by Tigris Eden
Royce winked at the elderly lady, and she smiled back. He ordered for everyone. It wasn’t like he didn’t know what they wanted. Arrogant bastard. He could turn it off, not listen in on them. Royce knew he should extend them that courtesy but he didn’t. Fucker. His friend nodded in Draven’s direction, mocking him with a tilt of his lips.
“You know, you two are really stupid for a couple.”
Draven and Jesminda both spoke at the same time. “We’re not a couple.”
“Well, you two should be as much as you both go on with your inner monologues. I tried to shut the two of you out, but frankly, it’s too entertaining.”
Royce looked between them and scrunched his face.
“I have someone,” Draven blurted. No you don’t. You broke it off.
“Yeah, I’ll pretend you didn’t say that. You keep drooling over her, and I am sick and tired of you sighing about her eyes, her lips, her voice, blah blah blah. Man up or bow out.” Royce took the saltshaker in his hand and stared at it like it was the most interesting thing at the table. He finally looked up and started in on Jes.
“And I am tired of hearing you, young lady, going on about how much you can’t stand him, but ooh, he’s sooo sexy… but wait, I don’t want him, but, ooh, maybe I really do, and let’s not forget—” Royce grunted and glared over at Jesminda, who shrugged her shoulders.
What was going on between Royce and Jes?
“Yeah, I’ll shut up, but you know what they say, the truth will set you free.”
She snorted and rose out of the booth to walk over to the jukebox. Draven watched her the entire way. He was definitely an ass man. No doubt about it, hands down. He knew if she turned back to look in his direction she’d see the decision he’d made all over his face. He would have all of her.
11
There were many reasons why she wanted a do-over, and only one reason why she didn’t. Weighing the pros and cons of any situation was never a good thing because she would see her many faults. Pro, she would never have been in this predicament if she hadn’t married Marcus. Had she been smart, she could have stayed alone, raised Faith by herself and not have to care whether or not they’d survive. The only other pro she could think was that Faith was going to meet her father, but that in itself could go really bad. Con, she now feared for her and her daughter’s life. She’d thought she was truly in love with Marcus. He’d made her laugh, but the jerk had also made her cry, on several occasions. The first time he’d hit her, he’d apologized immediately then followed it up with kisses and tight hugs. He’d fooled her. It was only a week after Faith had been born that his true colors had come shining through with brutal clarity.
She’d written it off as stress. Tried to be a better wife, make things easier for him. She’d done everything - cooked, cleaned, was attentive, but nothing seemed to work. He was angry all the time. As their relationship progressed, the beatings got worse. Those dark days were finally behind her. It was time to put one foot in front of the other and start focusing on their future. If she’d never had her run-in with Draven, there wouldn’t be a Faith, and all the joy the pretentious five-year-old brought to her life. It was a no-win situation, she may not have met Draven five years ago if she wouldn’t have gone on vacation, but she would have had to meet him now. The only way that she could have truly dodged her predicament would have been to not get on that plane. But she wasn’t going to regret Faith, she couldn’t, and Draven was Faith’s father, there was no way to get around that. There wouldn’t be this bad blood between them had she truly kept her feelings out of their one-night stand. Moving on was imperative. Being this pissed off that he was helping her only meant she still harbored feelings. Their relationship only needed to be one thing right now - the protector and protected.
She looked over the jukebox and noticed there wasn’t much in the way of music she’d normally listen to. She continued to push the button to get to the next set of songs when she found a track that made her smile. She and Faith would dance around the house singing the song at the top of their lungs. Faith would laugh, dancing and twirling. Pretending she was playing the guitar and would always say, “Mama, you have more than enough reason to stay, plus I don’t have to call you, we live together.” Jesminda laughed and hit the play button. Tracy’s voice was slow and low as she opened up into her first bars of the song lyrics. She needed the comfort, needed to be reminded of happier times at home with Faith.
