A Torn Dream (Jade Book 2)

by Lucy Rains

  Chapter 23

  I eyed the beautifully made hotel bed, with its plush white comforter and gold thread lined pillows. “This is a bad idea.”

  Pierce dropped our bags on the floor by the hotel door and walked up beside me. “The guys will bring extra blankets and towels.”

  My heart sank and I sat down on the loveseat in the corner of the living area. “This is horrible,” I breathed. Shaking my head while I looked out the window overlooking a nearby park. “No girl should have to go through this kind of humiliation. And pain.”

  “First of all,” Pierce shucked off his shoes, “you are no ordinary girl.”

  I cringed at his implication.

  “Second, there is nothing to be embarrassed about.”

  I scoffed, “That is so easy for your to say.”

  Pierce walked over and sat in the elegant plush chair that was angled right in my line of sight. He tilted his head, “You’re not pregnant. Your body is going through the process to let you know that, it's nothing to be ashamed about.”

  “It’s disgusting,” I argued.

  “Disgusting is watching you let another guy try to lay his hands on you in violence.”

  Pierce’s tone had dropped and his calm emotion had evaporated. Now I could feel the anger he was trying to keep in check.

  I shook my head and leaned back into the velvet cushion. “Not you too.”

  Pierce’s lip curled to bare his canines lengthening and I knew I needed to tread carefully. “What the hell did you expect, Jade? For us to stand by and enjoy the show?”

  I wanted to argue, wanted to defend myself but my heart softened and my mouth stayed closed. I had been naive to think that a simple sparring match would not affect the guys. Actually, I didn’t really think at all. I had wanted my ego stroked, to show that I was stronger than Tobias and his cocky self. And in doing so had pushed the guys to a stressful breaking point I didn’t understand.

  Pierce exhaled and stood up, heading to the bathroom. His emotions were riddled with anxiety and tension. More so than I had felt in weeks.

  “What is the matter?” I called out.

  He kept walking, keeping his back to me as he turned on the water and filled a glass goblet. I waited until he had emptied the glass and drank through another before coming to a stand. “Pierce?”

  He turned towards me, crossing his arms and leaning on the bathroom door frame. His eyes trailed over the carpet around my feet, his lips rubbing together.

  I walked forward, not stopping until my body was only a few inches away from his. “What are you not telling me?” I asked softly, my own anxiety beginning to kick in my chest.

  Pierce lifted his eyes but still did not look into mine. “Well, where should I start? Is it the fact that the person I care for most in this world is weakening more each day? Or the fact that she’s demanding to come on a hostile and violent mission with us despite her frail body? Or maybe the idea of moving through new countries with her health being unstable and hoping I can keep her safe and do what needs to be done?”

  I stood there, soaking in his words. My mouth had gone dry and my heart hammered in my chest. I was filled with a mixture of humility and nerves. His fears were justified. His statement of caring for me cutting me to the core. But there was more. More he wasn’t saying.

  My head shook slowly, “What else?” His eyes came to mine, and I raised an eyebrow. “What are you not telling me?”

  Pierce released a breath I didn’t know he had been holding. His lips began mashing together again, his jaw moving. The fear that I felt deep inside his mind was not centered around the things he had just said to me. I knew this because when he spoke, his anxiety became distracted, unfocused.

  After a few minutes of contemplation he finally spoke. “Kyson is worried about how your body is going to handle this cycle of bleeding. With your body becoming so weak.”

  I took a step backwards, my fingers coming to my lips. I could feel the blood drain from my cheeks as his words soaked in. “Do you think…”

  “It was so hard on you last time, he’s concerned about how it will affect you this time when you’re not as strong as you were.”

  My arms wrapped around my stomach, trying to ignore the dull thud of pain that beat in my pelvic area. “Is there anything I can do?”

  Pierce sighed and shook his head, his face full of discomfort. “Not without taking you to a hospital. But that requires ID, paperwork, security cameras, and physical trails. But,” he paused, his hand coming to my face, “if it gets to that point- we won’t hesitate.”

  I would have to be strong. Stronger than last time. My chin lifted and I nodded, I couldn’t risk our safety with needing medical attention.

