Jessi awoke from a deep sleep. Her room was bright, the bed more comfortable than she remembered. Groggily, she rolled onto her back and stared at a wood ceiling.
When did I get one of those?
Brow furrowing, she pushed herself up to examine the unfamiliar bedroom. It was large, decorated in whites and blues with an open door that led onto a balcony, obscured by a billowing white curtain.
She definitely didn’t recall this place. Pushing herself up, she caught her reflection in an oval, stand alone mirror with innately carved wood. She wore nothing more than a long T-shirt and her underwear. The same breeze giving the curtains heartburn tossed her hair around, and she pushed it aside, a flash of red making her gasp.
The necklace. Jessi reached for it, surprised to find the real one around her neck.
She looked around once more with apprehension. Was she dead or …
A glimpse of blue beyond the curtains drew her to the balcony, and she pushed the drapes aside, astonished to see the swath of ocean resembling miles of blue silk.
“A cruise,” she murmured.
She sought some explanation. The last memory she had was of purple lightening, a cold, dark place and the damned Other, none of which explained how she ended up here.
Puzzled, she pushed open the doors on the side of the room opposite the balcony. One led to a closet, another to a bathroom and a third into a spacious living area, off which was another balcony. She scanned over the comfortable furniture and past the living room to a large kitchen and dining area before her gaze returned to the two forms seated on the balcony.
Xander was one by his size. Her heart lurched at the sight of him, and her blood began flying through her in a mixture of excitement and desire. She neared the door to the balcony and paused, eyes going over Xander’s body.
Dressed in swim trunks and nothing else, his long, lean legs were propped up on the balcony railing. His dark hair was tied at his neck, his muscular frame at ease. Heavy features were shaded by a day or two of stubble, his red-hued gaze on the ocean. The calming intensity around him tugged at her, made her want to curl up in his arms.
The woman beside him was a stranger. Skinny with a crooked nose, her eyes glowed red, too, and her frown was apparent.
Uncertain what was going on, Jessi hugged herself and inched closer. She saw no sign that the kids were here; the place was meticulous. If Brandon and Ashley were around, there would be little messes and beads everywhere.
“…just saying, maybe it was a mistake.” The young woman on the balcony was whining in a way that reminded Jessi of Ashley.
“You had enough time to think about it,” Xander’s response was gruff.
“That was before I decided to go vegan.”
“It’s been two days, Ingrid.”
“It was a recent decision.”
“Let me guess – you met a new guy, and he’s vegan.”
“You’re Ingrid?” Jessi asked, surprised. She was expecting a big-boobed beauty, not the scrawny girl.
Both of them twisted to face her. Xander motioned to the door. Ingrid rose with a frown.
“Great. Two bosses who don’t believe in wearing clothes,” she grumbled.
Ingrid breezed by her and slammed the front door. Jessi’s face warmed. She glanced down, suspecting she should’ve searched for clothing.
Until she looked up and saw Xander’s appraising gaze move over her. Desire pooled in her lower belly, and the ache at her core was intense enough that she wanted to sit down. Xander met her gaze, the intensity of his look adding to her misery.
“A cruise?” she asked.
“To Cabo.”
“Wow … that’s where I’ve always …” Her gaze sharpened. “Did I tell you that?”
“I read your diaries.”
“Xander!” she groaned.
“I rescue you from an Other, and you’re giving me shit?” he challenged, standing. He moved into the living area.
“You won’t learn boundaries, will you?” Jessi didn’t retreat, her body burning for him too much for her to want to leave. She gazed up at him.
“Not where you’re concerned,” he replied firmly.
“Where are the kids?”
“Safe in Texas. You’re welcome for saving your ass again.”
“I saved your ass, too!” she retorted.
Xander’s features softened in warmth. He tipped her chin up and kissed her lightly. It was all the invitation she needed. Jessi sank into his hard body, beyond relieved at the feel of his smooth skin. His comforting scent and heat filled her senses.
“I thought I lost you,” she murmured.
“As much as you might like that, no.”
“I don’t want that!”
He wrapped his arms around her tightly.
“No one is coming for the gem again? You didn’t destroy the world?” Apprehension filled her at the thought of facing Jonny or Others. She did her best to protect those she cared about and ended up here. She squeezed her eyes closed, pressing herself against him. His oak-amber scent and the heat of his skin intoxicated her, made her feel like – even if the world ended – she might not care, if she was in his arms.
“It’s over,” he replied.
“I passed your damn trial?”
“Close enough,” he answered, reaching between them to lift her chin again.
She flushed, as much from the fire building within her as his words.
“I would’ve kept you either way,” he added with a small smile. “I have to tell you something.”
“How I ended up on a cruise?”
“No.” He was pensive for a moment. “You were dead for a few minutes.”
She stared.
“I asked Eden to save you, because I couldn’t,” Xander continued. “She made you immortal, Jessi.”
His words baffled her. He watched her try to process the idea.
“Immortal,” she repeated. “As in, I get to live forever?”
