Watch Me Burn

by Nikki Drost

  “Oh please.” Andy hits me with her pillow. Her cheeks turn slightly pink with the adolescent memory. “You know darn well it had nothing to do with us stripping down to our underwear as much as it did with Matt trying to convince me to do it while he was buck ass naked.”

  Oh my god, I had forgotten about that part. Thankfully, my brother had the decency to warn me ahead of time so I didn’t have to witness that. I’m close with my twin, but seeing him naked would have traumatized me for life.

  Andy covers her face with her hands. “I was so mortified I couldn’t look at him for the rest of the summer without picturing him standing on that dock, cocky smile in place with everything else of his on full display.”

  “In his defense, the only reason that he did it was to cheer you up. If you recall, you had been in a major funk since your break-up with that lacrosse player. Mattie was just trying to make you smile.”

  “Well, it worked,” she bursts into a fit of giggles.

  The sound of her buoyant laughter is contagious, I find myself joining in on the fun.

  “Hey, I didn’t know we were having a slumber party,” Matt says as he struts into my bedroom with Henry in tow.

  As if on cue Andy’s cheeks turn beet red. “Sorry, no boys allowed,” she says in-between giggles.

  “Don’t be like that,” Matt whines, “you know how much Henry loves pillow fights.”

  “Ha, ha,” Henry mocks while tossing a pillow at Mattie’s head.

  I shake my head at their childish antics. “Both of you heard what Andy said, get out. This is a testosterone free zone for the next twelve hours.”

  Henry cocks an eyebrow. “Since when as your bedroom ever been testosterone free?”

  I grab the nearest object, which happens to be the TV remote, and toss it in Henry’s direction. Of course, the asshat catches it with no problem. I should know better than to throw anything at a former all-state quarterback.

  “Seriously, can we hang with you? Our guy’s night bombed and a party isn’t a party until the two of us shows up.” Mattie sticks out his bottom lip and I know I’m a goner, damn him for inheriting our mother’s manipulative DNA.

  “Wait a minute,” Andy chimes in, “I thought you two were going on a double date?”

  “Oh, we were. Do you want to tell them what took place Mattie or should I?” Henry smirks.

  Matt flashes a smug smile at his best friend. “Chloe’s friend and I didn’t exactly hit it off so our evening ended early. Henry’s just pissed that he isn’t getting laid tonight.”

  I eye both of them with suspicion. Something isn’t right here. For one thing, there isn’t a woman alive who can resist my brother’s charm and second, Henry’s never been the type of guy who cared whether he had sex or not.

  “Ah huh, so if you and your date didn’t hit it off, then why do you have lipstick stains on your collar?” I cross my arms over my chest. “You know gossiping is an integral part of a pajama party.”

  Matt smirks while he and Henry make themselves comfortable on my bed. Good thing I opted for a king instead of a queen or we wouldn’t have enough room for all of us to fit.

  “Okay, so we get to the restaurant and everything is going great. My date was so hot I swore that if we worked out I’d name our first son after, Henry.” He chuckles humorlessly, “But then she had to go and open her mouth. It went downhill from there.”

  Oh boy, I’ve seen the look on Matt’s face before and it is never a good sign.

  “She wasn’t that bad,” Henry says sheepishly. “She was a tad flaky, but you’ve dated worse.”

  “Flaky?” Matt scoffs. “The girl actually thought the Gaza Strip was the name of a nightclub.”

  Andy and I immediately begin to laugh our asses off. Oh my god, it was worse than I had thought. Although, Henry is right about one thing, high IQ’s have never been a requirement to date my brother so why the sudden change?

  “That’s not even the worst of it,” Matt says as he loosens his tie, “apparently her ex-boyfriend used to be a Marine, so idiot that I am, I tell her I’m a former SEAL thinking we had finally found a safe topic of discussion, but once again I was wrong.”

  Matt shakes his head. “She spent the entirety of dinner comparing the two branches with each other, and by the time dessert rolled around I felt like a challenge had been issued.”

