“We’ll figure it out, Acelina,” he promises, voice deep and steady. “That’s what you’re good at, right?”
He’s trying to lighten my mood and make me feel better. He doesn’t mean for his words to jar me, but they do. I don’t have much else. My parents are dead and gone, my remaining relatives want nothing to do with me, and I’ve never had anyone I could call a close friend.
Work was everything, and I put my heart and soul into it. I was good at it. I did figure things out. But now…now I’m questioning everything, starting with myself.
Jacques steps in closer, and his powerful aura closes in on me. Goosebumps break out along my arms, and Jacques sweeps his hand down, feeling the bumps on my flesh. I turn around, face-to-face with him.
He parts his lips, tongue darting out and leaving a trail of wetness in its wake. His large frame blocks out most of the light from the porch lights behind him, casting his wings in a sort of golden glow.
He’s so damn beautiful, and his deep, dark eyes hold back so much emotion. My heart lurches, and every fiber of my being aches to be held in his embrace. The feel of his arms around me is familiar and foreign at the same time.
“Ace,” he starts, saying my name softly, and inches forward. Heart in my throat, I turn my head up, breathing in everything around him. A soft breeze rustles my hair, blowing a few strands over my face. Reaching out, Jacques gently brushes it back, tucking my hair behind my ear, and then runs his hand down the length of my back, stopping right before my ass.
Shuffling forward, I take in a deep breath, breasts rising and falling against his chest. He moves his gaze from my eyes to my lips, and turns his head ever so slightly. His fingers inch down, playing with the hem of my pants. Heat rushes through me, leaving me feeling weak in the knees.
“Jac,” I whisper back, reaching up to touch his face. I cup my hand around his cheek, and he closes his eyes, leaning into my touch. His fingers slip past my pants, dancing over the top of my ass now. Groaning, he moves in, closing the distance between us, and wraps me in both arms.
And then he tenses, pushing me away as if I’m suddenly offensive. Without another word, he jumps off the porch, taking flight into the night.
Shuddering, I exhale heavily and pull my arms in around themselves.
“Jackass,” I mutter, though really, I have a hard time being mad at him, or any of the guys for that matter. Jacques’s past is still mostly a mystery to me, but I know being under a love spell, watching the woman he loved die, and then being cursed hasn’t been easy on him.
I grab my piece of pizza and close the box, leaving it out here for Jacques. I finish eating, grab my grimoire, and then go inside to shower and go to bed.
“Are you okay, Ace?” Thomas asks as I get into the kitchen. He’s leaning over the sink washing dishes, and the sight of this half-naked, muscular man with wings doing something as domestic as the dishes has me reeling.
Damn Jacques for getting me all hot and bothered.
“Long night, that’s all.” I force a smile, feeling bad for not going into it about the ghost. I just don’t want to right now, that’s all. “I smell like dead people, so I’m going to take a shower.”
He shakes soapy water from his hands and strides over, taking me in his arms. Planting a big kiss right on my lips, he dips me back and grabs my ass.
That’s one way to brighten my mood.
“If you need me to help you wash your back or anything, let me know.”
Smiling, I hook my arms around his neck. “Twice in one night? Are you getting greedy?”
He responds with a kiss and lifts me up, placing me on the kitchen counter. Stepping between my legs, he gives me his famous cocky grin. “I could fuck you all night and it wouldn’t be enough.” His lips land on my neck. “And I didn’t have you to myself. I suppose I am greedy.”
I smile, welcoming the distraction, and tip my head to the side so he can keep kissing my neck.
And then my phone rings, and I know by the ringtone that it’s work.
Groaning, I untangle from Thomas, who’s not ready to part ways yet, and grab my phone from the living room.
“Bisset,” I answer.
“Hi, Detective. This is Deena from the lab. We got the results back from the blood in the basement. It’s not human.”
“I’m not surprised. Have you narrowed down what kind of animal blood it is?”
“Kinds,” she says slowly. “It’s several different kinds of animals, and the full DNA report won’t be back until the morning. I wanted to let you know you’re off the case—literally—since it’s not human.”
“For curiosity’s sake, can you have the full report sent to me in the morning?”
“Sure thing.”
