Gifted Connections: Book 3

by SM Olivier

  Next, I ran down to the supply closet where extra folding tables and chairs were located. We had already gotten permission to use them whenever we wanted to if we signed them out. Dawn, Jemmy, and Rachel came by just in time to help me carry the table and chairs to the room.

  “Hey Blake,” I heard a voice call behind me. “Do you need a hand with anything?”

  I turned to see Ford jogging towards me. I immediately noticed how different he looked in his civilian clothing. He was a good looking mixed Asian guy. If I had to guess he was probably in his mid-twenties with chestnut brown hair and almond shaped brown eyes. Of all the looks I would think he would have, I never expected the preppy boy look. He had on a pair of grey slacks, a red, grey and white flannel under a hunter green V-neck sweater. His sleeves were pushed up, and I could see some expensive name brand watch on his wrist.

  “From you,” Dawn said saucily from the closet. “Always.”

  He gave her a crooked smile. “Oh yeah,” he gave a slow perusal of her knock out body in her new outfit. “Where are you guys heading?”

  “To Blake’s apartment,” Jemmy volunteered. “Not out with the guys tonight?”

  He shook his head. “Nah, don’t want to feel like crap come Monday morning. I heard we’re going on a hunt.”

  I snorted with a giggle. “Is that what you’re calling it a hunt? Good luck with that.”

  He chuckled good naturedly. “No worries. It won’t be a long one,” he gave me a wink.

  I rolled my eyes. “Try not to underestimate us. Like your friend Adams did.”

  Ford looked down at his feet and rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s what I was hoping to talk to you about. I in no way condone her behavior from yesterday, and I told Henderson about her little stunt she and Hopkins tried to pull. We don’t all resent you guys being here.”

  I saw the sincerity in his eyes and nodded. “It’s all good. I have thick skin. I can handle her and all her friends. Since I can take my kid gloves off now, I’m not taking it lying down anymore.”

  His eyes widened, and he nodded. “Those forms she was doing, was you?”

  I giggled as I headed towards our apartment, letting him trail me with some chairs. “It may or may not have been. I really can’t tell you all my secrets, can I? After all the hunters normally have an upper hand if they know the patterns of their prey.”

  “You forget we are going to be on the other team too,” Dawn said to me with a wicked smile. “Come to my room later Ford, and I may spill her secrets.”

  I barked out a laugh. “Are you kidding me?!”

  She was blatantly flirting, and Ford seemed to be receptive to it. “It’s like that is it?”

  “Maybe,” she looked him up and down. In her heels, she was slightly taller than him. Without them I would say they were eye level. “Blake, is Ford invited to dinner?”

  I smirked at her. “You want me to help you get the enemy into bed with you?”

  Dawn didn’t even have the audacity to blush. “What can I say? I’m single and ready to mingle.”

  “My roommates are in town. I have the room to myself.” Ford winked at her. He didn’t even seem put off by her aggressive flirting. “Blake, am I invited to dinner? I’m not really keen on what’s on the menu at chow.”

  I narrowed my eyes on them. My hand on our door knob. “Only if Dawn promises to not let you know what me and my connections are capable of. I like giving surprises.”

  “Deal,” Dawn said with no hesitation.

  Ford looked between Dawn and me. “Hey, no fair, I was hoping for a little bit of intel.” He paused as he smelled the air. “On the other hand, the smells emanating from the apartment may make up for it.” He sighed. “Deal.”

  Remy had found Paul, and he agreed to come to dinner if the Illinois gifted community representatives could join us as well. We were going to take the food down to one of the conference rooms at seven o’clock.

  Drake took the additional guest in stride. He rolled out more pasta and made more filling. He patiently showed me how to assemble the raviolis, and I found myself genuinely having fun. I loved these quiet moments with him.

  “How are these?” I asked as I showed him my first set of raviolis I did without his assistance.

  He grinned and nodded. “You’re a natural.”

  I blushed under his praise. “Thanks.”

