Listen
She opens her eyes and her attention goes straight to the message on the window just above me. If believing in me could manifest my true immortal form for her, then maybe if she opens her mind to hearing my words, she will.
“Tempest?”
“Holy shit.” Her pale stare flicks back to me, and relief washes through my veins.
It worked! I want to go to her, rub my body against hers, comfort her with its soft warmth. It’s so different from my usual chill, but something tells me that will only scare her more. So Istay still and wait, watching the rise and fall of her chest as she steadies her breathing.
Her gaze narrows and she crosses her arms. “You didn’t need to chase him off.”
“I know I didn’tneedto. But it was enjoyable.”
“Not enjoyable.” Jolie’s voice is stern, but the corner of her mouth quirks. “Messed up.”
“He clearly wasn’t getting the hint. I just helped things along. Or would you rather I left him to guilt you into pleasuring him further?”
She bites her bottom lip, as if thinking it over, but the movement leaves me entranced. I wonder what she’d taste like against my lips, between my teeth. When we’re finally together, I’ll explore her for days, learning every inch of her.
“I could have handled it.”
“I have no doubts that you could. Doesn’t mean I didn’t like doing it myself. Besides, he deserved it.”
“How do you know what he does or doesn’t deserve?”
“I know enough to know whatyoudeserve.”It’s a better answer than admitting that I’ve observed them before.
Her arms remain crossed and her shoulders stiffen, almost imperceptibly. “And what do I deserve?”
“You deserve someone hellbent on loving you.”The air sweetens, the pulse within me amplifying. I swallow down what the sensations do to me.“You deserve someone who listens, wants to learn you and your body inside and out, sees your presence in their life for the gift that it is. You deserve someone who makes you feel alive.”
It was probably too intense of an admission, but it’s one I need her to know, even if this somehow ends up being the last time she wants to see me.
“Let’s just talk about something else. Like how a giant wolf is in my bedroom, talking to me.” Her pupils eclipse the pale blue of her irises, but her lips are pressed in a firm line.
Shit. I said too much.
Although, she hasn’t asked me to leave and her shoulders aren’t raised or tense. They have lowered. The fear that flowed from her earlier has muted to the backdrop and lessens with each passing moment.
“I’ve been waiting for you to return all day…” She bites her lip again, and I clamp my jaw, not wanting to growl at how much I love when she does it. “Didn’t know if you’d come back.”
“I’ll always come back.”I can’t ignore the way her admission vibrates through my entire being. Maybe she does still sense our bond. When is it too soon to tell a mortal that they are your mate? My words are clipped as I try to stifle my joy, not willing to get overexcited and scare her again.“You were waiting? For me?”
“Yeah. I still have questions.”
Oh.So it’s about what was left unanswered this morning. I huff, trying to not sound disappointed when I speak again.“What do you want to know?”
After hesitating a moment, she crosses the room to her desk. While she hasn’t panicked as much as your average mortal would over a wolf appearing in their bedroom, it’s clear Jolie’s still wary of me. Not that I can blame her. She picks up her journal and plops into the chair next to it, then she sways side to side, tucking her legs under her. Pen in her shaky grasp, she taps at the page.
“Have we met before?” Her voice cracks, then she sucks in a breath, pointing to the two spots vacant of responses on the page. “I-I think I saw you—or your eyes, at least—the day of the accident. My mom’s car crashed with us both inside of it. Iknow it might sound crazy… Well, probably not considering I’m talking to a giant wolf in my bedroom, but were you there?”
I inhale deeply, using the moment to carefully choose my words.
Don’t tell her you’re her mate, Jax.
I repeat it to myself a few times before I actually respond.“Yes. I was the one who found you in the car that day, below the ice.”
Her brows lift. Then they furrow, creases lining her forehead, so adorable that I want to kiss every inch of them. “Did you pull me from the wreck?”
