by LK Kelley
Gem squealed in surprise, dropped the cart's handle on the ground, and jumped! Professor Hawkins! She’d know that voice anywhere! She slowly turned to see him shrouded in the darkness of the library. There were no lights here.
“Oh, uh, hey, Professor,” she stammered.
He stared at her. At least she thought he was staring at her. She couldn’t see him very well.
“Oh, well, you see…I-I was….” and for the life of her, she couldn’t think of an explanation. Then, “Wait a minute! Just what business is it of yours anyway?”
“I never said it was my business, Ms. Elwood,” he drawled.
Damn that man! He was right!
“Well, OK. I-I guess I’ll just be on my way, then,” she said to him, picking up the cart turning to walk behind the library, again.
“Ms. Elwood.” She turned. “What kind of man would I be if I let a young woman walk – alone – at 11 o’clock at night? Come along.”
He turned and walked toward the front of the building. Without turning, Gem considered mutiny, then shrugged. What was the point? She would like a ride home with all these books, so she headed toward the front of the library. When she came around the corner, the same man was still leaning against the truck, still with his head down. But, looking around, there was no Hawkins! Gem slowly started across the parking lot, hoping the man wouldn’t notice her. Just as she passed the truck without looking at him….
“Ms. Elwood? Still trying to walk home alone?”
The voice brought Gem to a complete, and total stop. She was truly afraid to turn her head. Oh, hell! It couldn't be! No! It just couldn't be! Afraid of what she might see, Gem tried to turn her entire body to face the voice, but she just couldn't get the courage.
“Ms. Elwood. Will you kindly turn around?” Hawkins demanded. His tone brooked no argument.
Gem slowly – very slowly backed up pulling her cart with her until she was within sight of the man she’d had the “hots” for since the second she saw him. Gulping, her eyes started at his black loafers and slowly – very, very slowly, she allowed her eyes to drift upward to his legs, his slim hips, and she was absolutely positive that the black t-shirt hid six-packs abs and a large, strong chest underneath. Finally, her eyes came to rest on his face, and her eyes widened in shock. A “god” of six-feet six inches stood before her! Dark brown eyes stared back into her green eyes without flinching. His mouth was turned up into a lopsided grin – as if he knew what she was thinking.
Did you ever have one of those incredible moments in your life, where you just knew your life was going to change? Or, you were so stunned and shocked that you couldn’t move your eyes from someone’s face? Well, this was Gem’s moment as she she met the eyes of the most devastatingly gorgeous face she had ever seen in her life! How in the fuck had she not known that the Professor was so handsome, that the only word she could use to describe him was – Angel? Maybe, but even that title seemed completely off the mark! A god? No. The ancient gods would pale against this man! She had no words to describe him! There were no words in the English language, and she doubted if there were any in any other as well!
She shut her eyes tightly, shaking her head in disbelief! What the hell was wrong with her? This was Professor Hawkins? Professor Hawkins? This had to be a nightmare! No, not a nightmare, but if she had ever felt horny in all of her life, she had only imagined that it would be for a man as gorgeous as the man standing before her right now! Not even her own made up male characters looked this sexy! Oh, shit! Did she have to say the word? She was damp between her legs already!
“I-I d-don’t understand? Professor? I-I don’t… I-I mean.. I-I….” Gem stammered still in shock.
Something was tossed at her, and she automatically raised her hand to catch it. Again, Gem actually caught something that someone else threw at her. It might have happened once, but twice? She still couldn’t look away from his eyes, but she dragged them away to look at what was in her hands. Keys? Wait a minute! She jerked her head up to look at him again, and then the truck.
“T-these are my t-truck keys?” she stuttered.
“Indeed,” he answered her.
“B-but….”
Gem tried very hard to put one foot in front of the other as she attempted to maneuver toward the cab. She glanced at Hawkins once more, before she peeked into the truck grabbing the handle at the same time. Opening the door, and looking inside, she saw everything that was familiar to her except that it was sparkling new and clean! Even a large, old brown stain on the passenger side dashboard that had been there for over thirty years was gone! She breathed out, and looked at Hawkins.
