Stone Cold Seduction

Chapter Four

Have you ever experienced that strange buzzing noise in your head when you get the shock of your life? Your limbs go numb, and your brain turns to mush. All you can think is, “What just happened?” You know you won’t comprehend the answer, but you ask.

I was getting used to those sensations, but they still scared me.

MacLean and I had been engaged? He didn’t seem like the kind of guy to joke about something like that, but I was still waiting for the punch line. Praying for it, more like.

“Engaged,” I repeated, and my mouth struggled to form the word. I tried to imagine wedded bliss with a man I’d swear I’d never met. I set the coffee cup on the counter to keep from dropping it.

His hair had taken an auburn shade in the light of the break room. His eyes crinkled in the corners in that attractive way that means a person smiles a lot. He was tall and well built. Not as muscular as Jax, but he had a long, lean form. I would definitely use the words “attractive” and “sexy” to describe him. But he didn’t have black hair. Or silver eyes.

He wasn’t Jax.

Which made me even more nervous. When had I started using Jax as my basis for comparison?

“I think you were five when the papers were signed,” MacLean explained.

“Five?” I gaped at him.

He laughed. “It’s not as bad as it sounds. It’s a common practice in our world.”

Our world. I frowned, realizing how much I had to learn. Or rather, how much I had to remember. Still, elves or not, I thought the human rules here had merit. “When the child involved is only five, it sounds bad, no matter what world you live in.”

“Our fathers wanted to have peace between our lines. The shadow elves and phoenix were not at war, but there was tension. It would have been a welcome alliance.”

I wasn’t buying it. “So we were the bargaining chips? How old were you?”

MacLean shrugged. “I was ten, almost eleven. You were five. It wasn’t a big deal.” His eyes glittered at me. “Now, it’s a very big deal. I won’t have my future mate accused of theft.”

Jax’s chair clattered to the floor as he jumped to his feet. His eyes were bright, eerie silver. As he glared at MacLean, his face was shifting from stone to flesh and back again.

Uh-oh.

I couldn’t look away. This was Jax as a gargoyle. His stone form was the most breathtaking, scary thing I’d ever seen. His hands were clenched at his sides, his wings were tucked behind him, and his shirt was gone. My gaze dropped, along with my stomach.

The ragged remains of his shirt were piled on the floor in a heap. He’d torn it off faster than my eyes could follow the action.

Heat coursed through me, and my mouth went dry. I bit my lip. I had an audience, and this was a bad time to ogle Jax. Somehow, I managed to tear my gaze away and settle on Jax’s face. His skin, warm flesh moments ago, was now a cool-toned, gray stone. His face was slightly different. The planes and angles were sharp, though no less gorgeous. Two small horns sat above his forehead. His jaw and chin were more defined. All sharp edges. His lips were drawn back in a silent snarl, and his gaze never wavered from MacLean. My lust cooled as I took in his expression. The Jax I knew was gone. This Jax was furious.

The silence was heavy, and my nerves were stretched tight.

“Jax?” I whispered. He ignored me. His attention was solely on MacLean.

“Phoenix,” he said, in a deep growl that reverberated in the tiny room, “she is claimed.”

Whoa, wait. Claimed?

I hoped he didn’t mean what I think he did. I looked back at MacLean, who, unlike Jax, was giving me his full attention.

MacLean stood in a steady, controlled movement, keeping his eyes locked on Jax.

Jax shifted onto the balls of his feet, as if preparing to launch at MacLean. Every muscle in his body strained against the invisible string of his control. Jax had always been so laid back. I really didn’t want to see him snap. I wanted to run, but my feet wouldn’t move.

I braced myself as MacLean stood and took a single step toward me. Fear curled in my stomach. I prayed Jax would stay put. But MacLean simply held out his arm to me and smiled, a wicked light dancing in his eyes. “Turn me to fire.”

A sense of déjà-vu swept over me. I couldn’t quite suppress my groan. This had bad idea stamped all over it. I wanted out of this room.

Teryl must have had the same thoughts, because he was pretty much cowering in his chair.

“Teryl, a little help here,” I whispered.

“Damn. Sorry.” He jumped up and put a restraining hand on Jax’s shoulder. His knuckles were white.

“Teryl?” My voice cracked, and I nervously cleared my throat. Looking at Teryl’s hand against the stone, I had doubts about whether or not he could hold Jax back.

“Try the fire thing, Elle. I’ll explain later.” Teryl’s voice was strained as he labored to keep Jax in place.

