Heng laughed. “Why of course. You didn’t think I would risk my own neck, did you?”
Chapter Eleven
Jairec helped Autumn clean up the shop, putting it back to some sense of order. He boarded the door where the glass had been broken. Autumn would call someone in the morning to fix it.
He turned toward her. She had held up well through all the preternatural business but it was finally taking its toll. She hugged herself as if she could keep the last thread of her sanity intact. “Autumn?” She met his gaze and her green eyes pooled. He was at her side, pulling her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought this to your doorstep. I’ll leave. Tristan mentioned the last parade. Whatever is happening will happen then. I’ll find my brother and—”
“Shut up, Jairec.” She leaned up and kissed him, startling them both. Her gaze met his as if waiting for him to make the next move.
Not exactly what he expected, but he wasn’t going to complain. Even in his undead state, it seemed he was still a bloke and she was one attractive woman. His hands went around her waist, pulling her closer. His hands gripped a fistful of her dark hair. His gaze wavered over her features to make sure this is what she wanted. Her eyelids fluttered close and her lips parted. That was all the encouragement he needed. He slanted his mouth over hers, planting a searing kiss.
She pulled at his shirt, rubbing her hands beneath the fabric. He groaned. Her hands tortured him with pleasure. He wanted her and if he could believe the way her hands moved over him, she wanted him, too. He leaned back, brushing her hair away from her face, forcing her to look at him. “Are you sure, luv? Because you know I’m not a saint and now would be the time for you to tell me to back off.”
“I don’t want you to back off. We could die tomorrow. Well, I could die tomorrow. You could become the undead forever. I want someone to hold me tonight. Make love to me. You can still … you know do that, can’t you.” She glanced down and then up to meet his gaze once more.
“Uh … I believe so. The equipment seems to be working exceptionally well.” He stepped back and shoved his hands in his pockets. He hadn’t met a girl who spoke her mind, on whatever it might be. He liked it. He liked her. He’d been drawn to her from the beginning as if destiny led him to her.
“Make love to me, Jairec.”
He wanted to. Boy did he want to; however, he had to think of her safety. What if he lost control and bit her? He could kill her.
“I trust you,” she told him as if she read his mind.
“I don’t know if I trust myself.”
“I trust you,” she said again, pulling his hand out of his pocket and clasping it. “My grandmother says there are no coincidences. Fate brought you to me.”
He had thought the same thing a second ago. “What if it was to do you harm?”
She tilted her head to the side, her mouth curving into a smile. “Never. I feel more alive when I’m with you.”
He shook his head. “That’s not good. A dead man makes you feel alive. What is wrong with this picture?”
“Tell me what is right? Everything’s been turned upside down.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Tell me you don’t feel it.”
“There’s a connection no doubt. I’ve never felt this with anyone, and if we had met before all this happened I would have pursued you like there was no tomorrow.”
“There may not be.”
“Be serious, Autumn. I have nothing to offer you. There’s no future for us.”
She nodded her head and took a deep breath. “You can promise me tonight.”
“I’ve learned the night is a different world, one that should be feared by mortals.”
“I’m not afraid of you.” There was impeccable certainty in her voice.
Her honesty, her aura, the feminine scent of her had hooked him from the start. Now she laid her heart out for him. “You should be afraid ... very afraid.” He allowed his gaze to smolder with desire, but it was meant to warn her of the power he held in check, but she looked at him as if she saw something else ... as if, she saw a good and honest man. “Autumn—”
“I trust you.”
“Don’t.” He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Big mistake.
“I trust you.”
He could smell her. She was fresh and clean with sexy undertones that made him crave a taste of her, not her blood, but her. He wanted to touch her. He wanted to feel her lips again and feel the softness of her hair.
“I don’t take sleeping with a man lightly,” she told him.
His eyes snapped open. “I never thought …”
She shook her head. “I wanted you to know.”
He cupped her face. “To be sure, I don’t take sleeping with a woman lightly either.”
“Good to know.” Her green eyes held his with longing and he felt his resolve slipping. “Jairec?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you going to kiss me again or not?”
“I shouldn’t.” He met her lips anyway. Just like the first time he kissed her, he felt the surge course through him. The fiery want to taste every inch of her consumed his actions. He had waited a lifetime to find her. He knew her touch, knew what she craved. It was as if she was his already.
She offered her hand and he clasped it –a lifeline to her world. She led him back upstairs and to her bedroom.
He drew her into his arms and exploited her mouth for all it was worth. His lips wandered over her cheekbones, her chin. He nuzzled her ear and nipped her neck, but he didn’t draw blood. She inhaled deeply, but she didn’t pull away. He would be careful with her. He wouldn’t hurt her. He took her mouth once more and those invisible bonds that drew them to each other tightened a notch more.
He could hear the heightened beat of her heart when he tugged at the hem of her T-shirt. He pulled it over her head. Other clothing followed: jeans, panties, bra and his jeans and boxers added to the pile until they stood before each other in all honesty.
