“And you haven’t told her this?” Eddie barked.
“She’s not going to let him near her again. The only other cure is time, letting it fade. Though with him being a Shadowstalker, it’s going to be worse.”
“I’m not sure I won’t kill him.” Eddie dropped onto the couch and pushed his hands through his hair. “I don’t understand.”
“Jackie begged me not to kill him. Part of her understands, even if you don’t.”
“This is so fucked up.”
“Which is why she didn’t want you to find out.”
“Shit.” He punched the cushion. “I teased her about Jared the other day. Asked why she didn’t want anything to do with him and she shrugged it away.”
“She didn’t want you to gut him.”
“He didn’t hurt her? I saw Jared. Someone marked his body.”
Brent shook his head. “No, he didn’t leave a mark on her. He focused on making her come, and from what I understand, he knows what cues to read to achieve that, but he wasn’t paying attention to her fear. Not sure if he thought he could get her past it, or what. He understands if he ever does anything she doesn’t invite again, he won’t live through it.”
“Okay.” He sucked in a breath and let it out. “I hate that she was scared and didn’t tell me.”
“I thought you’d kill him,” Jackie said from the hall, in time for the doorbell to ring.
Brent hopped up to take care of the delivery.
“I won’t touch him. At least, not unless he tries to repeat his stupidity.”
She nodded. “If he repeats it, I’ll kill him. He gets one fuck up in this case, and he’s had it.”
Eddie snorted. “How can you be so blasé?”
“As messed up as that night was, his goal wasn’t to hurt me. Every time I’ve seen him since, he’s tried to apologize and convince me to give him another chance. He doesn’t push when I say no. He lets it go and tries again later. It twists me up because I see how much my reaction hurts him. I should accept his apology so we can both put the discomfort behind us.” She sighed.
His teeth ground together. “And tonight, when he ripped your dress open? You’re okay with that?”
“No, you saw I froze him solid. I’m not messing around. I won’t let him get me in a situation where I can’t argue and can’t protest again. But tonight, that wasn’t him. That was the thirst driving him. They changed him last night. I bet he hadn’t even fed yet. So, of course, he was going to go for someone’s throat.”
His brow arched. “Sorry. I have a hard time accepting that. Not sure how much you heard, but the thought of you bound and frightened…” He shook his head. “I hate it.”
She moved to him, and pulled him to a stand. “I heard enough to know that you care about me and what happens.”
“More than care, Jackie.” He combed his fingers through her damp hair.
She pressed tighter, pulling his mouth to hers. He couldn’t resist. His hands curled around her, pulling her against his body. He didn’t break the connection until she pulled back, her eyes locked on his.
“Sorry I didn’t tell you,” she whispered.
“Eh, you’re right. I might have killed him. I get why you didn’t want Brent to. Doesn’t mean I’m going to forgive him anytime soon, but I’ll try.”
She sighed. “Go change while I get plates for dinner.”
He kissed her one more time before going down the hall.
Chapter 23
Stefano followed Tiana through the dark underground tunnels, searching for any sign of Sidra and Clive. They’d been at it for hours, and he was ready to give up.
“They aren’t down here,” he whispered.
Tiana jerked him forward and turned the flashlight on. They stood in an open room with one bed, surrounded by torture devices, and an assortment of toys. The scent of blood and sex thick in the air.
“We found where they were staying.” She shook her head. “They haven’t been here for a day at least. I know a mage who may be able to track them.”
“A mage? You trust a mage?” Stefano balked.
“Some of them. I keep telling you they are different now. It’s not so bad as it once was. They don’t want mortals to find out about Others. This is a good thing. Humans would hunt us if they realized we lived among them.”
“Where else can we search?” Stefano asked.
“Let me ask you something, Stefano. If you found Jared, what would you do?”
He groaned. “Provided we can get him away from Sidra and Clive, help him find a way to exist. Jacqueline was right. I wasn’t very together when I was first changed. And if her magic was involved, maybe he couldn’t control himself. She doesn’t blame him, and I watched her stop him without any assistance. I’m used to women needing help, not taking care of themselves.”
He wanted to take care of her. Maybe no one ever had, and that’s why she so stubbornly held on to her independence. Perhaps there was a chance he could prove to her how much better her life could be with the proper care.
Tiana frowned. “Here’s what I propose. I’ll meet with the mages, see if we can push further to find them. Go tell Brent what we’ve found. Don’t insist on going in, but if they let you, apologize. Whatever you do, don’t try anything romantic, say the words and be done. If you want any chance of calling her a friend, you must accept you aren’t the right man for her.”
He didn’t argue. Instead, he began plotting how to make Jacqueline see he could love her better. He would treat her like a queen, worshiping her every breath. If he had to take a few steps back, and charm his way into her graces, so be it.
“I’ll deliver the message and offer a heartfelt apology,” he promised.
* * * *
Rocking back and forth, Jared sat in the corner of the cage. His teeth chattered, the deep freeze had finally thawed, but he couldn’t get warm.
Someone paced the room. Jared was afraid to look, suspecting it was the bitch from last night, and the man who followed her every command.
“They’ve found the den,” the man announced.
