CHAPTER FOUR
Jax
"Fucking hell!" I roared, hearing the engine of the car outside fade away. I placed the empty bag of blood in the trash, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.
With the exception of my days as a fledging, this was the most uncontrolled moment of my existence and I've lived quite a long time. After five centuries, you would think I could suppress the urge to devour a human in the middle of my living room. Hadn't I just chugged four bags of O-Positive at the club? Why then the sudden need to fill my mouth with the taste of her? With that type of diet and my age, getting up close and personal should not have been an issue.
Her scent had called to me the moment she had walked into my establishment. I zeroed in on her among hundreds. Never had I experienced such a pull and those eyes. . . .
If it weren't for the fact that she smelled human, I could almost believe she was an Elemental. Turning I walked toward the floor to ceiling windows. The snow eased until it stopped completely with her angry departure.
She hadn't even flinched when the lightening hit right outside the house. Instead, her chin had lifted, eyes glittering with omnipotence. These were all characteristics of that particular vampire species. The unnatural gray eyes, the ability to control natural elements fearlessly. . . .
I smoothed my hair back with shaking hands. My gaze stumbled upon the leather strap on the floor. I closed my eyes at the memory of how it came to be there. Bending, I picked it up and clenched my hand around it. I quickly tied my hair back and strode to the coat closet. A sparkly object greeted me. It rested on the small table outside the door. I picked it up and immediately sensed her fragrance.
I needed to clear my mind. Stepping out onto the balcony I launched out and over, landing at the bottom of the jagged cliff on all fours, my body morphing into my beast of choice. Being a Shifter allowed me to choose and tonight I was a wolf. The area was dense with foliage and the shelter was welcome. I knew I was unaccompanied with the exception of a lone coyote and some raptors circling above. Moving with preternatural speed, I blurred into the wooded area and let physics take over.
The sun's rays were starting to crawl over the mountain, melting the new fallen snow as I made my way back. Thankfully, my resistance to the burn was strong. In this species, age brought on added bonuses. Bloodlust control and adaptability to sunlight with the correct protection were just a few but I needed rest. I entered my home and pressed the control that would bring down the shutters. They weren't required save for the times I had guests not as fortunate as I. However, it was easier to regenerate much needed energy.
Naked, I slipped between the crimson silk sheets. The soft friction did nothing to help my sudden state of arousal. Damn it.
After an extended time of drowning in guilt and replaying the scenario with Sienna in my head, I fell deep into a dark, welcoming void where memories no longer existed.
Sienna
I bolted upright in my bed and squinted at the sun, which was precariously high and angled across my room, telling me it was early afternoon. Holy shit! I couldn't remember the last time I had slept so late. Could it be that I actually went out like a normal young person on her once a month weekend off? Memories of my "night out" came crashing over me and with them a sense of despair.
In my haste to leave, I had left my clutch behind. Thankfully Tarah carried a spare key to my apartment. I cringed at the thought of having to creep back to Jax's home to retrieve it but what choice did I have? Not only had the damn thing cost me a small fortune; I wanted my wallet back. Theft wasn't the issue. God knew he didn't need my money.
I fell back on the bed with a sigh only to be jolted up with the buzz of the doorbell. Crap! I had forgotten Tarah and I were going to meet up for coffee after lunch except I hadn't even had any yet. I bounced out of the bed, pulling down the skimpy tank I slept in. The shorts weren't much better but this ensemble was the closest to sleeping naked as I could get. I smiled on my way to the door, thinking how annoyed she was going to be that I wasn't ready to go.
I opened the door and just about swallowed my tongue. Jax Sparks stood there looking sexy as hell in a pair of relaxed fit jeans, black Tap Out t-shirt and leather jacket. His Ray Bans were still on though he was inside the building but hell, I didn't mind. I was too busy gawking and thinking about how much I wasn't wearing.
"Sienna?"
