21. Jasmine #2
It breaks my heart to think about my sister, the one person who’s always been there for me, and barely remember what she looks like.
I have no idea the woman she’s become. It’s been ten years.
She could have dyed her hair or used magic to hide blemishes.
She could have visited me multiple times without me knowing.
“Her name is Marisole.” My gaze finds Jake, who is giving me his full attention. “She’s not like me, though. She’s a full demon.”
“Is she older?” It shouldn’t bring me as much joy as it does, but hearing his first response be a nonjudgmental question has me excited to talk to him about her. It’s like finally I get to share this part of myself with someone else.
“Younger, but only by two years.”
“You don’t have a way to contact her yourself?” Jake asks, taking a sip of his tea.
“No. I haven’t talked to her in years, and before then, it was she who would appear to me for a brief minute or two before she’d be gone.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, she dream walks.”
Jake sets down his tea, then leans back on the couch. “I wasn’t aware dream walking was still around.”
“Mm, from what I understand, it’s not common, and it was a surprise to everyone when Marisole discovered she could dream walk at a young age. But anyway, that’s why I had to go to Rebecca’s shop.”
Jake nods, taking it all in, which I understand can be a lot for someone who isn’t as familiar with demons.
On average, most paranormal creatures know demons live in the Underworld and some minor details about how souls are used.
The rest of the information is purely based on speculation or passed-down stories.
“Thank you for telling me.” Jake smiles earnestly, laying a hand on my knee.
I smile back, and my shoulders are lighter with the knowledge of my sister between us.
“Are we okay?” I ask, biting my lower lip. Jake nods. “Okay, okay.”
We sit in silence, a comfortable silence, and I smile to myself.
“I’m glad fate chose us to be mates,” I say, looking at Jake. I reach for his hand, threading my fingers between his. “I know I haven’t made this, um, easy.”
He shrugs. “I never asked for easy.”
“Still, I want you to know I wanted to tell you. And thank you, I suppose, for listening to me.”
“I’ll always be here to listen. Whether it’s telling me another secret, a memory of your past, or a silly story from work, I’ll be here.
As if Jake can feel my anxious heart beating faster, he moves his hand up and down my leg. Each time, getting closer to my center.
“Are you okay?” Jake’s tone insists he knows I’m very okay and maybe need him a little too much at this moment.
“I could be better.”
“Ah, is there something I can do to help?” As soon as he finishes his question, his fingers brush over my center, and I shudder.
“Maybe something, ye-yes,” I say as I lean back into the couch.
Jake’s hand slowly slides from my thigh.
The cold air has me on the verge of begging for his touch, whimpering until he’s back.
The bond between us begs for more contact, more touching, more intimacy as we go longer.
It’s like there’s a ticking time bomb on our bond and if we don’t accept or reject it soon, the lust will overtake us until we’re forced to decide.
I don’t want to reject him, and I believe we’re on the same page. But at the same time, it’s hard for me to imagine a life where we’re freely accepted. To my knowledge, there’s never been a demon and shifter pairing, at least one that’s been consensual.
I can dream all I want, but it’d take knowing where I’ll end up to know whether we’ll be able to have our happily ever after. Maybe that’s what makes all of this between us so hard—the pushing and pulling, the tension, all of it, is based on our limited timeline.
We don’t know what tomorrow will look like. Jake could be commanded to tell his alpha about me, and we’d have to deal with the consequences. But I’m not the only one at risk, especially if the Council were to find out I’m here and not only that Jake knew, but that fate has paired us together.
Either way, we’re doomed.
So, why not give in to our desires? If I don’t, I’m afraid it’d be worse than being damned to eternity in the Underworld.
“Earth to Jasmine.” Jake’s hand returns to my leg, this time with his fingers walking up and down.
“Sorry, lost in thought,” I say, fighting back a moan. He’s not even touching me in a sensitive area, but the thought alone has me picturing what could happen tonight if we end up back in the bedroom.
Jake tsks and slides off the couch. “I’m afraid I need your undivided attention.”
He kneels in front of me and places a hand on either leg. It doesn’t take much pressure to have my legs opening for him. His nails form tiny crescents as he breathes in my scent. When his gaze meets mine, his eyes are a deep gold and full of lust.
“I’m all yours,” I say.
Jake gives me a wicked smirk. “I don’t think you know what you’re saying.” His fingers slowly walk up my thigh. Every passing second is agonizing.
My hips move of their own accord, and every time I get his touch where I want it, he moves farther away.
“Jake,” I whimper. “Touch me.”
“I am.”
I groan and shake my head. “No, you’re not.”
“You’ve tortured me.” Each word is paired with his fingers walking up and down my thighs. Every movement more excruciating than the last. “You’ve kept secrets from me. I like to think I’m a patient man.”
His head dips, but it’s not to meet my rising hips. No, he bites me. His teeth pierce my skin, and it’s so euphoric that I don’t care if he leaves me bruised and bleeding. I want all the pain he gives me.
“Do you like that?” Jake asks in between soothing the bite with his tongue.
I nod, my breath catching when his mouth follows the trail of his fingers. My eyes threaten to close, but I force myself to keep them open. I don’t want to miss anything. My gaze follows Jake as he teases me, testing how far he can push me. Does he know he’s pushing me to the edge?
“Is your intention to keep edging me all night?” I ask.
Jake smirks, then bites his lip. “Maybe.”
I groan and throw my head back. His laugh reverberates against my skin, and I know he thinks he’s winning, but this only gives me an idea. If he’s not going to give me what I want, I’m going to take it.