~ FOURTEEN ~

WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, Jessie watched Tobias emerge from the barn, leading two horses. She stood up. “What are you doing with horses?”

“We’re going for a ride.”

“That’s not happening.” She shook her head, taking a step back. “You can go for a ride all by yourself. I’ll be right here waiting for you.”

“Get over here.”

She felt something funny in her head. A wave of energy. A push. She took a step toward him and, shaking her head, she stopped. “You just tried to use a compulsion on me.”

He smiled and shrugged his wide shoulders, looking far too innocent to ever believe him. “It wasn’t me.”

“Really?”

“I would never use a compulsion to get what I want from you.”

“That’s a relief.” He wanted to play. “I guess the best thing to do is to return it to the sender.” A gust of psychic energy rushed past him, knocking his hat from his head. “Oops. Since you’re an innocent little altar boy, I guess my aim is a tad bit off.”

“Don’t worry,” he knelt to pick his hat up, “everyone has an off day every now and then.” He dusted his hat off and put it on his head. “No harm done.” Leading one of the horses, he walked over to her.

“It’s huge. And it…it smells really funny.” The horse lowered its head and pushed its head against her chest. “It’s trying to bite me.”

“I’m not surprised. You probably hurt his feelings by saying he smells funny.”

“Are you suggesting that I should just let him bite me because I hurt his feelings?”

“Of course not. Right now, while he’s being pushy, is the best time for you to take charge and show him who’s the boss.”

“How?”

“If he bites you, bite him right back.”

“That’s gross.” He got behind her to help her get up. “Just put your foot in the stirrup and hop up.”

“This is a terrible, rotten idea.” She shook her head. “The worst ever.”

“He’s gentle. I promise you’ll be fine.”

“I will hate you for forever if I fall.”

“You won’t.”

She grabbed the saddle and started to lift her foot but stopped when he laughed. “What do you find so amusing?”

“Try the other foot unless you’re planning to swing your leg over his head and ride him backwards.”

She turned her head to glare at him.

“I’m sure he won’t mind. But I bet you’ll enjoy the view better the other way.”

“That’s weird.” She sighed. “I haven’t fallen yet, and I already hate you.”

“Stop stalling. Get on up.”

He helped her up, handed her the reins, and walked over to the other horse.

“What do I do?”

“Give him a little nudge to get him moving.”

“I don’t want him to move.”

“Come on,” he laughed. Luckily, since her horse followed his, she didn’t need to do anything other than remain in the saddle.

“Where are we going?”

“It’s hot. I thought I’d take you to a nice little swimming hole to cool off.”

 ***

Amber stopped and turned to face Wes. “Stop following me.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked.

“I’m going after Guss.”

He shook his head. “Forget it. I won’t allow it.”

“I will not let Tobias get himself killed because he isn’t thinking with his brain.”

“Your brother knows how to take care of himself. He has fought many battles. You need to stay the hell out of his way.”

“He’s my brother. He is all I have left. You need to go away, far away, and you need to mind your own business.”

“I am your mate. I am not going anywhere. You are my business. You will listen to me.”

“Actually, I will do as I please.”

“This isn’t a game. Stay the fuck out of your brother’s way.”

“Go find someone else to bother, Wes.” She glared at him. “Tobias is the only family I have left. I will not lose him.”

His eyes darkening, he lifted his lips in a ruthless smile. “You’ll get him killed if you get in his way. He knows what he’s doing. He has a plan. You have enough of your family’s blood on your hands.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You are the reason he’s the only family you have left.”

“I am not a child anymore.” She glared at him, refusing to allow him to see how deeply his words hurt. He was a cruel son of a bitch, but he was right. She’d gotten her parents killed by getting in her father’s way. 

“You’re behaving like a child. He knows what needs to be done and he’ll get it done. You need to stay the hell out of his way, so he doesn’t end up dead like your…”

“Fuck off,” she blurted.

“Your parents are dead because you got in the way and forced your father to choose between his life and yours. They didn’t have to die. He would’ve walked away from that battle to fight another. Just as he’d done for thousands of years before you were born.”

