Chapter 23 Jasmine
We leave the darkness of the Pit behind, but the possessive part of Julien comes with us.
He steps away from Sai, holding me closer to his chest.
“Mate, come on now,” Sai admonishes, much like a parent to a child, which is bizarre considering this is Sai talking to Julien.
“I need this. I’m not ready to let her go.” Julien’s voice is filled with genuine worry, and that makes me frown. “Let me hold her a little longer. She may change her mind when she is clear-headed and—”
“Come on. Put me down.” I smile up at him, my head drowsily lolling back so I can see him. “I thought you were good at sharing?”
Julien stares down at me, ignoring Sai’s half-smothered laugh as he runs the back of his fingers down the side of my cheek, jaw, ending on my throat.
“You allowed me to feed from you. You now allow me to hold you. I fear your mind will change when you are less…”
“High as fuck off your blood,” Sai helpfully adds.
Julien nods.
I try to keep up with the conversation, but it’s hard to focus on anything when Julien’s grip is burning my skin. And my mind keeps conjuring memories of his fangs sinking into me, the euphoria…
I shake my head. I need some space. Quickly.
“I appreciate the honesty, I really do.” I give him a tight smile. “But you—” I prod Julien’s chest. “Should really shower, and we all—” I wave my other hand around. “Need to sleep. So if you could just pop me down—”
“Will you stay?” Julien asks, but it isn’t the confident, smooth tone I’m used to. It’s edged with uncertainty, and desperation.
“Julien.” Now it’s Kane’s turn to put on the daddy voice.
Ha! That thought makes me splutter out a little giggle.
Ezekial steps closer, voice low. “She can’t think clearly. It’s unfair to ask her to stay, and you know that.”
But Julien clearly doesn’t give a shit.
His eyes widen pleadingly, a soft, warm red. His mouth turns down at the sides. “Please.”
“Just stop with the face.” I scrunch my eyes shut briefly. “First Kane, now you?”
“I need you near,” Julien murmurs in a low rumble. Adding another gentle, “Please.”
“I’ll be right next door.” I pat his chest reassuringly.
His hard, bare, muscular chest that I’m suddenly staring at very intently.
His large hand engulfs mine, raising my fingers to his lips. “It’s not close enough,” he whispers against them.
A whisper that reignites heated memories…
“Big guy, come on, now,” Sai cajoles, while I feel the hum of his markings as his hand slides across my back, above where Julien’s arm cradles me. “Stop being a clingy fucker before you push her away.”
Ezekial moves beside Julien. “If I’m agreeing with Sai, then you know he’s right.”
Sai scowls at him. “Cocky fucker…”
“Let her go.” Kane’s command comes from… somewhere, making me shiver.
Luckily, I’m so high they probably think I’ve just got the shakes. And I laugh again.
Julien’s eyes flare a darker red as he stares down at me. But then he places another gentle kiss to my fingertips, before carefully lowering me onto my feet.
His large, warm hand is still touching my spine as he says, “I’ll see you—” He shakes his head, starts again. “Please, may I see you when you wake?”
Julien’s long fingers brush along the lower curve of my spine and Sai’s trail across my shoulder blades, leaving a path of heat and tingles.
I try to clear my mind, remember Julien’s question, remember that this is a friendship—we are friends.
Totally friends.
Not like one of my friends just gave me a mind-blowing orgasm. No, that doesn’t matter. What’s an orgasm amongst friends?
Exactly.
So I should probably put up more of a fight. Should pull away from their touch.
But I don’t.
I just stand there and take it, revel in their touches, in the feeling of the brothers watching this… all four of them together.
A dark, hot and very dangerous sensation seeps into the air—one that is definitely not friendly.
Julien repeats his question, I think? I hear the word tomorrow again, so I just nod.
When he responds with a small smile, I want to jump back into his arms. I want to run my teeth along his throat, bite a little harder, make him moan—
I slam my eyes shut.
Friendly thoughts. Think friendly thoughts.
I repeat this mantra as I back away from their touches, from all of them.
“I’m going to Kacey’s now.” Eyes still shut as I navigate my way, backwards, through the hallway. Thankfully, it mirrors Kacey’s layout.
Sai’s soft laughter starts when I begin feeling for the wall.
Then I hear movement.
“No. Nope.” I shake my head. “Don’t.”
The footsteps stop.
I cannot risk looking at them again, not when Julien’s heat and Sai’s electrical touch is still scored into my skin. Not when just the thought of Kane and Ezekial’s watchfulness made me feel even more turned on. And especially not when my inhibitions are at an all-time low.
“You.” I wave a finger in their general direction. “You are all going to stay here and sleep. Don’t even try to leave, because… I’ll know.” I try to make that sound scary; I even furrow my brows and wag my finger in warning. “So, be good boys and stay.”
Why did I fucking say that?
Because I’m still high and still turned on and still absolutely want them all to touch me.
Did someone just… growl?
Their emotions explode and I’m drowned in their sensations, thankfully, I’ve reached the door.
“Bye.” I grab the handle, twist, pull, feel the carpeted hallway beneath my feet, then slam the door shut behind me.
“Fucking hell,” I murmur, finally opening my eyes to the empty corridor.
That was… a challenge.
And I still feel them, their emotions rushing wildly behind that door, seeping out and tempting me with soft warmth, fiery crackles and a chilling tease…
I shake my head and clench my fists. Nope. Not today.
But even when I’m inside Kacey’s silent apartment, I still feel them. All of them. Like the pulse of their emotions is thrumming beneath my skin, even through the wall.
Their need, their desire… I feel so unstable, so… on edge. Which is my excuse for ripping off all my clothes and slipping on Kane’s hoodie.
Immediately, the coolness attached to it sinks into me, eases me, and I fall into bed with a sigh.
My fingers may rest against the wall. I may even place a pillow or two behind me, just to make sure I’m pressed flat against it. But at least I have some restraint.
Or so I tell myself as my lips rest against the cold, hard concrete.