Chapter 11
chapter
eleven
Harriet
After I explain the whole ordeal to Vivian and assure her that we’re perfectly safe, we hang up.
I go in search of Jace. My heart feels so full, yet tears are streaming down my face.
I’m an emotional crier, what can I say? Any strong emotion activates my tear ducts.
Like immense relief that a crazy tiger-man didn’t hurt him.
But also, gratitude. So much gratitude for what he did for my brother.
I find Jace standing at the back of cottage; there’s a wall of windows there that overlooks a small lap pool.
“I used to love swimming. Before,” he says, his tone wistful.
Without thinking, I wrap my arms around his body and hug him from behind.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For protecting me. But especially for everything you did for my brother.”
“I hope it was enough,” he says.
“It was more than enough. They dismissed the case. My brother is free from that worry and he’s composing again.”
One of his hands covers mine that are criss-crossed over his tight abs.
“That’s wonderful, Harriet,” he says.
Pressing my face into his naked back muscles, he smells spicy, and earthy. I inhale deeply, pulling his scent into my body. My nipples instantly harden. I whimper as a pulse hits my clit directly.
“Harriet?”
He spins to face me. He’s so tall that his long, fat erection presses against my belly.
He groans at the contact. The heat from his hard length seeps through my shirt.
I look up at him.
“Why are your pupils so dilated?” he asks. He grips my arms and pushes me away from his body, but keeps his grasp on me. “Harriet, are you alright?”
How do I tell him that being near him, touching him as I just did and inhaling his erotic scent has aroused me. More than aroused me. I just hope I’m not panting.
Then his nose twitches, his eyes flutter closed and he inhales. A low, deep rumble comes from his throat. When his eyes open, his pupils are blown, the black swallowing up the yellow of his irises.
“Fuck, Harriet.” He steps away, putting distance between us. “I can’t risk your safety. You haven’t seen me in a fever.”
I move towards him. “I’m pretty sure that I have. That night when I drove into town. Isn’t that what was happening?”
He swallows visibly and nods.
“Let me just try something. If it doesn’t work or I feel like you’re going to hurt me, I’ll lock myself in one of the bedrooms.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “I know that human women threw themselves at you when you first changed.”
“Not just human or just women,” he says.
“Right. And I need you to know this is NOT why I brought you here. This isn’t some messed up way of seducing you.” I shake my head to try to clear my brain. I step back, increasing the distance between us.
“I apologize, Jace. For the record, it wasn’t your erection. I mean not that that’s not arousing, but it was just being close to you. Inhaling your scent.” I turn away from him. “I sound like an idiot.”
“No, you don’t. You smell so good, I am barely holding it together. I can smell how wet your cunt is.” He squeezes his dick at the root.
Seeing how big his hand is and it still leaves so much of his cock uncovered—he is massive. Monstrously big.
My pussy pulses with need, clenching around nothing as if to remind me what she wants.
“I refuse to take advantage of you,” I say.
“I care about you so much, Jace. I have for a long time.” I squeeze my eyes shut.
“I mean I’ve had a crush on your hands and voice for the last couple of years.
Since I started taking your classes. But my understanding of your curse is that there must be love. ”
He nods but doesn’t say anything. Which seems like a loud fucking declaration that he doesn’t feel towards me the heart-pounding affection I feel for him.
“I think I’m going to go lay down for a little bit. Kidnapping is hard work,” I say with a dry chuckle. “Even if it was unnecessary. Please don’t leave the cottage, Jace.”