MacLean had a nice arm. Solid and strong. But I wanted to touch it about as much as I wanted to go hug a python.

“I…ah…don’t think that’s a good idea.” I knew it wasn’t a good idea. Just as I knew Jax was about to do something I did not want to see. “No blood in my shop, remember?”

MacLean leaned toward me, smiling, and I stumbled back against the small counter. “I’m a phoenix. It won’t hurt me.”

A nervous laugh escaped before I could stop it. “I’m not worried about hurting you. I’m worried that Jax will.”

MacLean’s smile grew wider. “Turn me to fire,” he prompted again.

I peeked over his shoulder and saw Teryl nod stiffly at me. MacLean’s arm was inches away from me. I took a deep breath and put my hands on him before I could chicken out.

His scent curled around me, and I remembered.

The housekeeping closet was small and dark. I huddled in the corner and tried to make myself as small as possible. I clenched my teeth to keep them from chattering. Was this what shock felt like? Or maybe it was fear. I could hear voices moving past, but they weren’t the voices I strained to hear.

If I could just get a few hours to heal…

Father’s employees knew this was one of my hiding spots. The housekeeper kept my secret. I knew she pitied me. They all did. Poor Elleodora, tainted with human blood.

I was an abomination. Luke and Father told me that every time I came. And this was the last time I would ever visit this hell.

I shifted to a more upright position, and hissed when my back brushed against the shelves. A whimper rolled through me as I tried to fight the waves of pain.

Luke.

The name sent icy shards of fear through my soul. The older I got, the worse the torture got. I would never forget the maniacal, giddy look in his eyes tonight. It was sick. He was twisted and evil. I wished I had never been born. Anything to escape him.

Minutes, or maybe hours, passed. I couldn’t tell. My breath grew less labored, and the pain dulled to an angry roar. My injuries would heal, but the memories would leave scars.

I shuddered. The small movement sent relentless needles of pain through my body. Stars exploded in my head as I bit down on my fist to keep from screaming. Luke had never done this much damage before. I didn’t know how I’d hide this from my mom. Bitterness and pain had me scrunching my eyes shut. I didn’t even know how I would make it to my room.

I couldn’t hide forever. We had guests tonight, and it would get much, much worse if I didn’t show up for dinner.

I convinced myself he wouldn’t have Luke do anything before the guests arrived. If I could just get to my room, I’d be okay. I barely had the energy to open the door and stumble into the hall.

If I could just make it to my room…I repeated the refrain over and over in my head, hoping it would give me strength.

I was staring at the floor, using the base molding as a guide, when I stumbled into someone. Warm arms closed around me, and I shrieked against the cotton-covered chest.

“Shit, sorry!” The arms dropped away.

I had my eyes squeezed shut as I tried to breathe.

“S’okay,” I muttered. I cracked one eye open, and my stomach sank. MacLean. Could this day get any worse? I hated for anyone to see my like this, but MacLean? Now he’d never think I could handle myself. He’d probably ask his dad to let him out of the engagement.

“Elleodora, are you okay?” His eyes flickered with concern. Normally, my sixteen-year-old heart stuttered to a stop when he looked at me with those amazing, firelight eyes, but tonight, I was racked with pain. I wanted to disappear.

“Fine.” Even one-word answers were difficult, and I still needed to make it to my room. I didn’t want to drop in front of him.

MacLean eyed me, obviously skeptical. “You’re hurt.” Before I could say anything, he stepped around me. I heard his sharp inhale.

My humiliation was complete. One more person to pity me. “Don’t.” The word was thick and heavy on my tongue. My eyes welled with tears.

“Where’s your room?” His voice was tight. I turned my head gingerly, and noticed his eyes were pure fire. Not a good sign.

“Mac…”

“Where’s your room?” he repeated. “I’m going to take you to your room.”

I didn’t have the energy to argue. “Second floor, third door on the right.”

Without another word, he offered me his arm and I leaned on him. Halfway up the stairs, I was grateful for his help. I would have fallen and stayed down if he hadn’t been there. He couldn’t carry me; my injuries were too bad. But he let me lean on him. That was enough.

I was dimly aware of his scent. Slightly spicy, it teased my nose. It reminded me of a crackling fire and the wild outdoors. It was masculine and delicious. I closed my eyes and let him guide me, step by step, to my room.

We made it without seeing a single soul. Miraculous, in a household as large and well staffed as my father’s. MacLean led me to the small loveseat by the window. I sat cautiously, careful not to let my back touch the cushions. A small sigh escaped when the pain stayed at its dull roar. Maybe it wouldn’t take as long to heal as I’d feared.

