The man blocked Swan’s path as the woman attempted to bolt down the stairs. Despite her protests and whines, there wasn’t any resistance as Dragon secured Swan’s elbow to escort her away. Nina watched the man lead Swan back down the stairs, but the touch of Jackal’s hand against her jaw drew her attention back to him. “I’m sorry…” she whispered, disgusted and sad. “I didn’t mean for…”
“It’s all right,” he whispered. “I…” He glanced down at himself with a shuddery little sigh. “I couldn’t….”
She frowned and pieced together what she was hearing. The Swan had not gotten her money shot. She felt her brows draw together in puzzlement as she searched his masked face.
“I can’t….get hard,” he whispered and sounded stricken. “I tried to warn you that it wouldn’t last.”
She glanced down the hall at the pair awaiting their punishment. They were curiously watching them. “Let’s go somewhere we can talk about in private.”
He stepped closer and swept her off her feet and cuddled her against his chest when she didn’t protest.
“Hey, don’t let that bitch get between you two,” the young man called back.
“Yeah, fuck her,” the woman said with a big smile.
It was a shame that her Sir had not arrived moments earlier. But really Nina had only herself to blame. She should have never put him in the situation in the first place. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and nuzzled herself into his neck, squeezing tightly. “I am so sorry I did that to you.”
“You didn’t do anything, Songbird.” Down the stairs, just outside the dining room were a set of chairs and he settled into one, pulling her into his lap with a low, sad sigh.
“What is this all about?” she asked, shifting in his lap to get comfortable, feeling his thigh tense and then relax as she got comfortable.
He was silent a moment and then spoke against her shoulder. “I am not like other men.”
“You think?” she asked and reached down his shoulder to ruffle the feathers lightly.
The touch made him shiver and she felt the unmistakable stirring of his cock under her ass. He looked up through his lashes at her and smiled the cutest little grin she’d ever seen. His full lips formed a lopsided smirk and she liked the adorable gap between his teeth. It wasn’t so much an imperfection to her. It made this handsome brute real and unique. “I’m serious.”
“So, you have wings and cannot get it up?” she asked and squirmed her ass against his thickening manhood as she arched up an eyebrow. “I beg to differ.”
He whimpered and gripped her hips, sucking in a sharp breath. “How….?”
She squinted at him and reached out to cup his face. “You honestly….have never gotten hard before?”
“Well. No,” he said and ducked his head, out of her touch and resumed nuzzling against her shoulder, kissing up her neck to her ear. “I was fine with it. You know, I am pretty busy with …things…”
“Ass kicking?” she asked and grinned when he crinkled his nose at her.
“I have a dangerous job,” he agreed and shrugged. “Do you really want to hear about me? Outside of here?”
“Yes!” She laughed softly and leaned into him. “I do. And yes, it is true that I usually don’t want to know more. I usually don’t do much talking with my lovers here. But those others are not you. This is…really different. I want to know about you. I…want to see you outside of here.”
“Monday?” he asked, sounding hopeful.
“Maybe.” She grinned back at him.
“I’m afraid you won’t like what you see under this mask.” He motioned to the headpiece, but she was looking at his full lips and the proud nose.
“Because I’m shallow right?” she asked, feeling wretched as she ran her hand over his fuzzy, painted chest.
“Well…you are beautiful, you deserve to be with someone worthy of…”
“Hey, that’s not fair. You’re a fucking god.” She stroked fingers along the scars on his chest. “I think you’re sexy as hell. Just look at you.”
He seemed to do just that, looking down his body but then turned his attention on her, and she felt his cock stir again, hardening fully in a powerful buck under her ass. The sensation made him groan and he nuzzled his lips against her cheek and to her ear. “How the fuck do you do that to me?” he asked. “I thought that woman had broken the spell….I knew it wasn’t you. I just felt it. It was all wrong.”
“But I haven’t even had my lips on you. How did you…”
“My body knew. I just…knew. At first, I thought for sure it was you because she didn’t say anything and dropped down and started….mauling me. And when I asked what she was doing, she said she was giving me a treat and…I thought I was going to be sick.” He shuddered. “No, I couldn’t. I am sorry…I never would have let her touch me.”
“I should have never put you in that situation. I trusted things would be safe.” She leaned into him and kissed the corner of his mouth very softly. “So, you’ve never had a girlfriend?”
“No. Never been interested in anyone before. Well, might have a crush or two but never anything sexual. I mean, just look at me.”
“Mmm, I did. Like I said. Sexy. As. Hell.” Drawing back, she took a longer moment to admire the Adonis under her and let out a happy sigh as she stroked down his chest to his stomach. He growled quietly when her gaze returned to his masked face. “I don’t see the flaws you seem to think you have.”
He motioned to his face or maybe his neck along with an additional vague wave down his body.
“The scars? Mmm, I like them.” She returned her attention to his lips and the down turned frown. “I like that crooked smile. And that dirty laugh of yours.” She cupped his face and smoothed her thumbs over his lower lip.
With a soft growl he nibbled and bit at her fingers, sharp teeth pinching and suddenly smiled back at her. Covering her hands, he pulled them from his face and turned her hands over, peering into her palms as though he was going to read her love-line. She closed her fingers, blushing suddenly and not wanting him to see her mark.
