She went to a filing cabinet behind her desk and rummaged through the files, taking a lot longer than he would have liked, but then she pulled some sheets from the drawer and held them up in the air. “I knew they had to be in there somewhere.”

  “Great,” Cortney said, her voice flat. “Just tell me what to sign so I can get out of here.”

  The woman pointed to three places and gave Cortney a copy of the PMAC to bring with her, and within minutes, they were free to go.

  “Can I go up and let my co-workers know that I’m leaving, or do they just get to work short for the rest of the day and think I’ve deserted my patients?” she asked, her voice sharp.

  “Of course. In fact, why don’t we meet back at the helipad in half an hour? I’ll get some clothes for Kirk and make arrangements for Trista,” he agreed.

  She gave him a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, then turned and walked out the door.

  Letting her out of his sight went against everything in him. As her mate, he wanted to be wherever she was. They weren’t mated—yet—which meant another male could steal her away from him. But he had a feeling that being too aggressive would push her away. Besides, she’d only just found out he was uprooting her for a month—longer if he had anything to say about it. The least he could do was give her some space. She might not be thrilled with the prospect, but she hadn’t refused to go with him.

  “What do you mean arrangements for Trista?” the woman Cortney had named Gloria asked him.

  “Trista, the nurse that works with Cortney, she’s coming as well. As per section eight, paragraph three…” he looked at the woman who riffled through a copy of the PMAC.

  “Crap. Jeanine is going to flip. Okay, I’ll get the other papers.”

  Chapter Three

  Cortney rushed up to her department, ignoring the curious looks the other nurses gave her as she headed straight for a computer. It didn’t take long to find a copy of the PMAC online, and even less time for her to confirm that Draven was right. She had to go with them. Not that she doubted it, not really, but she wanted to be extra sure.

  As expected, her manager hadn’t been happy when she’d told her she was going away for a month, and even less so when she found out Trista was going too, but considering the situation, she’d given her a hug and wished her well.

  Less than thirty minutes later, she was back at the helipad, shielding her eyes from the sun. Maybe Draven would let her grab her sunglasses and a few things before they headed out to…where the hell was she going? She didn’t even know where the Odyssey was. It had to be somewhere local-ish since Doctor Parker knew the man by name.

  She spotted Draven right away. Damn but the man was big. He was at least six feet tall, and his shoulders were wider than any man she’d ever seen. From what she’d read, the chemistry between phoenix mates was ridiculously high. Like, tearing clothes off in public places kind of high. Not that she’d allow that to happen, but what if she couldn’t help it?

  The man was gorgeous with his bright green eyes and his dark, messy hair. And she was going to have to live with him for a whole month. At least he was being nice to her now, but she knew better than to trust nice.

  Trista spotted her and came rushing over, her eyes sparkling, and a wide smile on her face. “Ready to go? I’m going with Kirk since he’s still hurting. He’ll take me to my place to grab some stuff. And Lex. They’re letting me bring Lexie with me.”

  Cortney hadn’t even thought about her friend’s dog. “That’s great.” The hyper puppy would drive them all nuts, but at least it would give them something to focus on other than the ticking clock counting down the time before they could leave again.

  And she would leave. She hadn’t worked her ass off at school to get her degree, then put in four years of her life into building seniority just to give up her career, no matter how hot the shifter was. Okay, so the job wasn’t perfect, but she made a difference in people’s lives. Taking care of others wasn’t just what she did, it was who she was. That wouldn’t change just because she had to take a month-long break from it all.

  “I’m as ready as I’m going to be.”

  “Hey, this is going to be fun. If all the men over there are as cute as those two, I may try to snag one for myself,” Trista joked. “They won’t know what hit them.”

  A black sports car and a motorcycle sat waiting along the lane just outside the helipad. Kirk sat on the tarmac, holding his ribs, but otherwise, he appeared fine. “You’re looking a lot better than the last time I saw you,” she said.

  “I feel like crap. Trista says you broke my ribs,” he said and then winced when he tried to take a deep breath.

  Draven stepped closer, placing himself a little in front of her. Whatever. That macho shit wasn’t going to fly with her. She stepped around him. “I did. You should have the fact that you’re a phoenix on a medic alert bracelet or something, so you don’t waste a lot of taxpayer dollars by having a whole team working on you for nothing. And don’t even get me started on the supplies that we wasted. Do you have any idea what kind of deficit Ontario hospitals are running under?”

  The man looked up at her with his eyebrows raised then glanced over at Draven before grinning. “I have a tattoo. We all do.”

  “Well, maybe then you should let us measly humans know about them so that we don’t make these mistakes. I didn’t mean to break your ribs. I was trying to save your life,” she huffed.

  His grin widened. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I appreciate your efforts. I’m just saying that I’m hurting. That’s all.”

  Part of her wanted to pick a fight with the guy, but it wasn’t his fault any of this was happening. And if she was going to spend a whole month with the phoenixes, she should at least try to stay friendly. Who knew what they did to their enemies? “I’m glad you’re okay. Even if you are hurting.”

  Kirk turned his attention to Draven. “Mind helping me up?”