She would never escape the guilt of causing their deaths. Her mother ended her life within hours of her father’s death. She didn’t even try to go on without him. “You’re right. I killed my father and my mother.  But I’ve learned many things since then. I can help him. I will help him.”

“He already told you that he doesn’t need or want your help.”

“His head is so far up his ass he’ll never pull it out. You know damn well he can’t start a war with another demon while his mate is still mortal.”

“He started the war hundreds of years ago. You don’t get to decide what he can and cannot do about it now. It’s his mess. He created it.”

“She’ll get caught in the middle of it and die. And then what? You know damn well her death will destroy him. He’ll follow her.” Just like her mother followed her father.

“It’s his choice.”

“Only because you opened your fucking mouth and told him about Guss.” She turned to walk away.

He grabbed her arm and turned her around. “Keeping it from him was a mistake. I’ve been watching over his mate for you. I could’ve lost you. And why? Because you refuse to stop acting like a child. I only agreed to go along with your ridiculous plan to go after Gus without letting Tobias know to make you happy. No more. I am done playing games with you. It’s time for you to grow up.”

Since she would never be able to overpower him physically, she knew better than to try. She smiled at him, putting on a mask of serenity to hide her hatred for him. “I love your eyes, Wes.” She framed his face with her hands. “When you look at me, your smile reaches them, and suddenly everything is okay. I’m tired of waiting.”

Tilting his head to the side, he narrowed his gaze on hers. “This morning you were worried about rushing.”

“Not anymore,” she whispered against his throat. 

“I don’t believe you.”

“It’s true.” She moved her palms over his shoulders and chest while nipping and kissing his throat. “To be honest, right now, I am much more worried about missing out on all the things I want to do to you.” She bit his chin. “And the things I want you to do to me.”

“Oh, damn,” he growled, lowering his head to hers and claiming her mouth with his. His lips were hot and firm against hers. Gripping her thigh, he lifted her leg to curve it around his hip. He kissed her deeply, passionately. A long, liquid kiss that would’ve led to breathtaking, mind-bending pleasures if she didn’t hate him so thoroughly.

She waited, counting the seconds, until she was absolutely certain he was too distracted to prevent her from leaving. Then, hiding her path, she shifted away.

***

Jessie leaned forward to look over the edge of the rock ledge. “Wow.” The ground crumbled beneath her right foot. She gasped, expecting to fall into the water ten feet below, but Tobias wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back.

“I considered warning you to stay a little further from the edge.” He held her close and, lowering his head, he rested his chin on her shoulder. “But I was hoping for an excuse to hold you.”

“You risked my life for it?”

“Not at all.” He brushed his lips against her ear. “I never planned to let you fall.”

“What if you weren’t able to catch me in time to prevent me from falling?”

He pushed her hair back and feathered kisses down her neck to her shoulder and back up to her ear. “I’m pretty fast.”

“And sneaky. But you should know that you don’t need an excuse to touch me. I sort of like feeling your hands on my body.”

“Only sort of?”

“Sort of a bunch,” she teased. “This has to be the most beautiful place I have ever seen.” Lifting her hand to shield her eyes from the sun, she looked up at the top of the waterfalls. “It’s huge. It’s amazing.” She lowered her gaze to follow the water’s path to a huge natural pool beneath them. “The water is so clear. How deep is it?”

“About fifteen to twenty feet in the center.”

“It really is beautiful, Tobias. Thanks for sharing it with me.”

“I used to spend a great deal of time here.”

“I can understand why. It seems very peaceful.”

“I always found it to be soothing. Honestly, I forgot how beautiful it is.”

“How did you forget?” she asked.

 “I lost hope.”

“What could you possibly hope for? If you don’t have something you can get it.”

“Except one.”

“What?”

“You.”

“That was very smooth. How often have you brought women here and used that line?”

“Never. I thought of this as our place. I’ve never shared it with anyone. I’ve spent many hours here thinking of you, dreaming of you.”

“I want to believe you. It’s too bad it sounds crazy.”

“It’s true.”

