by Jamie Craig
Jesse pushed forward until Emma's nose brushed against the root of his cock. Her mouth was smaller than Gideon's, and so soft. She swallowed, her throat constricting around his shaft, drawing a strangled whimper from him. Her tongue worked its way over and around his cock. He rested his hand on the back of her head, holding her in place. It felt like he was right on the edge of exploding, and he didn't want her to move until he knew he wasn't going to shoot at the slightest friction. She didn't resist him, and his cock seemed to absorb her warmth.
He finally relaxed his grip on her head, and eased backward, pushing himself onto Gideon's cock slowly, each inch burning through Jesse's body. The tip of Jesse's cock brushed against Emma's mouth once Gideon was completely buried in his ass, and she caught it with her tongue, then swallowed him once again.
Jess felt like he was being torn in every direction, from the tight suction of Emma's mouth pulling at his cock, to the bruising strokes of Gideon's shaft in his ass, to the growing desperation for air as Gideon tightened the hold around his neck. There was no room to make noise, but both Gideon and Emma made enough for him, groans that rocketed through his body to leave him trembling. He wouldn't have thought it possible, but the harder he thrust into her willing mouth, the louder and more impassioned Emma got, until her nails were slicing into his skin from how hard she was gripping him.
Gideon's mouth raked across his shoulder. The sharp sting was all Jess needed to know that he was no longer wearing his human mask.
"We're going to have so much fun training her," Gideon murmured. "Think she bleeds as pretty as you do?"
He didn't wait for an answer. He simply buried his fangs deep in Jesse's neck.
The world turned red. His own blood flowing into Gideon's mouth, and forming in the crescents she pressed into his thigh. The image of her blood rolling down her perfect skin in long rivulets, the drops pooling together and glistening. The edges darkened as Gideon took more, and Emma moved faster. He opened his mouth to gulp for breath, but Gideon didn't even allow that. Both hands went to the back of Emma's head and he drove her forward on his cock one final time before shooting his load down her throat.
* * * *
His orgasm wracked through his body as he shot against the wall, the thick fluid clinging to the tiles for interminable seconds before the shower spray began to drive it toward the drain. Jesse bowed beneath the now-lukewarm water, the images of her soft body and hot mouth still coloring his thoughts, and welcomed the familiar guilt that came every time he indulged his what-if fantasy about the day they'd talked her into staying in Chicago.
Emma was his friend. Emma was with Ethan. Emma was...
"Having fun without me?"
The amusement in Gideon's low voice made Jesse snap back up, peering out through the translucent shower curtain to see him lounging against the door jamb. So wrapped up in his fantasy, he'd never even heard Gideon come in.
"No." That was technically true. This wasn't Jesse's idea of fun. "How was your meeting?"
"Routine. There's a nest across the Wisconsin border that's starting to hunt in the city. They just want me to put a stop to it. How was your morning with Emma?"
Jesse turned off the water and reached for a towel. "Fine. She apparently had the best time last night with Ethan." Winding the towel around his waist, he stepped out of the shower. "I keep thinking of the girl who wanted to run away to Montana so she could have a little bit of peace, and I'm impressed with how far she's come. And happy for her. I am."
Gideon's gaze grew thoughtful. "Who are you trying to convince, me or yourself?"
Jesse's lips thinned. "I'm not trying to convince anybody of anything." Jesse tried to leave, but Gideon didn't move an inch from the door, effectively trapping him. "What?"
Several seconds passed where Gideon let his eyes drift down Jesse's body, lingering on his wrapped hips for a moment before glancing back to the shower. "I hate it when you lie to me," he finally said. "But I think I hate it more when you're lying to yourself. We both know you were thinking about her when you were jerking off."
For a moment, Jesse considered taking his chances with the lie. But lying to Gideon was rarely a clever plan, and it never ended well for him. "I was thinking about you, too."
"It's okay to have feelings for her, you know. And being attracted to Emma is more than understandable." His mouth twitched as a smile threatened to break free. "We had more than a couple good times fantasizing about her when we were hunting down the art ring."
