"That's right. We need to find a solution here in this world."
Neither of them had anything worthwhile to offer. The very best plan involved finding treasure in another world they could bring back to trade for this particular area of the woods. Finding valuable treasure overnight wouldn’t be an easy task at the best of times. Lauren was pretty sure if it could be done at all, it couldn't be achieved overnight. However, until the construction crews cleared out, Lauren was going to have a difficult time traveling between dimensions without being seen.
"If it did happen, what would you do?" Jade didn’t want to ask. "If they tore it all down and left it bare? If they put in housing, or a mall, or whatever it is they’re planning to put in?"
"I don’t… I don’t know," Lauren admitted in a small voice. "I don’t."
"You’d stay there, wouldn’t you? In your home with the Spartans?"
Lauren frowned.
The gesture alone told Jade everything.
Lauren would stay. She’d already given up on her college dreams and parted ways with her family for the men, and she’d part from this world too, if she needed to. A love like theirs wasn’t something that Jade understood. She wasn’t sure she understood it.
Jade felt attraction—hell, the draw she’d felt to Karl today was insane, Nic wasn't bad either—but she couldn’t imagine falling so deeply in love that she’d start her life over for someone. With her men, Lauren shared something special.
"We’re not going to let him tear down the woods." Jade was determined. She didn’t know how, but when times get tough, she always seemed to find a way. "We’re going to keep it safe. You’re not going to be stranded, Lauren. I’m not going to let that happen."
"I wish I knew how to help. The only thing I can offer is access to other dimensions, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to help any."
"It’s fine. It was my big mouth that said I could come up with a deal, so it’s going to be my big mouth that gets me out of it." Jade pushed her lips to the side. "I’ll just have to sweet-talk him like I do everyone else. It’s no big deal."
Except that it was a big deal. It was a tremendous deal. Not only did Jade worry about the fate of the forest, but she worried about losing her best friend along with it. And she had absolutely no plan at all.
Paired with the fact that on a purely physical level, Karl made her weak in the knees… she was in for one hell of a time tomorrow.
"Who else have you been sweet talking lately?" Lauren asked.
"What?" The question jolted Jade from thoughts of Karl. "Random question alert."
"You brought it up, and you do flirt with everyone." Lauren giggled. "We’ve exhausted our options brainstorming for solutions. We need to clear our heads, and there’s no better way than to talk about your love life now that you’re in the big city."
Jade chuckled. "What, are you regretting remaining faithful to three hunks, you scared you're missing out?"
"Hey, no way." Lauren kicked her. "I can remain faithful to my men and experience everything else vicariously through you, Jade. Now spill all."
Jade laughed. "Sorry, babe, there’s not much to tell."
"Don’t tell me you’ve decided to save yourself for your soulmate after all."
"No, not exactly. I’ve been busy studying. And the student life in the city isn’t always as wild as you might imagine." Jade rolled onto her stomach to get more comfy. There wasn’t anyone else she could talk about these things with, not in quite the way she could talk to Lauren. "To be honest, I want what you have with your men. I’d like to meet someone or two or three or four to have that special relationship with; best friends, soulmates, sharing life, great lovers. But at the same time, I’m only twenty-one, and that seems awfully young to make a commitment like that and exclude everyone else."
"I was twenty."
"I know. And it seems it was right for you. But I find it difficult to get my head around the fact that you'll never try it out with anyone new. How do you know you didn't make a mistake? How do you know you aren't missing something?"
Lauren smiled and shrugged. "I just know what's right for me. And how many guys do you want to sleep with?"
Jade reached up and racked her hand through her hair. "I don’t think I can put a number on it. God, that makes me sound like such a slut, but it isn’t like that at all. In fact, I’ve mostly been working hard, or there’s not been the opportunity, so it’s not like I’ve worked my way through every man and woman in Riverside. You know?"
"No. I don’t know."
