OBTAINED (Book One)

by Williams, Shanora

  “I should get you home,” he murmurs but he doesn’t pull away. Instead he kisses the center of my forehead and his kiss triggers my nerves, warming every part of my insides up exquisitely. I was not expecting that. That small peck means a lot to me. A kiss on the forehead means that he cares and isn’t just trying to manipulate me. Any man can kiss me on the lips, but the forehead? That is an act of generosity. Of love.

  PREY

  “Alexandria, wake up.” I spring up quickly, groggily. I glance around, out of the windows, down at the grey dashboard, at Jules. His lip quirks up to smile as he reaches for my hand. “Would you like me to come up and tuck you in?” he asks, a smile sweeping across the entire lower-half of his face. He grins heavily and by the look in his eyes, I know he’s thinking of doing more than just tucking me in.

  “I don’t think Liam would approve of that,” I quip as I look from him to the parking lot and spot Liam’s brown Nissan Titan pickup truck.

  “Is Liam the same?” he asks. I turn to meet his gaze again. “Still careless?”

  “Well if he was like that before, I’m sure it’s even worse now.”

  Jules nods slowly as he presses his lips together. “It was a trait of his that I had never admired.”

  “You knew him?” I ask quickly.

  “Yes. Liam and I were pretty close—well previous to your accident. He still blames me for not being there to help you but he will never tell you that. I believe he finds it immature.”

  I frown. “Wait—Liam knows that we were . . . together?”

  “Liam knows a great amount of things. Why do you think he smokes so much pot? He wants to forget about it all,” he says between dry chuckles.

  “Oh,” I mutter. I’ve always thought that he just loves to smoke. It’s become a daily habit for him. But now I can see why he does it if it means that he won’t have to think about anything that may haunt him. “Well, in that case, I don’t think tucking me in would be such a good idea.” He grins as he watches me reach for the door handle.

  “Have a good night, Alexandria.”

  “The same to you, Jules.” I trail off to the stairs of my complex and listen as Jules pulls off. I wish he could tuck me in bed and even sleep with me. For some reason I just don’t feel safe anymore. Especially without him. And about Liam, what does he really know? Maybe he knows the truth about what I am and what I am dealing with but doesn’t want to tell me. That’s how Jules makes it seem—like Liam knows more than he should know. But I’m not sure and I don’t want to assume and bring up something that may cause trouble and even more confusion. It’s obvious that we Guardian Angels aren’t supposed to tell anyone anything about ourselves. Ugh. I still have to get used to all of this.

  I unlock my door, feeling a sudden spur of relief as I step into my warm home. I glance around the corner and spot Liam lying on the couch, remote in hand, bag of cool ranch Doritos on the floor in front of him. The television is on but he is sound asleep and I refuse to bother him. It’s really late and I don’t need him getting worked up and trying to play big brother. Jules and I decided that instead of taking me straight home, a walk in the city would clear my head and help me understand more about what we are. I made him prove to me that we are mates. He tested my emotions, brought up things that Liam had told me about our family that I never would have told anyone else as long as I was breathing. I had no choice but to believe him.

  I make my way to my room feeling extremely exhausted. It’s been a long day for me and I really don’t have the strength to do anything but slip out of my coat and boots and flop down on my cozy, queen-sized bed. I snuggle under my blankets and before I know it, I’ve drifted into an abysmal slumber.

  ****

  Oh, no. I’ve slept too long. My eyelids fly open as I spot the bright rays of the sun peeking through the thin slits of my window. I glance at my alarm clock and it is 11:08 A.M. I only have twenty-two minutes to get ready for work. Crap. Chris is definitely going to get a kick out of why I’m late. I push my blankets away from me as I rush to my closet for a coordinating outfit. But I need a shower. I just want to wash everything from last night off and have a fresh start. Damn it. Already, my day is starting off terribly.

  There is a knock at the front door and I perk up quickly, glancing out of my room. I rush around the corner and take a peek at the empty sofa. Liam’s gone. I hurry to the door, peek out of the peep hole, and my heart drops. It’s him again and I look like complete garbage with the same clothes on from yesterday.

