Chapter 8

Nick held his hands out, palms open wide towards her and took a step back, trying to indicate his lack of desire to harm her. In response she stood up slowly and turned enough to keep him and the man that was awake and still lying on his back, in her sights. "Good to hear I made a big impression." He told her, trying to defuse the situation. One quick look at her adversaries and he knew they were harmless. They weren't trying to harm her; they were trying to protect her. Apparently he wasn't the only one worried about her safety.  "I'm glad you remember me." He confessed to her with a pleased smile. "What are you doing here?" She asked, the annoyance in her voice was self-directed because she had no better comeback. "I was just across the street when I saw you being chased by these two. I thought you might need help." "I don't believe in coincidences" She informed him, eyeing him skeptically. "How do I know you're not with them?" Nick crossed his arms and rocked back on his heels. "Because if I was, you'd be the one on your back," he taunted. Following his words, images flashed through his mind of her doing just that. Not as the outcome of a battle between them but a dance between lovers. His wolf wanted to howl in agreement and a certain part of his anatomy began to stir in response to his wicked thoughts. The sudden tightness in his jeans almost made him groan. He couldn’t recount ever being turned on with just a thought. Frantically he ran through mathematical equations in his mind, trying to reign in his raging libido. It had been a very long time since he'd -scratch that- he'd never felt such a strong desire for anyone in his life. For someone who prided in his self-control, his lack of it where she was concerned was disconcerting. Even though he'd chosen her before they'd even met, he was glad to know that mating with her wouldn't be an issue on his part. As far as desire went, his future mate had all the right equipment to entice him. Her clothes did nothing to hide her figure and he slowly raked his gaze over her. She had a small straight nose and full pink lips begging to be kissed. Her bright blue eyes and black hair were a sharp contrast to her light skin and she was shorter than what he was used to, just barely reaching his shoulders, but she looked toned and fit with curves in all the right places. Nick salivated at the thought of exploring her body in a more intimate setting. "Are you done?" She snapped, pulling him out of his reverie and letting him know she'd noticed his not-so- discreet inspection. "That depends," he drawled silkily and she raised an eyebrow in response.  Nick wagged his eyebrows and smiled mischievously. "Depends on whether you want to turn around." Her eyes grew wide, her cheeks colored and she released an outraged gasp. Intrigued he watched her chest rise as she took a deep breath and once again he was imagining her body naked next to him. Wondering what it would feel like, how she’d taste and if she was just as feisty in bed. "Why were you following me?" She asked the other man. Nick took a step closer to where she stood but came to a halt when she switched her blade to her other hand and pointed it at him. "Not another step." Never taking her eyes off the man on the ground, she pulled out another knife from her back pocket. Switching it open, she aimed one at him and one at the other guy. Admiration up another notch, he took a step back and held his hands out like before.  The doubt that he might have the wrong girl slowly began to fade in his mind. It was her. It had to be. "Answer the question." She told the man and nudged his leg with her foot. "James Robertson contracted us as your bodyguards." He explained. "What?!" Shocked, she took a step back. The guy pointed at himself and up with one hand, silently asking for permission to get up. She nodded and took another step back but didn't lower her weapons. “Your parents hired us to protect you." "Do you have some sort of job identification?" Jessica asked the supposed bodyguard. He nodded and reached into his pocket.  Jessica raised her knife, threateningly, “do it slowly and give him your cards." Nick raised an eyebrow at her demanding tone but took the steps necessary to get the cards. When they were in his possession he retreated to his previous spot. Jessica slowly walked towards him, weapons at the ready, switching her gaze back and forth from one guy to the other. Jessica stopped a foot away from him. He held the cards up for her and turned them over as she asked him to. On a sigh she switch closed her knives and went to get her back-pack from behind the dumpster. Crouched on the ground, she glanced behind her to make sure no one was watching, before putting her blades away. She was in the process of pulling up the leg of her jeans to sheathe the knife back on to the leg strap when a hand suddenly landed on her shoulder. It took a herculean effort of her part to not give away her surprise, with the flick of her wrist she re-opened her knife and whipped around to face whoever was behind her. She had a