Death eBook 9.8.16 (8 page)

After our meeting, I went back to my apartment while Falcone went to his computers, and Warren and Connor headed into the streets to see what they could find about Kayne. What we needed was solid visual proof that it was our fifth brother, and then if it was, shit would soon fly.

One could hope it was one of the many lackeys Kayne left on earth to seek vengeance for their lord, Decay. Ones we had been hunting for all these years. It would be easy for us if it were only them and not our brother.

It had hurt enough sending him away the first time when he went crazy. I didn’t want to have to face him and do it again.

Did that make me weak?

Yes. When it came to our brother, a brother we couldn’t seem to help, we were weak, because no matter the search to find a cure for his madness, we couldn’t grasp one and save him from himself.

We’d failed him.

And that fucking killed us all each and every day. We couldn’t stop the destruction our brother unveiled on earth. All we could do was put him away.

Shaking my head of depressing thoughts, I opened the door to my rooms. I smiled. I’d meant
our
rooms. As in mine and my mate’s. Mine and my jewel’s.

I wanted to whirl around the room giggling with glee like a five-year-old girl.

Damn it to hell. I was a goner.
Balls, please come back and stick to my body just below my salami stick.

Her scent filled my senses as soon as I entered. I knew, hell no, I
felt
her in her room asleep. Disappointment filled my gut. I wouldn’t be enjoying her company through dinner that night, it seemed. Still, I wanted to walk in her room and climb into bed so I could wrap my arms around her while she slept.

Hold the fuck on
. I was thinking of cuddling now? Jesus. Had my balls really shriveled up and dropped off? I took my sac in hand and jiggled them. Definitely still there.

What was the woman in the other room doing to me?

Sleep. I needed sleep and a fresh brain. I bypassed everything and went into my room, took a nice, long, cold shower and fell into bed. Sleep invaded my mind quickly.

* * * *

A scream ripped through my slumber. I was up and out of bed, running for my bedroom door in seconds. I opened it as another scream shredded the night.

Julie.

Fuck. The scream had come from her room. Panic squeezed my heart. My legs took me across the floor and barreling into her room as another painful scream lurched from my mate’s body. Her back arched on the bed; her eyes were screwed tight as her mind kept her in the nightmare.

Without thought other than to comfort my jewel, I climbed onto the bed. Lifting her to sit in my lap, I rocked her back and forth, uttering soft, reassuring words that she was safe. At first she tried to fight my grip, until reality came crashing back to her.

On a shuddering breath, she whispered, “Falcone?”

The desire to kill my brother swamped me once again. My body tensed and my upper lip rose just before I clipped out, “No.”

She sighed my name. “Dean.” And then stretched. Her perfect bottom rubbed against my eager cock, which caused him to perk to life. Probably sniffing for action, which he wasn’t going to get.

“Are you okay?” I asked through clenched teeth. I needed her to be okay, so I could drop her on the bed and bolt for my room where I would take my dick in hand thinking of all the ways I wanted to take my mate.

“Yes,” she mumbled. “Bad dream.” She wiggled again and then paused.

Shit. I knew she felt my hardness.

Is everything okay?
Connor asked.

Yes, just a dream,
I answered.
Tell the others.

Will do, take care of your mate.

Of course, dickhead.

“Dean?” Julie’s tone was unsure.

“Ah, do you remember what the dream was about?”

“It’s a little foggy. I think it was something about the girl on the train and… no, it slipped away.” She looked up at me timidly. “Did I wake you because of it?”

Nodding, I said, “You were screaming. I swear I just turned gray from it.” I ran the hand that didn’t hold her tightly to me through my hair, and asked with wide eyes and a tinge of fake fear in my voice, “Do you see any?”

She laughed, which was what I hoped for. “No, doofus. It’s still all dark and dreamy.” She blushed.

“You think my hair is dreamy?”

My sweet jewel rolled her eyes. “In a nightmarish way. In fact, that dream I had was about all of your hair falling off your head, leaving you bald.”

“Woman, never tease me about my hair,” I warned.

“Or what?” she queried, and shifted once again. I bit my tongue to stop the groan wanting to fall from my lips.

