Chapter Fifteen

Juliana

T hreading my fingers through his hair, I press as close as possible, pouring all my feelings into the kiss. I’ve never felt this weird mix of emotions and don’t know what to do with them. He was gone for three hours, and I thought I would die from the longing to have him back. I pride myself on my independence and lack of need for anyone, but I physically need him. Not only to ease the ache in my body but also to be in his presence, smelling his natural scent and hearing his voice. The thought of him being disappointed in my slip-up gutted me. I never want him to doubt my devotion to keeping his confidence.

He allows me to control for two minutes before taking over. I gladly let him. He circles my neck, his fingers over my pulse, and it races. I want his control. His actions show me how much he wants me. He breaks the kiss and backs me into the corner as far as possible.

“Unbutton your pants,” he growls, and I drop my hands. “You look hot as fuck tonight, darling.”

“Thank you.” I release my button.

“Now the zipper,” he demands, staring into my eyes.

“Yes, Sir,” I whisper, doing as he asks.

“I love the leather jacket,” he says, and I almost laugh at the casualness of his words. “Did you dress to please me?” He looks down.

“Yes.” The jacket is black and falls above my hips. It’s one of my favorites, and I knew he would like it. I press my hands to my stomach.

“You smell good in leather.” He drags his nose from my shoulder to my cheek, and I shiver. “It mixes well with your desire. I know you are wet, but I want you to check.”

“Me?” I squeak.

“Yes. Slide your fingers under your panties.” He kisses my cheek and looks at me expectantly.

“Yes, Sir,” I breathe and glide my hand down. The lace catches on the ring on my finger, but I don’t stop. My mouth drops open once I feel how wet I am.

“I can hear how swollen you are,” he hisses, and if he wasn’t holding me against the wall, I would be sliding down it. “Wet enough, darling?”

I gulp. “Yes, Sir.”

“Put your finger inside,” he commands, watching my reaction as I do. “I am going to reward you, even though you left the house when told not to.” He circles my wrist, pulling my hand from my pants and holding it to his mouth. “Your need and dedication to me cancels your disobedience.” I almost want to argue, but he sucks my fingers into his mouth, and I forget everything. “So good.” He licks them and then lets go. “Put your hands behind your back.” I hit the wall in my rush to do as he asks. “Perfect,” he hums. He leans further into me, keeping his hand on my neck and his eyes on mine. “Be a good girl, and suck on my fingers now.” He pushes his hand down my pants and glides two fingers into me.

“Shit,” I gasp.

“Yes, darling,” he coos, his palm hitting my clit as he thrusts. “My beautiful baby is soaked.” I move my hips to meet him, and heat rushes through my body. “You are so warm.” He kisses me hard and deep. I whimper, his mouth muffling the sound. His shoe presses to the inside of mine, gradually moving my legs wider, and I rely on him not to let me fall. He bites my top lip and then licks it before pulling away. “I can’t wait to have that hot mouth wrapped around my cock.”

“Heath, please,” I groan, his words and fingers pushing me closer and closer to the edge.

“Not yet,” he says and looks down. “Stunning. All mine. This belongs to me. You belong to me. No one else will ever feel how tight this pussy is, right, darling?”

“No one else,” I cry. “Not ever.” I can’t deny that he holds my body and my reactions in the palm of his hand, literally. I can’t imagine being with anyone but him.

“Thank you.” He slides his hand up to my chin, cupping his palm over my mouth. “Our friends can guess what we are doing, but I don’t want anyone to hear the sounds you make when you come.” I shake my head in agreement. “Are you close?” I nod again, and he stretches me further, adding a finger. He presses his cheek against mine. “Come, darling.”

The words release the orgasm that has been building since he kissed me in the bar; his permission is the only thing I need. His hand absorbs my cries, and my lips part under his palm. I close my eyes and let everything go. My hearing dims, and buzzing replaces the sound of the people in the bar. Heath moves his hand away from my mouth and slides his arm around me.

“Drop your hands,” he orders softly. When I do, he says, “Hold on to me.” I grasp the edges of his coat and open my eyes. He removes his hand, and I hazily watch as he licks his fingers. Once he’s done, he fixes my clothes. “You did so well.”

