by JF Holland
They were all set now.
He watched Maya search around in the bottom of the wardrobe, and leaned forward again. Pulling a smaller box from under the bed.
"Maya, here, I forgot to give you this one," he said looking down at her bare feet. She turned to him again, and then came back. Taking the smaller one, with a smile, she placed it inside the larger box on the bed, then removed the lid. Inside this one was a pair of nude sandals, with little straps and a tiny heel.
"Thank you," Maya said. Bending forwards and brushing her mouth over his. Jaden's hand came up to hold the back of her head, as he deepened the kiss. He was helpless to do anything else. So relieved that she wasn't upset over his need to have her covered. He pulled back and turned her, as she looked at him over her shoulder. His hand lifted to her hair, as he felt around the back of her head.
"It's gone, the lump on the back of your head has completely vanished." Jaden said in wonder, turning her around again. He then pulled her down onto his knee, so he could kiss her how he needed. Pulling back breathlessly, after thoroughly ravishing her mouth, he grinned at her.
"I can perform the ceremony without worrying over hurting you, you're okay. Has your headache gone, you're completely well? Oh my god, did I hurt you earlier, I'm sorry I didn’t think, I…" Maya slapped a hand over his mouth, as she leaned back against his arm.
"My headache has gone. So has any lingering stiffness, I'm one hundred percent back to normal. Maybe even better than before, if I'm being honest, and you didn't hurt me. Stop worrying, okay?" Maya said to Jaden, and he grinned over her hand. Then he licked her palm, and she snatched back her hand, wiping it on his jumper.
"You're always licking me, it's gross," she mumbled.
"Funny how you only complain when I lick your hand, other areas make you groan not moan. In fact, when I lick your…" Maya's hand slapped over his mouth again, and he laughed as he pulled her down onto him. Kissing her as he turned, lying her on the bed beneath him. Then he jumped up, and swatted her backside.
"Come on Maya, we have places to go, stop lounging around." Jaden smirked as she lay spluttering from the middle of the bed. She rolled over and picked a shoe up off the floor, aiming it at his head, but he ducked. Then began laughing as it hit the door frame at the side of him.
"Such a temper," he said with a shake of his head. "Come on woman, shift your arse," He said, grinning at his own joke; especially as he was the one who'd make them late. Then waited for her by the door.
"I'm not ready yet, I need to do my hair," Maya began, but he just came back into the room, and grabbed hold of her hand.
"No time, plus I'll only mess it up again," he told her. Pulling her behind him through the bedroom door, towards the stairs.
"Jaden, I've not even brushed it, I look a mess," she whined, dragging her feet. He bent down, scooping her up into his arms, before throwing her over his shoulder; fireman's lift style. Then he made his way down the stairs.
"You look beautiful, just as you are. You don't need to do a thing," he said as he stepped off the last step, heading towards the garage.
"Sheesh, are you in a rush?" Maya mumbled from where she hung down his back.
"Yes, I have a mate to claim," he told her, giving her backside a slap, as he pushed through the garage door. She swore at him, and he laughed as he kicked the door shut, while rubbing her bottom with his other hand. He then strode towards his motorbike.
Chapter Four
Balin waited for the sound of Jaden's bike starting up next door. He then turned to the assembled immortals, who were standing around in the kitchen.
"Okay, let's get this show on the road. Do you all remember where your posts are?" He got nods as men, and the odd woman; who'd accompanied her mate, began to leave through the back door. Luc still wasn't here, and Balin waited as Sam left with the others. Keeping hold of Helena's arm, they walked down the back garden arguing. Balin shook his head at them, as Douglas took up the rear, holding Agatha's hand.
"Your time is nearly here," Agatha told Balin over her shoulder. Her eyes not quite focused, as if she were looking through him. He frowned and went to shake his head, thinking she was talking to Douglas; who'd stiffened at her side.
