“In here?”
“This is the master suite. I would like you to stay here with me. I can keep you close and keep you safe.”
She looked through the room and while it was certainly big enough, there was something that it was lacking. It only had one bed. Jasmine didn’t know how many mornings she could deal with waking up in his arms before something else happened. Jasmine wasn’t even sure what had happened between them or why nothing had been done. She knew that he’d wanted her, but he hadn’t even really tried.
“There’s only one bed.”
She blurted out her thoughts, and he found it humorous.
“Yeah, there’s only one, but it will be all right. I wouldn’t do anything that you didn’t ask for Jasmine.”
Jasmine believed him, and she knew that he would eventually want her, but maybe not. She’d heard of several marriages of convenience, where they lived together, but had separate lives. Was that how he wanted it to be? If that were the case, wouldn’t it be easier to let her stay elsewhere?
“Do I really need your protection? I mean, am I not safe here?”
“You’re relatively safe everywhere, just because of who you are. But on the other side of the coin because you’re my wife and the queen of the clan, that means that you have certain people out to get you as well. My enemies have become your enemies, and unfortunately, I have a lot of them.”
Jasmine didn’t like the sound of that and she was already rethinking it. Maybe it would be better if she did stay there. Dustin wasn’t so bad. She knew that he wouldn’t do anything that she didn’t want, and he wouldn’t hurt her. It was strange that she would feel safe with a man that turned into a dragon.
“You’re probably right. This would be a great place to stay, thank you.”
He smiled at her, but that desire and gleam in his eyes made her look back quickly. She wasn’t ready to deal with those thoughts and feelings. Jasmine needed more time and was thankful that she’d married such an understanding husband. She knew she had lucked out, even if he wasn’t like the average man. Dustin was so much better than average.
Chapter Ten
Jamie hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Dustin and the woman that she’d sent to marry him. Jamie wasn’t usually so worried about her clients and their brides. It must have been because the man was cold about it all, or that she’d taken such a shining to Jasmine. One way or another, though, Jamie did something that she almost never did: she called to do a check-in a week later.
When she didn’t get an answer, she left a message. When she still didn’t get a call back a week or so later, Jamie found the address of the man that was her client and went to go pay them a visit. It was highly unprofessional, especially in a profession that no one wanted to admit to using. It was a risk, but she had to know if Jasmine was okay. She wanted to know if she was not just safe, but if she was happy.
Sitting in her car in the driveway, Jamie was impressed by the mansion in front of her. She’d checked the address several times now because she couldn’t believe that this is where she was meant to be. It seemed like a place from a storybook, and Jamie was hopeful that the rest of Jasmine’s life was the same.
She got out and was about to walk to the front door when she saw the two in the side yard. He was helping her plant some kind of bush, and there was an ease between the two of them. Dustin, the cold man that had been in her office a couple weeks prior, looked like a completely different man. He was laughing and had his shirt unbuttoned. He looked relaxed, something that Jamie hadn’t imagined him capable of.
Jamie stood there for several minutes, trying to figure out what to do. They both looked happy, though there was still a shyness in Jasmine. Jamie wondered about the two of them, but she’d seen enough to know that she was going to be able to sleep better now. She knew that Jasmine was happy, or close enough.
She was going down the hill, about to get on the interstate and start the long ride home, when she got a call from William. She hadn’t heard from him in a couple of weeks, and Jamie wanted to ask him some questions about Jasmine. Jamie wanted to know where the man had come across her and why she had been so different than all of the rest.
“It is good to hear from you, William. Sometimes it’s months before I hear from you again.”
“I have another girl that will be ready soon. Do you have any takers?”
“Ready soon?”
He chuckled. “I don’t question your side of it; don’t question mine.”
Jamie was silent for a moment and told him that she wasn’t sure what was on the horizon.
“You caught me traveling, William. Let me look at what I have ahead and I will get back to you.”
She got off the phone before her aggravation was more apparent. William had always weirded her out. Still, he was the best source of young women wanting to marry. Jamie had never questioned any of it before, but his quick defense and the feeling in her gut told her that it was time she looked into it further.
“Do I really have to go? You know that the clan doesn’t really like me all that much.”
“They like you just fine, Jasmine.”
“Really, because Natasha told me to take my human ass home. Apparently, I am not the one to be their queen. You should see the way they look at me. I know that it’s because they want to be the leader’s mate, not me. It’s not right.”
He chuckled and pulled her close. “You are going to go because you’re my wife. You shouldn’t listen to Tash. She’s the jealous sort, and we were together long ago. It’s not that hard to imagine why she’s being hateful to you. She thought that she would be the queen one day.”
“You guys were together?”
Jasmine felt a surge of jealousy that really didn’t seem to make any sense to her. She didn’t know why the idea of him with someone else made her so frustrated and gave her an unkind feeling. Jasmine didn’t want details, but then she did.
