The Heir

by Ariana Rodriguez

  Jessica barely had time to admire her hairdo before she was off to the makeup artist. They also showed her the dress she planned to wear later that night and the artist gave her a natural look that Jessica felt comfortable with.

  She'd never realized how much work a girl went through to look perfect for just one night. Time flew by that afternoon and next thing she knew she was shimmying into her lacy dress; carefully, so as to not ruin her hair or make up.

  There was a knock on her door as she was tying the belt around her waist and Jessica opened it to find her mom standing there with the jewelry case in her hand.

  Jessica bid her to come in with the motion of her hand. Lauren smiled at her, looked her over with care and said. "You look beautiful."

  Jessica laughed and waved away the compliment. "I think your bias."

  “I think you're right." Lauren agreed. “But I also think you're missing something." She tapped her chin with the index finger while looking at her.

  Jessica also looked down at herself and asked worriedly. “What? What am I missing?"

  "This." Lauren told her and opened the case to show her a silver necklace, elegantly simple, with a diamond teardrop pendant.

  Jessica shook her head and backed away from her. "Oh no, I don't do jewelry." She explained.

  Lauren just smiled and shook her head, she wasn’t taking no for an answer. And after minutes of her mother’s insistence that she wear it, Jessica finally gave in and turned around to allow her mother to place it around her neck. When it was secured Jessica turned around and thanked her; smiling her mom gave her a kiss on the cheek, told her that no thanks were necessary and left her to finish getting ready.

  Alone in her room again she bit on her lip nervously, the only thing left to do was to put on her new pumps. It had been a long time since she'd worn high heels and thought that maybe she should put in some practice.

  By the time there was another knock on her door she'd managed to wear a whole in her carpet but she also managed to gain the confidence to walk around in her black pumps.

  She opened the door to find Christian on the other side and he let out an appreciative whistle at the sight of her. Jessica couldn't help but blush and swatted his arm playfully. "Stop it." She ordered.

  Christian laughed and placed his hand over his heart. "I can’t help it!" He confessed. "I see a pretty female and I want to howl." And, playfully, he proceeded to do just that.

  Shaking her head, Jessica laughed and took the arm he offered her. Together they made their way downstairs where Nick waited for her.

  His loud intake of breath had her smiling nervously at him. "You take my breath away." He murmured, taking her hands and spreading them to the side to take a good look at her. "Beautiful." He added fervently.

  "You don't look too bad yourself." She told him, trying to hide the effect that his words had on her. She looked him up and down and realized something. "Either great minds think alike or there is a mole in my camp."

  Nick laughed and looked down at his black dress shirt and light tan colored slacks. "Pure coincidence." He promised.

  Jessica raised an eyebrow and looked skeptically at Nick, then at Christian who wouldn't meet her eyes. "Sure it was." She drawled.

  Nick was saved from having to defend himself with the arrival of her family. She performed the introductions and after a couple of minutes of talking, Nick shook hands with her parents and promised to have her home safe and on time. Her smiling parents nodded and watched them walk out.

  When they reached his car, he opened her door and helped her inside before walking around the front and getting into the driver’s seat. Jessica looked around in confusion and asked. "Where are the guards?"

  Nick waved his hand. "They are around somewhere but don't worry about them, tonight it's just you and I."

  He reached for the rose he'd placed in the back seat earlier and presented it to her. "This is for you-"

  "Thank you."

  "-I wanted to give it to you at the door but." He shrugged and a corner of his lips quirked up. "I was nervous and forgot about it."

  Jessica laughed. "I'm glad I'm not the only one."

  Nick smiled. "And I'm glad you said yes." This time it was Jessica's turn to smile. "Have I told you how beautiful you look in that dress-I mean you are always beautiful but that dress..." He shook his head and mock leered at her. "I feel like the big bad wolf that tried to gobble up little red riding hood. Do you know any woodsmen?"

  Jessica shook her head and felt a shiver of excitement shoot up her spine at the look in his eyes. There was a gleam in them that she'd never noticed there before. "My, what big teeth you have." She joked breathlessly.

  He gave her a toothy smile. "The better to eat you with... and I will." He promised, glancing down at the edges of her dress. His look and his words made her feel a thrill like no other.

  Before she could respond he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "Don't worry little red you're safe with me." He told her as he started the car and backed out of the driveway then gave her a sideways glance and added. "For tonight."

  Chapter 16

  She'd didn't taste a single bite of her food-not that she ate enough to taste. All of her senses-all of her attention was concentrated on him. She didn't know when but somewhere along the line her feelings had begun to shift and it was a shock to find that his earlier promise excited her. Before she would have been offended by his words but now she only felt anticipation coursing through her veins.

  He felt her regard and his gaze lifted to connect with hers. "Is something wrong with your food?"

  She shook her head. "It’s fine."

  "Then why aren't you eating?"

  She smiled wryly. "I can't."

  He smiled back. "I know what you mean. I don't seem to be hungry for food either."

  He called a waiter over, had the plates full of food taken away and ordered some coffee.

  "I like your necklace." He told her, trying to break the silence as they waited for their drinks.