“Thank you, Sir,” I say.

“You are so special,” he says, cupping the side of my neck. I try to look away. “Don’t do that,” he growls, and I meet his eyes. “I mean it. I always mean what I say.”

“I know.” He won’t lie to me, but I’ve never heard so many compliments.

“Good. Thank you for trusting me.” He kisses me lightly and steps back. I move with him because I refuse to let him go. Plus, I’m unsure my legs will hold me. “Are you alright?” he asks, smirking.

“Yes,” I reply, lying.

“Uh-huh,” he mumbles.

“I’m good,” I insist, the feeling slowly returning to my legs. He tilts his head. “Seriously.” I yank on his coat. “I think I can walk now.”

“Lean on me, darling,” he says, forcing me to let go and stepping to my side. “I won’t ever let you fall.”

Instead of watching where I’m walking, I stare at Heath, knowing down to my core he won’t.

“Welcome back,” Sally says, and I focus on her face. I expect a comment similar to what she said to Micah, but it doesn’t come. She must realize Heath wouldn’t respond well to it.

“We are leaving,” Heath announces.

“Make some time to meet with me,” Quinn demands.

“We’ll see,” Heath says. The round of goodbyes and hugs from the women is a blur. I rely on Heath to guide me to the car. The excitement and massive orgasm has caught up to me. Once I am snuggled on the leather seat, I fall asleep.

My phone buzzing wakes me up, and I struggle to push the covers away to sit up. Heath carried me from the car last night, changed my clothes, and I barely cracked my eyes open when he put me to bed.

I reach for my phone and knock it to the floor. I hang off the side of the bed, blinking the fog of sleep from my eyes. Grabbing it with an annoyed growl, I blink again, sure someone sent me a text meant for someone else.

“Do you let the animal touch you?”

What. The. Fuck.

Pushing my hair back with one hand, I grasp my phone tightly, staring at the words. The number is unknown. I back out of my texts and re-enter, hoping it will go away. Nope. Still there.

I glance around the room and squeal, throwing my phone in the air when it rings. Tucking my legs underneath me, I reach for it, afraid to look. I let out a sigh as I see my brother’s name.

“Levi,” I answer.

“Sis, did I wake you?”

“No.” I clear my throat. “Did you text me?” Maybe he sent the message as a joke, a horrible joke, but at least if he did, I wouldn’t be as creeped out.

“No. I called,” he says slowly. “Are you sure you’re awake?”

“Yeah. I’m awake.” Frowning, I slide my legs over the side of the mattress.

“I called to apologize,” he says, and I freeze.

“Huh?” I must be dreaming. I pinch my bare thigh. Fuck. Awake.

“I know I’ve been behaving horribly to you. I should be grateful that you came for me the other night. All you do is help me out. I’ve been a shit brother.”

I pinch my other leg.

“I honestly don’t know how to respond,” I mumble, rubbing my red skin. I’m shocked by his words. He’s never expressed regret.

“I shouldn’t have left you there.”

“You don’t want me with Heath,” I say.

“That’s not what I mean,” he sighs. “I think he’s a good guy. As your brother, I should have talked to you first and made sure you were alright.”

“That’s—” I stand up and pace. “That’s a very brotherly thing to say.”

“I know. I needed to step up a long time ago. I’ve depended on you for too long. It’s time to own my mistakes and give you the credit you deserve.”

“What changed?” I don’t trust his sudden switch of attitude.

“Heath,” he says.

“Heath. What about him?”

“He offered me a job.”

“I know.”

“I called him, and we worked it out. We had a long talk. I’m not saying he is the only reason. I’ve been struggling for a while and needed to change,” he says. My heart squeezes. “I haven’t taken any of Stanly’s calls.”

“Really?” That is a big step. Even when they fought, Levi would always talk to him.

“Yeah. I need to get away from him. All the money I made was wasted. He partied all the time and spent most of it on his girlfriend and going out. I can’t get better if he continues to bring me down. I can’t rely on his word to pay me back.” That sounds like Heath.