“I-is t-this….” her words trailed into nothing.
“Yes.”
Gem jerked her head toward Hawkins in shock.
“B-but h-how is it possible? It was damaged badly! I saw it!” she said softly. “It was altogether destroyed!”
“I called Stan Ryker,” he told her as if that was all the explanation that he needed.
Gem’s eyes met his – again. Wasn’t that who Rick said he used?
“B-but h-how?” she breathed softly.
“I had him check it out to see if it could be salvaged in some way. He towed it, and told me he could fix it.”
“Why? Why would you do this?” she asked him, meeting his brown eyes.
“Why would I not?”
“But, fixing it! Painting it? That requires getting rid of the rust, and primer, then paint and gel coat! It’s barely been forty-eight hours! No one can complete those kinds of repairs in such a short time! And, apart from all that, the cost would be enormous!” Her voice was tight in her throat as she tried to understand.
“Yes.”
Gem was getting a bit pissed with his one-word answers, but she quelled that since he’d done this as a kind gesture.
“But how? No one could repair, and do all this on this old truck that fast!”
“Stan can,” he replied with a shrug.
“But…”
“Ms. Elwood. Will you please stop asking questions that do not apply, and please just get into the truck?”
Gem was surprised when she realized he was already sitting in it! How had she missed him move? She was just looking straight at him! Staring at him, she turned to get her books to put them in the bed when she realized they weren’t there! She looked around quickly, but didn’t see them.
“Your books are in the back, Ms. Elwood. Now. Will you please get into the truck? I would highly suggest it in light of the storm that’s coming,” he told her, pointing to the sky behind them.
Lightning struck terribly close to them, startling Gem who immediately jumped into the truck, and shut the door just as another lightning bolt hit a tree near the truck. She hadn't even noticed a storm had been brewing! And, why? All because she didn't want to take her eyes off of this magnificent specimen of a man! Really Gem? Get you head in the game!
“Put it into gear, and get us the hell out of here!” Hawkins yelled.
His voice knocked Gem out of her hormone induced haze! In seconds, Gem was speeding out of the parking lot, and putting the pedal to the metal. Again, lightning struck too close for comfort. Her foot slammed onto the brake, and they came to a sudden stop at a stop light.
“Which way?” Gem yelled in panic.
“Left!”
Gem turned the truck left, and stepped on the gas. Behind the truck, the storm seemed to be following them. Gem looked into the rearview mirror in shock! She wasn’t seeing things! That storm was following them! She pushed the truck to its top speed as she wove in and out of the mostly deserted streets of the town. Neither spoke, but while Gem kept her eyes on the mirrors, Hawkins' head was turned, looking behind them.
“Faster, Gem!” he yelled.
Gem didn’t argue, and just stepped on the pedal pushing it to the floor!
“I can’t go any faster! It’s to the floor, now!” she complained in fear.
“Just do it!” he yelled back at her.<
br />
Gem did as he told her, until she heard a relieved sigh come from his lips. And, they were such amazing lips! Suck it up, Gem, and shift your libido back into normal!
“Yeah. I’ll just get right on that!” she thought.
“The storm has subsided. We managed to get through another one without being hurt!”
Gem slowed the truck down, pulled over to the side of the highway, and stopped. She laid her arms on the steering wheel, leaning her head on them while she desperately tried to catch her breath.
“What the fuck is going on around here?” Jaxx muttered, opening the truck door.
Gem huffed as she, too, stepped out of it. She cornered Hawkins who had walked back about a block watching the thunder and lightning die in the distance. Gem stomped toward him. She was sick and tired of people not answering her questions, and acting as if they knew something that she didn’t. Coming to a halt, she turned, and almost stood toe to toe with him. If she had been taller, she could have said face to face.
“What the fucking hell is going on?” she demanded.
Without looking down, he answered, “I don’t know.”
Really? Did she actually hear him say that to her? His eyes were still staring at the storm behind them, so she knew that was a flat out lie.
