by I. T. Lucas
Tessa shook her head. “I order things online. Large department stores scare me, and small boutique salespeople are too pushy. And I hate malls.”
“Can I help you choose?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Why that sudden interest in my wardrobe?”
“You’re a beautiful woman, Tessa, I would love to see you celebrate it rather than hide it.” Hopefully, he’d said the right thing. Usually, he was a smooth operator, the envy of his friends when it came to talking with girls, but Tessa was touchy.
She tilted her head and smiled. “Okay. Let’s go up to your room and fire up your laptop.”
Score! He still had it.
Sitting on his couch, Jackson had one arm around Tessa’s shoulder, the laptop on his lap. “How about this dress?” A stretchy black number with a high neck and a short hem. Not too daring but still sexy.
“I like it.”
“Let’s add it to the cart.”
“What’s the price on it?”
“Sixty-five.”
“That’s good. I can afford that.”
“What about this one?” The dress was a little old fashioned, with a flower print and a long loose skirt.
Tessa shook her head. “It looks too much like something Eva would wear. I don’t want to imitate her style.”
An hour later they had a cart with twenty-seven items, which they narrowed down to twelve.
“Ready to order?”
“Go ahead. If I don’t like something, I can return it.”
“Promise me you will model it for me before you decide.”
“Okay.” Tessa snuggled up closer to him and closed her eyes.
Feeling her small body pressed against his had the usual effect—instant hard-on that he was trying to hide from her.
Lately, she’d been doing it a lot. It was torture, but it was also a gift. It was a sign of trust he wouldn’t have believed possible only a couple of weeks ago. Tessa was doing so well.
“Are you tired?”
“No. I just feel snugly.” She lifted her face to him.
If she were any other girl, Jackson would’ve taken it as an invitation to a kiss. But Tessa wasn’t ready for it.
“I want to ask you for something,” she whispered.
“Anything.”
“I want to kiss you, but you can’t kiss me back. Can you do that?”
Jackson was dumbfounded. Tessa wanted to kiss him? “Hell, yeah. I’ll take a kiss any way I can get it. I won’t move a muscle.”
“Lean back and put your hands under your thighs.”
She was dead serious about it, and he was smiling like an idiot. Jackson schooled his features to give this the respect it was due and put his hands under his legs. Not to spook her, he needed to do everything exactly the way she wanted. It was monumentally important. If everything went well, Tessa would gain confidence and lose some of her fears.
When he was in position, she climbed up on the sofa and knelt next to him. Even seated, his upper body was so much taller than hers that she had to get up to her knees to reach his face comfortably.
Tessa’s hands were trembling when she put them on his shoulders.
Waiting for her to make her move, Jackson barely breathed, his muscles locked so he wouldn’t even twitch. She leaned forward and touched her lips to his, then retreated. Reassured that he was following her instructions to the letter, she leaned again, the press of her lips firmer this time.
When her small tongue darted out, and she licked at the seam of his lips, he parted them to grant her entry, but just a little. She did, hesitantly at first but then got a little bolder and started exploring.
It had taken Jackson all of his self-restraint not to wrap his arms around her and bring her flush against his body, then take over the kiss. Just imagining it he felt his balls contract and his shaft swell. At this rate, he was going to come in his pants just from that little kiss and scare the crap out of Tessa.
Closing his eyes, he tried to go over the day’s profit and loss summary, adding the numbers in his head. Anything to stop that eruption. After weeks of abstinence, with only his right hand for company and a pillow to bite, he was in a sorry state.
Damn it. He felt his fangs elongate.
Reluctantly, he pulled his head back and turned it sideways. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I can’t take much more of this. I don’t want to embarrass myself.”
A partial truth was better than a lie, right?
She leaned her head against his. “I’m sorry. I know how hard it is for you, and I’m grateful for your patience.” Her whisper sounded desperate.
“Can I hug you? I think you need a hug.”
She nodded, and in a split second he had his arms around her.
“It never fails to astonish me how fast you move. It’s almost supernatural. Are you Superman?”
“Oh, gosh darn, you unmasked me. Yes, I am.”
“And so modest.”
“That too.”
The joking seemed to break the spell, and Tessa heaved a heavy sigh. “We need to talk.”
Damn it. Not that. Jackson felt his muscles stiffen.
“Don’t get all tense. It’s not something bad, it’s good. At least I think it is.”
Tessa shocked him completely when she sat in his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m falling for you, Jackson. I never thought I would, but I am.”
“Oh, Tessa.” He held her to him gently. “I fell for you a long time ago.”
She didn’t try to refute his statement but didn’t acknowledge it either. “It can’t go on like this. I’m making you miserable. I need to break this barrier that is holding me back from getting intimate with you.”
“There is no rush.”
She lifted her head and smiled. “You must be the sweetest guy who ever lived. But it’s time. I’ve been thinking about it, a lot. And as long as it’s me touching you, I should be okay. I know it’s asking a lot and that it goes against your nature, but if you could do it for me, it might help me get over my fears. Small steps. That’s all I can do.”