My name came out in a question. I moved behind the door, trying to block his view. The devil had the audacity to smirk. My focus came back when he raised a dark eyebrow. I guess I couldn't just leave him standing in the hallway. Taking a deep breath, I pulled the door wider and allowed him to enter. Why did it feel as if the moment his boot stepped over the threshold my life would change? Much later, I would have my answer but for now I simply gave up trying to cover all the skin on display and sat on my cushy black leather couch. Jax followed me, taking the empty space to my left.
"I think you forgot this. " He pulled out my clutch from under his jacket.
Looking down, the sparkly piece looked ridiculous in his large masculine hand. I swiped at my lip, hiding a grin. I couldn't let him see it because I was supposed to be pissed. So, I coughed a little and cleared my throat.
"Thanks. You just saved me an uncomfortable trip. " Did I just say that? By the scowl spreading on his face, that would be a big, fat "yes".
I took the clutch quickly and placed it on my end table. "I appreciate you coming all this way to bring it, really. "
"Sienna. . . . " He glanced at my legs and closed his eyes.
I remained silent. If he was going to explain I sure as hell wasn't going to make it easy. His dark hair was loose today and my fingers itched to touch it. He gave me the pleasure of watching him do it instead.
"About last night. . . I didn't mean to pull away like that.
I crossed my arms over my chest. If body language could speak, then I was talking. Listening to his excuses of why he didn't want me was going to kill me, but I didn't have to show it. Remember he came to give you back your bag, not to see you. . . .
"Sienna, I've never wanted a woman the way I desire you. " He stood, leaving me gaping at his back but it was what came next that nailed me right in the gut. He turned; the sunglasses came off, leaving those incredible yellow-hazel eyes watching me intently.
"I lose control with you," he whispered.
You could have slapped me silly at this point and I wouldn't have flinched. I made him lose control? How about the fact I jumped in his car after a whopping half hour conversation? My mind was still trying to process that one.
So was he telling me last night was his attempt at controlling the urge to move onward with our relationship? This was getting more confusing by the minute.
"I could say the same," I muttered under my breath.
He looked down, hands on his narrow hips. "Tell you what, why don't we start over? How about dinner tonight?"
Really? He was playing the gallant gentleman when I had been ready to get horizontal anytime, anyplace? Why the screeching halt? I fiddled with my hair as he approached and took his seat beside me again. Just his scent made me want to jump him right on the couch. Had I ever reacted this way to a male before? Not quite. Jax was so different than the others I had dated in the past. There was a mysterious aura about him; something surreal. It captivated me and I wanted to explore the possibilities he offered.
"Looks like I'm giving you another chance Mr. Sparks. " I let the smile spread across my face. He reciprocated. Holy shit! I hadn't seen him smile yet. I needed to sit on my hands else they would be all over him in a second.
Bracing his hands on his knees, he stood and I had a perfect view of his ass, in those jeans.
"I'll pick you up at seven. "
I rose and his eyes moved over my body. My arms crossed over my ample chest and it wasn't because I was trying to irk him as before. Without a bra, my nipples tightened and my breasts swelled as the soft cotton
tank stretched to accommodate their weight. The arch of his brow coupled with a one-sided grin told me he knew exactly what was going on in my world. I cocked my head to the side then couldn't help but swing my ass to the door. Two could play at this.
The banging on the door took me right out of seductress mode. Rolling my eyes just thinking about the interrogation, I let Tarah in and promptly stood aside so she could see my guest.
"Hey girlie. Hell you aren't even dressed. . . . "
I laughed at her jaw-drop expression. It was priceless.
"Tarah, this is Jax Sparks. You remember him from last night? Jax this is Tarah Wiles, my best friend. " I was toying with her and knew she would pay me back later.
Her smile was forced. "Of course. "
My gaze swung back to Jax who stood hands in pockets.
"Pleasure to meet you. "
He strode toward me and my heartbeat accelerated.
"I'll see you later. " He kissed my cheek then he was gone.
