Jordyn (A Daemon Hunter 1)

"Not all mystical creatures drink blood. There are mystical creatures that change into wolves during a full moon and some that come from heaven and hell," I said, pointing to him. "As far as most humans are concerned, angels and demons are every bit as mystical and hard to believe in as vampires and werewolves."

"Angels do exist," he stated.

"True, but you also keep your existence secret from humans, right?"

He nodded, processing my words. Make-believe was a subject that Haniel just couldn't understand. Krista had spent hours trying to explain the Easter Bunny to him back in April. Mark and I had stifled our laughter as Krista had gotten more and more frustrated trying to explain to Haniel that no, she didn't believe that an actual bunny delivered candy every Easter. It was just a fictional character that parents let their kids believe in. The discussion had finally ended with Krista stomping off to her room, muttering about archangels and their narrow minds. Haniel was left in the living room looking completely puzzled over her outburst while Mark and I had whooped with laughter. Haniel had finally left the living room with a scowl, which only fueled our laughter even more.

Done with trying to explain something he just wasn't going to get, I closed my eyes, hoping Haniel would get the hint and join the others. It had been days since I had been left alone and my nerves were beginning to wear thin. I just needed some time alone. Time would allow Emrys to appear. I could drill him on why he'd dropped me off in my room without a backward glance. I needed just one moment alone.

Much to my frustration, Haniel didn't take the hint, or maybe he knew exactly what I was hoping for. The latter seemed most likely. Haniel may be dense when it comes to human rituals, but he had a keen sense of awareness regarding their behaviors. Even without being able to read my thoughts, he still had the gift of being able to read my body language.

Finally giving up, I headed to my room in a huff so I could get some peace. Krista trailed behind me chattering away about the new bruises the guys were sporting. She sank down on my bed without a pause.

Sighing to myself, I went to the bathroom and closed the door hard behind me, so maybe she would get the hint. I was sick of my prison sentence.

"Whoa, careful," a voice said as Emrys suddenly appeared where my bathroom door had stood open just moments before.

I gave his shoulder a hard shove. "Where the hell have you been?" I hissed as Krista pounded on my bathroom door.

"Jordyn, open up now!" she yelled through the door.

I ignored her, waiting for his explanation.

"I've been around," he said nonchalantly, leaning against my bathroom counter.

"Don't be a dick," I said as I heard Krista yelling for Mark.

"We have about five seconds before your uncle breaks down your bathroom door. Is that really how you want to spend the time?" he asked, pulling me close so I stood between his legs. "Your wardens have made conjugal visits tough," he whispered as he tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear.

"What did you have in mind?" I asked, wetting my lips with the tip of my tongue. I didn't want to admit how much thought I'd invested the last few weeks about what his lips would feel like on mine.

"This," he said, crushing his lips to mine.

My lips parted in surprise and he immediately took advantage by sweeping his tongue into my mouth. Everything inside of me liquefied and I melted into his embrace. All else was forgotten as our lips melded together like pieces to a complicated puzzle. He tasted like heat, glorious heat that sucked me in, leaving me begging for more. An uncharacteristic whimper left my lips as I tried to convey my needs to him. Chuckling slightly, he settled his hands on my hips before running them up under my shirt, trailing over to my back. His touch felt so right. Pulling back slightly, he gently sucked on my lower lip. My hands found their way up his chest as I gripped his shirt in my fist. Who knew making out would be so freaking enjoyable. Either he was really good at it, or I just should have been doing this a long time ago. I was pretty sure it was him, but I could never tell him that.

"Time's up, hot stuff," Emrys said, running his hands down my back before cupping my butt firmly in his hands and pulling me tightly against every inch of him. Gasping with awareness, I locked my arms around his neck, needing his lips back on mine. Grinning at me, he pulled back abruptly and disappeared from my embrace just as my bathroom door splintered open.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

I staggered around like I was drunk, trying to focus on the glowering figures standing in the doorway. In the rational part of my brain I knew I should say something—anything. At least act indignant that they had broken down my bathroom door. Instead, the only thing I could focus on was how my lips tingled from where Emrys had just been. Reaching a finger up, I stroked my bottom lip, relishing how amazing his lips had felt against my own. Distantly, I could hear Mark and Krista talking, and I finally dragged myself from the kiss-induced stupor.

"What's up?" I croaked innocently in a voice even I didn't recognize.

"Are you okay?" Krista asked, suddenly concerned about my sagging stature and strained voice.

"Sure. Why?" I answered, trying to release the counter that was still supporting the majority of my weight. My legs wouldn't cooperate as they impersonated Jell-O.

Krista eyed me critically. I could tell when two and two finally clicked in her head and sudden awareness filled her face, quickly followed by wariness. She may have not witnessed the act, but she was well aware that I had just been kissed senseless—literally.

"Oh, I see," she said, taking a step back. "We'll talk when you're done showering," she continued, grabbing Mark's arm and dragging him away from my bathroom door that now resembled a pile of kindling. I wondered exactly what she saw. Did I look like someone who had just been kissed senseless in the most literal sense? Were my lips swollen? They felt swollen. I could have looked, but that would have required movement.

Now that I was alone, I finally gave into my weakness and let myself slide down to the floor and rested my forehead on my knees. I tried to gather my bearings. I couldn't remember a time in the last year that I had felt as weak and vulnerable as I did at that moment. My every limb felt like cooked spaghetti and completely useless. If a Daemon appeared in my room at that moment, I was pretty convinced it would be able to kick my ass. Who knew kissing would be so intoxicating?

Finally, after several false starts, I was able to drag my sorry butt off the floor and into the shower. The steady stream of water worked wonders on my muddled brain, and by the time I climbed out of the shower, I felt completely rejuvenated. Of course, regaining my senses allowed me to focus on the fact that yet again Emrys had left me without a goodbye. Not to mention the fact that he deserved a knee in the nuts for leaving me with a splintered bathroom door and a suspicious aunt.

I grabbed my favorite coconut lotion off the top of my dresser and sat on the edge of my bed. I was in no hurry to face what I was sure would be another interrogation. Flipping open the lid, I inhaled the sweet smell of the creamy lotion as I smeared it on. Working with the guys on the beach had its downfalls. The salty air made my skin turn to something akin to alligator skin if I didn't keep it properly moisturized. Becoming the queen of procrastination, I dragged out the process. I was in no hurry to get dressed and face another roomful of disapproving looks. After the third coat of lotion, my body was no longer absorbing it and I began to resemble a beach bunny. "Well, time to pay the band," I said. The hunger pains in my stomach outweighed facing the music anyway. >"You're gonna wind up eating sand again, old man," I said to Mark, grabbing his wrist. In one fluid moment, he found himself pulled up over my head. His back slammed against the sand and my boot rested lightly on his jugular before he could even think to move.

"Stop," Haniel said, indicating that Mark was out.