Cobra (Blue Angel Security Book 1), page 17
Drifting over to the barre, I raise one of my legs up and start stretching out muscles that I haven’t used like this in weeks. I glide to the middle of the room as I wait for the next song to begin. Slowly, I extend my leg so that it’s parallel with my head, sliding across the room. Slipping further into my music, I allow it to pull me under, making my body and soul unite into one being. With my eyes closed, I simply feel the rhythm as it beats in tune to my movements.
Rising up on the pointes of my slippers, I raise and bend my legs as I alternate between them sliding gracefully across the wooden floor. Quick stepping, I sweep sideways, and gathering my momentum, I leap into the air before landing back on my toes for the next steps in my routine. Falling deeper and deeper into the movements that I memorized as a young girl, memories of my parents watching me consume my thoughts. This time, however, the memories fail to produce tears and sorrow. Now feelings of comfort wash over me.
I know they’re happy for me, I know they’re proud of me. Like Mom told me years ago, even in death, whenever and wherever I danced, I’d see them smiling back at me. She was right, because in this moment I can see her radiant face beaming with pride as I dance to her favorite ballet concerto. I was, and always will be, my mom’s sugar plum princess, just like she promised me. Tilting my head back, I turn into the last spin of the dance knowing this is the spin she loved the most. Revolution after revolution, I circle the room, feeling her arms surround me as if she was right here with me. Extending my leg forward, I point my toes down and slide down onto my knee, tilting my chin down, coming to a full stop. When the music ends, I lift my head and stand back up. I remember with a smile how it wasn’t so long ago that any part of dancing used to automatically bring the tears. Now I’m learning if I do cry, it’ll only be tears of joy. This is one of those great memories I can fall back on when the bad days take over. As I wipe away a single tear that escaped, I turn around, coming face to face with a stunned Whiskey.
“Josslyn…”
Cobra
Barely before the sun is up, my alarm is blaring at me that it’s time to start my day, especially if Jaycee and I want to get in our morning run before her appointment. I walk through my dimly lit downstairs, and look across the street expecting to see her house as dark as mine, but to my surprise she has a bright light on, I imagine it’s her kitchen. I smile picking up my cell.
Me: You’re up early, couldn’t sleep?
After hitting send, I rest my cell back on the counter walking over to Keurig. Within seconds, I’m holding my first cup, but still have no response from Jaycee. Puzzled, I send her another text. It’s not like her, at least now it’s not, to not respond to me.
Me: Tiger?
Fifteen minutes later, I’m still staring at the blank screen. I put my phone back on the table and look across the street again, thinking maybe she went back to bed when I notice that her office light is also on. Not sure what it is, something tells me I need to make sure she’s okay and I’m done waiting for her to answer me. I jog up my stairs to slip on my gray loungers and a t-shirt. Quickly changing, I shut off my lights as I exit my house.
As I cross the street I quickly scan her front yard, zeroing in on anything that might be out of place. I step onto her porch quietly and use my code allowing myself in. If something is going on in this house I don’t need to give them an advantage. With controlled breaths, I slip inside, opening my holster, just in case. Hand at the ready the first thing I notice is Nyx locked outside, jumping and scratching at the door to come back inside. Instantly, I’m pissed. She wanted a fucking dog, but the moment she may need one, he’s locked outside with no way back in. That’ll be changing, today. First, though, I need to make sure she’s okay. She has to be. I scan her downstairs, seeing nothing out of place and head upstairs. It’s completely blanketed in darkness, the only light, a nightlight displays her empty, unmade bed.
Where the fuck are you Tiger?
Suddenly, I hear faint music coming from downstairs. What the hell? Was I so wrapped in finding her that I missed the obvious?
I head back downstairs in search of the music. As I reach the living room, it becomes louder. Following the sound, I walk down past her office, noticing another door in the hall open. I peer inside, seeing a set a stairs going downward to her basement. Fully opening the door, I step onto the first step, realizing this is where the music is coming from. Silently, I creep along the wall and listen for any noises other than the music, hearing none, I finish my descent.
