Chapter 26 Carlos #2
She tastes like salt and vanilla and something underneath that's purely her. My hands slide from her face to her waist, pulling her into my lap. She straddles me without hesitation, her thighs bracketing my hips, and I groan into her mouth.
The sound seems to break something in her. She pulls back just enough to look at me, pupils blown wide, lips already swollen.
"Carlos," she breathes.
I kiss her again. Harder this time. Deeper. My hands roam up her back, feeling the curve of her spine through my henley that she's wearing. She looks perfect in my clothes. Looks like she belongs there.
Her hips rock against mine and I see stars behind my eyelids. Feel the heat of her even through our clothes. My control is hanging by a thread, fraying with every movement she makes.
"Jess," I manage to gasp out. "Your heat. It's coming. We should not..."
"I know." She pulls back just enough to look at me. Her chest is heaving. "But right now I just need this. Just need you. Is that okay?"
How could it not be okay?
I cup the back of her neck and pull her down to me again.
We kiss until my lips are swollen and her hair is a mess.
Then, she's grinding against me in a rhythm that's going to drive me insane.
My hands have mapped every inch of her back, her sides, the curve of her hips through the soft cotton of my shirt.
Suddenly, we're both breathing hard and my control is down to its last frayed thread.
She pulls back finally, forehead resting against mine, chest heaving. Her scent wraps around me.
"Wow," she whispers.
A laugh rumbles out of me. "Wow?"
"I don't have better words." She grins, breathless and beautiful. "My brain stopped working somewhere around the second kiss."
"Good to know I have that effect on you."
"You have a lot of effects on me." Her fingers trace the line of my jaw, the scratch of my afternoon stubble. "You make me feel safe. And seen. And like I'm allowed to want things without apologizing for it."
My throat tightens. "You never have to apologize for wanting things. Not with us."
"I'm still learning that." She settles against my chest, tucking herself under my chin. Her weight is perfect in my lap, solid and real and mine. "But I'm trying."
"That's all any of us can do."
We sit there in her nest, tangled together. The room smells like pack. Al our scents mixed up until I can't tell where one scent ends and another begins. Like home.
My phone buzzes again. Then again. A rapid succession that makes my jaw clench.
I pull it out, keeping one arm wrapped around Jessica's waist.
Nacho: Callum's heading your way. Left the station ten minutes ago. Looked furious.
Sergio: I'm five minutes out. Don't do anything stupid before I get there.
Pedro: Almost home. Keep her safe.
Jessica tenses in my arms. "He's coming here."
"Looks like it." I tuck the phone away and tighten my hold on her. "But you're not facing him alone."
"What if he..." She trails off, unable to finish the thought.
"Then we handle it. Together." I press a kiss to the top of her head. "All of us."
"I'm scared." The admission comes out small. Quiet.
"I know." I run my hand up and down her spine, feeling her shake. "But you don't have to be brave all the time, sunshine. That's what we're here for."
"He's going to say terrible things. Things designed to hurt you."
"Then he's going to be disappointed." I tip her chin up, forcing her to look at me. "Because we’ve already chosen you. And nothing he says is going to change that."
Tears spill over her lashes. I brush them away with my thumbs.
"You really mean that."
"Every word." I kiss her again. Soft and slow this time. A promise rather than desperation. "You're ours, Jess. If you want to be. And we're not letting you go."
She makes a sound against my mouth. Something between a sob and a laugh. When she pulls back, her eyes are bright with tears but also something else. Something that looks like hope.
"I want to be," she whispers. "All of yours."
"Good." I press my forehead to hers. "Because you already are."
The sound of gravel crunching under tires makes us both freeze. An engine growing louder as it approaches the house. Then the slam of a car door. Heavy footsteps on the porch.
Jessica's scent spikes with fear, sharp and bitter.
"Stay here," I tell her. "No matter what you hear. Stay in your nest where you're safe."
"Carlos..."
"Trust me." I ease her off my lap and onto the blankets. "This is about to get ugly, and I don't want you caught in the middle."
"What if something happens? What if he..."
"He's not getting near you." I stand, rolling my shoulders. "I promise."
I head for the door to leave, then pause. Turn back. She's watching me with wide eyes, knuckles pressed to her mouth.
"Hey," I say softly. "No matter what happens down there, no matter what he says, remember this. You're not nothing. You're everything. And I love you."
Fresh tears spill down her cheeks. "I love you too."
The words hit me like a hammer to the chest. Stop me in my tracks.
"Say that again."
"I love you." Her voice is stronger now. More certain. "I love all of you. And I'm done running."
I cross the room in three strides and kiss her one more time. Hard and fast and full of promises I intend to keep.
Then I'm gone, taking the stairs two at a time.
Nacho is already in the living room when I get downstairs. Still in his uniform, hand resting on his belt near his weapon. He looks at me and nods once.
"Callum?"
He glances toward the stairs. "She okay?"
"She will be." I move to stand beside him. "Once we deal with this."
I take a deep breath as I watch Sergio head to the door.