Before I did anything stupid, I practically ran back to Trent’s room. I rushed inside and closed the door, my heart thumping wildly.
Trent had pulled the blackout curtains closed, shrouding the room in complete darkness. He patted the bed, and I climbed beneath the covers.
“Took you long enough,” he said, pressing his lips to my forehead.
I rested my head against his chest and snuggled closer. He trailed his fingers up and down my arm, the touch comforting and hypnotic. I shifted so I could reach his mouth, and then I kissed him, pouring all of my fears and pent up frustrations into it.
“That’s not how you should be kissing me if all you want to do is sleep.” His voice was deep and raspy, and his intentions were clear.
I kissed him again, harder, more intensely, and he groaned against my lips, the sound reverberating through my body. He cupped the back of my head, holding me to him. I swung my leg over his waist and straddled him, tucking myself snuggly against him.
“I don’t think I want to sleep anymore,” I whispered.
He chuckled, then his hands were under my shirt, his fingers grazing across my stomach in the most tantalizing way. “Good. Because I’ve really missed you.”
I giggled. “You’ve seen me every day.”
“I know, but it seems like it’s been forever since we’ve been alone.” He brushed hair from my forehead, and then gave me a kiss so tender it had the power to bring tears to my eyes.
He was the sweetest guy I’d ever met, and he loved me so much—more than I could ever truly comprehend—and I was having naughty dreams and thoughts about his brother. I was hands down the worst girlfriend on the planet. I needed to fix whatever was wrong with me, though I had no idea what that was.
“I’ve missed you, too,” I whispered, bringing his mouth back to mine.
****
STRETCHING, I FORCED MY eyelids open. Trent was curled protectively around me, and it was still pitch black in his room. What time was it? I glanced at the clock on his nightstand—8:45 PM. I jolted upright, my movement causing Trent to do the same.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, suddenly alert.
“It’s almost nine o’clock.” I scrambled out of bed and futilely attempted to search for my clothes. “Why didn’t anyone wake me? Aunt Beth is probably freaking out. She’s going to kill me.”
“Chloe. Relax.” Trent reached for my hand, stilling my frantic movements. “Abby called home and asked if you two could spend the night with Whitney. She said yes. It’s fine.”
I sighed with relief and sank back down onto the bed. The momentary surge of adrenaline I’d gotten disappeared, leaving me slightly shaky, but at least my heartrate was back to normal.
“Abby’s out with Wyatt, and Whitney and Sean went to feed,” he said.
I glanced over my shoulder at him. He was propped up on an elbow, head resting in his hand. Would I ever stop being stunned by how handsome he was?
“Did you finally get some sleep?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I nodded. Actually, I felt a lot better than I had in days. “Do you need to feed?”
“Yes.” He sat up. “But I’m okay for now.”
I wanted to offer to let him feed on me, to beg him to bite me so that I could feel with him what I’d felt with Jax. But I knew how Trent felt about that, so I kept my mouth shut.
Instead, I said, “You can go. It’s okay. I’ll wait here for you.”
“Are you sure?” He stood. “I can be back in an hour, tops.”
I smiled. “I’ll hang out here, maybe find some food for myself.”
“The fridge is fully stocked. Whitney made sure of it now that she has human friends.” He pulled me to my feet. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? I can wait until tomorrow, after you leave.”
I wrapped my arms around him. “It’s fine. I promise. Go feed.” I gave him a chaste kiss, then shoved him toward the door.
A little time to myself was exactly what I needed anyway. I had to figure out what was going on with me, but I had no idea where to start. Isach swore it wasn’t him, and for some stupid reason, I believed him. What was happening now was different than before; it was stronger, more primal. I should tell Whitney what was going on; maybe she could help me.
I flicked on the bedroom light and searched for my clothes. After getting dressed, I made a pitstop in the bathroom, and then wandered into the kitchen. It was weird being in Trent’s house alone like this, especially when it was so eerily quiet.