Reaching the bottom step I stand here completely shell-shocked. The whole scene has me stunned silent. Jaycee has on the most exquisite ballet dress I’ve ever seen. With its thin straps on the shoulders, her toned arms are on full display as she moves across the floor. Her back is completely covered, but still takes nothing from her form. The sight of her beautiful breasts, encased by a low dip between them, leaves much to my imagination but still reveals enough to get my pulse quickening. I won’t be getting rewarded today with any sneak peeks. But that’s perfectly fine with me, because as beautiful as it is on Jaycee, it’s not her dress that has me speechless. It’s her moves, or in this case her dancing. Quietly, I sit down on the bottom step, and watch her gracefully slide across the floor, executing one move after another flawlessly. Three songs later, she slides down to the floor on one knee, bowing her head. I wait until she lifts her head and turns around, facing me before I make my presence known.
Removing my slip-ons, I stand and head over to her. “Josslyn…” I barely croak out. I tilt her chin moving her lips to mine and kiss her passionately. Stroke after stroke, I swipe at her bottom lip, demanding entry. Intertwining my tongue around hers, I bring her lithe little body closer to mine. Her hands grab my ass and bring us yet closer together, she moans loudly into my mouth.
“Luca,” she pants heavily as she pulls away from me, ending our kiss.
“Used to be a ballerina? Try you still are a ballerina. My ballerina,” I smile affectionately at her. “I can’t believe you can dance like that. You looked absolutely stunning.”
19
JAYCEE
After Luca’s unexpected arrival in my dance studio, we make breakfast together. He still can’t believe I can really dance like that. I know he must have a million and one questions, but I’m not sure if, or when, I want to answer them. Talking about my childhood is still a very touchy subject for me. I know he understands my reluctance about discussing it, especially since his own was filled with enough pain to last at least five lifetimes. I set two plates of French toast down on the table as I place the maple syrup in front of him.
“Good girl, it’s the real stuff.”
“Of course it’s the real stuff. That’s the first thing Liam taught me when I moved to New York. I love the stuff, although I’m not crazy about the dark syrups. I prefer the lighter ones.”
“Oh, I bet I can change your mind on that one. I happen to have a dark syrup that you’re gonna love…”
Nearly choking on my coffee, I teasingly glare at him, “Next time you want to make dirty comments, make sure my mouth isn’t full,” I sass him, stepping the foot or two to him, closing the distance around the table. Trailing my finger up his chest, albeit a covered chest, I wink at him. “Personally, I prefer to swallow what’s in my mouth, not spit it out.”
Backing away from me, he raises his hands in defeat, “You win, you’re evil and I’ll tell you this much, Tiger. I will be reminding you of this conversation when the moment is right. Now let’s eat. We have to meet Robert in a little under two hours and then I was wondering if you’d go to dinner with me tonight?”
“Why, Whiskey Darling… are you asking little ol’ me out on a date?” I blink my eyes in rapid succession, using my best southern belle accent, although to be honest I lost that years ago.
“Yes, brat, I am. So, what do you say Tiger? Feel like taking a walk on the wild side?”
“Always, but I thought Shadow had plans for today?”
“That’s it…” he grumbles while stalking toward me. Caught between the table and the wall, he cages me in. “You really are a troublemaker, you know that? I should paddle your ass for being such a brat, but something tells me you just might enjoy it a bit too much,” he says, tilting my mouth to meet his. “Tonight, Tiger. First our date, and then you’re mine.”
Releasing the breath I didn’t realize I was holding, I nervously nod my head.
“Come on, let’s eat so we can get out of here.”
We sit down to eat breakfast as my mind whirls a hundred miles an hour over what may happen tonight. Am I really ready to open myself up to that vulnerability again? The last time I was with a man, he and his wicked partners nearly killed me. Can I really trust Luca not to hurt or betray me?