"Well, what I’m saying is, at a physical level, I like men and women. That’s plural." Jade looked at her bedsheets and played with a tiny section of the fabric, scrunching it in her fingers, avoiding eye contact with Lauren. "I’d like to meet someone, fall in love, share plans and life, like you and the fire goddess. I’d like someone to care about, and someone who cared that much about me, someone to light my fire and get me smoking in bed, of course."
"Of course." Lauren giggled.
"But to be only in my twenties and then never get to touch someone else ever again…? It seems like a lot of self-denial. And I can’t get my head around that, not when there are so many sexy people out there. Lauren, have you seen them? I know it sounds like I want to have my cake and eat it, too."
"Hmmm… when I met the Spartans, in this life, they told me I could take other lovers if I wanted and they would wait."
Jade had heard that before. It seemed difficult to believe, but the Spartans were immortal men raised from the dead, so they weren't exactly typical guys.
"I didn’t want to, of course. And when you meet the love of your life, Jade, you might feel differently too."
"Yes, I suppose."
No, I really can’t imagine. Jade kept that thought to herself.
"So, you’ve not been sleeping with loads of hot totty then?"
Jade snorted. "Ah, as if." She lowered her voice to a whisper and stared at the bed covers. "I’ve had a bit of fun, of course. And I don’t think I’m going to want to give that up anytime soon."
Feeling somewhat ashamed about her confession, Jade risked a glance in Lauren’s direction, fearing her response.
Lauren looked thoughtful. "You know, over the past few years, while I’ve been with the Spartans, I’ve met people who have all kinds of lifestyles that are outside of what I once thought was normal. I’ve been to lands where marriages typically consist of three or four people, for example, not just two. I know that’s not what you are describing. I’m saying there can be someone special for you. Your relationship doesn’t have to be the same as everyone else’s. It doesn't have to be like mine. Or maybe things will change as you get older."
Jade felt a little happier after getting her concerns off her chest, and because Lauren hadn’t called her a slut. "Perhaps I could have a massive harem of men and women. I suppose that doesn’t sound too bad. In fact, it would be perfect."
Lauren chuckled. "Jade’s harem does have a certain ring to it. See if you can seduce that man in the suit into being the first of many."
"Lauren, I can’t believe you said that." Jade rolled over onto her side to make laughing a little easier.
"I can’t believe I said it before you did." Lauren grinned broadly.
"How am I supposed to face him tomorrow after discussing the possibility of him being the first man of my harem?"
Lauren snorted. "They say imagining someone without their clothes on makes them less intimidating in confrontational situations."
Choking back laughter, Jade sputtered, "Lauren, did you see Karl? Imagining him naked is so not going to help our cause." Tears of laughter began to roll down her cheeks.
"I know someone else who might be interested." Lauren twisted about. "Autolycus. He visits us a lot in Sparta and always asks about you. Asks too much about you, if you know what I mean?"
Jade groaned. "He's cute, if you're into bad boys. I like my men honest as the day is long."
Last summer,
one of Lauren's men caught Autolycus crossing the dimensions without authorization. Zander bought him to Sparta to discuss how and why the god was doing these crossings. It happened while Jade was visiting Sparta. The trespasser stayed for a while so they got to know each other a little as they all sat around in the open courtyard, drinking mead and telling stories.
After he left, Lauren had filled Jade in on a few details. Autolycus was a minor god by birth, the grandson of the god of thieves, he was himself a thief. He slipped between worlds and collected things. He wasn’t aggressive or dangerous, but he was a pain in the ass.
"If it all goes wrong, it’s possible the Spartans will come up with a plan that doesn't involve death," Lauren said after a long break in which the laughter had given way to silent contemplation. "There are other rifts between dimensions, after all. Our souls met elsewhere on the planet. So… so maybe this has happened before. Perhaps there’s a way to stop this. Some kind of magic that doesn’t involve mass destruction, you know?"
"I hope you’re right." Jade flopped back down on the bed. "But I’m going to do my best tomorrow, anyway."
"Can I help you out in any with that?"
