The elevator’s ding had him pulling himself lazily from the wall, and with a hand at her back, he urged her out and into the awaiting gathering. The skin beneath her thin t-shirt flushed with the heat of his hand, but it was hard to focus on that one connection when there was so much to see ahead.
A low thrum of music reverberated through the space, lending to the darkly seductive atmosphere. Awash in the dimmest of lights, it was difficult to make out many details, but the moment she stepped out with Jaxon at her side, it was clear to her she may have been onto something in calling him your highness.
All along their path, people seemed to give him the right of way, stepping clear of his direction and nodding their heads out of respect. He took it all in stride, though not without a prideful lift to his chin. Alana was also pulled in the fray, and was bombarded with curiously side-swept glances.
The asshole seemed to love every second of it.
“Over there,” he motioned with a nod of his head.
Across the room several people stood with their palms up amidst a buzzing funnel of energy. Even from afar she could feel the tinge of magic in the air and felt compelled to taste it for herself.
That is, until Damon stepped across the forefront of her vision. She stilled, prey to her swirling thoughts that settled on the face that had never once left her darkened dreams. She may have been the one to start the betrayal, but he’d threatened not only her, but anyone that had ever touched her heart as well.
For that, she’d kill him herself.
Hell-bent, she strode forward, only for Jaxon to yank her back with a firm grip on her arm. He pulled her back hard, slamming her against his chest while his lips dipped close to her ear. “Don’t.”
She fought against him with an angered, but futile wrench of her arm. “What the hell did you bring me for if you aren’t going to let me go after him?”
“I’m saving your ass, you should be thankful. That talisman he’s wearing, it-”
“Saving my ass? If I don’t get to that asshole first, he’ll kill me, and my sister.”
With a gruff expression, he dragged her away from the crowd, much to her upset. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Keeping you alive,” he grumbled before shoving open the first door they came to. Swinging her inside the narrow study, he followed close behind and slammed the door at his back, sealing them in, free of prying eyes.
“Let me, the fuck out,” Alana growled as he stood firm before the door like a brick wall.
“You’re being rash, and ridicul-”
At him she lunged with a lightning fast flick of the knife she’d earlier tucked into her pocket. Toward the meat of his arm she aimed, her teeth grit with her dark intent. She’d get out of that damn door if it killed her.
Set off course by his swiftly raised defense, she found her forward momentum halted as a thick arm wrapped in a coil around her waist. Against her back the strength of his form pressed, flooding her with an undeniable heat as she swung in a perfect arc backward at his still stance.
In an instant she was freed and spun back in with another attempted attack. Through the fabric of his shirt her knife sunk, ripping a lengthy gash just over the top of his shoulder. A thin line of crimson blossomed against his skin, and in her split moment of distraction, he latched onto her knife-wielding wrist with an iron grip.
Shoved backward by his imposing stride, she grit her teeth against the tightened squeeze that soon had her weapon falling free of her hand. “Asshole,” she breathed, before his focus changed entirely.
Around the back of her neck his hand slung, and in the span of a single exhale, he dragged her hard against his lips.
8
Jaxon’s grip on her neck kept her from pulling back from the kiss. Not that she wanted to. His firm lips against hers’ sent a shockwave of pleasure through her body. Her fingers dug into his chest, finding purchase as she kissed him back hungrily. They sipped at each other’s mouths like it was their last drop of water in the middle of the desert.
Alana ripped her mouth from his, panting hard. “We shouldn’t do this.” We really shouldn’t. But she really didn’t care. Honestly, fuck the rule book. In fact, throw that bastard out the window. Jaxon Stol was a man she wanted to climb on top of and ride until her legs shook uncontrollably.
Jaxon dragged his open mouth down her throat leaving a trail of heat in his wake. “Do you really want me to stop?” His tongue swirled against the base of her neck and his gaze met Alana’s as he waited for her response.
She shook her head, pulling at his shirt, her hands clumsy in their haste to feel his skin against hers.
“Say it, Alana. I want to hear it.”
She paused for a second, trying to form a coherent sentence. “No. Don’t stop.” She pulled his shirt over his head and dragged her nails down his chest leaving angry red marks over his muscles. You could do laundry on his abs he was so ripped. He hissed in desire, nipping at her collarbone in retribution.
“I didn’t think so.” His tone was both smug and relieved at the same time and when his fingers dug into the flesh of her ass, lifting her against him, she couldn’t find it in her to care about his surety that she’d want to fuck him.
He walked a few paces forward, stopping at the table in the middle of the study and lowered her onto the cool wooden surface. Before he could step back, she wrapped her leg around his hip, his hard length pressing against her center. She wriggled her hips against his, the pressure of his center to hers’ a sensation she wasn’t ready to lose.
“You’re playing with fire, Alana.”
She moaned, gripping his back with one hand, the other cupping the bulge in his pants and squeezing slightly. His pelvis presses forward, almost as though it was involuntary, and he caught her mouth with his, his lips punishing this time.
Jaxon palmed her cheek in his large hand, his grip possessive, his touch demanding. He bit at her lip, each tiny sting sending a line of pleasure straight to her throbbing clit.