"Your path will not be so smooth; you will come to a fork in the road. Make sure to take the right path, otherwise your journey may not be a good one." Then her eyes cleared, and she looked worriedly towards Douglas. She then smiled sadly at Balin, not meeting his eyes, as she turned and carried on down the path. Her head leaning on Douglas's shoulder, as he slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her into him; as if offering her comfort.
Balin let the thoughts drop, as he heard a knock at the front door. Looking up into the sky, he realised that the sun had set, and went to answer the door. The final member for tonight's party of 'extra eyes' had arrived.
"Luc, welcome to the party." Balin said, as he opened the door. He found the tall, broad, dark haired Frenchman, leaning negligently against the wall, at the side of the door.
"Bonjour, we begin?"
"Yes, my friend we do. Come on through. I'll show you the map, so you can see where the others are going to be this evening. Also where Jaden and Maya will be, so we don't have any embarrassing little accidents. Plus, that will assure you don't lose a body part from a pissed off Jaguar, when you get an eyeful of his mate." Balin winked at Luc, who grinned. Flashing his pearly whites, he stepped through the door, and into the hallway. Balin closed and locked the door behind him.
Luc wasn't a big conversationalist, but he was a solid presence in the room, and well used to being on guard. This evening he'd dressed to blend. He wore a dark grey sweater and trousers, which would have looked dull on anyone else. Luc, was a hard man to say that about though. He was bigger than both Jaden and himself, standing at least six foot four. He had a huge wide chest, and shoulders like a line-backer. He also had long legs with muscular thighs, and bulging biceps. Not surprising really. He needed a large, muscular frame to be able to take the weight of his massive six-foot wing span. The dark, bat like leathery wings were presently folded against his shoulders. He used a neat little glamour trick, to hide them from human eyes.
If they could be seen, they would probably describe Luc as a dark angel. Which he supposed he resembled, especially with his jet black hair, bright green eyes and chiselled features. He was a little more than an angel though, proven by the fact that he had tiny horns, just above his hairline. They sat either side of his forehead, and were hidden by wearing his hair a little longer at the front, and cut into his neck at the back. No magic required there.
When he smiled, even Balin could admit he was something to look at. He often wondered why he wasn't swamped with female attention. Then again, Luc was a very private man. He tended to live on the fringes of their society. Not surprising really, as he had the little problem of turning to stone during daylight hours. Man, women could be vindictive sometimes. A scorned woman had done that to him, not that he knew all the details. All he did know, was that tangling with a witch had gotten him cursed. Luc was careful over the women he got involved with these days. He spent most of his free time searching for a way to release himself from his curse. After nearly three hundred years, he wasn't holding out much hope though. Honestly, Balin wasn't either.
Balin lead Luc through to Jaden's office, and over to his desk. Jaden had placed it there earlier for anyone who needed a reminder. Luc looked down at the map, his bright green gaze quickly scanning the details before him. He then nodded, turning on his heel and went to leave again.
"I'll keep to the north of Leonard," he told Balin as he left the office, heading straight towards the back door. Stepping through, he unfurled his wings. As Balin watched, they began to flap. He lifted smoothly from the ground, like a helicopter as he hovered there. Then he turned north, flying low over the trees. Balin shook his head and walked out himself. Closing and locking the back door behind him. He then hid the key under the flag, which was left loose on purpose. It was
hard to carry a key in cat form.
Quickly he shifted, and took off over the fencing, to take up his own position in the perimeter. The needed to make sure they had Jaden and Maya surrounded. Hopefully they wouldn't be needed, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Especially when his brother's mate's life was in danger.
*****
Jaden pulled back the throttle on his motorbike, to slow them down to a crawl. He moved it off the path, carefully manoeuvring them under the tree they'd used previously. Putting his feet onto the floor, he used them to walk the bike under cover. Maya still sat behind him, her arms wound tightly wrapped around his waist. Her cheek was resting against his back, seemingly lost in thought. She didn't move until he turned off the engine, and kicked down the stand. The she sat back then, giving him room. He pocketed the key, before removing his helmet, and swinging his leg over the bike. He stood up, stretching his back out, and twisting his head from side to side. He was a little stiff, and needed a long ride to help relax him after so much inactivity, over the last week or so. It would be a way to blow away the cob webs, but that would have to wait. First things first. Stretching his arms above his head experimentally, he breathed a sigh of relief, when nothing twinged. He then held out a hand to Maya, to help her down.
