by Lucy Rains
Pierce’s face hardened as he looked into my eyes, “Because, Jade, you are not well. We do ops together, remember? How are we supposed to take you with us when your physical state is weakening? We need to get this guy out of a highly secured facility. A place locked down tighter than anything we have gone into before, and where are you?”
My mouth was closed and my jaw worked side to side, processing his words.
“Here?” He scoffed, his blue eyes darkening with each word.
A growl sounded behind me and my eyes darted to Kyson. “No,” he said through clenched teeth.
Pierce shook his head. “This is not an easy answer to our problem.”
Gavin nodded in agreement, “It only complicates things.”
My hand went to my head so my fingers could massage my temples. “Guys,” I sighed.
“Let’s sleep,” Kyson suggested. “Get some rest, talk about this tomorrow.”
My chest tightened at the tension that still radiated from the other guys. But I knew what needed to be done. There was no question in my mind.
“What if it was one of you?” My voice came out hushed, much softer now.
Pierce opened his mouth, “Jade, don’t-”
“It could have been one of you left behind!” I yelled over him. “One of you in that facility right now.” My eyes stung and my throat closed. I swallowed to clear it, pushing my hair off my shoulder. “We don’t have a choice,” I croaked. “We need him. I need him.”
Gavin had reached his max tolerance of the conversation and left the room, leaving the door open behind him.
Kyson rubbed a hand through his hair and gave me a torn look. “Should I have Charles bring food?”
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “No. I’ll eat tomorrow.”
There was an apology in his eyes as he planted a kiss on my cheek and followed after Gavin.
My eyes held Pierce’s as he walked closer to me, his hands coming out to hold my face. I swallowed again as my heart beat quickened. My hands came to his wrists, holding him as he held me.
I waited. Waited for his words to come. Waited for an apology or encouragement. But they never did. Instead his lips met mine, softly, sweetly. I felt the touch of pain that hid behind his lips. Then, like the others, he too was gone.
My gaze stayed on the empty door frame, lost in the memory of his lips. Until Alex broke my spell. “Well Babezilla, that didn’t go too bad.”
I let out a heavy sigh as I walked to the door. “Are you going or staying?”
My head turned to look at Alex, a smug smile on his face, making no move to leave. I closed the door and turned the lock, then flipped the overhead lights off. The room was lit by the outside city lights, making it easy with our enhanced vision to see around the room. I yanked off my sundress, going down to my underwear, leaving it at the foot of the bed. I rummaged through my duffel bag and pulled out a tank and cotton jersey shorts for the night. All the while Alex stood quietly. Waiting for me. Watching me.
When I was perched on the edge of the bed, setting my feet on the bed frame and leaning my elbows atop of my knees, I heard the rustle of clothes and then felt the mattress move as Alex settled beside me. Despite the worry I felt at the edge of his mind, there was a sense of underlying pleasure that flowed through him. He was worried like the other guys, but definitely not as much.
“It wasn’t supposed to get harder,” I whined. “Coming here was suppose to help things get easier.”
A hand went to my back and rubbed lightly, “Nothing with us is ever easy. You should know that by now.”
I leaned back onto the bed and stared up at the shadows lining the ceiling. The dresser and bookshelf casting ominous silhouettes along the drywall. “But this should be an easy choice, shouldn’t it? We go get him, bring him into our group.”
“But you have to see things from their point of view, Jade.”
I sighed, “I know. And then I have to get them to take action, rather than sitting around worrying about me.”
“I think Gavin is more worried about killing the guy the second he lays eyes on you. At least, I know I am. And if I am, then I’m sure Gavin will be planning something much worse.”
“But I thought they were desperate to help me? To make me well again? I thought this was what they wanted?”
Alex shifted, turning his body towards me. “When you love someone, you want the best for them. Sometimes we don’t know what the best is. Not like I have much experience, but it seems like our brains don’t always think rationally.”
My body stilled, and my lungs froze.