“Like me. With me.”
Speechless, she tried to imagine what eternity would be like. It was beyond anything she could envision.
“Most Naturals end up immortal or at least, age slowly, if they mate with Guardians. Ash and Brandon will probably do the same,” he added.
Another thought occurred to her. “You like me enough to keep me around?”
“Yeah.”
His simple, earnest response and the conviction on his face floored her.
“It’s a lot to think about,” she admitted.
“It can be undone,” he added, an edge in his voice.
“No.” Jessi smiled, surprised to find no part of her disliked the idea of spending a lifetime – or several – with him. “No. It’s a lot to take in, and don’t you ever make a decision like that on my behalf again, without consulting me.”
“You were fucking dead.”
“You wanted to keep me around forever. You like me. No, you love me.” She wanted to cry, overwhelmed, this time by different emotions than those that plagued her this week. Living forever was not something she ever considered; being with him wasn’t something she thought was possible
Both? Jessi grinned.
He grimaced.
“No one will ever fuck with you again.” His tone was soft but lethal.
“I’m afraid to ask,” she murmured, aware of what his strength was able to do.
“It’s universally understood that you’re off-limits.”
She almost sighed. “So you aren’t mad at me for taking off the necklace and lying to you and not trusting you to help me.”
A flare of something went through his gaze. His jaw clenched.
“You are mad at me,” she said, uncertain why the idea made her want to laugh, especially after he went through the effort to keep her around forever.
“That shit won’t happen again.”
“You survived, didn’t you?”
“No more secrets, lies or boundaries,” he growled.
“We’ll see,” she said, grinning. “Since you can’t read my mind, and we have eternity together …”
He kissed her hungrily, robbing her of resistance and breath. Jessi yielded. She loved the combination of his passion and gentled strength. His lips teased her, his mouth opening so she could taste him once more. The furnace in her belly was beyond hot, her blood roaring with need. When he lifted his head, her thoughts were too addled for her to focus on anything more than the sensations of the body against hers.
“Deal?” he asked in a husky voice.
She nodded. “No more one-night stands.”
“Yes, kiri, I know,” he replied with a chuckle. He rested his forehead against hers. “I understood that when I made my choice.”
“I don’t know how you did it, but thank you,” she whispered. Tears rose as she began to realize exactly what it meant to be where she was. In his arms. On a cruise. For the first time since meeting him, she didn’t feel as if the world was crushing her.
“You didn’t fuck things up too bad. You’re brave. Stupidly so.”
She laughed. “I think that’s a compliment.”
“It is.” The quiet note in his voice drew her attention back to him. “Is this what you want, Jessi?”
She studied him curiously.
“I can’t read your mind.” His dislike of the truth was clear. “I made my fucking choice. I want to hear yours.”
She wanted to laugh but didn’t, aware he was as vulnerable as he’d ever get right now.
“Yes,” she said. Jessi fluttered kisses across his face, ignoring the tears on hers.
“Good. I’m hungry and haven’t gotten laid in three days.” Xander lifted her easily into his arms and carried her towards the bedroom.
“What a romantic proposal,” she teased, nuzzling his chest.
“Fuck with me at your own risk,” he warned. “At least I’ll make you Sunday before I turn you into dinner.”
A thrill went through her.
“Sunday,” Jessi repeated. She glanced at the alarm clock on the night stand as they entered the bedroom. It was noon. “Sofi said to tell you she told you so.”
“Fucking Oracles.”
“What does that mean?” she asked.
He set her on the bed and lay on his side, pulling her into his body once more. His large hands began to explore her. He pushed up her t-shirt, his warm palms branding her hips and stomach. He began kissing her, hot, quick and deep. Jessi’s hands traced the thick muscles of his arms.
“It means … I lost … a bet…” he said between kisses.
“About me?”
“Yes.”
Jessi’s laughter bubbled up at the anger in his tone. From what she knew of the Oracle, Sofi was probably dancing in joy right now, knowing she won a round with Xander.
Xander’s movement paused. He lifted his head to glare at her.
“You got beat by that cute little girl,” Jessi said, giggling. “She’s like, the size of your leg.”
“She also said we’ll have twenty kids.”
“What?” All humor fled. Jessi stared at him, unable to determine if he was messing with her. “Tell me you’re joking! I can hardly handle the two I have. There’s no way in hell!”
Xander gave her a familiar, cunning half-smile. “We’ll see, won’t we?”
***
Damian Eternal Series, a War of Gods spinoff
Series available wherever you purchase ebooks!
Xander’s Chance
The Black God (May 2015)
***
Sign up for Lizzy’s mailing list! Monthly giveaways, updates about new releases, and exclusive sales! Click here to sign up! (Link: http://eepurl.com/tnUlz)
***
Connect with Lizzy online!
Website (LizzyFord.com)
Facebook (Facebook.com/LizzyFordBooks)
Instagram (@lizzyfordauthor)
Twitter (@lizzyford2010)
***