fear of flying out of her consciousness.
The plane leveled off.
“Yeah. The kiss was probably a mistake.” He met her gaze squarely, his stunning eyes devoid of expression.
She’d known Jordan most of her life. When he lacked expression, it wasn’t lack of interest. He often made a calculated effort to hide his current thoughts or feelings. Interesting. Her fingers found the clasp of the seat belt, and she freed herself.
He lifted his chin. “What are you doing?”
“Relaxing.”
He settled into his chair. “Kate?” His voice held bite this time. “Have you been sleeping with Lance?”
The question jerked her head back. How could he think she’d sleep with someone in her squad? She and Lance were friends—the best of friends. The cat had saved her life numerous times, and she kept him safe, too. Jordan had no right to question her about the tiger. “None of your business.”
“Oh, I think it is,” he said softly. Too softly.
Temper stretched awake inside her. “Well, I wouldn’t call what we do sleeping. Especially when Baye joins in.”
Jordan blinked. Then a slow grin spread across his face. “Into ménage now, are you?”
“Yep.” She lifted her chin. “Especially since Baye always brings bullwhips. I do love a good bullwhip.”
Jordan threw back his head and laughed. “That’s a good one. Okay. You’ve made your point. I’m sorry for questioning you. I shouldn’t have.”
She wished he had the right to question her—that he wanted the right. “What about you? Have you been dating anyone?” Her shoulders stiffened for the blow.
“No.”
“Why not?” Now her voice lowered to a soft tone.
His grin hinted at sin. “Dating isn’t as much fun since you’re not there to sabotage me.”
The breath strangled in her throat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Crap. Had he known? She’d messed with his dates the second she became a teenager, once even spilling ice cream down a panther shifter’s silk dress to make her leave a party.
“You weren’t exactly subtle.” Jordan grinned again.
“Well,” Katie sniffed, “you’ve had terrible taste in women, anyway.”
His gaze swept her, head to foot, leaving a flash of awareness along every nerve. “I’d say my taste has improved.”
Heat filled her cheeks. Before she could respond, lightning cracked. The plane bumped, shimmying to the side. Panic prickled the skin on her neck. She clutched her nails into the leather armrests, and the muscles in her legs tightened until becoming painful.
Jordan leaned forward, tugging her hands free. “You’re okay. Turbulence is normal and no big deal.” His thumbs caressed her knuckles in soothing circles.
Her eyes widened, and she shook her head.
The craft lurched again.
Darn it. Many people took sedatives to fly. She should’ve gotten a prescription. Well, she would’ve if she’d had any warning she’d be flying. The plane dipped, quickly righting. A soft whimper escaped her.
Jordan yanked her toward him, settling her on his lap. She tucked her face into his neck.
He held her tight. “Just hold on, kitten. We’ll be through the storm soon.”
Her body coiled. She closed her eyes, breathing in his familiar scent. Minutes passed. His warm hand caressed her spine. More bumps had her panting, tensing as she waited for each lurch. Finally, as the way stayed calm, her body relaxed.
Exhausted, frightened, she dropped into an uneasy sleep.
Hours later, a slight change in cabin pressure filtered through her dreams. Slowly, awareness had her eyes opening. They were descending ... going to land. Then she came fully awake. Her butt perched on incredibly hard thighs. A warm chest cradled her in safety. Jordan’s heart beat steady and strong beneath her palm.
She’d slept on his lap for the entire flight.
Giving in to temptation, she wandered her mouth up his jugular to behind his ear.
He stiffened. “What are you doing?” He sounded sleepy. Maybe he’d slept, too.
For answer, she nipped his jaw.
“Katie—” His voice came out hoarse. The low timber danced down her spine as if he’d traced her vertebrae with his tongue.
She leaned back. “What?” They had so many issues to deal with—from trust to death. Yet she wanted another kiss from the lion. Just one more before all hell broke loose. Before the plane landed and reality slapped her in the face.
Maybe she was still dreaming.
Smooth, slow, she slid her hands up his neck to tangle in his thick hair. The sleep cleared from his eyes. They narrowed, but he didn’t stop her. She tightened her hold. Moving forward, her lips wandered against his.
The lion’s sharp intake of breath made her smile. She flicked her tongue along his lower lip, a soft sigh escaping her.
The tension in his body increased.
“Jordan. Kiss me back. Just one more time.” They had a few minutes until the plane touched down. A few more minutes to pretend.
Denial was blinked away in his eyes. Frustration and a glimmer of anger replaced it. Finally, want. Maybe even need.
His mouth slanted over hers. Taking, giving, his lips firm and demanding.
She’d been kissed before. Jordan didn’t kiss. He consumed. Sliding into arousal wasn’t an option. Her body shot from slow burn to inferno in a heartbeat.
He cupped the back of her head, holding her in place. His talented tongue slid past her lips and he explored her mouth as if every crevice was his and his alone. As if he had every right to do so ... as if she were his.
The kiss declared possession. Demanded submission. He tangled her hair in his fist, plunging deeper. She whimpered against him. Needing more. Needing everything. Her nipples pebbled to true pain. Her sex softened in absolute demand.
Wheels touched down with a small bump. The brakes engaged with a hiss.
Jordan tore away, his five o’clock shadow scratching her face. Desire burned hot and bright in his eyes. He took a deep breath. “I need you, Kate.”
She nodded. Even after the kiss, she knew what he meant. “I know.”
“Be strong. Help me figure out how to keep the nation together.” Pain and absolute determination settled across his face. “Help me leave you whole. I have to know you’re going to be okay if I—”
“I’m not giving up.” There had to be a way to cure him—to keep him from turning.
Desperation curled his lip. “Okay. But I need you prepared. I need you to be okay.”
She wouldn’t be. No way would she be whole if he died. She forced a smile, trying to keep her lips from trembling. “I’m strong, Jordan. You made sure of it.” For so many years, he’d trained her. “I’ll be fine.” She didn’t bat an eyelash as she told the biggest lie of her life.
Chapter 7
A bulletproof SUV manned by a too silent vampires met them at the airport, squiring them to Realm Headquarters. The area appeared more like an upscale gated community, complete with checkpoints with armed guards along the way. The houses were for peacetime, while the surrounding cliffs and mountains held underground levels of safety.