“Is she your only ex?”
He laughed a little harder. “God, no. I have been with many women.”
“Oh.”
He looked at her, confused. “Would you like me to have your experience? Trust me, when you’re ready, you’re going to want one of us to know what we’re doing.”
Jasmine shrugged. “Of course not. Never mind. I just don’t like her and now I think I like her even less.”
“You’re the only one that has my attention now.”
Jasmine could see the need in his eyes. It was always quick to the point, and this time was no different. She wanted to push the thoughts away, but she didn’t say a word. Jasmine knew that she had his attention, that much was clear every night when his desires pressed against her while he slept. But she didn’t have the courage to go further yet.
Dustin must have noticed the difference too because he didn't press any harder. He actually mentioned something about how Jasmine was getting a lot of attention herself, and she could see that he wasn't very happy about it. There had been several times and that she had tried to go to him. It wasn't like she knew what she was doing, though. She didn't know how to come on to a man and when she had tried a little bit, he had ended up getting frustrated and stalked off. He didn't seem to understand that she was trying to give him what he wanted. What they both wanted.
“Well, Dustin, if it makes you feel any better, you have all of my attention as well.”
“It's not enough, though, is it?”
He was close now, and he was looking at her lips like he was going to kiss her. Jasmine actually liked the kisses that they exchanged; they were nice and made her feel tingly in places that were usually so quiet. Of course, she wanted more of that, but it was Dustin that would get aggravated and push her away in the end. It was always Dustin that stopped it from going further. As she didn't know why though; it was confusing, and all Jasmine knew to do was wait. While she had made the call the night they got married, he was making the calls now.
“If you want to kiss me, you know you can. Seems like
you don't like it, though, because you're always stopping, before you get started.”
“That's because you're too tempting. It will go too far and you don’t know what you’re saying. How could you know?”
“I am your wife, Dustin.”
And just like that, he was gone. Backing away from her. He had that frustration in his movement, and she knew that he was going to take off. It was only five minutes later that he was turning into a dragon after making an excuse for why he had to get out of there. She knew that it was because of her. Because of the tension between them. She wanted to be tempting, but he didn't seem to be taking the hint.
Instead, she watched him fly away and wondered how long it would be until he’d be back. Dustin was right in some ways: Jasmine didn’t understand what she was asking for. She wanted to find out, though, and she wanted Dustin to be the one to show her.
Chapter Eleven
Dalton watched the couple and started to become convinced that their marriage wasn't all it was cracked up to be. His brother did not need to be just mated: he needed to possess the woman as well. From the looks of things, Dalton would have bet that they had done nothing at all.
Once his brother took off, he used the opportunity to get closer to his sister-in-law. There was a lot that he wanted to learn about her, and he was still looking for a way in. The alpha title was his, and he was going to do anything in his power to make sure that he took it back from Dustin. Dalton just had to find the best way to do it and to illegitimatize him. The clan loved him, but that didn’t matter. It was Dalton’s by right. He was the first-born, if only by a couple of minutes.
When he walked up to her, it took her a minute to figure him out, but he could see the recognition in her eyes. Jasmine knew who he was, or at least knew that he had fought with her husband before. Because of that, Dalton had to come at her a little differently. Instead of being less direct, he decided that he was going to have to just be as truthful as possible. He needed to apologize, and as soon as he did, she seemed to ease a little, and there wasn’t as much tension in the way that she stood.
“I'm sorry that we started off on a bad foot. That was my fault, of course. I was a little upset about everything that was going on, the ceremony and all. But it wasn't your fault, and I'm sorry that you were affected by my actions. I know better than to act that way, and thankfully, Dustin was able to remind me of that.”
“It is nothing, really. I'm sure that your brother marrying a human was a lot to take on.”
“My brother also stole the clan from me. I'm not really worried about who he married. Although, I am worried about how you are doing in all of this. This must be a whole different world for you and Dustin seems to leave you by yourself a lot.”
“It is very different, but I guess that's what I signed up for. Or rather, what my family signed me up for.”
“What do you mean?”
She paused for a moment and he pressed her on it. He wasn't sure what she was going to say, but he had a feeling that it was going to be something that he would be able to use later. Dalton had learned a long time ago to pick up all information because it almost always came to use at some point.
“Let's just say that my family was short on money and I was sold into this. They wanted me to get married, sent me away, and three years later, here I am.”
Dalton had the biggest smile on his face. He couldn't believe such things were even possible, and there was a part of him that respected his brother for going so far to win.
“So you were sold into this by your parents? Seriously?”
She waved him off like it was not a big deal anymore.
“I know it sounds bad and everything, but it all worked out. Your brother is a good husband, and I doubt I would have been able to find a better one.”
Dalton got a little closer and smiled at her, taking in the sweet floral perfume that she was wearing.