“Levi, this is great news.” I chew on my lip. “Things won’t change between us overnight. I can’t forget the past so easily.” Shit, but I want to.

“I know. I don’t expect your forgiveness right away.”

“It’s a great first step,” I whisper.

“I’m hoping. I want a relationship with you, one not built on my fuck-ups.”

“I would love it.” It’s too good to be true, and I don’t want to get my hopes up.

“Heath has a gym a couple hours from here. I’m packing now. He’s sending me to work there. It’s successful, and I’ll be able to work my way up. I can put my fighting skills to good use.” He sounds excited. I haven’t heard that for years.

“Levi, that’s amazing. I hope you love it.”

“Heath says if I work hard, he’ll give me a raise.”

“Heath says,” I say softly, shaking my head. “You like Heath.”

“What’s there not to like?”

“Totally agree.” I rub my eyes.

“Mom called,” he says.

“Did you answer?”

“Yes. I needed to say some things. I’ve been holding back.”

“Yeah,” I say grimly.

“She tried to pull the same shit, and I shut her down,” he says. I plop on the bed. “She agreed to support me in my decisions.”

“What?” I’m shocked. He hardly speaks to her and usually tries to avoid her. When they do speak, he always agrees with her.

“I’m sorry I haven’t helped with her. Heath tells me it’s taken care of. All I have to do is concentrate on my work and get my head straight.”

I cup my throat. “I’m happy for you.” And me. Heath’s been busy.

“Thanks. Heath is giving me a new phone, so Stanly can’t contact me, so he’ll give you the number if I don’t call you first.” I hear knocking and voices in the background. “Hey, Sis, I have to go. Bane is here to set everything up. I’ll call as soon as I get there.”

“Okay,” I say weakly.

“I love you. Bye, Sis.”

“I love—” I swallow. “I love you, too.”

“Later.”

I sit, stunned, the phone to my ear. How? That was not the brother I know.

Pulling the phone away, I turn it off and place it beside me. I press my palm to my stomach as I walk to the door. I inhale a shaky breath, open it, and walk down the hallway. I see Heath sitting at the table, Hunter standing beside him, talking softly. When Heath looks at me, his eyes flare.

“Hunter, go upstairs,” he says. I keep my eyes on his and round the table. “Juliana.”

“Heath,” I whisper, stopping beside him. I lift my leg, easily straddling his lap, and his hand cups my thigh. I press close, sliding my hands up his neck, and tip his head back. I kiss him. His mouth opens without hesitation, and I groan at his taste. I don’t care that I haven’t brushed my teeth. I don’t care that Hunter barely escaped the room. All I care about is this man who has changed my life. He hasn’t asked for anything except my willingness to learn about his life and give our bond a chance.

He grips both hips and pulls me further against him. His cock is hard. I can’t hold back anymore. This time, I bite his lip as I ease away.

“Fuck, darling,” he hisses, blinking, and I see his snake in his eyes. “You talked to your brother.”

“I did. He sounds like a different man.”

“That is the goal, but we will wait and see,” he says.

“Thank you.” I look over his shoulder. “He is excited, and you are the reason.” I grip his shoulders and tilt my head. “It’s ten o’clock.”

“Yes.”

“Shit,” I gasp, leaping off of his lap. “I’m late.”

“For?”

“Work. I’m supposed to be at the hotel.” I am never late. I was too wrapped up in the yummy presence of Heath.

“You don’t have to go,” he says.

“I do. I can’t just not show.” I run back to the bedroom and drop to the floor by my bag. As I sprint toward the bathroom with an armful of clothes, Heath enters the room.“You could quit,” he says.

“What?” I grind to a halt, standing in the open door, gripping the frame.

“You don’t have to go,” he continues.

“I can’t quit,” I state.

“Do you like it?”

“Like it?” No one has ever asked me that. “Who likes working?”

“You don’t.”

“Well, no.” I wrinkle my nose. “Most customers aren’t nice. I don’t like most of my co-workers, and I hate the uniform.”

“Don’t go,” he says, and I tilt my head. “Stay with me. You can do anything you want. Be anything you want. If you want to go to school, you can.”

