The soundproof door shuts behind him, and I stand up and climb free from the bed for the first time in over twenty hours. I could use a run or something to help my poor, tight limbs. Maybe after I shower I’ll do that. I want to wait on him for a shower though.
I pull on a robe, and the feel of fabric almost seems alien to my body after having spent so long naked. I know he wants privacy for that call, but I want to feel his arms around me. With fear of rejection surging forth as a likely possibility, I make my way onto the balcony.
He smirks and rolls his eyes when he sees me, and I breathe out a sigh of relief when he doesn’t get mad. He opens his arms and I go to straddle his lap, my lips instantly pressing against his neck the moment I sit down.
“Are you going to be in Stringham for the hearing?” the man on the other line asks.
“No. I’ll be in Chessire by tomorrow afternoon. We’re getting out of border cities right now.”
“I think you should be in Stringham for this. I’m surprised you’re not going to be. Is it because of that girl your sister was telling me about?” the man’s gruff, disapproving voice interjects.
My stomach knots, and I lean back to see Jase still smiling, not really looking mad, despite my obvious intrusion. He pulls me back to his chest, and his lips stroll over my forehead.
“Maybe it is, but I'm also needed in Chessire more than I’m needed in Stringham. They found some leads, and my girl is going to track from the drone footage.”
“You know how dangerous it is for you to get involved with just anyone,” the man snaps.
Dangerous?
“Good thing she’s not just anyone, Dad. I need to go right now. I’ve got to get ready for a conference call with some of the other officials here.”
He hangs up, and his smile finds my lips - my foolishly grinning lips that is. He called me his girl.
“You, pretty girl, need to stop acting so damn timid around me,” he lightly scolds, his lips still etched up in a grin.
“I just… well you were… I’m sorry,” I huff out.
This is new. I’ve never been in an actual relationship, and I don’t know how to be. I just don’t want to do anything stupid to piss him off.
He sighs out, and then he tilts my chin up to force my eyes to stare into his.
“You can’t worry about this ending all the time. I don’t want you walking around too afraid to tell me what’s on your mind. Not to mention, I happen to love you, and in case you haven’t noticed, I’m a little engulfed in you too.”
I grin so foolishly, and then my lips find his. He shakes his head while pulling back, and he stands with my legs still wrapped around his waist.
“So, how do you know about my kind?” I ask in a near whisper as he carries me back into the room.
“You don’t have to whisper,” he says while putting me down. “No one outside this room can hear us. This room is heavily padded. It’s one of the reasons I always request the best.”
I smirk, and then I follow him into the kitchen where he pulls down the coffee.
“Did you deliberately avoid my question, or did you just sidestep it by accident?”
He smiles his secretive grin, and then he shrugs while resuming the task of making the early morning brew.
“I learned about them a long time ago actually. I don’t think you want the details, and I don’t want to lie to you.”
Lie to me? Why would he have to lie to me? It’s my burden.
He turns back around while shaking his head.
“Just because you come from a place others don’t understand, it doesn’t make you unworthy. Stop acting as though it does,” he almost scolds.
I sit back, uncertain of why he’s so passionate about this. He’s acting like he’s the one who has been dealing with it for centuries instead of me.
“I don’t feel unworthy. Believe me, that’s not my problem. I feel unaccepted. That’s all,” I say to clarify, and a smile comes to his lips.
“You’re starting to be a little more honest with me these days. I like that,” he says with his adorable grin, and then he walks around to kiss me.
