When it came time for him to go home, he sighed, his mind exhausted with worry more than from the hours he’d spent scouring the streets for Malums.
He materialized in his apartment, and that haunting scent engulfed him.
His pulse spiked. With it, his heart pounded loudly. On impulse, he materialized in the middle of his living room. There, he laid eyes on her.
A beautiful stranger sleeping on his couch.
His chest heaved. A low growl escaped his lips. Rubbing his sweaty palms against his jeans, the sense of possessiveness overwhelmed him, so much of it, it spilled out of him.
On her side, her body turned toward him, her head on a blue cushion. Deep auburn hair spilled around it in waves. Dressed casually in a pair of jeans, a green blouse, her shoes, a pair of flats, lay on the floor in front of her.
Beautiful. No other way to describe her. Utterly, mind-bogglingly beautiful.
Petite, a slim waist, and rounded hips. Her face stunning: cheeks flushed, nose small and pointy, lips shaped in a perfect bow. Her dark hair seemed silky and thick, and she had the longest lashes, lashes that made him wonder what color her eyes were.
Taking a step closer, he pulled in a breath. Shivers ran through him. Holding back a groan, his jaw clenched.
Breathtaking.
Captivating.
Marvelous.
No longer a mystery, the haunting scent was hers.
It wasn’t just her scent, it was her. Bewitching, everything about her fascinated him.
His body pulsed. The desire to hold her, comfort her, protect her, claim her coursed through him. Powerful, confounding, and indescribable. Even now, staring at her, he was drawn inexplicably. He couldn’t put it into words, and he couldn’t ignore it. But he knew why he couldn’t control it.
She was his fated mate, the woman granted to him above all others, his other half. No doubt about it.
She was his.
And he hers.
He couldn’t help what he did next. She was asleep and he didn’t know her, but ever so slowly, he drew closer. A mere foot away, he held his hand over her face, craving with every fiber in his being to feel the softness of her skin against his.
Her eyes snapped open. Painful jolts shot through him. The ache so unbearable it brought him, a demon, to his knees. The current gone a moment later, but the agony didn’t fade. Every joint, every muscle burned.
And still, all he could think about: her eyes were the perfect shade—honey.
As she sat up, she slapped her hand over her mouth. Eyes wide, her jaw dropped open.
He couldn’t help but feel anything but pride. His mate, a witch, was as powerful as she was beautiful.
“Oh God! I’m so sorry.” She stood, then rushed toward him, pausing feet away. “You scared me…”
Taking a deep breath, he ignored the lingering ache, placed a palm on the floor, and stood. At his height, six foot six, he towered over her. “I scared you? What’d you do to me?”
Her eyes rounded. She hesitated. “I’m sorry. I… Well…Y-you’re…intimidating…” She looked away. “And…I mean, imagine waking up and the first thing you see is a demon’s death stare.”
As she talked, she shifted uncomfortably, all new to him, all surreal. He watched her movements and mannerisms carefully, trying to memorize them. Her voice soft and beguiling, distracting him, he wasn’t able to fully listen to what she said, amazed this beautiful creature, a small, powerful witch with beautiful hair and eyes of honey, belonged to him.
He grinned, then shook his head to focus his thoughts. What had she said? Something about… “Death stare?”
She shrugged, wrapping her arms around herself. Her gaze met his for a split second before she released a breath. Her shoulders slumped. “You know when you guys are angry your eyes glow.”
Shit. She thought he wanted to kill her? Not a great introduction. Instead of correcting her, he asked, “Who are you?” He had to know her name.
Her eyes went wide. She tensed, glanced down at herself and mumbled, “Shit.”
Shit? That’s what she had to say? Who was she? Where was Annie? Jesus, Annie! His chest squeezing, he said in a menacing tone, “If you did something to Annie, I swear I’ll…” Jacob shook his head. He couldn’t say it. He didn’t know who she was, but it didn’t change the fact she was his.
Her pretty honey-colored eyes narrowed. “Yeah, I kidnapped her, and then I purposely fell asleep on your couch, so you’d find me.”
