Chapter 19
Jared
Waking up to find Selene plastered against my side isn’t an unwelcome surprise.
I can’t remember how we ended up in bed together, which is disappointing, especially since this is the first time I’ve had the pleasure of waking up with her in my arms. That, coupled with the throbbing beneath my skull, is cause for concern.
Gingerly, I sit up, careful not to jostle Selene too much—I don’t want to wake her.
Chances are if I’m this hungover, she probably ended up looking after my drunk arse last night.
The least I can do is let her sleep in. I remember having one beer with dinner—everything after that is a little…
fuzzy. But if I’m this hungover, I must have had more than one.
Shots maybe? God, I hope I didn’t do anything embarrassing.
Stealthily, I ease out of bed and tiptoe to the bathroom, hoping showering will help me feel more human. Demon. Whatever. I need a shower. Then coffee. Then I can worry about dealing with the aftermath of my drunken escapade.
After letting the hot water wash away my grogginess, I quietly change into jeans and a t-shirt.
My glasses aren’t in their case, which is odd.
It takes a little searching, but eventually I spot them peeking out of Selene’s coat pocket where it’s draped over the wingback armchair in the corner.
She still shows no sign of stirring, so I head downstairs without disturbing her.
Soft sunlight streams into the kitchen when I open the blinds, and I down a large glass of water while my eyes adjust to the light. I definitely drank too much last night.
A few minutes later I hear light footsteps. “Do I smell coffee?” Selene asks hopefully from the kitchen doorway.
My mouth goes dry. She’s wearing one of my t-shirts, the material falling to mid-thigh. The navy-blue fabric is a stark contrast to her fair skin, and I can’t help but think how much better it would look bunched up around her waist while I—
Shaking myself out of the lusty thought, I come back to reality. “Looks like sniffing out caffeine is a family trait,” I joke. “Here.”
Her fingers brush mine as she accepts the freshly filled mug. “About last night—”
“I am so sorry. The last thing I remember is us finishing dinner, but the headache I woke up with tells me I must have been a mess.”
Selene wheezes, choking on her coffee, and I rush to where she leans against the kitchen island to pat her on the back. “You don’t remember anything? At all?”
“No,” I reply, drawing out the word slowly. “Why, what did I do? What happened?”
“Nothing,” she answers quickly. Too quickly. God, it must have been bad if she doesn’t want to tell me.
“Seriously, what did I do?”
See peers up at me from beneath thick lashes. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“Nope. Blame the investigative reporter in me.” Leaning against the countertop opposite the island, I fold my arms across my chest ready to wait her out.
“Fine,” she grumbles. “After dinner, you got us another round of drinks from the bar. I got chatting to Dove and Cordie on my way back from the ladies’.
By the time I made it back to our table, you were plastered and saying you’d been drugged.
” My heart stops. I was drugged? “You weren’t, don’t worry,” she rushes to reassure me.
“But Mav, being the complete fucking idiot he is, thought it would be funny to give you a bottle of Devil’s Brew instead of a normal beer. ”
“Devil’s Brew?” That doesn’t sound good.
“Yeah. It’s magically infused beer specifically for demons.
You already know supes have a faster metabolism than humans?
” I nod, then wince, my tender head making me instantly regret the gesture.
Coffee, I need coffee. I pour myself a mug while Selene continues to explain what happened.
“A quicker metabolism means it’s more difficult for some supernaturals to feel the effects of normal alcohol—it depends on the type and magical strength of the supe. ”
“So, the Devil’s Brew…?”
“Got you drunker than a new student during freshers’ week? Yep.” She pops the ‘p’ then takes another sip of coffee, her bright-blue eyes sparkling with amusement.
“I’m glad you find this funny.” Selene shrugs one shoulder, her lips twitching in a half smile. “Wait, you said I had one bottle?”
“More like half.”
“If it’s meant for demons, why did it hit me so hard?”
“You’re still wearing this, remember?” She reaches into the neckline of my white t-shirt, pulling out the amulet and toying with the pendant for a moment before letting it fall against my chest. “Your magic’s dampened to the point you barely register as a demon to other supes—something Maverick, the fucking moron, knew full-well when he gave you the beer,” she seethes.
It’s pretty hot seeing her so riled up on my behalf.
If I weren’t still so hungover and worried about what I might have said and done last night, I might try to do something about it.
As it stands, I’ll have to settle for admiring her—not exactly a hardship.
