by Rae Rivers
He thought about her pinned to the wall, at Hazel’s mercy as the witch had sliced and diced at parts of her while he’d watched. Hot fury rose up inside him all over again. “You took on Hazel alone,” he said quietly, unable to keep the lethal tone from his voice. “Alone, Jenna. Are you insane?”
“You’re angry with me for what I told you earlier –”
A goddamn understatement. “And that surprises you? But that’s not what this is about, dammit.”
“I had no choice, Ethan. The opportunity came up and I –”
“Almost got yourself killed! What the hell were you thinking?” He placed a hand on the wall beside her head and leaned in. “You’re a goldmine to someone like Hazel and we both know it’s not your magic she’ll want.”
Her breathing hitched, her mouth opened. But she didn’t argue because she knew it was the damn truth. Hazel wouldn’t care for Jenna’s healing powers – they were useless on anyone evil. No, Hazel would be after the secret Jenna’s lineage had guarded for years.
The location of the witch massacre.
“If Hazel figures out what you are –”
“I’m nothing to her.”
“That’s bullshit. You’re a Salubrious! Your ancestors were there the night those witches died. They knew the location and when Hazel figures this shit out, she’s going to assume that you know too.”
“I don’t. None of us do. The Circle wiped the location from the memories of everyone involved, Keepers included. It’s the truth, Ethan, I swear.”
His eyes narrowed and he stared at her in silence for a long moment, trying to decide if he believed her. But something in her eyes, the honesty he saw there, gave him his answer. Well, shit.
She inhaled quietly and placed a hand on his chest. Whether that was to keep him at a distance or calm him, he wasn’t sure. “I should’ve told you about all this before we came to Ameera.”
“No, Jenna. You should’ve told me a long, long time ago. Way back when you befriended my sister and came into our home. At worst, when you took on the role to protect Kate, a woman with the ability to change our war or crush my brother in a heartbeat should our enemies reach her.” He snapped his fingers, the sound loud and intrusive in the silence beating around them. He dipped his head closer, their noses almost touching. “And when we decided to take on Ameera, I deserved to know that the only person watching my back had her own damn agenda that had nothing to do with mine.”
“That’s unfair, Ethan!”
He slammed the wall beside her head, cursing loudly. “This whole fucking place is unfair. You should’ve told me, dammit! And you should never, ever, have gone in there alone.”
They stared at each other in heated silence, electricity sizzling between them, heightened in a way they’d never felt before. Her gaze held his, her shoulders rising and falling with every shallow breath she took. Her eyes were a storm of emotion that softened when she reached out to cup his cheek with the palm of her hand.
His first instinct was to recoil, but something in her eyes kept him transfixed, unable to look away.
She licked her lips, her thumb stroking his face. “You’re right about everything. I should’ve told you and I’m sorry I didn’t. I was afraid and I was wrong.”
He didn’t trust himself to reply and stood staring at her, trying to ignore the calm she’d suddenly injected into their conversation. Needed, but unwanted. He was still angry, dammit.
“You came for me,” she murmured. “Despite everything, you came for me.”
“I should’ve left you to rot,” he grumbled, trying to think of all the reasons why he hadn’t.
“But you didn’t.”
“Of course not.” His fingers closed around her wrist, stilling her movement. “I’m a Keeper. I would never abandon one of my own. Even you.” Especially you.
A thought that only irked him more.
“I wouldn’t either, Ethan.”
Breathing deeply through his nose, he glanced at her lips, torn between the urge to throttle her and … hell, he had no fucking idea. He was still a dozen shades of pissed off, but he couldn’t ignore the fact that she was here, in front of him, safe.
Everything he’d just risked his life for.
“You have a right to be angry with me,” she said, “but I didn’t lie to you, Ethan. Be mad, but don’t hate me –”
“I don’t hate you. I hate that you’ve brought this between us.”
“This?”