Give me one reason to stay here,
and I’ll turn right back around.
Jesminda stood at the jukebox and began swaying back and forth. Eyes closed, she pictured her little girl twirling around on the carpet of their living room floor, singing the song and playing her air guitar. The beat of the music soothed her, calmed the emotional storm she faced back at the booth. It completely took control of her and brought a smile to her face. She hummed, tapping her foot to the music, letting the stress of the day drain away. When she opened her eyes and turned her head, a tall man sat at the bar watching her. He looks familiar. Like she’d seen him in a movie or passed him along the street. He wasn’t hard to look at either. He winked when she focused on him. Jes smiled back and the man took it as an invitation. Relax, it’s just a man. She didn’t feel threatened and she wasn’t sure if it was because Draven and Royce were only a few feet away, or if it was the way he approached her; he walked towards her while asking her permission at the same time.
With an easy gait, he held his hand out and she took it. He gave her a warm smile that was friendly and calm. Warm gloved hands wrapped around her smaller ones. And before she knew it, the two of them had begun a two-step. Not that she could two-step to save her life, but he was a very good lead. He wasn’t too close either, just a guy who enjoyed her company. He danced her in the little space they had in front of the jukebox until the song ended. It was nice to escape, even if it was only temporary.
She’d completely forgotten about Draven and Royce until the gentlemen air kissed her politely and thanked her for the dance. Draven stood directly behind him and eyed the stranger with a murderous glare. She hadn’t really noticed before, but the stranger had electric blue eyes. He smiled again before he went back to his stool at the bar, completely ignoring her barbaric escort. Draven grunted something low she wasn’t able to hear and took her back to the table where their drinks were waiting for them. He had no reason to be grumpy, but she wasn’t going to worry about him. She scooted into the booth next to Royce and, again, he made a sound in the back of his throat. There was no mistaking their chemistry, but she wasn’t going to focus on it. Ever.
Royce sat at the table sipping his drink, ignoring them both.
“You know, you’re driving him crazy right?” Royce whispered into her ear. Draven folded his arms across his chest, unflinching in his gaze. You’d think he had x-ray vision or could read minds, and she wasn’t driving anyone crazy.
“I didn’t do anything to him,” Jes protested.
“You’re aroused… you know, by the sound,” Royce pointed a finger at his head and arched an eyebrow as if to say remember I can read minds. Well, fuck a duck, he was now putting her thoughts on display for Draven, as well. Punk ass!
“Royce, I’m right here,” Draven grunted.
“Your point is?”
“My point is, I can hear you, both of you.” He looked pointedly at Jesminda and took a deep breath, then took a sip of his drink. “I can also smell you, he’s right. You should try and control yourself, just a bit. I know I’m sexy. But as you have already stated, you’re not interested.” She was not going to be baited by either male sitting at the table with her. She was more than capable of going the rounds with them, but why should she? She wasn’t going to let them bother her any further. She could be civil. Draven smiled with a beckoning stare. Her mind was her own, however indecisive it was. It wouldn’t matter if he smiled a dozen body-melting smiles, she was done.
“Is that your attempt at comedy?” she asked.
“
No. It’s a fact.”
“Hardly.” Jesminda took a sip of her drink and Royce took that moment to excuse himself. The air between her and Draven thickened, coalesced into their compacted space and hung heavy between them. She could feel its weight settle on her shoulders. He made her anxious and uneasy.
“Apologies about the way I handled the phone call,” he whispered.
“You should be. Who did you think it was anyway?” It wasn’t like she really cared, but making friendly conversation was better than just staring at her glass.
“To be honest, I didn’t care. My only concern was that you could be tracked. Marcus could have your cell tapped, or even your friend’s. Or he could be using the phone’s GPS to find you.”
