Watch Me Burn

by Nikki Drost

  Kicking my bedroom door shut, I rid myself of my clothing, tossing them into a nearby basket. Stepping into the shower, I turn the water on full blast, breathing a sigh of relief as the first drops of scalding hot water hit my flesh. All shifters have the ability to adjust to different temperatures, but thanks to my powers, my body can withstand any sort of blistering heat.

  As I gingerly soap up my body, my fingers trace over the symbol located in the center of my chest. I wonder if Michael knows what type of man I have become. Honestly, I’m not sure he’d care either way. Don’t get me wrong, I know he cared about me, but our relationship was all about learning how to use my powers and teaching me to fight.

  Michael wasn’t the type of angel to hold your hand or coddle you, nope, not the chief of the Archangels. He didn’t care if you were tired or sore. You got off your ass and did it again until it was done to perfection and right before you dropped from exhaustion, he’d give you praise and make you feel like you were on the top of the world. His methods worked so well I use them when I train new recruits.

  They loathe me for it, but at least I know they will be able to defend themselves and stay alive. I hate to admit it, but I kind of miss Michael. God knows I could use a good kick in the ass and he was always happy to deliver. I can still hear his deep voice taunting me.

  “Is that all you have, my boy? You can do better than that. Now get off the ground, wipe the sweat from your brow, and come at me again. I know you are tired, but we are at war, my child. Your enemy will not stand by and let you catch your breath. They will kick you while you are down. Remember this, James. You must always be faster, smarter, play just as dirty, fight just as hard. It will always come down to you or them and I will not let you fail. Now get up and fight.”

  From that day on, I learned to fight with everything I had and more. Maybe I need to apply these same skills to my relationship with my mate. I’ve never been afraid to fight for something I believed in. I’m usually the first one to run head first into a situation consequences be damned. The only difference is instead of using my powers or immense strength I need to use my head and my heart. I’m going to have to let go of my past if I want a future with Kelsey. It sounds good in theory, but can I actually let go of all the pain? Hell, even if I said yes, I’m not sure how.

  First things first, I need to win Kelsey’s heart, then after lots of amazing sex we need to do things like a normal couple. Maybe if we take it slow, I will be able to open up to her without shutting down. There is only one way to find out.

  ***

  Three hours have passed and I’m about at the end of my rope. The Enforcers from Boston showed up a little while ago and Dallas has been grating on my nerves since he walked through the door. Fuck my self-induced house arrest. I need to talk to Kelsey and I sure as shit ain’t doing it here with all of the extra witnesses. I’m sick of pussyfooting around with her, our back and forth dance ends tonight. I’ve spent the last few hours thinking it over and I have to tell her that she’s my mate. I’ve put this off long enough. I want…no I need to love her so thoroughly that she’ll have no other choice but to admit that we are meant to be together. This may have started out as a game a few months ago, but it’s a whole new ballgame now.

  With a quick text to Landon, I grab the keys to my Nova and head out the front door.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Damn, I was so close.

  “I told you that nobody is to leave this house alone and I meant it, James.”

  Oh for fuck’s sake. “I wasn’t aware that I needed a signed permission slip. Besides, Landon is meeting me at the bar, if I promise to hold his hand the entire time can I go?”

  I know I shouldn’t take my frustration out on my big brother, but I don’t need a fucking babysitter.

  “I’ll be his chaperone,” Cass says as he seemingly appears from out of thin air, “I could use some fresh air.”

  Micah nods his head in approval. “Just be careful, and call if you need backup,” he yells as we walk out the door.

  We make it to the bar in record time. As we scan the parking lot for anything out of the ordinary, I spot Henry’s F-150 parked underneath a security light. I smirk knowing damn well that was Landon’s doing. The moment I walk through the threshold I scan the room. Henry and Landon are playing a game of pool, Kelsey is at the bar laughing at one of Finn’s dirty jokes. There are only a few shifters and vamps in here at this hour, so far everything seems copacetic.

