by Unknown
One true love.
Oh yes, she was a very lucky woman indeed.
Jacques searched this man’s thoughts, finding Brogan’s true feelings about him. In that moment, he knew that the man before him would definitely never hurt either of them. Where he should be afraid of what Genevieve showed him, he wasn’t. He felt an overwhelming amount of love and trust. There was also something else there that Jacques never cared to have with a human before.
Friendship and brotherhood.
Jacques knew that fate had made a good choice. What they had together would endure for eternity.
When Jolie’s eyes met Jacques’s, a silent message passed between them. After seeing what lived in him, they would protect their human at all costs. Losing him would devastate them both.
When Brogan snapped out of the trance, he found himself submerged in the warm water with Jolie sitting on his lap. As her lips closed over his, energy seeped into him, feeding the need.
“If you don’t feel like going to the ball tonight, Flynn, I completely understand,” she said, giving him an out. “You’ve had a horrible night.”
While he appreciated it, there was no way he was going to spend any time away from them. At their side, there was peace. “I’m fine, Jolie. What time do we have to be there?”
“We’ll make our appearance after eight. It is best to arrive a little late, so we can make an entrance.”
Jacques handed Flynn a glass bottle with Jolie’s shampoo in it. He held onto it as Jolie slid below the water to get her hair wet.
“Why are we trying to make a grand entrance?” he asked, focusing on Jolie as she came up for air.
“Jacques and I want to draw their attention while you scope out the killer,” Jolie offered, as she brushed her hair back for him to shampoo.
Brogan felt his stomach tighten as her wet hair trailed across his chest. It wasn’t easy to concentrate as he poured shampoo into his hand to massage into her hair. He glanced over at Jacques, and he gave him that knowing smile.
“Hard isn’t it?” he whispered into his mind.
“I don’t think that’s the word for it. How did you do this for six hundred years and not go crazy?”
“Vast amounts of control, self-servicing of my own needs, and many cold showers multiple times a day.”
Both men laughed out loud, realizing their mistake when Jolie narrowed her eyes.
“I hope you’re not discussing me while I’m sitting right here,” she warned.
“Of course not, mon amour,” replied Jacques, pretending to wash off some imaginary dirt on his arm.
“I’d never think about doing that,” said Brogan, as he prayed the innocent look on his face would work.
Jolie glanced back and forth between them with her eyebrow lifted suspiciously. “You’re both lying to me.”
They stared at her.
Suddenly, she smiled and let it go. “That’s fine. You don’t have to tell me what you were saying. I’m okay with that,” she stated, as she slowly slid down the front of Flynn’s body.
He knew he was screwed when her eyes didn't leave his face until she sank beneath the water.
If anything, Jolie wanted to help take his mind off what had happened, and she would use the guise of their infraction to offer it up. Jolie would do anything to make Flynn forget his dream.
When she was fully submerged, Brogan sucked in a breath as his eyes went wide. “Oh God,” he hissed as his head dropped back to the tiled ledge. His body reacted to her touch beneath the water.
Jolie obviously had excellent breath control.
Jacques started laughing, glad to be free from her sexy tyranny. Then, the breath in his chest was torn away as Jolie sent him the most erotic pictures he had ever seen.
Neither man could think straight as their wicked water nymph broke the surface of the water.
“Liars,” she whispered, sending them a barrage of more pictures, in hopes to make them wild. It pleased her as their eyes never left her the entire time she dried off.
When Jolie was finally gone, Jacques spoke, “See, mon ami? I told you there were many cold showers.”
Brogan sat in the heated tub, his own blood boiling as Jacques headed into the shower. While Jolie thought the touching and visuals were torture, Flynn didn't mind at all. In fact, he was caught between amusement and lust.
She could bring it on.
When Jacques gasped from the icy kiss of the cold spray, Flynn’s laughter finally broke free.
Yeah, it was going to be a very interesting life.
