by E. J. Powell
“How long has this been here?” Jessie asked as Helena led her to a punching bag in the far left corner.
“Forever. It’s mostly Ashley’s family that uses it, but the Dark Lords train here as well. Even Libby uses it from time to time, although not as much now that she’s pregnant.”
“Libby is the one that married Ethon, the vampire king? She’s the vampire hunter?”
“Ex-vampire hunter. She and Colt were vampire hunters. Now, they hunt demons with us.”
“I guess people can change.”
“Only if they want to. It’s always a choice.”
Helena grabbed some gloves from a box on the floor and put them on Jessie’s hands. They were big, but not as heavy as they looked. Jessie tightened her hands in the gloves.
“Okay, this is kind of some basics,” Helena said. “When you go to swing, you want to turn your heel outward. If you swing with your right, your right heel goes with it. If you swing with your left hand, your left heel follows. You want to do this so you don’t throw your back out twisting it, and you’ll pack a bigger punch.”
“Got it.”
“This is a right hook.” Jessie watched Helena throw her right fist in a curve, hitting the bag bare fisted. “You try.”
Jessie did as was told and mimicked Helena’s move.
“Good, but don’t tap the bag. Really sink your glove into it. Every hit should be meant to wound if not kill.”
Jessie did it again and watched the bag jut to the left.
“Better. Now this is a left upper cut.” Helena shot her left hand up, hitting the bag where a jaw would be.
Jessie mimicked her and hit the bag.
“Now, do a right hook, then a left uppercut.”
Jessie did.
“Good. Never just hit once. You don’t know what your opponent can take and if you let off, you could leave an opening for him to rebound.”
“Okay.”
“Now, I want you to lift your knee to your chest and kick straight out. You want to aim your foot towards the chest, but don’t over extend. The point of this is to kick your opponent back.”
Jessie lifted her right knee and kicked out. The bag barely moved.
“You’re aiming too high when you kick out. Don’t go for the head, go for the chest, and really put your muscles into it.”
Jessie kicked again. This time the bag hit the wall behind it.
“Much better. Now, do the combo. Right hook, left uppercut, right kick.”
Jessie obeyed. The bag shot in three different directions before it centered back.
“Nice. You want to get faster and stronger, so keep practicing, but remember your form. Don’t sacrifice quality for quantity. Three good hits, is better than six shitty ones.”
“Got it.”
“Helena, we need you out here,” Ashley called from the doorway. Helena rolled her eyes.
“I’m coming.” She turned to Jessie. “I guess she’s not done with me. Keep doing the combo until you’ve perfected it. We can come back to this tomorrow if you want. I’ll show you some more.”
“Yeah, that would be great.”
Jessie watched Helena leave the gym. She smiled to herself. She had always been terrified of the Dark Lords, Helena specifically. Now, she couldn’t remember why. Sure, Helena could be a real bitch at times, but she did have a sweet side.
She turned back to the punching bag. She was going to get this. She was determined to not let Rocco, or anyone else, get the better of her again.
CHAPTER 10
“You’re up early this morning,” Ashley said as Daniel walked into the kitchen. He grabbed a banana from the counter.
“It’s noon,” Daniel said, peeling back his banana.
“Still early for you.”
“Have you seen Jessie? I was hoping to see her last night after I played, but she must have gone back to her room.”
“She was down in the gym pretty much all night.”
“The gym? What for?”
“Helena’s training her.”
“Training her?”
“You know. Weapons, hand-to-hand combat, kickboxing. Training.”
Daniel rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, I know what you meant the first time.”
“Are you sure? It didn’t seem like it.”
Ashley poured some coffee into her mug. Daniel took a bite of his banana and watched Ashley reach for the sugar. She poured a heaping pile of it into her coffee and then stirred. He slowly walked to the door. As she lifted the cup, a small smile crossed his lips. She began spitting out the coffee, spraying it all over the counter.
“Salt? Dammit, Daniel!”
That was his cue. He took off out of the kitchen and through the bar. He didn’t stop until he got to the gym. He came to a skidding halt right in front of Aria.
“Where’s the fire?” she asked, turning to him.
“No fire, just one very angry wolfswan.”
“What did you do?”
“Nothing,” Daniel said, holding his hands in surrender. Aria arched her brow as she crossed her arms. “Okay, I might have done a teeny tiny something to the salt and sugar shakers.”
Aria shook her head as she turned back to the boxing ring. Daniel looked up just in time to see Helena body slam Jessie to the mat. His body tensed as he watched Jessie roll to the side right as Helena’s fist came down. It barely missed Jessie’s face as it sunk into the mat.
“Dang,” Daniel said. “Anyway we can ask Helena to go easy on her?”
“That is going easy,” Aria replied. “For Helena, anyways.”
Jessie kicked to her feet and deflected Helena’s punch. She kicked, hitting Helena in the ribs, but Helena caught her foot, and in one swift twirl, slung Jessie into the ropes.
“Come on, baby,” Daniel whispered.
