Page 76 of Shifting Hearts 1
She pushed against his chest, but she might as well be trying to move a granite slab, he remained steadfast, hell bent on showing her who was in charge in their dynamic.
“You can’t do this, Jasper.”
“The blushing maiden routine doesn’t easily manipulate me. Neither does playing coy. Don’t show your teeth unless you’re ready to bite.”
He salivated as the vein in her neck pulsed. He needed to eat before he threw her on the table and sank his fangs into her, ready to tear her apart.
“Would you like to hear the specials?” a man stammered nervously, interrupting them.
SEVEN
Seraphina
Days of dissecting and replaying every moment of her dinner with Jas hadn’t afforded Seraphina clarity. She was confused over the visions of their potential future. Every time she closed her eyes, his face plagued her dreams.
The angel used to wake up happy. Now, her stomach flipped as she was riddled with uncertainty. She didn’t want him. She didn’t need him. Yet, they were destined to be together. They were soulmates. If she were to pick anyone of her own volition, Jas Conrad would be the last person she’d look at.
The black hair on his chin appeared coarse, but it tickled her skin as he teased her. She longed to touch it with her fingers.
“Ugh,” she groaned as her stomach cramped.
When she used the bathroom, the toilet paper was smeared red after she wiped. She touched her lower abdomen and groaned again. Her lamenting was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Is everything all right in there?” Mara called.
“I’m bleeding,” she responded.
“There’s a box underneath the sink.”
Seraphina pulled out a tiny box full of colorfully wrapped cotton inside a biodegradable applicator. She plucked one out along with the instructions. Her eyes went wide at the insertion instructions. Female angels didn’t bleed. In the mortal realm, they faced many challenges despite their celestial origins.
“The first time is always the worst,” Mara assured her.
“I’ll be out in a minute.”
She had a new appreciation for women finding the strength to work, because she wanted to curl up in her bed with her blanket while someone,not Jas, stroked her hair. It niggled her that she would think of him in such a moment. A devil such as he was incapable of gentleness, let alone kindness. Thoughts of him soured her mood like sucking on a lemon.
Her mood failed to improve by the time she arrived at work, but the pain relievers she took helped with the ache in her belly. Even her breasts were sore beneath her cami.
There was no answer from Jas as she knocked on his door to let him know she’d arrived. She readied herself for busywork when a familiar man stepped off the elevator—the uncouth man from the sandwich shop.
“Hello, miss.” His grin spread as their eyes met.
Though the corners of his mouth lifted, there was nothing kind in his gaze. She shivered as her skin prickled. Not every person she met would have a perfect aura, but his was hard to define which made her uneasy.
“I have a meeting with Mr. Conrad,” he said.
She pulled up the calendar for the day. “I’m sorry, Mr. Conrad has nothing on his schedule this morning. What’s your name?”
His smile slipped. “He’s expecting me.”
Seraphina sent a notification to her boss. A moment later, his door opened. His haggard appearance surprised her. Jasper’s gaze never met hers as he was solely focused on the gentleman before her.
“Come in,” he gruffly told his companion before turning to address her. “We are not to be disturbed.”
The door closed with athunkbehind them, clearly informing her she wasn’t welcome in their sphere.
The air around her became lighter, making it easier to breathe. Her mind focused back on her tasks.