pretty good idea of who the hand belonged to. The guy who'd managed to sneak up behind her the last time they'd met. "Crap! You need a bell around your neck or something. Hasn't anyone told you it’s dangerous to sneak up on someone who's armed?" He smirked but didn't answer her and her scowl grew thunderous. She sheathed her knife at her calf and the other went into a side pocket of her backpack. All along she grumbled under her breath about light footed idiots and fools with no sense. When she looked back up it was to find the guy watching her with a raised eyebrow. + "What?” Jessica asked, “you think I walk around with knives in my back pockets?" She shook her head and righted her jeans. + + It never occurred to her that maybe he was just surprised to see a girl with so many weapons. Picking up her backpack she got up and side stepped around him to check on the guy she'd knocked out. + + The conscious bodyguard was crouching beside his fallen partner and lightly slapping his face trying to wake him up. She pushed him aside, checked the prone man’s pulse, opened her backpack and pulled out an alcohol wipe. She ripped the packet open with her teeth and waved the wipe under his nose. He regained consciousness slowly and Jessica told them to consider themselves fired. 2 + They didn't argue. + + Jessica got up, dusted her knees, slipped her backpack on and turned to leave. + + "Where are you going?" + + "Ho-" She was going to say home, but it wasn't her home-not really. "I’m going to deal with this whole bodyguard issue." + + "Alright, I'll follow you." + + "What are you, my stalker? You might not know this, but it’s against the law in all fifty states. Need I remind you what I do to unwelcomed company?" + + "No you don't have to remind me. I just want to make sure you get there safely. You seem to attract danger wherever you go" + + "I don't need a babysit-" + + Her words trailed off when she suddenly heard a noise by the entrance of the ally. She was getting really tired of people trying to sneak up on her. Reaching back for the knife she'd stashed in the side pocket, she pushed him behind her and switched open her blade. Whoever it was, they were in for a surprise. + + "It's okay, it just-" + + "Be quiet!” Jessica snapped. + + Nick sighed, placed his hands on her shoulders and spoke over her head. “Axel it's all right, come on out." + + At his command another man stepped into the ally and she shrugged his hands off her. "I take it he's with you?" She asked him over her shoulder. A regal nod was her only answer. "In that case I’ll leave you two alone." She turned to leave but his hand on her wrist stopped her. + + "Not without me." He informed her. + + Jessica shook her head and tried to pull away but he only held on tighter. “I don’t think so. Momma told me to never ride with strangers." + + "We’re strangers because you chose it that way. If I recall correctly you turned down my invitation for lunch last time." He pointed out. 9 + "That's right my choice.” Jessica countered. “And it’s my choice to decline your gallant offer." + + "It wasn't an offer. I'm not asking, I'm telling you. I'm following you home." + + Jessica glared at him. "Fine, you can follow me.” + + "Axel, drive the car around to where she parked her bike." He eyed her suspiciously. "I don't trust her to wait for us." 2 + Jessica rolled her eyes and walked away and he fell into step beside her. When they reached her bike, Jessica picked up her helmet and was about to put it on when he jerked it from her hands. He set it back on the bike and stepped up to her until they were inches apart; until Jessica could feel the heat radiating from his body. 2 + He leaned down until his lips were only a hairs breadth away from her ear. His warm breath fanned her neck, sending shivers up and down her spine. It took all of her will power-and then some- to keep from leaning into him. + + "Don't even think about losing me" He murmured and flicked her earlobe with his tongue, drawing a shocked gasp out of her. 15 + Before she could retaliate, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close until she was flush against him and sucked her earlobe into his mouth .He nibbled lightly on it even as she tried to push him away but it was like trying to push a brick wall. 25 + Ignoring her protest, he released her earlobe and trailed soft kisses down her jawline. Her brain screamed at her to fight him but her limbs had turned to jelly and soon she forgot all about pushing him away. + + Holding on to his shoulders for support, a moan escaped her lips and she unconsciously tilted her head back, wanting his lips on her neck.  Mindless of nothing but his touch Jessica closed her eyes.  Ignoring the fact that they were standing out in the street and reveling in the rush of new sensations his touch was wringing out of her. 5 + Sensations that made her shudder and weak in the knees. + + Lost in a newly discovered world of sensory pleasure she was unprepared, when he suddenly grabbed her by the shoulders, spun her around and as she turned, robbed her of her back pack. 13 +