“It was only a matter of time. That’s why we moved,” she answered bitterly.
“She’s too well aligned, Sidra. I don’t understand why you continue to push this.”
“I won’t let Stefano have Jackie. She would make an excellent asset. We have to train her.”
“She can’t be enthralled.”
“There are other ways. For starters, she wanted to save this fool.”
“That won’t last long. Next they meet, he’ll tear into her. She’ll kill him if one of her men don’t.”
“I won’t,” Jared vowed. Even if he had to rip out all of his teeth, he would never drink from her.
“No, you won’t kill Jackie. We need her.”
“Don’t hurt her.”
Sidra hissed. “You ready to drink?”
Jared nodded, rubbing his hands up and down his arms, trying to capture some warmth.
“Who am I?” she asked again.
“Mistress.” He didn’t look at her. As he’d thawed, he realized how wrong he’d been about Jackie. He wanted to make amends, but wasn’t sure he could. Especially now.
“We have something for you, but I want you to behave and drink every drop.”
He whined, pulling his knees up to hide his face. His body hungered for the blood, but he didn’t want to kill, didn’t want to be a murderer.
The bars clanked open and someone was thrown at his feet.
Instinct took over and he shot forward, covering her with his body as he struck. His teeth sank past skin and thick liquid coated his tongue. A rumbling growl rolled through his chest as he drank his fill. Her heartbeat slowed to a crawl, then stopped. He stumbled back, finally sated.
The last of the cold evaporated with the hot blood now pulsing through his veins. Looking down, he found Katie dead. “Shit, what the fuck?” he whispered, looking up at Sidra.
“Aww, was she your friend?”
Her brow arched. “The bitch was looking for you. Worried about where you were. I told her we’d bring her to you. You really do like fucking around with Others, don’t you?”
He rubbed his hands over his face, slipping down the bars.
“Why her?”
“There are two ways to strip your humanity. Have you kill all ties to your old life, or fuck the morality out of your heart.”
“No. I won’t kill another person. I’ll fight the hunger.”
“You won’t. No one ever does. You’ll drink, and you’ll come every time I decide to use you.” She looked over to the man who’d carried him back to wherever the fuck they were. “Chain him to the rack and turn it horizontal.”
The other man towered over him, bald head, wide jaw, pale eyes. A shiver traveled down his spine, as he bent to climb in the cage with him. A hand wrapped around his throat before he was dragged from the cell and bound.
“No, no, no, no,” he pleaded as Sidra closed the distance.
Chapter 24
Jackie sat curled beside Eddie, who only wore a pair of shorts. Thankfully, her shorts and top didn’t cover much, allowing her to enjoy the warmth of Eddie’s smooth skin. Brent had put on some ridiculous action movie, but Jackie was content in Eddie’s arms while his fingers combed through her hair.
She jumped and sat up when the doorbell rang. A groan left her lips. Dealing with Stefano was the last thing she wanted to do. But who else would it be?
Brent drew a long breath and gave them both a look. “Put an appropriate distance between you two and play nice. We should probably hear what he has to say.”
Jackie gave Eddie an apologetic look before slipping into the chair to keep Stefano away from her. Whatever he thought they might have, he was dead wrong. She wanted nothing to do with him.
Stefano followed Brent in, hands shoved in his pockets, head down. He sucked in a breath and slowly met her gaze. “I’m sorry, Jacqueline. For everything. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be a target.”
His apology sent a jolt of anger through her. Remembering Brent’s request, she tempered her tone. “If they’re targeting Others, I would have eventually made their list.”
“I was wrong at Brent’s house. I’d like to call you a friend.”
“That’s going to take time. I don’t trust you, Stefano. I don’t understand you.”
He nodded. “I came to tell you what Tiana and I found in the Seattle Underground.”
“What?” Brent asked.
“Their lair. But it appears they’ve moved somewhere else. There was no trace of Jared. Only evidence of Sidra and Clive, as well as several victims.”
“So what do we do?” Jackie asked.
Stefano turned to her. “Tiana called the Silver Council. There’s a mage who may be able to track them. Seems likely they took up somewhere deeper, beneath the city. The question is where.”
A small smile graced her lips. “Thank you.”
Moving in front of Jackie, Stefano lowered his voice. “Maybe I can prove I’m worthy of being your friend. One who accepts your decisions and independence.” His eye twitched toward Eddie.
She bit back a snarl and managed a calm tone. “We’ll see.”
He dipped his head slightly. “Goodnight, Jacqueline. Goodbye, Brent, Eddie. I’ll take my leave.” Stefano disappeared in a swirl of shadows.
A shudder travelled down her spine. Jackie stood and moved to the liquor cabinet. Every muscle tensed. She needed something to dull the edge.
Eddie came up behind her as she pulled the bottle of Jack Daniels out. He whispered against her ear, “Let me take your mind off Stefano, and everyone else.”
His warmth enveloped her, chasing away the chill. She set the whiskey aside and nodded. “Please. I want to feel something real.”
“Everything I feel for you is real.” He nibbled her earlobe.
She sighed softly. “Brent, do you need anything before we turn in?”
