Proximity
Jayce
“Idon’t recall much about them, but they’re in the Book of Immortals.” I rake my fingers through my hair, not missing the way her eyes darken as they trail over me. She swallows and averts her gaze.
Even now, she can’t hide how she feels; I don’t even need my intuition to figure that out.
“Do you remember anything much?” she asks, her soft voice sending a shiver through me. She can’t even fucking turn off the seduction.
“Not really; they were a species that was said to have been annihilated, so I didn’t pay much attention to them.
I admit that was carelessness on my part.
I didn’t think it was a priority, shows how wrong I was,” I mutter quietly, frowning.
She hugs herself, emphasising the curve of her breasts.
This is a fucking serious problem, and instead I’m focusing on things I shouldn’t.
“Then can you tell someone in England to read up on it? Your grandfather, maybe?” she asks softly.
“I could…” I trail off and observe her. “Of all people, why did you say my grandfather?”
Did Theo tell her something about his assumptions of the traitor, via Heaven maybe?
“He’s wise,” she answers smoothly. Not a lie… but not the only reason. I know her better than that. But I don’t push it.
“I could, but clearly this thing was inviting you in, which means it’s dangerous for you to be here.”
“No, I’m not the only one it’s called to; it can’t be that dangerous,” she says quietly, but she doesn’t believe that either. “Ahren felt something, too.”
“What is with you guys and your fucking secrets?” I say icily, irritated.
“I didn’t keep a secret this time. I came, and I told you,” she points out, her voice soft yet firm. “I’m trying, Jayce, I’m trying to be better.”
I still, feeling something clamping around my heart. Don’t fucking try then… I don’t need this.
I turn my head sharply towards her. “And what do you think that’s going to get you?” I ask harshly.
She shakes her head. “Nothing. I just want to do better.”
Our eyes meet, a thousand fucking things left unspoken.
Give me a reason to hate you, not fucking love you.
The tension pulls taut between us, and she takes a shuddering breath before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll let you get some sleep. Good night…” She moves past me, sparks jolting through my skin as we make contact.
My nostrils flare, and it takes all my strength to keep myself calm.
“Stay.”
She freezes, her hand inches from the handle. “What?” she asks, spinning towards me.
I narrow my eyes, plastering on the coldest, most unbothered expression I can manage. “Your vision – dream – whatever you want to call it, it might return, and I’m clearly still the one who grounds you. So, it might be wise to stay until morning, when we can discuss what steps to take next.”
Her heart races as she looks at the bed, and then those lashes flutter up. She’s still shaken over the dream, even if she does her best to hide it, and if those dreams have any control over her, then we don’t need a fucking repeat of what happened with Helios.
“Get some sleep,” I say curtly as I jerk my head towards the bed.
“What about you?” she asks as she walks over to it slowly.
“I’ll be near.” I don’t bother breaking it down for her. She still hesitates before glancing at me.
“I can go get my blanket and pillow-”
“Get on the fucking bed,” I command, cutting her off.
Her eyes widen, her cheeks burning before she pouts, frowning slightly.
For a moment, I think she’s about to argue before she slips under the blanket with a bit more flair than necessary; still, she says nothing to me, but that small frown remains in place.
If you’re pissed at me, show me.
I drop to the ground beside the bed, my back resting against it.
I can feel her eyes on the back of my skull, but I refuse to look at her.
I close my eyes for a second, trying to ignore the cold that will just get worse as the night passes.
I cross my ankles and take out a cigarette, lighting it and then resting my arm on the edge of the bed.
She sighs heavily behind me, but I ignore her, waiting for her to fall asleep. I feel her stare prickle the back of my neck, hear her heart pounding. And then she’s touching me; it’s light, her fingers simply ghosting the back of my neck, but her hand stays there, creating a connection.
She was scared, the way her face was pale, her heart racing; she was trying to keep it together, and I hated how I wanted to pull her into my arms and comfort her when she showed me that dream of hers. Stupid fucking bond.
I take a few drags on my cigarette before putting it out. I won’t be able to sleep with her right behind me.
It takes about fifteen to twenty minutes before her heart rate becomes steadier as she falls into a slumber. I close my own eyes, resisting the urge to lean against her hand that remains on the back of my neck.
The cold is beginning to creep into my bones, but I try not to focus on it, hoping I can get some sleep myself. But it refuses to come to me, and I find myself replaying her dream on repeat, trying to pick up on things we may have missed.