  “Oh god, what did you do?” I groan.

  I only pray that whatever happened tonight there were no reporters around. The last thing my brother needs is to draw negative attention to himself or to our family. Our parent’s would seriously go ballistic.

  Matt shrugs his wide shoulders. “Let’s just say that not only did I make good use of the restaurants amenities, but this frogman came out on top.”

  A mischievous smile forms across his face. “Of course I am no longer welcome at that particular establishment, but I had to take one for the team.”

  No wonder Henry is upset, only my brother would have sex with a random woman just to prove a point. Matt has always had a competitive streak it probably has something to do with his type “A” personality. He always has to win and most of the time he doesn’t stop and think about the consequences.

  “Well Mr. takes one for the team, while you were getting freaky in the bathroom, I was busy convincing the manager not to press charges, then I had to calm down my very pissed off girlfriend. Thanks for that by the way, after the stunt you and Tara pulled, I’ll be lucky if Chloe doesn’t break up with me.”

  “I said I was sorry, Henry, what more do you want from me?”

  Matt at least has the decency to appear to be contrite. My brother may be insensitive at times, but he would never purposely hurt someone especially not his best friend. Matt’s relationship with our parents has always been precarious which is why he values his friendships above all else.

  “How about the two of you kiss and make up, then head to the kitchen, we’re going to need more snacks if this party is going to continue.”

  “I’ll make the popcorn,” Henry says as he jumps to his feet.

  “And I’ll grab some drinks,” Matt leans over and kisses my forehead, “Thanks, sis.”

  “So much for our girl’s night,” Andy sighs, “Looks like we’ll be trading Depp for Stallone.”

  “Oh please. You think just because I’m allowing the guys to join us that we are going to change our plans?” I wave my hand in dismissal. “I think it’s time we introduce them to the joys of romantic comedies.”

  ***

  “I love you, Kelsey,” Jamie whispers against my neck as his hands begin to explore my naked body. His facial hair grazing against my sensitive skin sends my libido into overdrive. His thick manhood presses into the small of my back letting me know he is just as turned on as I am. I rub my thighs together hoping to alleviate some of the pressure that is building up inside me.

  Jamie cups my breast with the palm of his hand. His fingers pluck my hardened nipple almost painfully.

  “Say it again,” I moan breathlessly as he sinks two fingers inside my slick folds. With every plunge of his fingers, he stokes the fire within me until I feel as though I will erupt with pleasure.

  “Not until I hear you say it back, princess,” he growls next to my ear.

  Damn, I love when he makes that noise. His animalistic sounds do wondrous things to my girlie parts.

  “Even in my dreams you’re bossy.” I chuckle, “This is my fantasy, wolf. Get back to worshiping my body.”

  His humorless laugh sends chills down my spine. “I think it’s time you sat on your throne.”

  In one swift motion, Jamie rolls onto his back, taking me with him. He enters me fully in one forceful thrust. One hand cups my breast while the other toys with my clit until I’m writhing on top of him.

  “Tell me that you love me. Tell me that I am your man, your wolf, your everything,” he demands as his cock pulsates inside of my pussy. He has yet to move and his stillness is driving me crazy.

  “Jamie,
please,” I beg.

  “I’m not going to fuck you until you say it.” He pinches my nipple roughly until I cry out.

  “I love you!” I shout the words that I have been too afraid to say out loud.

  Jamie sinks his teeth into my shoulder as he begins to fuck me with his thick cock.

  “And?” he growls, his hips slam against my ass with each powerful thrust.

  “You’re mine,” I whimper.

  Jamie releases my breast only to wrap his muscular arm around my torso pinning my arms to my sides.

  “Give me what I want or this stops now, I’ll make you watch while I get myself off. I know how much it turns you on, doesn’t it, princess?”

  God, yes, there is something so sexy about watching Jamie brings himself to orgasm, his bulging muscles rippling with each stroke of his hand. The guttural moans that escape his lips, the blazing look in his eyes right before he cums, the way he tosses his head back and cries out my name.

