Page 22 of Secret Gifts
“What the hell?” I gasp while staring down at the white, soft fabric covering me.
Oh damn. Where are my panties? Did we blood fu-
“We’re at a hotel in Singleton,” he says to interrupt my inner panic attack. “I had to feed you several packs of blood to get your body healed, and then I decided to wash you up a bit before putting you in the bed. Sorry if that crossed a line,” he murmurs softly while waiting expectantly for a reaction from me.
“You saw me naked?” I mumble while flopping back down and pulling the sheet over my head.
Great. No mystery left in my corner.
Jase lets a laugh escape, and then he pulls the sheet down to expose my blushing cheeks, his body leaning against mine as he lies down beside me.
“Only briefly. I liked what I saw if that makes you feel any better,” he says with a salaciously tempting grin on those fucking incredible lips.
“Ah,” I murmur awkwardly while looking away. “At least now I know how you knew we were in trouble.”
“So you heard me talking to your brother then?” he says while pulling me closer to him.
“Yeah.”
Crap. I wanted to end up in bed with him, but this isn’t what I expected.
He lets a grin cock up as his cheeks blush, and I tilt my head curiously.
“What?” I ask while gauging his odd reaction.
“Nothing. You’re cute when you’re frustrated,” he says while letting his hand graze the side of my bare leg.
Holy hot full blood. Fuck me now.
He smiles bigger, and then those tempting, soft lips kiss my forehead before he brings his body all the closer to mine.
“So, this is one hell of a room for a lieutenant,” I say to deter his patronizing touch.
He doesn’t want you, so stop acting like you can have him.
He frowns a little, and then his lips slide free from my head.
“I’ve been around a while. It’s not like I’m destitute or anything. Besides, I needed somewhere big enough for you to stay with me. Everyone is doubling up since the hotel ran out of room due to our overwhelming numbers. People needed to heal, and the commander has requested we stay here until we find out what is going on back at the woods. Whatever nest you walked into, it was one hell of a buzzing. There shouldn’t have been so many of them in one place.”
I wince as I sit up, and he motions for me to drink more blood as his arm rests around my waist.
“How many did we lose, and when am I going back out there?”
“We lost fifteen; which it's a miracle it was so few. You’re not going back out there until you’re completely healed and rested.”
I laugh a little at his tone. He reminds me of my brother.
“You can’t decide that, lieutenant. I probably need to call Mr. Hedin and find out what's going on.”
An angry glaze passes over his eyes, but he blinks it away before I can analyze it.
“Not necessary. Hedin was fired today - decommissioned actually. He's no longer with the United,” he says through gritted teeth, his eyes bearing some secret burden.
“What?” I gasp. “Why?”
“Because he ignored you when you told them it was a trap. Everyone there spoke of the confrontation that went on minutes before the ambush. If your group had turned back when you warned them, you would have safely fled the kill zone. You would have been able to call for backup and gained the upper hand. Captain Hollis is no longer a United official either. The commander doesn't agree with ranking men who freeze in the field and risk the lives of their crew.”
I drop back down and cover my head with a pillow.