“Professor Hawkins!” she yelled, slapping his left arm.
Jaxx seemed to finally have heard her, and his eyes slid down to hers. He had avoided looking into her eyes on purpose. After what Stan and Stacey had said to him earlier in the day, he didn’t want to know that they might be right. After unending time by himself, to find his mate, now, was just ludicrous! And, of all the women he had to meet, the one he would never have chosen! But, he might as well have tried to get away from the flood that destroyed Atlantis! It was inevitable.
Gem had no idea what was happening. How could she or Taylor have missed this man’s charisma, charm, and out and out gorgeousness! Was that even a word? There was no way on this planet that she could look away from him! She looked deeper, and began to think she saw something so enigmatic, there wasn’t a name for it. What she did know was that her heart beat heavier and harder until she almost couldn’t breathe. Her breath came laboriously, while trying to figure out exactly she felt. How could she describe it? Anticipation? No. Excitement? Yes, but that wasn’t all. It was then she realized that there was heavy dampness at her sex. Her jeans were soaked with it! Gasping in shock, she felt more flood from her! Breasts heavy with the need to be caressed grabbed her in the throws of excitement. Sexual desire. Gem had never felt this before. Even in school, she’d never felt what her friends talked about all the time. It was just this mystery that was out of her reach, because she had never had any feelings for the opposite sex. But, with the Professor? He was this “god” standing before her, and even though she was thoroughly mad at him, if he wanted her right now, she’d gladly strip, and let him do whatever he wanted with her! In fact, if she got the least hint, she’d demand him to thrust into her body! Oh, man! She couldn’t have these thoughts! For heaven’s sake! He was a Professor!
While Gem’s body was trying desperately to stop her desire, Jaxx’s eyes narrowed darkly. What they say about narrowly escaping eminent danger, or even death, was true. Even the thought of losing Gem gave him a hard-on that was so large, the only thing that would keep Gem from seeing it was the fact it was dark. His desire for her was running rampant, and he could feel his own fluid leaking from his slit, and dampening his briefs! If this kept up, his pants would be visibly wet very fast. But, his eyes could not tear away from hers, while her eyes were staring into his, heavy with need! He was about to lose control something he had never done in his life! Yet, here he was. A sudden breath of air invaded his nostrils with the most entising scent he had ever smelled! He breathed deeply. Oh, no! It was the scent of arousal, and pure intoxication. With that, he lost control of his rational faculties and his senses in his desperation to claim his mate. His arms reached out, and pulled her toward his body.
When Gem felt his strong arms around her, she groaned in anticipation of the kiss. In seconds, his mouth was on hers, devouring her as if he needed her lips like he needed to breathe! In truth, she needed it, too. In seconds, his tongue raked over her closed lips, and without thought, Gem opened her mouth allowing his tongue had full access. His lips sealed theirs even tighter while his tongue dove in and out tasting the sides of her mouth, her tongue, and anything else he could reach! Hesitatingly, Gem matched his tongue with hers, and he let her dive into him freely. Her tongue was like velvet against his! His scent and taste overwhelmed her senses. Apparently, it overwhelmed him as well, because his hands slipped down to her hips, and brought her tightly against something rock hard, pressing into her belly. In seconds, she realized what it was, and she gasped in shock! It was his arousal! It was hard, and grinding into her. Her sex flowed with her hot, silky juices readying her for him to plunge into her depths. She wound her hands into his black hair, pulling him even harder against her mouth and body.
A very low groan emanated from his chest – almost like a growl. She tasted wonderful! Gem’s arousal was a scent unlike any other woman. He drank her into his body with each kiss. His cock was so hard, he believed he would come just by kissing her! But, that’s not what he wanted. Jaxx wanted…no, needed…to plunge deeply into her body. Then, Jaxx wanted to pound it into her until he released his seed into the depth of her womb! Just the thought made him grind into her harder and harder. He could smell her juices that were covering her jeans. He couldn’t wait. Jaxx stopped the kiss staring into her eyes, breathing and panting heavily, watching her do the same. Without hesitating, he swept her up into his arms, and streaked back to the truck laying her down across the seat. Climbing into it, he lowered himself down on her body that arched along with her deep moans of desire. Hell! He felt like a horny teenager on his first date!