“For example, we should have come here two weeks ago. We should have left Florida as soon as we saw something was wrong with you. But did we? No. We thought with our damn hearts instead of our heads, and let you call the shots. Let you talk us into staying. Stupidest decision ever that I’m still regretting.”
My head turned and I looked at Alex as he spoke. The swelling in my chest beginning to grow as that one word settled inside of me, creating the same feelings as I had felt with Gavin. Warmth, security, a sense of rightness.
“And why did we do it?” he continued. His hand went to my face, his thumb trailing over the bridge of my nose.
“Love,” I whispered.
“Love is what’s making Pierce scared. It’s what's pissing off Gavin. It’s what’s sending Kyson into a tailspin.”
I swallowed, my chest constricting at his words. It was so good, so overwhelming.
“It’s what's making me hold back from ripping your clothes off right now,” Alex said, his voice dropping in volume and pitch. His fingers digging into my hair. “Because of the respect I have for your emotions and what you’re going through right now.”
“Me?” I chuckled. “What about you? We’re in this together.” My hips turned, facing my body towards Alex.
Alex scoffed, “Please. As long as no one is shooting at me, there’s not much that can distract me from my need for you.”
“Gosh Alex, I don’t think I have ever heard you say so many mature things in one sitting.”
Bringing a hand up, he confidently stroked his fingers through his long brown tresses, letting them fall back on his head. “Yeah I know, I just awesomed all over the place.”
I tried to fight the smile that tugged at my lips, failing when a giggle escaped. “I think your ego just suffocated me.”
“Well shit, I better do some CPR then.” His hand came out and wrapped around my waist, pulling me into him as his mouth closed onto mine.
Our mouths connected for a few seconds before Alex pulled away. “Wait, we don’t have to Jade. Today has been a lot.”
He was right. Today had been a rollercoaster in many ways. But nothing felt more right then being close with Alex in that moment.
I didn’t pull away. I didn’t say anything. Alex’s eyes searched my face, waiting for me to respond with words. When my hand came up to his head and I pulled him closer to me, a groan hummed from his mouth as he began kissing me again. Faster this time, his breathing heavy, his mouth moving against my own.
His fingers went to my shorts, the tips teasing against my hemline. When I reached down and pulled my shorts all the way a curse slipped from his lips.
“Jade…” he panted. “You’re...still a virgin?”
I leaned up and pushed my mouth to his, letting my tongue swarm his open mouth. I felt his fingers move under my panties, causing my hips to buck in excitement.
When my fingers went beneath Alex’s boxer briefs, skimming over the soft skin of his rear, he pulled back and gasped again. I bit my lip, unable to hide my smile. Alex’s arousal was full of giddy excitement. I knew the others enjoyed, no, loved being intimate with me. But Alex’s pleasure was brighter, full of excited anticipation.
“I’m going to explode,” he breathed, husky against my ear. His mouth found my collar bone, then my chest, then my tank top was being lifted, my bra removed, and his mouth was on my breast. I arched off the bed, my hands comi
ng up and grabbing his head. Alex moved his body down mine, his erection rubbing against my leg. His precum had filtered through the fabric of his underwear, and the damp cloth rubbed against my shin.
Stars filled my vision as his tongue played over me. Back and forth, around and around, the throbb between my legs becoming painful.
“Alex!” I panted, “Please!”
He paused, looking up at me for a moment, and then slid farther down. When I felt his nose brush over my tender folds I had to bite down on my tongue to keep from yelling out. My legs trembled as he removed my panties, exposing myself to him.
And then his tongue was on me again, licking and rubbing, his mouth on me in new ways I had never felt before. Spots filled my vision and my breathing became louder. I pushed a fist into my mouth and clawed at the sheets. My climax shot up so quick I whimpered as I my hips bucked repeatedly against his face.