I opened the refrigerator and stuck my head inside. He hadn’t been kidding when he said it was fully stocked. Whitney must have bought out the store.
“Looking for something?” Jax asked.
Gasping, I slammed the door shut and spun around. I swallowed hard. “I didn’t think anyone else was here,” I said lamely.
He leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, a teasing smirk plastered across his face. “It’s you and me,” he said, clearly enjoying the situation a little too much.
Me and Jax alone? Not good.
“Oh, well, I’m just gonna grab some food, then wait for Trent in his room.”
Though, I really didn’t have much of an appetite anymore. I wanted to go lock myself in Trent’s bedroom and not come out until he got back.
“I can make you something.” He pushed off the counter. “What do you want?”
“No, that’s okay. I’m fine,” I said.
I scurried across the kitchen, putting as much distance between us as I could. My heart was in my throat, and my pulse pounded in my ears. I never should have insisted Trent leave, or I should have made sure Jax was gone, too.
“Fear?” Jax spat the word with utter disgust. “Really, Chloe? After everything, you’re still afraid of me?”
“No,” I said slowly, drawing out the word. I wasn’t afraid of him; I was afraid of what I might do with him, but there was no way I was telling him that.
“Then why have you been going out of your way to avoid me?” He stalked toward me, and I scrambled around to the other side of the island counter, effectively putting it between us.
“Because it’s easier this way. For both of us.”
He stopped on the other side of the counter and raised a brow. “Easier?”
I nodded.
“Not for me.” He flattened his palms against the countertop and leaned over. “Now, why don’t you try telling me the truth.” His eyes narrowed accusingly.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and glanced around. This was the part where I blurted out my true feelings and threw myself at him. We’d kiss until I couldn’t breathe, and then I’d inevitably wake up gasping and sweating. But… I had no idea if I was dreaming or not. It had become impossible to tell what was real and what wasn’t.
“You’ve been acting weird since we’ve gotten back,” he said. “You barely speak to me. You zone out. You’re always distracted. You’re not sleeping again. What is going on with you?”
I stared at him, unsure what to say. He’d really noticed all of that? Just how closely had he been watching me?
“And those marks aren’t fading.” He nodded at my neck, and I protectively cupped my hand over the bite mark. “I’m worried about you, Chloe.”
Sighing, I momentarily closed my eyes. When I reopened them, Jax was standing beside me, his gaze imploring. He gently removed my hand from my neck, and I shivered at his soft touch.
“There’s something wrong with me,” I whispered.
“What?”
I shook my head. “I can’t tell you.” More like I didn’t want to tell him. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what he’d do when he found out what had been going on in my head.
“Why not?”
My shoulders sagged, and I hung my head.
“Have you told anyone?” he asked, his tone compassionate.
“No.”
Jax gently tipped my head up and peered into my eyes. “You have to tell someone, Chloe Even if it’s not me. You clearly nee
d help. Tell your aunt, or go to a doctor.”
Scents of soap and mint swirled around me, making me slightly dizzy. Had he always smelled that good?
I laughed bitterly. “Trust me, telling my aunt is not a good idea. And no doctor is going to be able to help me.”
“You think whatever’s wrong is Isach’s fault?” he asked, his expression contemplative as he tried to put the pieces together.
“It has to be, but he swears he’s not doing anything.” I stepped away from Jax and crossed my arms. “So, if it’s not him…” I shrugged.
“Please tell me what’s going on.” He closed the distance between us. “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t want me to, but I want to help you.” He took my face into his hands. “Please.”
Everything inside of me flared to life, almost like he’d flipped a switch, and there was a severe tug in my chest, a longing for something only Jax could give me. The bite mark tingled with warmth. He caressed my cheek with his thumb, and my resolve cracked.
“Let me help you,” he whispered.
And then my self-control snapped completely. I wound my arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely. “I can’t stop thinking about you,” I said on gasps of breath in between our hungry kisses. “I keep dreaming about you. About us.”