What she said finally sinks into my sluggish brain. “Wait, so that means he messed with me on purpose?” I ask, affronted. I’ve barely spoken to the guy. Why would he do something like this?
“Yeah.” She loops her arms around my waist and rests her head against my chest as if needing to reassure herself that I’m fine. “Garrett was fuming. Mav’ll be lucky if he still has a job after pulling a stunt like that.”
Serves the arsehole right.
“Why do I feel like there’s more you’re not telling me?” I ask, using my thumb and forefinger to tilt her chin up so she’s looking at me.
Her breath catches, and her gaze falls to my lips before flicking back to meet my eyes. She swallows thickly before answering. “I think it’s best for your ego if we pretend like last night never happened.”
I grimace. “That bad, huh?”
“Not great.” She pats my cheek. “Don’t worry, I still love you.” Selene’s eyes go wide, and she freezes. “Um, no. That’s not… I mean I—”
“You love me?” I ask breathlessly, feeling like my entire existence hangs in the balance, euphoria or despair ahead depending on her answer.
“We said we’d take things slow.” She tries to look away, but I slide a hand into her dark hair, gently keeping her attention on me, not letting her shatter the moment.
“That’s not what I asked,” I say, lips brushing featherlight against hers. “Do you love me, Selene?”
“Yes.”
One light kiss to her lips. “Yes, what?”
Blue eyes narrow at me. “Yes, I love you. Happy?” she asks, a stubborn set to her jaw like she’s daring me to be anything other than overjoyed.
“The happiest I’ve ever been,” I reply solemnly, then lightly nip at her earlobe. “I love you too by the way. Just in case you were wondering.”
She smacks my chest with the back of her hand. “You’re such a dick.”
“But you love me,” I reply smugly, wrapping my arms around her waist and hugging her to me tightly.
“Yes, I fucking love you.” Selene glides her hands over my chest and up over my shoulders. “Now shut up and kiss me.”
Selene meets me halfway and, from the first brush of our lips, the kiss is electric. There’s no slow buildup, not this time. The dam holding us back has burst, and now there’s no stopping us.
Using my grip on her waist, I hoist her onto the kitchen island, and her thighs squeeze tightly around my hips. Selene slips her hands beneath the hem of my t-shirt exploring the planes of my torso. Keen to give her better access, I whip off the cotton shirt and toss it aside.
Selene’s blue eyes shine bright with desire as she drinks me in.
Recapturing her mouth with mine, I tangle my tongue with hers in a kiss full of filthy promises.
When I slip one hand beneath the hem of her borrowed t-shirt and skim my fingertips over her centre through her underwear, she gasps, her painted nails digging into my back.
Trailing kisses along my jaw and down my neck, her hands fall to my waistband where she toys with the button of my jeans. The whir of my zip sounds loud among our light gasps, but it’s nothing compared to my low moan when I feel Selene’s hand around me for the first time.
Moving her panties to the side, I glide a teasing finger along her seam and up to circle her clit without touching it.
She’s so wet for me, which only makes me harder as I repeat the movement.
Selene mewls in frustration, and I smile into the crook of her shoulder.
Giving as good as she gets, Selene caresses the length of my shaft, making my hips buck forward into her hand.
“I want to taste you,” I murmur between open-mouthed kisses, my voice thick with desire.
“Uh huh,” Selene rocks her hips searching for more friction, nodding.
“Need to hear you say it, Gorgeous.” I pull back marginally to look into her lust-glazed eyes.
“I want that.” She nips my lower lip. “I want you, Golden Boy.”
Lightly tugging the chain around my neck to pull me with her, she leans back on the cool countertop, propping herself up with one elbow. Eagerly, I chase her lips with mine, still teasing her.
Deciding I’ve played with her long enough, I remove her underwear and slowly drag up the hem of her t-shirt until it rests just above the soft curve of her stomach.
I wet my lips then yank her hips forward and tilt them up so quickly Selene gasps.
Leaning down I blow lightly right over her clit making her shudder.
I pause and she grips my forearms tightly. “Please, Jared.”
Taking off my glasses, I tap the frames lightly against the back of her hand.
“Hold these for me, Gorgeous.” Selene takes them, immediately setting them off to the side, while I contemplate how to begin.
She’s sprawled out like my personal banquet, and I’m ready to feast. Lowering my mouth to her wet heat, I dive in.