“Impossible. This cell was given to me by my friend’s father, who also happens to be immortal. Marcus doesn’t have this number.” She couldn’t fault Draven, he had a point. It wasn’t like she’d told him the phone wasn’t traceable. Actually, it wasn’t like she’d told him she had the phone at all. She should be more forthcoming with that type of information, and that was her fault. However, it still didn’t give him reason to snatch the phone from her.
“Well, regardless, I didn’t know. I didn’t mean to upset the child.”
“My daughter is a lot tougher than you think.” Their daughter. She should tell him about Faith, he had a right to know. So what if he had a girlfriend? Faith deserved to know her real father. That was the right thing to do, but how would she tell him?
“My daughter is special,” Jesminda said.
“All parents think their kids are special,” he answered dryly.
“I know, but she was different when she was born. The doctors could tell right away. She’s unique.” Sorry attempt at a hint, Zealand.
Draven didn’t look her way.
“I’m sure she’s a gem. It’s a great responsibility to care for a child.”
“It is,” she agreed. The waitress returned with their food and Royce rejoined them.
“So, what were you two discussing?” Royce asked.
“She was talking about her kid.”
“Oh.” Royce sat up straighter and looked at her and then at Draven.
“Yeah, I was just telling him how special Faith is.” Jesminda took her fork and began cutting into her pancakes. She loved breakfast food for dinner.
“Draven, how do you feel about kids?” Royce asked.
“You know how I feel. They’re okay as long as I can give them back. I’ve watched children before. Even helped my mom out at the center. But I can’t have children, you know that.”
He was still going on with the whole sterile thing. Impossible. Faith’s proof that’s not true.
He obviously didn’t like children enough to have his own. She wondered what he would think when he found out he had a five-year-old daughter.
“He’s going to have a set of pups on his own,” Royce answered. She dropped her fork and laughed. Draven finding out he had a daughter would definitely have him going into labor with multiple births. Royce patted her back to stop her from choking on her food. When he’d slapped her so hard she caught her breath, he quickly backed off. He thought she was about to go into a meltdown. She could tell by the rapid eye movement. Was she really that skittish? She was getting comfortable. She felt at ease around them. Even if Draven made her heart race, it wasn’t out of fear. It was something else. She was safe with them. Damn, they both must’ve been on pins and needles this entire time.
“I’m sorry, guys.”
She took a deep breath and continued, “I’ll be okay around you two, promise. I’ll try my best not to freak out. Okay?”
Both men looked to one another and the tension eased from their shoulders. She could do this and not fall apart.
When they were ready to get back on the road, she excused herself from the table to go to the restroom. She passed by the bar again and noticed that the handsome stranger she’d danced with was still there, still staring. She didn’t get an uneasy feeling around him, but then she wasn’t immortal, and her senses weren’t as acute as Draven’s and Royce’s were. Maybe he just looked because she’d walked by.
After her restroom break, she was ready to get back on the road and closer to her daughter. Draven was waiting for her by the door. He really was gorgeous. And that word didn’t really suit him. There was something about his energy that appealed to her on a static level. He never held back, stood firm on his every action, his every move. It was an attractive combination sure to set any woman on fire, just not her, even if she was affected. He walked with her out to the car when she noticed Royce took the back seat. Fine, two could play that game.
“Don’t do it,” Draven growled. “Don’t you dare get in the back seat.”
“And if I did, what’s it to you? Huh?” She put both hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side. Be aggressive. She wasn’t going to let him boss her around. Was he really trying to control her? Royce stuck his head out the back seat window.
“Guys, time is of the essence. Get in the fucking car… and hey beautiful, do me a solid and get in the front seat. I like my balls where they are, and Draven there has already mentally decided that should you get in the back seat, it would be the end of our friendship and the end of my life.” He pulled his head back in and sat back in the seat.
Guess she was sitting in the front after all. Besides there was a huge ass armrest in the middle, she could deal. She got in the car and fastened her seat belt. She made sure she sat closer to the passenger window. Royce took out another of his red cigarettes and lit up.