  I bump fists with Finn then turn toward the most beautiful woman in the bar.

  “We need to talk, princess.”

  “You’re damn right we do,” she grumbles.

  “Look, I know you’re pissed and you have every right to be, but nothing happened last night between Gia and me. I know I fucked up, but if you would just give me a chance to explain—”

  Wait… why isn’t she yelling at me? She should be furious, but instead she looks calm and somewhat amused. Jesus, this has to be a sign of the apocalypse. I study her face for a sign that all hell is about to break loose, but the only thing I see is mischief in her sparkling green eyes.

  Kelsey leans forward fisting my shirt with her hands pulling me against her body.

  “I think it’s time that you and I put aside our differences and come to a naked compromise,” she tosses my own phrase back at me before crushing her lips against mine.

  Without hesitation I take control, my fingers thread into her silky locks tilting her head back for better access to her mouth. A small moan escapes her parted lips giving me the opportunity to slide my tongue against hers. The musky scent of her need kicks my libido into overdrive. I can feel the heat from her core against my aching cock, and I silently curse the denim barrier between us.

  A growl builds in my throat as her tongue sweeps across my bottom lip. Her mouth lifts into a breathtaking smile and that one little gesture sends my heart into orbit. I press my nose into her neck and breathe in her flowery vanilla scent and every cell in my body comes alive.

  “We still have a lot to discuss, Jamie, and if we have any chance of making our relationship work, then we are going to have to be completely honest with each other. No more games, no running away when things get too real, do you think you can do that?”

  For this woman I can do that and so much more.

  “The last time I slept with Gia or any other woman was a few days after you were rescued. I didn’t know how to handle the shit going on inside my head so I numbed myself anyway that I could, but I swear I haven’t touched anyone else since. You are the only woman I want, the only one I will ever want. It has always been you, Kelsey, and it always will be.”

  “Oh Jamie—”

  Kelsey launches herself into my arms, pressing her mouth to mine in a bruising kiss. The sound of several whistles and cheers pulls me from my lust-induced haze and that’s when I notice him. A tall muscular, blond with a sleeve of tattoos the same man who Kelsey was with earlier today. What the hell is he doing here?

  Chapter 6

  Kelsey

  Thank goodness, I was sitting down because I think my heart just stopped beating. It has always been you. Jamie’s words replay in my head like they are on a constant loop. He has wanted to be with me this whole time.

  Just as I’m about to hop off my stool and do a little happy dance Jamie releases his hold on me. His body becomes ridged, a low, menacing growl emanates from his chest. Tiny beads of crimson seep through his dark irises, well that can’t be good.

  “Jamie, what’s wrong?”

  “What’s wrong?” he snarls, “I saw you with this guy earlier today and now he’s here, who is he?” Jamie points his finger over my shoulder.

  Before I get the chance to turn around, Cass and Landon appear out of nowhere and place themselves on either side of Jamie.

  “Is there a reason why I can’t be here?” Matt steps up and tosses his arm around my shoulders. If looks could kill, my brother would be sprawled across the dirty
floor of the bar.

  “You have two seconds to take your hands off of my girl.”

  “Jamie wait—” the rest of my response is cut off by my brother.

  “Or what, you’ll kick my ass?” Matt scoffs, “I’d like to see you try it big guy.”

  What the hell does my brother think he’s doing?

  “One,” Jamie counts.

  “Mattie—” I try again, only this time I’m interrupted by Landon.

  “Matt, he doesn’t know who you are, so for now it may be best to do as he says.”

  I cannot believe the overabundance of testosterone in this room. And how did Jamie know I was having dinner with Matt and Henry? Oh my god, he was following me, again.

  Jamie wraps his hand around Landon’s throat and begins to squeeze cutting off his response. “I may not be able to hurt him, but I can sure as shit hurt you, pup. Now tell me how you know this guy.” Jamie releases his grip and Landon doubles over to catch his breath.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but Landon is our new roommate.”

  Dammit, I told Matt to keep his mouth shut about that.