A surge of laughter bubbled in his throat. He bit his tongue to keep it at bay.
She caught it though. Her cheeks flushed. “How dare you think that? I would never. She’s sleeping.”
A relief. “Who are you? Why are you here, and where’s Ash?”
“She and Clyde had an emergency. They left me to watch Annie. I’m…” She paused, looking away from him.
He shifted and waited.
Her eyes met his. “Valerie.” She then took several steps away.
He shook his head, and then his gaze raked her from top to bottom. “You’re not Valerie. I met Valerie. She’s blonde and not…” Stunning, beautiful. He couldn’t just blurt that. “You aren’t her.”
She swallowed. “I am her. I created an illusion to disguise myself.”
His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach.
His mate had hidden from him. Why hadn’t she felt something for him from first glance like he felt for her? The recognition wasn’t instant for immortal women, but the mated immortal women he knew felt drawn to their mates. Why wasn’t his?
His eyes narrowed. “Why?” He hadn’t meant to bark, but frustration seeped into his tone.
She clasped her hands in front of her, then took a step away. “I…I was scared at the time.”
He mirrored her, taking a purposeful step forward. “Why?”
“B-because…You were angry. You’re always angry and you’re…mean.”
He couldn’t deny it. The only person excluded from his temper: Annie. He fisted his hands. “I’m angry and mean, and you’re afraid of me, so you created an illusion to disguise yourself from me. Anything else?” he asked through clenched teeth.
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I was just intimidated—”
Annie wailed.
He didn’t wait for his mate to finish. He hated leaving her, but it’d have to wait.
Annie needed him.
Chapter 11
Valerie hadn’t finished her apology, but forgot about it the moment Annie’s sobs pierced the air. She sprinted toward her room, then stopped at the threshold. His ability to materialize meant he’d beat her there where she found him sitting on the edge of Annie’s mattress, facing the girl. The air of animosity that surrounded him, gone. He tenderly cradled Annie against his chest, rubbing her back softly, whispering to her. Words Val heard loud and clear. Her hearing wasn’t as acute as other immortals, but it was still better than a mortal’s.
“It’s okay, pupa. I’m here.”
Unbelievable, but true.
How was it possible a demon, who chose to live engulfed in anger who’d been incensed with her a moment before, could change so swiftly to comfort a child? Had the insight her gift given her been off-base? Was it all a charade? Who was the real man: the unapproachable rage-filled warrior or the caring guardian?
Annie wailed. “I-I…”
“Another bad dream?”
The girl nodded. “The b-bad men…they were…”
“Shh…Remember what I promised you?” Those powerful hands wiped the child’s tear-streaked face with such gentleness she thought them, him, incapable of.
Annie nodded.
He kissed the top of her head, continuing to rub her back. “No one is going to hurt you, Annie. No one. I will keep you safe.”
“But…what if the b-bad men…hurt y-you? What if…they t-take you, too?”
He tensed and pulled away from the child slightly, staring straight into her eyes. “That’s not going to happen. I will
always be here to protect you.”
Valerie’s heart clenched. Her eyes welled with tears, baffled by the man who was not what he seemed. There was love in him, so much of it for a beautiful, bright child who feared being, like her, alone in the world.
With Annie still draped across his chest, Jacob turned and his stare met hers. Once again confounded by what she saw, by him. Not an action, but emotion clearly reflected in his eyes that startled her. His eyes, so dark, yet so expressive…No anger, no rage—only sympathy. Did he know?
Of course, he did. Someone would’ve told him.
She held her breath, hoping and praying the tears in her eyes dried.
“Valerie.” His voice so soft. His gaze then shifted to Annie. “Would you like to share some chocolate milk with Valerie?”
Annie turned her flushed face toward her and nodded.