  “Everything about you turns me on,” I pant, “you are my wolf now and forever.”

  “Fuck,” Jamie hisses through clenched teeth.

  His hips thrust forward at a brutal pace. Our coupling is fast and hard, but feels oh so good. Despite how amazing it feels it proves too much for either of us to handle. My back arches, his body becomes ridged as we cry out simultaneously.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt your carnal fantasy, but it is imperative that I speak with you.”

  Jolted out of my euphoric afterglow, I open my eyes to see a stranger standing at the end of my bed. I quickly cover myself with a sheet. I then reach for Jamie only to find that I’m alone.

  “Oh no, I swore to myself I wouldn’t have any more of those types of dreams. I don’t care how hot you are, the only man I want to have dream sex with is, Jamie.”

  The stranger chuckles to himself. “Forgive me, Miss Collins, but I assumed you would find my human form appealing. Perhaps I should have come to you as Finnegan McDermott. He seems to have had recurring roles in your erotic fantasies. One day you will understand how ironic that truly is,” he mutters softly.

  My mouth opens and closes like a fish gasping for air. How the hell does he know that I had fantasies about Finn joining Jamie and I in bed?

  “I know everything about you, Kelsey, I’ve been watching over you since the day you were born,” my hallucination states matter-o-factly.

  “Oh my god, are you my conscious?”

  I know I’m not exactly a saint, but I try to be a good person. I quit my corporate job so I could volunteer full-time at the community center. Plus, I give money to at least ten different charities. All of my good deeds should cancel out the bad stuff I’ve done, right?

  “Listen, if you’re here to judge me then you can march your firm butt right on out of here. I’m sure I’m not the first girl to have a three-way fantasy. It’s not as if I have feelings for Finn, I was just having some harmless fun. Besides I had those dreams long before Jamie and I started dating.”

  “Are you finished?” his lips twist with amusement, “I am not your conscious nor am I a priest so your confession although entertaining is completely unnecessary. May I?” he points to a spot at the end of the bed.

  “Why not, I might as well indulge my subconscious. So who are you and where did my imagination conjure you from?”

  If I had to go by his attire, I would say he’s some sort of businessman, although judging by his wide shoulders and powerful stature he could be a movie star or an athlete. Honestly, it doesn’t matter where my psyche plucked his image from. It’s obvious the current stress in my life is driving me bat shit crazy. If I’m not careful, I could end up in one of those padded rooms wearing a Perma-hug jacket.

  “You aren’t crazy, perhaps a tad neurotic, but who isn’t now a days?” He makes himself comfortable at the end of my bed then holds out his hand for me to shake. “My name is Michael and I am here to make sure you get the life you deserve.”

  “Sure you are,” I snort, “and you just happen to have the same name as my boyfriend’s angelic mentor. Well this will teach me to mix Moscato with Slim Jims before bed.”

  “Ah, so James has mentioned me, good. Then I shall save both of us some time and get right to the point. He is about to make a monumental mistake, one which will cost him his future with you. I need your help to change his mind and in return I will ensure that you get everything that you so desperately want.”

  I knew I had a vivid imagination, but this is just absurd. Apparently, my relationship insecurities have decided not to go down without a fight. Stupid me for believing they had been banished by my recent tryst with Jamie. Well, I have had enough of this. I will not allow anyone to stand in the way of our happiness.

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you so if you don’t mind, I’d like to wake up now.” I pinch my arm hoping the pain will do the trick but nothing happens. It appears that I am stuck in this self-induced nightmare.

  “Don’t bother. You will not be going anywhere until you hear me out. I should warn you that I have the power to change your surroundings and to keep you trapped in this state permanently. So I suggest you accept that I am the Archangel Michael, the leader of the Immortal Knights and the first of the original seven. Not to mention the one person who can take away the very thing you hold dear. Now, are you ready to listen?”

  What choice do I really have? None, and if he truly is who he claims to be then I should have nothing to fear. He is Jamie’s mentor after all, but that doesn’t mean I have to trust him fully. If I have learned anything from growing up around powerful socialites it’s everyone has an ulterior motive.