  “You have a little flour on your cheek,” he laughed as he reached out and wiped my face.

  I laughed up at him and captured his hand, licking the flour off his thumb. I didn’t know what came over me as I continued to tease him. When he didn’t stop me, I took it in my mouth and sucked on it. Desire rose in me. I saw my own desire reflecting in his eyes. I didn’t stop him when he bent over to take my lips with his. When he kissed me, he lost all his reticence and shyness. He was sure in his movements, his lips demanding. I wrapped my arms around his neck and opened my mouth for his probing tongue.

  I felt the desire build up in my stomach. Its coiling warmth was almost painful. I moved closer to him, while I buried my hands into his hair.

  He groaned. “I don’t want to stop,” his breathing was heavy as we finally pulled away.

  “Then don’t,” I didn’t recognize the breathiness in my voice.

  He lifted me up until I wrapped my legs against his waist. “Are you sure?” he asked hesitantly. I could see the self-doubt creep in his eyes.

  “Yes,” I said immediately.

  “But what about-” he started.

  I held a finger up to his lip. “It’s not important. You’re my connection, and I think we’ve waited long enough. We have a little while before anyone returns to see if dinner’s ready.”

  “I didn’t imagine our first time being a quickie,” he laughed.

  “Let’s call this an appetizer, and we can have the entrée tonight,” I suggested wickedly.

  He didn’t need any further bidding as he carried me into the room he shared with Troy and locked it behind us. His lips were hungry on mine as I tried to hurriedly remove my top and then his. I didn’t even care where our clothing was landing. I was desperate to feel his skin on mine, to finally know what it was like to be with him.

  We landed on the bed in a tangle of arms and legs, our lips urgently seeking each other. He expertly removed my bra. I was thankful I had chosen to wear a cute lacey black one with matching lace boy shorts. I could see the appreciation in his eyes, and he moaned low in his throat as I lay there in just my bra and jeans.

  He trailed hot kisses along my neck, and I could feel the warmth between my legs. I was ready for him. I refrained from tearing at his clothing. I wanted to see what pace he wanted to set.

  I propped up on my elbows to watch his next moves. His hands were feather light as he trailed his hands between my breast and around my nipples. His slow, teasing touch was torture. He trailed his fingers down to my stomach. I arched my hips up to meet his seeking hands.

  He gave me crooked grin as he removed his glasses and placed them on his nightstand. His blue eyes were so startling behind his wire frame glasses. I could feel myself getting lost in them.

  He removed my jeans. I shimmied against his hands helping him remove them.

  His lips returned to mine once I was down to my bra and underwear. His lips trailed back down my neck and then down to my breasts. His tongue worshipped each one, tugging and sucking. I didn’t recognize the mewing sounds erupting from my throat. I clutched at his hair.

  “Please, Drake,” I whispered huskily.

  “Are you ready for me, Blake?” he asked as his hands trailed down. His hands slipped into my underwear and down to my core. He moaned biting his lip as he felt how ready I was for him. He dipped a finger into me as his thumb circled the sweet spot between my legs.

  “I need to feel you,” I groaned as his fingers drove me wild. He added another finger in me, and I nearly screamed with frustration. “I want to come with you in me.”

  “Me too, honey, me too,” he stood
up and quickly stripped. He wore boxer briefs. My eyes widened at the girth of him as he sprang forth. “Are you sure?” he asked once more.

  I got on my hands and knees and crawled to the edge of the bed. I would show him how very sure I was of this. I drew him in my mouth tasting his salty sweetness.

  “Damn, honey,” he hissed in a near painful groan. “You’ll unman me before I even get to lose myself in between your legs.”

  He reached down and tried to pull my head away. I just wanted a few more seconds to lick him and suck on him as I bobbed up and down his length. I looked up at him, knowing my lips were swollen. “Lose yourself,” I laid back down and removed my panties for him.

  He needed no further bidding as he crawled above me. I took his length in my hands and arched up to meet his thrust.

  I hissed out in the painful pleasure that followed.

