by Anna Santos
His hand combed my hair and stroked my neck and earlobe. “Are you tired? Do you want to go home?”
“I love our home, but we have hardly any privacy.”
“Do you want privacy?” he asked, his voice coming out sultry as his arm snaked tighter around my waist and his body turned to increase the closeness between us. That was promising.
I gulped before answering, “Yes.”
When I raised my face to his, Jacob's gaze was so tender that it made my insides melt. He could stir all sorts of emotions in me with those chocolate starlight eyes.
His hand caressed my chin before his fingers softly brushed my lips. “Do not tempt me if you aren't ready, little minx,” he said with a strangled voice.
I smirked at him. The tip of my tongue stroked his thumb. His eyes narrowed as his mouth parted.
Lord, I could lose my balance with that sexy expression. I pushed his hand away, turning my body until I was closer to his chest. Clutching my hand to the collar of his sweater, I pulled him down, so I could make contact with the object of my desire: his luscious and oh-so-soft lips.
The ground exploded under my feet when our lips locked. Vertigo hit me, and I had to pause for a moment. Then I tasted him again and moaned for further contact.
Jacob must have read my mind because his arms circled around my hips, and he lowered his face to the level I needed to fully explore and taste his mouth. My hands imprisoned his face so that his escaping was difficult. Not that he would escape. Not by the way his hands kept gripping and massaging my back and hips while his mouth explored mine. That was a passionate kiss and so worth the wait! It was perfect and better than I could have ever imagined.
Chapter Seven—Bittersweet Happiness
Kissing Jacob was a refined ritual that got better and better every time our lips locked and the slow back and forward of our mouths began. The bliss I found inside his arms made me forget about my problems. He was gentle and passionate. He was patient. I felt safe.
The next morning, I found Jacob doing laps in the outside pool. It seemed to be his morning routine. Exiting to the garden, I sat on the chair and waited for him to finish. Meanwhile, I was replaying in my head the kisses we shared by the lake and outside my bedroom door. I wasn’t sure how we were able to let go or get home.
Before I realized what I was doing, I was hugging myself and nibbling on my lower lip while Jacob was standing in front of me, dripping water from his sexy and ripped body. The towel caressed his hair and circled his creamy skin. I gulped and bit my lip harder. A huge blush tainted my cheeks. I was acting out of character. Normally, I wasn’t brave enough to check a guy out like that. I couldn’t help myself, Jacob was too hot to resist. Jumping into that pool and doing a couple of laps to blow off steam seemed more and more enticing as the seconds passed by, and I kept ogling him.
“Camille?” His face was close to mine as his eyebrows knitted together in a questioning expression. “Are you okay?”
I gulped. “Yes?” My body shivered with our closeness and my eyelids felt heavy.
Jacob’s lips curled into a grin. His cold hand stroked my overheated cheek.
“You look sexy when you blush,” he whispered. His husky voice touched my skin as goosebumps traveled down my spine and circled the rest of my body.
My throat dried. I never liked when my red cheeks gave away my most intimate thoughts and state of mind.
“Se-sexy?” I stuttered, my hands clutching the arms of the chair.
“If it makes you feel better, I wonder how you look wet… inside your clothes.”
I breathed out and sank further in the chair. “What?”
I just died right there. Only to be brought to life when his lips touched mine and all the abundance of internal heat that circled within my body exploded into a wave of pleasure.
Daintily, my unsteady arms wrapped around his cold neck. The remaining water on his body transferred to my clothes, and I welcomed it until I realized that our bodies were creating enough heat to turn the liquid into steam. Jacob’s mouth was bombarding mine with an untamed passion. With my eyes closed, after a while, I stopped fighting my irrationality and gave in to my own fierce need to touch and kiss him.
Jacob lifted me from the chair as if I was a feather, snaked my legs around his waist, and walked to the pool. Before I could protest, he was descending the stairs and water surrounded us.
“You are so naughty,” I complained against his neck, shivering with the cold.
“It’s only fair that I can look at you wet, too,” he whispered in my ear, nibbling my earlobe and offsetting the low temperature with his kisses.
His lips kissed feather-like patterns along my collarbone and down my throat. His hands caressed my ribs and narrowed the space between our chests until it was hard to breathe. There was a little voice inside my head, claiming that Jacob was mine and all I could do was agree with it and keep holding on to his shoulders while moaning in pleasure as the water beneath us seemed to swirl into a vortex.
“If you keep that up, soon, there won't be any water in the pool,” a male voice said.
Jacob withdrew his lips to search for the owner of the voice.
I looked behind and saw a tall and blonde man smirking at us with his hands in the pockets of his khaki pants.
“Alpha Jerome, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?” Jacob asked. He maneuvered me to hide behind his back as any possessive wolf would do in the presence of a rival. I guess angels had a few things in common with the werewolves.
“If I recall, you asked for my help,” the man retorted. “I bring news.”
“Good or bad?” Jacob's muscles on his back tensed under my hands.
“Not very good.” The smile vanished from his handsome face. “You better get dressed.
Jacob nodded. “I'll be right back.”
Jacob turned around and faced me. His gaze landed on my cleavage, and he grinned as his tongue wet his lips.
