Joslyn thumped her fingers impatiently as she watched the town pass quickly by. Tension was palpable in the car as Jos mentally berated herself for ever getting emotionally involved with men. {Anyone who questions the fact I'm cursed when it comes to love would just have to be here now...}
Areion glanced her way and smiled, she had changed so much from the time he knew her. {She has grown into even more of a beauty, carrying an air of refinement that hadn't been there all those years ago. I can't deny it, I still want her! Orion's little babysitting gig can go to hell.} He struggled to come up with casual conversation, but nothing seemed fitting. The GPS indicated their destination was the next left. {I'm running out of time...} Before the car had even come to a stop, her hands were already on the door handle ready to pop it open and escape at the first opportunity. He held down the lock as he pulled into a parking spot away from the busy office area.
Jos tugged on the latch twice, turning back toward the driver in obvious irritation. "Unlock the damn door." She spat as she pulled on the latch a third time.
Areion thanked modern technology and the invention of child safety locking systems. He turned toward her one hand still on the lock button. "Listen I'd love to tell you I'm sorry for what happened... but truth be told I'm only sorry it didn't work." His face lit with a mischievous twinkle, "Besides... you were the one who seduced me. What was I supposed to do? 'No please Miss refrain from seducing me, you have me mistaken for another." He threw his hand onto his forehead dramatically for a second before sending her his most serious eyebrow raise, "Says no man ever-"
Jos didn't wait for him to finish whatever pathetic line he was working on delivering. She smacked him as hard as the tiny space would allow, right across the face. "I was a VIRGIN for crying out loud! Open the damn door and let me out."
Areion rubbed his hot cheek. "I deserved that... but you at least should hear my side after all this time?"
Jos stared him directly in the eyes. "No. As a matter of fact, I could care less. I could care even less why your asshole brother was in my home two days ago. I only care that you both leave me the fuck alone and stay away from those I care about." She narrowed her eyes, "Now open the damn door."
He unlocked the door and waited until she had begun walking toward her room before he opened the driver's side door to follow her. He continued walking even after she had stopped under the Spanish styled courtyard that connected all the villas.
Jos leaned against one column, "Why are you following me?"
He shrugged, "Would you believe me if I said I just wanted to make sure you got inside safely?"
"No." Jos answered matter-of-factly as she crossed her arms over her chest.
He laughed as he closed the space between them. "Fair enough, but you really can't expect me to just give up do you?" He was about to extend his hand out to touch her face, when the cell phone in his pocket began to ring. "Ah... Hell..." He retrieved his phone. "This isn't over, kitten." He said before taking the call. "Yes... Yes... I'm on my way back now." He hung up and quickly caught back up to her as she retreated farther away. He grabbed her arm spinning her around to face him. "There was a time you begged for my kiss, seeing you now... there is no doubt I want that again with you." Her hand pressed hard against his lips as he attempted to kiss her.
In an icy tone betraying her hurt of all those years ago, Joslyn replied. "No, you're wrong there. It was never your kisses I begged for, was it?" She removed her hand from his mouth and patted his cheek as if soothing an upset child. "And let me promise you, as attractive as you both still are, it will never be either of your 'kisses' I desire." She tried to turn away, but his grip only tightened on her arm.
He sent her a cruel grin. "You know I've never been good with being told no... And to think I had originally planned on helping you with the little situation you've gotten into with the vampires and wolf pups."
Her eyes widened, "What do you know of my situation?"
His smile widened as he released her. "You don't want to hear anything I have to say remember?... You know where to find me when you're ready to talk though..." He turned away and walked across the parking lot back to his car. {If only those bastards hadn't called...} He pulled the door of the car opened and flopped down, shifting the car into gear in anger. He watched as she stared at him in shock as he pulled out of the parking place and onto the open road. "Shit!"
His phone rang again, "Great, who could it be now..." He quickly answered the phone not taking his eyes off the road as he zipped in and out of traffic. "Hello, Areion here, speak."
[Were you able to locate the girl?]
"Ah, Orion. Yeah, we just had a lovely little reunion. You could have warned me she's become so... fiery... I like it!" He answered.
[You weren't supposed to let your presence be known, just keep a lookout and help if she's in trouble.] Orion repeated the instructions he had given his brother the day before.
"Well, you know me and beautiful women... especially that beautiful woman..." He decided to stop while he was ahead. "Actually, I ran into her this morning while I was working another job. It completely took me by surprise...and things may have gotten a little out of hand."
[You didn't do anything to raise suspicion or that will cause her more trouble have you?] Irritation was obvious in his voice.
"Of course not, we were by ourselves for the most part. However, she is a bit mad at me now..." He laughed. "I may have gotten a bit carried away."
[The girl has enough problems right now, don't make me regret getting you involved. I would hate to have to call in one of our other brothers to clean up your mess... again...]
Areion rolled his eyes as he turned back into the parking area of the vampires' main headquarters. "Yea, yea... I hear ya loud and clear. Listen, I have to go back to work now. I'll follow up with you later.
***
Orion let out a heavy sigh as he hung up the phone and placed it on the small table in the training room he'd found inside the massive palace. "Don't just lurk in the shadows, come out and say what you have to say."
Russ had stopped the second he walked into the room and realized Orion and whomever he was on the phone with were talking about Jos. His blood boiled when he overheard the other man talking about her, causing him to freeze in place as he continued to listen.
Russ cracked his knuckles. "Let's make a bet. If I win here today you will tell me exactly what happened between you and Jos. If I lose, I'll stop fighting against you and willingly go meet with the council, take up a fucking crown...Whatever your asshats want. Deal?"
Orion shrugged. "You will meet with them regardless, though less of a fight would be nice... but I guess it's only fair... If you win, I'll finally tell you what actually happened."
Russ stepped onto the mats. "Same rules as always?"
Orion smiled wickedly, "It wouldn't be much of a fight if we followed those rules now would it?" He pulled his shirt off and threw it to the side. Muscles rippled beneath the scarred, tanned flesh. "In a real fight there would be no rules, no holding back, and that's what I want from you here today. No holding back, give me your all... and I'll fight back with my all." He gazed over at Russ. "Then and only then IF you beat me, will I tell you."