  “Oh honey,” he hissed out. He filled me completely, and my body needed a moment to adjust to him. “You feel so damn good,” he whispered in my ear as he withdrew.

  I linked my legs around his waist not wanting him to go too far. He chuckled in my ear. “This is better than my imagination,” he moaned as I thrust up to him.

  “Mine too,” I said as I drew his lips back down to mine.

  Our mouth explored each other as he continued to push in and out of me with languid strokes. He made sure to hit my sweet spot with every thrust.

  “I’m going to come,” I moaned as I felt the pressure build within. “Come with me,” I pleaded to him.

  “I was waiting for you,” he groaned as he picked up his pace. Pushing in and out of me with harder faster strokes.

  I lost it. I completely unraveled in his arms. Stars burst behind my eyelids. He captured my screams in his mouth before he muffled his groans in my throat. I felt so powerful knowing I could make him make those sounds as I felt him lose himself in me, too.

  “I think we should just stay here for the rest of the night.” I sighed as we got dressed.

  He looked over at me as he pulled on his jeans. He hadn’t put back on his glasses yet and his hair was a sexy mess. He looked more than satisfied and the least tense I had ever seen him.

  “I wish,” he smiled, and at my continued scrutiny, he cocked his head to the side. “What are you thinking?”

  I’m thinking that you look so sexy right now without your glasses on and your hair wild from my hands running through them. You look so happy and relaxed. I love this look on you, I compelled my thoughts to him.

  Only because I got to finally know what it was like to be with the woman I love, his thoughts drifted back to me.

  My heart skipped a beat. Jaxson had already admitted his love to me, and although I had a feeling the other guys loved me, it still was nice to hear the words. I liked to know I wasn’t the only one falling. “I love you too,” I whispered back. “I feel liberated now. Like no one can come between us.” I bit my lip shyly as I pulled my shirt over my head.

  It took me a moment to realize Drake was silent. I pulled my hair back up into a messy bun and looked at him.

  “What?” I asked confused at his dumfounded expression.

  “You heard that?” he said in stunned awe.

  I paused for a moment and then gasped. “You didn’t say that, aloud did you?”

  “No, honey,” he shook his head. “No, I didn’t.”

  I sat there in astonished silence. Jaxson and I had been able to communicate telepathically for years. I hadn’t thought it was possible to have two-way conversations with all of them. Maybe our connections were getting stronger and it was now possible. I had to test this theory out.

  We were just putting the sauce on the ravioli in the pans when Jemmy, Rachel, and Dawn came back to the apartment to help us carry the food down to the conference room. Finishing dinner with Drake with no interruptions had been nice. Drake had been more affectionate. He caressed me and kissed me numerous times, making it more fun.

  “Hey, bro,” Jemmy blew a bubble with the bubble gum in her mouth. “Why is your hair so…messy.” She exchanged a sly look with Dawn and Rachel. “Oh, my goodness, did you already break out the lingerie?!” she shrieked at me.

  I stuck my tongue out at her. “Not yet,” I smiled over at Drake with a wink. “Maybe later.”

  Drake reddened around his ears. Don’t encourage her.

  I smiled at him. We had made finished dinner in verbal silence. We had continued talking to each other telepathically.

  I can’t help it. I needed to deflect her attention. Sorry not sorry.

  “So, no foreplay?” Rachel asked with fake innocence.

  “Salad,” I said shoving a large serving dish into her hands.

  “You should break out the white one,” Dawn decided to join the other two in their reindeer games. “I think Drake would love it.”

  “Dressing,” I said a bit too loudly as I handed her two large containers of homemade dressing into her hands.

  I had to stifle my own laughter as Drake turned a brighter shade of red.

  “Was this your first time together?” Jemmy asked with her hands on her hips. “Who’s the best Blake?” She doubled over in laughter.

  I gave her one of the pan of garlic toast. “That, my dear, is none of your business.”