"I don't have feelings for her," Jesse countered. "I have feelings for you. And as for being attracted to her..." He shrugged. "Well, you're right. It's understandable."
"So why are you trying to hide it?"
"Why am I trying to hide it from her?"
"From her, from me, from yourself. You know that's why you don't like Ethan, don't you? You're jealous."
Jesse had a whole series of arguments that he could make. It started with the more childish shut up, Gideon, and matured from there. "Even if you were right, and you're not, what does it matter? I don't know if you've noticed, Gideon, but I'm her best girlfriend, and she's smitten with Ethan." Jesse frowned. "Why are we even having this conversation? Are you encouraging me to do something about it?"
"Smitten is a strong word." Pushing away from the door, Gideon finally gave Jesse enough room to escape the steamy confines of the bathroom, though Gideon was the first to move. "And I'm not encouraging you to do anything," he said. "I'm telling you to figure out what it is you want." He paused at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the office. "I know you're an old pro at tolerating the status quo, but look at what happened when you laid it on the line for me. And I think we've turned out pretty damn good."
With one last inscrutable glance, he disappeared up the stairs.
Jesse sighed. He knew what he wanted. He wanted Emma to be happy, to have the sort of life she always wanted but couldn't quite reach. Ethan clearly could provide that, and Jesse wasn't so deluded as to think that she could find that same kind of happiness with him. For one thing, too much of his life and heart was utterly devoted to Gideon. For another thing, he couldn't help her with her abilities the way Ethan could. He didn't understand what she was going through. And finally, there was a lot to be said for the status quo. At least she was in their lives now. Who was to say that would be the case if he pushed for something more?
Chapter 3
* * *
The bag swung from her hand as Emma stepped onto the curb, the tangy scent of the gyro and the spinach pie drifting up to block out the normal smells of Gideon's neighborhood. Though she had just eaten, her mouth watered, and a smile curved her full mouth as she thought of how surprised Jesse was going to be. He hadn't believed her when she'd said she'd bring something back for him, she knew. The look on his face when he saw her was going to be more than worth it.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come back and pick you up?" Ethan stood in his open door, watching her over the hood of his car. The sun glinted off his blond hair, but his hazel eyes were hidden by his aviator sunglasses. "You know it's not any bother."
"I don't know how long it's going to take," Emma said. "Go enjoy the rest of your day. At least one of us should be taking advantage of this gorgeous weather."
With a shrug of surrender, he smiled and gave her a little wave before sliding back behind the wheel of his Taurus. Emma waited and watched as he pulled away, humming under her breath as she entered the building. Her mood only got brighter with every foot closer she got to the office.
"I come bearing food!" she called out as she reached the door. "Somebody better be hungry!"
"In here," Jesse called from Gideon's office. She found him standing knee deep in books, holding one in each hand and studying them with a frown. "Why didn't you remind me last night that I didn't have room for new books?"
So intent on the thick volumes in his hands, Jess didn't even glance up, giving Emma the luxury of a stolen moment to appraise his appearance. Hi
s dark hair was damp from a recent shower, just starting to reach the length where it curled at his nape. He would be cutting it soon. He always complained when it got this long, though personally, she thought it suited him better. He'd changed into a worn T-shirt to finish the dirty work in sorting the new books, and it stretched across his shoulders to highlight his long, lean form. With his head bowed, she couldn't see the brilliant blue of his eyes, but she didn't need to. She saw them often enough in her dreams.
"Because it wouldn't have made a difference on whether or not you bought them." Emma ventured farther into the room, circuiting the mess he'd made to go to the desk. "I can't believe Gideon let you sort through them in here," she said, perching on the corner. "Did he lose a bet?"
"There's no more space out there. Plus, most of these books were going to end up in here anyway." Jesse tilted his head. "I suppose they don't necessarily count as gifts for Gideon since he bought them, do they?"
"Not quite," she agreed with a smile. She rattled the bag she still held before setting it on the desk. "I brought you some food from that Greek place. I figured you'd forget to eat again if I didn't."
