Standing on the top of the building, Jaxson stared at a sky streaked with brilliant reds and oranges. It was fascinating to watch the colors paint the gray sky, as if with each passing moment he could feel the sun awakening the world.
He was tempted to Shift. To take on his wolf form and feel it all, not like an observer, but like a creature of nature. But he couldn’t bring himself to let go of this feeling. Not yet.
It’s almost like being human again.
His chest tightened. No, he wasn’t human and never could be again. But this was the closest he’d been to being alive since his death. This was his first morning free from the demon-realm, his first time seeing the sun in longer than he could remember… and it was beautiful.
Even the air tasted differently on Earth: like the wind, the rain, and the sunshine. And underneath it, he smelled humanity. While his sensitive wolf nose used to despise those scents when he was alive, now he howled in pleasure.
How long had he lived in a world that smelled of ash and fire? How long had he stared up at a dark sky with only falling embers to provide light? It was no wonder his wolf was so content.
It’s almost too good to believe, like I'm in a dream and I'll wake up any moment.
Truly, he was still in shock that the demon king had allowed him, Zane, and Ian to return to Earth. And all they had to do was keep an eye on one stubborn half-breed.
His groin tightened as he thought of Lily, the demon king’s daughter. She was beautiful, with long legs, bright blue eyes, and flowing blonde hair. He could still remember seeing her for the first time. Her beauty at such odds with the darkness of the demon realm.
And then, of course, she’d spoken. That’s when he realized she was also stubborn, confident, and capable. All things that he begrudgingly admired.
Meeting a woman with such unique beauty and quiet strength would be enough for any man to be left lying awake night after night thinking about her, but he’d also done something stupid. He had fucked her hard and fast before he knew her true identity.
So now all I can think about is touching her. Of feeling her. No matter how much the memory of it drives me insane.
He wanted to hate her for concealing the truth. If the king ever found out what he’d done… Jaxson would forfeit his life. But despite all of that, he didn’t hate her. He wasn’t sure he even could.
Because I can’t remember the last time a woman looked at me like that. Like she desired me, despite my grotesque appearance.
He pushed the thought aside. It made him think about things, feel things, that were dangerous. It didn’t matter that they’d slept together. He needed to focus on his king’s orders. Protecting Lily was his responsibility. And he would carry out the task without touching her. Without spreading her thighs and tasting her, or sinking deeply inside of her.
Fucking hell… focus, you horny bastard.
Taking a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air one more time, he turned and headed back down to their apartment, determined to keep control of his desires. Inside, Zane and Ian were still sleeping, but he wasn’t there for them. Going to the wide windows, he looked at the apartment across from theirs.
Lily was already awake. Her rundown studio didn’t have the same reflective glass that their new building had, so he could see right into her windows. Their new chosen home was the perfect location to keep an eye on her, and to keep her safe.
He leaned against the glass and watched, his gaze sliding from her tousled bedroom hair to her long legs beneath the big nightshirt she still wore. He watched her dance to music he couldn't hear—sliding on the floor in her socks, chewing on a granola bar, and using it as a microphone.
Fuck. She made him smile. The half-demon woman who caused him such stress also made him deliriously happy—and he still didn't know why.
She finished the granola bar and tossed it in the trash. As he watched, she reached for the hem of her shirt and yanked it off, along with her socks.
Every muscle in his body froze. He should look away. He should really look away.
But damn-it-to-hell, he couldn’t. Her body was like a drug. He needed her. He needed her generous curves begging to be touched, her hard nipples crying out to be licked and sucked.
Oh hell…
Despite his intentions, he reached down, undid his pants, and started to stroke himself slowly. Bracing himself against the glass, he watched as she disappeared briefly in the bathroom, probably to start the shower, and then moved about her apartment, throwing clothes on her bed. Every time she bent over, flashing her perfect ass in the air, his balls tightened.
He was so close. So damn close.
She moved to the window, staring off as if watching the sunrise. Then her hand drifted down the path between her breasts, over her stomach, and—he stroked himself harder and harder. Was she really going to touch herself?
Her eyes locked onto his.
He stiffened. She couldn’t see him. Right?
Her mouth curled into a smirk, and she kissed the glass before spinning and disappearing into her bathroom.
He couldn't move, his hard cock still in hand.
Fucking hell, when had she discovered they’d moved in across from her? When had she realized they were watching her? Even worse, how in the hell had she known he was masturbating while watching her?
Damn it, the woman was good.
“You know, other people live here too.”
Jaxson spun at the sound of Zane’s voice. He glanced between his smirking friend and his own dick, still hard as fuck.
“Maybe don’t creep up on people!”
“Maybe don’t masturbate to the girl next door,” Zane said, grinning.
Jaxson glared and stuffed his hard dick back into his pants. “It’s her fault!”
“For being drop-dead gorgeous?”
“For knowing I was watching her and putting on a show!” he said, going to the kitchen and washing his hands, before pouring himself another cup of coffee.