“Tiger,” Whiskey’s voice grabs my attention as he stands and walks over to me before dropping to his knees. Taking my hand into his, he slowly raises it to his lips. Gently he kisses my knuckles as he stares into my soul with his silky milk chocolate eyes, pleading with me to trust his words. “Nothing has to happen tonight. I just want to have a nice dinner with my girl, and then come home and hold you all night. I want to know what it feels like to wake up with you in my arms.” His words give me slight pause that he just might be the one to safeguard my heart.
“Okay, Whiskey,” I say as he returns to his seat.
Tentatively I begin to eat all the while thinking how foolish I must look to Luca. I mean one minute I’m teasing him about swallowing his life’s elixir and the next I’m shutting down over the thought of being intimate with him.
God Jaycee, get a hold of yourself.
Frustrated with my own actions, I hear Whiskey chuckle. “Whatever inner fight you’re having with yourself, I wish I could shrink myself down and be in your head listening to it. It can’t be that bad.”
“I’m glad you’re not in my mind to see my thoughts. If you were, you’d probably run as fast and far away from me as you could. It’s times like this that I’m reminded of how truly messed up I am.”
“Tiger,” he growls, pushing his plate away looking over at me.
“Don’t worry about it, Whiskey, I’ll be okay. Just my own thoughts haunting me today. I need to go get ready for my meeting.”
“Jaycee?” he questions as I stand up, making me pause as he walks over to me and places his hands on my hips. “Talk to me. What’s wrong? Did I do something?”
“No, Luca, it’s not you. Everything is perfect. It’s just been a very long time since I was with anyone and to be honest, it scares me,” I quietly admit.
“Jaycee, you’re not the only one scared. I’ll never claim to be a choirboy, but I’ve never been with anyone who mattered to me before you. So, believe me, I understand the fear and anxiety we’re both facing right now. But Tiger, I have a feeling it’s definitely going to be worth the risk.”
Tears glisten my eyes as I look at him. “I hope so,” I whisper as I quickly walk up the stairs escaping to my bedroom.
Cobra
As Jaycee leaves the room, I hope and pray the few minutes she has alone upstairs will help ease her trepidation when it comes to us. I know she wants to explore this, whatever we’re becoming. But her fears of being hurt are as visible as the tattoo on her wrist representing her parents’ last heart beats.
We’ve both suffered enough at the hands of those who were supposed to love us. My father may have poisoned my belief for love years ago with his crimes, but with Jaycee by my side we’re going to rise above it all. She and I are meant to be, now I just have to convince her of that.
The sound of Nyx scratching at the back door brings my focus back to the present. This will be the second time this morning I’ve let the furry gremlin back in. I swear if he could he’d be smiling at me. “Laugh it up, Nyx old boy. You wanna know a secret?” I whisper to him thankful Jaycee is still upstairs. “By tonight, you’ll be letting yourself in and out. Then, maybe I won’t worry when your mommy doesn’t answer her damn phone,” I grumble, wondering what Jaycee will think of my plan when my phone pings with a text.
Jackal: I need you to come to the house this morning.
Me: Negative. Jaycee has a meeting this morning, and she asked me to accompany her. She’s got a bad feeling about this client.
Jackal: Anything particular?
Me: No, she’s just nervous. Something doesn’t feel right to her.
Jackal: Okay, go with her, but when you’re finished, I need you here. We might have a situation.
Me: Be there as soon as I can.
We might have a situation? Damn it, I should have asked him for more details, but knowing Jackal, he wouldn’t have told me anything, even if I did. Especially since he requested a meeting in person. Just as I put my phone away, I feel Jaycee’s arms wrap around me. Warmth spreads through me as I twist in her arms and I wrap mine around her waist. I release a long, exaggerated breath as I kiss her forehead.
“Better?” I ask, pulling her closer to me.