  Pierce felt the shift in my resolve and his eyes softened. His hand cupped my face and a corner of his mouth lifted. I didn’t get a chance to ask why he was smiling because his mouth was suddenly on mine.

  It felt like it had been an eternity since Pierce had kissed me. Drinking me in like he was dying of thirst. His heavy needs rolled off of him and into my mind, like uncaging a beast. His hand left my face and pushed on my waist to bring my hips, and core closer to him. The warmth of his body was like a welcome heat source and I shivered.

  Pierce pulled back, his mouth parted, looking at me. “Jade…” he whispered, his voice heavy with desire. “We don’t have to. I know you...”

  I swallowed the saliva that had gathered in my mouth and met his intense stare. He was waiting for my response, waiting to see where we would go next.

  Slowly, my hands came out and slid under his shirt, pulling at the belt that was fastened at his waist. His body tensed in heated excitement as I undid the buckles and zippers. I looked away from his face to look down at him, still sheathed in his black briefs. My fingers trailed over the lines of muscles on his lower abdomen that I had admired from afar, dreamt about, and yearned to touch. My core burned hot as my fingers landed in the line of hair that trailed south.

  Pierce couldn’t wait any longer. He wrapped his arms around me and lifted me backwards and onto the bed. He made quick work of my shoes and shorts, then my t shirt. My body was bare before him in seconds. His eyes never left mine as his own clothes fell to the floor.

  I looked over his body, stared at the pure man before me. I eyed his erection that wanted to be inside me and felt a wave of insecurity wash over me. My excitement turned unsettled and I resisted the urge to cover up.

  Pierce’s eyebrows came down, “Jade?” He knelt above me, his face coming close to mine.

  It was too much. The idea of sex, complete intercourse, I was not in a frame of mind that I could handle such a thing. I thought I was, but the sight of Pierce being ready to take me forced me to realize that I wasn’t. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I...I don’t think I’m ready yet. Not for…”

  Pierce’s mouth closed into a frown, his worried brow creasing. “We don’t have to.” He brought a hand to my face, his thumb brushing over my lips. His hand trailed down my neck, between my breasts, over my stomach and down to my wet parts that had begun pulsing in need.

  He smiled when I gasped in pleasure at his movements, his fingers on me. I felt the raw satisfaction that I brought to him, knowing he was pleasing me. There was no disappointment in his mind at waiting for intercourse. He was happy, delighted at what he had of me.

  Pierce left my eyes to bring his mouth down to my breast and gently brushed his tongue over my nipple. Again, and again. His hand moving around me faster. My legs spread wider, opening myself completely for him to touch freely. The small movement pushed his arousal even higher, and a deep groan erupted from his chest.

  The delicious sensations spun my senses and I cried out. His hands moved firmly, feeling all of me. His mind could feel my growing ecstasy, his breath quickening as he watched me.

  Before I came, I felt his hardness rubbing on the inside of my thigh. My eyes closed and I focused on all the sensations Pierce was bringing to me. His mouth, his fingers, and
his penis against the soft tender parts of me. I reveled in it, let my heart bask in his physical attention. When his hand slowed to focus on bringing me to my peak, I cried out in hot pleasure. His mouth left my breast and I knew he was watching me. Watching me lose my mind as I became lost in the waves of my orgasm.

  As my breathing slowed and my hips stopped moving against him, I opened my eyes. He glanced down my body and back into my eyes. I waited for him to lay down so that I could touch him, but instead, his hand moved and his fingers delved inside me. I gasped again, my hips flinching at his fingers rubbing me again in ways that caused my orgasm to roll through me again.

  He sat there patiently, watching me moan in pleasure, staying still as my hands clawed into his shoulders. I writhed in the comforter, feeling the prickle of sweat behind my back.

  Pierce was able to sense when my waves has stopped completely, because he did not remove his hand until that point. He brought his hands down, resting on his elbows and melting his mouth onto mine. His hips laid flat against my pelvis, and they began to rub at consistent tempo with firm pressure. It was like our first time, only with no fabric between our intimate parts.

