Fight Song: A Paranormal Shifter Romance (Rocky River Fighters Book 3)

by Grace Brennan

  Seeing the wisdom in her words, he nodded. “Okay, but you stick right next to me while I check out the house. I mean, stuck to me like glue, Piper Jasmine.”

  “Okay, fine, whatever. Just open the fucking door so I can check on my dog!”

  Noting the rising hysteria in her voice, he quickly unlocked the door. “Stay close,” he reminded as they walked inside.

  No sooner had he shut the door than he heard the clicking of toenails on the floor rushing toward them. Watching as Piper fell to her knees and scooped up her dog, he found a smile despite his worry and fury. He was happier than he would admit that Snickers was okay. Losing him would have devastated Piper, but to Jax’s surprise, he was genuinely fond of the weird looking little dog.

  He gave her a moment before touching her shoulder. “I really need to check the house, make sure no one is in here.”

  Nodding, she let the dog go and stood, grabbing his belt as she walked next to him. “I feel ridiculous. I shouldn’t need a man to protect me.”

  “But you do, right this moment,” he said softly, checking the office. “Cammie would probably teach you to fight, after the baby’s born. She likes doing that shit.”

  “I didn’t know she was pregnant,” she whispered as he checked the half bath. “Or that she was a fighter. Is she any good?”

  Snorting quietly, Jax checked to make sure both doors in the kitchen were still locked. “Hell yeah. She can beat us guys when she wants to.”

  “That’s impressive. You guys are hella good.”

  They fell quiet after that as he finished checking the downstairs. It was all clear, so they made their way upstairs, and he checked it all thoroughly, even looking in the closets. They were alone.

  “Whoever it was didn’t get inside,” he said as they walked back down the stairs. “They just broke the flower pots.”

  She came to a stop and looked sadly toward the front porch. “Those were my grandmother’s. She bought them the day she and grandpa moved in. This is fucked up. And who comes over just to smash flower pots? I don’t get any of this.”

  “They’re just fucking with you, for whatever reason. We won’t know why until we catch them, and trust me, Piper, we will catch them,” he said, staring into her eyes. “I’ll buy you new flower pots. I’ll buy you a thousand if it’ll get the smile back on your face.”

  “I appreciate it, but it wouldn’t be the same,” she replied, eyes sad. “And what smile? It’s not like I’ve given you many since we saw each other again.”

  Eyes drilling into hers, he stepped close and touched her cheek. “Yeah, the curse to smile ratio is large right now. But I’m determined to change that, Piper. I’m going to give you every reason to smile at me again, I promise you. The only time you’ll be cursing at me is when we’re in bed, and you’re begging me to go faster, harder, give you more.”

  Piper’s mouth popped open, and she stared at him for a moment, eyes dazed. Shaking her head, she gave a shaky laugh. “In your dreams, St. James.” She hesitated before she spoke again. “I’m really glad you were with me tonight. Boss Bitch or not, I would have freaked out if I saw that when I was alone.”

  “I’m glad I was here too. And it is in my dreams, Pippy, but I’m going to do everything in my power to make it our reality,” he replied, voice gravelly as he locked eyes with her. Thoughts and feelings shot back and forth between the two of them, garnering intensity with every volley, and just as he was about to step forward, she looked away and cleared her throat.

  “Yes, well. I should probably let Snickers out now,” she said, a hint of breathlessness in her voice.

  Stopping her before she walked away, he said, “Wait. Let me check out the backyard, make sure there aren’t any holes.”

  Nodding, she stepped aside to let him pass, and he quickly went outside, making short work of checking the fence line. Relieved to find nothing tampered with, he walked back in, shutting the door and locking it behind him. Piper was in the kitchen, holding something in her fingers as she frowned down at where Snickers was chewing his paws.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked with a frown of his own.

  Holding up the object in her hand, she said, “He’s chewing on his paws. Really going at them. He only does that when he’s eaten chicken. He’s allergic. I never give him any. I think whoever dug the hole to let him out gave him chicken to encourage him to leave the backyard. That’s the only time it could have happened.”

