Taming the Beast

by Alicia Montgomery

“Who is this man, Blue Sky?” he asked, frowning at Sebastian.

  “He’s my—”

  “Sebastian,” he introduced himself.

  “Your Sebastian?” His eyebrow raised at Jade.

  “No!” Jade denied. “I mean, he’s not my…this is Sebastian. Fenrir hired him…his firm, I mean, to be my bodyguard.”

  “Bodyguards?” The older man’s voice raised a notch. “Young lady, what’s going on?”

  “Nothing!” Jade raised her hands defensively. “Nothing you have to worry about!”

  “Nothing to worry about? Why wouldn’t I worry, I’m your father!”

  “You’re her father?” Sebastian couldn’t stop himself. He looked at the man again, scanning his face. Now, he saw the similarities. The eyes were a shade darker, but it was the same shape as Jade’s, as were the nose and chin.

  “Eric. Eric Cross,” he introduced himself. His voice was smooth, and the accent was definitely all New York. “So you’re protecting my daughter? From what, exactly?”

  Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest. “I’d like to know that, too,” he said, his eyes training on Jade.

  “It’s a long story, Dad,” she sighed. “I’ll explain later.”

  A look passed between father and daughter, then Eric Cross scowled at Jade. “You bet you will, young lady.”

  “Yo, Eric!” Someone called. “We’re on in 5!”

  He gave Jade a kiss on the cheek and then stared at Sebastian, pinning him with his gaze. “Stay a while, Sebastian. And let’s have a drink after this set.”

  “He doesn’t have to stay,” Jade protested.

  “Thank you, sir,” he said, his palms suddenly sweaty like some teenage boy. The last time he called someone “sir” was when he was in the Marines.

  “Blue Sky, get him another beer and put it on my tab,” Eric said before heading back to the stage.

  “Blue Sky?” Sebastian asked.

  “It’s my middle name,” Jade said in an exasperated voice. “And yes, I’m very well aware of the irony. All the ironies.”

  He chuckled and she sent him a glare. “Don’t say it—”

  “Jade Blue Sky Cross.”

  “That’s Dr. Jade Blue Sky Cross,” she corrected, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “He named me after his favorite song. Jade was my mother’s contribution. Apparently, she was in her Eastern Philosophy phase when I was born.”

  “So, your dad’s a musician?”

  “Yes, he’s been with his band since before I was born,” Jade explained as she signaled the bartender for two more beers.

  “Are they famous?”

  “They had one hit a couple of years ago, but I’m sure you’ve never heard of it. But they still tour,” she said. “What are you doing here?”

  He looked down at her. What was he doing here? His mind raced back to the events of that 24 hours. Everything was going great, until that call. Before he could open his mouth, though, the band started their first song. Jade cocked her head, motioning for him to follow her to the table in front of the stage.

  Sebastian took the seat next to her, relaxing as soon as they sat down. He listened to the band, but mostly he watched Jade. She seemed to be engrossed in the performance, her head bopping along with the music, mouthing along with the lyrics now and then.

  A couple songs later, the band wrapped up, playing one last song before taking their bows.

  “Great set, Dad,” Jade said, wrapping her arms around Eric.

  “Thanks, baby,” he replied and sat down on the stool next to her. “So, Sebastian. You’re a personal bodyguard?”

  “Yes, sir,” he said.

  “Dad, he’s the CEO of the company,” Jade explained.

  “How nice of you to give my daughter the personal touch.”

  Jade choked on her beer, the liquid sputtering out her nose and mouth. With a quick apology, she wiped her face with a napkin from the dispenser on the table.

  Eric gave her a curious look, but didn’t say anything. He took a sip of his beer and turned back to Sebastian. “Tell me more about your company, Sebastian.”

  They chatted for a few more minutes, and Sebastian learned that Eric was from New York, but he toured with his band around the country year-round and sometimes outside of the US. Jade went to see them play every time they were in New York, though with the summer concert season winding down, he was going to be in town for a couple of weeks.

  “Well, it’s time for this old timer to pack up and get some rest,” Eric said, getting up from his chair and extending his hand. “Sebastian, nice to meet you. Thank you for taking care of my daughter.”

