Jared (13 page)

Jared let go of him shoving him toward his car which had a body sized dent on the hood. “Don’t let it ever happen again.” Jared spat out watching Bobby closely just in case the dumbass had second thoughts and came back for more of an ass
kicking
.

After Bobby pulled out
,
everyone headed into the house excited about the fight, even Sid was pumped. Tessa was left standing in the yard with Jared whose hands were still balled in fists, his face a cold mask.

“Are you okay?” Jared finally looked down at her. “He smacked you pretty hard.”

Face flaming red
,
Tessa ke
pt
her gaze on his. “I’m fine.” She nodded not knowing what else to say.
Saying
thanks for kicking the crap out
of
somebody just didn’t sound right.

He walked up to her, so close they were
almost touching
. His hand reached
lifting
her face up to his as he leaned down slight
ly
. “Never doubt that you are worth it.” He leaned closer taking a long deep breath then let go
,
walking away leaving her breathing hard and once again yearning for something more.

Tessa
caressed
where
his fingers
touched
her face
,
watching him walk away. Glancing back at the house she knew that was the safest way to go, but when had she
ever played the
safe card. Slowly she made her way over
to where he stopped by
the edge of the driveway
.

“I really need a minute Tessa.”
Jared’s voice was stern yet his words were spoken softly.

Ignoring
his warning
Tessa
circled around
and stood in front of him. Reaching up she clasp
ed
his chin gently turning his face to hers. Looking into his angry black eyes she swore she could feel his anger, pain and soul in that one look. Never had she felt
more connected
to anyone
th
a
n
at that moment
. I
t felt so good
…it felt right.
“I’m sorry.” She whispered, her eyes searching his.

“Tessa
,
you have nothing to be sorry for.” He leaned into her touch instead of pulling away.

“Yeah, I do.” Her lips curved into a small shaky smile. “I have caused you nothing b
ut
trouble since you laid eyes on me
and y
ou have done nothing but help my brother and now me.”

He caught her hand as she pulled away placing a kiss on the palm. “Best
damn
trouble I’ve had in years.”
His smile beamed bright in the dusk of the night, his eyes turning back to
their
normal golden hue.

“What color are your eyes?” Tessa stared deeply into them.

“Gold unless I’m….”

“I know what color they are now, but what color were they?”

Jared felt his throat knot up. No one had
ever ask
ed
him that question, no
one had cared enough. “Blue.” He leaned his head slowly toward her. “They were blue.”

Leaning up
,
Tessa didn’t look away. “Light or dark?” She whispered, her tongue snaking out to slowly
moisten
her lips
,
ready for the kiss she hope
d
with all her heart was coming.

“Just blue
,
Tessa.” His words bl
ew
across her wet lips causing her to shiver from head to the tips of her toes.

Jared didn’t move as she lifted her
other
hand to touch the side of his face feeling the hardness in his features. Her eyes shifted from his to his lips wondering if they were as soft as they looked. Her stomach swirled and dipped in anticipation of that answer. His hand slid to the back of her neck then up to the back of her head through her hair cupping her
gently. Tessa
ran her thumb across his lips before she closed her eyes to lean in closer. He was letting her make the decision and waited patiently, giving her the lead. Before touching
her lips to his,
her sexy little tongue moistened her lush lips again.

Holding back a growl of desire
was the hardest thing Jared had ever done. He wanted her to make this choice no matter how badly he wanted
to grab her
so he could lick, kiss and look at every inch of her. Finally her lips touched his and he knew
without a doubt this was a
s
close to heaven as he would ever be
. Using
the
hand that cupped the back of her head he tilted her so he could slowly devour that lush mouth he had dreamed about since the first moment he saw her. When her tongue touched his lips he wanted to shout a war cry of victory. Opening his mouth their tongues touched and it was like a flood gate of passion poured out of her. Both her hands
grabbed the back of his head trying to get closer
. Pulling his lips away from hers
,
he kissed and licked his way down her neck.

“We’re about to get company.” His whispered words tickled her neck.

Tilting her head back to give him easier access she sighed. “They’re not welcome.”

Both of his large hands cupped her cheeks bring
ing
her face to his. “We will finish this later.” Placing a kiss on her forehead he s
miled down at her before placing her a safe distance away
.

“You ready yet?” Sid yelled with the rest following him. “We’re already late and Duncan has been a bitch lately. He reamed my ass already today and I really want to avoid another bitch session.”

“Do I have time to change?” Tessa glanced up at Jared. “I really don’t want to wear this.”

“I really don’t want you wearing it either.” Jared frowned down at the dress
clinging to every curve like a caress
. Seeing the hurt look on her face when she turned to go change he grabbed her arm. “Only because you were wearing it for another man. I will warn you now Tessa
,
I don’t share. So if it was up to me I would burn that damn dress and buy you one that you would wear only for me.”