  Squinting, he looked closer at the curved object in her hand. “Is that a claw?”

  She nodded grimly. “Yep. He’ll bite and tug at his nails and literally pull them out after he has chicken. I’m gonna skin the motherfucker alive who did this.”

  Shuddering at the image, he cast a concerned look at Snickers. “Will he be okay? Do we need to take him to the vet?”

  With a sigh, she tossed the dog claw in the garbage. “No. His allergy isn’t life threatening, and he won’t get sick. But tell me that pulling his claw out isn’t painful. Imagine doing it to one of your talons.”

  “No, I get it,” he said, repressing the image of his eagle doing it to his talons. It was enough to give a lesser man nightmares. “Okay. Here are your options. You can come home with me, or I can stay here with you. Choose.”

  “Ain’t no man fucking telling me what to do ever again, Jax. Fuck. That,” she spat, glaring at him.

  “Whoa,” he said quickly, holding up his hands. “Please calm down. I’m not trying to control you here, Piper. Your decisions are your own, and you get to decide what you do. But you have to see that those are the only options available until we catch the son of a bitch who’s doing this. And you have the right to veto both of those, but just be aware, I will sleep on your porch if that’s what it takes to make sure you’re protected.”

  Shoulders slumping as the ire left her eyes, she nodded wearily. “I know you didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry. I’m just tired and frustrated.”

  Jax studied her, taking in the strain around her gorgeous violet eyes. “I understand, Piper. So what’s it going to be? Stay here, come home with me, or me sleeping on the porch.”

  A smirk appeared on her face. “I should make you sleep on the porch. Paybacks are a bitch, after all.”

  Shrugging, he said, “I’m okay with that. As long as I’m here to watch over you.”

  He started to turn to leave the room, smiling as she laughed. “No, you’re not sleeping on the porch. But I’m not being run out of my home for a second night, so you can stay here. There are a couple guest rooms to choose from.”

  He nodded, relieved. He would have slept on the porch and been grateful to be here in case she needed him, but he really wanted to be in here with her. “I have a change of clothes in my gym bag. I’m gonna go grab it. Do you mind if I get a shower?”

  “No, go ahead. I’ll make a room up while you’re showering.”

  Nodding, he gave her a smile and went outside to grab his bag. Piper was taking care of Snickers when he came back in, and he headed up the stairs to the hall bathroom to shower. Barely waiting long enough for the water to warm, he jumped in, already anxious to see Piper again.

  Not taking the time to enjoy the hot water the way he normally did, he washed and rinsed in a hurry, then turned the water off. Grabbing a towel, he dried off before stepping out to dress in the spare jogging pants and shirt he always kept in his bag. He’d never needed them before, and a couple times he almost took them out. He was grateful he’d kept them now.

  Opening the door, he looked around. There was a door open with the light on, and he walked in to find the bed made up and waiting on him. But that wasn’t what he wanted. Dropping his bag on the floor, he walked back out. The door across the hall had a light shining under it, and he could hear noises inside. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door and opened it before Piper could call out.

  It wasn’t something he would normally do, but he knew she was softening toward him. He also knew she was still hesitating. And if he d
idn’t take the initiative, she’d continue to hesitate. And he couldn’t allow that. He was scared that if he did, she’d talk herself right out of giving them another chance.

  He spotted her right away, standing in front of the vanity, rubbing lotion into her arms. She was in tiny pajama shorts and a tank with the words Nerdy Dirty Inked And Curvy. Her face was bare of makeup, and his breath caught at the sight of her. She was fucking hot when she had her makeup done, matching her inner badass. But she was soft and gorgeous without it, more beautiful than a woman had a right to be.

  Mate.

  She certainly is, Jax thought, agreeing with his eagle.

  “What are you doing in here?” she asked, eyes wide and conflicted. “Your room is down the hall. I thought it would be obvious which one was yours.”

  “It was,” he said, voice deepening and becoming gravelly. “But that’s not where I want to be. And I don’t think it’s where you want me, either.”

