“Jess,” he whispered, curling his hips up to me. Begging me to take him any way I would.
I flicked him again before dragging myself lightly against the tip and returning to sitting. I lined up, pretended like I was going to tease him just a bit more, then sat down.
“Fu—” He bit back the word and jolted like he’d just grabbed a live wire.
My eyes fluttered shut with how good it felt to be filled by him. I jerked my hips as he thrust upward, the two of us crashing together. He moaned, long and low. I matched him, working toward my apex. His slide within me was forceful, the thrust creating friction that wound me tightly. I groaned, arching. I clenched around him, working faster now, harder. Nearly cresting. Almost there.
“Now, baby,” he commanded, and I blasted apart. He clutched me, shuddering his climax. The waves of pleasure rolled over me, and I vibrated in the aftermath.
My breathing was ragged as I lay over him. I nestled into his neck, kissing softly, giving him a chance to come down. And then I started to tease again, this time with little nips and the grazing of my lips.
“Your plan is to kill me by way of teasing tonight, is that it?” His voice was a deep thrum in his chest.
“We shall see.”
That wasexactlymy plan, and I carried it out to perfection. By the time our fun ended, he was putty in my hands. He curled around me possessively, let out a deep sigh of contentment, and fell asleep. I’d done what I could. Tomorrow, he’d have to shoulder the weight of the convocation’s future.
SEVENTEEN
Jessie
The next day, Broken Sue and Tristan waited for us in the living room of the suite. Aurora sat on the couch, able to inject herself into the situation because of family status. She’d chosen to hang out with us over her dad because we were, apparently, the more interesting party. I wasn’t sure aboutthat, but we were certainly the less organized.
Mr. Tom was in the bathroom, working around Austin to finish straightening up after taking over my makeup application. He’d also taken over my wardrobe selection, even though we’d collectively chosen the pantsuit and matching accessories in O’Briens. Clearly, he was trying to ensure he was needed at all times; I supposed he hadn’t forgotten being left out of my affairs in Kingsley’s territory.
I stopped in the middle of the room and pointed at Broken Sue. In the past, he’d apologized for giving me a once-over and declaring I was fit for a professional setting. It had been a habit of his as a former alpha. Now, his expertise was truly needed.
He gave me a small grin. Following Aurora’s lead, he’d been allowing more expression in my presence, as they clearly thought I was beyond saving. He inclined his head.Checks out.Or maybegood to go.Hell, it could’ve beenclose enough, and I’d be none the wiser.
“You look great, Jessie,” Aurora said, her eyes glittering. She was laughing at me. “Very boss bitch. You’ll fit in perfectly.”
“Well.” Tristan wiggled his hand. “With your crew, I’m not sure about the fitting in part…”
I rolled my eyes at his teasing, making him laugh.
Mr. Tom came bustling out. “Now, let’s see, how about some coffee? No, what am I saying—you sometimes get jittery when coffee and nerves collide. Tea? Water? A laxative?”
“You’re worried about her being jittery, but the sudden urge to crap herself is okay?” Tristan asked incredulously.
Mr. Tom scoffed and waved his hand. “I meant chocolate. Austin Steele’s pulses of power have me addled. Would you like a chocolate, miss?”
“No, I’m fine, thanks.” I slipped on my heels.
“It’s customary for alphas to go barefoot to meetings like this,” Broken Sue said. “In case there’s a heated debate leading into a challenge, the alpha will want to change as quickly as possible.” He half turned to Aurora. “Unless things have changed?”
“Susan is correct,” Aurora said, and I snickered at the name. “Alphas of this caliber rarely challenge in a professional setting like this, especially since my dad knows them very well, but it’s a custom and a precaution.”
“Austin told me all that.” I stopped by the window with my hands clasped behind my back, looking out but not seeing anything. Spells were whizzing through my mind. “I don’t need to shift to be deadly—I just need my hands. I can smear an attacker across a wall.” I turned back to show how serious anda little horrified I was by that. “I canliterallysmear a person across a wall. It sounds so gross.”
“Then why did you learn how?” Tristan asked with a lopsided smile. He tended to enjoy gruesome things. A big lover of Halloween, that guy. It was a wonder he didn’t make friends with the dolls and gnomes.
I turned back to the window. “Honestly, each spell was more horrifying than the last, and I couldn’t stop myself. It was like watching a car accident. I wanted to turn away, I didn’t want to see the carnage, and yet my eyes were glued. I learned half the spell book before the nightmares started getting bad. I haven’t returned to it. Yet.”
I didn’t see their reactions. They were probably talking among themselves without words.
“I can slice off a head.” I cut my hand through the air. “Just slice it right off. It’s supposed to be a clean slice, too. It takes a lot of power, so I’d really only have the one go with it. If I miss, it’d probably be curtains because I wouldn’t have the energy to keep fighting.”
“Why would you use all your energy on one person?” Broken Sue asked.
