The Heir

by Ariana Rodriguez

  This way.

  He wanted to growl at the thought that another had touched what was his, yet refused to put a name to the way he felt every time he thought about someone else making love to her. He didn't know why he felt so possessive; it wasn't as if he'd hadn't enjoyed his fill of willing women throughout the years.

  He took another deep breath and with it her unique scent, it made him dizzy with longing and he knew he couldn't hold back any longer. He had to taste her, he had to love her, he had to claim her and leave no doubt in everyone's mind that she was his.

  Chapter 19

  This is not my bed, she thought groggily as the web of her dreams loosened its hold on her and the fog of sleep drifted from her mind. Keeping her eyes closed and trying to regulate her breathing, she took stock of her surroundings. The feel of the soft sheets surrounding her; the arm enclosed around her waist, the soft breath blowing against her neck, the hard, warm, body she felt against her back.

  Nick.

  His name flashed through her mind and the events from the night before began to replay in her mind like a movie in high definition.

  Vivid pictures of the things they'd done together and the pleasure he introduced her to. The memory of his touch, the way he made her feel worshipped by his kisses, his hands-his whole body. Even now she felt safe and protected, but, unfortunately... she also felt uncomfortable.

  How was she supposed to deal with the morning after? What did she say? Was she supposed to act like her world hadn't shifted? As if two tectonic plates hadn’t come together and shaken her world?

  She'd never been in this position before. Maybe she should just try to slip out of his embrace and out of his room- his house and avoid any awkwardness all together. She would call him from home, she decided, where she would be safe behind her own walls. Away from eyes that could see too much.

  Her mind set, she began to pull back the covers slowly, trying not to disturb Nick, when she felt a breeze against her naked flesh.

  Of course, I have to find my clothes first, she thought, looking down at her naked self.

  She looked around the room hoping to spy her articles when the arm around her waist tightened. She grew still and slowly lowered the covers over herself again. Taking deep, calm breaths she waited until the arm around her waist relaxed before trying to move again.

  Seconds passed until she tried to get out of bed again and once more his arm tightened around her. Her heart stopped and she froze for a second.

  "Going somewhere?"

  "You’re awake." It wasn't a question, more like a sigh of resignation muttered after her heart began to beat again.

  "For a while now," he agreed.

  "So...you were awake while I was trying to slip out?"

  She felt his nod against her neck and she turned her face into the pillow while mumbling. "Great."

  He buried his face in the crook of her neck trying to hold back his chuckles. If it wasn't for the fact that this was all new to her he would have been upset that she was trying to leave him like a thief in the night. Instead he found it funny, that the girl who never backed down from a confrontation was uncomfortable and was trying to slink away. She felt his body shaking and, without turning to look at him, asked him what was so amusing, Nick told her between chuckles and in return received a soft elbow to the stomach.

  "I was not trying to run away, I was trying to..." She hesitated for a second trying to come up with a reason and spoke triumphantly when she did. "Use the restroom."

  Nick just shook his head and gave her a tight hug before lifting his hand and pointing to the door in his room. “My private restroom is right there."

  "Yeah, I knew that." She grumbled, looking at the door, but didn't try to get up.

  "Aren't you going to go?"

  "No."

  "Why not?"

  "I'm naked."

  He chuckled and graced the tip of her breast with the palm of his hand. "yeah I noticed." The responsiveness of her breast from his touch made them both catch their breaths. "If it helps you feel better, I'm naked too." He nudged his lower body closer to her to prove it.

  Jessica's eyes widened and it was a jerk reaction when she scooted away. She knew it was going to take some time to get used to this new level of intimacy. "It would help me feel better if you closed your eyes or something." She finally told him.

  "I'll do even better." He turned and reached for his shirt lying at the end of the bed and handed it to her. "Here you go." Jessica, who had the sheet up to her chin, took it and slipped it under the sheets and looked at him expectantly. "What?" He asked her.

  "Close your eyes." She twirled her finger. "Or turn around."

  Nick turned on his back and brought his arm up to cover his eyes with a sigh. "Fine but just so you know I memorized every inch of your body last night."

  Jessica hurried, slipped on his shirt and dashed to his bathroom without saying a word.

  Nick peeked at her retreating form from the corner of his eye, shook his head and chuckled quietly. Looking up at the ceiling he sighed deeply. He was relaxed in a way he'd never been before. Something about her, there was something about her that affected him like no one else could.

  Before he could dig too deeply into his feelings Jessica walked back out looking refreshed but he could tell something was wrong. "What’s wrong?"

  She didn't make eye contact with him while she went around the room picking up her discarded clothing and said. "I should get going, my parents will be worried."

  He sat up abruptly, his wolf didn't like the idea of his mate leaving him, or lying to him.

  "Jessica, come over here."

  His calm and soothing tone didn't give away the emotions that were roiling inside of him. He stretched his hand out, palm up, towards her and waited a couple of seconds for her to make up her mind. Jessica looked at him strangely then down at his hand before walking to him slowly. She placed her hand in his and before she knew it, he pulled her down and rolled on top of her.

  "Why the rush?"