“She’s doing really well, if it helps.” Daniel looked to Aria. It didn’t. He was glad Jessie was holding her own, but he hated seeing her hurt. He looked back as Jessie pushed up. Her black yoga pants clung to her thighs as Jessie quickly moved out of Helena’s reach. Sweat was dripping from Jessie’s neck down to her black tank top. Daniel really wanted to lick that salty sweat from her sweet skin.
“How long have they been at it?” he asked Aria.
“About two hours now. Jessie just won’t quit.”
Daniel turned his focus back to the ring as Jessie leapt over Helena. She turned on a dime, grabbing Helena from behind and putting her in choke hold. If Daniel knew anything about Helena, it was she never gets pinned.
Jessie looked down at Helena and thought she had won until Helena kicked back and then bent forward, slinging her over her shoulder. Jessie went flying through the air and then hit the mat hard. Her back screamed in pain as her lungs tried to get the breath back.
“Done yet?” Helena asked as she stood over her. Jessie looked up trying to focus. Her head was spinning and her vision kept going in and out. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Maybe we can take a quick break.” Helena held her hand out for her and Jessie took it, leaping to her feet.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m good. I just need to catch my breath.”
Jessie stumbled to the side of the ropes. She grabbed them and took a deep breath in. That was better. She just needed to center herself. When she opened her eyes, Daniel was standing in front of her holding a bottle of water. He looked worried as he held the bottle out for her.
“You’re up,” Jessie said as she took the bottle from him.
“You want to sit down?” he asked.
“Sure.” He parted the ropes for her and she climbed out. He held his hands up and took her by the waist, lowering her down. His hands were warm on her sides and she lost her breath for the second time.
“I didn’t know you could fight like that,” he said as he led her to the bench.
“I can’t, but I’m learning.”
She sat down and rested her elbows on her knees while
she took a sip of water.
“Are you hungry?” Daniel asked. “I know a great deli on Decatur Street.”
“Leave the bar? Am I allowed?”
“You’re not a prisoner, Jessie.”
“I know, I just mean my father wants me here.”
“And you always listen to your father?”
“No.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Ooh, I’m starving, too.” Daniel looked over to Aria.
“Aria and her stomach,” Helena said. “Are you sure you’re not a werewolf?”
Aria stuck her tongue out at her.
“I’ll get my wallet.”
Daniel watched Aria leave from the gym followed by Helena. There goes his romantic lunch. He looked back to Jessie as she smiled at him.
“Never a minute alone,” he said as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“We’re alone now.”
He didn’t hesitate as he lowered his lips to hers. They were soft and welcoming. He parted her lips as the taste of her filled his mouth. Her kiss became fierce, filled with desire. Her hands pulled at his shirt, willing him closer to her. He felt her move and then his back was pushed against the wall. She straddled him as she deepened her kiss. Oh man, was she hot. His hands slipped up the small of her back. Her skin smooth under his touch. He could take her right now. Her lips trailed to his neck and when her tongue flicked over his ear lobe, he nearly lost it. He didn’t want this to end. He opened his eyes as her lips trailed to his neck, sucking and biting at the thin skin.
He looked at the gym equipment and weapons that lined the wall. The smell of sweat, iron, and plastic mats filled his nose. How romantic could this be for Jessie? Did she only do this because it was what she thought he wanted? He took a deep breath before pulling her back from him. She looked at him confused as he tried to catch his breath.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“Everything’s wrong. I want our first time to be special, Jessie. I want you to be special. I don’t want it to be in the gym, or alley, or anywhere less than what you deserve.”
“And what do I deserve?”
“A palace. Unfortunately, there aren’t any in New Orleans. Maybe we could go to Paris?”
Jessie smiled at him as she stroked his face.
“I don’t need Paris. I just need you.”
He took her hand in his and kissed the pads of her fingers.
“I’m ready,” Aria said, coming back into the gym. “Oh geez.”
She turned away as her blush spread through her face. Jessie quickly stood up and straightened her shirt. Daniel smiled as he stood, his pants pulling against his erection. Yeah, this was so not happening in the gym. If it had been one of his brothers, and Jessie had been naked, he shivered at the thought of another man seeing her naked.
“I’m sorry,” Aria said with her back to them.
“It’s fine. Let’s go eat.” Daniel took Jessie’s hand in his as he led her from the gym.
When they emerged, Daniel saw that his brothers, as well as Darion, Colt, Helena, Ashley, Bender, and Boyd were all standing in the bar putting on riding jackets and grabbing keys.
So this was going to be a family outing.
Yay.
He looked down at Jessie who smiled back at him. He could get lost in that smile.
“I’m going to go see if Dani and Brandon want to come, and change real quick,” Jessie said as she already started moving to the stairs. Sure. Why not? What was two more? He eyed his brothers as they play fought on the sidewalk outside. Helena held the door open, tapping her foot as everyone took their time getting ready. He was never going to get Jessie alone. And now with this Rocco guy on the loose, he was stuck here hanging out with his family.
He walked over to the door and grabbed his leather jacket. He yanked it off the hook, ripping the hook from the wall before shoving his arms into the sleeves.
