When she looks up at me with tears in her crystal blue eyes, my heart breaks—something I never thought possible. I convinced myself throughout this life that I no longer possess a heart, at least not one that can get broken. “I'm so sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.”
“But you’re here now.”
Our moment is broken when Shellie comes into view, a scowl tight across her face, directed at me.
“Mr. Krieger.”
“Shellie, good to see you again. I hope you enjoy the apartment,” I say, with Maitlin still tucked protectively against me.
Her eyes dash between Maitlin and me then back again, disappointment bleeding through her expression. She’s from a guardian family—more specifically, my guardian family—so she was raised in my world, aware of the laws that regulate and protect all of us.
I should push Maitlin away, keep her isolated from my world. But every instinct I have tells me that her ex-fiancé may have already pulled her in, and the only way I can save her is to let her in.
“Mait, can I speak with Mister Krieger for a minute? Alone.”
As I wipe the tears away from her cheeks, I look down at her and smile, maybe my first genuine smile in years. “I’ll be right here, and I’m not going anyplace. I promise.”
Nodding her head, Maitlin walks by Shellie. I see something pass between them, and I hear her whisper, “Be nice.”
Shellie is quick, and I don’t even see her hand, but I feel the sting of her slap as it hits my cheek. “How dare you bite her,” she hisses. “I trusted you to take care of her to keep her safe.”
Her actions have me baring my fangs on reflex. “I haven’t bitten her,” I say flatly.
“Then why does she have a bite mark on her neck?” She keeps her angry accusations just below a whisper. Her words are meant for my ears only, except mine aren’t the only ones to hear them.
I look past her to see Maitlin standing behind Shellie, her eyes glaring holes through her friend. But it’s not her she asks the question to, it’s me.
“Why does she care so much about a silly mark on my neck?”
All I can do is stand there, my mouth agape, not knowing what part of Shellie’s insinuation Maitlin heard. So I stand and let the silence between the three of us grow until it’s an entity unto itself.
There is so much I want to tell Maitlin if I think for one minute that it won’t send her running. Maybe out of fear, or perhaps out of anger for holding something so significant back. Either way, I’ll lose her, and then what? Mine is not a world you can know about and not be part of, and the two options for humans unknowingly brought in are not a possibility for me.
The laws for humans inadvertently brought in are to have their memories altered, or death. With nearly two millennia as a Blood Angel, I have never brought a human into my world, not since Marra. I’ve never even come close to wanting to cross that line, knowing the price they have to pay, not until Maitlin.
She has my heart beating again and my body on fire.
Her ice-blue eyes are wide with questions, none of which I’m prepared to answer. I glare at Shellie, who is standing, waiting for me to speak, her arms crossed tightly across her chest and her foot tapping against the marble floor.
“Well, Jaxon, aren’t you going to answer her question?” Shellie pokes.
Regaining my cocky composure, I smile. “I didn’t bite her.” I laugh as I speak. “It’s a hickey. Not something I’m proud of, and I usually have much more restraint.”
I see the ire in Shellie's eyes, but it’s not her place to question my relationships, or what I tell women, or when. I walk past her to Maitlin, whose eyes thankfully haven’t left me. I cup her face in my hands, running my thumb along the pout of her lower lip, then gently over the bruise above her eye.
I no longer care what her roommate thinks. I lean in and kiss her, my lips feather-light against hers. It’s not a wanting or hungry kiss, and it’s not meant to entice, just to let her know I’m still here. Or selfishly, perhaps it is to let me know she is still here.
“I need you to tell me what happened.” She lets out a deep sigh, and I realize today has been far too hard on her. Her tired expression speaks volumes. “But not tonight. I want to take care of you tonight.”
“She has me, she’ll be fine,” Shellie snaps.
Not letting my attention wane from Maitlin, I address Shellie. “Need I remind you of your club entrance last night?”
That seems to shut her up, if only for the time being. With a last look, she pushes her way past us in a huff.
“I’m going to bed. I took a brunch shift in the morning,” she yells back just before I hear a door slam down the hall.
I smile down at my girl. “Show me around, and then I’ll tuck you in. But before I do, there are still some things I need to tell you.” I land a playful kiss on her nose. I’ve gone insane for this woman.
“Like what? Like why you bit me?” she teases.
Grabbing her hips, I pull her flush against me. “I won’t bite you unless you ask me nicely.”
“I think I might like being bitten by you.”
She has no idea the power her words have. I know the context isn’t right. She doesn’t have an inkling of my bare, basic needs. But hearing her say she wants my bite has my body responding.
“No biting tonight. Show me around.”
Grabbing my hand as if it is second nature, she brings me through the spacious apartment. Not that I needed to see it, since I do own the entire building and had a hand in designing the executive-level apartments. All equipped with features to keep those of us with a sun allergy safe from its deadly rays.
She stops, looking out over the city. I have the same view from my bedroom, two floors up.
“This is my favorite spot in the entire apartment. I feel like it looks out over the entire world.”
I’d love to tell her that this view was why I purchased the building. But I’ve watched the city grow from three-story tenements to the metropolis it is today.