Zane got his own coffee and leaned against the counter. “I figured it was only a matter of time.”
Jaxson rubbed his forehead, trying to hold back the headache he felt growing. “We’re the king’s best Defenders. One little woman shouldn’t have been able to discover us so easily.”
Zane grinned, never able to contain the cocky dragon within him. “It kind of turns me on.”
Jaxson rolled his eyes. “Everything turns you on.”
“Says the guy I just caught masturbating…”
Jaxson shot him a dirty look. “Why don’t you wake up Ian? We need to be ready to tail her today.”
He drained his hot coffee, enjoying the way it burned down his throat, and then headed for the shower. He needed a second to calm the pounding of his heart, to forget the strangely erotic sensation that coursed through him knowing that everything she’d done was for his entertainment.
Or his torture.
Knowing her, it was probably the latter.
He couldn't forget her in the shower. Instead, he stroked himself off, sliding his hand up and down, imagining what it felt like to be inside of her. To hear her shouting his name as she orgasmed.
He hoped masturbating would clear his head and allow his logic to take over, but it didn't work. His dick remained hard, as if to remind him that only Lily could truly satisfy him. When the water ran cold, he shoved away from the wall, dressed quickly, and met the others back in the kitchen.
His friends were dressed and ready. Zane looked like a smug supermodel, between his boyish good-looks and stylish new clothes. Ian was his opposite, reminding Jaxson of an intelligent warrior. His long blond hair was tied back at the nape of his neck, and his clothes were simple, almost elegant. They’d also each donned weapons, knowing they were unable to use their soul blades in the human-realm without bringing enemies to their doorstep.
Jaxson envied both of them as he grabbed his own sword and daggers. They had a chance at new life here on Earth. But him? There were some marks that neither time nor death could erase.
“She’s leaving!’ Ian warned from his position as lookout.
Jaxson pulled on his jacket and the three of them headed out the door. Tailing someone was an art form they’d nearly perfected throughout their long lives. They knew instinctually how to stay far enough behind the she-devil so that she wouldn’t spot them, but close enough to be able to protect her.
None of them spoke. They simply kept pace with her. Easily settling into their new routine.
They followed her along the sidewalk until they reached the busiest part of town. Here, all the shops were decorated for Saint Patrick’s Day, with four leaf clovers and silly leprechauns pasted all over the windows. Jaxson frowned at all of it, searching his human memories for the holiday. All he could recall were nights of drunken sex and green shots.
Whispered memories of a time before his accident and death.
They rounded a corner and nearly ran into Lily. She was leaning casually against the side of the building, inspecting her nails.
“Why, fancy meeting you boys here!” she said, grinning.
Jaxson stiffened. Fuck. “How did you know?”
She raised a brow. “I know a lot more than you guys give me credit for.” Then, her gaze ran over his body and lingered on his dick. “I imagine you had fun thinking I didn't know you were watching me."
“We’re just obeying orders.” Ian told her in a rush, then seemed to realize his mistake.
The humor died from her face. “Orders?”
Fucking idiot. “He just means…”
She advanced on Ian. “What orders?”
The panther-shifter looked strangely uneasy. “Your father just wanted to make sure you were safe.”
“Safe?” she hissed. “The fucker might have been my seed-donor, but he doesn’t get to start acting like he cares now. Does he really think that sending you three clueless idiots will keep me safe?”
She thinks we can’t protect her? The thought made his wolf snarl within him.
“We aren’t idiots.” Jaxson spoke the words with a quiet rage, trying to keep a handle on his control.
Zane grinned. “Well, some of us aren’t.”
“I beg to differ,” she said, her eyes narrowing and moving from Zane to Jaxson. “But guess what? I don’t really care what he told you to do. I like my freedom and my space, and you guys are going to give it to me.”
Jaxson’s heartbeat pounded loudly in his ears. His damned wolf was reacting as if his mate was calling him weak and useless. And it was taking everything inside him not to snap and show her just how powerful a protector he could be.
Ian seemed to sense how close Jaxson was to losing his shit, because he spoke in an annoyingly logical voice. “Be reasonable, Lily. You know we have to do as ordered.”
She turned her angry blue eyes onto him. “Well, I have to do what I have to do.”
The pounding of his heartbeat grew louder, and the hairs on his wolf’s back stood on end. “What? Helping paranormal creatures before they get caught by the Hunters? Come on, you know you don’t need to do it. You like putting yourself in danger.”
He didn’t mean a word of it, but he also couldn’t back down from her challenge. If she wouldn’t let him protect her, he would force her to. As any alpha would do.
She walked up to him until they were nearly touching. She looked him up and down, and then when she finally spoke, her voice was deathly calm. “Let’s just hope no one figures out what you are, because when the big, bad Hunters come a knocking, I just might not be there to help.”
Spinning on her heel, she strode away from them. “Don’t follow me, or you’ll regret it.”
Jaxson stomped after her. Or maybe she will.