  I open the door slowly and force a smile but he is already smiling with his hands hidden behind his back. “Good morning, beautiful,” Felix says, along with his casual smile.

  “Good morning,” I say softly. I want to be happy but for some reason I’m afraid and now I realize why I’d felt so intimidated by him the first day that we’d met. He’s not human.

  His smile drops as he tilts his head. “I’m sorry. Did I come at a bad time?”

  “Um, actually, I was just getting ready for work. I have to be there in just a few minutes.” Yeah, good excuse Alexandria. Maybe he’ll leave.

  He nods with wide hazel eyes. “Oh,” he says then pulls his hands from behind him to hold out a heart-shaped box of chocolates.

  “Oh, wow,” I say, reaching for it but I pause immediately, remembering what Jules told me last night. “He has given it to you and you have accepted it. He is a part of you now.” I suppress a gasp as I pull away quickly before he can shove it into my hands. I’m not sure if chocolate counts but I don’t want to take anything from him at the moment. “It’s a bit too early for chocolates,” I say softly.

  He nods as he pulls away. “I figured. Braxton said it would be romantic but he knows nothing about romance,” he jokes. I nod with a nervous laugh. “Am I allowed in, Alexandria?” Oh gosh. It’s the name thing again. The silk running along my fingers. I have no choice but to give in. I nod and he steps in.

  I shut the door behind him and he turns to face me but before I can even speak again, he steps in closer, collects me into his arms, and leans down to place his soothing lips against my ear. “Did you get my gift yesterday?” he murmurs in my ear. Chills shoot through my spine and—surprisingly—it is in a good way. The coldness that I’d felt when I saw that it was him at my doorstep just a few seconds ago has suddenly evaporated and melted and is now trickling against every part of my body. I’ve liquefied pleasurably. How can I be so afraid, yet turned on by his actions all at the same time—especially when I know that he is trying to make me his and that he isn’t a normal human being either.

  “Um—”

  “Don’t lie to me, Alexandria,” he says, his hands inching along the small of my back. His hand continues to lower down past my waist, past my hips, past my butt. He reaches for my back pocket, digs in, and pulls the necklace out. “Hmm, what’s this?” I expect him to back away but he remains close, heat radiating from his lean body. “Did you not like it?”

  I shake my head as I swallow the block of cement that has suddenly been lodged into my throat. “I’m not really a fan of jewelry,” I lie.

  “Oh?” He sounds pleased, almost like he knows I’m lying and is making a game of it. “What do you like then?” he asks, running the cool cross along the bare skin of my shoulders. I hate that I have a halter sweater on right now. He’s purposely touching me, teasing me, and I am actually pleased by it. He still smells good, pleasant. I bite down on my lower lip and finally find the will to pull away. A part of me rips in half, only wanting to hang on to this gorgeous man—maybe even climb on top of him and connect my lips with his—but the other part of me is still afraid. He looks down at me, his bright hazel eyes gleaming. I don’t know what he is thinking about at the moment. He finally flashes a smile then reaches around me to tuck the necklace into my back pocket. “Keep it, just in case you change your mind about it. But you will come with me to get another,” he commands.

  “I don’t have a choice?” I ask, rubbing my elbow nervously.

/>   “I would prefer that you come with me, Alexandria.” His icy eyes darken. “I want to give you whatever your heart desires—whatever it is that truly makes you happy.” His eyes light up again and his sneer only proves that he will most likely get what he wants.

  “Um—okay.” I look away from him quickly, no longer able to control the heap of jumbled nerves within me. He steps around me and reaches for the door knob.

  “Soon, Alexandria.” He looks down at me again, his height intimidating but alluring. Damn it! What the hell is wrong with me? Why do I like this about him? He remains tranquil but I can tell that he knows something—that he is far from an idiot. He knows exactly what is going on, but is he going to say anything about it? He twists the door knob, swings the door open, and then steps out without another word. As soon as he shuts the door behind him, I begin to panic, pulling the necklace from my back pocket and tossing it on the floor as if it’s made of scorching lava.