“Distrust.” She flinched, just a fraction, but enough for him to see the hurt in her eyes. “I can’t trust you, Jenna.”
She didn’t reply, but the words stung. He saw it in the way her brows drew together and her jaw tightened. But it was the damn truth and he refused to soften the blow that came with it.
He exhaled noisily, willing himself to calm the hell down. Before he did something he’d regret. Or burst a blood vessel. “I will always watch your back, Jen, but right now, I have serious doubts about you watching mine.”
“I told you I’m on your side, Ethan.”
His brows shot up. “Are you really, Jenna?”
“I told you –”
“Because the way I see, we’re anything but on the same side.” He moved closer, taking small satisfaction knowing she couldn’t back away, trapped between him and the wall. Again. He dipped his head, his breath fanning her face, unable to tear his eyes away from her lips. They stood in silence for a long while, their bodies rocking gently together to the rhythm of the train. When he finally lifted his head to meet her gaze, he was all too aware that she’d stopped breathing.
“I’m not wrong, am I?” he murmured, not surprised when she turned her head, looking away. But she didn’t deny it. He tipped her chin upward, bringing her gaze back to his. “My only goal for this stupid trip to Ameera is to close the damn portal, preferably with Hazel inside. And we both know that when I do, you won’t let me.”
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
Jenna closed the door of Susan’s apartment and slid the locks into place. Without saying anything, Ethan disappeared into the bathroom. A moment later, the rattling of old pipes was followed by the gush of water as he turned on the shower.
They hadn’t said much on the walk home, quietly stewing in their own thoughts. Their argument, their differences, and everything that had happened since coming to Ameera, had wedged between them like a lead weight she wasn’t sure how to sidestep. The anger had subsided, settling into a silent animosity between them that felt unfamiliar – and stung like hell.
She thought of what he’d said about her stopping him from closing the portal. Even though her Keeper instincts had screamed in objection at the time, she hadn’t denied it.
Because she couldn’t.
If they found a way to close the portal, would she let him do it?
A shiver ran through her, evoking a layer of goosebumps. She rubbed her arms and walked to the window, gazing out at the city. It looked so quiet, but she knew the turmoil and danger that lurked beneath the surface. She also knew that Hazel would’ve launched a full-out search for them. With Axel as her ally, they were in more danger than ever.
The shower turned off, accompanied by another quick groan of pipes. When Ethan emerged a moment later, a towel around his waist, and rummaged in their bag for clothing, she couldn’t help but stare at him.
He was magnificent.
Tanned skin, every muscle clearly defined. He had sturdy shoulders and a broad chest. Powerful biceps she’d clung to the night before as she’d climaxed in his arms.
The memory sparked a blush and she averted her gaze.
Even though she’d hurt him, misled him, and he’d walked out on her in a fit of rage, he’d come for her.
She swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump in her throat.
He pulled out a fresh t-shirt but cursed beneath his breath and stilled. He had his back to her so she couldn’t see his face, but instincts had her scanning the length of him, searching for injuries. His bruises
and cuts had already begun to heal, although it would be a while until they were completely gone. But he was hurting. She was sure of it.
Her suspicions were confirmed when he used one arm to tug the t-shirt over his head, favouring the other.
A flash of worry had her in front of him before he’d finished dressing.
****
Ethan blinked, surprised she’d moved so fast. He hadn’t even heard her, the damn pain in his shoulder causing havoc with his senses. Frowning, he adjusted the t-shirt and tightened the towel around his waist.
“You’re hurting,” she said softly, her delicate brows creased.
He almost laughed at the statement when he saw the amount of blood on her. He’d taken the shower first, a feeble attempt to wash away some of the frustration, when, in fact, he should’ve offered it to her. She looked like crap. A bloody, torn mess.
And yet, here she was, worried about him.
Not trusting himself yet to speak, he turned away, but gritted his teeth when she took his arm and pain tore through his shoulder.
“Your shoulder?” she asked without releasing him.
