Jake (Immortals of New Orleans #8)(17)

Jake sighed, irritated he didn't have answers. He stood and hurled the washcloth into the sink, his thoughts drifting to Quintus. Jake hadn't heard anything from the vampire since he'd disappeared. His instinct told him that Quintus would land on his feet. Kai on the other hand, had been injured two days in a row. Jake reasoned for at least one night, he'd keep her safe. Jake had the driver bring them to his penthouse that sat atop Logan's offices, where he ran security. His home had been warded after the incident with Ilsbeth and Dimitri, and it was iron-clad proof from witches and demons. Nothing would hurt her under his guard.

As Jake unbuttoned his shirt, he considered all hell would break loose tomorrow. Logan would demand answers, and while he sought the same, a protective instinct surged. Kai had come to him for help and if it were true that Anzober Wolves had taken her sister, it was his responsibility to address the pack.

Jake eased himself onto the mattress, lying on his side. He studied Kai's face as she quietly slept, her hands resting under her head. She'd been stunning at the party, but her beauty was even more pronounced now that fear had faded from her face. Her jet black hair feathered over her alabaster skin, her soft pink lips adding a dash of color.

She moaned and curled toward him. Recalling their kiss, he resisted the urge to reach for her. His dick stirred, and he inwardly cursed. Fuck. No. Not this way. He didn't know what the hell she was, and it was insane that she was even in his bed. Yet the desire twisting through him ran deep. He shoved the disturbing emotions to the back of his mind, and closed his eyes. Tomorrow he'd have the answers he needed, and soon he'd return to Anzober Wolves.





Chapter Four


Kai burned from within, and she tore at the restraining fabric until her bare skin kissed the cool night air. The dream swirled in her mind. The Alpha's lips ignited her body, consuming her with a craving she'd never known. Light turned to darkness with the demon's touch, its razor sharp talon slicing into her leg, giving way to the good fortune spilling from her body. Too many supernaturals, their energy filling her faster than she could control. Like being hurled off a cliff, she clutched at the air around her in a futile attempt to gain traction as she plummeted into a frantic wild descent. Falling, falling, falling. 

Kai's eyes flew open, her chest heaving for breath. Her fever broken, she was thankful to be alive. As she adjusted to the darkness, the hard jawline of the Alpha came into view. Her savior. Her executioner. When she'd entered the ballroom with Quintus, he'd assured her safety. As much as she'd wanted to believe the ancient vampire, it had been an empty promise. She had rarely been in the presence of supernaturals, and the party had been more than she'd been able to handle. Wolves. Vampires. Their energy rushed her, making it nearly impossible to breathe. The Alpha had immediately detected her presence. The moment he took her hand in his, a connection seared her palm. His power ran through her skin, filling her with strength. As she'd danced with him, she'd vacillated between terror and arousal.

Her gaze painted over the contours of Jake's face. Handsome, there was something about this wolf, so strong yet gentle. He'd saved her in the courtyard, and now kept her protected in what she assumed was his home. Kai closed her eyes and listened, attempting to sense any other beings in his home. We're alone. Relief flooded through her that he hadn't brought in his Alpha. Despite all he'd experienced with her, he wasn't afraid, and now lay sleeping with her alone.

Kai's pulse raced as she lay bare in his bed, yet she made no effort to conceal her body. Her eyes drifted over his muscular chest, and she recalled his searing kiss. Drawn to his energy, the urge to touch him surged, and her palm slid over the smooth cotton sheets, reaching toward him. Oh Goddess. No, Kai. Don't do this. He's a wolf. As her fingertips brushed his shoulder, she shivered with arousal. Kai placed her palm on his chest, and his peaceful vibrations ran through her. Unlike with other beings, it simply merged with her own power.

Her luminescent creature within purred, sensing his wolf. Alpha. The word ran through her mind as a command. Desire twisted through her body at the thought of making love to him, and she startled at her fantasy. Jake's eyes flew open, his intense stare boring through her. As if she'd touched fire, she yanked her hand away, and jolted as strong fingers wrapped around her wrist.

"Whatcha doin', sweetheart?" he growled.

"I'm sorry … I just had to … " Kai's eyes roamed down his tanned abs before flashing up to meet his gaze. "Your energy. It's special."

"My energy, huh?" A small grin formed as he glanced at her bared skin. "So that's what you call it?"

"I … I've never been around anyone like you," she confessed. "Not like this."