  Draven shook his head but stepped forward. “One of these days, I’m going to let you self-destruct and deal with the mess when all the pieces come falling all around you.”

  Kirk grunted as he got to his feet. “Nah, that’s what makes you such a great leader.”

  “Leader?” Cortney asked.

  “Didn’t Draven tell you? He’s the head of the Odyssey. You’re moving in with our Alpha.”

  Cortney’s heart slammed against her ribs. The Alpha? Crap. Could things get any more intense? It wasn’t a regular phoenix her body had betrayed her for, no, it was the damned Alpha. Now all the phoenixes in the Odyssey would scrutinize her every move, and each word she said. Maybe she’d just hole up in his apartment, or cave, or wherever phoenixes lived, and not come out until her time was up. She snickered at the cave thing. Anyone who drove a car like that one, or that sweet looking bike, had to live somewhere better than a cave.

  Before she could say anything else, Draven came up to her. “Ready? We’re taking the bike. Pretty boy here is too banged up to ride.”

  “Aw, Draven, you think I’m pretty. I’m touched, but you’re not my type, man.” Kirk said, ignoring the Alpha’s glare.

  “Shut it.”

  “Can we get some of my things before we go? I’ll need some clothes and toiletries and stuff,” Cortney asked, interrupting the men. Though for the life of her, she had no idea how the hell she would get a month’s supply of things in a bag small enough for her to carry on her back.

  “We won’t be able to carry much with the bike, but we can grab what you need for right now, and I’ll bring you home to get more stuff tomorrow or the next day. Would that be alright?” he asked her, but there was no other option to be had.

  “I could always just follow you in my car,” she suggested.

  He immediately shook his head. “That wouldn’t be safe. They won’t recognize the vehicle.”

  Cortney looked at Trista, who just shrugged. “Okay, so the bike it is.”

  When they reached the vehicle, Draven handed her a helmet. “Have you ever ridden before? Do you need help with the helmet?”

  “Not often, but yes, I’ve ridden before, and no, I don’t need help.” She sounded bitchy even to her own ears, but she couldn’t’ help it. Things were getting out of hand fast. She had the helmet secured over her head when he came close again and checked on the fit. He didn’t say a word as he pulled his own on and slipped the visor down.

  Trista came over, her smile now gone. “You okay, Cort? You’re looking a little pale.”

  She pulled Trista a few feet further from Draven. “No, not really. Have you seen how gorgeous he is? How the hell am I supposed to resist him? And now my body will be wrapped around him for God knows how long until we get there. What if that mate chemistry thing starts happening right away? Remember those articles we were reading last week? I’m going to be one of those women we were laughing about in those articles.”

  Trista burst out laughing. “Dude, you have to chill. We’ll just take our vacation and come home. So you get to jump his bones while we’re there. If you ask me, that’s a mighty fine perk.”

  A faint crackling sound came at her from the inside of the helmet. “It’s two and a half hours to the Odyssey,” Draven said, his voice, coming through the helmet, sounding way too much like laughter.

  “Fuck my life,” she whispered under her breath as she glanced over, and sure enough, his shoulders were shaking. Not only did she have to hang on to him for two and a half hours, but now he knew she was worrying about it. Without even saying goodbye to Trista, she got on the bike. It was going to be a long month.

  Chapter Four

  Draven swung his leg over the bike and roared it to life. He should have said something when he had realized she wasn’t aware of the mic, but she spoke so fast that he hadn’t had a chance to put a single word in there. The fact that he liked what he heard had nothing to do with it. Well, not much, anyway.

  She pulled her visor down and hopped onto the bike. Having her wrapped around him as she’d pointed out had Draven smiling all over again. He definitely could get used to it.

  “That wasn’t nice,” she scolded before he could say anything.

  “I’m sorry.” He wasn’t. Not really. Learning that she found him hot enough to be worried about the mating pull was great news—for him.

  She sighed and wrapped her arms around his chest. “Let’s get this show on the road. Today counts as day one, right?”

  Draven adjusted her arms so that they were low on his waist. “No, it’s thirty full days. Tomorrow will be day one.” He didn’t know for sure if that was accurate, but he’d take any advantage he could get. She was eager to leave before they’d even started. So what? He wouldn’t let it get to him. He had thirty days to enjoy his mate’s company and convince her that she couldn’t live without him, and he couldn’t wait to get started.

  As soon as he swung the kickstand out of the way, her arms tightened around him, and she settled so that nothing but the clothes on their backs separated them. His body heated a couple of degrees at her nearness alone. He could just imagine what it would be like if they were skin to skin.

  “When we go around corners, just follow my lead. Lean in when I do.” She’d mounted the bike like a pro, but he wouldn’t chance her getting hurt. Giving basic instruction would only take a moment. It was bad enough that all each of them had was a helmet and gloves. Phoenixes, in general, didn’t overdo the protective gear, but then, they didn’t die if they wrecked. His mate, however, was mortal—for now anyway. “If you need a break, just let me know.”

  “Got it,” she answered a little breathlessly.

  He revved the motor and she gasped.

  “I’m glad to have you with me, Cortney. I know you’re not thrilled about the situation, but I’ll do my best to make you happy,” he told her before pulling out.