Jax lifted me onto the counter and stood between my parted legs. “Chloe,” he groaned, kissing me like he was starved and I was an all-you-can-eat buffet.
“Every night, I dream about kissing you, having sex with you,” I said.
He growled low and dangerous. “All you have to do is ask, sweetheart. I won’t ever tell you no.”
“I keep fantasizing about you biting me again.” My heart was out of control, and my body was on fire.
With a snarl, he went for my neck, kissing where he’d left his mark, and I grasped his shoulders, bracing myself. Waiting for the sting of his bite. Longing for the euphoric flood of feelings that would follow.
“I want you, Chloe. I want this so bad.” He kissed and nipped at my neck, but he didn’t bite me.
“What the hell is going on here?” Trent shouted. “Get your hands off her!”
And then a second later, Jax was violently ripped away from me. Trent threw him across the room, and Jax landed in the living room, on the now busted coffee table that cracked like thunder. The house shook from the force of it.
I remained on the counter, stunned, my pulse pounding in my temples. What just happened? This was the part where I was supposed to wake up. Why wasn’t I waking up?
Jax charged at Trent, and I watched helplessly as they threw punch after punch. Flesh hit flesh. Bones cracked. The metallic tang of blood hung in the air.
“Stop!” I shrieked. “Stop, stop, stop!”
I hopped off the counter, but my entire body shook uncontrollably, and I dropped to my knees on the floor. Clutching my head, I leaned forward, sobbing. “Wake up. Wake up. Wake up,” I chanted.
But I wasn’t waking up.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT:
Shattered Reality
“OH, GOD,” I WAILED.
Trent kneeled beside me, his hand on my back. “Chloe. What’s wrong?” He tensed, then said, “You stay away from her.”
There was a low snarl, but Jax listened to Trent and took a step back.
“This isn’t real. It can’t be real,” I mumbled.
It had to be another dream. It had to be. I pinched my arm, but nothing changed. I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them, blinking so hard I made my head hurt. Still, nothing changed.
Trent scooped me off the floor and carried me into the living room. He sat on the couch and held me in his lap. I buried my face against his shoulder and cried.
“Please tell me what’s going on,” he said, and his voice cracked.
“I’m sorry,” I choked out between sobs. “I’m so sorry. I never…” I hiccupped and slid my arms around his neck, holding him as tightly as I could, terrified he’d get up and leave me forever.
“Hey, it’s okay.” He rubbed my back, and we were silent for a few moments. “You have to talk to me.” His voice was low at my ear. “Tell me what’s going on. Please.”
With a strength I didn’t know I possessed, I pushed myself away from him and wiped my tears. Jax stood behind the couch, watching me. I couldn’t begin to imagine what he must be thinking.
I took a deep breath and opened my mouth to speak, but before any words came out, the front door opened. Whitney and Sean walked in.
“What happened to the coffee table?” Sean asked, annoyed but not all that shocked.
“I threw Jax at it,” Trent said.
“Why this time?” Sean closed the door and crossed his arms.
This time? I shouldn’t be surprised something like that had happened before. Those two seemed to enjoy fighting with each other.
“He was kissing Chloe.” There was too much jealous venom in Trent’s voice.
“For the record, she kissed me first,” Jax said.
My head snapped in his direction, and I glared at him. Whitney gasped, her gaze landing on me with far too much accusation and questions.
Trent snarled. “He’s lucky I didn’t stake him.”
“Enough,” Sean said. “Someone better tell me what’s going on. Right now.” His voice was brusque and left no room for disagreement.
I slid off Trent’s lap and sat on the couch, head in my hands. There was no more hiding it. I had to tell them everything.
“It’s my fault,” I muttered. Dragging my hands over my hair, I looked up through tear-stained eyes. I had no idea where to even begin.
“What do you mean it’s your fault?” Trent asked. “Is Jax telling the truth? Did you kiss him?”
I nodded, unable to meet Trent’s gaze. There was no way I could handle the hurt and betrayal I’d see. So, I took the cowardly way out and kept my gaze focused on my hands.