  “I’ll keep her safe, sir,” he replied, shaking the older man’s hand with a firm grip.

  “You do that.” That one seemed to be a warning. “We’ll talk later,” he said to his daughter. She nodded and gave him a last hug before he rejoined his bandmates.

  “I’m going to powder my nose,” Jade announced and stood up, then scurried to the bathrooms.

  Sebastian sat there for a moment, wondering what he was going to do. He could wait for Jade, take her home, and just leave her be. Then spend more time trying to find out who was intent on killing her. He was still frustrated and angry she wouldn’t tell him who was out to get her.

  The other option was to continue what they had started.

  Making his decision, he chugged the last of the beer and followed Jade to the bathroom. The door to the ladies’ room opened, and before she could protest, Sebastian pushed Jade back inside the stall, trapped her against the sink and caught her lips with his.

  She let out a small protesting shriek, which turned into a sensual moan. Soon, she was responding to his kiss. Sebastian perched her up on the sink and settled between her legs, his lips never leaving hers.

  She pushed him away gently, her breathing heavy. “Sebastian,” she said. “As exciting as this is, I don’t want to lose my virginity in a dirty public toilet.”

  He laughed, picked her up, and then set her down. “Don’t worry, darlin’. I told you your first time would be special, and I meant it.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Where are we?” Jade asked as the car stopped in front a nondescript building in Tribeca. The large metal doors in front slid open as they moved closer, and Sebastian maneuvered the car inside. Overhead lights flickered on after the doors shut behind them.

  “You’ll see.” Sebastian cut the engine, walked to her side, and let her out.

  The inside of the warehouse was a garage and housed several cars, as well as three motorcycles parked side-by-side. Sebastian led her to a wide door in the far right corner. He punched a code on the keypad beside the door and pulled it open, revealing an old freight elevator. After a few seconds, it stopped, and Sebastian pushed on the door. The elevator opened into a small hallway with a single door. He punched in another code and pressed his thumb against a sensor before the door swung open.

  “Sebastian?” she asked, looking at the room. It was one of those converted factories, a wide open space turned into a loft apartment. It was massive, and the ceilings were tall and cavernous. The open plan had the kitchen in the far corner, the dining room beside it, another room closed off with a partition, while the rest was the living space. Stairs led up to what she assumed was the bedroom.

  “This is my home,” he said. “It used to be an old canning factory, I believe. I bought half the warehouse and had it renovated. There’s a garage on the bottom floor, and I haven’t decided what to do with the two other floors yet.”

  “It’s…big,” she said.

  He chuckled. “What can I say, I like having space, especially in New York.” He took her hand, and they crossed the vast living area to the stairs. “Still sure?”

  She nodded. “Most definitely. But,” she looked at her outfit. She was wearing a khaki skirt, a matching jacket, and a blue, long-sleeved shirt. “I’m not…you know, dressed up or anything. I’m even not wearing lingerie.”

  Sebas
tian pulled her close, digging his hands into her hair to loosen it from the ponytail she wore. “That doesn’t matter. You’re beautiful, whatever you’re wearing.”

  With a sigh, she tipped up her head, letting him swoop down for a kiss. Sebastian seemed different tonight. There was an intensity she couldn’t quite place.

  “You taste amazing,” he said, nipping at her lips and making her whimper.

  “Please, Sebastian. No more teasing,” she cried, arching her body against his.

  With a soft grunt, he picked her up and carried her all the way up to the bedroom. He planted her down on the hardwood floor so they stood next to his bed. He removed her jacket and tossed it on the floor. His fingers fumbled at the front of her shirt, and, with a grunt of frustration, he simply ripped the buttons off. He unclasped the front hook of her bra, exposing her breasts to his gaze.

  “Jade,” he rasped, his eyes going wide when he saw the delicate chains around her neck and between her breasts.

  “I didn’t want to take it off,” she confessed.

  With a satisfied roar, he bent down, taking a nipple into his mouth. Hands moved to her waist, unzipping her skirt and letting it fall to the ground. His fingers brushed over the front of her white cotton panties, which were already soaked. He let out a growl, taking a deep breath as if he could smell her arousal, then pushed her down on his bed.