MacLean knelt in front of me, and I offered a weak smile. “Thanks.”

He didn’t say anything. I was happy not to see any pity in his eyes, but I didn’t like the anger there.

Twenty-one seemed so old and worldly, but his classic, aristocratic features had always made my heart beat faster. If my father didn’t need an alliance with his so badly, he probably wouldn’t have looked twice at me. But I didn’t care.

He was looking at me now.

“What happened?”

I shook my head. If I told him, both of our lives were at risk. My voice came out husky and rough with pain. “I was disobedient.”

“I don’t think…” He stopped when I looked at him. He must have seen my silent plea. I wanted him to let it go. It would be best. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed, frustration evident in the set of his jaw.

“Thanks,” I whispered.

He stood, and his hand gently cupped my cheek. Shock held me still. I had dreamed of MacLean looking at me like this. The silly dreams of a young girl. I had practiced writing my name. Elleodora Douglas. I’d thought it had a beautiful ring to it.

MacLean leaned close, and pressed his lips against mine. They were soft and warm. Pleasure bubbled through me as he pressed another soft kiss to my cheek, and then pulled back.

My first kiss. With MacLean Douglas. And he’d smelled so wonderful…

His scent.

Oh, my God. That warm, fiery scent. I’d recreated it, here in the shop. It had been my first success, and one of my all-time favorites. I had created an entire line of men’s products, and it was all due to MacLean. How could I have forgotten my first kiss? And with my first crush?

I struggled to pull up the other memories I knew were there. A sharp pain in my head made me wince. I was nervous to know what other memories were locked away. How much had my father stolen from me?

Teryl’s voice penetrated my thoughts, the urgency jarring me back to the present. “Elle! It’s a bad time for you to check out.”

Right. Flame, MacLean, and an angry gargoyle. I could walk the slippery slope of memories later.

I was still touching MacLean. It was only an arm. MacLean had given me permission, so obviously he wasn’t worried. All I had to do was turn him to fire, something he was no doubt used to, being a phoenix.

“Will you set off the smoke alarms?”

MacLean threw his head back and laughed. “No, just imagine me as a flame. I promise not to set anything on fire.”

I’d have to take him at his word. With trepidation, I closed my eyes and imagined a simple flame beneath my hands. No sooner had the thought formed in my mind when a flare of heat coursed through me. I yelped in surprise, jerking my hands back.

I stared in horror at the pile of ash on the floor. A person-sized amount of ash in the middle of crumpled clothes. Ash coated my hands. And MacLean was nowhere to be seen. I began to shake.

I’d killed my first crush.

Blackness swallowed me as I sank to the floor.

§

The yelling roused me to full consciousness. Someone had propped me against the counter and I was slumped to one side. I lifted my chin off my chest, and tried to process the scene in front of me.

Teryl was standing between Jax and MacLean, a hand on each man’s chest. “You stupid ass. Back off.”

I didn’t know whom he was yelling at, but neither man seemed to hear him. Jax’s eyes were glowing, a pure, brilliant silver. One hand was raised and I saw…were those claws?

“Stop! Oh please stop. Not here, not in my shop,” I started babbling. I was still sitting on the floor, but I waved my hands in an effort to get their attention. “No blood. Not here. I just killed MacLean.”

“You didn’t kill me,” MacLean said, but his voice sounded odd.

I blinked at him. He was standing there, not dead, though he did look a little mussed. His hair stood out in a few places. He had just finished buttoning a pair of khaki slacks, not the pair he’d walked in wearing. The pissed-off phoenix was scary and amazing, much like the gargoyle. A thin layer of fire made it look like the skin on his smooth, bare chest was glowing so hot, he would burst into a huge flame at any moment. Tiny flames flickered along the tops of his shoulders. He also had wings. Big, feathered, brilliantly colored wings that were also coated in a layer of fire.

I didn’t see any ash on the floor. I turned my hands over and saw that they were clean. My mouth opened, but no sound came out.

“I’m a phoenix, Elle. I can be reborn from the ashes. And I can control fire.” His voice was lower, and it crackled. I’d just killed him, but I was listening to his voice crackle like fire.

This was insane. I’d just turned a man to fire, then ash, and now he was standing here on fire again?

I scrambled to my feet and moved between the two who wanted to fight. I pushed Jax while Teryl tried to move MacLean.

“What is wrong with you two?” I demanded.