∞ ∞ ∞
Friday Night
Jacques moved to stand near the fireplace while they waited for Jolie to finish getting ready. Their detective was pacing back and forth in his tuxedo. The way he continued to move his neck and shoulders, it was obvious that he wasn’t comfortable.
“Mon ami, you didn’t want to wear anything I would wear, so that was the only other viable choice. This is a formal gathering.”
“Aren’t you uncomfortable?” he asked, taking in Jacques’s attire.
Jacques looked down at his leather pants and black velvet jacket. He’d learned long ago that comfort was more important than personal preference. While his instinct preferred him to be less clothed, this was the next best thing. He’d worn a tuxedo before, and honestly he hated it. Bringing his hand to the lacy collared shirt, a giant ruby winked on his index finger. “No, mon ami, I’m fine.”
It was hard not to notice the jewelry. “You know that real men don’t wear rings that big, right?” he offered, pointing at the flashing stone. There was laughter in his eyes. There was nothing like teasing Jacques.
“I’ll have you know that the most beautiful countess in France gave this to me after a very exuberant night in her bed. I believe that when she was finally able to speak again, she took it right from her finger to put it on mine,” said Jacques, smiling.
Brogan crossed his arms. “Countess, huh?”
“I would sneak into her quarters just to make her scream my name. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen,” he grinned, putting his finger to his lips, as if it were to be kept their secret.
“Women don’t like when you keep the jewelry from previous conquests,” said Brogan, joining in the laughter. “I can’t wait to see Jolie kick your ass.”
“Oui, we will see.” He smiled, giving a very old world nod.
“My loves, you’re both stunning,” said Jolie, standing in the doorway. She enjoyed having both men turn to stare at her in amazement. “Are those looks of pleasure or horror? With you two, I can never tell.”
Jacques allowed his eyes to slide down the long length of her. Moments like this never ceased to amaze him. Jolie had decided on a formfitting sleeveless dress that clung to her body. The only way she was able to walk was the slit that ran the length of the dress, nearly to her hip.
He licked his lips.
Jolie grinned wickedly. Turning in a circle, she gave them a glimpse at the incredibly low dip that gave a seductive peek at her lower back.
Brogan wanted to run his lips over that spot just above the dress. “Holy shit!” he muttered, loosening his tie to cool off.
“Mon Dieu!” was all Jacques could mutter.
Jolie was more than pleased. While they might believe she dressed to impress the council and onlookers, it was false. Jolie lived to dress for the men in her life.
When Jacques’s accent was thicker, and both men looked flushed, she knew one thing.
Her mission was accomplished.
“Can you help me into this other glove?” she asked, holding it in her fingers. “They’re slippery.”
Jacques recovered first and moved toward her, willing to do whatever she wanted at that moment. As he pulled it up, his lips followed the glove, leaving gentle kisses across the satin. When he was finished, he took her hand and twirled her, before dipping her low. With a kiss, he finished their little dance move. “You’re beyond words.”
Regretfully,
he pulled her back up. What he wouldn’t do to have his way with her right then and there.
“Jolie, baby, you look amazing.” Brogan was finally able to stop staring as he regained the ability to speak a full sentence.
She glided toward her other mate, allowing him to mimic Jacques’s moves. Once dipped, she eagerly accepted his kiss.
When he slowly broke the lip lock, she had to admit the truth. “You look very handsome in a tuxedo, Flynn. I’m so glad I get to experience this.”
“Thank you, baby,” he replied, lifting her back up. When she was upright, Jolie fixed his tie.
It made his heart skip.
“How’s my hair?” she asked, touching it with her gloved hand.
Both men inspected it,
Jolie’s fingers brushed the intricate mass, as she waited for a comment. She had curls and twirls artistically arranged in various cascades, all held up with ruby studded pins. “Do you like the curls?” she asked, as both men stopped looking at the rest of her body to focus on her hair.