“Ah, don’t hide,” he whispered and showed her his hand and what looked like an arrowhead darker against his pale palm. “The hunter,” he said softly.
She imagined her grandmother’s wide, joyous smile and in memory heard her quiet laughter. ‘Your father might think he knows what’s best for you, but a proper hunter always finds his quarry. Don’t you ever settle for less, Golubushka. Father’s want their daughters to have shields, but a woman often requires a sword’
Her mouth fell open as she offered out her hand and showed the bird in flight. “Do you know what it means?” she asked, loving how carefully he held her hand in both of his.
She longed to see his eyes rather than the opaque lenses of the mask. He inclined his head slightly as his smile curved up the corners of his mouth. “You are very special and there’s more to you than people assume at first glance. There are things you see that others cannot.” His stroking fingers across her palm sent sweet tingles of pleasure through her. He felt so good she found it difficult to focus on what he was saying.
His words rang true in her heart. Under them, she resonated with the reality of what he’d said. Her whole life was wrapped in the veneer of the mystical. She could hide it most days but then something happened like finding out a would-be-lover had actual wings. Internally, she digested this and the fact that her friends, the gem girls and their weekend partners, all seemed to see them too while no one else appeared to notice them. “My grandmother and mother often try to convince me how special I am. I think they are biased.”
“Well, you are special, and you’re my Songbird. Are you a singer outside here?”
His songbird. She shook her head, both to deny his question and to clear her head. A strange, heart deep yearning filled her. “No. It was a dream of mine a long time ago but…no, I gave up that desire years ago. My regular job demands all my free time.”
He br
ought her hand to his cheek and pressed it there, watching her. “You should not let it remain only a dream. Your voice is beautiful. I’m not just saying that because I’m smitten.”
“Who’s going to pay for this dream?” She smiled bitterly and then laughed at the set of his mouth. “Jackal. I have other obligations. I’m happy with what I’m doing, mostly. My family owns several nationwide furniture stores. I do marketing. Actually, I’m heir to the family estate.” She stroked her fingers along his jaw, enjoying the intimacy with him she’d never allowed before. “I’ve never told a lover that.” The weight of her admission lifted from her shoulders. It was liberating to say who she was.
“You don’t have any boyfriends outside here?”
She laughed that this was his first question after her revelation and crinkled her nose. “Absolutely not.”
“Want to run away with me?” he asked, and she couldn’t tell if he was teasing. His wings gave a little flicker and he whispered, “I’ll fly off with you.”
She smiled and took his hand and admired the mark on his skin, brushing her finger along the outside edge and delighted in the way his breath caught as she caressed over his skin. “Maybe I should. You going to protect me from the wrath of my father when I give up my birthright and inheritance? Will you help me follow my dream as a singer?”
He flashed a brief, fierce smile. “I would defend you from anyone who dared threaten you.” There was no question in her mind that he would. Her heart overflowed with the sudden flood of affection for her Jackal. “I also know a few venues that might hire you. But maybe I’ll just keep you to myself.”
“That sounds almost too good to be true. I should learn more about you, seeing that we’re plotting to run away together. Are you friends with the other guys? The ones who have bewitched my friends?”
She might have imagined it, but it seemed as though her connection with him grew stronger the longer their fingers remained intertwined. Touching him was intoxicating. Pressing her palm against his was utter bliss.
“Yup. It is a complicated story. Do you believe in fate?” When she smiled her affirmative he smoothed his thumb over her curved lips. “Each of us lived with different adopted families, but Gisela is the one who cared for us. She raised us as though we were her blood children. She moved to Yountville before our freshman year of high school and we naturally gravitated to her nephew, Mambo. Each night that summer she fed us and gave us a place to sleep, and every morning she told us she would find us a proper home. By the time September rolled around, she had purchased our clothes and books and drove us to join the local kids at the high school.” He paused, seeming to let her process what he was saying.
It was so different from the way she’d been brought up. Her heart ached for his rough upbringing. She couldn’t imagine not knowing her parents or being passed around from family to family. Jackal smiled at her as though he sensed the sympathy washing over her. His strong fingers squeezed warmly around hers.
“It wasn’t such a bad way to grow up. I think I turned out alright. While we’re sharing details about ourselves, I am the fire chief for Knights Valley.”
She gasped at his admission about work and he chuckled quietly. He wasn’t kidding when he told her his job was dangerous. It explained the reason for his deep, rough voice and even the scars on his powerful body. Learning about him was like cracking open a door. She craved fling it wide open and discover everything about him and to share her own history with him. As though it would solidify their connection even more. “A sexy fireman? Fuck, I didn’t think you could get any hotter.”
“I’m glad that’s a mark in my favor. I really want to see you outside of here. I want to share more than just tonight with you.” He released her hand to enfolding her in both powerful arms for an intimate hug. “If I don’t scare you away when you see me out of this mask.”
She chewed at her lower lip as he spoke, the seriousness of his tone and she felt compelled to nuzzle at his neck and kiss those scars there. “Do your worst. But first…we should catch up with our friends. They sent me to fetch you.”