  At dinner we got to meet part of the Illinois council. The moment I met April, I knew immediately that she was just like me. She was a female nucleus to Brad and Warren. She was strong and carried herself with self-assurance. Brad seemed just as dominant and commanding, but being in their presence for mere moments, I could tell he adored her and treated her like a queen, just as she treated him the king. Both were equal.

  Warren, on the other hand, seemed more laid back and reminded me of Jaxson and Noah. Nothing seemed to faze him, and he just seemed to go with the flow. He wasn’t there to cause waves, and I doubted he rarely did. The only attention he seemed to like getting was laughter.

  Together, they were a stunning set. April looked like she was in her mid-thirties. She had shoulder length brown hair with blond highlights. Her eyes were a pretty blue accented by carefully applied makeup. She was dressed in a chic three-piece pant suit. The buttons to her blouse were undone, so her ample cleavage was on display. She looked sensual and not tasteless.

  Brad was a tall, light-skinned black man that looked like he belonged on wall street as opposed to the confines of this conference room. He was lean, and his movements were graceful. His dark eyes didn’t seem to miss anything as he regarded me and my connections. His eyes seemed to be dissecting us.

  Warren looked like he was of Irish decent with his fair skin and bright red hair. His hazel eyes were filled with mirth. They danced in merriment. He was the exact opposite of the other connection in his group. He was as tall as Brad but leaner and less muscular.

  “How do you like it here?” April questioned me from across the table.

  “Well I already told you—” Paul began.

  “We know what you said.” Brad cut him off. “April would like to know from an actual gifted individual, hired by you, how their experience is working for you.” His tone was clipped, and it was clear that he didn’t like his connection to be disrespected.

  April gave Paul a pacifying smile. “Everything that you, Megan, and Beth have shown us has been beyond our expectations. We’re just merely curious. Before I send you some of my best people, I want to make sure they will be content here. You need to understand the precarious position we are in. No one knows about us. We practically live off the grid. If Horatio…” She barely suppressed a shudder. “Hadn’t put us in this predicament, we could continue to live our life of anonymity. Until recently we tried to stay out of all the politics.” She looked back over at me expectantly.

  I looked over at Jace then Remy. I didn’t know if this was a political game I was unaware of, or if I could speak freely. They both nodded at me. I hadn’t thought to reach out with my empath gift, but I’m sure Jace had.

  I had quite a few tool
s at my disposal, and weeks of repressing them had made me lax. It was irresponsible of me to have not stayed on my toes. I shouldn’t have had Paul’s mandates hinder me from my growth. I was doing a disservice to myself and my connections. I could have continued using my gifts in our apartment.

  “It has been an adjustment,” I answered taking a sip of my water. “I’m fairly new to the gifted community myself. There are some things I find unnecessary in training, but I also understand the importance of it all.” I looked over at Paul. “I think Paul is learning as he goes along, as we are.”

  “Were you okay with not being able to use your gifts during training?” Brad asked his voice velvety smooth and deep. His voice reminded me of a cross between Morgan Freeman and James Earl Jones.

  I looked over at the guys with an ironic smile. “It didn’t stop me from using them when I needed them. I could understand his reasoning behind it, initially. A lot of these people haven’t seen the magnitude of our abilities. It’s easy to fear the unknown. I could see where he wanted his operatives to get to know us before they knew our true potential.”

  I looked over at Ford who was avidly watching the conversation. After Sierra did a background check on him, we decided that he was someone that would be open minded to our cause. His father and brother were both gifted. His brother was a high level and part of a community down south. We had a feeling the dinner would venture in this direction with the Illinois council here.

  We knew how important is was to get others to join our cause. We had to make the other communities understand how dire the situation was. If Ford could witness our interactions with the other community, maybe he could influence his family to assist us in our endeavors against Horatio. Beth was making a lot of headway with communicating with the other communities, but some of them needed more swaying to be convinced.

  “Did you think they would even attempt to get to know you when you’re…eighteen? From our research, the average age of the operatives currently here is twenty-six. How did that work for you?” April took a bite of her food. She even ate elegantly.