Jesse set his books down and stepped over the other stacks. "That wasn't necessary." He wiped his hands on the seat of his jeans and reached for the bag. Opening it, he inhaled deeply and smiled. "But very much appreciated."
It was so tempting when they were this close to forget everything Ethan had taught her over the past four months and open herself up to Jesse. Sometimes, Emma missed those first weeks they'd been friends, before Michelle had brought Ethan to town to train her, when she didn't even need to touch him to get an idea about how he was feeling. She missed the closeness it evoked, the sense of place it gave her in knowing these little tidbits about Jesse that nobody else knew.
But then she remembered Ethan's instructions and knew that if she indulged this one time, she would indulge again and again and again, and then what good was it in learning how to corral her abilities if all she was going to do was seek out the very thing she was supposedly avoiding? Jesse deserved his privacy, too. Emma was sure he didn't want her poking around his head, picking up emotions that he didn't care to share. Plus, the stronger their friendship grew, the more she didn't want to do anything that would hurt it.
She still missed the intimacy, though. It was the closest she was ever going to get to Jesse's heart.
"The food's good there," she said. "We should go back to dinner some time soon."
Jesse nodded. "Yeah, we can go..." The phone ringing on Gideon's desk interrupted him. With an apologetic smile, he reached around her to answer it. He was standing close enough that she could feel the heat coming from his skin and smell the soap he used in his hair. "Gideon Investigations...oh, hello. Today?" He listened, his smile turning into a frown. "No, I'm not busy...right, well, I'm sure he won't be heartbroken to hear that. Bye."
He replaced the receiver and stepped back. "I'm going to have to enjoy my lunch later. Duty calls."
Emma's frown matched his. She'd been looking forward to spending the afternoon with him. "What is it?"
"That was John." At her blank look, he clarified. "Black John. He said we have business to discuss. I know what he's talking about, but honestly, I thought maybe he forgot."
She'd heard mention of Black John once or twice in the time she'd known Jesse and Gideon, but as quickly as it would get brought up, Jess would change the subject. Gideon clearly didn't like the man--correction, black mage--but then again, Gideon didn't like most people. Emma had always been intrigued by the question of what it was about this particular person that had Jesse scurrying not to talk about him in front of his lover.
"Do you have to go see him?" When Jess nodded, she added, "Is it something I can come with you?"
Jesse hesitated for so long that she thought he was going to tell her to stay home. Finally he said, "You can come. Actually, I think I'll need your help. Would you be willing to try to get a read on him for me?"
"For you? Of course."
He grinned. "Thanks." Sobering, he added, "And hopefully we won't have to mention this little excursion to Gideon."
Jesse paused long enough to put his lunch in the small fridge he kept near his desk, then led her to his Jeep. As they drove, Jesse filled in some of the details about Black John. They had had a working relationship until the summer before, when John had provided a dealer with the very dangerous drug known as obsidian. This wasn't the first time Emma had heard of it, but it was the first time Jesse had volunteered any additional details. Jesse didn't say that he had been angry about the perceived betrayal, but the implication hung in his words.
"Anyway, he agreed to give us what was left of his stock. I was able to use it to create an antidote, but nothing's ever free," Jesse explained as the pulled to a stop in front of an innocuous house. "I just expected him to call in the debt before now."
"What do you want me to do?"
"It might be hard to sense anything from him because of his power. But if you sense anything that seems dangerous, let me know as soon as you can." Jesse sighed. "He used to be my friend. Maybe he still considers himself my friend. I don't know."
There was no mistaking the melancholy in his voice, but Emma didn't press as they walked up to the front door. She hung back as he rang the bell, but when the door opened almost immediately, it was impossible not to be mildly surprised.
Black John was nothing like she had envisioned. From Gideon's dislike and what Jesse had detailed, she'd imagined someone imposing, someone who would have fit into places like Sangre if he was a vampire. But this Black John was no taller than her, with narrow features and clear gray eyes that were quick and incisive. She couldn't even tell how old he was, though the few strands of white in his closely-cut brown hair said he was probably in his thirties at least. Carefully, she opened her senses, but all she was aware of was the anxiety rolling from Jesse.