She grabbed his hand, pushing it towards her pussy. “Here. I want you here.”
He chuckled. The sound vibrating against her body. “Demanding little thing, aren’t you?”
“Just shut up and give me what I want, Jax.” She popped the button on his jeans, flattening her palm against his muscled abdomen and sliding downwards under his briefs. His cock was warm and heavy in her hand.
“Holy fuck. You’re bigger than I thought.”
“Scared?” He pressed his palm between her breasts, lying Alana back on the table making her lose her grip.
“No. Excited.” She wiggled her brows.
“Good. I don’t think I’m going to be able to be gentle with you.”
“I don’t want you gentle.” She retorted. She didn’t think she could stand it if he took his time with her. She wanted him hard, fast, and furious. All at once.
He hummed, not responding as he lifted her shirt, shifting her bra out of his way until her breasts were freed. “Perfect. I knew they’d be perfect.”
He leaned down, sucking one nipple into his mouth, his tongue circling the hard nub. He thrust his other hand down her pants, his fingers sliding through her soaked folds until his fingers slipped inside.
Her hips arched, begging for more of his touch. “Mmm, right there.”
“Wet and ready for me, already.” His words growled out against her breast sending goosebumps across Alana’s skin. He pumped his finger in and out of her, adding a second, and then a third until she was undulating against his palm, riding his hand.
“Jaxson.” She sighed his name.
She wasn’t sure that she should be feeling so much passion for a warlock, but who the fuck cared. His fingers were hitting all the right places, driving her insane with desire, and it wasn’t like he was the one trying to killer her anyway.
“Such a pretty sight, you under me, moaning my name.” He pressed his fingers up higher into her and she cried out. “Keep biting your lip and I’m
going to give you something else to do with that mouth.”
“Promises, promises.” She tsk’d, maneuvering her hips against his hand as he picked up his pace. “Don’t you dare stop what you’re doing.” Her legs were tensed around him,
Boom.
The table shook underneath them and they both froze.
“What was that?” She asked.
Jaxon pulled back, his fingers slipping from her depths, pulling another moan out of her.
“I’m not sure. But it doesn’t sound good.”
Screams and shots echoed outside the closed door to the study and another blast sounded, causing a vase to fall off a side table with a crash.
“I think you should put your shirt back on.” Alana pushed him back, pulling her bra back into place and sitting up.
Jaxon dipped down, snatching his shirt off the floor and covering up his drool worthy chest. She licked my lips, frustrated that something was getting in the way of their play. Her head was too heady with desire to give a damn about right or wrong right now. Whatever it was, it had better be fucking good or she was going to take out some pent-up energy on whoever was being a dickhead.
The rhythmic tap tap tap of shots firing out of an automatic weapon reached their ears and they locked gazes.
“I know that sound. It’s the mages.” Alana hop off the table and look around the room. Nothing but stacks of books and old looking knickknacks. “Shit. We’re not even supposed to be here.” If they find her there, she was so fucked.
Think, Alana. She ran through the escape routes in her head, all of them involving having to sneak past the mages undetected. Which was highly unlikely. “If they find me here, there will be hell to pay. Let alone finding me here with you.” She ran her hands through her hair, getting caught in a tangle and cursing.
“What’s so bad about being seen with me here?”
“Oh, let me think. We’re at an illegal magic party full of humans who are aware of our magic, using it for recreational purposes, and you’re the brother of the warlock we’re trying to catch.”
“Solid point.” He nodded. “You got a plan?” Jaxon grabbed his holster off the floor, securing it back to his belt. When had she even removed his belt? Or his holster?
Alana shook her head. Not the time. Focus. “Yeah, I’ve got a plan. You’re not going to like it though.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because we’re not going to make a run for it. We’re going to hide.”
9
Jaxon snorted. “I don’t hide.”
Alana growled under her breath. “Listen. I don’t have time for your alpha male bullshit right now. We can hide until the bullets stop flying or you can go try to catch one with your chest.” She threw her arms up in the air, backing away from him and towards the spiral staircase leading up to the second floor of the library. “Your choice, Jax.”
“Son of a bitch.” He cursed under his breath but followed her.
“Thought so.”
“Do you always have to have the last word?” He grits out between clenched teeth.
“Um yeah. Added bonus, it annoys you.” She smiled, baring her teeth at him in a semblance of a smile. The shouts and sound of shots fired creeped closer to them and She waved a hand at him. “Come on. Move your ass, we will have to find somewhere to hide up here until they search the room and mark it as cleared.”
They hustled up the stairs, and searched for a place to hide. There were rows and rows of books. A few nooks and crannies that they could hide in if they’d like to get spotted the minute someone walked up there.
“Shit.” She puffed out a breath, looking up at the ceiling.
“You got a plan B?” Jaxson planted his hands on his hips.
Alana noticed the clearance above the tops of the bookcases and the ceilings and smirked. “Actually, I do.” She pointed to the seemingly tight space above the shelves and Jaxson shook his head.
“There is no way my ass is fitting up there.”