  ***

  Between the vibration of the motor and her chest pressed against Draven’s back, it was all Cortney could do to keep from moaning by the time they hit the highway. It was a nice day, but not crazy hot. She shouldn’t be so warm on the back of the bike, but her whole body felt as though tiny flames licked at her skin. The sensation stole her breath and had parts of her—parts she now found impossible to ignore—throbbing.

  Her heart beat faster, and she struggled to keep her hands where they were. She became more restless with each passing minute. When she adjusted her arms and her hands found a small strip of Draven’s exposed skin just above the waistband of his jeans, she should have moved it right away. She didn’t.

  Draven stiffened but kept the bike steady. “Are you doing okay back there?” he asked, his voice a little deeper than before.

  Cortney wanted to say yes. She needed to prove to both of them that she could resist the pull between them, but they’d barely been on the road for a half an hour. If the sensations rushing through her grew much more intense, she’d either come right there on the bike with him listening in, or she’d start tearing at his clothes. Already she had her thumb under the hem of his shirt and was stroking his hot skin.

  “I think I might need a bit of a break,” she said, her voice breathless.

  “Hang on. We can get off the main road in just a minute.”

  She didn’t try responding. Opening her mouth again at this point would have released the moan she was trying so hard to keep back. She just needed to get off the bike. To put some space between them for a few minutes. Then she could breathe, and the haze of lust making her crazy would dissipate. “Hurry,” she whispered as another wave of throbbing pulses washed over her.

  He turned down a dirt road, slowing only enough to drive safely as he went around one bend, then another before pulling the bike to the side.

  As soon as he gave her the okay, she was off the bike and practically sprinted away. Now that she wasn’t plastered against him, the air felt cool through her T-shirt, making her moan and her nipples pebble against the thin fabric.

  “Just take a few deep breaths,” he said, still straddling the bike.

  She flipped her visor up and followed his direction. In through her nose and out through her mouth. “It’s not working,” she said more to herself than to him when she’d done it a few times, and the need continued to build rather than fade.

  He swung his leg over the bike and took a few steps toward her.

  “No, stay where you are. I can’t be close to you right now.”

  “I know you don’t want to hear this, but it won’t go away on its own. It has to do with the pheromones we emit,” he told her as he came closer still.

  “Of course it will.” She refused to believe otherwise.

  “It won’t.” He stood before her and unfastened her helmet. Then placed it on the ground at their feet, before removing his own. “You need to come so the mating craze will ease off for a while.”

  His eyes glowed a bright amber. It was both mesmerizing and a little frightening. His dark hair stood on end, and she wanted to run her hands through it. Not to brush it into place, but to grip so she could kiss him—hard.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She licked her lips, and her gaze flitted to Draven’s mouth.

  He brought his hands to her hips and pulled her closer. Every inch of him was hard against her softer body. When his erection pressed against her belly, she moaned, and her eyes drifted shut.

  “As much as I want to take you right here, right now, I won’t,” he whispered into her ear.

  His lips at her earlobe had her breath hitching in her throat. “Why?” she asked, her tone more plaintive than it should have been.

  He turned her in his arms, pulling her back flush against his chest. She didn’t fight the urge to sway against his body.

  “Because you deserve more. You’re not sure about this yet—about me—and I’m not going to push you. But you should know, I’m not a saint. If you keep rubbing your ass against my cock like that, I may have a change of heart.”

  Cortney stopped moving. Draven was right. She wasn’t ready for this. She had a career to get back to, but her body was going up in flames, and she had no way of dousing the fires he ignited. She whimpered at the thought of riding again without relief.

  “Will you let me take care of it for you?” he asked as he gripped her hips, his fingers digging into her through the material of her jeans.

  “I don’t know…”

  “We have two options. We could get back on the bike. I can take you faster and just listen to those sexy little sounds you were making again and hope I don’t wreck the bike when I hear you come behind me. I bet they get louder as you get closer to orgasm, don’t they?” He pressed his cock more firmly against her ass. “Or, you can stand there. I will stay behind you and keep all my clothes on. I’ll only use my hands and my mouth as far as either will reach from where I stand. Once you’ve climaxed, we’ll get back on the bike and go again until you tell me to stop.”

  She whipped her head around and looked at him over her shoulder. “I won’t need to stop again.”

  “Then you’ll be more comfortable for the rest of the ride.”

  She wanted to wipe his self-assured smile off his face, but right then, all that mattered was easing the throbbing between her legs so she could breathe again. “I won’t need this, or anything else for the rest of the month.”

  “Then I guess I’d better make this one count. Pick your orgasm.”

  Heat rushed up her cheeks, but she knew what she wanted. She could have a machine induced orgasm by herself at home. And since it was his fault that she was suffering, it was only right that he help her through it. She nibbled on her lip for a second. “Like this. I want you to make me come like this,” she finally blurted out.

  Chapter Five

  Draven’s heart pounded, and he had to keep from tearing Cortney’s clothes off her body and feasting on every inch of soft skin he was convinced hid under her clothing. She hadn’t gone out of her way to hide her body, but she hadn’t worn anything particularly revealing either.