by Anna Santos
Anna breathed deeply before engaging again in that discussion. “That is not a reason for you to have sexual fantasies about him at night. And he is my grandfather! You could at least respect that.”
“I respect that. I know perfectly well that nothing is going to happen between him and me. He doesn't see me in that way. Trust me, I tried—”
“You what?” she asked out loud, seemingly outraged. “And you wonder why he doesn't like you there? You hit on him. It's normal that he doesn't want you around if you behave like that. God damn it, Jessie! Why would you do that? There are plenty of guys interested in you. Eric, James, even Sebastien. Why did you have to go and hit on my grandfather?”
Jessica fisted her hands. “I didn't hit on him. I barely see him. And Eric and I are friends, James is not dating material, and Sebastien has a soul-mate running around, so I don't want to have a relationship with him. He is too sweet.”
“You have a soul-mate running around somewhere, too. Or did you forget?”
Jessie silenced and hugged herself with gloomy eyes. “I'm losing hope. He is probably dead, or maybe he reincarnated and is no longer a vampire. He might be a mortal, a witch, a werewolf, or he could be a lot of things. He can be a baby for all I know. I wasn't born a vampire. I reincarnated as a witch, so he can be from a different species now.”
“Jessie,” her friend whispered with a sad voice. She went to her side and rubbed her back. “I can't say anything to make you feel better. I don't have the power to answer your questions. But this is not a reason for you to feel attracted to my grandpa. There are lines you shouldn't cross. Hitting on my grandpa is one of them.”
“Don't you think I know that? Do you really think that I have this fixation on him on purpose?”
“Fixation?” she asked, her eyes opening in concern.
“It felt really nice when he...I can't forget that. I tried, but I can't. I feel ashamed of my actions and feelings. I didn't want to feel this. I'm sorry,” she whispered with tears in her eyes.
Anna sucked in a breath, rubbing Jessica’s shoulders. “When he what?”
Jessica shrugged. She wasn’t going to tell her about their kiss.
“Don’t cry. You rarely cry,” Anna said with a worried voice. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to make you feel bad. I didn’t mean to be so hard on you.” She smoothed down Jessica’s hair. “Perhaps, you are mistaking your feelings. Maybe you just want his approval because you barely knew your dad and you see him like a paternal figure.”
“No,” she sobbed, wiping her tears with trembling hands. “Every time I see him, I feel crazy butterflies in my stomach. I get hot and shaky. I lust for him,” she blurted as if it was a dangerous secret that she didn't want anyone else to know. “And I'm totally aware of how wrong this sounds.”
Her best friend stared at her quietly for a long moment while she dried her tears and tried to calm herself down.
“Don't hate me. Please don't hate me. I'm being frivolous about this. I am not that heartless about the opposite sex. I just want someone to love me, a mate, my mate. I didn't intend to fall for your grandfather. He is a complete jerk to me. He doesn't care about me that way. Maybe you are right, maybe I'm just…being silly and fantasizing about something I can't have. And I'm trying to fight the feeling. This is not a whim, I swear.”
“Okay.” She nodded. “Don't cry, Jessie. I'm not mad. You just caught me off guard. He is my grandpa. I was not expecting for you to find him attractive. Eric is more age-appropriate for you. He is also handsome, and he likes you a lot. I thought he would be more your type. You always go for the young-looking hot vampire guys.”
“I know I don't normally go for older-looking guys. But don't be like that. Your grandpa is totally hot.” She sniffled, defending him, upset by Anna’s words. “And he is kind and sweet to me, when he is not being a jerk. Which he is most of the time, so I really don't understand the appeal.”
“Maybe you are attracted by the lack of attraction he has for you.”
“Maybe, I'm just spending too much time there. I'm going to concentrate on my stuff and stop my visits to the palace. I will probably go out, enjoy myself, and pick up some random hot guy to let some steam off.”
Anna glared at her. Jessica knew that she didn’t approve of the idea of hooking up with some random stranger as a solution for fixing her problems.
“Just go have some fun, and stop trying to fix your problems with sex.”
“My main problem is the lack of sex,” she shared, sighing deeply. “I'm having all these nightmares and all these unfinished hot dreams—I'm getting really frustrated. I need to—”
“Don't say it,” she warned.
“Fine. I'll buy a vibrator,” she growled.
Anna chuckled at the same time that the doorbell rang. “Are you expecting anyone?”
“No. No one cares about me. I'm a lonely soul. I have no mate, no boyfriend, not even the freedom to try to hook up with some hot vampire because you’re acting like my mom.”
“Someone has to put some sense in your head,” Anna replied as she went to open the door.
Jessica was going to say something more but then stopped, as surprised as Anna.
On the other side of the door stood the king, in his medieval clothes, accompanied by two of his bodyguards. He never left his palace…She couldn't help but wonder what he was doing here.
Annabel invited her grandfather inside her home.
The king’s eyes went straight to Jessica, who was seated in the kitchen, staring back at him.
“This is a pleasant and unexpected surprise. Have you come to dine with us?” Anna asked after kissing her grandpa on his cheek.