Together, they walked to the kitchen. Jake carrying Annie, one arm under her butt, the other holding her tight against him. At the counter, with one hand, he pulled out a stool for her to sit on, then settled Annie on the countertop. He opened the fridge, grabbed milk and chocolate, and prepared each of them a glass. He handed the first to Annie, settled the other two on the counter in front of Val, then carried Annie, walked around the counter, and sat next to Valerie, placing the child on his lap. He handed Val a cup of milk, then grabbed his own.
Annie tapped her glass against hers, then against her uncle’s. “Cheers.”
“Cheers,” she and Jake replied simultaneously.
His gaze met hers, the intensity in them forcing her to look away.
“What did you and Valerie do tonight?”
“We played with my dollhouse and watched a movie.” She rubbed her eyes. “And she braided my hair. Valerie can make the fishy braid…like Mommy used to…” Her voice trailed off.
Valerie’s gaze went to Jake, wondering what he’d say or do. But she wished she hadn’t, she caught a distressed expression flash across his face. As it inexplicable as it was, it made her want to comfort him—the male she feared, the man her gift warned her away from.
Trying hard to ignore it, she looked at Annie. “I can teach you. It’s very easy. It just takes practice.”
Annie’s face lit up. “You will?”
She smiled. “Of course, I will.”
“Now?”
“How about tomorrow morning? When we’re both caught up on our beauty sleep?”
“You promise?”
She nodded. “Yes, Annie. I promise.”
Annie yawned. Valerie took a sip of milk, knowing it’d be seconds before Annie fell asleep. A child, undoubtedly exhausted, draped across the expanse of Jake’s chest, comforted by his masculine strength, her little arms tucked against them, her face pressed to him while he rubbed her back…It would put anyone to sleep.
“Thank you.”
Her gaze shot away from Annie and to him.
“You’re welcome.” She then wrung her hands together.
Looking at Annie again, she’d fallen sleep comfortably against her uncle’s chest. Her cue to go, but before she could say anything, she heard Ashley.
“Oh, I…I’m sorry.”
From her position on the stool near the counter, her back faced the elevator. She turned and spotted Ash and Clyde approaching them.
Ash’s gaze on Jake. “I didn’t think you’d be home so soon.”
“I had the early shift tonight. Everything okay?”
Ashley nodded.
In the brief pause that followed, Valerie took her chance. “I should go.” She stood.
Jake followed suit. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it.
Uncomfortably, she turned to Ashley and Clyde. “Glad everything’s good with Jocelyn. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” She then turned and walked away. Near the elevator, she remembered something else she meant to say. Turning, she muffled a yelp when she nearly collided into Jake and Annie, still draped across his chest. Angling her head up to meet his gaze, she forgot what she’d meant to say.
“You’ll come tomorrow.”
Even though her heart leapt, she hesitated. She couldn’t believe he’d asked her, couldn’t believe he wanted to see her.
“You promised Annie you’d teach her the fishy braid.”
She released a breath. “It’s called a fishtail braid.”
He smiled, the smile transforming his face, making him look so much more good-looking, unbelievably handsome.
“A fishtail,” he repeated.
And she’d get to spend time with him tomorrow, with him and Annie. What would she wear? God, why was she thinking about that? It wasn’t a date. She shook her head. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
His brows drew together. “Earlier?”
“You know, I—”
“Oh, yeah.” He shrugged then, for some reason, grinned. “It’s forgotten.”
She glanced at Annie, sleeping peacefully draped across his chest and smiled, but not confident or sexy like his, a nervous, shy smile.
Reluctant to leave, she willed her body to move away. After several seconds, she managed it.
“Goodbye.” She turned.
“You mean ‘goodnight’ ’cause we’ll see you tomorrow?”
Turning again, she met his gaze and nodded. “Yes, goodnight.”
****
Jacob watched her walk away, craving her so bad it burned, but he had no choice. He had to let her go. She didn’t know she belonged to him. He couldn’t just blurt it out, so he consoled himself knowing she wouldn’t be far away.
Finally discovering the source of the haunting scent, he’d found her—his fated mate. The revelation after more than five hundred years, after all he’d lost, startling. More so, the fact she’d been within his reach, living in the same building and he hadn’t known.