“Yeah, I just needed a minute to get my head screwed on straight. I hate it when my mind drifts off.”
“Tiger, we’ve both got our own demons to conquer. We’ve tried and failed to fight them alone. Maybe this is a sign we should be fighting them together.”
“Together?” she lifts her head up, looking nervously at me.
“Yes, Tiger. Together,” I say, sealing my lips over hers, showing her I’m not going anywhere, I’ll always be here to protect her.
Always.
With one last kiss, I pull away. We need to get going, or she’ll never make her appointment on time. Although, if her body language is anything to go by, she really could care less if we didn’t. This guy is really giving her some bad vibes. I’m glad she’s paying attention to her instincts.
“Let me go pull my SUV out and then we can leave.”
“I have my Jeep. You can always ride with me,” she sasses me the little vixen.
“Nope. I have to drive today. And before you go and get all girl power on me, Jackal texted me while you were upstairs. I have to go to the house today.”
“The house?” She looks at me, puzzled. “Your house or his?”
Chuckling, I take her hand and lead her across the street to my house. “The house, as Jackal calls it, is the warehouse where all the day-to-day operations of Blue Angel are done.”
“The misleading building that you carried me out of?”
“Yes, the same one you dropped me to my knees in front of,” I tease her.
Her face turns the most brilliant shade of red, nearly matching the highlights in her hair.
“You probably shouldn’t have manhandled me at our first meeting.”
“I’m glad I did. I love feeling you in my arms, no matter how I get you there.”
“You’re such a sap.”
“Only for you,” I say, opening my garage door. As it comes to a stop, I walk over to the passenger’s side, and open the door, making a wide sweeping motion with my hands for her to get in. She laughs, settling in as I slide into the driver’s seat.
“Ready?” I ask her as she pulls her phone out of her laptop bag.
“Yes, let’s get this over with. Are you coming back here or going straight to Blue Angel?”
“I should go straight there,” I tell her backing out of my garage. “But I’m going to bring you home and then go see Jackal.”
“How about I have Liam bring me back home? He texted me last night asking if I had time to help him buy a gift for his mama. He and Clayton are going to Albany this weekend to visit her. She hasn’t seen him since he got home and she’s throwing a fit,” she says, typing out a quick message to Liam.
“I thought they had dinner with her last week?”
“No, that was Tarryn, Clayton’s mom. She lives roughly an hour from Kylee, and about thirty minutes from Clayton. Anyway, Liam’s mom Angela, lives in Albany.”
“Ah, gotcha. So, he needs to pick his mom up a gift and wants to take you along with him?”
“Yes, his mom loves the gifts I pick out for her. Liam, God knows I love that idiot, but seriously, he can’t pick out a gift for shit. One year, he got his mom a vacuum cleaner on Mother’s Day because she was complaining just the week before hers had quit working. I thought Angela was going to toss him and that vacuum out of her fifth story apartment window. She was that mad at him.”
“I may not have that much experience with the opposite sex, but even I know not to give a woman a cleaning device for her birthday or a holiday,” I laugh as I shake my head in disbelief. “What a dunce. He’s lucky she forgave him. She did, right?”
“Eventually. It took about two weeks, and a very beautiful, sentimental locket to accomplish it, though.”
“You went shopping with him, I take it?”
“Of course. Angela told him he needed to take a woman shopping with him. He may buy Clayton some gorgeous gifts, but he was clueless when it came to his own mother.”
“Any idea what you’re getting her today?”
“I think so,” she says as we pull up outside the old timers coffee shop Cups & Cakes. Looking at her phone, she confirms with Liam their afternoon plans. Smiling, she shows me the text.
Liam: Sounds good, Jaycee. Text me when you’re ready to leave, or I can leave now. I’m sure I can find something to entertain myself with. Whiskey’s there, right?
Jaycee: Of course, he’s here with me. Do you think he’d let me out of his or Shadow’s sight for longer than two minutes?
