“My brother really does know how to pick dresses out, doesn’t he?” He asked amused. “You’re beautiful.” He said, and she nodded a little, biting her lip.
“You’re not going to say thank you?” He teased her, and she just gave him a look. To her surprise, instead of infuriating him it made Damon chuckle.
“I knew I liked you.” He said before offering his arm to her. The dining room was filled like it was for a feast, and she kept looking around, expecting other people to show up. Damon escorted her to the middle of the table, and they each sat opposite of her.
“We’d usually sit at the head, but we wanted to make sure we could hear you.” David chuckled at her puzzled look.
“More people aren’t coming?” She asked, and they shook their head. This food is really all for us? She thought to herself.
“Why would more people come?” Damon asked.
“She’s just not used to luxury.” David answered, and his brother nodded. She saw David put his hand on Damon’s leg, and she looked way as the meal was served. She watched one person after another offer her something on her plate, and despite herself, she knew that the food looked and smelled delicious. She couldn’t help but to start to eat.
“So tell me about yourself.” David asked, and she didn’t’ know where to start.
“I’m a little miffed you took me away from my family, but I like it here just fine. I like the color green, which I think you probably found out already, and I think you have a wonderful taste in food.” She said, shooting them a self-satisfied smile.
“Oh?” Damon smirked.
“That’s not about you.” David teased her, and she couldn’t help but to laugh.
“Isn’t it? I think that you’re doing just fine learning about me. It seems like you already know my favorite scent, color, and I’m guessing that you prepared this meal because you know that I love to eat but not to cook.” She said, shaking her head.
“I’d wager that you know about me pretty well. How about I learn about you?” She quipped, taking the two brother kings by surprise.
“We’re kings.” Damon said.
“Stepbrothers.” David added, and Jessica nodded, waiting for them to continue.
“My favorite color is also green, and I believe that you look stunning in it.” David said, and Damon shook his head.
“I think you’d look better in a dark, blood red, but my brother won out on this one.” Damon shrugged.
“I know that I scare you, and I like that.” Damon continued, smirking a little bit.
“I think my brother is eccentric, but when your heart starts pounding I begin to realize the genius in his madness. What else do you want to know?” David laughed, waiting for her to think it over as she took a big bite of her ham.
“I think I’d like to know what your hobbies are.” She said decisively.
“I like to read, write, and study insects.” David added, and Damon just rolled his eyes.
“Martial arts.” He said simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Martial arts?” She asked. “What type?” She demanded, clearly frustrated.
“I fence as well. You’re very nosey.” He shook his head, taking another bite, telling her that the conversation would have to be continued later. Jessica thought over everything she had just learned. Dessert came and went, and the topic of conversation was kept light and teasing. She wasn’t used to the long stretches of silence, and it was something that seemed to be obvious to everyone else.
“Do you want to take a walk in the gardens?” David asked, surprising her after they’ve finished their meal. He went to help her stand up, and she nodded politely.
“I’d love to be outside. I don’t think I’ve spent this long indoors before.” She said, clearly embarrassed.
“I’ll come with you.” Damon said, and with that they seemed off in the right direction. She had never expected the night to go so well, and Jessica was pleasantly surprised when she stepped into the cool, crisp air. She looked up at the moon hanging high in the sky, and after walking in the garden just a little ways, she stopped. It left both brothers confused before she kicked off her heels, scooping them up in her hands and kept walking as if nothing had happened at all. They just stared at her, clearly puzzled as they shook their head.
“You really do continue to surprise us.” David said, touching her shoulder as she shivered.
He pulled her close, and Jessica could feel the warmth radiating from him. She didn’t know why, but with his heartbeat hammering in her ear and arm closely hugging her, she let herself relax in the embrace. It didn’t even bother her that Damon seemed to be skulking close behind in a way that she knew should have made her feel uncomfortable. For some reason, it just didn’t. She looked over at him from time to time, and would either be looking away or flash her that cheeky smile of his. When they started to get near the edge of the woods, they stopped.
“We’ve walked far enough, don’t you think?” David said, and even though a part of her yearned to go explore, she knew that he was right.
It was late, and it had been a surprisingly exhausting day. Before she knew what was happening, he tilted her chin up to kiss her. His fingers forced her to look him in the eyes as his tongue brushed over her lips after claiming hers with his own. She shivered under his touch, and she was all too aware of the thin fabric that separated her from his touch.
Damon slid up behind her, putting one hand gently on her hip as he kissed her neck, sucking on her flesh as he drove her eyes to flutter closed. She moaned into the kiss that David had claimed her in, as he took the opportunity to push his tongue over her own. His tongue danced over hers, making her moan louder as she was lost in the sensation before he pulled away. Damon’s slow, sensual fingers started to rub circles into her hip as he kissed down to her bare shoulder.
“You do look beautiful.” He whispered under her skin, and she could feel the heat in her cheeks as she started to blush.
“I knew you’d be happy with what I picked out.” David said as his fingers brushed her face and she shivered.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking…” She started before David put his finger to her lips.