  He moved forward as he spoke, not stopping until he was right in front of her, feeling the heat of her body seeping into his. She stared up into his eyes, her own soft, luminous, and still conflicted.

  Reaching up, he trailed his fingers down her cheek. “If you really want me to leave, I will. I’ll turn around, walk out of here, and go back to my room. We can both sleep alone. Just say the word.”

  Swallowing hard, she searched his eyes and whispered one tiny word that packed a heavy punch. “Stay.”

  Jax reacted instantly, yanking her into his arms and crushing his mouth to hers. He gave her long, open-mouthed kisses, then sucked her bottom lip before plunging his tongue inside her mouth. Moaning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and fisted his shirt in her hands, tangling her tongue with his.

  They went at each other’s mouths while his skin tightened and his blood quickly went from a simmer to a boil. He suckled, tongue ring and all, while she dug her fingers in his shoulders, body writhing against his.

  Pulling back, he slid his lips across her jaw and bit down on her ear lobe before making his way down her neck, sucking gently. Reaching the junction of her neck and shoulder, he nipped harder, stopping to bite before caressing on her skin again.

  “You’re going to give me a hickey,” she moaned out, moving her body restlessly against his.

  “Do you care?” he murmured against her skin.

  “Fuck no. Don’t stop.”

  Smiling, he continued his efforts while sliding his hand from her waist to her breast. Finding her nipple, already hard and standing at attention, he flicked it hard, tugging on the bar piercing. Gasping, she thrust her hips into his in a move that had him groaning and pulling away from her neck to curse.

  Ignoring her protests at the loss of his mouth on her, he grabbed her hand and tugged her over to the bed. She quickly shut up and complied when she realized what he was doing, and once the backs of her knees were pressed against the mattress, he let her go, quickly pulling his shirt over his head. Dick throbbing at the way she hungrily stared at his chest, he grasped the hem of her tank and pulled it over her head.

  Breath whooshing from his lungs at the sight of her bare chest, he leaned over and sucked her nipple in his mouth, his hand coming up to play with the other. He flicked her erect nipple with his tongue while his fingers grasped her piercing, using it to tug and twist her nipple.

  “Oh yes, holy shit, Jax. My God… no one’s ever…”

  Her voice trailed off, and he was glad for it. He had zero desire to hear about what any other man had done to her. Sliding his hand down, he pushed it into her shorts, cupping her mound and growling when he felt how wet she was already.

  Unable to wait any fucking longer, he shoved her shorts and panties off before pushing her down on the bed. She gasped, bouncing twice, and before she could settle in, he threw her legs over his shoulders and buried his face between her thighs.

  The first taste of her as he swiped his tongue up her center was pure bliss. Moaning, she fell back to the bed, her fingers grasping the short strands of his hair and tugging hard. Not feeling the pain, he ran his tongue around her clit for a moment before plunging it inside her, then making the trip back up to her clit. Circling soft and slow at first, he increased the speed and pressure, then sucked her swollen nub into his mouth.

  Back arching and hips undulating, Piper let out a long, breathless moan, and he knew she was close. Thank the good Lord, too, because his spine was tingling and his balls were tight, and he wasn’t going to last much longer. Renewing his assault, he flicked her clit fast and hard, and moments later, she was coming, her body convulsing and her thighs tightening around his head.

  Lunging up, he wiped her wetness from his chin and kissed her hard, pouring all the passion he felt into it as he shoved his pants down and kicked them off. She allowed the kiss for a moment before she yanked him down on the bed, shoving him onto his back and raining kisses on his face and throat. She licked her way down his chest, but when she got to his belly button, he grasped her arms and pulled her up, reversing their positions.

  “No,” he panted. “I’m too close. If I feel your hot mouth on me, if I feel that fucking tongue ring touch my dick, I’m a goner. I don’t have the willpower to handle more. Last night was the first time for me in longer than I care to think about, and I’m still too close to the edge. And I want more. I need you, Piper.”

  Eyes wide and chest heaving, she nodded, letting her legs fall open. Settling between them, he leaned down to kiss her again, lining himself up at her entrance and surging forward with one hard thrust. They both froze, and Jax gritted out a curse, desperately trying to keep some control.