“Hey wait!” said Brogan, moving closer. He inspected the necklace which hung around her neck. It was made of multi-tiered blood red rubies. “This and the hair pins match his ring. In fact, the ring on his hand matches the ring on yours too.”
Jolie glanced down at Jacques’s hand, and then her own. “Oh, the memories,” she said, laughing. “There were two rings in the set, Flynn, and I forgot that I gave one to Jacques.”
“But do you recall why?” he asked, grinning wickedly.
Her laughter bubbled up. “Oh, how could I not? That night was monumental,” she admitted, touching his cheek.
“I do believe it was seventeen hundred and one, and we were celebrating your birthday.” He touched her chin gently. “You made me work for that ring,” he admitted.
Jolie beamed in radiance. “Well, it was my birthday. You were my gift that night.”
“To this day, Jolie, it’s one of my fondest memories.”
Brogan leaned against the wall. “So, she’s the countess and you were her secret lover.”
Jacques winked at their mate. “But of course I was. I can count on one hand the number of women I have slept with in my entire life, Detective.” He held up one finger, giving them both the truth. “I was young when I saw her, and she was my ultimate goal. How could I share myself with another, when she stole my heart that first day?”
Jolie was touched and wished she could admit the same. Unfortunately, her life hadn’t been so storybook.
She had secrets and not even Jacques knew them.
Quickly, Jolie got them off the track of sex before the tears came. Then, she’d have to explain. “There was something else I gave you that night,” she began, pausing as he reached into his pocket. When he pulled out a lace handkerchief, the tears did come. “Oh, Jacques. You kept it all these years!”
He opened his arms as she rushed his body. “Of course I did.”
“I love you,” Jolie gushed.
He whispered the words back to her before glancing over at their other mate. He could feel the detective touching his mind.
“Show off.”
“I’ve had centuries to perfect it. You’ll catch up,” he reassured.
“I’m telling her you told me you snuck into her room just to score,” he muttered, as Jacques laughed.
Jolie stepped back and brought it to her nose. “It still smells like my perfume.”
“Oui, it got me through many a lonely century,” he admitted solemnly.
Jolie placed her head against his shoulder. “Why did you keep it all these years?”
“I loved you for the longest time, and on that night, I vowed that one day, when you felt the same for me, I would give it back to you. I’m returning it, since our love has come full circle.” He kissed her cheek.
Brogan loved watching them together. He hoped that in their future, he’d be able to toss out that kind of memory too.
Jolie wanted to spend more time reminiscing, but unfortunately, they had a job to do.
“We should go,” she admitted.
Flynn agreed. “We should, since somewhere at this party is one of our killers. Plus, this tux isn't a whole lot of fun. I’m jealous of Jacques’s leather pants and getting cranky,” he teased.
“Yes, you’re right, Flynn. Are we taking the Jag?” she asked, as they each slipped her hand through their arms to lead her away.
“No, our car is out front,” answered Jacques, steering them to the front door. When he pulled it open, there sat a long, black, stretch limousine.
Jolie grinned, not shocked that Jacques would handle all the details.
“I knew that you’d want to arrive in style,” he added, locking the front door before leading them to the limo. The chauffer stood there, waiting for Jolie to enter first.
When she squealed, Flynn turned toward Jacques. “Let me guess. Someone bought her flowers?”
“Oui, but they’re not from me. They’re from us,” he offered.
He was grateful.
Not waiting any longer, Jacques climbed into the back seat, only to be assaulted by Jolie’s exuberant kisses.
Flynn moved the flowers to take a seat. “They’re black roses too. I’m surprised she didn’t mate with you the day she met you.”
He grinned wickedly. “I got bolder as we were together longer,” Jacques admitted, passing Jolie to her other mate.
“Yes, he did.”
Jolie didn't hesitate to kiss Flynn next. When she was finished, with her black glove, she gently wiped the lipstick off his lips.
Flynn needed a distraction. While Jolie was wiggling in his lap, her tightly clad ass was driving him insane. “What’s the plan when we get there?”