I had barely stopped moving when Alex was kneeling over me, pulling himself free from his underwear, his hand moving along himself with anxious speed. His mouth parted, his sweet lips wet with my moisture. He held himself up with one arm, pleased himself with the other. I watched his eyes roll back, his head tilting up and his hot fluid spilling out as he grunted.
The semen landed on my sternum and dripped down my stomach. But I didn’t care, I stared at Alex and the parts I had never seen before, loving the sight of him. He came forward, a hand on each side of me as he caught his breath. When his eyes opened they were bright with happiness, delighted at what had just happened.
“You taste amazing,” he whispered between breathes.
My hand went to my cheek, feeling the flush that spread on my face, almost embarrassed at his confession. I didn’t want to think about how I must smell and look down there.
He scowled at the emotion I felt, bringing a hand up and pulling mine away from my face. “Stop it. It was perfect.”
I swallowed, nodding. Basking in the post intimate glow that radiated from both of us. He leaned down onto me, and his softening erection laid against my exposed hip. I brought a hand up, running over his length and down lower. At my touch his body released a post orgasm tremble.
His hand tilted my chin up. Alex’s eyes searched over me, my face, my breasts. And back to my eyes. “Say something.”
My eyes blinked, my mouth opening slowly. “Do you really think they love me? All of them?”
Alex smiled, his head leaning down to press a kiss on my forehead. “I know we do.”
Chapter 16
The hunger pains rolling through my stomach pulled me from sleep. That and the smell of coffee brewing.
My head turned slightly to look at Alex, knowing he was deeply unconscious, but I still wanted to look over his peaceful countenance. It was dark in the bedroom, the early morning rays not quite filtering through the window.
I pulled myself up and left the bed quietly. Thankfully, a bathroom was attached right onto our bedroom so I could take care of my personal needs. When I finished, I retraced my steps from the previous night, back out to the main rooms. I followed my senses, tasted the wakeful moods of others.
Going around a couple more corners led me to an all white kitchen, with silver knobs, and gleaming stainless steel appliances. Charles was leaning on a counter, Letti was sitting atop a barstool on the other side of the gray granite countertop, sipping from a steaming black mug. They both turned to look at me, pausing in their conversation.
I folded my arms, suddenly realizing the bra I was lacking and wanting to hide that fact. “May I have some food, Charles?”
He smiled and nodded, “Of course Miss Jade. Eggs? Oatmeal? Toast? What would you like?”
“Um,” my hand went to my ponytail, “all of it?”
His smile widened and he nodded again.
“You can sit by me,” Lettie offered, patting the counter next to her. Her blonde hair was already styled smartly, her black outfit looking sharp and prim. Charles was also looking dressed for the day in black slacks and a stiff white button up shirt.
I walked over and settled on the leather covered bar stool next to Lettie, wanting to escape back to the privacy of my bedroom but desperately wanting to eat something.
As I watched Charles move around the kitchen, my eyes were opened to the realization that I knew nothing personal about him. He had been in my life since I was a young girl, but I had never been allowed to converse with him on a personal level.
“Charles?” I cleared my throat.
“Yes, Miss Jade?”
“Did Mia and Vicki, after I, you know,” I searched for the words I had wanted to ask for weeks, “did they come by after I was gone?”
“Indeed, they did. A few times.”
“Really?”
“They were understandably upset,” Charles pulled tubs of butter and cream from the fridge and set them in front of me.
“Well, what did you tell them?”
A glass of water was set in front of me, that I grabbed without thinking and quickly drank.
“That you were very ill, and finally that you had left for a medical treatment center out of state. I told them we weren’t sure when you would be returning.”
Wiping a drop of water from my upper lip, I eyed Charles, hearing my mother’s words in his story. “Did she make you say that?”
He set a white plate of browned toast in front of me, and offered a small nod.
I shook my head and frowned. Lettie offered me a butter knife and I took it from her. “Thanks.” I looked at her again before turning to my food. “So, you live here too?”