He eased her back toward the bed, pulling back the covers before they fell onto its featherlike softness. He caressed a trail down her arm until he cupped her breast, his thumb skimming over the tip of her nipple. He was fully aroused, desire coursing through his swollen and rigid member. He wanted her now. He wanted to bury himself deep inside her and ride her hard and fast, but he held back not sure of his strength. He reminded himself she was human.
She was fragile.
She trusted him.
He would be damned if he didn’t make their first time, perhaps their only time together memorable. He trailed kisses down the length of her. His mouth tasting the sweetness between her legs, stroking and suckling until he felt the sensitive piece of flesh swell with excitement.
“Now Jairec.” She drew her fingers through his hair. “Now.”
He shifted and with one quick move entered her. She gasped and he stilled. When she wiggled her hips, he realized he hadn’t hurt her. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. A growl erupted from the back of his throat, as he possessed her body, immersing himself deeper and deeper, melding them as one. She held onto him as she rode with him. Their gazes locked as they took the tumble over the edge and waves of pleasure rippled through them. He never knew he could love someone so completely in such a short time, but he did. He loved her. That wasn’t good. He had no right. He tried to pull away, but she wrapped her legs around him and held him close. He looked at her. She caressed his face, rubbing her thumb over his lips.
“I love you, too.”
She read him so easily. “Damn it Autumn, you shouldn’t, but God help me, I do love you.” He leaned down and kissed her.
For tonight, all the nightmares of the last few days were kept at bay, but time marches on and death doesn’t wait.
Chapter Twelve
Autumn awoke to find Jairec dressing. The sun hadn’t risen yet and the coolness of the morning made her shiver. She pulled the sheet around her. “Where are you going?”
He put on his sweatshirt and
turned toward her. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I …” He looked away, swallowing hard.
Then she understood. She reached for his hand. “It’s okay.” He met her gaze again. “I know you have to feed.” She didn’t ask where he fed or on what. For two days before she met him, he’d been fending for himself.
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll see you in a few hours. I’ll try to meet you back here, but if you need to leave, please don’t wait. I’ll head over to your booth.”
She nodded, wanting to cling to him, but knowing she had to let him go. “Be careful.”
He gave her a whisper of a smile before he slipped out the door. She must have drifted off to sleep again for the next thing she knew her phone was ringing. She leaned over and picked it up . Her voice croaked out the word, “Hello.”
“Autumn? Thank goodness. I thought something was wrong.”
“Loann, what is it?”
“You haven’t opened the shop and I needed to bring the supplies over to the booth.”
Autumn sat up and looked at the clock. “Holy, holy, I didn’t realize how late it was. I overslept.” She threw off the covers. “I’ll be right down. Give me a sec.”
She grabbed her robe and shoved her feet into her slippers. She ran downstairs and opened the door to find Loann and Yi there, too.
“You’re not dressed,” Yi stated the obvious.
“Yeah, well I just woke up. I don’t usually sleep in my work clothes.”
He harrumphed.
Loann hurried to gather what was needed at the booth.
“What happened with the door?” Yi nodded toward the boarded up portion where Tristan had broken it to let himself in. Funny, the guy taught Jairec how to pick locks, but he broke her door to let himself in. Had he been warning her to run? Tristan didn’t know Jairec would be there to protect her. Maybe Jairec’s brother wasn’t as lost as they thought.
“Kids,” Autumn stated. “A ball hit it and shattered the glass.” The lie flew off her tongue with ease. It was to protect them. She justified her actions. The less they knew of what was going on the better.
“I have everything,” Loann announced. She held the box and looked from Yi to Autumn, obviously feeling the tension. “I’ll meet you at the booth. Hopefully Bruce will show up today. By the way, did you hear from him?”
Autumn cringed. She’d been preoccupied and had forgotten to call him again. “No, but I haven’t checked my messages yet. I’m sure he’ll show up sooner or later.”
“I don’t know why you keep the runt.” Yi leaned against the counter. “If he were my employee—”
“He’s not.” Autumn narrowed her eyes and he shrugged. She looked back to Loann. “I won’t be long.”
“Don’t rush. It’s foggy out, the worst I’ve seen in a long time,” Loann told her. “The tourists won’t surface until this burns off.”
“I’ll wait for you Autumn, so we can walk together,” Yi offered.
“No, go on with Loann.”
He hesitated.
“I’m fine, Yi. I haven’t had any trouble.”
“The door makes me think differently. What are you hiding?”
“Nothing.”
His dark eyes narrowed. “You’re lying.”
“Excuse me.”
“Something’s going on with you.”
She pulled the robe around tighter. “Nothing is going on.”
He grabbed her chin and tilted her head up. She pulled away and glared at him.
“You should tell your boyfriend not to bite so hard next time,” he sneered.
Her hand flew to her neck. “Get out Yi.”
Loann shuffled her feet and chewed her lower lip. For a second, her gaze locked with Autumn’s.
“Who is he?” Yi demanded to know.
“It’s none of your business. I don’t owe you an explanation.”
His nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. “You deny me your attention, but you sneak around with someone else. Makes me wonder why?”
“I’m not sneaking around. Now if you don’t mind, I need to get dressed.”
Yi stood there the muscle in his jaw working as he clenched his teeth. Without another word, he whirled around and stormed out the door. Autumn let out a sigh of relief.