  “Is that so?” Jamie grabs Landon by the collar of his shirt, pulling him forward until they are nose-to-nose, “You are just full of surprises today aren’t you, Landon.”

  “Jamie, let him go! Adam will kill you if you put a scratch on his baby brother.” Cass pulls Landon from Jamie’s grip and places himself between the two wolves.

  “Holy shit,” Henry laughs wholeheartedly, “This is the funniest damn thing I’ve ever seen.” My roommate and dearest friend says from his seat. He’s laughing so hard he has tears in his eyes.

  “You think it’s funny that she’s seeing this pretty boy behind my back?”

  Er, what did he say?

  “You think Kelsey and I are dating?” Matt makes a gagging sound with his throat. “Dude, that’s sick.”

  “You’re not helping, Mattie, and you,” I poke my finger into Jamie’s chest, “if you would lay off the jealousy crap for two seconds, I could explain everything.”

  Of course, my threat only makes Henry laugh harder, even Finn has joined in on the fun.

  “Somebody better start talking, because pretty boy here is about to be a dead man and if you don’t want to join him, Henry, I suggest you knock off the laughter.”

  “Watch it, asshole, I promised Kelsey I’d be nice to you, but if you threaten my best friend again, you and I will be taking this conversation outside.”

  “Trust me, little boy, you don’t want to fuck with me,” Jamie growls.

  “Damn it, Jamie, he’s my brother!” I shout.

  The crowded room falls silent, that is for about two seconds before it erupts in thunderous laughter.

  “For fucks sake, woman,” Jamie exclaims. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a brother?”

  “I don’t know,” I reply, “I guess it never came up.”

  It’s not like I purposely set out to deceive him, the truth is Westhaven is a small community and everyone knows each other, so I’ve never had to introduce Matt before.

  “Jamie Trudeau, meet my twin brother, Lieutenant Matthew Collins. Mattie, this is Jamie, my jealous, overbearing, bad tempered boyfriend,” I sigh wearily.

  When I pictured the two most important men in my life meeting for the first time I had imagined a completely different scenario. I thought they would bond over a couple of beers while Matt told embarrassing stories about me. Not once did I think they would threaten each other with bodily harm and I most certainly hadn’t imagined being accused of dating my own brother.

  “Now can the two of you call a truce and shake hands or something?”

  Matt holds out his hand and thankfully, Jamie does the same.

  “I’m sorry,” Jamie sighs, “but I tend to get a little crazy where Kelsey is concerned. You can understand, right?”

  “Sure, now understand this,” Matt squeezes Jamie’s hand hard enough that his knuckles turn white. “I might not wear the uniform, but I will always be a SEAL so if your crazy ever spills onto my sister in the form of bruises or you hurt her in any way, I Will Kill You.”

  Instead of being intimidated like a rational person, Jamie smiles like a kid in a candy store.

  Freaking men, I’ll never understand them.

  “At ease, sailor, I would never raise a hand to your sister and I’d kill anyone that did.”

  “Good, then we shouldn’t have any problems.” Matt finally releases Jamie’s hand then places a kiss to the top of my head and makes his way over to our group of friends.

  “Well, I’m glad the two of you have found some common ground,” I spit out with enough sarcasm to choke a horse.

  Jamie crosses his massive arms over his chest, “Actually, now that I know who he is I’ve got to admit, I kinda like the guy. He stood nose to nose with me and didn’t flinch once while he was threatening my life, he’s got balls and I respect that.”

  “Wonderful,” I sigh, “Are you going to apologize for nearly choking Landon to death?”

  “Nope.”

  “Jamie.”

  “What?” he grumbles. “I’m not going to allow him to sleep in the same house as you. So either he moves out or you move in with me.”

  “You won’t allow it? Are you even listening to yourself? We’ve been dating all of five minutes, most of which you spent fighting with my brother, and the first thing you do is make demands on me? What’s next, are you going to tell me I can’t live with Henry too?”