  I’m screwed.

  JEALOUSY

  “Start already, damn it!” I groan, taking the key out of the ignition, sticking it in again, and twisting it. The engine clanks around, making a guttural noise that I am not too fond of. I press on the gas, hoping that it will bring it to life but I am wrong. The engine dies again and I bang on the wheel, frustrated, bothered, but most of all, annoyed. But I’m not feeling this way towards my car. No. It’s Felix and his overbearing ways. He is not going to leave me alone. Jules and I know that. I saw it in his eyes last night.

  I rest my head on the center of the wheel as I shut my eyes, feeling the urge to just give up, rush up to my apartment, and flop on the couch under a bundle of blankets. My eyelids flip open to the satisfying thought of it. That actually doesn’t sound half bad. I reach for my Blackberry in my jacket pocket and press the numbers that belong to Think Coffee. Chris is going to have a fit about this but I have no choice. If I catch a bus, I won’t get there until another thirty minutes. The only way to get there in the quickest time is if I drive. But my car has a mind of its on and obviously thinks otherwise.

  I press the phone against my ear, lift my head, but as I do, there is a knock on my window. My heart bangs heavily against my rib cage as I jerk my head to my left to look in the direction of the wide smile and bright blue eyes. He looks to be really young—around the same age as I am—and I can tell that he hasn’t shaved in weeks because his goatee is somewhat thick around his lips. I press the end button on my phone as I roll my window down.

  “Hi?” I say in more of a question than a welcoming greeting.

  “’Ello,” he says, still smiling. Wow, he has a British accent and it immediately reminds me of Jules but unlike Jules’ casual accent, this guy’s voice is chipper, more glee-filled, and heavier—as if he’s just moved to America recently. “I was taking notice that your car wasn’t working.” He beams and I press my lips together with a nod.

  “Oh.” What else do I say? He’s just standing there, smiling like a child. I can’t just shoo him away. It’d be too rude.

  “I was in the same situation a few days ago but if it weren’t for you and that phone in your hand,” he says, eyeing my phone, “I would still be locked out of my home and still a bit ticked off.” He continues to grin and I immediately know who he is. Braxton, Felix’s brother.

  “Wait,” I start with wide and confused eyes. He raises a brow. “You’re Braxton? But how? You have an accent—your brother doesn’t,” I say with no intentions of being intrusive.

  He chuckles. “The bastard actually told you about me? I’m surprised he wasn’t selfish and made it all about himself,” he jokes with a fold of his arms. “Any who, you seem to be in a rush. Would you like a ride somewhere? Meeky is up and running and I think we could give ‘er a go, huh?”

  I raise a brow, sort of confused on who Meeky is and trying to make sense of his offer. He glances across the parking lot to a mildly abused silver 1990’s Volvo. In a way, it fits him but it confuses me to see it, especially since he is the brother of Felix Wells, a rich architect that owns his own business and can afford any materialistic thing that he sets his eyes on. I glance back at Braxton, knowing that if I do this I am just getting in deeper with Felix. But I need the money from work and I could really use the ride. I’m sure Braxton will be more than glad to tell his brother this one. “Sure,” I finally say as I stuff my phone back into my jacket pocket.

  Grabbing my keys, I roll my window up and then scramble out of the car as he takes a few steps back. The wide smile is still on his face and it is usually weird to see someone smiling so much, but not Braxton. It seems to be what gets him through each day.

  “Right this way then,” he says, flipping his shaggy hair out of his eyes. “I must say that I have seen you around but it was never up this close. Felix is lucky to have chatted a beautiful girl like you up.” He glances over his shoulder with a grin.

  “Thank you,” I say, following him to Meeky who seems even more abused up close. My face pinches and as he reaches the driver’s side, he spots the hideous, judgmental look on my face.