Jax let me back him to the wall, and then I turned around. “Teryl, please tell me what happened.”

Teryl was watching MacLean warily. “You shifted him.”

“Yeah, I got that part. Is that a typical shadow elf thing?”

“No,” Jax conceded in a reluctant tone. “It is not.”

Teryl was frowning. “He’s right. It’s not typical at all.”

“It is, if she’s a light elf.” MacLean smiled lazily, as if he were enjoying the whole conversation. How could he be smiling?

“Didn’t that hurt?” I couldn’t imagine that burning and then coming back from the ash was a pleasant process.

“No, I do it all the time. Never quite like that before, though. Historically, light elves occasionally had the ability to shift a phoenix, but I’ve never met someone who could do it.”

“I thought that ability died out a few generations ago. Didn’t it?” This from Teryl, who was staring at me in confusion.

I didn’t know why he was looking at me. I couldn’t explain any of it, nor was I about to try.

“It did die out,” MacLean replied. “No one has shown any sign of it for about sixty years, that we know of.”

“The phoenix needs to leave. Now.” Jax kept his voice low and deadly.

MacLean shrugged, apparently unconcerned with the threat in Jax’s voice. “The only other person who could do it is a mate. You’re delaying the inevitable, Jax, but I’ll leave. If that’s what Elle wants.”

I had had enough. The tension and testosterone in the break room was giving me a serious stomach ache. “I think that would be best.”

He shrugged again and tipped his head to me. “I’ll be back. We’ll talk more in a few days.” And then he strolled out, heading for the shop’s front door, a confident and oddly triumphant look on his face.

I released the breath I was holding.

“I’ll just…” Teryl gestured after MacLean, then darted out of the break room.

I double-checked the floor where MacLean had stood. Where I had turned him to ash. Light elves and mates? Like I needed one more twist to the increasingly bizarre story that was my life. Besides, I still had one big issue to deal with. Jax and I needed to have a talk about claims and mates and not going over-protective, attack-gargoyle in my shop, ever again.

“Look,” I started, but he grabbed my arm and strode to the door, towing me behind him. Teryl was about to lock the front door, and he looked up in surprise as I stumbled through.

“Teryl, show yourself out,” Jax ordered, as he led us to the back door leading to my apartment.

“Uh, you okay?” Teryl called out.

I dug my heels in, and Jax stopped. I wasn’t under any delusion that I was strong enough to stop him. He was just being cooperative at the moment, and I knew it. I tried to tug my arm back. He held fast.

Refusing to engage in a childish tug of war, I turned my head to face Teryl. “Let’s talk later, okay? I need to think on all of this, but I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure? I can stay—”

“I’m fine Teryl, really. Jax and I need to get a few things straightened out.”

“Okay. Call me if you need me. For anything.” Teryl gave Jax one last look and then left.

I turned back to Jax when I heard the soft click of the front door locking. “Okay, what is your prob—”

My words were cut off when his lips covered mine. I wasn’t prepared for the hot, possessive feel of his mouth. A low noise rumbled in his throat as he pressed me back against the wall.

I had no idea what I’d been about to say. I was only aware of Jax.

Oh, he tasted good. Heat wound its way up my spine as his mouth worked magic. The man could kiss. Firm lips, the perfect amount of pressure, and his tongue… his tongue stroked and explored with such skill, my whole body softened. I felt Jax shudder. He pulled back and leaned his forehead against mine.

“Elle.” There was a command and a plea in his deep, dark voice. “You are my true mate.”

My lips were still tingling, and my brain was fuzzy. “I’m not sure what that means.”

He didn’t answer, but instead pressed a kiss to my temple. And another to my cheek. Slowly, he nuzzled his way to my neck. I let my head drop to one side, giving him better access.

He whispered his approval, and lightly nipped at my neck. “It is a connection between souls. A bond determined by fate. I will show you what it means.”

His lips and tongue were doing a slow, erotic dance along the oh-so-sensitive skin down my neck, and coherent thought was impossible. He could show me whatever he wanted, as long as he didn’t stop.

I sighed, and Jax took that as acceptance. Before I knew what he was going to do, he’d scooped me up and was halfway up the stairs.

“Jax!” I yelped.

He stopped, but his muscles were vibrating with energy. He waited until he had my full attention before repeating, “I will show you. We are mates, connected in ways you and the phoenix will never be.”

His silver eyes were bright and intense. I could admit to having had many, many fantasies where he’d carried me upstairs, and all sorts of amazing things had happened. But this was real. And he was dead serious. It scared me, thrilled me, and seriously confused me.