He sighed, figuring he wouldn’t be able to shirk her. “It’ll heal soon. It was dislocated in the struggle with the vamp. I popped it back into place, but it still hurts like a bitch. A wicked one. With scary teeth.”
A small smile twisted the corner of her mouth but disappeared before it developed into one of the full grins he adored. She held her hand above his injury and he clenched his jaw, anticipating feeling the bitch again.
Instead, he felt warmth.
The pain eased as the warmth intensified, penetrating flesh and bones, healing everything it touched. A swirl of energy, unlike his own, something he’d never felt before. Surprised, he looked at his shoulder and flexed his fingers. No pain.
She pulled away, taking a step back, but not before he caught the flash of fear in her eyes. She suddenly seemed unsure and the vulnerability that crossed her expression tore at him. Not surprising, considering how their last conversation had ended. But despite that, she’d lowered her guard and used her magic to heal him.
“We should get some sleep,” he said, forcing himself to release her. He walked to the front door – the only door in the apartment – and checked that it was locked before removing the key. When he turned around, the scowl she shot him was one he’d expected. Ignoring her, he crossed the room, snagging the couch along the way and pushing it up against the only window that could open. When he went to retrieve a blanket from the bed, she cut him off.
She folded her arms and gave a defiant lift of her chin. “Seriously? You’re barricading the exits so I can’t leave?”
“Are you planning to?”
“No.”
“So there’s no problem.”
She held out her hand. “Give me the key, Ethan.”
He almost laughed at her. “Right. No.” When she tried to take the key from him, he extended his arm, out of her reach. Her strength might almost match his, but she was still smaller.
“Really, Ethan? You’re locking me in here with you?”
“You’d rather be out with them?” he challenged, nodding in the direction of the city.
“I told you –”
“Everything you told me is questionable, Jenna. Everything.”
Her eyes flared and she grabbed his wrist. Not an ordinary grab one would expect from a woman. No, she was all strength, glaring at him with a challenge he easily recognised. He closed his fist around the key, keeping his arm out of her reach.
He might be bigger, stronger even, but he wasn’t a fool. He knew her strength and how lethal she could be when cornered.
She moved in, clutching his fist between her hands. The scuffle was brief and breathless, ending when they tripped over the couch. He went down, taking her with him as he fell, and landed on the cushions.
“Stop that!” She slapped a palm against his chest. “You’re being a bastard.”
“Maybe, but I’m the only bastard in this city that cares about you.”
“I didn’t ask you to care.”
“Well I do, dammit, so it makes this crap situation you’ve put us in even harder.” He moved so fast that she gasped, twisting around so that she was beneath him. She blinked and tried to wiggle free, but he took her wrists, pinning them to the couch beside her head.
They glared at each other, breathing quietly, as electricity ignited between them.
It was always like that with her. An overwhelming rush of heat that rose up whenever they touched, challenging the foundation of their relationship – their friendship – and the unspoken agreement that kept them apart. And he hated that he had no damn control over it.
Her expression remained unreadable, but her heartbeat gave her away. As always. He could feel the frantic rhythm and knew he was the cause of it.
The thought sent a surge of arousal through him, feeding a possessiveness he’d always felt toward her, one he’d never been able to shed. He wanted her – hell, he’d always wanted her. But he’d always held back, kept his distance. And suddenly, with the breathless, wriggling woman beneath him, he couldn’t remember why. Damn her.
She chose that moment to lower her gaze to his lips and he felt his resolve wavering. He frowned at her, trying to ignore the way she felt beneath him. Her breasts pressed against his chest. Her body a combination of soft and firm, athletic but feminine, a strength that turned him on like no other woman ever had.
She shifted to alleviate his full weight on her, and raised her knee. When all it did was nestle him between her legs even more, her eyes rounded.
His cock surged and he felt the last of his damn resolve crash and burn.