  He broke away from my mouth and dipped his head by my ear, breathing heavy against the bed. His entire frame trembled as he rubbed himself against my outer lips, feeling high on the feel of me against him.

  I pressed my hands against his back when he bellowed into the bed, his body jerking as he erupted on me and continued sliding against my heated core. His elbows came in closer, tightening around my shoulders. When I slipped hands lower to grip him from behind, a deep moan rose from his throat. He was soft, yet firm. Smooth, but also tight.

  He held himself above me for several seconds, staring into my eyes as he caught his breath. I traced a finger over his parted lips, feeling their warmth against my skin. He kissed my fingers and then lowered himself beside me. We rested side by side, looking at each other silently. I wanted to do it again. My core was burning for another round. But my broken body was spent and I could feel myself slipping.

  “Pierce?” I mumbled, my eyes becoming heavy.

  He didn’t answer, but smiled in acknowledgment.

  “Do you love me?” I asked.

  His hand on my waist tightened. Not with tension, but affirmation. The same deep sentiment I had felt from Gavin when he spoke those words, now came from Pierce. Pure, calm, joy. “You are a part of me, Jade. A part that no one else will ever be able to fill.” His hand came up and pressed in the middle of my chest and he sucked in a breath of air. “The thought of losing you is unfathomable.”

  “But why?” I whispered. “Why me?”

  His hand left my chest and went back to my waist, pulling me closer to him. His bare legs wrapped between my smooth ones. “Because you brought me back to life. You think you only saved Gavin?” He shook his head, “You gave me air to breathe again. Watching you morph into what you are now, my lover, my companion, I could not keep myself from loving you. And when I felt your trust in me, it brought me happiness I had never felt before.” His hand left my waist and stroked the side of my head. “You are so strong. So powerful. So beautiful. I am honored to be yours.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. “I will wait as long as you need.”

  My arm raised weakly to stroke his face, wishing I could kiss him. But my body had filled with lead and my mind shifted into darkness.

  ******************

  My conscious resurfaced a couple hours later when the other three guys arrived. Their tightly wound emotions quickly pulled me to attention and my eyes flew open. Their arms were full of large duffel suitcases and paper bags. Gavin spoke softly with Pierce, motioning towards the bags as Kyson and Alex removed their shoes.

  Alex made eye contact with me and smiled mischievously.

  “Don’t you dare,” I warned.

  He took three large bounding steps towards me and leapt like a cannonball onto the bed, causing me to fly two feet up with a shriek. Thankfully Pierce had slipped his shirt over my head and replaced my underwear, but I still clutched at the comforter for coverage. I was still trying to catch my breath when Kyson suddenly flew on to the bed. Since he was larger in build and stature than Alex, my body flew even higher.

  The guys were laughing at both my expression and the sight of my flailing figure. I was sorely tempted to flick energy at their temples but was enjoying the sound of their laughter too much. Peirce pulled an apple out of a paper bag and tossed it to me, then pulled one out for himself.

  “You guys are imbeciles,” I mumbled through a mouthful of apple. “What are you like, 12?”

  “On a scale of one to ten? Absolutely,” Alex replied, positioning himself next to me on the bed with his hands behind his head.

  I pretended to choke on my apple bites. Kyson couldn’t help but chuckle at Alex’s ego stroking.

  “You know I am too hot for words,” Alex joked.

  I swallowed. “Stop calling yourself hot, Alex. The only thing you can turn on is a microwave.”

  Kyson hooted in laughter and even Gavin was smiling as he pulled up a chair to sit in with his feet propped up on the bed.

  Not wanting to let me have the last comeback, Alex turned like a flash of lighting and was on top of me with a torturous tickle revenge. It only lasted for a few seconds though because the other guys could not stand the sight of Alex torturing me. Both Gavin and Pierce pulled him backwards with low growls in their throats.

  Hair hung in my face as I straightened myself. Alex pushed it back and pressed a quick kiss to my mouth. I smiled and chuckled along with him, an unspoken truce.

  As everyone settled down the tension in the room began to rise again. I rubbed my forehead and squinted, “Why is everyone so uptight?”