“The question is, Jasmine, is he all the husband that you want him to be? I mean, is there something lacking in your marriage? Something that maybe I could help you with?”
From her confusion and her lack of understanding, Dalton had his answer. His brother had not only bought a bride, but he hadn't even bedded her yet. Surely, the rest of the clan could see that it was not a valid marriage. He was ready to bring it to everyone's attention. They had to know so they could make the best decision, and obviously, it was Dalton. He could see it so clearly, so why couldn’t everyone else?
Dalton saw that his brother was coming back down from his little mad flight. He didn't want to be with Jasmine when that happened. Dalton was sure that his brother would not understand. Or more likely, he would understand and they would get them into another fight. His pride could not handle another loss right now.
He said his goodbyes to his new sister-in-law and told her that they would speak later. She had the most honest smile, and for a moment, Dalton wanted to take her for himself. It's not like his brother was putting her to good use after all.
He pulled himself away though before Dustin could see them. He knew that it wasn't the time or place. Soon, he would have his revenge, and maybe he would even get the girl.
“You're still out here?”
“Well, yeah, I was just talking to your brother. He is pretty nice, a bit strange.”
“Dalton? Where is he? What did he have to say?”
Panic and worry suddenly crossed his face.
“He actually just apologized. He was really nice about it and said that he was sorry to have caused such a ruckus. I think he was just trying to make amends.”
Dustin snorted. That was not the way his brother was at all, and even though there was probably danger on the horizon, he didn't want to bring it up to Jasmine. She had been through enough lately, and there was no need to worry her unnecessarily.
“As much as I love my brother, Jasmine, you might want to stay away from him. He has a tendency to start problems. He's not so happy that I am the Alpha and he is not.”
“Are you telling me that he's dangerous or something? That he would do something to me? I didn’t get that sort of vibe at all.”
Dustin was quick to say that he wasn't dangerous to her. He didn't want her to fear him but the truth of the matter was that his brother did not have her best wishes at heart.
“Just be cautious when you're around him. That's all I'm saying.”
Jasmine agreed, and she looked scared. He didn't want her looking that way, and he tried to take her mind off the subject.
“I was hoping that we could get out for a little bit tonight.”
“Oh? Where are we going?”
He shrugged. “There is just a place that I’d like to take you. That is, if you have the time.”
She smiled at him. “Of course, I have time for my husband.”
Dustin smiled at her answer, though there were still parts of being her husband that were completely beyond frustration. They had just been moving too slow for his liking.
Dustin was under the mindset that all he had to do was set up the right time and place. Then she would see what was being missed and would want to change things. Dustin had never waited so long for anything in his whole life, and in a way, it was starting to kill him. All he could think about was possessing the woman that was supposed to be his. It was just a lot more complicated than he wanted it to be. Why couldn’t she see how it could be between them? He could. It was crystal clear to him.
Chapter Twelve
Jasmine was just as excited about getting away for a little while with Dustin, as he seemed to be. She was hopeful that something would come of it. Dustin wasn't the only one that was sick of waiting. At first, it had been nice that he had given her the option to wait. It had been a stressful first day when they had met and got married, but things changed; she knew him now.
When she made up her mind that she was ready to move forward, he seemed to decide the opposite. Instead of coming on to her, night after night they slept next to each other and nothing
happened. Jasmine was hopeful that maybe the time together that he was planning would be just what they needed. She was ready for her husband in all ways.
While Dustin attended to some things that kept calling him away, she got ready for whatever the surprise was.
She wore a simple dress that she had bought from a boutique that was not far from the mansion. She had been given a credit card to spend what she would, but it was still strange to have that kind of resource. Considering her bleak childhood, she had never had any sort of resource like that. It had taken her some time to even get up the courage to use it, but with what was going on that evening and the anticipation of the surprise, she had decided it would be best to go with something as classy as he was.
The more she stared at herself in the mirror, the less she recognized herself. Jasmine's life had gone through some monumental changes, and even though none of it was what she wanted, in the end, it all seemed to be what she needed. Jasmine was sure that that night was going to be the night. She had waited long enough; they both had.
When he got back, he took one look at her and got this big grin on his face.
“You look gorgeous. Really, I don't know where you got that dress, but it was worth every penny.”
“It was actually quite a bit. I hope you think that when you get the bill.”
He chuckled and waved Jasmine off like it was no big deal. Jasmine knew that to him, it wasn't. He was used to money and the finer things. Jasmine with still trying to get used to it, which was not as easy to do as she would have imagined.
“I hope that it is okay for where we're going. I didn't know how to dress because I wasn't sure of our destination.”
“You’re just going to have to wait and see.”
When he told her that he was going to go jump in the shower, she waited just a breath too long, and he offered her some time in there as well. That made her face turn bright red. As much as she said she was ready, it was still hard to even think about what was to come.
Alpha Shifter Bride Service: (A Paranormal Romance Series) Page 5
