Page 75 of Shifting Hearts 1
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Jas
Only an angel could make him feel like a man for the first time in a long time. Her spark threatened to burn him alive. He wanted to take his time with her and enjoy kissing her. Her pillowy lips drew his gaze more than once, but nothing was more intimate than a kiss. He’d bedded hundreds of women without kissing them. Hell, he’d taken many from behind just so he didn’t have to look at them.
The angel was more than a faceless woman in a way he couldn’t explain. A lifetime wouldn’t be enough to explore her pillowy soft lips.
After she pulled herself away, he tried to put distance between them until his driver took another turn too sharply. Her hair tickled his nose, making it nearly impossible to resist. The moment would come when he finally could taste her. After that, who knew where eternity left them.
Heads turned as they entered the restaurant. Seraphina radiated sensuality and innocence. If he wasn’t careful, someone would try to steal her away. There were worse demons than him in the world.
When the host was ready to seat them, he offered his arm. After a moment’s hesitation, Seraphina slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. They were led to a table in a secluded dining room. The sconces cast shadows on the mahogany walls, creating a romantic atmosphere along with low, instrumental music.
Jas waved the man away as he moved to pull the chair from the table. He gestured for Seraphina to sit and pushed her in. Her heart fluttered at his gesture.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He nodded curtly in acknowledgment, knowing full well her thanks wasn’t necessary, because he hadn’t done anything to deserve it. With centuries of not caring for anyone other than himself, such chivalry surprised him probably more than her.
Her divine intervention dropped in his lap like an unwelcome whirlwind, battering against the walls he’d erected around himself. He was irritable and twitchy. It had only been a day since he’d fed, but he was ravenous
He found her fascinating and flummoxing, a true catalyst of change. She was a tempest as he fell for her allure.
A few minutes later, a waitress appeared. She leaned close enough to Jas that her cleavage brushed his shoulder. He paid her no mind as his attention fell on his quiet companion, who was avoiding his eye. He was tempted to respond cruelly by pulling the waitress onto his lap. The hurt in her eyes when she’d walked in on him with Amanda haunted him. He shouldn’t worry about her fucking feelings, they didn’t owe each other anything.
For years he’d reveled in carnal urges, but now, the angel made him pause. They could’ve discussed the contract in his office, but he wanted to take her out.
When the waitress touched the back of his neck, he snatched her wrist, causing her to yelp. He’d pulled her into his lap and fucked her previously, if she hoped for a repeat, she was about to be sorely disappointed.
“Don’t touch me,” he hissed.
“Let go,” she squeaked.
“Apologize to my date,” he demanded.
Seraphina froze in bewilderment as the waitress met her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
At least the angel knew better than to intervene. He was about to show her his power as he forced the waitress to look at him. A buzzing began in his brain as he gazed deeply into the woman’s eyes. He connected with a thread of thought, which allowed an image to form in his mind. His eyes took on a reddish hue with a jolt of adrenaline as his prey’s eyes widened and her pupils became fixed.
Her eyes dropped as she became amenable to suggestions.
“Leave us,” he said calmly. “Send us someone else.”
Without another word, the woman walked out the door, leaving them alone at the table.
“What did you do to her?” Seraphina hissed.
“Nothing,” he snarled, growing irritated as he’d spent a substantial amount of energy.
When she picked up her menu, he reached across the table and snatched it from her hands.
“I was looking at that,” she snapped and pushed away from the table.
“Sit!” he thundered as adrenaline surged through him and he pounded his hand on the table.
She clicked her tongue and he was before her in a flash. Seraphina yelped as he caged her in the chair. He lorded over her, feeding off her apprehension.
“Watch your tone, angel.”