“I—” Is that possible? I’ve always worried about money. I have to support myself, but even more, my family. He’s giving me a choice, and opportunities.

“Do you want to be with me?” he asks, and I can’t imagine not being with him.

“Yes,” I answer, my heart pounding.

“Do you believe we are mates?”

“I do,” I whisper.

“Then you don’t need to go,” he says.

“I’ve always worked,” I mumble.

“Darling, I have enough money.”

“I don’t want you for your money,” I say quickly.

“I know.”

“Don’t think I want to be with you because of wealth.” I know how it feels to be the bank for family.

“Juliana, do you really believe that thought would cross my mind?” he grumbles.

“No.” My stomach flips. Heath would never act like my mom.

“Good.” He sits on the bed facing me. “I want you to live with me and build a life together, away from here. Your brother is already on his way. He will live in the same town. We will have a support system. All the people you have met will be there. I apologize in advance for all the others you have yet to meet. They will show up the minute we enter town. My house is almost completed. The only things left are minor. We can move in right away. You know I can’t cook, but I’ll order breakfast every morning. We can travel, and I can show you the world.” He grips the edge of the mattress. “I want you. In every way. If you aren’t ready to complete the bond, I will continue to wait. I can be patient if you need that time, but I can’t be away from you. Every minute I was gone yesterday, my body rebelled. Would you be able to leave me?”

“No.” I shake my head rapidly, and he relaxes his hands.

“Do you need more time?” he asks.

“I can’t live without you,” I whisper, taking a step back into the room. “I’m not ready to become a snake. I know I will, though. I want to learn more and spend more time together.”

“I can do that,” he says.

“So it’s like my boyfriend is asking me to move in,” I tease, moving closer.

“If you need to think of it like that,” he grins. “What we are is much more than that simple word implies.”

“When do you want to move?” I ask, my palms sweating. I can’t believe this is happening.

“Very soon. A few days.”

“In a hurry?”

“It was the plan before we met. This place will be under new ownership. I should have had everything packed, but I put it off.”

“Because of me.”

“Yes.”

I stare at him as I get closer. This is the biggest decision I have ever made. He is the best thing to come into my life, and I can’t let fear of the unknown stop me.

“Hand me my phone,” I say softly. I left it on the bed and it’s beside his leg. “I need to quit.”

“You’ll come with me?” he growls, his eyes brightening.

“I will. I never liked the job.” I grin and drop my uniform on the floor at my feet.

“Thank you, darling.”

“For what?”

“For trusting me,” he says and picks up my phone. I hold my hand out, but the screen lights up as he moves.

“Shit.” I forgot about the text. I didn’t back out of the message. My brother’s news shook the words out of my head, and I was intent on rewarding Heath.

“What is this?” Heath stands staring at my phone.

“It slipped my mind,” I say weakly, and his head snaps up. “I got it when I woke up, and then Levi called, and I was distracted.”

“What the fuck?” he snarls.

“That’s what I said,” I mutter.

“This is a threat,” he states. “To my mate.” He paces away, glaring at the phone.

“I don’t know who would send it.” My mother hasn’t ever had a problem with saying what she wants to my face. She wouldn’t hide behind an unknown number.

“I might know,” Heath says, facing me. “The men I’ve been killing. They could have found out about you.”

“You think they want to get to you through me.”

“Probably. They know about me now.” He turns off my phone and puts it in his pocket. “I’ve led them to you.”

“Heath, no. It isn’t your fault,” I say, walking to him. “Don’t blame yourself.”

“I do, but they won’t get to you.” He cups my face. “I’m thrilled you agreed to come with me. If you hadn’t, we would go anyway when I saw that text. I’ll have friends there who can help me catch this fucker.”

“Do you think there will be more messages?”

“There always are,” he rumbles.

“I’m in danger,” I whisper.

“No. They are,” he hisses. “Get dressed.” He kisses me briefly. “We will have our things sent. We are leaving today.”

He disappears from the room.

I don’t fear for my life. I couldn’t be safer in the hands of my fierce snake.