The experience with MacLean had been just as real, although not nearly as enjoyable. And I knew that meant something. I just didn’t know what.

When I didn’t respond, he lowered my feet to the floor and pressed me up against the wall in the narrow stairwell. His eyes held mine as he leaned close. “I will show you, so there are no doubts.”

Then he kissed me again, and this time, he held nothing back. Possession, need, and barely leashed control. Jax’s mouth told me more than words ever could. He leaned against me so our bodies were in full contact. His erection was hot and hard against the junction at my thighs, and I moaned against his lips.

Our tongues stroked and teased, and I wanted more of him. Need burned through me. His taste, his touch, drowned out my worries. His scent surrounded me. He smelled crisp and clean. Like a sunny, winter day. But the heat he created inside me was intense. Just like the man himself.

Even so, Jax made me feel safe.

He lifted me and wrapped my thighs around his waist, so I was straddling him. “I need you, Elle,” he rumbled against my lips. The vibrations sent delicious sensation all the way down to my toes.

“Yes,” I whispered. I didn’t know if he was asking for permission, but I couldn’t have refused him. No matter how tumultuous my life was, I knew there was something about Jax that seemed…right. I’d known it from the day he’d walked into my shop.

He took the stairs two at a time. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and buried my face in the curve between his neck and shoulder. My lips teased the corded muscle as he opened my apartment door. The door shut behind us. I nibbled my way up to his ear, and I felt him twitch and laugh softly.

“What? Why are you laughing?”

His eyes were still glowing silver, but he had an adorable, crooked smile. “You make me happy, mate.”

There was that word again. Mate. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. It sounded serious. And permanent. I couldn’t make those kinds of plans; I didn’t know what crazy things tomorrow might bring. I opened my mouth to voice my concern, but Jax put a finger to my lips. “Don’t think. Let me show you.”

He walked back to my tiny bedroom and set me gently on the burgundy bedspread.

My mouth went dry when he unzipped his jeans and pushed them down. Stone or not, the man was incredible. I greedily stared at his dark chest hair, following the happy trail down to his erection. Concerns vanished as I gaped at him.

He was large. Very large.

He knelt on the floor by the bed and cupped my cheek. “We were made for one another. We’ll fit perfectly together.”

My heart stuttered a bit. He didn’t say much, but when he did, he said exactly the right thing.

Jax tugged on the hem of my shirt. I obliged and lifted my arms so he could pull it off. I settled back against the covers, and lifted my hips. He took his time unbuttoning and unzipping my jeans. I tried to help and push them down, but he grabbed my hands and placed them above my head.

“Let me.” His eyes held me immobile. Desire—and something else—simmered in his gaze.

I nodded slowly. I’d hold still if it killed me.

Inch by agonizing inch, he pulled the jeans down. His gaze was hot on my legs. The denim landed in a heap in the corner of my room, and I felt his hand slide up the length of my left leg. He snagged the side of my panties and tugged lightly.

“Soft,” he murmured, his voice even deeper than usual.

I didn’t know if he was talking about me or the fabric. I didn’t care. I made fists and pressed them into the mattress. He wanted to undress me, so I’d let him. I sucked in a breath when he ran his finger along the waistband, just below my navel.

“Jax,” I gasped. It was a gentle touch, but with my heightened awareness, I felt it throughout my entire body.

He ignored me and continued his exploration and feather-light touch. He traced his finger along the waistband once more, then down along the side, dipping at the curve of my hip. Leaning close, he softly pressed his lips there.

The rough pads of his finger tips smoothed over my skin. I tried to hold still and didn’t dare breathe. His touch continued along my inner thigh. First the sweep of his finger, then a soft kiss. I closed my eyes.

When his finger found my most sensitive spot through the material of the panties, my hips lifted, and I moaned.

“Shh…little gem. Let me.”

The endearment caught me off guard. I watched his face as he continued to lightly stroke me with his fingers. His jaw clenched, and his gaze was hungry. It was torture. It was wonderful. I grabbed fistfuls of covers and tried not to interfere. He increased the pressure so it was just…about…perfect, then stopped. He pulled the fabric down, then let my panties drop to the floor.

I reached for him, but he stepped back, evading my hands. “I can’t. If you touch me…” He stopped and shook his head. “Not this time.”

Understanding dawned as I watched his skin shift from flesh to stone. His control was slipping. I knew exactly how he felt. I wanted to touch him. To feel the difference between the soft skin and smooth stone.