  She lay stiff as a board beneath him and refused to look at him, instead she stared with cold eyes over his shoulder at the ceiling. "I told you, my parents will be worried."

  He looked steadily at her and asked. "Have I told you that now that the serum is gone from your body that your scent changes a bit when you lie?" Jessica shook her head and a corner of his lips quirked up in admiration of the way she raised up her chin, trying to hide her surprise. "Why don't you tell me the truth?"

  She glared at him and told him grudgingly. "I happened upon all your female toiletries. I don’t think you are that in touch with your feminine side." She told him sarcastically. “Which must mean you have plenty of female company around, I'm sure you can call someone to take my place as soon as I leave."

  His eyes widened incredulously with every word and he broke out in a smile when he realized what her problem was. “You are jealous." Happily he kissed the tip of her nose and she glared at him.

  "No I am not."

  Yes she was and it was eating her inside. The thought that he had so much female company that he had to keep things on hand for them killed her. The thought she was probably just another one in a long line of conquests. The thought that she'd just given her most treasured give to someone who was just using her...

  "Don’t be." He told her, snapping her from her gloomy thoughts, he tried to kiss her lips but she turned and the kiss landed on her cheeks instead. "Hey, look at me." He waited patiently until she did before telling her. "I got them for you."

  Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. "You did?" He nodded sheepishly, his admission had an instant effect on her emotions, and she smiled at him and asked. "Mighty sure of ourselves aren't we?"

  Nick shrugged, unable to deny it.

  After marking her that morning weeks ago-and even before then- he had been sure that one way or another they would end up together. He didn't deny it, but, in hopes of steering away from that subject, he did admit that he himself had be
en jealous before last night. His admission earned him a look of confusion. "Of all the guys that I thought had touched you before me.” He clarified then continued his gaze trapping hers. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

  Jessica looked away.

  "Jessica?"

  "Yeah?" She bit her lip; waiting for what she already knew was coming. She'd been positive that her inexperience had gone unnoticed and now she knew she'd been wrong.

  Nick watched her intently; he didn't miss the fast pace throbbing of the vein in her neck. "Jessica, look at me." She did so slowly and when she did, he leveled a look at her and asked, "Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell me you weren't innocent?"

  She shrugged before admitting. "I don't know." The truth was that she'd been uncomfortable admitting to him that she was old fashioned. He quirked an eyebrow and remember what he'd told her about scenting lies so she told him some of the truth. "I guess I didn't want to be a prize. I wanted you to want me for me, not for what I would be giving you; I never want to be a trophy."

  That brought him up short.

  Remembering why he'd approached her in the first place, he realized that he would have to be tactful when he clued her in on her true identity. He knew it would have to be soon too, it was going to be hard to explain his reasoning but he could start by clarifying one thing now.

  "You are not a prize."

  And she wasn't, not in that way, not anymore, not after he'd gotten to know her. Somewhere along the line his feelings had shifted, just like his life and his priorities. It no longer mattered to him who her father was and he could foresee a long uphill battle trying to prove it to her. One thing he did not foresee was losing her, they were mates now and he refused to let her go.

  Tormented just from the thought, he swooped down and kissed her, trying to convey all the feelings that he could not put into words. He'd never been good at talking about his feelings, growing up the way he had no one could blame him. His home had been a cold one, to the outside world they had seemed like the perfect family, but behind closed doors it was a different story.

  His parents married for mercenary reasons, they cared little for each other and much less for their children. Growing up people claimed that his parents were soul mates. He was ten when his mother ran off with another man leaving him and his sister at the mercy of a cold hearted pure blood lunatic.

  He was ten when he decided that soul mates did not exist.

  He still didn't believe but he did believe that the nameless emotion between Jessica and him was powerful. And he vowed that it would only get stronger.

  "You are not a prize." He repeated and nuzzled her throat, in love with her scent.

  Something was different about it but it was so faint that he shrugged it off deciding that it was all due to their mating. He nudged her legs apart and laid between them while he kissed a trail down her neck. He reached his mark at the base of her neck and gave it a soft lick before moving down to her breasts.

  Jessica sighed and he trailed back up to kiss her lips again.

  When they broke apart they were both breathless and panting with need. He took a deep breath before saying. "You are not a prize, but I am not going to lie, the cave man in me is doing a victory dance, I am proud to know that I am the only one that knows you so intimately. “ He kissed her again and whispered against her lips. "Thank you for such a wonderful gift."

  Jessica buried her face against his chest and trying to make light of the situation, said, "No the pleasure was all mine."

  She felt his whole body shake before she heard his laughter, it was contagious and she began to laugh with him. When their laughter finally died down their gazes connected and at that moment the connection between them seemed to grow. Nick kissed her softly at first then deepened the kiss as their passion grew.

  "You are good." She told him when they came up for air.

  Nick leered, mockingly, at her and proceeded to show her just how good he was. Even though he didn't consider himself a playboy growing up he'd taken advantage of some of the willing women around him, he had sex with them but he never made love to them. He'd never made love until Jessica came along. Using his body he told her things that his lips could not.