"What the hell is going on?" Tarah asked, pointing at the door.
I walked over to my end table picking up my sparkly clutch. Holding it up reminded her but she still wasn't liking this.
"I'll see you later? What's that all about?"
I smirked at her. "You know my mother ran off to Europe. I don't need a replacement. "
"Oh no you don't," she said, waving her black nailed finger at me.
I rolled my eyes and sat on the couch. "Fine! He apologized. Admitted I turned him on to the point where he lost control. He doesn't want to do that and asked to start over and take things slower. There, satisfied?"
I wanted to shriek at the slow smile spreading over her face until that damned, evil dimple made an appearance.
"Ok so let me get this right, the owner chooses you out of hundreds at his club, takes you home but decides he wants to take it slow because oh, he can't control his beastly urges then takes the time out of his hectic schedule to make a special delivery, apologize and ask you out? Did I skip anything?"
I was standing a little straighter as she went on with all that. My chest swelled and I felt tingly inside.
"Sounds pretty fantastic when you put it together like that. " I grinned like an idiot.
Tarah smirked at me, hands on hips. "No shit. Now, what are you in the mood for?"
Thirty minutes later we are sitting at Star Bucks with a Caramel Macchiato in hand, one with whipped cream. That would be mine. My stomach simply couldn't handle a meal right about now. The only reason I had any meat on my bones was the pints of ice cream I inhaled at night on the couch. Food wasn't a big thing with me. Since the age of fifteen, puberty had broken my healthy appetite along with a nasty flu. Everything in my body had changed that year. For some inexplicable reason my eyesight was back to normal. I remember my mother thinking nothing of it as she left the doctor's office. It's your hormones, she had said.
"You have a whip cream mustache. " Tarah chuckled.
I truly didn't care. Life was finally getting exciting. Licking the sweet cream off my lips, I leaned back and stuck my tongue out at her.
"We need to shop. "
I nodded my head. "No way in hell am I letting you dress me again. "
Tarah pushed at my shoulder. "Hey. I'm the reason you have this hot date. That leather skirt did the trick. "
Two hundred dollars later, I walked into my apartment building only to find a delivery at the front desk; a stunning bouquet of red roses. Somehow I managed the bags and the roses all at once. Thankfully, the elevator was not empty and someone pressed my floor when I called out. I glanced over my shoulder to thank them and was shocked at the piercing ice blue stare that greeted me. He smiled but his eyes remained cold.
"Thanks," I croaked and turned quickly when he nodded. Suddenly, the spacious elevator seemed cramped and small. The magic number dinged its' arrival and the doors opened. I stepped out and cringed when the stranger followed. I pretended to stop and check for something in my purse so he could pass me, which he did; his black leather clad self disappearing around the corner. I opened my door and bolted it shut then placed the roses on the small table at the entry along with my keys.
That was just weird. I shook Mister icy blue off and emptied my bags on the bed. The lacey thongs made me blush. I swear Tarah had a wicked mind. Curiosity got the better of me and I powered on my laptop. Google pulled right up and there in a nice black and white was Jaxon Peter Sparks, Entrepreneur and Business Owner. I read down and continued to be even more impressed with his accomplishments. The man had a black belt for every freaking martial arts in existence; a Masters in Business Administration. . . Geez and he was only thirty. Maybe he hadn't slept for the past ten years. Nodding my head in amazement, I shut down.
Walking to my closet, I found the black seduction dress, which was pushed to the back. I shook it out and placed it over my body. The halter top accentuated my large breast. Another Tarah induced purchase. She always insisted I had to show off the goods.
My sexy thigh high boots were next. If these shoes didn't scream "fuck me" nothing did. I laughed at the raunchy thoughts percolating through my head. Looking at the clock I decided to take a long relaxing bath in my Jacuzzi tub. There was plenty of time before Tarah arrived and started harassing me
Jax
"Who the fuck is this?" Jax growled into the phone. My brother, Cade, shot up from the couch but I waved him down.