  “I do apologize for the crummy car. I know riding in something like this is not your cup of tea—especially after riding in a car like Felix’s—but Meeky will be getting exchanged soon.” His smile fades a bit as he eyes me for a brief moment. Oh, wow. I think I’ve just hurt his feelings. He obviously loves this car and for me to look down on it like a piece of garbage must have really crushed him. I can see it in his blue eyes that have just lost their spark.

  He unlocks the doors, slides in, and immediately reaches over to unlock mine. “I’m sorry,” I say as I shut the door.

  “Ah, it’s quite alright. Stace feels the same way about my car.” He beams a healthy grin, letting me know that he has already dropped what just happened.

  But despite the crappy and abused outside of Meeky, the interior is surprisingly clean and maintained. He has a case of CD’s sitting on the floor between my feet and the leather seats are shiny and almost spotless besides the few rips and tears. There is a radio that Braxton must have put in himself and he has a scented blue pine tree hanging on the rearview mirror, along with a few margarita beads.

  He cranks the car up then turns to face me. “So, where to?”

  “Um, Mercer Street please.”

  “Ah, been down that road a few times.” He pulls off and out of the parking lot of our complex. And even though Braxton is a complete sweetheart, he is a terrible driver. He whips the wheel, makes sharp turns that always cause me to slide too much and then have to readjust myself. I’m hoping that he will realize that I’m not comfortable with the way that he drives but he doesn’t bother to look my way. He just continues to blabber about Felix, his apartment incident, and Stace, his girlfriend. One thing I’ve realized about Braxton is that he loves to talk and when I’d actually thought that British accents were cool, I’m beginning to think otherwise the more that he speaks.

  He finally merges to pull into the parking lot behind Think Coffee and I can’t be any more relieved than to see that we have stopped. He smiles as he puts the car in park. “Well, it was grand to meet you. I do hope that we run into one another again. You seem like a swell girl.”

  I nod in appreciation, reaching for the door handle at the same time. “Thank you,” I chime then climb out. “And thank you for the ride. You’ve saved me my job,” I joke with a grin.

  He nods. “I owed you one. Good day.” He waves and with that I am shutting his door and rushing for the back door of the coffee shop.

  ****

  I hand out the last blueberry muffin in the case to a customer before turning to face Mindy, someone that I am not really fascinated to see but that is mainly because she’s been bugging me about Jules ever since I’d arrived.

  “Is he coming today?” she asks, leaning her elbow on the counter and resting her chin in her hand.

  “I’m not sure, Mindy,” I mumble.

  “Has he kissed you yet?” she asks, trying to indulge.

  I t
ilt my head, narrowing my eyes at her devilishly.

  “Sheesh, you aren’t being yourself today. What’s eating you?” Her forehead creases heavily beneath her straight, pale bangs.

  I sigh as I grab a stack of cups and place them in the slot beside the register. I’m not really sure what’s eating me. Perhaps it’s what Jules told me last night . . . or maybe it’s my mini showdown with Felix the Fox. I must admit that I do feel like the prey in this situation, especially since I can’t control it. “I’m fine, Mindy.”

  She continues to eye me for another brief moment before standing up completely and twisting on her heels, her straight, pale-blonde hair flipping onto her back. “Whatever you say, Alex.” She trots off to the back of the shop where the stock is (most likely to text) but I shake my head with a grimace as I watch her disappear around the corner. I don’t like when she calls me Alex. Only people that are really close to me—better yet, people that I trust—are allowed to call me Alex.

  I turn to face the front of the shop, staring out at all of the people that are either taking sips of coffee, jamming their fingers on their laptops, or smooching with their lover’s. I spot one couple and they look so happy. They are an older couple—most likely in their upper thirties—and I can tell they are in love—have been for a very long time. But there is something familiar about the man’s eyes. They are calm, peaceful, loving. And he adores her. But as I keep staring at him, I come to the realization that the way he is looking at his lover—as if he has loved her for ages—is the same way that Jules ogles me. In the man’s eyes, there isn’t just love; there is burning passion and desire. He only has eyes for her. Does Jules feel the same way? He told me that he loves me but for how long?