“Do you…forgive me?” his whisper was a soft, growling plea. His head tipped back to allow her to kiss him.
“If you forgive me for leaving you unguarded. I should have known better.”
“Forgiven.” He squeezed her and then stood, lifting her as if she weighed nothing. His big hand gave her ass a pat.
Chapter 7
The group eagerly waited for them. After Jackal set her on her feet, the men exchanged hearty handshakes and a hug from Ox who regarded him worriedly. “You all right, brother?”
Jackal ducked his head and rolled up one shoulder as he gave a small nod.
“You sure? You look—”
“Yeah it was…awkward….I’m ok.”
Meanwhile Bear, Otter and Fox had pulled her over to them while Badger glared at her. “I told you not to leave him! We heard what happened. Well, Dragon came in with Swan, and we kind of overheard what happened. She gave him a hummer? Really? I swear to God! You should kick him to the…”
“He didn’t have much choice. I mean, it’s my fault. I put him in the situation.” She glanced around the room and spotted House Mistress sitting beside the Outlaw and Owl, Archer and several others were at the table with them. As she looked around at the table, the little outlaw seemed to notice her attention and lifted his glass in a salute. Well, that was interesting.
“Did he say no?”
“Did he…you know…come?”
“No. To both.” Nina jerked her attention off the front table as Dragon and Faery came wandering in and settled into the empty chairs beside Owl and Archer. “Are you staying with your guy? Or are you thinking about trading? Like you usually do.” She looked between Bear and Badger and smiled at the horrified expression on both of their faces.
“No fucking way,” Bear growled.
“I’m not letting him out of my sight until he begs me to let him go,” Badger said almost at the same time.
“Wow,” Fox whispered and grinned. “So, we are all smitten by these guys?”
“I’m pretty happy with Ox. Why mess with perfection?” Otter said, smiling over at the bull masked man talking quietly with Jackal.
“Yeah well, that little snake can do this thing with his tongue that shouldn’t even be humanly possible,” Bear said with a completely straight face.
“And Saturn is just unbreakable and does this sexy thing with his fingers and … Hey, you know, I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t itching to trade on the second night.” Badger pursed her lower lip and glanced around. Nina followed her eyes and chuckled when several hopeful faces turned their way. “Ugh, let’s sit down before one of those idiots gets the wrong idea. I don’t want to have that conversation if someone tries to get frisky.”
“Oh, I’m all about a sexy fight,” Bear said, looking around a moment longer. That is until Copperhead slid behind her and pressed himself against her back.
“Fight?” he asked in a low, whispery voice. He tipped his head. “You better finish your food first, scare-bear.”
Bear smiled at her friends and then turned in the circle of the man’s arms and let out a dramatic sigh. “You are a bully.”
“Aww, I know. You love it.” He winked and playfully pushed her towards the chair, pulling it out and coaxing her into it. He rubbed her shoulders and leaned down to whisper into her ear before sliding into the chair beside her.
Everyone else was taking their seats when she looked up to find Jackal smiling affectionately at her. He pulled out a chair and dusted off the seat before crooking a finger at her, inviting her over. She crossed to him and stood on tip-toes to kiss the corner of his mouth before slipping into the chair. He joined her on the other side and reached for her hand under the table.
She enjoyed dinner much more than she had breakfast. It was one of the most enjoyable meals she could remember having at the house. It was strange how natural this felt. How had the connectio
ns around their table formed so fast? The food was great, but it was the companionship that made this so wonderful. She cuddled against Jackal at last and he looped his arm around her, pulling her close.
“I want to see you all again before the next party,” Nina said, throat tight around the words. She couldn’t imagine not seeing Jackal between now and then.
He smiled at her and stroked his hand up her back and between her shoulders. “You can come home with me tomorrow,” he offered.
“We have a weekly dinner. It was a stag-dinner, a gathering of bachelors but…” Fern smirked over at Fox and on impulse leaned in to kiss her. They didn’t come up for air for a long time until Jackal knocked his knuckles against the top of the table to remind them they were not alone in their little bubble of bliss.
“Anyway—” Ox said with a smirk. “I think there’s only one or two stags left in the band. If we don’t botch things real bad.”
Otter beamed the sort of smile that lit up the whole table. She wasn’t the only one grinning from ear to ear either.
“Just look at us. A whole table of besotted fools,” Badger grumbled and only cracked a smile when Saturn cleared his throat pointedly. She grinned even wider and lifted her shoulders. “Totally, fucking, besotted.”
“Tomorrow at breakfast we can work out plans for our next get together.” Nina shot a shy smile over at Jackal. “I think I’d like to have some alone time with this stud. Babe, you need a bath.”
He chuckled soft and dark, a rumble of that big diesel engine trapped in his chest.
Chapter 8
They managed to get out of the dining room after desert without slipping under the table. The same could not be said for their friends. Which only had Nina wound up to the point of breaking. All the way up to the room they were able to keep their hands off each other except for holding hands and the slight brush together up the stairs. But then they were walking down the dim hall.
All Thorns Eve_Gems Book 1 Page 10