I knew why he was smirking. The shirt was glued to my breasts leaving little to his imagination. Instead of feeling shy, I liked the way his eyes approved of what he saw. It felt nice being wanted.
“Hold on to me and don't scream,” he requested in my ear.
“Why?” I gazed up and, before I could blink, we teleported to my bedroom and wet the carpet under our feet.
“You have powers!” I gasped.
He nodded. “We kissed. Our angel forms have been activated.”
“Do they speak inside our minds?” I wondered with squinted eyes.
“Yes. You may hear voices until you become a full angel after the ritual.”
“That explains a lot.”
“That’s good news! It means your angel also activated.”
I grinned at his excitement. “Does that mean I will be able to teleport?”
He nodded.
“Will you teach me how to do that?”
“I’ll teach you once I find out what Jerome came here to tell me. Agreed?”
Nodding, I tiptoed and kissed his lips. When the kiss became deeper, Jacob spread kisses along my face and then kissed my forehead before disappearing to get dressed.
The news wasn't reassuring. The Shadow Pack had sent men to Paris. Alpha Simon had tried to find allies among the packs to declare war against the angels. The reason? They had taken someone from him, someone he wanted back: me.
“No one will support his ridiculous claim,” Jerome assured, sitting across from us at the desk in the office.
I was seated on Jacob's lap as his hand gripped my waist. He had been acting extremely protective which I didn't mind. Being apart from him was physically painful. Plus, the little voice in my head was clingy and needed his attention. My body craved his touch.
“Camille is no longer his. He rejected her. They have a barbaric ritual,” Jacob explained to his friend.
“We are well aware of their cruelty and insanity. We don't approve. Plus, no one would be foolish enough to go against Prince Cedric.”
/>
“Who else have his men talked to?”
“I heard rumors that they tried to approach the necromancers.”
Jacob raised an eyebrow. “Are they thinking about declaring war on us?”
“They are cowards and are outnumbered. However, they are offering a reward to whoever can tell them where to find your mate.”
Jacob clenched his jaw, and his hand gripped harder. I fidgeted in his lap, and he leaned down to kiss my cheek. “I'm sorry.”
I clutched his hand to comfort him.
“Few people know about this place. The ones who know are loyal and have no need for more money,” Jerome declared. “There's no need for concern.”
“And my brother?” I asked. “Any news about him?”
Jerome squared his shoulders and folded his hands on his lap. “I'm afraid there have been reports of packs being attacked by the Shadow Pack. One of them being yours, Camille.”
“Casualties?” I asked.
“They took more prisoners, but some were killed. The Alpha and the Beta, at least.”
I lowered my head. “I never meant for any of this to happen.”
“It is not your fault,” Jerome said. “It was only an excuse to claim more territory. But, war is coming. Stronger packs are becoming concerned with the Alpha Simon’s moves to increase the number of fighters in his pack. If the violence continues, there will be an attack and that’s when we will need the angels’ help.”
I looked at Jacob to see what was on his mind.
He gave Jerome a half-smile. “You will have our support. I'll talk to Cedric tonight, but rest assured, we are ready to offer soldiers to your war.”
“Glad we are on the same page. I have to go,” the Alpha said, getting up and smoothing his jacket. “I still have other leaders to meet today.”
Jacob and I stood as my mate reached to shake the Alpha’s hand.
Jerome addressed me with a gentle smile. “It was nice to meet you, Camille. I'm glad you have found a new home.”
“Thank you, Alpha.” I bowed in respect.
Jacob’s hand rested on my back and guided me to the exit where he accompanied his friend to the door.
“We will get more news about your brother, honey.” Jacob tried to comfort me when we were left alone.
I voiced my biggest fear. “Thierry may be dead.”
“Or captured. If so, we will free him.”
I held my lower lip captive between my teeth.
Jacob's arms secured me against his chest. “You have me now. No need to be afraid.”
I nestled my face against the fabric of his sweater. His scent calmed me. “I need to learn how to fight and use my angelic powers,” I shared with him. “I'm done running. I want to go with you if there's a fight.”
His hands stroked my hair as his chin rested on my head. “It will be dangerous.”
“War is always dangerous, but I need this to heal. Please don't deny me this. Don't make me think less of you.”
I stepped back and raised my face to gaze into his eyes. His brows drew together, and I was aware that, in a way, my words were a sort of blackmail. But, they were also true. As much as I liked to be protected and feel safe, I also needed to prove to myself, to Simon, and my former pack that I wasn't a scared, incapable weakling. Plus, my angel would never let Jacob go on his own. We didn’t want to lose him.
“We don't even know what your powers are yet,” Jacob reasoned.
“Teleporting, wings, super strength. Whatever comes with the rest of the package it's just a plus. I need you to teach me how to teleport. I know how to fight, sort of. Thierry taught me the basics, and I'm much stronger now than when I was a wolf.”
We looked deep into each other eyes for a few moments. My heart beat faster. I didn't want Jacob to undermine me. I wanted my mate to let me make my own decisions. I bit my lip harder, afraid that I might be wrong about him. Did I make a mistake in trusting and kissing him?