  “Fine, let’s say I believe that you are the one responsible for banishing Lucifer to hell and the angel who bestowed his powers to my mate, why would you come to me for help? In the grand scheme of things, I’m just a lowly human. How could I possibly assist you?”

  “Oh come now, we both know that’s not true.” Michael smirks coldly, “James values your opinion, and I believe if you steer him in the right direction all can be well again.”

  Ugh, I hate it when people talk in riddles, it makes my head hurt. I wonder if all angels are like this one.

  “And which direction is that exactly? If you want my help then you need to be honest and straightforward with me.”

  “Fair enough,” Michael’s deep brown eyes flash crimson, “as I explained it to James a while back, either Adam or one of his brother’s must meet their end if balance is to be restored.”

  Oh my god! “You can’t do this!” I shout. “Adam is married to my best friend. Please don’t take him away from her again.”

  Andy barely got over Adam dying the first time. She would be devastated to lose him all over again.

  “Please understand that my main priority is to restore balance to the world. When Raphael brought his protégé back from the dead, he wasn’t’ thinking clearly. His love for the boy clouded his judgment and now I am left to clean up his mess.”

  “I’m sorry, but if you expect me to get behind this it’s never going to happen. I love Andy too much to see her hurt. There has to be another alternative.”

  “There is, but before we get to that I feel I should inform you that James offered to take Adam’s place. I refused him of course.”

  “He…he did what?”

  Why would Jamie do such a thing? I know he loves Adam, but I had no idea he would give up his own life and me to save his friend. This doesn’t make any sense, all he has talked about for weeks is how happy he is with me and how he wants us to be together forever. Is it possible that he only wants that because Michael took away his other options? My eyes fill with unshed tears at the thought.

  “What is the other option? And please do not tell me that another Enforcer will have to take Adam’s place. I couldn’t bare the thought of losing any of them.”

  Each one of those men holds a special place in my heart. I consider them to be my friends if not my extended family. I can’t even imagine one
of them not being here.

  “A child is to be born soon. His birth will mark the beginning of an era and it has been prophesied that he will bear the marks from all seven Archangels making him the most powerful being in existence.”

  Wait a minute, a prophesied child with seven sigils. Oh my god, he’s talking about Alaric. He said Michael was looking for him, he also mentioned how he didn’t want to be found.

  “Please tell me that you don’t expect Jamie to kill a baby?”

  Michael looks taken back at the suggestion. “Certainly not. I am an angel after all not a soulless demon. I need the Four Horsemen to bring the child to me so he has a chance to grow up. The prophet will not be safe here on Earth, not while the demonic kingdom is still undefeated.”

  “What did Jamie say when you told him all of this?”

  “He out right refused me saying that the child had the right to know his parents. If the four of them continue to fight me on this, I will be forced to react and that is the last thing they want.”

  Michael sighs heavily. “I am not the villain Jamie is making me out to be. Honestly, I am trying to save their lives and the life of the child. You cannot begin to fathom what would happen to your world if the prophet were raised by demons.”

  I’m guessing it would literally be the end of the world. I can’t deny that the thought of someone so powerful running around unchecked isn’t terrifying. Alaric may have saved our lives, but his heroic deed might have only been possible because he had been raised by angels. Either way, I don’t plan on being the one to hand him over, if Jamie wants Alaric around then so do I.

  “You said that if I helped you that you would give me the life I want. Are you saying that if I refuse you, as Jamie has you will do something to ruin us?”

  “Do you know what James’s biggest fear is, other than losing you of course?”

  I shake my head no. I can’t imagine Jamie being scared of anything.

  “He is afraid of becoming his father. You see, my protégé was raised by a man with no soul. Rainer Trudeau and his army of psychopaths plagued Europe for centuries. He prayed on the weak and would use them as he saw fit. If that wasn’t enough his offspring were tortured and abused in the most unthinkable ways. Most of them didn’t survive long enough to reach adolescence.”