“What were you thinking of just then?” I almost didn’t see him move that time.
“When we were on the motorcycle and I told you to go fast.” That stupid smile was back on my face. “You didn’t even question me. You just did it.”
“And you liked it.” A statement, not a question. I answered anyway.
“Yes.” He was close enough now that I could see his smile too, even though his face was in the shadows.
“What else?” He asked as he closed the distance, right in front of me now.
“You were a complete jerk when we first met I’m not sure when that started to change.” His eyes were on me, and the fierceness in them when the words left my lips was something out of this world.
“I do.” His deep voice grumbled from right in front of me. “All those times we sat around my brother’s club. I watched you. You were openly being this smart, funny, mouthy woman with an incredibly sexy smile, and those mesmerizing eyes. I was falling for you long before my father came to town.” We were almost touching now. “Actually, I planned to leave before my father got here, because I knew I shouldn’t feel that way about you. Then you were taken by Marcus and I needed to make sure you were found, and that you were unharmed. I had my bags packed, and was ready to go afterward. I knew you’d be all right, but my dad wanted us there for his decision. I figured that I would show up late, make sure you were really okay, and then go. I mean, it has been painfully obvious from the beginning that you were only into Evan. I didn’t want to make things weird, or kill myself pining for someone I couldn’t have. Then my dad handed down his decree.” He was watching the emotions as they passed across my face.
“I didn’t…” I reached out, and absently touched his chest with my fingertips. “I never realized.”
“Believe me, I know. Here I was celebrating in my own skin that I might actually have a chance, and you were so angry and pissed off at me like it was my fault.” I winced, and he put his hand out, gently running a finger down the line of my jaw. “I understand. That didn’t make it any easier to swallow then though. I had a huge crush on you, and you thought I was a monster.”
“Well, you did attack my best friend.”
“It was a misunderstanding, and I can’t tell you how sorry I was about that.”
“Was?”
“Ashley talked to me about it a couple weeks ago. She told me she forgave me, and made me see how it was a blessing that it happened, because Asi was there to make sure that she’d make it through the change. Had you guys tried to do it on your own it might not have been a success. I still regret being a dumb ass, but she made me feel better about it.”
“I didn’t know that.” I definitely needed to get on the same page with Ashley. I mean, she had told me basically the same thing, but she didn’t tell me that she had officially had a chat with Mikael, and forgiven him.
“You are there for me, even when I don’t deserve to have someone there.”
“What?” He looked puzzled.
“Yesterday, after that witch came, and Evan was being a dick again. You didn’t hesitate. That’s the other thing that has been changing my mind about you.”
“I would do anything for you, Jess.” His head dipped, and he spoke low, but he never took his hand off of my cheek, where his thumb was still stroking across my jawbone. “You still don’t trust me though.”
“What? Why…”
“What really happened with the witch?” His eyes were back on mine now. “There was more, wasn’t there?”
I nodded. “Yes. She told me I was about to come into more power, and to be careful with it. She warned me that I had to choose a mate and that one of you would destroy me, but the other would help me. She said Ashley would know before I did. I mean, you know, that she would know who was going to hurt or help.”
“What do you think about that?”
“What do you mean? About who would hurt me?” I just shrugged, and he still didn’t move.
“What does Evan say about it?”
“I didn’t tell him everything.” I realized that I never removed my fingers from Mikael’s chest, and they were tracing the skin across his shoulder blade all on their own. As if I had no say in it.
“Why?”
“I didn’t… I don’t…” I was stumbling over my thoughts, but they no longer mattered. Mikael’s hand dropped from my cheek and wrapped around the nape of my neck. Those emerald jewels of his eyes looked deeply into mine before he pulled in close and brushed his lips over mine. I moved into him, our upper bodies coming closer together, and that was all the invitation Mikael needed. His left hand wrapped around my waist, and pulled me all the way to him. He was standing firmly on the rock bottom, water not quite lapping up to his shoulders, but I couldn’t stand without the water being in my face. I leaned into him further, and let him hold me in place, instead of treading water, and kicking him.
His other hand came down then, and went to my waist, as my arms wrapped around his neck to steady myself further. Mikael deepened the kiss. There was no longer an innocent brushing of lips, his tongue slipped in my mouth, slick and hot, dancing with my own. I’m not sure when it happened, but before I knew what was going on my legs were wrapped around Mikael’s waist, and he was the only thing holding me up in the water. I could feel that he was excited by my closeness. Parts of him were suddenly touching parts of me that Evan hadn’t even gotten that close to yet. One wrong move, and I could kiss my virginity goodbye right here and now. As he continued kissing me, I wasn’t sure I cared anymore. He pulled back from me momentarily, and when I looked into eyes all I could see there was desire, hunger, need… maybe those were my own feelings I was projecting on him in the moment. I just didn’t even want to think about it anymore. I reached my hands up and grasped either side of his stubble-covered face and pulled him back to me, initiating the kiss this time all by myself.