  Jessica reached for the piece of jewelry that rested just above and between her breasts and ran a gentle finger over the pendant. "Thanks but it's not mine. I don't own any jewelry so I borrowed it from my mom."

  Nick stored that bit of useful information away and said. "Well it looks beautiful on you just the same."

  His glance strayed back down to where the pendant rested and she had the suspicion that he wasn't looking at the necklace. She smiled at him knowingly but before she could say anything the waiter arrived with their drinks. Somehow that small interlude broke the ice, they drank their coffee and continued what they had begun during their last-and first date; they worked on getting to know each other better.

  Nick talked about the members of his pack which he promised she would meet soon, but still managed to avoid talk about their "mated" situation. Jessica spoke about her love of motorcycles and told him stories about her learning experience. Nick admitted that he taught himself to ride because of her and they shared a couple of laughs over stories of each other’s pride bruising falls.

  Time flew from there and soon Nick was paying the bill and helping her out of her seat. Outside of the restaurant he turned to face her and admitted. “I’m having fun and I don't want to take you home."

  "I am having fun too."

  Nick threw his head back and laughed. "Don’t sound so surprised. I noticed a parking lot carnival on the way here, would like to go?"

  She'd looked down at her bare legs and high heels and raised an eyebrow. "I don't think I'm appropriately dressed for the rides."

  "We don't have to get on the rides. Come on let me win you a stuffed animal." He took her hand and led her back to the car.

  It was a short drive to the small carnival. Nick parked the car and went around to help her get out. She was shaking her head when he opened the door. "What?"

  She shook her head again. "Nothing, it's just that no one has ever opened my door before."

  "W
ell get used to it." Taking her hand, together they walked towards the carnival game area.

  The first game they came upon was a water racing game. The operator, a girl, was talking into a microphone telling them to step up and give it a try.

  Her enthusiasm was contagious and Nick decided to give it a shot. He paid for them and asked the girl if she could make it a two people race. She readily agreed and he and Jessica sat down next to each other.

  "My name is Rachel and I am your race caller. Aim your guns at the target, when the bell goes you go, first one to reach the top wins." The girl explained.

  Nick looked over at Jessica. "Let’s see if you are as good with a gun as you are with a knife."

  Jessica smiled at him with a battle gleam in her eyes. "Let’s do this."

  The bell went off and water shot out of their guns. It was a tight race until Jessica nudged him with her shoulder and he lost his aim. Her number went off and she laughingly accepted her price-a small blue frog.

  He helped her up from her seat and murmured. "Cheater." Before leaning down to give her a kiss.

  The light touch of their lips under the game lights took her breath away and made her shiver.

  Nick noticed and pulled her close to put his arms around her. "Sorry, I didn't think it would be his cold and I forgot my coat."

  "It’s ok."

  "One more game and then we go?" She nodded and he looked around before asking. "What stuffed animal would you like me to get you?"

  Smiling wickedly, she pointed at the 3 milk bottles game. "I want one of those."

  He eyed her suspiciously. "You don't think I can do it?" She shook her head and he led her to the game, determined to prove her wrong. He failed the first time and he mock glared at the chuckling Jessica, "That was just for practice round.”

  "Sure it was." She responded airily.

  And it was; he knocked down the three bottles down on his next try. Triumphantly he looked at her and told her to take a price. Shocked, Jessica pointed at the big black Rottweiler dog. The game attendant got on a ladder to pull it down and handed it to Nick who in turn presented it to Jessica. They laughed at her failed attempt to wrap her arm around its neck and he offered to carry it for her and she happily handed it over.

  Holding the dog over his shoulder with one hand, he wrapped his other arm around Jessica’s shoulders and together they turned to leave when he spotted the short line on a certain ride. "Come on." He told her and led her toward the Ferris wheel.

  The seats were big enough for the dog to ride along and it fit perfectly into his plans. She sat in the middle and he wrapped his arms around her. "Perfect." He murmured when she leaned into him. They rode in silence until they reached the top. "Beautiful." He exclaimed.

  "Yeah, I can see everything."

  "I wasn't talking about that view." He said looking down at her.

  Their gazes connected and he slowly lowered his lips to hers. It was a soft kiss that lasted until the ride attendant cleared his throat to inform them that the ride was over. Jessica blushed, Nick laughed and they both thanked him as they got off. He put his arms around her again and smiled to himself when she leaned into him again

  The drive back to her home was done in companyable silence. When they arrived he parked the car and told her to wait while he got out and went around to open her door. She took his offered hand, smiled, thanked him for his assistance and stood back as he got her stuffed dog out of the back seat. With the dog on his shoulder, he walked her to her door.

  "Thanks." She told him. "I had fun."

  "I'm glad. I did too."

  Smiling, she stood on her tip toes and gave him a light kiss on the lips. Dropping the dog, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her flush against him; he deepened the kiss until they were both breathless. "Invite me to your birthday party." He whispered against her lips.

  Speechless, she nodded and he smiled.

  "I'll be busy all week and I won’t get to see you but call me?" she nodded again, "OK, I'll see you on your birthday."