She took it, as she shuffled around, pulling her leg carefully over the bike. Trying not to flash him with her movements. After unclipping her chin strap, Jaden removed her helmet, hanging it from the handle bars with his own. He then turned, running his hands through her hair. Then bending, he put his lips to hers, kissing her softly. Just a brush of his mouth, before he then straightened again.
Jaden tried to ignore the temptation of Maya, as he began to try and set out a scene for his seduction. He took the blanket from the box, he'd put on the back earlier. Then pulled his phone and the small speaker he'd packed. Dragging off the cooler, which contained a bottle of wine, a couple of glasses and some strawberries. Walking over to an area with a clear section. One where the sun and moon could penetrate the heavy foliage, he spread out the blanket on the grass. Once he had it positioned where he needed it, he straightened it out and picked up his phone. Switching it on, he searched through the history for the station he'd found earlier. Once done he plugged in the speaker and turned up the volume, before placing them both on the bottom of the blanket. Picking up the cooler he put that on the floor beside the blanket, took a breath, and turned back to Maya.
She stood to one side, and swallowed. Unsure what to do, as she moved from foot to foot. She watched as he turned and his eyes dropped, lighting on her nervous movements, and bit her lip. Backing up towards his bike as his eyes once again returned to hers, as she caught his heated look. His cheekbones were slashed with colour, and as she watched, his darkened eyes travelled slowly up her body. Tinder to her flame, as she stood there anxiously fiddling with the skirt of her dress. His eyes again dropped, then did a leisurely sweep. She felt him in each place his gaze landed, as if it was a physical touch. A sensual caress of his hand, sliding up her overheated body. He started at her painted toenails, moved up her legs, over her hips and breasts. Then ended at her dark, navy eyes, before dropping back to her chest.
Jaden's mouth twitched as he took in the way her chest rose and fell with her harsh breathing. Her pulse fluttered wildly in her throat, as she watched him watch her. He took a step towards her, and her breathing hitched, making him smirk as he caught the scent of her arousal. As he drew closer, he could hear her heartbeat thudding double time, just before his mouth once again lowered to hers. This time it was no tentative brush. He took her mouth with fervour. Devouring her as he speared his fingers through her hair. Using his hands on the back of her head to tilt and position her where he wanted. Trying to meld them together, desperate to lose himself within her body. Something was wrong though, he could feel her pulling back from him. Her panicked thoughts screaming into his mind. Sighing, he pulled back, releasing her head.
Without his support she dropped backwards onto the seat of his bike. He leaned over her, resting his hands on the seat, either side of her hips. Her hands lifted towards his chest, but she stopped herself. They fluttered uselessly in the air, before falling down into her lap.
Maya sat there, nibbling on her bottom lip. Her agitated hands, scrunching the material of her dress in her fists. Thoughts tumbling through her head, but nothing cohesive. She wracked her mind, trying to decide how best to broach the subject of what was bothering her. She needn't have worried though, as once again Jaden could read her hesitancy.
Again he bent forward and took her mouth, hoping to relax her. She returned his kiss, but there was no passion in her response. It was as if all the heat had evaporated, with her confidence, and he didn't like it.
What the hell was going on? He pulled back his head as he tried to figure out what was wrong, then gave up. He couldn't pick out any one thought from her head, too many things were running through there. Like hamsters on a wheel. Lots of thoughts running around, but he couldn't work out exactly what was troubling her. Sighing he pulled his head back slightly, and looked at her.
"Maya, what's wrong?" Jaden asked, deciding maybe it was more expedient to just ask her outright. Her eyes lowered from his, refusing to meet his enquiring gaze, as she again bit her lip. Then panic began to bubble up, and she ducked trying to move under his arm.