She nodded her head, “Yes. Matteo is like my father. His wife, before she passed away, was like my mother. I mean, I wasn’t always close with them. I met them several years ago when I was in school with Tobias and Clive. But they took me in when my own parents passed away a few years ago.”
Orphaned. Like me, I supposed.
I looked up to Charles, as he cracked eggs in a glass bowl. “So, have you two known each other for a while?”
“Since I was 16,” she said brightly.
“Do you have any family, Charles?”
A surge of wistful longing flew over me. Charles poured the beaten eggs onto a hot skillet before answering. “I was married, a long time ago. But it didn’t work out. I began working for Mr. Brunno shortly after.”
“But no one else? Siblings?”
“No, I was an only child.”
“So, where are you from?” I asked. “You sound American.”
“I am,” he smiled, moving the yellow eggs around the skillet. “I lived all around the east coast as a child, up until I enlisted in the military. My service prompted me to travel abroad, which is how I met Mr. Bruno.”
I was entranced by the food piling up in the skillet, the few pieces of toast long gone and my stomach still feeling empty.
Finally a large plate of scrambled eggs was set in front of me.Throwing out a quick thank you, I began eating them..
I glanced apologetically at Lettie, “Did you want some?”
She shook her head, “No, thank you.”
I swallowed, “Your english is really good.” Indeed, I could barely detect a slight french accent under her words.
She smiled in appreciation, “My parents were American. I was born here, but I lived in the U.S. for a few years as a teenager, and learned English as a child.”
Nodding, I took another bite of eggs.
“So,” the word trailing out slowly from her lips. I felt the shift in her mood, the turn of apprehension and I looked at her. “Are any of the guys single?”
I swallowed my eggs, my head turning slowly to look at Charles. His back was to me as he measured out oats and sugar.
Clearing my throat, I swallowed and smiled at Lettie. “No. None of them are single.” My fork stabbed a pile of eggs.
She let out a heavy sigh, “Figures. So, who are you with? I’m guessing Alex since he didn’t leave your room last night.”
Lifting an eyebrow at Cha
rles, I scowled. “How much does she know?”
Charles placed oats and hot water in front of me with a bowl. “That you are not from here.”
“That you have enhanced abilities,” Lettie jumped in. “The guys also.”
“That you and the guys are connected,” Charles added, “but maybe not how much so.”
I nodded, understanding her question and trying not to think about her trying to flirt with any of the guys. “They aren’t my boyfriends.”
Lettie raised an eyebrow at me, her emotions dipping into confusion.
“But they are all mine.”
Before I could further educate Lettie on the situation between myself and the guys, to prevent her from further embarrassment, my senses felt the awakening moods of Pierce and Kyson. They would feel that I was awake as well. “The guys will be joining us soon,” I said to Charles. “Might need more eggs.”
He nodded and began filling the bowl again with raw eggs.
“So, you and Tobias aren’t, I mean,” I searched for the proper way to ask the question. “You’re not together?”
Lettie chuckled, “No, I’m not his type. We’re more like brother and sister.”
I nodded my head. “What time is it?” I asked, the kitchen suddenly bright with morning sun rays.
Lettie looked at her silver watch, “7:15 a.m.”
I rubbed my temples, “What time is that in Florida?”
Charles paused, looking at the wall for a second before saying, “Midnight,” and then continuing with the eggs.
“Did you want some coffee?” Lettie asked me.
Shaking my head, I said “No. Coffee doesn’t do anything for me.”
At that moment Pierce and Kyson entered the kitchen. Lettie stiffened, her breath quickening, her mood excited. I stifled the growl forming in my throat.
Morning pleasantries were exchanged as the guys filled their plates and sat at the wooden table situated by a wall of windows. I caught their glances at my empty dishes, felt their satisfaction of the knowledge that I ate.
“We should go shopping today,” Lettie spoke up. “You’re going to need a few things if you want to blend in here.”
My mouth pulled down and I immediately began shaking my head. But before I could respond, Kyson spoke up, “That is an excellent idea.”