  Pulling out slowly, he thrust hard back inside, his eyes rolling closed at the feel of her hot walls gripping him tightly. She wrapped her legs around him, her heels digging into his ass as he repeated the motion. Over and over, trying to keep the pace the same, but he could feel his control slipping, and soon he was pounding into her with no rhythm or finesse at all.

  But she didn’t seem to mind, her nails raking down his back and her hips meeting him thrust for thrust as she moaned in his ear. Feeling his balls tighten to the point of pain, Jax adjusted his position, never letting up on his pace, and put his thumb to her clit, rubbing hard and fast circles around it.

  “Oh fuck, Jax, just like that. Don’t… stop…”

  Thrusting into her so hard she scooted up the mattress, he moved his thumb directly over her clit. With a high pitched keening noise, Piper came, her hot walls convulsing around his dick. The sensation shot through him, and with a shout, he came, spilling himself inside her, his thrusts becoming erratic as his vision blackened around the edges.

  His hips slowly eased to a stop, and he rested there, fighting to draw in air with his forehead pressed to her chest. She was panting, little aftershocks making her shiver and him groan, running her fingers through his hair and down his back. Gently easing out of her with a sigh of pleasure, he laid on the bed and pulled her into his arms.

  Their breathing slowly calmed, and he stroked his hand down her arm as she snuggled in tighter, her head resting on his chest. His eyes were beginning to fall closed when she spoke.

  “What did you mean by, it’s been a long time for you? You said something like that last night, too. You’re fucking gorgeous, Jax, and you’re a fighter as well a songwriter with number one hits under your belt. Surely you’ve had women throwing themselves at you. How is it even possible that it’s been a while for you? I would have thought you got laid every few days, if not more.”

  Freezing for a moment, Jax blew out a breath and briefly closed his eyes. There was no reason not to tell her. He wanted nothing between them, even truths that didn’t affect their relationship, one way or another. Concentrating on the feel of her fingers tracing the tattoo on his pec, he took a deep breath.

  “There hasn’t been anyone since you, Pippy. I’ve never had any interest or desire in any other woman but you. Sleeping with someone else would have just been meaningless and empty, e
ven if I could have made myself. And I couldn’t begin to even try to do it. So the last time I had sex was eight years ago, with you.”

  “What happens when you get rich and famous off your music, and women are throwing themselves at you?”

  Frowning, Jax looked down at Piper where she was lying with her head on his lap. “What are you talking about?”

  Sitting up to face him, she said, “You’re gorgeous and talented, Jax. There will be women all over you. Women much more beautiful than me.”

  Frowning hard at the insecurity in her eyes, he replied, “You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, Piper.”

  “You’re barely eighteen, Jax. You haven’t been out in the world yet, not really. You don’t know what’s out there.”

  “I don’t care what’s out there, Pippy,” he replied, taking her hands and squeezing until she was looking into his eyes. “I meant what I said. You’re beautiful, and there’s no one out there I’ll ever think is more so. I’ll never—ever—want anyone the way I want you. I mean that, more than I’ve ever meant anything. You own me, heart and soul, and you always will. I love you. Always.”

  Eyes soft and glistening with tears, Piper gave him a trembling smile. “And I love you. Always.”

  Piper couldn’t breathe. Seriously. Jax might need to give her the Heimlich.

  Hmmm. That wasn’t something she really had much of an objection to. It could get interesting.

  No, Piper scolded herself. Focus.

  Finally sucking in a breath, she raised her head and gazed into his serious eyes. “Are you for real right now?” she asked, trying to force her voice to have more substance.

  “As a heart attack,” he replied, green and golden eyes intense. “I told you once I’d never look at another woman. I meant it.”

  “But you were only eighteen. How could you keep a promise you made that young, especially one like that? And especially when we were apart so long?”

  “It was easy. I never wanted anyone else. Never. It’s always been you, Piper. From the moment we met twenty years ago, it was always you. I never saw anyone else.”