  Sebastian stepped back, his hands grabbing the hem of his shirt. Her eyes devoured him as he undressed, excitement making her heart hammer against her ribcage. He slipped the white shirt over his chest, his muscles rippling as he tossed it aside. God, how could one man be so sexy? The ink on his skin moved as he stalked towards her. Broad shoulders and chest, his muscled torso tapering down to the small V of his waist. And…oh my Lord, the man had the most defined set of eight-pack abs she’d ever seen.

  “Like what you see?’ he teased.

  She blushed, turning her head away.

  “Don’t be shy, Jade,” he said, popping the buttons of his fly open. He hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his jeans and pulled them down. His fully erect cock bobbed up against his stomach, the tip shiny with his precum. Her breath caught, and again she wondered how this would work.

  Sebastian kneeled on the bed, stalking towards her like a predator, reaching for her. “Are you on birth control?”

  She nodded.

  “Good,” he said. “Because I don’t want anything between us. I want to feel all of you around me, squeezing me.”

  Jade gasped as he yanked her panties down, ripping them off her legs and tossing them aside. “Sebastian,” she cried out when his fingers found her clit, stroking the hard little nub until she was clawing at his shoulders.

  “So tight and hot,” he whispered against her neck. “Sweet, innocent Jade,” he rasped, his fingers slipping inside her. “That’s it, darlin’,” he encouraged as her hips began to thrust up at him. “Do it. Make yourself cum on my fingers.”

  Her cheeks pinked at his words, but she couldn’t stop herself. She pumped her hips up, enjoying the feeling of his fingers inside her. He pushed another finger in and then twisted his hand so the heel ground up against her clit.

  “Sebastian!” she screamed, her body tensing as she came hard, convulsing around his fingers. As she came down from her orgasm, Sebastian pushed her down on the bed and settled himself between her thighs.

  “I’ll take it slow, darlin’,” he whispered, his hand caressing the side of her face. “Just tell me if it’s too much.”

  Jade nodded and held her breath. He braced himself on one elbow, then reached down with his other hand. She felt the wide tip of his cock at her entrance, pushing slowly into her, stretching her. Looking up at him, she could see his face was tense as if he was barely holding onto his control.

  “I need you, Sebastian,” she said, reaching up to touch his cheek. “Please. Take me.”

  With a soft moan, he pushed in, the tight barrier giving way. Jade let out a soft cry, the pain was unbearable, but only for a moment. It slowly dulled down to a mild ache.

  “Are you…” He looked down at her, concern marring his handsome face.

  “I’m fine,” she said reassuringly.

  He let out a relieved sigh and then shifted his hips, making Jade moan.

  “Feels…good.” She arched up at him, making him groan.

  “Fuck…Jade. You’re so fucking tight around me…” He gasped and began to move.

  Sebastian felt amazing inside her, and she wanted to tell him that but lost the ability to speak. He started slow, pulling out about halfway and then pushing all the way in. She craved the delicious friction, and despite her inexperience she knew there was more. Greed and lust took over, and she pushed at him, urging him to go faster. And he did, thrusting in and out of her, dragging his length along her tight, slick walls. He changed the angle and brought one of her legs up over his shoulder. The pleasure hit her so fast she nearly howled, and each thrust pushed her closer and closer to the edge.

  “Please…please…” she begged. Sebastian must have been getting close too. His thrusts became shorter, his breathing erratic. Ripples of pleasure spread out from her body, propelling her towards her orgasm.

  “That’s it, darlin’,” he rumbled. His hips pummeled harder and his mouth came down on hers. With one last thrust, she felt his cock twitch and then spill his seed inside her. It was the last straw, and a guttural cry ripped from her mouth as her orgasm flooded through her, her entire body bursting with earth shattering pleasure.

