Page 6 of Wounded Soul
Jesse hesitated. Handing out his number was another thing he probably shouldn’t do, but fuck it. Everyone else broke a rule here and there. Why shouldn’t he? Hoping this wouldn’t come back to bite him—he grinned at his own joke—he rattled off his number as he pulled his shirt on, watching as Ian entered it into his phone. A minute later his own phone buzzed with a text, and Ian smiled up at him.
“Now you’ve got mine.” He went to get up, but Jesse raised a hand to stop him. “Stay there. I can see myself out.” He caught the flash of disappointment and shot over to the bed, maybe a little too quickly, judging by Ian’s gasp. Jesse kissed him, pouring everything into it in the hope of diverting his attention. Cupping his jaw, Jesse stroked his tongue along Ian’s bottom lip, dipping into his mouth and deepening the kiss until they were both making soft little moans. When he drew back, Ian seemed to have forgotten all about everything but the kiss.
“I really have to go.” Scooping his phone up off the floor where it had fallen, Jesse ignored the missed message for now and held it up. “But I’ll be in touch.”
“See you soon.” Ian gave him a wave and a small smile. Jesse got the impression he didn’t believe him.
If Ian knew him better, he’d understand that Jesse didn’t see the point in lying. He’d lived too long to be bothered about playing games. If he said something, he meant it.
With one last regretful look at Ian, still gloriously naked on the bed, Jesse said goodbye and headed for the door.
Once outside in the fresh air, he took a moment to lean against the side of the building and collect himself. He stank of sex; there’d be no hiding it from the others, but no one would give a shit as long as he returned on time. It wasn’t as though he was the only one who did it.
The streets were quiet, people either home already or in one of the many clubs and late-night bars. Jesse could easily slip from shadow to shadow, his speed making him little more than a blur to anyone looking, but with the introduction of mobile phones to capture things forever, it was no longer safe to move as fast as he’d like.
He settled for walking as fast as he dared, maybe a touch faster than the average human but not enough to cast suspicion. He was just a man in a hurry.
The hospital was about a mile and a half away from Ian’s flat. The private clinic made the perfect place to pick up what he needed.
Instead of going through to reception and announcing his arrival, Jesse pulled out his phone and sent a quick text.
I’m here.
The reply was immediate. She’d been waiting for him.Meet in the car park. It’s Liam’s Honda, last row near the wall.
Jesse set off for the car park, looking out for the silver Honda Civic they were using tonight.
Lys was leaning against the passenger door when he got there, smirk forming as he got nearer. “I see someone had a good night?”
“Yep.” Jesse smiled. He loved Lys like a sister; they’d been friends a long time. She was one of the few he trusted without question.
“Good for you. It’s been a while, eh?” She winked as she pushed herself off the car and handed Jesse the keys. “It’s all in the boot. It’ll be okay for the journey, but you’ll need to get it stored in the fridges as soon as you get back though. Preferably before you feed.”
She licked her lips, the barest hint of fang showing, and Jesse felt an answering ache in his own at the thought of blood.
He needed to get home.
“Thanks.”
She patted his shoulder. “See you later.”
“When do you finish?” he asked, as she started to walk towards the hospital doors.
“Four thirty.” At Jesse’s frown she added, “cutting it fine, I know, but they were short-staffed. I couldn’t say no.” She waved him away as he went to speak. “It’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
Jesse watched her go all the way in through the reception doors, then unlocked the car and got in.
Hopefully the drive home would be uneventful. He was in no mood to deal with anyone right now.
FORTY-FIVE minutes later, Jesse drove through the quaint town of Tetbury and soon after turned onto the long, winding drive that led to his home.
Not justhishome, though.
The huge, stately building housed all of his coven. Had done for the past twenty years or so.
Jesse parked round the side of the building with all the other coven vehicles. As soon as he opened his car door, he caught the unmistakeable scent of the last person he wanted to run into right now. Saying no one cared who he fucked might have been slightly inaccurate. There was one other person who probably cared more than he should, than he had any right to, and he was on his way over to Jesse’s car.
“You’re late,” Peter said, nostrils flaring as he inhaled. “And I can smell why.” The accusation in his tone raised Jesse’s hackles.