“You okay?” Boyd asked as he leaned against the staircase railing. Daniel walked over to him as he waited for Jessie to come down.
“I just can’t get a break with Jessie. The apartment was an epic fail. And this place just isn’t good enough for her. She’s too perfect for a bar.”
Boyd let out a chuckle.
“You’re trying too hard to make everything perfect, Daniel. If Jessie’s already perfect, then who cares about the rest?”
“I care.”
“Then maybe it’s you who needs the romance,” Boyd said. “Because Jessie can’t keep her eyes off of you. I seriously doubt she could care less where it happens. The way she looks at you, she just wants it to happen.”
Boyd clapped him on the shoulder before strolling out of the bar. Daniel wondered if he was right. If Jessie really didn’t care about the setting, and it was just him trying too hard.
Jessie came down the stairs, changed in jeans and a sweater.
“No twins?” he asked.
“Nah. Brandon hates crowds so he opted out, and Dani is sleeping like the dead. I couldn’t wake her. No shocker there. I’ll just bring them back something.”
“That just leaves one question,” Daniel said as he held out her jacket for her. She slid her arms into the sleeves and fixed the collar.
“What’s that?”
“Do you want take the bike or the truck?”
“I’ve never been on a motorcycle when I’m not fleeing for my life.”
“Then we will have to change that. Motorcycle it is.” He grabbed his helmet and an extra for her.
They followed the crowd out to the back alley where they all mounted their bikes. Daniel got on first and held his hand out for Jessie to slide on behind him. Her legs slid around his hips as her small arms wrapped around his torso. Just four inches south and she would hit his sweet spot. Daniel sucked in his breath at the thought and then quickly pushed it from his mind as he glanced at Drew. Drew flashed him a grin before he pulled his visor down and took off out of the alley.
Daniel handed Jessie the extra helmet and started up the bike.
“Ready?” he called out to her.
“Yeah, I think so.”
Her hands slid around his torso and they peeled out of the alley. Jessie held on tight as he turned the corner leading to Decatur Street. He sped up until he reached the back of the line, falling in behind Gareth. It didn't take long for them to get there and they parked along the curb, their bikes taking up the entire east side.
“So?” Daniel asked as he helped Jessie off.
“So what?” she said as she took off the helmet and handed it back to him. He took it and shut off the engine.
“Did you like the ride?”
“All six minutes of it? Sure.”
Daniel let out a laugh.
“If you want, we can go for a longer ride after we eat.”
“I would like that.”
“Should we invite everyone else, or wait for them to invite themselves?”
Jessie smiled at him and then stepped in closer. Close enough that Daniel smelled her like he was in a garden of lilies. Her thigh skimmed his knee as she moved even closer. With him sitting on the bike, she stood about three inches over him. She leaned down, her lips brushing his ear.
“Maybe we can go alone?” she whispered. The desire in her voice reverberated in his ear, making his senses tingle. “I would like to be alone with you.”
Preach it. That’s all he was asking for. She stood back up with a faint smile in the corner of her mouth. Her pink lips were begging to be kissed. Her lips said more than her words. Her lips said that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. He doubted that could be possible. He wanted her more than he wanted air. He wanted to breathe her in and never exhale.
“Y’all coming?” Ashley called out from the sidewalk.
Never a moment alone.
Daniel felt his shoulders slump as he got off his bike and hooked the helmets to the side. Maybe he was trying too hard, but how could he not try hard with a woman like her?
&nb
sp; He wrapped his arm around Jessie as they walked up to Café Maspero. Her arm wrapped around his waist, under his jacket. The heat from her arm pressed against his back. He caught their reflection in a store window as they passed. They looked like a couple. A normal couple out for a normal lunch. He found he liked it. He had never been one for girlfriends, but with Jessie, it was different. He liked her hanging on to him. He would like it better with her on top of him, but he’ll take what he can get.
The group opted for the back of the restaurant, and Drew, Boyd and Darion mashed a few tables together before the waitress had a chance to. Daniel could see the worried look in her face as the large group sat down. She quickly pulled out her pad and pen before tucking her brown hair behind her ears.
“What can I get y’all to drink,” the waitress asked.
“Beers for everyone,” Ashley said. “And can we go ahead and get two orders of loaded fries and three orders of calamari for the table?”
“Sure thing, I’ll be right back with the beers.”
“She’s cute,” Drew said as the waitress walked away.
“The waitress?” Boyd asked. “I thought you liked blonds.”
“I do, and brunettes and redheads. You haven’t lived until you’ve been with a redhead.”
“I have been, and she nearly killed me,” Boyd replied.
“You think I could score with her?” Drew asked.
Boyd looked to the waitress before he turned back to Drew.
“Not if I get her first.”
“You’re on.”
“Don’t you two have anything better to do?” Ashley asked, sitting across from them. “She’s not a piece of meat.”
Drew and Boyd looked down at the table. Daniel stifled a laugh. They looked like two kids being told off by their mother.
“Sorry, Ash,” Drew mumbled.
“Y’all will never find a girl to settle down with if you keep talking like that,” Ashley continued.
“Why would I ever want to settle down?” Drew said.