  Jade blinked. The next few minutes seemed surreal as she came back down. Sebastian withdrew from her, rolling away quickly. She wasn’t sure where he went, but he was back in a flash, and a warm, damp towel was pressed up against her. The air tasted slightly metallic. She must have been bleeding. Not that she needed the towel. Her Lycan healing would quickly take care of that, but it was a sweet gesture. Tossing the towel aside, Sebastian lay next to her, pulling her to his muscled chest and then settling her against him. He was murmuring against her neck. Soon, his breathing became even and he settled. Jade felt her eyelids become heavy and she drifted off to sleep.

  ***

  The thrashing woke her up.

  Strong legs kicked at her, arms waved around. Jade’s eyes flew open, and she knew something was wrong.

  Sebastian’s eyes were shut close, but his body struggled to move. He opened his mouth, and a growl escaped, sending chills up her arms.

  “No…stay…bea…” He was slurring his words, and Jade couldn’t understand what he was trying to say. He must be having a nightmare. She reached out, her fingers barely touching his arm. The skin was hot to the touch like he had a hundred degree fever.

  She tried shaking him awake. “Sebastian!” She yelped when he suddenly grabbed her and rolled her around, pinning her to the mattress. His fingers were like talons, digging into her arms.

  Sebastian’s eyes flew open, and the gray pools shone in the darkness of the bedroom. For a second, she didn’t recognize him. He stared down at her, his pupils blown, his teeth bared. The wild look on his face frightened her. After a few seconds, the warmth in his eyes returned. “Jade?”

  “Shhh…” she soothed, running her hands over his arms. As her fingers ran down his left arm, she suddenly felt the raised scars there. A question rose up inside her, but she tamped it down. Sebastian needed her. “I’m here. You’re here.”

  He let out a soft groan and rolled onto his back, letting out a pained cry. “Fuck.” He wiped his face with his hands. “Jade…did I hurt you?”

  She cuddled up next him, laying her head on his chest and throwing an arm over him. “I’m fine. You didn’t hurt me. Did you have a bad dream?”

  Sebastian remained silent, but she could feel the tension in his body. Her enhanced hearing picked up his heartbeat, which was thumping erratically. It must have been an intense dream. She ran her hands over his chest, trying to soothe him. After a few minutes, his heart rate slowed down and she felt him relax.
He traced a hand lazily over her back. “Tell me about your tattoo,” he murmured. “And your scars.”

  Jade stiffened, but then took a deep breath. “I was in an accident when I was a child, and the surgeries to fix my back left me with those scars,” she began.

  “I’m sorry. But you survived.”

  “I hated those scars, hated what they represented and what they reminded me of. My parents divorced right after the last surgery. Their marriage couldn’t take the strain.” Her voice broke, and Sebastian held her tighter. “So, when I turned eighteen, my dad was touring in London. We were having dinner one night and talking about old times. He asked me how I felt about the scars. I told him the truth. I hated seeing it every day. It reminded me that I broke our family apart.”

  “No, Jade,” He pulled her closer. “It’s not your fault.”

  “That’s what he said. That their relationship had fractured long before my accident. Anyway,” she took another deep breath, “he asked what I wanted for my birthday and I told him I wanted a tattoo to cover my scar. Turned out he knew a great artist in London, had gotten one from him a few years back. We both got tattoos. He has my initials, done in the same style, along his rib cage.”

  “Why did you choose your design?”

  “I loved the symbolism of the tree, that it represented nourishment from nature and transformation,” she explained.

  “It suits you,” he said, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

  “How about you?” she asked, tracing the scars running along his arm. She realized that they extended all the way up to his chest. “Will you tell me about these?”

  “Another time,” he pleaded. “Not now.”

  She nodded and snuggled closer to him.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The warm, naked body pressed up against him startled Sebastian. Unused to waking up with someone next to him in bed, he was confused. The memories came back, and his chest constricted at the sight of Jade cuddled beside him, looking so achingly beautiful.

  Jade stirred, throwing her arm back, and he used the opportunity to slip away from her. Planting his feet on the ground, he rubbed his face with his hand. Christ, he couldn’t do this. He was supposed to protect her, not take advantage of her like this. Her confession last night, it hit too close to home. She had enough baggage. He came with an entire moving truck of issues from his own childhood, not to mention PTSD.