He chuckled. “Nope, I’m covered. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Eddie took her hand and pulled her down the hall. “My room, or yours?”
“Mine. No one’s been in my bed but us.”
His eyes closed briefly. “Didn’t think of that.”
Jackie shrugged. “I have a bigger bed anyway. Come on.”
The weight of someone’s gaze landed on her. There was a darker smudge against the shadows outside, in the shape of a man. Jackie walked to the window and closed the blinds.
Turning to Eddie, she swallowed hard. “Tell me I didn’t misinterpret your intentions.”
Eddie shook his head as he closed the distance. “No. If you’ll have me, I want you—need you.” His chest rose as he reached out to caress her face. “Tell me you want this.”
“You’re all I’ve ever wanted, Eddie.”
His lips met hers and everything fell away. She welcomed him and his tongue swirled around hers in a sensual dance.
Moaning, she pushed his shorts down to wrap her hand around his thick length.
Caressing down her sides, he took the hem of her shirt and pulled the thin fabric over her head. She scooted her shorts down her legs and kicked them away in time for him to grip her ass. Her arms and legs wrapped around him as he turned to take her to the bed.
Every barrier melted away as his body met hers, skin on skin. Eddie was her haven, the place she wanted to be. “So right,” she whispered.
“Hmm?” He leaned back to look into her eyes.
“We were always right. I feared you couldn’t see me this way.”
“Very right. Can’t lose you.”
“You won’t,” she vowed.
“Want to taste you,” he groaned.
Her fingers tangled in his hair as he laid her down, leaning over her. She kissed him hard, craving him all over her, inside her. Strong hands moved up her body while his lips left a wet trail of kisses to her breast. His eyes met hers as he licked around her areola.
“Eddie,” she moaned, rubbing her legs together to ease the ache. “Please,” she panted.
“Gonna savor you.”
“Hurry. Need more,” she pleaded.
Chuckling, he sucked her tip, biting down gently. “Tell me what you want.” He kissed to her other breast, and gave her tight peak the same attention while teasing down her body with a light touch.
“Eddie. I need—need to come. Make me come, or I’m taking over, and I won’t promise slow.”
He chuckled against her ribs as he crawled down her body. “Your wish is my command.” He pushed her thighs open and her head fell back when he blew on her slick folds. “Jackie,” he murmured, “you’re fucking perfect.”
She went up in flames as his tongue swept through her core. She grabbed a handful of hair, and held his mouth to her, as he alternated between flicking his tongue over her clit and sucking.
“More,” she pleaded.
He pressed two fingers deep. Her back arched as her body responded, taking her over the edge. His tongue replaced his fingers, thrusting in and out as he drank down her essence. With his thumb, he rubbed her clit as he made love to her with his mouth.
“Yes!” she cried, over and over again, as he drew out her pleasure until she could hardly see, let alone think.
* * * *
Sweet like peaches. He was going to lose his damned mind with the way she responded to every touch, every caress. Fantasies couldn’t compare to having her to himself.
No more guilt. No more fear. Just the woman he’d loved for as long as he could remember.
When she finally fell back, her eyes glazed over as her chest heaved. He crawled up her body, placing kisses as he went.
Her fingers wrapped around his head, dragging him back up faster.
Eddie settled over her as she stared into his eyes.
He breathed deep, a smile on his lips. “How did we wait this long?”
She shrug
ged, her eyes dazzling. “Never thought we could have this.”
“Don’t ever forget I’m yours.”
“Never. Now make love to me. Claim me, forever.”
“And ever.” He sucked her bottom lip as he slid into her. Her body welcomed his, wrapping tight around him.
“Nothing better,” she moaned, rolling her hips to take him deeper.
Pulling back, he slid in slowly as she claimed his mouth again. Her hands traveled down his back, caressing as they went. He couldn’t get enough of her taste, her body, her touch.
Jackie didn’t hold back. Every delicious sound she made rolled over him, a song urging him toward climax.
“Tell me you’re close,” he panted.
She looked into his eyes. “There.”
Jackie pulsed around him, pushing him into release, her body milking his until he collapsed, rolling to her side, and pulling her into his arms.
Tears filled her eyes.
Eddie kissed them away. “Tell me you’re happy. Please.”
She clung to him, her aquamarine eyes full of emotion. “Very. Never let me go. I can’t go back to how it was. Don’t want to live without you.”
“Never. Now that you’re mine, I won’t let go. I wouldn’t survive losing you, Angelfish.”
She curled into his embrace. “Hold me tonight, please.”
“Every night,” he promised.
Chapter 25
Jackie opened her eyes to find Eddie curled around her. A smile pulled at her lips as she snuggled tight. In twenty-six years, she’d never felt this safe or comfortable in her skin. Everything shifted into place when they made love.
Eddie’s lips curved as his eyes opened. “Morning, Jackie.”
“Mmm.” She stretched her arms and legs, and he pulled her closer. A glance at the clock made her wince. Brent would be getting up anytime, but she wanted to spend the morning forgetting their problems.
Unable to resist the lure of his body, she kissed his collarbone while trailing her fingers down ridges of muscle. Licking his nipple, she smirked up at him before gently biting.
Coming Together Page 16