This was like a dream come true, and if she needed to tie him down to the bed to feel safe, he would gladly let her do it. The problem was that when aroused, not only did his dick grow in size, which Tessa would expect, but his fangs as well. Not to mention that his eyes would start glowing like two fucking flashlights.
It wasn’t a problem with other females when he was the one doing all the moves. They never saw the bite coming, and when it did, the euphoria that followed took care of their moment of panic. None of that would work with Tessa taking her sweet time exploring his body while he was immobilized.
He would have to tell her.
“Jackson? What’s going on in that head of yours?” Tessa regarded him with worry in her eyes.
The lie came easily. “I’m trying to figure out a way for you to tie me down to the bed. It’s a problem since my bed is a couch and has nothing you can secure a rope to.”
Tessa laughed. A happy little giggle that made his heart soar. She didn’t laugh often enough. “I see that you’re one step ahead of me already. I was just waiting for a yes or no from you.”
“Are you kidding me? Of course it’s a yes. But I need to get a new bed.”
“Are you serious?”
“Very. I want you to feel absolutely safe. Having me tied down should remove the last of your fears.” He winked. “And mine.”
He just needed to figure out how to keep his fangs hidden. Maybe he could wear a mask? Right. As if Tessa wasn’t scared enough already. A blindfold could take care of his eyes, but he doubted Tessa would be okay with a big Band-Aid over his mouth.
He had to tell her the truth about who and what he was. After all, there was a good chance she was a Dormant, and if they ever ended up going all the way, she needed to know about her chances of turning immortal.
Was it his decision, though, or did he need Kian’s approval? Or was it Amanda’s?
As far a
s he could remember from clan law classes, there was no mention of the proper way of going about turning a Dormant. Which created a loophole. If he didn’t tell anyone and just did it, no one could accuse him of breaking a law that didn’t exist.
On the other hand, taking responsibility for something as monumental as turning a Dormant was scary as hell.
Chapter 24: Carol
As Carol knocked on Kian’s office door, her stomach felt as if she’d swallowed a nest of hornets. What could he want from her?
She hadn’t gone out drinking in ages, and only smoked one joint a night out on her balcony after Robert fell asleep. Could Kian be mad about that?
“Come in.” He waved her in.
She opened the glass door, closing it carefully behind her, then walked past the oblong conference table, stopping a few feet away from Kian’s monstrosity of a desk. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes. Please take a seat.” He motioned to the armchair on the other side.
She sat on the very edge. “What is it about? Am I in trouble?”
Kian chuckled. “No, you’re not in trouble. There is something I want to discuss with you.”
Pfft, that’s a relief. Carol got more comfortable in the armchair.
“I understand that the idea of interning with Gerard no longer appeals to you.”
Aha, so that’s what this was about. “No, not really. I’m thinking of taking a culinary course instead. After Nathalie comes back to work, that is.”
“How about the Guardian training? Are you going to continue the program?”
“Sure. I love it. Not the endurance training Brundar wants me to do, but all the rest.”
Kian seemed satisfied with her answer. “I’ll cut to the chase. An idea came up to send a female immortal spy to the Doomers’ island. Her job would be not only to collect information but to plant the seeds of rebellion. We can’t attack the island, and we have no way of ever ending this conflict. The destruction of Navuh’s organization and his propagation of Mortdh’s destructive ideas must come from within.”
It all sounded like a great idea, but why was he telling her that?
Kian chuckled. “From your bewildered expression I gather that you have no idea what any of that has to do with you.”
She nodded, afraid to say something that would sound stupid.
“There is no one better for the job than you.”
“Get out of here! Me?”
Shocked didn’t begin to describe it. Kian must’ve been eating shrooms if he thought she was the right woman for the job. What in her past performance had led him to believe she was a capable person, let alone a superspy who could start a revolution? She was an irresponsible, pleasure-seeking airhead of average intelligence, who excelled at nothing other than seducing men. Not a great accomplishment by anyone’s standards.
“Yes, you.” Kian pointed at her.
“Thank you for the compliment, but you’re mistaken. I’m not the right person for the job.”
Kian regarded her with a contemplative expression. “I will understand if you don’t want to do it. Most people would decline. It’s an extremely dangerous mission, and it will probably span years if not decades. But as far as qualifications, you’re perfect. After a lot of intensive training, that is.”
Carol shook her head. “Explain to me like I’m a two-year-old why you think I’m perfect for the job.” Too much was on the line to worry about looking stupid in front of Kian. Besides, he needed to see who he was dealing with.
“You look young and sweet, even naive, and you’re a beautiful, fair-skinned blond—exactly the type slavers are looking for to deliver to the island. You’re a skilled seductress, and good at manipulating men to do what you want. More importantly, you enjoy it. In addition, you have proven that you’re extremely tough. What you lack are military and espionage skills, as well as the finesse of spreading the seeds of new ideas. A year or two of training with Brundar will take care of the first two, and our media expert, Brandon, can teach you all you need to know about the third.”