Loann stared at her. “Is it that man who came by the booth yesterday? The good looking one who was all mysterious like.”
“We’re … friends.”
Loann smiled. “Friends? That’s sure one friendly bite he gave you.”
“Yeah, I’ll have to talk to him about that.” She frowned. She’d better wear something with a high collar. Her grandparents were old fashioned. They wouldn’t approve of her letting Jairec spend the night. No matter what the circumstances were. She’d never been so bold. She couldn’t explain the connection she felt for Jairec. She only knew it was right.
“George asked me to marry him.” Loann broke through her reverie.
“Oh Loann, I’m so happy for you.”
“Our parents were happy with the match. They had our astrology charts mapped. We’re compatible, but I already knew we would be.”
“Hmmm.”
“Would your grandparents approve of your young gentleman?”
Autumn knew Loann only tried to help. Would her grandparents like Jairec? If he hadn’t been cursed to be one of the undead, perhaps. Would they like her to marry Yi? Most definitely. Yi came from a good Chinese family. He owned his own business. Not that she needed him to, but he could provide for her. Whereas Jairec was Irish, like her father had been. Her grandparents would be reminded daily of how her father stole her mother from them. Jairec also lived and worked in Boston. Oh and let’s not forget, he’s cursed. She pursed her lips together. “Our relationship is complicated.”
“Most are, Autumn. If you want my opinion, I go for the dark mysterious guy. Yi is too intense for me. Go shower and get dressed. Later, you can tell me about your guy.”
“I’ll bring us some coffee.”
“Good. Extra sugar for me,” Loann said as she walked out.
Autumn stood at the door until the fog swallowed Loann’s slim form. She clutched her robe. Her eyes flickered warily through the thick ooze of mist, having a creepy feeling of being watched. She could feel the animosity as if the fog was a live entity and it waited to devour her. She took a step outside her door, not able to resist the pull. She teetered on her feet.
“Come.” She heard the call, but it was inside her head, not a voice anyone else could hear.
Her subconscious screamed for her to resist. “No!” She snapped free of the psychic pull, falling back into her shop. She scrambled to her feet and slammed the door shut, and locked it. She took a large gulp of air, waiting for her heart to slow to a normal rate. What waited for her out there? What did it want?
Chapter Thirteen
Loann’s thoughts drifted to George. He was going to meet her at the booth later on today. She loved the way his hair fell over his brow and the way his smile would make her heart beat faster. She loved him with all her heart and she prayed Autumn would know the same happiness.
Her lips curved. The way the guy at the booth had looked at Autumn was surely sinful. He looked like he wanted to devour her and Autumn’s gaze hadn’t been so innocent either. She wondered who the guy was. She never saw him before yesterday and yet the two seemed like old friends. She chuckled. Friends? No, they were more than friends, if the love bite Autumn sported was any indication. She couldn’t wait for Autumn to tell her all about him.
The temperature dropped and she shivered. The weather was strange today. It was often foggy, but not this dense. She could barely see more than a few feet in front of her. A whisper of unease teased her senses as she slowed her pace, not wanting to trip and fall. She’d have a heck of time finding all the items she carried in her box if they were sprawled all over the street.
She hummed a tune, trying to ease the tension building inside of her. She walked these stre
ets her whole life and hadn’t been afraid, but she had an uneasy feeling as if she were entering something forbidden. Then she heard something whistle by her. Something big, fast ... She stopped in her tracks and looked around her, but the fog was so thick she couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of her. Now she wished Yi hadn’t stormed off angry and had walked with her. “Who’s out there?” Her voice quavered.
“Who’s out there?” a voice mimicked like a perverted echo.
A scream clawed its way up her throat, but she bit it back. She clutched the box and ran. A dark shadow whipped around her and her long hair flew into her eyes. She dropped the box and ran faster. “Help!” She looked over her shoulder, but she couldn’t see what pursued her. Where was everyone? Why wasn’t anyone else on the street?
“Help me!”
“Help me!” the voice echoed back.
She tripped and fell, landing hard on her knees. Tears sprang to her eyes and she couldn’t stop shaking. Then a hand appeared in front of her face in an offering. She grabbed hold and he helped her to her feet. She looked up at her rescuer. “Oh, thank God.” She chuckled nervously and took a deep breath to calm her nerves. “I think I let the fog spook me.” She looked at him again, wondering why he hadn’t let go of her hand. Her eyes widened as the truth set in. The scream never left her mouth as he lunged forward, sinking his teeth into her neck.
Chapter Fourteen
The fog had lifted to a ghostly whisper of what it had been in the morning. Autumn carried two coffees in her hands. She took a sip of hers, letting the warmth slide down her throat. “Perfect.”
She walked toward her booth only to slow her pace when she noticed the commotion up ahead. The police were roping off an area where her booth should be. Where Loann should be setting up for the day.
Fear slammed into her, making her chest hurt. “Dear God, no.” The cups slipped from her hands, falling to the ground. The lids popped off and the coffee splashed over the sidewalk.”
“Hey, watch it,” someone shouted at her, but she was beyond hearing.
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