Jade shot her a look. "Nah, I’m going to rock it solo. I don’t think I need any help from Captain Crazy."
Lauren stuck out her tongue. "He doesn’t understand what kind of danger he’s putting everyone in. I don’t care if I sound crazy—I would rather sound crazy than see people die."
"I know, but he doesn’t." Jade groaned. She was fighting an uphill battle. "The crazy definitely didn’t help our case. I’m going to have to bat my eyelashes hard to worm my way out of this one."
Lauren rolled over and nudged her playfully.
Cana lifted her head, observed the two of them, then settled back down when she was certain there was no threat.
"Maybe you can play up my craziness. Apologize to him, tell him that I’m insane and that you do your best to keep me on a leash, but sometimes I get out."
"God. You’re not my pet, Lauren."
"No." Lauren shrugged. "But you know, we might be cousins or something. If you hit him with a little emotional manipulation and bat your eyelashes, of course, he’ll fold."
"It’s worth a shot." It seemed highly unlikely. Unfortunately, it was also the best plan they had. "You staying the night?" Jade asked.
"Yeah. I think so. I don’t trust myself in the woods after dark. Not without the Spartans there to guide me. There’s too many things that might go wrong."
"We don’t have to share the same bed now I’ve admitted I’m sex-crazed."
"Well, firstly, we’ve shared the same bed many times before. And secondly, don’t you think I already knew we didn’t have the same attitude to sex and relationships, Jade? I mean, like how long have we known each other?"
After her early start and the long drive, Jade welcomed sleep even though it was for another early appointment. When they settled down in the double bed, Jade couldn’t keep her eyes open or fight sleep for long, even though she sensed Lauren’s anxiety keeping her restless and awake.
Despite a good night’s sleep, the alarm clock seemed to go off way too early. Jade wasn’t a morning person. She didn’t have to get up this early for school or college. But to save Beaumont woods, it had been torture two days in a row.
The Beaumont Inn was located in the heart of town. The building was old but well kept with a charming exterior. Hanging baskets of flowers made it look friendly and cared for. Jade found her way to room 102 without a problem, knocking on the door at seven a.m. sharp.
The door opened.
Jade sucked in a breath of surprise.
Karl stood there—the same asshole Karl from yesterday—but instead of a fine suit, he wore a blue terrycloth bathrobe.
Nothing else. At least, Jade guessed there was nothing on underneath. Although, why did she have to think about what that bathrobe covered?
It wasn’t exactly helping matters.
Jade’s mouth hung open. She couldn’t help herself. She looked down Karl’s body, plainly ogling, then looked back up. The robe was tied in the front with a cloth belt, hiding Karl’s naked body, but Jade had a good imagination. It wasn’t difficult to picture what lay beneath the robe.
"Did I get the wrong time?" Jade asked, sounding a lot more uncertain than she would’ve liked.
"You’re on time," Karl said coolly. He stepped back from the doorway. "I’d assumed you wouldn’t show up. Imagine my surprise."
"Really?" Jade scowled and stepped forward. "You didn’t think I’d show up?"
Karl narrowed a single eye. "No, I didn’t."
A queen-sized bed occupied the majority of the floorspace in the small room. The usual chest of drawers and TV were in position, and on the far side of the room, the curtains were drawn across the windows. To the side of the doorway, the tiny bathroom was in darkness. Jade expected more for someone as important to a project as the project director… or was he the landowner? Jade wasn’t sure.
Beaumont didn’t have luxury rooms to offer, but there were towns within an hour’s drive that had better hotels.
Karl sat on the foot of the bed and crossed his arms. "So, this business deal of yours…"
Jade swallowed. There was no business deal. By the time they’d gone to bed last night, neither of them had come up with anything better than trying to appeal to Karl emotionally.
Which, based on the set of Karl’s jaw, wasn’t exactly a stellar plan.
Jade took a huge breath. "Well, that’s the thing. It’s not really about the business deal."
"Then you’re wasting my time. Leave."