But I could wait.

I sat up and unclasped my bra, dropping it off the side of the bed before he decided to tease me with it. His mouth twitched, but he didn’t say a word. I scooted back on the bed, giving him room.

He knelt on the mattress between my legs and held me with his gaze. “You are mine.”

I wasn’t about to argue at this point. Instead, I reached for him. Our lips met, and he settled over me.

His erection was heavy against me. I shifted and wrapped my legs around him. I moaned when he settled more firmly against me. I wanted him inside. I needed to feel his skin against mine. I had dreamed of it often enough. And so far, everything about him had gone far beyond my expectations.

I wanted this memory to hold onto. Somehow, I knew Jax would be my light at the end of the tunnel.

He sucked in a sharp breath when I moved my hips. One large hand cupped my left hip, and he held me still. “Let me,” he repeated. His mouth moved to my neck and collarbone as his hips began to move in a slow, tantalizing rhythm. Still teasing.

I slid my hands along his back, marveling at the smooth skin and solid muscle. He was back in control.

“Jax, do you shift…ah…in the middle?”

His hips stilled, and he lifted his head to look at me. “No. Unless you make me.” He smiled at my worried expression. “It’s not as bad as you think.”

I was unconvinced, and he bent down again and continued his exploration of my skin. “I am as mobile in stone form as I am now,” he murmured against the top of my shoulder.

“Mobile?” I swallowed hard.

His soft laughter tickled my neck as his tongue traced a leisurely path to my ear lobe. “Don’t worry. Today is for you. For us.”

Worries faded as his mouth and hips captured my full attention.

“Say you are mine,” he whispered against my neck.

I shivered at the delicious tingle it sent down my spine. I felt his hard length press closer, almost right where I wanted him. I was so ready for him. Every nerve ending in my body was on edge, waiting. “Jax!”

“Say it,” he demanded, and his tongue flicked my nipple. I arched off the bed, and his mouth closed around me. Heat and pleasure spiraled through me. His tongued caressed the hard peak, making me cry out. His teeth closed gently on my nipple and pulled, and then he turned his attention to the other one. Just the sensation of his mouth on my skin was bringing me closer and closer to a climax.

“I am, I’m yours,” I gasped. A small part of me was shocked to realize I meant it.

One hard thrust, and he slid inside. He threw his head back and groaned. He was huge and hot and he felt so right. He filled me, and it was perfect, just like he’d said it would be.

I shifted my hips, and he whispered, “Stop.” Slowly, he began to move. I closed my eyes and let sensation take over. His breath tickled as he kissed the skin at the base of my throat. His weight pressed me into the mattress as he found a steady rhythm. I could feel every inch of him.

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how he would feel. How his lips would leave me craving more. How his low growls of appreciation would create an answering groan in my throat.

My breath quickened as he began to move faster. Need grew, and the heat of him overwhelmed me. I bit down on his shoulder to keep from screaming as I climaxed. I felt the muscles in his shoulders bunch as he found release. His head was thrown back and his eyes were closed as he called my name. I memorized the look on his face. Sheer, unadulterated pleasure. Satisfaction.

I felt the same way.

His eyes opened, and he looked down at me. I smiled and brought my hands to his cheeks, drawing him to me. I kissed him, putting all of my emotion behind it. Things I wasn’t brave enough to say out loud. Things I’d been denying for the last few weeks.

Moments later, when we parted for a breath, he rolled to my side and wrapped his arms around me. I was breathless and overwhelmed, and I couldn’t stop smiling. Jax pulled me close and kissed the top of my head. The gesture was sweet and unexpected. I placed one hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat, strong and steady.

For the first time that day, for a moment, things felt right.

My eyes closed, and I realized how tired I was. I opened one eye, and checked the small alarm clock on my dresser. It was only one-thirty in the afternoon, but I felt like I’d put in a full day already. I sighed and relaxed against him. A crazy morning followed by great sex entitled me to a nap.

He rubbed a hand along my back in a soothing gesture. “Sleep. I’ll watch over you.”

Always so serious, and now stepping into the role of protector. But I believed him and…I trusted him. Jax was a man of his word. Dependable and steady. Like a rock.

I smiled. Jax had some amazing hidden talents that had nothing to do with his alter ego. I snuggled closer and let my breath even out.

His hand continued to massage my back. It was heaven. I could almost forget the morning. I trusted this man.

Before sleep fully claimed me, I heard him say, “Elle Fredricks, you are mine. The fates have declared it. I will not let you go.”