A soft sigh comes from her as she stirs, making me turn my head slightly, and I make the mistake of looking at her.
She’s reverted to her demon form, her glamour gone.
My eyes move of their own free will, trailing over her, knowing exactly what’s beneath that blanket.
Her plush lips are slightly parted, and my throat suddenly feels dry.
I feel myself harden, a tent forming in my pants, and I jerk away from the bed, my eyes blazing as my wolf comes forward, his possessive growl emanating through my head.
He wants her.
And he’s fighting me for control. My heart thuds as I turn my back on her.
I’ve never felt my wolf so out of control as he has been since I marked her, to the point I fear my fucking control might shatter.
I know that an alpha wolf is more primal, but I’ve always prided myself on my control, and right now the urge to pin her to that bed and fuck her brains out is all I can think of.
And it’s fucking terrifying.
I force myself back on the ground, leaning back against the bed just as I had, feeling her fingers brush my neck as they did before, allowing her that contact in case she needs it.
I won’t be sleeping tonight… Fuck!
My wolf prowls in my mind, and I can almost hear his irritation, as if wanting to know why I’m being firm on my stance… I stare at the far wall, clenching my jaw.
I refuse to let myself go down that path. I put my walls up, forcing my wolf behind them. I feel his power surge against my own will, but ultimately, the emotions within me win, and I block him out.
Exhaling, I lean my head back against the bed and close my eyes, hoping to get some sleep.
Sleep finally came, only to be woken up suddenly by a knock on my door. I’m about to jerk upright, only to realise I can’t move thanks to the vice grip on my hair.
What the fuck?
I touch my head, and sure enough, Sienna is holding onto it, and not just a gentle hold; her fingers are tangled in so tightly, just as she would when I was eating her out.
I don’t need that image now; I glance down, and my dick is already hard.
“What is it?” I ask, my voice rough as I glance at the time; it’s only 6.00 am
Sienna moans, and I twist, clamping my hand over her mouth. Her eyes fly open, sleep still coating them.
“Jayce, I know she’s fucking in there; open this door!” Uncle Alejandro growls.
Fuck! I curse silently.
“How about no?” I challenge. What am I? Ten? Sienna seems to realise her hand is in my hair and lets go. Her cheeks flush as I remove my own hand from her mouth.
“Don’t test me, fucker,” Uncle Alejandro growls back.
Sienna sits up quickly and fixes her top that’s sliding off her shoulder, her curls tumbling in front of her face, still a little out of it and looking so fucking perfect.
I glance down at the tent in my pants, but since he wants to be a dickhead, he can enjoy the fucking view.
Pissed off, I grab a cigarette and lighter before I yank the door open to reveal a glowering Alejandro.
“What do you want?” I ask coldly.
He looks between us, raising a brow, before he sighs. I’m sure he can fucking smell that nothing happened; either way, it’s none of his fucking business.
“There’s been some activity at the dome. Mikhail thinks there may be a chance for something to appear; we should prepare. We’re about to head out soon.”
“We already know what’s in there, and that’s why she’s in here,” I say as I light my cigarette and take a drag.
He grunts as he looks at Sienna, whose cheeks are burning.
“What the fuck do you mean?” Uncle Alejandro asks, his face now becoming serious.
I glance at Sienna, who looks back at me, her gaze dipping to the front of my pants before she looks away, her cheeks flushing. I don’t miss the way she presses her thighs together; it’s subtle, but there’s nothing about her that goes unnoticed…
As if sensing me still watching her, she glances at me, and the air becomes charged.
Uncle Alejandro clears his throat, and for once, he looks like he might not want to be here. I smirk. “Do come in. Sienna can fill you in. I’ll be right back.”
He grunts, and I walk out, heading to the washroom. I need to get rid of this fucking wood, something that I don’t fucking like doing because every single time it’s her who comes to mind.
Ten minutes later, I’ve washed up, brushed my teeth, and, no longer sporting a hard-on, I return to my room, where Sienna is towards the end of telling Uncle Alejandro what happened.
“You need to get out of here,” he says, now standing up. “Until we know more, you aren’t safe here. Ahren was planning to leave. The three of you are going to return to England ASAP.”
“Wait, what do you mean, the three of us?” I ask sharply.
“If you’re the one thing that can keep her grounded, then yeah, the three of you,” he growls as he stands up.
“I didn’t mean-” Sienna begins, but I’m not fucking hearing it. I don’t need her defending me.