“The view is stunning,” I say, watching her reflection in the window, not paying attention to the sprawling city below. When I turn to her, she lowers her head, a flush of embarrassment pinking her cheeks. “I’m sorry, you make me say what's on my mind, and you are so beautiful.”
“So, what did you have to tell me?”
I take a seat on the plush chair facing the massive stone fireplace. Kap insisted that a fireplace be added to all the executive apartments. I thought at the time that it detracted from the city view, but now, sitting here with Maitlin, I can see its romantic appeal.
“I spent a good part of the day at the station with Detective Stone.”
“What? Why?”
Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees and look directly into Maitlin’s eyes. Eyes that beckon me to tell her everything. But for tonight, she’ll have to settle for a half-truth, or perhaps just an omission of the truth. “Because your ex hurt you, and I wanted to hurt him.”
“At the police station?”
“Yeah, well, it wasn’t my best thought-out plan,” I chuckle. “But when we got there, he was already released.”
“What do you mean, released? He was supposed to be there for a minimum of twenty-four hours. And Mason said he would probably be there longer because he was going to be held on…” I see her pause and take in a deep breath before she finishes her statement. “Attempted murder.”
My fists tighten at her use of Mason's first name instead of his title of detective. Petty I know, because my first thought should have revolved around the confirmation that Neil tried to kill her.
“Is there more?”
“Yeah, there's more.” I keep my voice calm and even. “We watched the surveillance footage of his release and, at first glance, it looks like you bailed him out.”
“I would never,” she snaps. Jumping up from her seat across from me, she begins to pace the floor. “I would sooner see him rot in hell. He…” She chokes on a sob, and my he
art cracks a bit more. “He waited for me, and there is no doubt in my mind I wasn’t leaving that apartment alive. And you thought…”
I’m out of my seat before she can finish her sentence, reaching for her hand and linking our fingers. “No, I knew it wasn’t you. But whoever it was, has your identification, and does look like you. Except for this.” I brush my fingers along the massive purple mark marring her perfect skin. “I must have marked you for a reason.”
I didn’t expect the outburst of laughter that escapes her. “Did you just say you marked me? Like some alpha shifter.”
It’s my turn to laugh. If she only knew. “I think you’ve been reading too many romance novels.”
“Maybe,” she says as she snuggles into me. “Is there more? I have a suspicious feeling you need to tell me more?”
Her question gives me pause. “Lot’s, but for tonight I think you should rest.” I give her forehead a light kiss. “I’m just so happy you’re safe. But, to make sure you stay that way, I’ve assigned Cole as your bodyguard until this is over.”
“What? No. No way, Jaxon. Thank you, but I don’t need a bodyguard. How will that even work? Is he going to follow me around, come to work with me?”
I cup her beautiful face and pull her in for a kiss. “Yes, Cole will follow you everywhere until Detective Stone, and I can track down Neil. Please, let me keep you safe.”
With a raised eyebrow, I get the best answer I can hope for right now. “We’ll see.”
“And I still owe you a date.”
“Will Cole be coming with us as well?” she teases, blissfully unaware of how sexy she’s being.
“No,” I say flatly. “I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve, and I should be able to protect you without a problem, at least through dinner.”
“And what about tonight? Who will keep me safe tonight?” She closes any distance we have until there is nothing but our clothing between us. I’m about to tell her that I have Cole posted outside her door until morning. But she continues. “Will you?”
I watch as her demeanor falters, and embarrassment filters in and takes away my confident, sexy woman and replaces her with someone who is now afraid and whose spirit has been broken.
“Would I what? I’ll do whatever you need.” My statement astounds even me because it’s true. For hundreds of years, I didn’t give a fuck about another being, never mind a human. I never wanted to fall into that trap again. But everything about Maitlin draws me to her. I want to be her strength when she feels weak, her light when all she sees is darkness, and her savior when demons surround her.
“Will you stay, just for tonight?” she begs me, though I don’t know why. Everything I have, everything I am, I’ll gladly give to her.
I can’t remember the last time I actually slept with a woman. I want to say it’s because of my nocturnal behaviors. But the truth is, I never wanted to. They are a means to an end—nourishment, sex, or both—but never someone I consider sharing a bed with. Sleep always seems too intimate of an act, too vulnerable.
“I’ll happily stay awake all night to keep you safe.”
“Are you always so charming?” she asks as she tugs and teases at my suit jacket.
Her statement brings a chuckle to my more serious thoughts. “I’ve been called many things over the years, and I can’t say that charming has ever been one.”
Letting her grip fall from my lapel, she weaves her fingers through mine. She pulls me along, holding tightly onto my hand until we reach her bedroom. It’s a beautifully decorated space, thanks to Kap and her designer talent. Sadly, there’s nothing personal of Maitlin’s inside besides the few suitcases Cole brought up.
The king-size bed, similar to mine, faces the bank of windows overlooking the city. The remote for the blinds sits on the rustic nightstand. Grabbing it, I start to shut the curtains to block out the city that never sleeps.
“No, don’t. I love this view of the city.”