"This is no good. I'm never going to be able to relax knowing they can hear everything Jaden. It's just not going to happen..."
"Woah, don't be so hasty," he told Maya, stepping forward once again. "They can't hear a thing," he assured her. Looking over his shoulder towards his phone and speaker, presently playing music. It was lay on the blanket beneath the gap in the foliage. While they were still hidden beneath the cover of the trees.
"I'm sure I can think of something, to relax you," he smirked. Pulling her back before him.
He again placed her between his spread thighs, and the bike. Lowing his head, he began kissing her, slowly and thoroughly. Using a hand lightly on her throat, he gently caressed her pulse. While his other thumb stroked her thigh, from where it rested against the seat of his bike. He used teasing kisses, at the corner of her mouth. Nibbling, then lathing the sting with his tongue, before going back and starting again.
Over and over he kissed her softly, before finally settling his mouth over hers properly. He slid his tongue into her mouth, and swept the interior. Tangling his tongue around hers, before pulling back. He alternated his kisses, from gentle to teasing, until her response sparked. Her arms came up and tightened around his neck, as he dove back in, heating their connection. Losing himself in her mouth, and the fire they produced between them.
Once Jaden heard her sigh into his mouth, and knew she'd relaxed, he began trailing his hand down the length of her throat. Over her dress, his hand travelled down, towards her waist. All the time his hand moved he continued kissing her until he reached the hem of her dress. Then pulling back, again returning to teasing kisses, as he edged the material of her dress up her thighs. He then stepped back, nudged her knees apart, and made himself at home in the gap. He went straight back to her mouth, deepening the kiss, as her arms once again wound around his neck. He had to pull back slightly to loosen her hold. Then kissed her again, while he stroked her throat with one hand. The other he ran up the inside of her thigh, to test her readiness.
Finding her damp on his fingers, it was his turn to groan into her mouth. Removing his hand, he used it to free himself from his jeans. Then taking himself in hand, he positioned himself at her entrance. Breaching her with just the head, before she realised what was happening, and could tense up. Maya gasped at the move and Jaden pulled his head back. He looked into her glazed, startled eyes, and found her cheeks flushed with colour.
"Do you accept me Maya? Are you willing to tie your life to mine?" Jaden asked. Maya just nodded, edging forward on the seat of the bike. She tried to wrap her legs around his waist, to pull him further into her body. Her nerves of being o
verheard forgotten. Jaden groaned, but held his ground, putting a hand on her waist to keep her still.
"I need the words Maya. You have to say the words," Jaden told her on a hiss, as she managed to wiggle onto him a little further. His hand flexed and tightened on her again, holding her still. She groaned, dropping her head onto his chest.
"Come on honey. I need to hear you say the words," Jaden managed to get out. Wanting nothing more than to sink further into her damp warmth, and feel her tight heat surround him. Beads of sweat began to appear on his forehead, as he held himself in check while he waited. Sighing Maya pulled her head back and looked up at him, some of the glaze had gone from her eyes.
"I accept you Jaden Matthews, and I'm happy to tie my life to yours. Happy? Now move," she hissed making him smile, which turned to a groan as she again tried to pull him further into her body.
"No, not yet. Don't move a muscle," Jaden ground out, as he fumbled around in his front pocket. He had to pull one of Maya's thighs out of his way, groaning at the sight that met him. He shook his head, dragging his gaze from the erotic sight of his body disappearing inside of hers. He held the ring, he'd managed to manoeuvre out of his jeans pocket. Then positioning her thigh back on him again, he edges forward to hold her body still. Gritting his teeth as the movement pushed him a little further inside her again. More sweat beaded on his brow as he held himself back, grinding his teeth. He just managed to stop himself from thrusting all the way home, and gaining some relief. Taking Maya's right hand in his own, he slid the ring that Douglas had provide onto her ring finger. Then he put the disc on her palm, over her mark, before placing his own palm against hers. He had to interlock their fingers to hold it in place.