  Chapter 17

  Time flew that week and next thing she knew the day of her birthday party had arrived.

  With the exception of dress shopping, she spent the morning doing the same thing she'd done for her date with Nick; manicure, pedicure; hairstylist and makeup artist. Also like last time Christian met her at her door and walked her down the stairs where Nick waited for her.

  It would kill her to admit it, but she had missed him. They'd spoken on the phone every night but those nightly talks weren't nearly enough.

  When she reached him, he gave her a light kiss on the cheek and complimented her looks. "Beautiful" He said with awe resonating through his voice.

  She was wearing the second dress she'd purchased last week and her hair in an up do.

  "And this is for you." He pulled a slim box from his front pockets and presented it to her with a smile and wished her a happy birthday.

  Jessica thanked him and flipped the jewelry box open. Lying inside was a necklace the likes she'd never seen before. It was beautiful. It was exquisite. But she could not keep it and told him so. She tried to give it back to him but Nick shook his head and took a step away.

  "This is too beautiful I am not a jewelry person, I am afraid I will lose it" she persisted.

  Nick shook his head again and wrapped her hand over the gift. "Don’t worry about it." He told her. "You don't have to ever wear it. I just wanted you to have your own necklace and I knew this one was made for you the moment I saw it." Jessica shook her head and he continued. "Besides your second gift, in my opinion, is better."

  Jessica’s eyes flew open. "You got me more than one gift?"

  He nodded, took her hand and led her to the backyard. When they stepped out everybody shouted happy birthday but her concentration was centered on one person.

  “Uncle Mike?!"

  Her honorary uncle, the man who’d helped raise her, took a step forward, smiling from ear to ear, and opened his arms. In a daze yet still mindful of the clothes she was wearing she walked rapidly into her uncles outstretched arms.

  Her uncle wished her a happy birthday and she smiled tearfully. "Thank you but how, when?" she asked in confusion. "I thought I wasn't going to see you for a long time."

  "I thought so too." Uncle Mike smiled at her before looking over her shoulder. "But someone convinced me that it was safe enough for me to attend your birthday party."

  Jessica looked over her shoulder. "Thank you." She told Nick.

  Nick shook his head. "No thanks are necessary."

  Jessica thought otherwise, part of her had been dreading her birthday because it would be the first time that she would celebrate it without her uncle and mom. Thinking about her mom, she felt a twinge of sadness because she wasn't there but she was comforted with the fact that she at least had the chance to see her uncle again.

  "You’re right." She told him. “This was a great gift."

  Nick, shaking his head, came up to stand beside her and leaned down to whisper into her ear. "I'm glad you liked seeing your uncle, but that's not your birthday gift." He confided.

  "It's not." Her eyebrows scrunched up in confusion.

  He shook his head and moved to the side. Shocked, Jessica watched as her mom separated herself from the group of birthday wishers. "Mom?"

  "That's your birthday gift." Nick pointed out then murmured a happy birthday and nudged her towards her mom Layla.

  "Mom!" She cried and ran into her mom's arms.

  "Happy birthday Jess." Her mom whispered in her ear.

  Jessica smiled and whispered into her mom's shoulder. "It is now."

  Her mom pushed her back to take a look at her. "Wow, how did they get you to wear a dress?"

  Jessica laughed. "I have no idea."

  "Well you look amazing."

  "Yes she does." Her mom Lauren, who had come up behind them, agreed.

  By the looks, it seemed that all three of her parents had taken the time to have a t
alk with each other because there were no awkward moments between them.

  Later when the three of them were talking, she confided to them how lucky she felt to have two moms. Wordlessly, they both smiled and engulfed her in a hug and she knew it had been the right things to say. "I'm so happy to be able to spend my birthday with the both of you."

  Layla nudged her head towards Nick who was talking with her brother. "And you have him to thank for that. If it wasn't for him I would be in some deep trouble."

  Jessica turned to look at him; yes she'd yet to thank him for the wonderful surprise. As if sensing her gaze, he looked up at her and for a second, it was as if they were the only ones around. Smiling and breaking the trance, he excused himself and made his way towards her.

  Jessica did the same and they met halfway. She looked up at him, even with high heels she still had ways to go. "Thank you."

  The words were spoken from the heart.

  He shrugged, uncomfortable with her gratitude. "It was nothing."

  "It's everything to me." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "I thought you said it was dangerous to bring her here."

  "It was, it is." He told her and shrugged again. "But your my mate, I want you to be happy, especially on your birthday."

  And that's when it happened, an earthquake. An earthquake like she'd never experienced before. It lasted only seconds but it managed to turn her whole world upside down. She looked around, amazed that no one else had felt the tremor. But why would they? They weren't the ones who had just realized that they were in love.

  True, her feelings for him had been evolving for a couple weeks and true, she'd always believed he was a danger to her heart but she never realized just how dangerous and how soon she'd reach this point. Almost like a thief in the night, he'd snuck in and made away with her heart.

  "Hey, are you okay?" He asked, dragging her back from her inner turmoil.