Valerie.
A stunning witch, beautiful beyond words, beyond comprehension was his, a precious gift. The gift, the woman immortal males waited their endless lives for. Among all the heartache he’d endured in his lifetime, she made it worth it.
He should have known. He’d been entranced by the hint of her scent, hadn’t been able to fight it. Unconsciously, he thought about the scent, dreamt about it, and wondered, but never searched.
Once, a long time ago, he had fallen in love, but never believed, fully comprehended the appeal of fated mates, until he saw her. Now, he knew and understood, the pull, the attraction, what it meant. He and she were destined, fated to spend their lives together. It had taken but a glimpse. With a look, she stole his heart. His beautiful witch bewitched him.
His first love had warned him. She tried to make him believe in fated mates, but nothing had until Valerie.
If only he’d ventured outside his apartment and met the rescued witch. He had opportunities. Ashley wanted him to meet her. Had he, he would’ve discovered she was meant for him. He didn’t know much about her, only she’d been rescued. Even so, he didn’t know why, what they’d saved her from or how. In fact, he hadn’t cared, not until he realized she was his. Now, he needed to know everything.
Remorse filled him. He stared down at the ground and shook his head. If only he’d comprehended the magnitude of the pull and believed in it, he would’ve lived differently. He would have mourned the loss of his first love and moved on. He would’ve never allowed the loss to make him the man he was now: angry and bitter, losing out on time with his sister, time he could never get back. Maybe then, his fated wouldn’t fear him.
He sighed heavily. His gaze darted toward Annie’s sleeping face. He kissed the top of her head and smiled. If he could rewrite his life, he’d change his actions and attempt to alter his temperament, but not the surprises life had thrown at him, not Annie. He wished his sister was still alive. He wanted the best for Annie. Only his sister, her mother, would raise her best, but in the end, he wasn’t bitter about the outcome. She needed him, and he needed her. Annie brought out the best in him.
His life had just gotten thrice as complicate
d, yet he couldn’t find the strength or will to be angry, not any more. He had Annie and couldn’t fathom life without her. Now he’d found his fated—Valerie. Annie came above his needs and desires. She was his life, but for Valerie, there would always be room.
Would she accept him and Annie? His stomach soured.
He should be more concerned with befriending her first since his fated wasn’t fond of him, but not many women would be interested in raising someone else’s child.
Jacob couldn’t worry about that now though. He wouldn’t ruin the moment he found her.
“I hope you don’t mind I left Valerie here with Annie. Joce was having some pain. We thought maybe she’d gone into early labor or—”
He faced Ashley. “It’s fine.”
“Are you sure you aren’t upset? I could understand if you were—”
Clyde wrapped his arm around Ashley. “It’s fine, angel. He’s not angry.”
Jacob’s eyes narrowed. “You aren’t reading me, are you?”
“I don’t need to read you to know she’s yours. You’re smooth.” Clyde smirked. “Congrats.”
Ashley’s eyes went wide. “She is? But I thought you said you met her—”
Ignoring Clyde’s jab, he addressed Ash. “I had, but I…She created an illusion to disguise herself.”
Her jaw dropped. “Why in world would she do that?”
Clyde’s eyes narrowed. “Because when she met Jacob, he’d been stewing in anger, per usual.”
Jacob’s gaze shot to Clyde. He glared. “I’ve been better.”
“When Annie’s around. When she’s not, you’re back to your old ways.”
In his defense, he had a lot to worry about. The angel knew it and purposefully tried to infuriate him, ruin the moment he found his fated. He wouldn’t let him.
Turning to Ashley, instantly, his expression softened. “Why did you apologize to her when you got here? You felt guilty about something.”
“Oh…” She covered her mouth with her hand. After a pause, worry emanating from her, she released a breath. “She’s scared of you.”
“Yeah, she told me.”
“She did?”
“She was sleeping when I got here. When she woke, she shot me with magic, then apologized. She said I was giving her the ‘death stare.’ ”
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