by C. R. Jane
I was just pressing myself to Carter's strong back, snaking my arms over his hips, when a stabbing pain cramped my stomach. Stumbling against him, I hunched over and groaned as the agony rapidly spread outward from my middle to my limbs.
"Jacky, what's… " Cole started, but cut himself off when I let go of Carter to clutch my stomach.
He darted forward, catching me before I fell while Carter spun around and supported me from behind. They both ran their big hands over me, searching for an injury.
"What's wrong, Beautiful? Tell us what hurts and we'll take care of you," Carter urged, his voice low and filled with concern.
"I'm gonna have to fucking kill Tank," Cole growled, obviously thinking that lumbering idiot had managed to hurt me in the fight.
"And fucking Joe for allowing her in the cage," Carter added, his expression showing his anger.
Feelings bloomed in my chest at their concern; soft, warm feelings I didn't like. It was those emotions, foreign and sickly sweet, that made me realize what was wrong with me. I instantly and instinctively knew what was happening.
I'm losing control of the body.
Grunting, I shoved away from them, stumbling before I caught myself. I needed out. I needed a safe place… the laboratory.
I heard the twins call my name and rush toward me. I needed to escape not just them but the unpleasantly mushy warmth they made me feel. I had no idea what would happen to me when Lyn woke up but, like a threatened animal, I wanted to be somewhere familiar when it happened.
Putting on a burst of speed, I ran around the crowd pressed against the cage, cheering on a new set of fighters, and through the entrance doors, ignoring the loud bang they made against the exterior of the club.
Pausing, I scanned my surroundings. I could see the horizon beginning to lighten over the buildings and warehouses across from me and had a moment of panic before my eyes landed on the car I'd stolen.
The door was open and the woman whose clothes I'd taken was nowhere to be seen. I was just turning in that direction, wanting to take the car back to the lab, but changed my mind when I heard the door crash open behind me.
Glaring at Carter and Cole over my shoulder, I swerved quickly, my bare feet silent on the concrete as I ran for the shadows where I'd stashed Lyn's clothes. Barely slowing, I grabbed them and pushed myself faster, straining against the weakness overtaking me.
I was breathless and stumbling by the time I finally made it back to the lab, weakness pumping through my veins like poison. I felt dizzy and sick to my stomach as I struggled out of my clothes and back into hers, my hands shaking so badly it took longer than it should have. I barely managed to stuff the leather and denim into an unused drawer before collapsing onto the stool in front of the counter.
Pain burned through me like fire. I threw my head back, screaming and convulsing as my insides felt like they were being torn apart.
The last thing I felt before the darkness swallowed me was fierce determination. I would find a way to come back.
You haven't seen the last of me.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Lyn
I woke feeling like my body had been hit by a truck, then the truck reversed and backed over me again.
I hissed as I lifted my face from the cold surface, feeling a piece of paper sticking to my sweat-coated skin. I peeled it off and squinted through blurry eyes around my lab. Several beakers were knocked over, including the one filled with the formula I'd drank-last night?-I wasn't exactly sure what day or time it was.
I yawned and felt a burning on my lip. Slowly, I lifted my finger and dabbed at the spot that hurt, hissing again at the pain. It was swollen and I could feel flakes of dry blood crusted on my chin and neck. I tried to stand, but felt an awful burning along the muscles in my thighs and calves, like I'd run a marathon or something. I immediately sat back down and surveyed myself more closely. My clothes were a bit dirty and wreaked of mildew and dirt.
What the hell happened last night?
Maybe I tripped or something and knocked myself out. That would explain my lip, the state of my lab, and why my mind felt a bit fuzzy about everything. Then I just got up and fell asleep right here.
Yeah, that sounds like a possibility.
I fished out my phone from my pocket and checked the time and date. Tuesday. Okay, so I did drink that formula last night. That was a relief. But when my eyes zeroed in on the time, I jumped from the chair, ignoring the pain in my face and legs, and grabbed my stuff.
"Crap! I'm going to be late!" I shouted as I charged out of the lab.
It was only five minutes until my first class started and I was all the way across campus. This was just not my day.
The burn in my legs increased as I sped through the halls, hoping I'd make it in time. I'd caught my reflection in some windows along the way and cringed. I looked beat to hell. My hair was sticking up everywhere and my lip was swollen considerably more than I originally thought it was. I couldn't skip class though. I'd skipped all of yesterday after the call from my uncle. I couldn't afford to miss more with the midterms coming up.