  Jamie leans forward, placing his hands on top of the bar effectively caging me in. “Henry looks at you like a brother would, Landon does not. He might be your friend, but he is also an unmated male werewolf and in my world, that makes him a threat.”

  He reaches forward, placing his hands on either side of my face. His thumbs move gently back and forth against my jaw. “I know you think I’m acting like an irrational prick, but there is some major shit going on right now and Landon is smack in the middle of it. If things go south, the danger could land at your doorstep. I won’t always be around to protect you, princess, and if something were to happen to you, I’d fucking die.”

  “What’s going on? Are you in any danger? Tell me the truth, I can take it.”

  Panic threatens to overtake me as numerous scenarios play in my mind. This new threat could be too much for him to handle, what if he’s hurt or worse. How am I going to deal with him putting himself in harm’s way? What will I do if I’m not strong enough to deal with his job?

  “Shhh calm down, princess. It’s nothing that I can’t handle and I promise I’ll explain everything once we’re back at the cabin.”

  I nod my head, but my gaze drops to the floor.

  “Hey,” he says as he grips my chin, forcing my gaze to meet his. “I’ve been doing this a long time, Kelsey. Nothing is going to happen to me, okay?”

  As I lean against his solid chest, I concentrate on the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. I wonder if Adam had said something similar to Andy before he was gunned down in front of her.

  ***

  I still cannot believe this is Jamie’s bedroom. When I had walked in here a week ago I had half expected to see empty beer cans and piles of dirty clothes strewn around, maybe some posters of naked girls on the walls and stacks of porn not the exquisite room before me.

  The walls are painted a deep shade of purple, white crown molding frames a light gray ceiling. Dark wood flooring, polished to a shiny hue spans the entire room. On the right, there is a set of French doors leading to a private balcony. To the left is an open walk in closet and bathroom. Behind me, sits a sizeable gray brick fireplace, two black modern chairs, and an enormous fur rug. A large flat screen TV hangs above the mantle. My jaw had hit the floor when I spotted Jamie’s bed. It’s a king sized round bed with a black leather upholstered bed frame and wrap around bench seat.

  “I’ve missed you.” Jamie murmurs as he comes to stand behind me.

  His hands curl around my hips,
drawing our bodies closer together. The feel of his hardness pressed firmly against my lower back causes my mind to flood with erotic images of our last encounter. The man is packing a serious piece of male machinery and boy, does he know how to use it.

  I bite my lower lip as Jamie’s fingers lightly graze the back of my shoulders sweeping my hair to the side.

  “I want to be inside you, princess,” he whispers against the flesh of my exposed neck.

  The sensation of his warm breath, mere inches from my ear sends chills down my spine.

  “I want to kiss your lips until you’re breathless, feel your nails pierce my flesh as I drive my cock deeper into that tight pussy of yours. I want to watch as you come undone underneath me.”

  Heat from Jamie’s scorching words travels over the surface of my skin like molten lava. My nipples harden and strain against the material of my dress, liquid heat pools in my center curling my toes with its intensity. I ache to feel Jamie’s flesh against my own, his talented mouth, licking, and biting my neck as his powerful thrusts bring me closer to the brink of pleasure. The mere thought of his skilled hands caressing and stroking my body makes me feel as though I may melt into a puddle in this very spot.

  “You’re going to scream for me, princess, no holding back. I want to hear my name pass your luscious lips over and over again, do you understand me?”

  “Yes,” I moan breathlessly.

  At this point I’d agree to anything he wanted, I just want him inside of me, now.

  “Jamie, please,” I beg.

  “Come on, princess,” he chuckles against my ear, “you can do better than that.”

  His hands leave my hips, his fingers skim over the slinky material of my dress to my breasts. Jamie cups them easily in his large palms. His thumbs lightly brush back and forth against my sensitive nubs.

  I love playing this game with him. The control he has over my body is effortless. His dominating words only add fuel to the fire within my soul. No man has ever made me feel this way and I fear no man besides Jamie ever will.