It worked. They began focusing on the evening’s festivities.
Jolie’s mood instantly changed. Gone was the jovial and in its place was seriousness. “We might get lucky tonight and find the vampyre with the scar.”
Unfortunately, Flynn needed to know. “When you find and kill him, how deep is the shit going to be when it hits the fan?” There was no way he’d pretend he wasn’t worried. They’d just been excommunicated for doing something similar.
“Deep,” admitted Jacques, “but only if we get caught by the council.”
“So, how do we kill him and not get sentenced to death by the vamps running this dog and pony show?” he asked. “Or don’t I want to know?”
Jolie patted him on the cheek. “When I figure it out, I’ll let you know.”
“That doesn’t really reassure me, baby. I’m not the kind of guy who likes to wing it.”
Jolie didn't speak, and that said it all. From here on out, they were doing just that.
“Oh hell,” he muttered when she didn't offer any reassurance on the matter.
Jacques knew trouble was coming, and from here on out, they were on their own.
∞ ∞ Chapter Eleven ∞
When they arrived at the ball, it was already approaching nine. If Jolie wanted to be fashionably late, she had succeeded. The minute they entered and began the descent into the old ballroom from the stairs, they were the center of attention.
All eyes were on her and the two handsome men flanking her. There were whispers and pointing as they reached the bottom step.
It didn't bother her in the least.
This was exactly what she had hoped to achieve. Now, they would be watching her, and Flynn would be able to make his move, disappearing into the crowd.
“Stay in contact, my love. We’ll distract them with some dancing,” Jolie offered.
“I’ll find him, but you two need to be careful.”
“You too, mon ami. If you need us, call. Whatever you do, don’t approach them alone. You can die a lot easier than we can.”
“If you get killed, Flynn, I’ll be pissed,” she warned.
He simply laughed. “Yes, Countess.”
Brogan walked to the table reserved for them, smiling to himself. It was nice to have someone wor
ried about his wellbeing for a change. At the elegantly set table, he found silverware and dishes adorning each place setting.
That amused him.
Vampyres didn't eat, and this was just one more farce they used to create an illusion.
For now, it was a matter of biding his time as he got down to work. Watching Jolie and Jacques enthrall everyone in the room, he was a little jealous. What wouldn’t he give to twirl his girl around the room like that? Alas, it didn't matter. Flynn sucked when it came to dancing.
He’d leave this part of the night up to the pros.
When he felt her eyes on him, he glanced up. Jolie’s laughter floated across his body like silk, bringing a smile to his lips. Even while with Jacques, she took the time to remind him that she was with him.
Having her in his life was amazing.
As he glanced around the room, some of the vampyres he saw at the council were drinking and celebrating the evening, all the while watching Jolie and Jacques.
If they wanted center stage, they had it.
Before he felt the touch on his arm, Brogan knew his partner was right there. Since he didn't trust any vampyre sneaking up on him, he turned rather fast.
“Relax, Flynn. I just wanted you to meet Malachi, my mate.”
Introductions were made, but Brogan didn't calm down at all. While he didn't trust anyone but his family, he tried to be pleasant. Holding out his hand, he shook Malachi’s.
“It is a pleasure,” Flynn said, nodding his head slightly.
“Yes, it is, Detective. I never thought I’d see the police at one of our events, but who am I to judge.”
Brogan said nothing, although he could remind the man that his mate was a cop too. His statement proved what he already suspected. Lily was nothing more than a trophy on the man’s arm.
Yeah, it was good to know. He now knew who was calling the shots in that relationship.
“They’re spectacular, aren’t they?” he asked, motioning toward Jolie and Jacques. “You can tell that they’re ancient. The way they move, behave, and command a room is proof.”
“Yeah, it’s all that old world charm,” Brogan replied, not liking how Malachi was watching Jolie. If the vampyre licked his lips once more, he was going to rip them off his face.