The king smiled and ruffled her hair as if she was a little girl. She looked small, standing next to him. He was a giant with broad shoulders, and Jessica couldn’t help but want him beside her, even if it was just to kiss her cheek and ruffle her hair. She was losing it! She had just promised Anna that she would stop having daydreams and night dreams about her grandpa.
“I’ve just come to see if everything is okay,” he said, without taking his eyes off of Anna.
“Everything is fine,” Anna replied.
“You haven’t been to my place to visit me since my recovery,” he stated as if it were a complaint.
Jessie crumpled a piece of paper in her hand. She was not pleased by his appearance there. She wanted to stay away from him, and he didn’t want her presence around him either. So what was he doing there? And why was he ignoring her?
“I have been busy.” Anna grinned. “Come and join us in the kitchen. I was about to make some coffee. Jessie and I were having a nice conversation.”
Jessica clenched her teeth, knowing as well as Anna did that that was a lie. They had been talking about him, and he appeared there as if by magic.
“Miss Jessica,” the king greeted without approaching her. He just did a small bow with his head.
Jessica frowned at him, hoping he understood that she wasn’t pleased to see him. But she couldn’t help feeling flustered by the memories of what they did together.
“Hello,” she greeted back, grabbing her things. “I’ll finish this in my bedroom.”
Leaving to go to her bedroom, she tried to ignore the rage that was taking over her and making her shake. If he didn’t want to see her, she didn’t want to see him either. After all, he was there to see his granddaughter, not her.
Chapter Ten—Royal Visit
THE KING
As Jessica headed to her bedroom, the king followed her with his eyes.
“I’m sorry about that. She...is cranky today,” Anika apologized to him.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m aware that I was extremely rude to her. I came here hoping I could apologize. However, I can see that she is still holding a grudge against me.”
“Yes,” his granddaughter replied, showing him the barstools around the kitchen island. “Anyhow, I’m glad you came here to see me or—her. Who did you come to see?”
The king sat on the stool where Jessica had been previously. It wasn’t the most comfortable seating. Then he replied, “The both of you. I hope I’m not a disturbing you, am I?
“Oh no, I was about to start cooking dinner. Shane went with the boys to train them. Today is werewolves against vampires and hybrids. He will be starving when he gets home. Do you want some coffee?” She rested her hands on the countertop made of wooden packing crate slats.
“I’d rather have tea. Coffee makes me an insomniac,” he replied, stretching his lips into a smile.
While Anika prepared his tea, he analyzed the cottage she was living with her werewolf mate. His kitchen was bigger than that. Despite the size and the rustic décor, it looked cozy. She seemed happy to live there with Shane. They could live in the palace with him. However, he understood that young couples needed their space and privacy.
“Is she angry at me? She hasn’t been coming to the palace to use my books. Did I hurt her the other day? It was not my intention,” he mumbled, so only Anika could hear him. He was also hoping to find out what Jessica had told his granddaughter.
“I can’t really answer your questions, Grandpa. You should probably ask her directly,” she advised, coming back to the kitchen island. “I wasn’t present. I didn’t witness your…outburst.”
The king sighed. “I’m not proud of what happened.”
“You were sick.”
He nodded, though, he knew it was just an excuse. The reason why he reacted that way was simple. Jessica’s presence, her scent, their new bond woke up his vampire’s abilities. He had become immortal again. That meant that it would take him longer to see his wife in the afterlife. Also meant that he involuntarily lusted for the girl and had a hard time controlling his actions. Did Jessica tell Anika that he had kissed her?
“I was hoping she wanted to speak with me.”
“So you came here to see her and not me.” She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the countertop.
“No.”
“You never leave your palace,” she remarked.
“I’m feeling guilty about what I said to your friend. I’m aware that I was rude. However, I had no intention of hurting her feelings or dictating where she should or shouldn’t be. I was not trying to make her feel unwelcome in our home. She may continue to use the library if she wants.”
Anika puckered her lips before advising, “You should say that to her.”
“I have a feeling that she doesn’t want to speak with me or see me for that matter.”
“She will accept your explanation. You just need to talk to her and tell her that you didn’t mean to hurt her feelings and send her away.”
But he had meant it. Her presence disturbed him. Yet, he was there, trying to make amends.
“Do you want to go to her bedroom?”
“Her bedroom? I shouldn’t be inside her quarters. It is not chivalrous behavior.”
Anna arched an eyebrow and sighed, “Oh please, Grandpa. It’s not the time to be a prude. She has been to your bedroom.”
The king felt the temperature in his body rise. The last time they were in the same room, he kissed her.
“But, it’s her bedroom,” he mumbled uncomfortably. “Couldn’t you just ask her to come here, so I may speak with her with you as my witness?”
Anika grinned. “She is not going to attack you.”
“I’m not so sure of that.”
His granddaughter frowned. “She’s a powerful witch and you are…well, you aren’t as strong as you were. You were lucky she didn’t blast you out of the window or made you stay frozen for a while when you lunged at her,” she said as she circled the kitchen island. “But you were sick and Eric stopped you. She understands. Come, let’s talk to her.” She reached for his hand and led him to Jessie’s room, where she knocked on the door. “Jessie, can I come in?”