“Like there’s a choice here?” She asked, rhetorically.
“God damn it.” Jaxson walked over to the bookcase in the corner and eyes it before cupping his hands together and nodding his head upwards. “You first, I’ll give you a boost.”
Alana didn’t waste any more time with arguing and stepped into his hands, jumping at the same time that he pushed her into the air. She pulled herself up, slithering on top of the wooden structure until she was belly down and out of the way.
She peered over the side. “It’s actually a bit roomier than we thought. Come on up. Plenty of space.”
“You better not be just saying that.” He grumbled.
He jumped up, huffing and hawing as he got situated. Jesus he was huge. She pressed flat against the wall and making herself as small as she could, yet he was still so close to the edge, if anyone was directly under them, they’d see him immediately.
“See, not so bad.” She tried to make her tone light.
“I don’t like small spaces.” Jaxon admitted.
“Well, we can talk about how my bosses are here, and raiding the same party we showed up to if that will help?” She wasn’t not sure how they knew to look there, or how to even find the party, it was by invite only.
“How do you think they got in?”
“Someone probably tipped them off. They wouldn’t make such a public display of force without evidence. Honestly, it could just be a regulation raid for illegal magical substances. I won’t know until I can report in and find out who ordered it.”
The door to the library opened and they both fell silent, their bodies tensing against each other. She tossed up a prayer to whoever was listening or even feeling generous and hoped that the team didn’t think to look up there.
She choked on her tongue as Nolan and Mason entered the study, both carrying weapons, but neither fully geared up.
“What is it?” Jax whispered.
“That’s my boss, Mason. And that douchey looking guy next to him is Nolan. The head of the Order of Magique.” She left out the part about Nolan being her ex for now. They’ve all made mistakes and now wasn’t the time to rehash hers.
Jax’s eyes widened and he turned to give the search party a second look. The team cleared the bottom level, not even bothering to come up to the second. Fucking idiots, but Alana wasn’t about to complain.
“All clear!” The leader of the team waved a hand in the air, and the rest of the team moved out while Nolan and Mason stayed behind.
“How did we miss him? Our intel was from a good source.” Nolan questioned harshly, his ire directed at Mason.
“Don’t look at me. Damon is a slippery bastard, and it wasn’t my source.” He shook his head.
“This was a waste of our time. He could have easily escaped right under our noses. We should have brought offensive mages with us, not defensive ones.”
“I made the best call I could with the factor of humans involved, Nolan. You know the protocol. Hell, you helped write some of it.” Mason shrugged. “Let’s go. We’ll check the rest of the penthouse and keep looking. He won’t evade us forever. Not on my watch.”
They left the room and Alana let out a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. What a cluster-fuck. “You know that Nolan doesn’t come out in the field often, right?” she asked Jax.
“I assumed he was a desk jockey.” He rolled his eyes. “Doesn’t want to mess up his pretty face, I’ll bet.”
He wasn’t far off, but she ignored the jibe. “You know, speaking of unusual things, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
“Yes, we can finish what we started earlier.” His gaze dropped to her lips and desire tightens her insides.
“Yes. I mean no.” Alana stuttered the words and he chuckled, his body pressed against hers set the sound through her bones. “That’s not what I wanted to ask.”
“Well out with it then. It’s not like I’m going anywhere.”
“Why didn’t you fight me that day?”
“What day?” Jax asked, his harsh face softening in confusion.
“That day in Que Theran’s tomb. Why didn’t you fight me like Damon did?”
“I don’t believe in everything my brother does, you know. Just because we’re both warlocks doesn’t mean we’re the same person.” His tone was defensive, and she shifted away from him to get a better look at his face. His body tensed again, his mouth in a firm line.
She’d hit a nerve there.
“I didn’t say that…”
He shifted next to her, his side pressing into hers. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to jump down your throat.”
“It’s okay. I get it. We all have family issues.” Like Alana’ sister. Who thinks she’s crazy pants.
The door to the library banged open and they both go still, slowly looking to see who’s joined them. A disheveled looking human male, his eyes wide as he peers around, and his pallor stark white.
“If he’s running around, the mages have probably left. “She paused waiting to see what the human did. He plopped into a seat, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and lighting up. “We should get out of here before they send a unit to watch the area for any stragglers.”
They slithered out from the crevice above the shelves and stayed alert, ready for a mage with a gun to pop out at any moment. They remained close to each other, crouched low as they head towards the back entrance into the penthouse. The maids entrance as it was called.
Alana pressed the button for the elevator, rocking back on her heels. She bit her lip, eying Jax out of the corner of her eye. He seemed relatively calm. His arms crossed over his chest, his body otherwise relaxed.
The elevator dinged, and they stepped inside the small space, their shoulders brushing. She ignored the tingle that went through her at the contact, and focused more on getting out of there. Why was it always awkward as fuck after you have sex? Or well, in this case almost have sex. Crazy hot, angry, hungry, sex. But it was still an almost.
The numbers softly chimed lower and lower and Alana twiddled her thumbs.
Fae Kissed Page 4