Tessa stared at him shocked before a slight smile curved her swollen kissed lips. Turning away her wobbly legs made their way past Sid.

“Where are you going?”
Sid t
hrew his hands in the air. “You’
re going to get me in trouble with the boss man if you guys don’t hurry up.”

“I’ll be right back.” Tessa ran past him laughing when he rolled his eyes. “I promise.”

Tessa slammed into her room pulling the dress over her head. Wiggling her way into
a pair of jeans and shirt she slipped on her sandals. Stopping suddenly she took a deep breath
and
slapped her hand on her cheeks. What in the world was wrong with
her?
She had been kissed before. Hell
,
who was she
kidding?
No man had kissed her like Jared
Kincaid
had just kissed her. A
sigh
escaped her lips.

“Come on! We got to go! You look fine!” Sid shouted from downstairs. “Women!”

Tessa rolled her eyes
before walking
out the door. Running down the steps she stopped in the middle. How could
she
have forgot
ten what was under her mattress?
 
W
ithout a doubt she trusted them now. Before she could turn around to run back into her room Sid was there pulling her arm.

“Duncan just called and said if I didn’t get my ass back and soon he was going to….”
Sid stopped in mid
sentence as he led her down the steps. “Well let’s just say it won’t be pleasant.”

Letting him lead her out of the house Tessa decided to wait until they got home to tell Jared. Looking around she saw everyone was split up in two cars with Jared leaning against
one
talking on his phone. Tossing her a wink he walked around and opened the door for her
.
Her mattress and what was under it forgotten
.

Jared did his best to focus on the kids he was working with instead of the luscious red head sitting on the floor going over wedding magazines with Nicole and Pam. The kiss they shared earlier had set his blood on fire and it hadn’t cooled. She fit right in with no hesitation. The reunion with Pam, Tessa and the kids was emotional. Pam had done good with those kids and they remembered. What he and others couldn’t figure out is if there was a connection with these kids, Pam and their being turned into
half-breed
s.

“Adam
,
you have to roll the other way
to
get out.” Jared instructed and was rewarded with a dirty look.

“Dammit!” Adam tried to roll to the side Jared instructed, but still couldn’t get Dillon off of him. “This shit is stupid.”

“No
,
it’s not.” Jared replied calmly understanding his frustration. “
If you’re going to be part of the VC Warriors you need to learn everything you can.”

“If any of us make it through the change.” Adam finally pushed Dillon off and stood. “It’s not really smart for you all to make us better because chances are you’re going to be offing most of
us
anyway.”

“What’s your problem Adam?” Jared crossed his arms waiting patiently. He knew something was up because his attitude had totally changed since leaving his house.

“You.” Adam pointed in his face. “You forget what you’re supposed to be doing here?”

“I know my job Adam.” Jared’s eyes narrowed.

“Is fucking my sister part of your job?” Adam hissed
,
his one golden eye turning black, his other eye bloodshot with anger. “You get rid of one asshole so you can make your move.”

Jared didn’t think
,
he just reacted punching Adam square in the mouth sending him flying across the
floor
. “You best watch that mouth when talking about your sister.”

Adam spat blood. “Why do you care? I know all about you warriors and how you do women. I won’t let her be a warrior whore like the rest of them.”

Those words stopped Jared cold. Rubbing his hand down his face Jared cursed.
Glancing over at Tessa
,
he realized she along with everyone else was listening.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jared
growled wanting to do more than punch the damn kid
.

“Fuck you warrior.” Adam walked past him giving him a hard shoulder check. “I know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Jared grabbed him before he could leave. “
First of all it’s none of your business what happens between me and your sister.
”
He gave the kid a shake. “You need to go outside and cool off before you say any
more stupid shit that’s going to get your ass kicked.”

Adam
jerked out of his grasp walking away
. “
Y
ou hurt her I will make sure you’re my first kill.”

Jared watched him pass Tessa
who started to go after him, but
Nicole
stopped her
.
Turning his attention back to the others who were
glaring
at him. “That goes for us
to
o
.” Dillon informed him, everyone else nodding in agreement.

“And me.” Sid grinned, but his eyes weren’t teasing.

“Get you
r
asses busy.” Jared walked in the middle of the mat pissed that everybody suddenly thought he was the bad guy. “Give me ten laps. Now!”

Sid cocked his eyebrow at him with his arms crossed before bursting out laughing. “You poor bastard.”
Sid shook his head. “
First Damon…
now you. My God
,
this is classic.”

“Shut the fuck up Sid.” Jared fell in behind the kids hoping r
unning would cool his anger.

“So what do you think about this one?” Nicole flipped the picture of a wedding dress in the middle of them
, t
rying to take the focus off what was going on out on the floor.

Tessa took her eyes off Jared long enough to glance down. “Oh Nicole
,
that’s gorgeous.”