"If I told you it wouldn't by fun anymore, asshole. Now listen closely. I paid a visit to that fine piece of ass you were with last night. She looks good enough to eat. "
I was seconds from blowing a gasket. This psycho knew about Sienna.
"You bastard. I am going to tear your fucking heart out. "
He laughed, the sound grating on my last nerve.
"You will finally pay. "
"What the. . . . " The line went dead and I was furious. Throwing the phone down I motioned to Cade who was pacing like a caged beast.
"What the hell was all that about?" he asked.
"Some asshole threatening me with Sienna. Said I was finally going to pay. "
I had called Cade over to talk to him about Sienna and my reservations. Telling him about my affliction for her only made him more suspicious. In our mission, we suspected everyone. Cade was the head bouncer at Red Velvet, a club on the outside but so much more on the inside. He was the perfect man for the job. The Legion needed vampires like him to lead because for real, it was getting pretty nasty. The Insurgents, those rebel motherfuckers led by the dark dick himself, were tearing up the race in a bad way.
"Get someone to watch her. He's going to use her to get to me. "
Cade nodded and got right on the phone. I heard him talking to his men and felt a rush of relief when it was done. I racked my brain thinking about who I had pissed off lately.
"It's done. Put Ronnie on her trail. He's one of the best trackers I know. Now, will you tell me what's going on?"
Cade made himself comfortable on my couch. He wasn't going anywhere until I gave him all the deats. His yellow eyes stared at me expectedly. This was going to be an interrogation and he was the master of that department.
"She was here. " I held up my hand and stopped all the "what the fuck" from spilling out of my brother's mouth. I knew this was a first for me. I had a good eye for a beautiful woman and enjoyed them, then politely walked them to the door. I rarely allowed any woman into the privacy of my home much less a human. That was debatable even to me. Sienna was different. I sensed it from the moment she walked into my club.
"I think she may be a hybrid. An Elemental. "
Cade's jaw dropped. "That is very rare. Most crossbreeds don't make it past the transition age. "
"But it is possible. " I began to pace.
"We had a situation. " I rolled my eyes when his eyebrow arched in question.
"I changed while we were. . . kissing. So I pulled away. She interp
reted the act as a dismissal. It began to storm shortly after. She didn't even flinch when the lightening blasted the tree outside the window. The storm empowered her, gave her courage. I sensed that much.
"But she smells human?" Case inquired.
"Not totally. "
Cade stood and stretched his arms over his head. "More reason to keep a close eye on her. Those Insurgent bastards get a whiff of a hybrid among us and they will be worse than a pack of wolves in heat and that is pretty bad. I should know. " He wiggled his eyebrows at me.
I stared at him, hands on hip, trying very hard not to pound him. As youngsters, it would be strange if we didn't go a round or two. Through the years I learned to accept his sense of humor because it sure as hell wasn't going anywhere.
"A lightening storm in January? Hmmmm. . . interesting. "
Raising an eyebrow, I nodded in agreement. Cade wasn't opposed to my suspicions. Whoever had called had a bone to pick with me and I didn't want her getting hurt in the process. Cade and I talked for a few more minutes before he was due at the club.
I walked him out and leaned against the door. I felt better, knowing Sienna had one of his men watching her. Pulling out my phone, I dialed Ronnie.
"Ronnie. "
"Hey Ron. How is the view?"
His chuckle came through loud and clear. "The view is just fine. Your female is lounging in a bubble bath as we speak. "
I growled.
"Hey. I am outside and give me some credit for being a gentleman here. Plus, I only have eyes for one woman and you know that. "
"You better be or I will have your eyeballs for dinner. " I smiled at the dead silence on the other end. Ronnie had settled down since Sylvain had walked into the club two months ago. That was the only thing keeping me from going out of my mind. He was a handsome fucker and most women drooled all over him.
"I'll be there in an hour. " I clicked end and walked into the bathroom.