* * *
JESSICA
“Yes, the door is open,” Jessica answered. She lay on her stomach across the bed, waving her legs back and forth as she read her grimoire and sucked on a lollipop. She frowned at Anna as she peeked inside. “Is he gone?”
“No, he is right here.” Anna opened the door and pushed her grandfather in. “Grandpa has something important to tell you,” she explained with a wide smile on her lips. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”
Anna left, closing the door behind her and leaving a serious king and a mistrustful witch staring at each other.
Jessica sat up on the bed and looked at the king with curiosity. She pulled the lollipop out of her mouth and waited for him to speak. He didn’t. He seemed anxious, just looking back at her with his big blue eyes.
She stood and brushed her hair with her fingers. “So, what do you have to say to me? Or did Anna force you to come in here and make amends? She thinks everyone should get along, so she’s probably hoping that you can stop being a jackass and treat me like a person. Oh wait, no, I’m sorry. How could you treat me like a person if I’m just a child who spends her day provoking men?” She was being sarcastic, and her voice couldn’t conceal her hurt.
The king breathed loudly, apparently not in the mood for her cynical remarks. He clasped his hands behind his back and stared at her from top to bottom. She put her hands on her waist.
“What? Is there something wrong with these clothes, too?” She was wearing a tank top and shorts. It was hot and she was at home, so she’d wanted to feel at ease.
* * *
THE KING
The king’s eyes roamed her body up and down. What she called clothes, barely covered her smooth and pale skin. Even without makeup, her lips were pink, and her face was lovely. She was a gorgeous girl.
“I’ve just come here to apologize to you. I was out of line. Being ungrateful wasn’t my intention. But, in my defense, I was recovering from a very high fever.”
She said nothing.
“Eric told me that…you were a dedicated nurse.”
Jessica puckered her lips and folded her arms. “Next time you are sick; I’ll make sure I stay away.”
Despite the grumpiness in her tone, he smirked.
“Did I say something funny?” She wondered with her brows drew together.
“No.” He pressed his hand against the velvet of his jacket. “I don’t remember what happened in the first days. It must not have been easy on you with my delirious state.”
Jessica’s left hand searched for support as she stepped back. She sat on the edge of the bed. “Do you—” Her hands rested on the mattress. He arched an eyebrow when she bit her lower lip. “Do you remember anything that happened in the first days?”
“I can’t say I do.”
She sucked in a breath. “Okay.”
“Should I remember something?”
She shrugged, gazing down at the floor. Her reactions intrigued him.
“Do you accept my apologies?”
Bouncing on her feet, she replied. “I’m going to think about it.”
He gripped his hands behind his back and tried to control his feet from moving forward to reach her and force her to look at him. Clenching his jaw, he clarified, “The way you dress is none of my business. So I was hoping that you would forget my behavior and return to the palace to complete your work. There is no point in sulking here. We can act like adults and share the library. I won’t interfere in your project as long as you don’t bother me, either.”
Jessica directed her narrowed eyes at him. “Bother you?”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I can still help you with the translation.”
Her voice came out strangled. “I have all I need right here. You don’t need to bother yourself.”
The king sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Final offer, I’ll help you with the drawings for your new book of spells.”
Her brows drew together. “Why?”
“Kevin still needs your expertise. Plus, a witch is always…useful.”
“So you don’t remember anything? Anything at all?”
she insisted.
He sensed that she wanted to talk about their kiss. “Whatever I did, I wasn’t…being rational.”
“So you remember.”
“It won’t happen again,” he guaranteed.
“Do you remember what you told me in your bed?”
The king breathed deeply. “About what?” The memories were blurred. Though, he knew that he had said things that he shouldn’t have. He had hugged her and almost bit her because of the bloodlust. Did he do something more than that?
“I apologize if I hurt you,” he mumbled.
She snorted as she folded her arms. “Hurt me?”
Her attitude bothered him. “What should I remember you taking care of me? I have already thanked you for that.”
Her hands fisted into the bedspread. Rising up, she demanded, “Please leave.”
He could sense her distress. “Why?”
“I don’t wish to talk to you anymore.” She stormed past him to the exit.
Before she could reach the door, he grabbed her by her waist, placed his arm around her stomach, and pulled her against him, making her lollipop fly out of her hand and hit the floor. His face caressed her hair as he took in her scent and, for a moment, time stood still.
* * *
The king had her grounded against his chest; she could feel the heat coming from him. Her heart throbbed erratically, her mouth was dry, and she couldn’t move. She didn’t want to move.
“Please, Jessica.” His warm breath feathered her ear, and she stopped fighting to get out of his arms. Not that she tried hard.
Stiffening inside his arms, desire sharpened her senses. She had the impression that he was sniffing her, taking in her scent, but then all became blurry again. The ground spun under her feet as she fought the urge to close her eyes and surrender. She felt trapped inside her own lust. The overwhelming attraction made it impossible for her to want to get away from his embrace.
“Are you going to let me go? Or do I have to force you?” she asked, resisting the urge to moan.