  “Don’t ask stupid questions,” Gavin said, in typical moody Gavin-form.

  I scowled at his retort, “I’m sorry, but your stupid emotions mean more to me than you must realize.”

  “There’s a lot going on,” Pierce said, placing food items in our mini fridge. “A lot out of our control. New situations we have little time to prepare for.”

  I wanted to growl that they were hurting my head but realized so much of their anxiety was centered around me.

  “So, what are we going to do?” I asked. “After looking at the maps and pictures, do we have a plan of attack?”

  “Who said there was a ‘we’ in this?” Gavin asked, propping his elbows up on the arm rests.

  My eyebrows flew up and I glared at him. “What the hell does that mean?” I shot back.

  “Jade,” Kyson called softly.

  I looked at him with skepticism. “If you think I’m going to be anywhere but by your sides for this entire trip you’re delusional.”

  “Jade,” Pierce barked, his frustration rising. “You. Are. Not. Well.” He spoke through gritted teeth. “Bringing you will put us at more risk than we already are.”

  My mouth closed as my throat began to swell and my eyes burned. I was a burden, I realized. They didn’t want to take me because I would slow them down, would be a hindrance in every way, putting them in danger.

  Kyson placed a hand on my knee and squeezed. “We will take you as far as the town where we meet the heli-pilot. Gavin is going to stay behind with you.”

  My heart dropped to my stomach and I laughed bitterly, choking on my tongue, “Fantastic.” I blinked hard, trying to control my tears. “Why don’t you just leave me here in Paris?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Pierce said.

  “I’m being ridiculous?” I sat up, throwing the covers off and jumping out of the bed.

  “Jade, wait,” Kyson tried to stop me but I moved out of his reach. “Let’s try to think positive about this, okay?”

  “Yeah well, I’m positive everyone is an asshole.” I stomped off to the bathroom and slammed the door behind me.

  Their voices sounded behind the closed door but I blocked it out by turning on both the bathroom ventilation fan and shower water. E
ven though I was by myself in the privacy of the bathroom, I still refused to let my tears fall. I bit into my bottom lip, drawing blood as I shucked off Pierce’s shirt and my underwear.

  I stood motionless under the heated spray of water. My mind was spinning with the guy’s decision. My emotions were rocking through various points of anger, frustration and ultimately sadness. Splitting up our group at such a volatile point seemed like a horrible idea. Dangerous. But Pierce was right. I was weak, unsteady, unable to keep up with simple physical movements. I wanted to argue that it shouldn’t matter. The guys should bring me along anyways, they should want me there with them. I belonged with them when they got Roman. Roman would need me.

  But how could they work through the security around the building if one of them was busy carrying me? How could I expect them to keep me safe while they infiltrated a heavily armed compound? I closed my eyes at my selfish wants and leaned against the marble wall.

  There was a knock at the door and Pierce’s voice sounded behind it. I shut off the water and grabbed an oversized cream colored towel from the nearby rack. Rubbing the towel over my face to clear the droplets, I wrapped it around my body and stepped out onto the bath mat.

  When I stepped forward to unlock the door, it was not Pierce’s presence that I felt behind it. I opened the door to see Gavin’s hard face waiting for me. As much as I knew he cared for me, I did not feel emotionally strong enough to converse with his stubborn personality.

  He came into the bathroom, leaving the door cracked behind him. The television had been turned on and I saw Kyson and Alex rolling out sleeping bags on the floor.

  “Why didn’t you guys just get another room?” I grumbled. “No one needs to sleep on the floor.” I tucked the towel tightly into my cleavage and pulled my brush out of my toiletry bag, not wanting to meet Gavin’s eyes.

  He wasn’t going to tolerate my nonchalance of his presence. Gavin reached out and gently but firmly turned me around by my waist, then took my wrist to pull the hairbrush from my hand. His mouth was turned down, his eyes focused hard on the back of my hair as he pulled the brush through it. I hated that he was so beautiful even when frustrated, even when I wanted to be mad and argue with him. Looking passed his dark green eyes and feeling his mind, there I found the fear he was holding back. It was darker than the expression he held in his eyes, heavier than the pressure in my chest.