“Your wish is my command.” I give her a bow and open the shades fully. The executive levels of all JDL properties have custom made glass that allows the sun to shine in without causing myself or others harm. If I’m going to be honest, I lived without sunlight until twenty years ago, and now I very rarely close my blinds. The warm rays of the sun are something I never thought I’d see again. I’m grateful for the scientific breakthroughs that allow me this freedom.
“I’m going to wash up real quick and change, I’ll be right back.”
I watch her walk into the ensuite, and I pull my phone out to check if Mason had any luck finding Neil or the identity of the woman who came and paid for his release. But the only message I have is from Zach, informing me he only has two more New York shows and he’s after-partying at Rise.
I send a quick text to Cole, letting him know that his watchdog services won’t be needed tonight and that Zach will be at Rise.
It’s just past eleven, and typically I’d be starting my night. But when Maitlin walks out in a tight, leave-nothing-to-the-imagination tank top and shorts set, international business is the last thing on my mind.
Without a stitch of make-up on and her hair tied back, she has an innocence surrounding her that I am finding nearly impossible to ignore if the swell of my dick is any indication.
“Wow,” slips from my lips before I can stop it, essentially making a fool of myself. After all, I’ve already had my cock buried deep inside her, and my tongue has traced every curve of her body.
So why am I so enamored by a little sleep set? I adjust my cock that is about to burst through my trousers and watch as she pulls at her shorts, seemingly self-conscious of their length.
She climbs into bed and snuggles under the thick duvet. She pats the space next to her. “Are you going to come to bed or stand guard all night?”
An unexplainable wave of nervousness cascades over me. When was the last time I just slept in the same bed as a woman? Had I? Admittedly, I must have, at some point, yet no one comes to mind.
I take my suit jacket off and hang it in the empty closet. The room is silent except for the rustle of my clothing as I get undressed. When I look over at Maitlin, her eyes are glued to me, watching every movement I make. I leave my boxer briefs on, though they can’t hide my reaction to her. I climb into bed next to her, leaning back against the headboard.
I’m about to speak, probably to say something wildly inappropriate when she thankfully breaks the silence. “I never expected you to have so many tattoos. They’re beautiful.” I feel my skin goose-pimple as she traces the line of one on my left pec muscle. “Do they all have a meaning?”
“Yes.” I’m hoping she doesn’t ask me to go into too much detail about them, since all but one I’ve had since before my fall. Unfortunately, she continues.
“What about this one?” She traces the large, fanged skull with wings and the words Cor autem statim perit written below. The only one done after my fall. “What does cor..autem… statim… perit mean?”
“It’s Latin, and it means the heart dies but once.” I had been so sure that my heart had died in a field a hundred lifetimes ago when I got it. Until a woman, this brunette beauty with ice-blue eyes awakened it. “Get some sleep,” I say as I wrap my arm around her and kiss the top of her head.
I lay back, feeling content for the first time with her arm wrapped around my middle and her head on my chest. A perfect fit, as if she is made to be there. Within minutes, I hear the change in her breathing as sleep quickly takes her.
JAXON
I’ve been watching Maitlin sleep for the past few hours. Aside from a few jerking movements, she’s been in the same position since we went to bed. I, of course, can’t sleep. To me, it’s essentially the middle of the afternoon, and I’m usually knee-deep in business about now.
But something about lying here next to her calms me, even though my imagination is wandering to far off places it has no business going. I think about what it would be like if she knew the real me, the real Jaxon.
Her gri
p momentarily tightens around me as I try to get free. With one leg and half my ass off the bed, it needs to be a quick move because with every step I make, she counters as fast as she can. Using my speed, I extricate myself from her grip. I stand at the side of the bed, not breathing, waiting for her to wake.
When she lets out a cute whimper but stays blissfully asleep, I let out a sigh of relief along with the breath I was holding. Grabbing my phone, I take a seat by the window, put my feet up on the ottoman, and open my email. I can get a little business done while she sleeps.
The continuous vibration of my phone from incoming text messages makes it nearly impossible to conduct business. Though I do manage to answer a few crucial emails and approved a few budgeting requests, the persistent buzz becomes hard to ignore.
2:18 am Zach: Come party like a rock star.
Followed by a picture of him at Rise surrounded by topless women.
2:45 am Zach: I’ll pay for the damages.
2:55 am Zach: There was a small fire, but Cole put it out.
3:02 am Zach: Dude, I only have a few nights here, and you’re missing all the fun.
3:15 am Zach: That hot bartender from the other night isn’t here L What’s her name? Maitlin?
3:22 am Zach: I bet Leif has her number and would give it to me if I asked.
3:23 am Me: You’re paying double for ALL the damage.
3:23 am Me: Don’t even think about getting her number. Besides, she’s sleeping.
3:24 am Zach: Dude.
3:30 am Me: I’ll call you tomorrow. Please don’t destroy my bar.
Looking over at Maitlin, I see her begin to thrash and move. I’m up and heading to her when she lets out a bloodcurdling scream.
“No, no!” she yells, and fights me as I wrap my arms around her, trying to wake her.
“Maitlin, honey, wake up.” I give her a shake, her eyes popping open as she looks around the room, confusion on her face.
Jaxon (Blood Angel Chronicles Book 1) Page 17