Emma tried not to glance up at him. He didn't need to know she was picking up on him, too.
"So prompt," John said with a smile. "That's one characteristic I've always appreciated in you, Mr. Madding." His brows shot up when he spied Emma hanging back. "And who's this? A new business partner?"
"John, this is Emma. She was helping me unpack some books when you called. I didn't want to leave her alone in the office. I hope you don't mind that she came along."
Calming her thoughts, she stepped forward, a warm smile on her face, her hand extended in greeting. "I know it's an imposition," she said. "If you want, I can always wait in the car--"
"Don't be ridiculous." His palm was cool against hers as he shook her hand, his grasp light. There were the faintest of emanations coming from him, a sense of amused annoyance, but that was all. "I would never allow a beautiful woman such as yourself to be relegated to the car. My mother would be turning over in her grave if she heard I did such a thing." John chuckled. "If she was dead, of course." He stepped back, allowing them room to enter. "Come in. I've got fresh tea on, just for this meeting."
Jesse put his hand on the small of her back and gently guided her into the house. Now his anxiety was tempered with a reserved relief, like something John said had put his mind at ease. They followed him to the small sitting room, seating themselves in the high-backed chairs John indicated before pouring the tea.
"How have you been, John? Well, I hope," Jesse said cordially.
"Physically, never better," came the amiable reply. He took the chair opposite, somehow managing to make the stiff furniture look comfortable. "I've found some new relaxation techniques that work marvelously. Helps the digestion, helps the sleep, it's all good." His smile became sheepish. "Unfortunately, they've become more necessary in the past few months. Which is why you're here."
Jesse sipped from his tea calmly, though his emotions had shifted once again, and he was no longer at ease. "You know I'll do what I can to help. What are these new relaxation techniques?"
"You didn't hear? There's this wonderful new herbalist do
wntown. Their wares are rather ho-hum, but the owner's grandfather lives with him." His smile was coy. "It's amazing what we can learn from the elderly."
Jess set the cup aside and settled back in his chair, crossing one knee over the other. It looked like he was settling in for a long conversation. Emma mimicked him, trying to get comfortable in the rigid chair, but that was easier said than done.
"I have heard of the new herbalist, though I haven't had a chance to visit myself. Gus always has what I need, and at decent prices. Do you think I should go meet...what's his name?"
"Quang. Doan Quang. You should go, if only for the experience." Cocking his head, he looked curiously to Emma. "But we're excluding your lovely colleague, and I get the distinct feeling, herbs aren't exactly her thing. How long have you and Jesse been working together, my dear?"
Emma returned his smile. "Oh, we're just friends."
"She occasionally lends me a hand out of the kindness of her heart," Jesse explained. "Emma actually works at the Art Institute."
For whatever reason, John seemed to love this, brightening considerably as he set aside his tea. "One of my favorite places," he said. "I have friends on the board who keep trying to get me to join, but that's just so bureaucratic. Not my style at all. I fear that it would completely spoil whatever appreciation I have for it, too. I..." His voice trailed off, his eyes flickering to Jesse. "But you're not here for me to extol the virtue of your better taste in friends, Mr. Madding. I suppose I should get right down to it."
Jesse's face darkened for a moment at John's comment about Jesse's better taste, but it cleared and he inclined his head. "I would appreciate that. Unfortunately, I have a tight schedule this afternoon."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't make myself clear. It's not your services I require. I'm in need of your employer's."
"Gideon's? You want Gideon's services?"
"It's a small job, really." John was completely unperturbed by Jesse's shock. "Quite suited for Gideon's brutish tendencies. I'm in the middle of a personal project, but as I've been gathering the necessary ingredients for it, I've found that someone else is...beating me to the punch, so to speak. I'd like Gideon to get rid of him for me." He rolled his eyes. "It's getting very tiresome having to find alternatives elsewhere when there are perfectly good ones here in Chicago."