Mikael groaned deep and low, which sent my hormones into overdrive, and then he was moving, maneuvering us over to the shelf on the side of the thermal pool. His mouth never left mine as we moved. I was completely swept away in the kiss, my hands gliding from the stubble on his face to the short hairs behind his ears, then through the longer hair that normally hung long across his face. As we continued kissing his stubbly face was scratching at mine in a delicious contrast to the slick tongue that was maneuvering in my mouth expertly.
I felt my butt backed up to the ledge of the pool as his hands cupped around my ass to lift me a little higher, a position that would make it easier for him to…
Giggling erupted from behind us, near the mouth of the cave, breaking the spell I’d been under. I looked up and saw a girl and boy from the pack that were probably three years younger than I was. I leaked out some power so they’d feel we were there.
“Oh sorry, we didn’t know anyone was here.” The boy called out. He was squinting, trying to see what it was he had interrupted, or more importantly who. Then the girl tugged on his arm, and started pulling them out of the cave. As the two left I pushed Mikael away lightly. He didn’t try to stop me, and I appreciated that, as I was still trying to catch my breath.
“I’m sorry.” He offered as he backed up a little to give me space.
“For what?”
“I don’t normally lose control like that. It went too far…” His head was down and I could tell he meant it. Who knew Mikael was actually a gentleman underneath all that rough exterior?
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. We were both swept up in the moment.”
“Jess, I just know that you made your decision to be with Evan already, and it’s not really as simple as all that.”
“I’m learning nothing is really simple anymore.” I leaned back in and put my hand on Mikael’s chest, then kissed him lightly on the lips before I turned and swam away. I didn’t ask him to turn his back as I got out. He got the full view of me from the rear, before I called my wolf forward. My transition from human to wolf was almost instantaneous, that familiar w
arm tingling sensation came over me when it happened, and then the human in me faded out, seamlessly replaced by my wolf. Our shift was magical. The only time it ever came with pain was when it was forced on us or when a human, who had been turned, shifted for the first time. I walked to the edge of the cave on all fours, and then sat on my haunches to wait for Mikael to catch up to me. We ran back to the house together. Bumping into one another, playing, and cutting loose like I hadn’t been able to do in my wolf form for a long time. It was refreshing, with a bonus of keeping me from dwelling in my own head for too long.
Once we got back, my robe was still on the porch, but my mom must have picked up after me, because instead of being on the floor there, it was neatly laid out across the swing. I tapped the outdoor storage closet with my paw as I went by, to let Mikael know there were things in there he could use. I didn’t see his clothes anywhere, so I wasn’t sure where he had gone to shift.
I sat down and focused on the shift, changing to my human form in a crouch. My robe was in reach, and I grabbed it and swung it around me to cover myself. By the time I stood up and made sure I was presentable, and turned around, Mikael was wearing a robe too, and headed to his motorcycle.
“You leaving?” I called out to him.
“Grabbing my clothes so I can change.”
“What a shame, I’m sure bath-robed motorcycle man could really be a look for you!” I laughed, and he joined in.
“I’m heading up to get dressed, real quick.” I wasn’t sure why I was clarifying that, other than a part of me didn’t want him to go without me getting to say goodbye.
“I’ll still be here, although, I do have to get going soon. I promised that I would help out at the shelter a little bit today. They need some handyman skills around there.” I’m not sure what he saw on my face, but he added. “I kind of figured you’d have plans with Evan later, so I didn’t…”
“It’s okay.” I smiled. “I do have plans, but they’re the kind that involve me and a good book.”
“Oh,” he looked up at me surprised. I pointed to the second floor of the house to remind him I was on my way to get dressed, and then I turned and took off.
“Jess,” my mom called to me as I hit the stairs.
“Yeah, mom?”
“Did… um, well, both Mikael and Evan stopped by. I wasn’t sure if either of them found you.”
“Mikael is here. I never saw Evan.”
“Oh. Okay.” She really took a minute to look at me then. “You seem lighter today, happier.”
“Do I?”
“It’s good to see. You’ve had a tough year. I miss seeing that smile of yours. Maybe it’ll stick around for a while now.” With that, my mom walked off, and I went upstairs to get changed. I noticed my phone was showing that I had a missed call recently, but I ignored it. I quickly grabbed some clothes, and tossed them on. It wasn’t anything fantastic, just jeans and a random t-shirt. Then I stuck my phone in my back pocket and raced back downstairs so that I wasn’t keeping Mikael waiting any longer than I had to.
“Hey!” Mikael called out as I walked back out the door. He’d stayed, and waited like he said he would. He was, of course, already dressed. I didn’t feel so bad about my hasty outfit, because he was also wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
“I like that I don’t have to feel bad about my casual outfit choices.” I nodded to indicate his similar attire.
“Well, you said you’d be reading all day. Honestly, I was expecting sweats or something.” That made me smile. “I really do have to get going, but I wanted to make sure you were all good first.”
“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” He seemed to be slightly puzzled by my response, but he just let it go, and got up off the swing.
“Come here.” I followed his direction, and met him half way. He wrapped one arm around my waist, and pushed back a stray strand of hair from my face with the other. It seemed as though he had something to say to me, but he stayed quiet, just standing there, watching me.