  Minutes later, after regaining her strength, Jessica opened her eyes and gasped. "I see stars!"

  Nick chuckled and raised his head from where it rested on her chest, amazed that he had the energy to even do that, and gave her a quick kiss. He tipped his imaginary hat and with a western drawl said. "Yes ma'am you are welcome!"

  Jessica laughed and swatted his arm playfully. "Not that." she pointed up at the ceiling. “You have glow in the dark stars up there!"

  Nick rolled gently off of her and rubbed the spot over his arm. "Ouch, I think my ego just took a beating."

  Lying on their sides, facing each other, she smiled wryly at him. "It could use a couple more."

  He leaned forward and rubbed his nose against hers. "Then it's a good thing I will have you around."

  "Actually about that." She fidgeted nervously. “I hope you don't expect me to move in right away. Not that I don't want to. I'd just like to give my mom sometime to get used to the idea that I'm moving out. I mean I don't want to go home and start packing right away."

  Nick nodded understandingly, even though his wolf growled at the thought that he would have to be away from his mate. "That's fine; it also gives me time to set up a gathering of sorts to welcome you into the pack. People are dying to meet you." He informed her with a smile.

  "Really?" Nick nodded and was about to speak but was interrupted by the ringing of Jessica's cellphone. She answered it, promised to be home soon and hung up. Her smile held a bit of sadness she looked at him and said. "I have to go."

  Reluctantly, they got out of bed and after they got dressed, went downstairs together. Axel, Christian and Matt were sitting in the living room, waiting for them. When they reached the living room entrance, all three clapped, whistled and congratulated them. She didn't miss the knowing smiles and she could feel her face burning but refused to try to hide her embarrassment.

  Thanking them, Nick chuckled, wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her close to his side. She leaned her head on his chest, over his heart, and he explained to them that she wouldn't be moving in for a couple more weeks. Without waiting for a response and turned around and he walked her out the door, to her bike and helped her on.

  "Do you think your mom will be OK with you moving out in a couple of weeks?" He asked her before she put on her helmet.

  "Why?"

  He stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked down at the ground, hoping to hide the turmoil between his two halves that letting her go home had caused. "Because I don't think I can wait longer than that."

  She shook her head and admitted in a low voice. "Nor can I."

  "Then we will have the party in a couple of weeks and you can move in then."

  She nodded her agreement, kissed him one more time, ignored the smooching noises that the three stooges were making and promised to call him when she got home. Nick stood back and watched her go already missing her and feeling like two weeks were an eternity away. When they, Jessica, Axel and Christian, disappeared from sight he turned around, and with Matt, headed inside to begin preparations for the homecoming of The Heir.

  Looking back at the road, he decided that when she was safely by his side he would come clean about everything.

  He only hoped that whatever feelings she had for him were strong enough to stand their first test as mates. Half a year ago he hadn't cared about her feelings towards him, about her reaction to the revelation of her inheritance, he hadn't cared at all and he'd only seen her as a means to an end.

  Now he saw her as more, much more and deep down he feared losing her.

  Chapter 20

  Was that mark in her eye getting darker? Jessica asked herself.

  Or were her eyes getting brighter?

  The hand that held the mascara brush froze in midair a
nd she leaned over her en-suite counter; closer to the mirror, to take a closer look at her eyes.

  Or was it a combination of the two? She wondered.

  Before she could decide there was a knock at the door followed by her mom’s voice, "Jess, are you ready to go?"

  "Almost mom."

  She hastily brushed one last coat of mascara on her eyelashes before taking a look at herself. Her eyes weren't the only thing that had changed; her whole outer appearance was different. She was different, but in a way that she was unable to put in words.

  Jessica shook her head before she could get caught up in her own thoughts and she grabbed the jewelry case on the counter and opened the door. "Mind helping me with my necklace?"

  Her mom readily agreed. Jessica gave her the case before turning and lifting her hair.

  "It really is a beautiful necklace." She murmured.

  "Thanks, I think so too."

  "There." Lauren told her after she clasped the necklace and took a step back. "You are almost perfect."

  Jessica turned around to look at her mom. She raised an eyebrow and asked. "Almost?"

  Lauren took Jessica’s arms and spread them away from her body; she stepped back, tapped her chin with her index finger and took a long look at her. "You look gorgeous, but something is missing."

  "What?" Jessica asked, looking down at herself.

  She was wearing a white, one shoulder, Grecian styled floor length dress with a belt made of thick locks of gold beads around the waist and matching detail at the neck that she'd paired with gladiator sandals. Jewelry wise she only wore the necklace that Nick had given her on her birthday.

  Worrying her lip, Jessica wondered what she could be missing.

  Seeing the look on her face her mom laughed.

  "You look fine." She assured her. "But you are missing-" She reached into the pocket of her pants and her hand came back up in a fist. Palm up she extended it towards Jessica and slowly opened her hand, "-you are missing this."

  A gasp escaped past Jessica’s lips and her eyes grew wide as she eyed the treasure sitting on the palm of her mom’s hands. "They are beautiful but I don’t think I can wear them. They look too valuable."