“Shh. If you want to stop, all you have to do is push us away, but I just want to give you what you want. I want to give in. I want you to be our mate. We both do, and we were very clear on that.” He said huskily with a hint of a growl deep in his voice that made her shiver again as she briefly closed her eyes, trying to collect her thoughts.
All logical thought quickly went out the window as Damon’s hand traced to her stomach before his other hand pulled her to face him, kissing her just as his stepbrother had. His lips weren’t as gentle. They crashed down on hers, burning a heat through her that set fire to her veins as she groaned. He nipped her bottom lip, tugging gently before pushing his tongue over hers and pulling away, leaving her breathless.
“You taste wonderful.” He said, kissing down her jawline and back to her neck where he nipped the skin none to gently. She gasped as David’s hands went to her ass, caressing before they both pulled away. At her wanting face, Damon chuckled, and David looked like he wanted to.
“You don’t seem to be thinking clearly. Do you want this?” David asked, and all Jessica wanted to do was say yes. She wanted to scream it, and yet something stopped her. The uncertainty in her eyes made David stop, and Damon couldn’t help but to growl.
“I think you should sleep on it.” David said as Damon disappeared into the tree line and he walked her in silence back to her room.
Jessica was on edge the whole way there, expecting him to continue or yell at her or do something. There was no hint of the passion that they just shared except for the heat that still felt like it was racing through her veins, begging her to say yes. To say that she wanted something she was unsure about, but David didn’t push. Instead, he kissed her gently goodnight as she entered the room. She shivered as he lit the fire before bidding her goodnigh
t.
She got dressed for bed, hoping that a good night’s sleep would clear her head, but the longer she laid under silken covers she wasn’t accustomed to, the more her mind wandered to soft, possessive touches. She eventually fell into a fitful sleep dreaming of screaming her answer by the woods under the moon. She woke up, panting and wet as she tried to go back to sleep to no avail.
The sun was just starting to shine when she rolled over again, putting a pillow over her eyes and slipping once more into dreams of fiery touches and deep, growling chuckles that seemed to make her shiver and blush at the same time. There was a part of her that didn’t want to wake up, but the night came and went. All too soon, she had to face something she was still just as uncertain about as the day before.
Chapter 4
She went out the next morning, smiling to herself as she found an empty kitchen. A little more time to think. She thought to herself, and yet she didn’t know what to say. She was already missing Lina’s and Lila’s teasing. She knew her mother and father must be worried sick, but it had been only a day. Only a day. She assured herself. Yet, it felt so much longer than that.
She ate the breakfast that was served her with a smile. It was better than anything else that she had in a long time. There was sausage links, French toast, pancakes with real raspberry syrup, and eggs. There was so much of everything, and she reached for a sausage link, enjoying it. She smirked a little more. They actually do live like kings. She thought. She enjoyed every bit, letting out a sound of satisfaction as she finished her last glass of cold, fresh orange juice.
“You like it?” She heard Damon say with his breath hot on her ear. She could feel herself shiver as he walked around to face her, pulling out a seat beside her. He was dressed perfectly. A dark red button up shirt, black slacks, all the way down to his polished leather shoes.
“I do,” She said, and he smiled. He didn’t seem so threatening.
“I knew you would. It’s absolutely superb. David said you wouldn’t like the sausage, but you seemed like a meat eater.” He said, laughing. “Unlike your sisters,” He added, clearly amused.
“You know my sisters?” She asked, and Damon shrugged.
“No, and I didn’t want to get to know them. I wanted to get to know you. It’s you who caught my eye.” He said. There was a small thrill of excitement that went through her at his words, but she tried to hide her smile.
“Really?” She said before she realized that it had slipped her lips. He leaned over, putting his hands on his knees, and his tone became serious.
“Really,” He said with that hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lip.
“Why?” She quipped.
“You were interesting, beautiful, and a challenge,” He replied, shrugging as he leaned back in his chair.
“What happens when I’m not a challenge anymore? When you bore of me?” She said, trying to hide the uncertainty in her voice.
Damon shook his head, and his smile was full blown now. He didn’t try to hide it. With a long pause, she started to wonder if he’d answer. He didn’t say a word as he stood up before tilting her chin up. His lips crashed down against her own, making her gasp into the kiss as she shivered a little, kissing back. His tongue explored her mouth, making her groan a little louder. He nipped her bottom lip, and she could feel herself becoming aroused.
“You? Boring?” He asked as he pulled away, just inches from her lips before sucking on her bottom lip once more. He pulled away, shaking his head as his fingers swept across her cheek endearingly.
“Never,” He said with certainty before smirking once more. She couldn’t look away as he stared at her so intently, as if he were staring right through her.
“You bring life to this place,” He said, and there was no hint of arrogance in his tone. It was just so.
“How?” She asked frustrated. He chuckled deeply.
“That’s how.” He laughed. “Now what would you like to do today?” He asked.
“Where’s David?” Jessica asked, apparently confused. He sighed, rolling his eyes.
“Doing the work we probably both should be doing, but I don’t want to deal with it today. Someone needed to entertain you.” He said, shrugging a little bit.