She twisted beneath him, pushing at his shoulders with both hands, but her resistance lacked conviction. As though she’d realised it, she stopped fighting and released a frustrated groan. Her eyes had gone a shade darker and her cheeks were flushed, a look he instantly recognised.
Arousal.
He glanced at her lips, trying to remind himself that he was still furious with her. He shouldn’t want her. If anything, he wanted to hate her, find a way to close the stupid portal and leave her here in this crappy city. With her secrets and lies and omissions and whatever the hell she had going on. But he couldn’t and he had no damn idea why.
Or maybe he did and just refused to admit it yet.
She blew out air and closed her eyes in surrender. “Fine, keep the key.”
“Like you had an option.”
“Don’t underestimate me, Ethan,” she warned, lifting her lashes. “If I wanted to leave this apartment, I would. Rapunzel act be damned. I screwed up, I apologised. But we’re in danger and need each other and I’m not going anywhere. So can you stop with the big-bad-wolf glares and get the hell off me?”
“I have a right to be angry, Jenna. What you did was an ass manoeuvre.”
“And it frustrates the hell out of you that I’m the ass you want.” Not giving him a chance to reply, she gave a hard shove, rolled out from beneath him, and stomped to the bathroom.
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
The shower was hot and blissful and helped to wash away the blood.
But did nothing to erase the wicked thoughts that had plagued her the moment he’d pinned her to the couch and slid between her legs.
She wanted him. So damn bad that her entire body ached. More so now that she’d had a taste of what it felt like to be in his arms. To be his. Since she’d seen the desire in his eyes, felt his arousal pressed against her. Knew that he wanted her.
The man blazed heat, pure passion, and had sparked something inside of her she’d thought dormant. Thanks to the adrenaline rushes, fear and worry of the last few days, her body felt wired in a way that made her uneasy. She longed to lose herself in him, a brief respite from the ugliness of their surroundings and everything they faced.
Which was crazy considering he was still furious with her.
Groaning, she cradled the soap but
froze when the door opened. Her breath quickened and her heart skipped a beat.
He stood in the doorway, the lights from the city behind him. A silhouette of pure masculine beauty. His still wore the towel and t-shirt, his face hazed in a gentle yellow from the two flickering candles. His eyes burned with something dark and determined. Desire, hunger – both of which she shared.
God.
Their eyes connected across the room, but neither of them moved, stilled by the intensity of the moment. A prickly sensation swept across the back of her neck and she shivered, despite the warm, moist air.
“Ethan, what are we doing?” she murmured in a deep, throaty voice that had him taking a step closer.
In two strides, he crossed the room. And then he was there, in the shower, his hands around her waist, drawing her closer. Water cascaded over them, soaking him.
“You’re right,” he grunted in a low, gruff voice. “I want you and it frustrates the hell out of me that I do. I should be mad, but all I want is you naked, in my bed, at my mercy.”
A thrill of excitement trailed through her and she lifted her head to look at him. “So what’s stopping you?”
With a low growl, his mouth came down on hers, hungry and heated, a kiss that sparked the need for more. Wild, hot, a rush of desire that had always been there since the day they’d met. His kisses were firm, demanding, his facial fuzz deliciously rugged against her skin.
His satisfied grunt reverberated against her, through her, along with the steady beat of the water pouring over them. It was surreal, beautiful, an excitement like no other. She snagged his wet t-shirt, tugging it over his head, and tossed it to the floor. Her fingers trailed across the slick wall of muscles.
Solid, hard. Pure power.
The colour of his eyes had darkened, a shade she’d never seen before, and he studied her with a hunger that fired her own.
“You’re so damn beautiful,” he murmured.
“Ethan.”
The whisper of his name gave him all the invitation he needed.
With a brief growl that came from the back of his throat, he hoisted her into his arms, nudging her legs so that they came up around him. His arousal pressed into her, extracting a gasp from her. He grinned as he slammed off the water and returned to the living room. They clung to each other while his mouth plundered hers again.