Page 46 of To Crave Darkly
I ran after him and fell into step beside him. As we walked in silence, I regained control over my composure enough to ask what would happen now. This seemed to shake him from his surly mood. It was to do with being in command and that was comfortable territory for him.
“I will get you onto the schedule with the rest of the team. You will join them in their tours and chores. It’s the quickest way to learn to be part of the team. I will also pull a training schedule together for you. The team each have different skills so you might as well learn from them.”
“Will I get to work with you?”
Jasper paused in his tracks but didn’t look at me. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
This had something to do with whatever was happening between us. “Jasper, we need to talk about this. I don’t understand what’s going on here, but you do. Can’t you just tell me?”
He took a deep breath and turned to face me. “I can’t, Lori. I’m not ready.”
I looked up at Jasper and I had never seen him look so vulnerable. He was trying to be honest with me and while he wasn’t telling me everything, maybe with some time he would open up to me about whatever this was. I just needed to be patient. Not one of my strongest virtues, but I could cultivate it. This felt important and it felt right.
“Ok. But don’t think that gives you a free pass to avoid me. What kind of example would you be setting your team if the leader doesn’t lead by example?”
He narrowed his eyes at me. He knew I’d backed him into a corner deliberately, but I couldn’t bear the thought of him staying away.
“That’s a low blow, Lori.”
I shrugged. “I know, but you can’t argue the point, can you?”
He took a step closer and my smile fell. He was intimidating up close and it was fucking sexy. “Lori, you’re under my command now. Infractions earn punishments.” His tone was soft, and every word crawled deliciously across my skin.
Yes. Punish me.
“You want my attention, then fine. Be up at dawn. We’re going for a run.”
“Urgh, do we have to? I hate running.”
“Yes, we do. I need to know what stamina you have.”
“I can certainly think of more fun things to do than running, if you want to know that,” I replied saucily which earned me a flat look. “Ok fine. I will be up, and we can go for a run. I am sure I could run circles around you, vampire.”
Jasper tilted his head up to the sky and exhaled deeply. “Heaven save me,” he muttered and headed back towards the base.
We made it through the imposing front gates and started the walk down the long drive. A flash of colour caught my eye beyond the tree line and Alec jogged into view. He raised his hand in greeting and I found myself waving back. Jasper noticed Alec heading towards us and frowned. “Don’t fall for his charm. I will not have any members of my team sleeping together.”
Annoyance had my eyes narrowing and my jaw clenching, but I could keep a leash on my temper. “He’s just being friendly, which is more than I can say for you.”
Jasper was about to respond but Alec had made it into ear shot, curbing his need to berate me again.
“Hey Lori, how was the meeting?” Alec said without showing any sign he was winded, but all thought fled from my mind as I got a closer look at the masterpiece that was Alec’s physique. Jeez the guy was toned, and who didn’t wear a shirt or vest or something if they had abs like that? He was going to cause accidents walking around like that.
He was hot and sweaty, and the dips and planes of his taut muscles were mouth-watering. My eyes trailed down his torso drinking in the sight, all the way down to where his shorts hung low on his hips exposing the tantalising V on show. He had the kind of body I just wanted to explore.
Naked in the bedroom.
As he was between my thighs.
“Are you checking me out?” Alec chuckled softly.
I bit the inside of my cheeks and tried to stop the flush creeping up my neck. “Nope. Just thinking you must be cold, what with the no shirt and all.”
He leaned in and his musky scent tickled my senses. “You can touch me if you want.”
Hell yes. I wanted to.
His voice echoed in my mind again. “Just to make sure I’m not too cold.”