When I reached the hall leading to the classroom, I was surprised to find Sutton standing outside the door, pacing back and forth anxiously. My steps faltered a bit as embarrassment at my state of dress filtered through me. I didn't want him to see me like this.
It was too late though. He'd heard my feet scuff against the linoleum floor and turned his head in my direction. Relief washed over his face at seeing me, but quickly changed to worry when he got a good look at me. He rushed over, meeting me halfway.
"Geez, Lyn! What the hell happened to you?" he asked the second he reached me.
I didn't have time to answer because he brought his hands up to gently frame my face, frowning down at me in shocked alarm.
I was surprised by how commanding, yet gentle, his touch was as he turned my face side-to-side. My breath hitched when he lightly slid the pad of his thumb over my swollen lip. My heart raced a bit at the level of concern laced in the stare he gave me. It warmed me to my core having him standing there only a breath away, fussing over my injury. I never would've imagined he cared enough about me to be as concerned as he was right now.
His hazel eyes darkened a bit when he finished his assessment and asked, "Who did this to you?"
His tone was hard, leading me to believe he wasn't going to accept me not answering. He sounded like he was ready for a fight. I didn't blame him for coming to the conclusion that someone had done this to me. I would've thought the same thing seeing someone banged up like me. So, I just shared my theory, only leaving out the lab and experiments part.
"I didn't really eat that much yesterday. Add on stress between family life and tests, and I think I passed out. Must've hit my face on the way down."
His eyes softened a bit, clearly relieved to know I hadn't been attacked or anything. At least, I didn't think I was. It was all too fuzzy.
"Well, you can't go into class looking like this," he said, reaching for my hand and leading me away from the classroom. "Let's go get you cleaned up and get something on that lip. It looks like it hurts. Are you sure you're okay?"
I panicked a bit. "Wait, I can't miss anymore class. I missed all day yesterday and can't afford any more." I tried to pull us back in the other direction, not caring what I looked like.
He shook his head in stubborn refusal and gave me a soft but firm tug back towards him, stepping closer as he did so that he again towered over me, his warm scent enveloping me.
"You'll be fine missing one more, Lyn. Let me take care of you. Please."
His eyes searched mine, pleading for me to let him help. I didn't understand this sudden need
to take care of me, but it set my skin on fire seeing his desire to do just that. I couldn't say no to him. I'd crushed so hard on him since the moment I saw him and realized it would be stupid of me to waste this opportunity. It was a chance to see if he felt anything for me like what I did for him. Just by this reaction, I knew something was there. So, I nodded my head and gave him a soft smile, wincing when it made my lip sting.
It was worth that slight bit of pain though when he returned the smile before pulling me again in the direction opposite the class.
CHAPTER NINE
I didn't have to wait long to see where he was bringing me. It was one of the labs we used for our organic chemistry class. It was empty at the moment since this class didn't start for another two hours.
He slid a hand to my lower back and escorted me in, closing the door behind us. He walked me over to one of the tables closest to the supply closet and gestured for me to sit on it. I did what he wanted, afraid to say anything and break whatever trance he had me in as he went into the closet and began grabbing some things.
I watched the muscles of his back move beneath his sage green t-shirt, completely transfixed by the way the material bunched and slid across his skin.
When he turned back to me, I quickly pretended to be focusing on my fingers, not wanting to get caught ogling him.
He set down some cotton balls, a bottle of rubbing alcohol, and a tube of ointment. He still said nothing as he unscrewed the cap of the alcohol and poured a tiny amount of it onto a cotton ball. Satisfied it was thoroughly soaked, he slowly lifted it to my lip.
"This is gonna hurt, Lyn. I'm really sorry, but it's better we get this cleaned up."
I let out a breath and nodded my head, signaling him to go ahead.
It was cold for a split second before the burning happened, making me let out a soft whimper. He quickly dabbed at it a little more, then removed it and began to blow on my lip. He'd stepped closer, effectively standing between my knees.
I stilled. His mouth was so close to mine and I could feel the heat of his chest barely an inch away. His thighs brushed the inner parts of my knees. It took everything in me not to wrap my legs around him and pull him closer, wanting to feel him against me, hard and ready.
Where did that lustful thought come from?
It was true, but I had never thought that way about anyone before. Maybe I hit my head harder than I thought.
