Chapter Thirty-Four
Since the new safe house wasn't quite ready for us yet, Jared took me back to his apartment where he'd been staying before he knew that he was descended from dhampirs. Back before all this madness had started for him. He and his sister had worked on setting up some minor wards around the place when Collin first started dating Talon. They didn't offer the greatest level of protection, but since we weren't going to be staying for long, that was enough.
It did mean that I had to wait outside for a couple of minutes until Jared had removed the anti-vampire sigils from around his front door. "I'll replace those later," he said as he let me in.
"It's going to be a pain, doing that every time I want to leave."
"It's only for now," Jared reminded me.
I nodded instead of arguing, because honestly? On the inside, I was a little giddy at getting to look around Jared's place. Not just the room at the safe-house that he'd barely lived in, but his actual apartment, where every corner was filled with something that spoke of him. From the framed puzzles in the hall to the collection of model figure magazines in the living room and the pictures that hung on the walls. Many of the photographs showed family members. His current family as well as his old. My eyes stuck to a row of images that showed various model ships in bottles.
All the letters Jared had sent over the years...
"You really don't regret it?" I asked, studying the photographs and wondering how much work must have gone into each of these models.
"Regret what?" Jared closed up to me, resting his hand on my lower back.
"Forgetting," I nodded at the pictures.
Jared took a long moment to think, his gaze wandering over the photographs. "I remember some. I don't think the people you love can ever truly be forgotten. The impression they left on me... the impact they made on my life... that's more than just memories."
"I guess maybe you're right," I said. "It's still sad."
"Don't worry about it." Jared's hand crept higher as he spoke, to the back of my neck. "Do you want more of your memories back?"
"No, I'm fine. I'd rather focus on the present." I turned to face him. "On my coven with you."
Jared's lips twitched up. It wasn't a full smile, but almost. Good enough for me. Hot enough to make me lean in and press a kiss to his mouth. He pulled me closer, one hand still on the back of my neck, the other snaking around my waist. I twined my arms around his neck, breathing him in before another kiss took my breath away. His mouth felt so good on mine. Like everything I'd ever wanted and never knew I needed.
In Jared's arms, I felt whole.
Nicolai had never made me feel like that. Nicolai had only ever been interested in breaking me down.
My breath caught at the memory of my sire, but I pushed through my discomfort. I wasn't going to let him take this away from me anymore. Touching Jared's cheek with my own, I whispered into his ear. "Bedroom?"
"Are you sure that's what you want?"
"Absolutely." I knew it was whathewanted too, his desire gliding over my senses like a warm caress. Like the first rays of the summer sun on bare skin.
Jared studied me for a short moment, then led me into his bedroom. At some point, I was going to take a closer look at all the pictures on his bedroom walls, all the books and trophies on his shelf, but for now, I only had eyes for the bed.
I wanted Jared, and not the way I'd had him before. I wanted him without compromise, without my sire's voice in my head. I wanted him in me.
I lay down on the bed and beckoned my man closer. "Take my clothes off."
There was no hesitation in Jared's features as he joined me on the bed and lifted my shirt. His large hands brushed against my skin, sending a shiver of anticipation down my spine. I waited for that voice in my head to speak up, to tell me that this was wrong, but it never came. Still, I held my breath, unable to believe my luck as Jared's fingers worked on the button of my pants.
"This okay?" he asked, never faltering in his motions.
I raised my hips to make it easier for him to pull my jeans down. "Don't stop." Because if he did, the spell would break, and I didn't wantthat.
"Tell me if—"
"I'm fine. Keep going."
"Just remember we're not in any rush."
Not in any rush... I almost laughed, but then my pants came off and I had a better idea. Reaching up with one hand, I pulled Jared down to crush our lips together—and with my other hand, I grabbed Jared's and guided it toward my cock. Already I was half-hard. That should be indication enough for him how much I wanted this. How much I wanted him.