Securing my face between his hands, Jacob placed a soft kiss on my lips. “If we need to attack, we go together,” he assured me. “You can help, but I need to assess your skills.”
“Okay,” I mumbled, breathing deeply. “And if we need to save Thierry and there's no pack of wolves to help us?”
“We will gather our own intel and make a plan to help your brother.”
My lips stretched into a smile as I hugged him with happiness. “Thank you! Thank you!”
Chapter Eight—Bonding
The best thing about having someone who likes you is that when you can cuddle, and your bodies intertwine and mold together. I didn't have a lot of love growing up. My mom wasn't a warm and fuzzy woman. She didn't understand me. So, having someone to hug and make me feel better about myself was amazing and, at the same time, completely new. We were on Jacob's bed, kissing, giggling, and tickling each other.
“I can't believe how ticklish you are,” Jacob breathed against my neck as his hands examined my back. He rolled me over and placed me under his body.
Despite the small war in bed, Jacob was gentle and did his best not to overpower me with his strength and heavy sculptured body. My shrieks were embarrassing, but he was too sexy for me to want to stop the foreplay. Plus, my body ignited everywhere he touched.
“Okay, I'll stop,” he said, rolling to the other side and staring at the ceiling. He breathed deeply, and I also caught my breath. But, my body missed his, instantly. I looked at him, still shaking with laughter.
I placed my hands against my heated face. “I will find a place where you are ticklish,” I assured him. I wasn’t going to give up that easily.
“I still need to find one where you aren’t ticklish,” he teased back.
“You didn’t actually let me touch you,” I complained with puckered lips.
“Do you want to touch me?”
The heat in his eyes made me shiver. He challenged me, and I wasn’t going to cower. “I do.”
He placed his hands behind his head. “I’ll be still. Do what you want.”
Kneeling on the bed, my hair fell about my shoulders. I crawled over his body and brushed my nose against his neck. My tongue flickered out, and I drew patterns around the soft skin of his neck until I reached his earlobe and sucked it. Jacob shivered under my hands and laughed, pushing me back.
“See, you are ticklish,” I said, reclining with a proud smile of victory.
“Your lips are really soft.” He grabbed my hands and pulled me to fall over him again. “Come here, I’m not through with you yet.” I laughed as he hugged me and kissed my cheeks, nose, and mouth. “You are soft everywhere,” he whispered against my skin. “I love everything about you, from head to toe.”
I stopped laughing, his words imprinting themselves on my mind and soul. No one had ever said something as delightful as that.
“What’s wrong?” Jacob asked.
I shook my head to clear the emotional rollercoaster that was taking me over. “Did I hurt you?”
“No, of course not.” I laced my arms around his neck. “You are always careful.”
“Then why the gloomy face?”
“It’s not a gloomy face.”
“It’s not your happy face either.”
I pursed my lips. “You said you loved everything about me.”
He smiled and rested his forehead against mine. “You are my soul-mate.”
“Presumably compatible soul-mate,” I reminded him which made him become gloomy. “I’m sorry.”
Jacob sat back onto his heels. I witnessed the sadness clouding his chocolate eyes. “Do you regret kissing me?”
I sat against the headboard and shook my head. “I’m still baffled by the fact that you like me.” My mind wandered to a serious subject. “Is it just because we are compatible?”
“Who said I like you?” Jacob teased with a smile.
I rolled my eyes. “You should reject me then.” My voice came out harsher than intended, and I pouted.
Jacob turned my head to face his
gaze. “Is that your elaborate scheme to get to know my feelings for you?”
“Of course not. So, you don't like me?”
“You know I like you. Do you want me to tell you all the time?”
I nodded.
He smirked and gave me a peck on the lips. “I like you a lot, little minx.”
“So, this between us”—I pointed at him and me— “is serious?”
“This is very serious.”
Despite it being what I wanted to hear, I didn't smile. “We are in heat.”
Jacob smirked while his fingers played with my collar only to poke my nose. “Is that what you are calling our attraction?”
I nodded. “Wolves have it, too, after finding their mate.”
“I like being in heat for you. And you, Cami?”
I gulped at the nickname that only family and friends called me. My brother had a special way of saying my name. Now, on Jacob's lips, it sounded beyond sexy.
“Am I that unlikable?” Jacob probed.
“Of course not.” I gasped, my hand falling against his cheek. “It's just the way you said my name. Thierry likes to call me like that.”
“I'm sorry. I didn't want to remind you that your brother is missing.”
“I'm sorry, too. I didn't want to ruin this moment between us. I always worry too much about everything.”
“Everything will be okay.”
“But what if I don't love you enough to break your curse?” I asked him what was tormenting my mind lately.
“It works both ways. We both need to be deeply in love.”
“And do you think you can be madly in love with me?” I looked up into his dark eyes as he gazed down at me. My heart seemed to be beating outside of my chest.
“You have a huge heart. You are really courageous. You laugh easily when you are relaxed. You are also quiet and overthink everything. You aren't arrogant to others. You care about what happens to the people you love. There's nothing not to love about you.”
“I'm not courageous,” I mumbled, shifting my gaze to the wall.