Kian thought she was tough because she’d survived the sadist. But did it count? It hadn’t been bravery, just stubbornness, endurance and to a large extent loyalty. There was no way she could’ve betrayed her family. Anything else she would’ve given up without much of a fight, but not her clan. To have their deaths on her conscience would have been worse than any torture the sadist could’ve put her through.
“You don’t have to give me an answer now. This is a long-term plan, and you can take your time to mull over it. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly. As to compensation, it’s basically whatever you want.”
An incredulous snort escaped Carol’s throat before she could stifle it. But what the hell? If Kian thought she was all that, she could at least talk to him as an equal. “Do you thing I would do something like that for money? You’re charging me with a task of gargantuan proportions. You’re asking me to risk my life and leave everyone I care for behind for Fates know how long, maybe forever. And you think money can buy that?”
Kian lifted his palms in a sign of peace. “Of course not. It’s just a bonus. I know that if you decide to do it, it will be because you love your clan. More than that.” He paused for effect. “You, Carol, can singlehandedly change the world for the better. If you succeed, and the Doomers revolt against Navuh and forsake their agenda, every human and immortal on earth will benefit. There will be nothing to hinder progress and no one to instigate wars.”
Carol looked at Kian with eyes peeled wide.
He leaned forward. “Imagine that, Carol. You can go down in history as the most influential female who’d ever walked the earth.”
Wow! The buttering up was working. Kian was exaggerating, naturally, but if she succeeded…
Fates. Could she do it? Spend years pretending to be a human whore? True, she’d done it before, but there was a big difference between a courtesan and a common prostitute. Though given her experience and her skills, she could rise to the level of courtesan in no time. All it would take was to have one of the head honchos fall for her. Easy. She’d done it before. Many times. And once she had the guy wrapped around her little finger, she could start whispering the right things in his ear.
The idea seemed more exciting by the minute. So many hunky immortal warriors to play with. The only hitch she could foresee was that one of them would detect her unique immortal female scent and recognize it for what it was. A professional risk, since doing what she was charged with meant that she was going to be aroused a lot. Could a heavy perfume mask the scent? She needed to experiment.
“How soon do you need an answer?”
“Take your time. There is no rush.”
She nodded. “I want to do some testing first. You know, with the scent of arousal. I need to check if a heavy perfume will take care of it. I know those guys have no point of reference, but after a while, one or more may grow suspicious of the only female in the brothel who smells differently.”
“A valid point. If the answer is no, then I think we will have to scrap the idea. I will not send you there if there is the slightest chance of anyone figuring out you’re an immortal. Your life and the success of the mission depend on no one ever discovering it.”
There was another way she could get discovered. If a guy got rough with her, it would be hard to hide her rapid healing. Carol chewed on her lower lip. “What if I get hurt? How do I hide my quick healing from injuries?”
“According to Dalhu, Sharim was the only known sadist. Which doesn’t surprise me. Doomers may be brainwashed to regard females as inferior, but that doesn’t change their natural immortal instincts to protect them. Sharim was a rare deviant. But there are those who like it rough, especially among the humans. So it’s a valid concern.”
“I can pretend to hide bruises with lots of makeup. Or even better”—she smirked—“”some stinky homemade poultice. That will keep the immortals away.”
Carol was proud of herself. She was pro
ving to Kian that she was much smarter than anyone gave her credit for, and quick on her feet.
Kian raked his fingers through his hair. “Both of us need to give it more thought. I’m starting to realize that I let myself run with the idea before thinking it through. I figured all the technical stuff could be solved out later. Like how to get you out of there or how to get information out. But the issues you raised are fundamental. Too many things can give you away. It’s too dangerous for you.”
Way to punch a hole in her excited bubble. He couldn’t do this to her; dangle a chance of fame and glory in front of her nose then take it away. This was her chance to do something great. Carol the ditsy slut who smoked pot and drank too much would be no more.
Wait a minute. She’d have to give up pot?
“If we figure it out and I start training, will I need to stop smoking pot? Or drinking? I don’t do it now as much as I used to before the kidnapping, but I don’t want to give it up completely.”
Kian’s smile was sad. “If you don’t overdo it, you don’t need to give it up. On the contrary, a pot head fits the profile and will make your act more believable.”
Carol let out a relieved breath. “Good. There is a limit to what I’m willing to sacrifice for my people.” She winked. “I draw the line at pot. Risking my life is one thing, but giving up my recreational substances is another.”
Chapter 25: Robert
Robert wrinkled his nose. “Why did you put on so much perfume?” Carol’s perfumes were top quality, and when used in moderation they smelled terrific on her. But she’d overdone it this time.
“I’m conducting a little experiment. Come kiss me.”
That would be tricky. He needed his mouth for breathing. But he wasn’t going to turn down an offer of a kiss. “Come here.” He reached for her, wrapping his arm around her narrow waist and holding her nape with his other hand. “I love your lips.” He didn’t start gentle. His tongue was in her mouth the moment their lips touched.
Carol moaned, her body going liquid in his arms as she pressed herself against his body.