“I’ve been having these dreams for the past few weeks. Dreams about Jax.” I swallowed hard.
Admitting I was having wet dreams about Jax in front of Trent was bad enough, but knowing his father was listening, too? Talk about mortifying.
“What kinds of dreams?” Whitney sat beside me and took my hand in hers, the gesture wholly comforting.
“Inappropriate dreams,” I whispered.
Jax snickered, and Trent once again snarled.
“Dreams where I’m kissing him and… doing other things. I say things to him, too. Things I normally say to Trent. They’re very vivid, and lately, I haven’t been able to tell what’s real and what’s not. Tonight…” I paused to take a deep breath. “Tonight, I thought it was just another dream, but then it wasn’t.”
Sean dragged one of the smaller couches across the floor like it weighed nothing and positioned it in front of me. “How long has this been going on?”
“Since we were rescued from the coven. It’s been gradually getting worse.” I gathered my hair and held it away from my neck. “And these aren’t fading.”
Trent was off the couch and in front of Jax in the blink of an eye. “You did this to her!”
Sean was out of his chair and standing between them before I ever realized he’d gotten up. He had one hand on each of their chests. “Enough. I will not have you two fighting in the house.”
“Fine,” Jax bit out. “Let’s take it outside, then.”
I twisted around, eyes wide with horror. “Trent, don’t,” I pleaded.
He barely glanced at me before moving away from Jax, but Trent didn’t return to sit next to me. I couldn’t really blame him. If I’d caught him kissing someone else, I’d be pretty angry, too. Trent stood near the fireplace, arms crossed.
Sean returned to his seat. “May I see your neck?” he asked, nodding at me.
I lifted my hair again, and he leaned forward. Gently, he touched the bite mark, and I bit back a groan. Sean jerked back, his gaze colliding with mine, and in that second, I knew.
He’d somehow felt my torment over the thoughts
and feelings I’d been having for Jax. The love I had for Trent and the guilt I had for how I’d betrayed him. How he knew, I had no idea, but there was no mistaking the understanding in his gaze.
“What is it?” Whitney asked.
There was confusion written all over her face. Either she chose to respect Sean’s privacy and not read his thoughts, or he was guarding them. There was now a pit in my stomach the size of the Grand Canyon.
“I’m not sure, but I know someone who might. I’m going to make a call.” Sean stood, and as he left the room, he stopped beside Trent and whispered something in his ear that I couldn’t hear.
Whatever he said, Trent’s posture relaxed slightly, and he finally met my gaze. “C’mon.” Trent nodded for me to follow him.
I scrambled off the couch, not wanting to give him any reason to decide not to talk to me.
He led me into his room and closed the door. “I’m going to ask you a few questions, and don’t lie to me, Chloe.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
“Is that the first time you’ve kissed Jax since you’ve been home?”
“Yes,” I said quickly and without hesitation. “And I didn’t even mean to actually kiss him. Like I said, I thought it was another dream.” My voice cracked, and I fought the urge to shed more tears.
“When you’re with me…?” His gaze darted to the bed, then back to me. “Do you think about him?”
“What?” I asked, shocked. “No. Never.” I shook my head adamantly.
Trent nodded once, then rubbed the back of his neck.
I wanted nothing more than to go to him, to wrap my arms around him and tell him how much I loved him. I wanted him to hold me like he had earlier and whisper how much he loved me. But I stayed rooted in place, afraid if I pushed, he’d leave, and I could not handle that right now.
“Do you love him?” he asked.
I sucked in a sharp breath. Of all the questions he could have asked me, I wasn’t expecting that one. Nor was I prepared to answer it. I shuffled toward the bed and sank down on the edge of the mattress. He’d said not to lie to him, and I didn’t want to, but answering this question truthfully would crush him.
“Chloe? Do you love him?” he repeated, this time more forcefully.
Eternal Bond : (The Cursed Series, Book 3) Page 20