Swallowing thickly, I tried to steady myself as my hands began to shake in my lap. Sutton did things to me that no other guy ever had, and he hadn't even really done anything yet. It drove me crazy the effect he had on me, and I wasn't sure he even realized it.
I must've exhaled too loudly, because his eyes immediately snapped to mine, but he didn't move away.
"Does that feel better?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
I blinked slowly and nodded, feeling myself sink further into a haze of desire. He stepped minutely closer; his chest brushed against mine. He was staring at my mouth hungrily before he shook his head slightly and snapped his gaze to mine.
"I want to take you on a date," he said suddenly, eyes flicking back and forth between mine. "Will you let me?"
My eyes widened and my mouth opened and closed in shock. Did he really just ask me what I think he did?
I must've taken too long to answer, because his face fell and he backed away a bit before saying, "If you don't want to it's okay. I know we've got a pretty easy friendship, and I don't want that to change if you're not into the idea. But, I've had my eye on you since we met our second year here."
Holy shit!
"Yes," I responded quickly. I couldn't believe this was happening,
A bright smile overtook his face, showing off his perfect, white teeth. I loved his smile.
"All right then. Perfect. Friday night?" he asked hopefully.
"Friday is good for me."
He bobbed his head happily and reached beside me for the ointment. He put a little on his finger and slid it onto my lip gently, peeking up at me as he did.
"Friday it is then," he whispered.
I thought I saw a flash of silver go through his hazel eyes and, for just a moment, I could have sworn his happy smile turned predatory, but then it was gone as if it never existed.
Late that night, after classes had ended and I was back in my dorm, I tried in vain to piece together the confusing, scattered bits of memories and emotions that had flashed through my mind all day.
The one broken memory that I struggled with the most was the vision of two sets of striking blue eyes staring at me from the darkness. It was the feeling accompanying that memory that caused me such turmoil. I felt desire when I thought about those eyes but not the same kind of desire I had for Sutton. This was an aggressive, domineering kind of lust which was something I'd never felt before, not for anyone.
I started to wipe the condensation from the mirror, fogged from my shower, but stopped with my hand hovering over the surface. Staring at the blurry image reflected back at me, I used a fingertip to write,Who am I?
The next morning I woke to the same feelings of soreness and confusion I'd had the morning before in my lab, but this time there was evidence that something was wrong. Looking down at myself in horrified shock, I took in the leather pants clinging to my legs and the ripped black tank top, barely big enough to hold my breasts.
I pushed out of bed with a groan and stumbled to the bathroom, but the dark, sultry makeup painting my face-makeup I didn't own-wasn't what I first saw.
There on the mirror, in bright red lipstick, where I had written my question the night before was an answer.
Call me Jacky.
The End… for now.
OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHORS
By K.B. Everly
Divinely Damned Series
Under The Skin Series
Toxic Bitchcraft Series
The Conduit Trilogy
Northern Lights Novel
A Naughty Nights Novella
Between The Sheets Anthology
By Stacy Jones
Chosen Series
Between The Sheets Anthology
Halloween Between The Sheets Anthology
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
K.B. Everly
K.B. Everly is a romance author from Southern Mississippi. She has one daughter and three cats who she claims are stealing her soul in only tiny doses so she won't notice. She can be found (or not found) hiding from her tiny human so she doesn't have to share her snacks. Usually it's in the closet. What free time she has is used fighting with Darth Legger, her prosthetic leg, or stuffing her face with copious amounts of coffee and candy as she types away on her next book.
If you would like to follow her for updates, she can be found here...
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Stacy Jones
Stacy is a wife to a loving, bearded husband and a mother to a (very) spirited child, two dogs, one cat, two ducks, and more than a handful of yard dinosaurs (chickens), each with their own name ranging in absurdity from Mephistopheles to Bjorn. She is deathly allergic to sharing, has nearly uncontrollable addictions to soft blankets, knives, chocolate, and coffee, and greatly dislikes excessive socializing. She can usually be found dancing like a loon with her child, lost in a book, or frantically typing away on her la
ptop on her porch swing. As a lover of all genres of romance she will be writing any stories that come to her, from science fiction to contemporary and everything in between.
If you would like to follow her for updates, she can be found here…
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Losing Alyanna
The Demon Exchange Series, Book 1.5
By:
Beth Hendrix
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental
Copyright © 2018 by Beth Hendrix. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact Beth Hendrix.
Manufactured in the United States of America
First Edition October 2018