Jade furrowed her brow. She took a few steps closer, within arm’s distance of Karl. "Wow, rude much? Give me a second to finish what I was saying."
When Karl looked at her again, Karl’s gaze was distant and cold. "My time is precious. You and your friend took up enough of it yesterday. I have a job to do. I’d appreciate it if you stepped out of the way and left shit alone that doesn’t involve you."
Jade knew a thing or two about people. They interested her. It was what prompted her to study psychology. When she looked at the hard expression on Karl’s face, she didn’t see a man lacking compassion.
"Listen, I know you’re a busy guy, but…" What was the best way to handle a situation like this? Jade had to tread carefully. "I wanted to apologize for my cousin’s behavior. She’s a little strange, and sometimes she flies off the handle about things she really shouldn’t. I’m sorry."
"That was your cousin? Craziness must run in the family." Karl cocked his head to one side and smirked.
Jade made a sour face. "I’m trying to apologize here. If you would stop attacking me, that’d be great."
"I already told you." Karl stood, and as he did, his robe yawned open. Jade got a glimpse of his strong pale chest. She swallowed hard. "My time is precious. I’ve got a project to oversee. If you could kindly get the hell out, it would be appreciated."
Under normal circumstances, Jade would’ve called Karl a dick and moved on with her life. She would have gone back to Lauren to plan another way to save the woods and protect the area from discovery. Instead, all she could do was stare at the sliver of Karl’s exposed chest as she warmed from the inside out.
It made her bold in ways she shouldn’t have been.
"You know what?" Jade gaze darted up to meet Karl’s. "I don’t know why you’re developing in Beaumont, anyway. I don’t know what you’re looking to gain. There’s barely enough people here to call it a town. If you put in houses, no one’s going to move here just to live in them. If you put in a mall, there are too few people in town to support it. What the hell are you looking to prove?"
"I don’t think it’s any of your business," Karl ground out.
"Well, I’m making it my business." Jade stood her ground. If Karl wasn’t going to respond to her emotionally, then it was time to ditch the sob story and go on the offensive. "What the hell do you want from a town like Beaumont?
This multi-million investment you made? Bullshit. I could sell myself and make more money than you’d ever make from that plot of land."
Karl’s bottom lip twitched. "So you did come here to offer a deal." He smirked and raised an eyebrow.
"I—" Jade blushed. She hadn’t meant it like that.
"Well, then," Karl straightened up and stepped closer. In such a small room, this meant they were all of a sudden nose to nose.
Oxygen left the room, or Jade forgot how to breathe. One or the other.
"Let’s see exactly what you have to offer." Karl slowly reached out a hand as if to calm a skittish animal. He placed the palm against Jade’s cheek, and the thumb stroked Jade’s lips.
As before, Jade’s skin sparked with electrical energy. The chemistry between them was something she’d never experienced before yesterday.
But it was real. Tangible.
Frozen as still as a statue while hot desire flooded her, Jade wanted to reach for that thumb with her mouth and suck on it.
Jade had never wanted anyone like she wanted this man.
Chapter Four
The huge physical attraction between them had become impossible to ignore.
Jade couldn’t move.
So Karl did. He leaned forward, closing the gap between them.
Their lips met.
For all that he exuded self-confidence and power, Karl’s kiss felt slow and gentle. The tentative touching of lips. The sliding of one open mouth over another. A tongue bringing moisture and heat but only teasing at the entrance and not barging its way in.
Deep in her core, hot desire uncurled within Jade. Her heart hammered hard, and her blood heated below the surface of her skin. She became incapable of functioning. In her blank mind, she couldn’t recall what brought her to this hotel room.
She only knew she was ready to consent to absolutely anything.
Karl’s kiss grew bolder. He forced Jade’s lips apart with his own.
Jade moaned into his mouth as Karl’s tongue invaded Jade’s mouth.
Jade traced her tongue along Karl’s; he tasted of raw sex appeal.
Architects_Sons of Olympus Page 4