Instead, I smiled wickedly and said, “Or this.” And then I proceeded to tickle her waist. She squealed and tried to knock my hands away.

“Stop, please stop,” she begged breathlessly. She fell back, hitting the mattress. I straddled her waist and kept up my torture, which also would help her mind ease from the unwanted thoughts of her nightmare. Even if she didn’t remember, it was obvious it had stressed her, if her screams were anything to go by. She gasped. “If you don’t stop, I’ll pee myself.”

My hands stilled. Honesty laced her words, and I didn’t want her embarrassed. Even if it would be humorous for my sake. Resting my hands at the sides of her head on the bed, I looked down at her and smiled. “Do you feel better at least?”

She grinned, and it was beautiful. “Yes, Dean.”

Dear God, my name on her lips was something I wanted to hear again and again, especially while I was inside her. I watched as her eyes took in my seminakedness for the first time. They drifted down over my chest, my waist, and then lower. Which was when I witnessed her cheeks tinting to a deep red. Looking down, I saw my boxers were tented out where my dick was pointing right at her face.

“Dean,” she whispered, her eyes coming up to meet mine.

“My jewel.” I growled the words.

“Dean.” She sighed.

I couldn’t bear to not touch her. My hand went to the side of her face. She gasped at the contact, and I knew it sent a thrill throughout not only her body but mine also. Her eyes closed slowly while I ran my finger from her temple to her chin and then down to her neck. She arched it for me. Smiling, I ran my fingers over her collarbone and down her arm to her hand. I took her hand in mine. Her eyes opened as I gently pulled her palm to rest against my beating heart. Another thrill, only lower; I watched her mouth open in a silent gasp through it.

“You are beautiful, Julie,” I said with all honesty.

I didn’t expect her to shake her head or the snort of laughter. She freed her hands to tap my chest and mumbled, “Uh-huh.”

“Do I need to show you how beautiful I think you are?”

She stilled. Her eyes flicked down to my erection and then back up to my heated eyes. “Um.”

I smiled. “Yeah, I think you already know. Still….” I slid my legs down. My feet went between her legs and pushed them apart so I could rest between them. She gulped. I winked and rocked against her. Her blush and gasp were cute, and our connection sent my senses crazy. My whole body shuddered when my erection pressed against her heat. “You are the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen, and no one will compare to you ever again,” I said before I lowered my head, giving her enough time to process what I was about to do so she could back out if she wanted to.

Only she didn’t.

My mouth touched hers. The spark was immediate and had us moaning. Still, I took it slow at first, wanting to test the waters. Pulling back, I looked down at her, my weight supported by my hands on the bed. I hesitated a moment, battling my need to take her, yet not wanting to terrify her.

Her action made my hesitation unnecessary.

She flung her arms around my neck and pulled me down, her lips molding to mine. I growled deep and, once her mouth opened, I slipped my tongue in. Our tongues met, and a jolt of pleasure shot through me. And if the moan from Julie was any indication, she experienced it as well. My skin felt as if it were on fire, but it was a burn of lust, desire, and need. Our bodies were uniting for the first time. Even if it was from only a kiss, it was the first from the one woman I would endeavor to do anything for, to be anyone she wanted me to be. She was mine to protect with my whole soul.

Her legs wrapped around my waist, and she rocked up and ground herself against my hardness, causing me to groan against her lips and her to whimper against mine. Julie’s hands ran up and down my back, even gripping my butt a few times over. It was a fever between mates I gladly enjoyed.

I slipped my hand down her side and then back up again under her loose tee she’d worn to bed. My hand headed right for her—

She stiffened. I moved back, only to lean back in and peck her lightly on the lips before removing my body altogether to sit on the side of the bed. “I’m sorry,” I offered.

“No… it’s, I, um.” She fumbled around her words. The bed shifted behind me as she sat and then her hand tentatively touched my back. We both jumped from the spark it drew within us. A pulse drummed through our bodies, reaching out to one another. “The…. I’m not sorry. I’m just confused. We’ve known each other for a short time, and yet, I find…. It’s strange, new. I feel there’s—”

“A connection?” I asked.

She sighed. “Yes. How?”

I wasn’t sure she was ready for the answer just yet. “Maybe you should get some more sleep,” I said instead, and made a move to stand. Her hand fell from my back only to grab my wrist.