“Understand Jes, you may think he’s taken but he’s not, if you know what I mean. And in a fair fight I could take his ass anytime, wolf or human. What Draven here doesn’t understand is, if we have to fight, I’d make him my bitch… isn’t that right juice box boy.”
The fist that flew and hit Royce in the face was fast and almost unseen. She felt the air shift before she saw it. Royce’s head snapped back and then righted itself seconds later. Amber eyes darkened to black.
“Stupid fuck, now I need to light a new smoke.” Royce reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out another red cigarette and lit up. “This is by far the first time I can say, I enjoy reading your mind.” The smoke drifted up and around the back of the car in lazy waves. “By the way Jesminda, Draven’s already decided he’s going to fuck you. And to be exact, he says, he’s gonna fuck you good.” Red tendrils danced in the air with its spicy aroma, Royce closed his eyes and laid his head on the back head rest of the car and sighed.
The car was eerily silent as they got back on the highway. Draven didn’t acknowledge or deny Royce’s comment he just continued to drive.
# # #
Royce and his fucking mouth were digging a hole six feet deep. A hole Draven would gladly bury him in if his friend kept it up. Sure Draven had thought about fucking her, but thinking and actually doing were two different things.
“Dude, your intentions were spot on. You want it and you’ve already made up your mind that you’re going to have it. Why fight the inevitable? She’ll respect you more in the morning if you just come clean with your shit and stop hiding behind this façade of stupidity. For fuck’s sake, you’re a werewolf.” Royce made a sound of disgust in the back of his throat and continued to throw up all over the car with his words.
“You’re leader of the pack, maker of your own destiny. Grow a pair. I know you hate me right now, but I promise you’ll both be thanking me by the end of this.”
Royce sat back in the seat again with his arms folded, eyes closed. More smoke rose from his nose. The silence from Jesminda was telling, and for the life of him, Draven didn’t know what to say. He always knew what to say, no matter what.
What did you say to a woman whom you fucked in the jungle? No names, no numbers, not even a thank you. He’d just disappeared. He’d even promised they’d never meet again. But she’d showed up at Odessa’s the next night, well-sexed from their time toge
ther, still glowing with his scent all over her. But instead of going for round two, he had been hooking up with a vampire for information. When his eyes had collided with Jesminda’s in the dark cavern of the club, he’d seen the hurt and humiliation in her eyes. He hadn’t even gone after her when she’d left. She’d barely made it out of the club in one piece. Her body shook with fury and pain. He was sure if Bells hadn’t been with her, the entire ordeal would have been adversely negative on all fronts. Cyrian’s private parties only catered to immortals, and although her friend wasn’t human, Jesminda was. She’d been looked at as a meal, some treat for those with primitive appetites. He’d been frozen to the spot, even his wolf had wanted to jump to her aid. But he’d held his wolf back, reminding him that they were there for a job, not a human.
Life had a way of throwing shit in your face, and rubbing said shit face in the dirt. He should have tried to stay in contact. She’s human. Your dad would have disowned you. Not that any of that mattered now.
He cleared his throat and she sighed. He was the master of his own destiny. If he wanted something, he would make it happen. He only had this one life, this one woman. It didn’t matter about the rest. His wolf was on board and it meant something that his animal half and human half weren’t at odds. His entire life he’d battled between his human and animal urges. Neither side ever willing to back down. It was time he manned up and got with the program. The situation would work itself out later. All this time they’d both talked shit, ignoring what the real problem was. It was time to make shit happen. He couldn’t take the silence, didn’t like that they had wasted all this time. They should have been trying to get to know the other better. He needed to know what she was thinking. Was she upset? Did she feel the same way? What the hell was going through that beautiful head of hers? He was sure her only thoughts were on her daughter. It was driving him crazy not knowing.
“Fucking ask her,” came from Royce. How the hell was he supposed to speak with the mind reader butting in at every turn?