“My life is so screwed up, Tobias. I’m no good for you, for anyone. I am a living, breathing nightmare.”

“I’m sure you’ve figured out that I have a few flaws. In fact, your life has only been difficult because I made a bad decision hundreds of years ago.”

“You’re only willing to own up to a few flaws?”

“I might have more than a few.”

“Why did you stop coming here?”

“I gave up.”

“You moved on?”

He turned her around and lifted her face to force her to meet his gaze. “Are you asking if I replaced you?”

She shrugged. “I guess so.”

“I’ve never had a desire to share myself, my mind, my soul, my body with any other woman. You’re my mate.”

“Sex doesn’t have to be a deep connection.”

“My father raised me to honor my mate, our bond in everything I do.”

“Before we met?”

“I belonged to you. Just as I do now. Only you.”

“You said that you’d given up. You’d lost hope.”

“That I would find you.” He frowned. “Not that you existed.”

It wasn’t what she expected to hear. Believing she’d offended him, she took a few steps away from him and sat down.  

“I believed that I’d failed to find you during your life time.” He extended his hand to her. “Come here.” She placed her hand into his and he tugged her to her feet. “You didn’t offend me. We were simply communicating. That’s a good thing. I don’t want to keep secrets from you.”

“You’re too good to be real.” Wrapping his arms around her, he bent down to tuck her head beneath his chin. She was his world. She owned his heart and soul. She was everything to him. “Give it time. I am certain I’ll mess up and you’ll change your mind.”

“I doubt it. I can’t rightfully judge you too harshly. I know it’s really hard to believe but I have a few bad habits.”

“More than using rude hand gestures and saying dirty, nasty, vile words when you get riled.”

“I never get mad.” She tilted her head back and narrowed her gaze onto his. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

“I’m going to have a hell of a time keeping your mouth busy.”

“How so?”

“I am sure I can come up with something.”

“Show me.” She linked her fingers behind his neck.

He didn’t hesitate. He claimed her mouth with his, kissing her deeply, savoring the taste of her kiss, the feel of her lips moving over his. He would never get enough of her. He wanted her, needed her so damn much. Rather than allow himself to lose control, he tore his mouth from hers. “How was that?”

“Not bad.”

“Really?”

“I had imagined something much more spectacular.”

“I accept the challenge to come up with something that will blow your mind.” He jumped off the ledge and turned to help her. “Come on.”

“You’re planning to catch me?”

“I am.”

“It’s too far. I weigh too much. You can’t catch me.” She sat down and scooted to the edge.

“What are you doing?” he laughed.

“I’m jumping.”

“It looks like you’re planning to slide off the edge.”

“It’s better than crushing you.” She slipped off the edge right into his arms.

“You are far too small to crush me.”

“I have to admit that you do appear strong enough to catch me.” She moved her hands up his broad, heavily muscled chest to his shoulders. His eyes darkened, as a low groan escaped his throat. Her desire for him escalated. He was incredibly hot. Sexy as hell. She saw him. She felt him. His true dark, savage nature. But that wasn’t what frightened her. Wanting him, needing him, is what scared the hell out of her.

He stepped out of her reach and started to take his clothes off.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

He continued to strip down to his underwear. “As much as I would love to allow you to have your way with me, I can’t.”

He was so damn sexy. When she finally managed to tear her eyes off his body, she looked up to meet his gaze. “That’s a relief.”

“I brought you here to take you for a swim.” He waved his hand, removing every stitch of her clothing except her bra and panties.

She gasped, looking down at herself. “That was not okay, Tobias.” She went completely still, too startled to do much of anything. “Having the ability to do something doesn’t give you the right to do it.”

Grinning wickedly, his expression completely lacking any hint of remorse, he held his hand out to her. “Come here.”

She took a step back. “I’m fine right here.”

“You’re getting into the water with me.”

“You first.”

“Nope.” Catching the nape of her neck, he bent his head and kissed her. Then, causing her to laugh, he scooped her up and spun around. “A generous lover always makes sure his lady goes over the edge first.” He tossed her into the water.