Gem groped at his shirt’s buttons, but they wouldn’t cooperate with her hands, so she ripped his shirt down the front sending buttons flying everywhere. She was too far gone with desire and need. She needed him inside of her – now! Watching him as he divested himself of his shirt in a second, his naked chest hovered above her. Oh, my Creator! He did have six packs! But, the tattoo, which covered the left side of his chest to his waist, was very ornate. It was like runes combined with wings in certain areas. And, as she looked, she saw that it went downward into his pants! She wanted to see the full tattoo, but that would mean that he would have to remove his pants and briefs! She licked her lips, as her eyes swept downward, then back up to his face. He had a smirk on it, so he knew exactly what she was thinking. Her fingers started tracing his tattoo slipping ever lower on his body, until they reached the waistband of his jeans. Grinning, she looked back into his eyes.
Jaxx was beyond hope, now. With that grin, he knew that she was his...or he was hers...or...what the hell! Lowering himself down onto her, again, he felt her soft fingers and nails stroke his back. It caused him to shudder in desire. He needed to feel her bare breasts against him. He lifted himself up, and in seconds divested her t-shirt so she lay in nothing but her bra and jeans.
“So beautiful,” he whispered, as his lips claimed hers once again.
Gem writhed underneath him! She could feel his bare chest on every part of her except her breasts. She needed to feel his rugged chest against them.
“Unhook my bra,” she whispered in between the kisses that he was lavishing upon her.
He stopped, turned her just a bit, and deftly unhooked her bra as if he had tons of practice – something she didn’t want to think about just now. He lowered her back onto the seat, removed her bra throwing it onto the floor of the truck, and let his eyes gaze on her full, voluptuous breasts teasing him with their hard tips. Gently stroking, he let his hand start at the base of one breast, and looking into her eyes, circled lazily to its peak, where his finger brushed against the hardened, rose-colored tip before lowering his mouth to suckle.
Gem arched her che
st upward when his mouth closed over her nipple, and begged for more and more as she pulled his head tighter struggling against crying out his name as he licked the ripe bud.
The sound of her muffled cry just spurred him on to the other breast. He kneaded and suckled her breasts to his heart’s content. Never had he tasted anything as good as this! He could spend the rest of their lives just like this, and he’d be happy. Happy? He’d never countenanced such a thing in his entire life! It was not unusual for his kind to take a mortal human for their own. Their mate. Once they had sex with a human, and bound them with the Blood Chain, they became immortal as well. And, then, it would be possible for impregnation to occur! Just look at Taylor and Rick. They had bound themselves together, and she had become pregnant immediately! The idea of Gem’s belly swollen with their child startled him in a way that he never imagined. He lifted his head to look into her eyes. They stared at each other in surprise, shock, and acceptance. Stan was right. There was no doubt at all in his mind. She was his mate. That’s why he went to all the trouble about the truck. Why he followed her to protect her after the walk and tonight. Jaxx would protect her against everything – but him. His hand reached down to unbutton and unzip her jeans, which he could feel were soaking wet.
When she heard the sound of him lowering the zipper on her jeans, Gem started to groan and writhe in excitement and anticipation! Then, she felt his hand slip down between her jeans and panties, sliding down to her curly patch that hid her sex.
“Spread your legs for me, Gem,” he whispered breathlessly.
She couldn’t answer, but she did as he asked. She placed one leg down onto the floor of the truck opening her sex to his touch. He groaned, allowing his fingers feel her soft folds and slick liquid that coated her entire sex. His fingers slid along the incredibly soft skin until he felt her swollen clit. Holding his breath, he felt the swollen nub, and began to gently caress it adding just enough pressure to make her desire his cock inside of her instead of his fingers with which he plunged into her heat.