“Wait.” I turned to look at her. A frown marred her features. I hated that she seemed uncertain. “Please, can you stay and…. I don’t think I’ll dream if someone’s—” She stopped to shrug. “Sorry, I’m being silly. I’ll go find Falcone and ask—”

“No,” I clipped out roughly before standing and picking her up in my arms. She squealed in surprise as I ripped the sheet back and laid us upon the bed. Her back faced my front. She sighed contently, just how I felt with her in my arms. Our heat turned into a slow burn, the intensity passing while I comforted my mate. “Sleep, my jewel.”

“Okay,” she mumbled.

The position we were in was how I wanted to sleep every night. I wanted my mate safe and sound in my arms, knowing I would wake up to her every morning. I would do anything to make that happen, anything to make Julie understand she was mine.

Tightening my arms around her, I exhaled contently and soon found sleep—after I knew she was under. The last thought I had was
what do you know? I am a cuddler.

Chapter Seven

JULIE

I awoke with a start, but just as instantly, my body relaxed. It was the first time I’d slept peacefully in days. All due to the man who had me cocooned by his body. Both of us were on our right sides; his lower arm supported my neck, coming up and around my torso with his hand landing between my breasts. His upper arm wrapped itself snugly around my waist, pulling me in and slightly under him. His legs were twined with mine. As though, in this position, he could protect every inch of me. Mind and body. My stomach dipped in excitement while my nipples pebbled.

I just hoped he was counting my heart in his protection detail, because as I lay there a few things became absolutely clear. Never in all my life had I felt more safe, comforted, and cherished as I had in the last two bizarre days.

I knew love in my life. Fallon was more than a friend; she was my chosen sister and family, but with the group of men who’d barged into my life…. Heck, in the chaos of the last two days, when I’d felt fear, uncertainty, and dread, they’d given me a sense of safety and a home I’d never known existed. And Dean…. The pull was undeniable, and just thinking of him not there, not holding me, not in my life, even after only knowing him a for
one
freaking day…. I sighed, and my stomach rolled in worry because just the thought caused my whole heart to ache. Like I would suffer junkie withdrawals if I distanced myself from him. None of it made sense.

* * * *

DEAN

Stretching, I automatically reached beside me for Julie. When I didn’t find her, my eyes sprang wide and I bounced up quickly to sit in bed, searching the room for her. Not in sight. I drew in a deep breath, and the scent of her told me she was close and in the kitchen, because the smell of something cooking also touched my nose. Smiling, I lay back on the bed and relaxed to slow my heart, since I knew she was safe.

My smile wouldn’t quit. Even though I hated how my jewel had woken scared in the middle of the night, I remained ecstatic that she had allowed me to comfort her.

A groan tumbled from my lips. Fuck, my dick enjoyed the thought of how close we’d gotten the night before also. My cock was eager to grind itself up against Julie again; he’d even be happy with her leg, foot or hand. He wasn’t fussy. It didn’t have to be her hot, wet, tight core.
Jesus.
I had to stop thinking of her.

I could have tugged one off while I lay there. My hand started to reach for my dick, but I stopped because I knew I’d be fuckin’ loud if I wanked, and I didn’t want Julie freaked out from it.

Instead, I climbed out of bed and before I went into our kitchen area, I made my way back into my room, managing to not be seen, because my dick was being a perv and peeking out the slit in my boxers. Quickly, I dressed in track pants and a tank top. I wanted my eyes on my mate as soon as possible; it felt like I’d left seeing her too long and my skin was crawling.

Hell, I was 100 percent gone.

Opening my door, I stepped out into the living area and then made my way around the wall and stopped dead. My lips pulled up into a wide grin. Goddamn, she was beautiful. She was facing away, her attention on the pan in front of her, but as if she sensed me, she looked over her shoulder and smiled.

My mouth went dry. Her smile caused my dick to jerk behind its confinements.

“Morning,” she said before she turned fully to me with a hot pan in hand, sliding a huge pancake onto a plate. She looked up through her lashes, a blush coating her cheeks. “I, um, I made you breakfast as a thank-you for taking care of me last night.”