Page 30 of Property of Yak

I take a deep breath. I shouldn’t tell her anything about me. I should keep her close but remain distant. It’s better that way because once this shit is resolved, she can go back to her life, and I will go back to mine.

Yet, I find myself telling her anyway.

“Because I talk too fucking much. At least, that’s what my former pres would tell you. He picked names based on nature, and it’s the one that fit.”

She glares at me, and I know it’s for the language, but she seems to let it go.

“What’s your real name?”

I shouldn’t tell her. We don’t use our real names, but I find myself speaking it anyway.

“Jameson.”

She smiles. “Nice to meet you, Jameson. I’m Julie. Hey, look. J and J. It’s kismet.”

I shake my head. “You should have a talk with the fates if you think you were destined to be here with me. You got the short end of the stick.”

“No,” she starts. “I think I won the lottery. My own personal bodyguard, and he’s attractive? I think fate’s looking out for me.”

“Whatever you say. Bedtime now. We can talk more in the morning.” I turn her around by her shoulders and point her toward her room.

She glances at me over her shoulder. “Are you staying?”

Am I? Probably, but I need to check in with Yooper and make sure the friend made it home safely. He also is going to want to talk about all of this.

“For a while, but I have things I need to do. I’ll take your key and be back before you wake up.”

“Promise?”

I nod once, but what I really want to say is nothing can keep me away.

Not now that I’ve claimed her.

For better or for worse, she is mine.

CHAPTER

EIGHT

Julie

My alarm goes off, making me groan. I wake up slowly with a tingle between my legs from the delicious dream I had.

“Good morning,” a deep voice rasps, reminding me that I’m not alone.

I feel the bed shift as horror fills me.

Oh no. I had a dirty dream with him next to me in bed?

That’s…

“I know you’re awake, Julie. I felt your breathing change,” he says with humor in his voice.

Yeah, but what else did you notice while I was sleeping?

“Didn’t your mother ever tell you it’s not polite to stare?” I ask, eyes still closed.

“I can’t help it.”