“Oh?” She said, shaking her head before she got up, putting her napkin on her plate.
“Anyways. I’d like to go through the woods. I want to see your property, and I don’t mean the gardens. I don’t mean the parlor. I don’t mean that thing you call a swimming pool that’s really a small lake out back. I want to see the woods.” She insisted, and he just laughed again.
“As the lady requests,” He added, offering her his arm, which she gladly took.
He didn’t bother to ask why the woods. He knew perfectly well, and as soon as they stepped off the well-manicured lawn to something a little more wildly in the tree line, she felt a little better. He could see her relax visibly, and he couldn’t help but to be puzzled by it. She just shook her head as she looked around. There was wild honeysuckle, and the fresh, sweet smell was too much. She leaned down to smell, and he looked at her funny. Jessica put her hands on her hips looking at him. He just raised an eyebrow coolly.
“What?” Damon asked, and she rolled her eyes.
“Why give me that look?” She complained.
“Who likes honeysuckle that much? You seem so happy, and it’s really just a weed.” He said plainly.
“For your information, that weed brings back fantastic memories. It blooms around my home all the time, and so I love it.” She retorted before storming off, further into the woods without him. Damon hurried after her, and she started to run, giggling along the way.
“What are you doing?” Damon called out, and her laughter just got louder.
She moved faster, letting out a low growl which just seemed to cause a playful shriek. She was quick, but Damon knew that he was faster. It was only a matter of a few more minutes before he caught up with her. He pounced on her, and both of them went rolling to the ground.
She shrieked playfully as he pinned her with his body. Jessica was facing the ground, and the weight of his body kept her from pushing up. He could feel himself hardening against her before he rolled away. Jessica looked at him as he laid on the ground beside her, and he just smiled, cupping her cheek.
“Do you always just go running off through the woods when someone is trying to escort you?” He asked, somewhat amused and somewhat frustrated.
“Well. I suppose when I want to infuriate them.” She said cheekily.
“You did more than infuriate me,” He said, and that’s when her eyes traveled to the bulge in his pants, causing her to blush.
“It’s not like I’m going to make you do anything. Your choice. Your two days left. I told you that.” He said huskily, causing her to shiver again, and she nodded slowly. Her thoughts started to race, wondering exactly what he’d feel like. His fingers stroked her neck, starting to run down her arm, eliciting another shiver from her. His infuriating smirk returned.
“I like a chase, you know,” He said, and she laughed.
“Maybe I don’t like arrogance.” She quipped. He just shrugged.
“That’s what my brother is for. He’s the nicer one. The one when you want something soft, sweet. I’m the one when you want excitement.” He said, leaning over to whisper in her ear.
“The thrill.” He said before nipping her earlobe, and a soft moan escaped her before she could catch it.
“I think I’m good on thrill for a while.” She said, but the blush that stained her cheeks just wouldn’t go away.
“How do you like the house?” He finally asked, changing the subject.
“You mean the mansion.” She laughed. “Its fine, but it’s weird having all of those servants. Did they come her by choice?” She finally asked, and he shook his head.
“Sort of. They get to usually choose if they want to. A lot of people see it as an opportunity, but we do take them from each tribe depending on what’s
going on at the time. As a way to keep peace among all of us. It’s what we had planned to do with yours.” He finally answered her.
“Oh? Then why not?” She asked, clearly confused.
“Because we’ve also been looking for a mate,” He said as if it was the simplest thing in the world.
“But I have a choice. What if I don’t want to stay? Do I become a servant? What’s the real deal? My family was too afraid to say know. I think I deserve to know why.” Jessica huffed.
“No, we won’t keep you, but we will need a few servants. They can be men or women, so don’t give me that look.” Damon chided her. He ran his fingers through his hair.
“David is so much better at explaining this diplomatically, so don’t look at me like that if you want me to try at all.” He groaned.
“Fine, fine. I’ll try to withhold judgment.” She said, but the irritation wouldn’t stay out of her voice.
“So why?” She prompted after a moment of silence. He just groaned, closing his eyes.
“I really don’t know how to explain, but David should be back by now, so how about I just distract you?” He said, teasingly brushing his lips against hers again. She wanted to curse herself for the way her body responded. Most of all, she wanted to curse herself for the slight flutter of her heart. Jessica didn’t understand it, but the sincerity and teasing in his eyes made her want to lean closer, even though she refused to do so.
“How about I go get that explanation then?” She said, and this time he let a low growl out, but nothing was threatening about it. Just frustration. She thought, amused.
Chapter 5
The trip back to the mansion was tenser than she had imagined. Every time she wasn’t thinking, she realized that she leaned a little closer to him, and it seemed to make Damon all too happy. After the third time, Jessica gave up trying not to until she tripped and stumbled flat into his side. He suppressed a chuckle as he wrapped an arm around her, leading her out of the forest and back onto the well-manicured lawn after a good few minutes of walking.
ROMANCE: Mated to the Bear (Stepbrother Paranormal Shifter) (Threesome Taboo Romance) Page 18