I pushed closer to him, raising up on my bare tiptoes, and whispered into his ear, “you’re going to be late.” As I tried to back up again, he caught hold of me and kept me close. Mikael leaned in and kissed me with a ferocity I wasn’t prepared for. Not that it was unwelcome, just that I was taken by surprise, and then he let go. “I’ll call you later,” he said before he went and hopped on his bike to leave. My legs were still shaking from that kiss when he took off.
I sat down on the swing, and listened as Mikael’s motorcycle traversed the road leading out of the pack lands. A part of me wished I was on it with him. The stretch between the pack’s land and downtown was all open road, and it meant he’d be able to really let loose with the bike out there if he wanted to. One day, I was going to have to get him to pick me up out here. I felt my phone go off in my back pocket again, and pulled it out.
The latest text was from Ashley. She was worried about me, and I was about to give her a lot more to worry about when we had that conversation to fill each other in on everything that had been happening. I didn’t bother responding to her yet though. Instead, I scrolled past and got to the texts from Evan.
Hey, we need to talk. How about we do it over breakfast?
Then, when I didn’t respond, he sent something else.
Okay, so, you’re apparently really pissed off at me. I’m heading out there. We can talk, and not have breakfast if that makes you feel better.
The last text from him was after he’d made it to my house.
Well, I guess we’re not going to get that talk in this morning. Mikael’s bike is here, the Jeep is too, and neither of you are around. I assume you went for a run. Guess you’re making up for all that lost date time with him.
I sat there for a few minutes, staring at the texts, wishing things were easier than they were. I felt horrible for making either of them hurt. I also didn’t want to prolong the ache, so I hit the call button, and waited for Evan to pick up. His cell rang, and kept ringing for a while. Just when I was about to hang up, I heard someone pick up.
“Hey, sorry I didn’t see your texts before I went out to run this morning.”
“I’m pretty sure I didn’t text you or care if you were running.” A woman’s voice spoke into the phone. Then she was giggling on the other end.
“Oh. I’m sorry, I must have gotten the wrong number.”
“Must have,” she said, then hung up.
I looked at my contacts list this time, making sure I got the right one, and hit dial. “Evan De’ Lune’s phone,” the woman’s voice said as she answered again.
“Where is Evan?” I took a testy tone with her this time, and didn’t care who I was pissing off.
“Excuse me? Who is this?”
“I called Evan, not whoever you are. So, how about you get him on the phone for me, and don’t bother asking questions that aren’t any of your business.” She laughed, and oddly enough, panted a little.
“Ev, some little twit is on the phone demanding to speak to you.”
“Clarissa, you know I’m very busy right now.” I heard his voice ring out, and then she giggled again, and came back on the line. “He’s busy sweetie. Tell you what, I’m in a really good mood.” I swear I heard her moan a little then. “I’ll take a message.”
“Yeah, tell him Jess called.”
“Jess, got it. I’ll let him know.”
“Give me the phone, damn it.” I heard Evan say, but I hung up instead. I was not imagining things. I knew, after today with Mikael I had no business being upset about anything. Somewhere inside, I knew that I had no business expecting either of them not to see someone else. It’s not like I wanted to be dating two men. Their father was making me do it, but since I was, I guess I shouldn’t have had expectations of monogamy on either of their parts. Still, it hurt. No matter how many ways I told myself it was only fair, it stung like crazy to know that there was someone else. All this time, I was feeling bad about all the shit Evan was going through, even though he was m
aking me out to be the bad guy, and he was seeing someone else. Not just seeing someone else, having sex with her, or whatever they were doing. And suddenly, the hurt inside me turned to anger, and I ignored his call.
Instead, I texted Ashley and let her know I was coming over so we could finally catch up. She said Asi was out doing something anyway. When I got my bag, keys, and made it to the Jeep a thought occurred to me, and I just had to know. I texted Mikael.
I have a question.
Shoot. He responded.
Considering our predicament, I was wondering if you’re seeing anyone else. You know, other than me?
I waited a few minutes, and didn’t get a response, so I started the Jeep and got ready to take off for Ashley’s. My mom popped her head out the door when she heard the Jeep start. “I’m heading to Ashley’s for a while, mom.”
“Okay, you be careful, please. Call when you get there.”
“I will.” As soon as I reassured her, she walked back in the house, and shut the door. I threw the Jeep in gear and my phone started ringing. I put the Jeep back in park, and answered, not even looking to see who it was.
“Hello?”
“No, there’s no one else, Jess. I wanted you to hear me say that, and not read it in a text.”
“Thank you. I know it’s not fair, because I can’t say the same, so if you…”
“Stop.” He spoke softly, but it caught my attention more than if he had yelled it. “You were the one put in this crazy situation, Jess. I chose to be here knowing what that entailed. That means that it was my choice to try to be the one you’re eventually going to pick. It’s my duty, and my honor, to take that seriously. Otherwise, I’m not worthy mate material anyway. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I do.” I said as I put the phone on speaker, and started to head to Ashley’s.
“You sound like you’re driving?”
“I am on the way to hang out with Ashley for a bit.”
“So, no reading for you then?”
“The book will be here when I get back. Ash was worried this morning when she couldn’t get a hold of me, and we have some things to talk about.”
The Ancients Series Page 31
