He’d left sweet Brenna in bed at dawn so he could run for a couple of hours before lifting weights and punching the bags. What in the hell had he been thinking to mate her? He’d stupidly thought he’d be able to do her a favor and leave town. Even now, hours later, his blood hummed for her. His fucking cock was ready to play. And something in the center of his chest hurt. Bad.
Blood sprayed as he slammed his hand into the leather.
The music cut off.
He stilled, turning only his head to see Conn leaning against the wall, arms crossed. The expression on his brother’s face reminded him of when Conn had tried to tame wild horses for a brief time. Turned out horses and vampires didn’t belong in the same vicinity.
But now, Conn was measuring how to talk to him.
That pissed him off beyond belief. “Turn the fucking music back on.” He began punching the bag again.
“No. You’re bleeding all over Kell’s gym.”
He stopped and turned. “What do you want?”
“I want to make sure you’re all right.” Conn rubbed his prominent chin. “I mean, after last night.”
Jase blinked. “What do you know about it?”
Conn rolled his eyes. “I can smell her all over you. Don’t be daft.”
“What is this, a slumber party?” Jase snorted, his shoulders tightening. “I don’t need to share, Conn. You’re going soft.”
Temper flashed through Conn’s eyes. Anticipation lit Jase’s spine. Then Conn snuffed out the fire. “I’m not soft, but you need to talk.”
Disappointment tasted like ashes. “I’m fine. We mated, she’ll be cured, I’ll get her skills, and now we have a good treaty with the witches. Simple as that.”
“Mating is never simple.” Conn kicked a barbell. A crease lined between his eyebrows. “Are you really going to leave her?”
The thought was a fist to the gut. His mind rebelled against leaving Brenna. “Of course. That was the plan, wasn’t it?”
“I thought that maybe after last night, you’d—”
“What? Fall in love and be cured? Be able to have a normal life so all of you could relax and stop feeling so fucking guilty?” The words spilled out of him, the venom burning his tongue.
“Yes.”
He curled his lip. “Sorry. We fucked, I branded her, and it’s over. Deal with it, brother.”
Conn fixed him with a look that at one time would’ve made him think twice. “Don’t talk about Brenna like that.”
“She’s mine.” Jase lifted his chin, hating himself more than Conn probably did. “I can talk about her any damn way I want.” Even so, he glanced at the doorway, his breath heating. Nobody stood there, so he relaxed and focused back on his brother.
Amusement lifted Conn’s lip. “Who are you looking for?”
Heat filled Jase’s face. “Nobody.”
“Right.” The amusement slid into a full smile. “Keep telling yourself that.” Whistling an Irish tune, Conn sauntered out of the gym.
Asshole. Jase took a deep breath. He should probably check on Brenna. Jogging toward the doorway, he rushed past the elevator to the stairs. Climbing the many stories would be a good way to end his workout.
He arrived at the penthouse sooner than he’d expected. It was quiet, so he strode silently through to peek in the bedroom. The bed was made, and Brenna was nowhere to be seen. Okay. Turning on his heel, he wandered the penthouse, finally coming to a locked door behind the kitchen. He knocked, but there was no answer.
A locked door. Why would Brenna have a locked door? Well, they were mated now, and there would be no locks. Yeah, he was a bastard. A shoulder to the edge shoved open the heavy oak.
The smell of oil paint hit him first. Ah. Her studio. Curiosity propelled him inside. Bright light cascaded in from a wide wall of windows as well as skylights. Several half-finished paintings stood on easels. Rich, full colors exploded on the canvases. Sensual and erotic paintings of silhouettes caught in passion.
The woman was incredibly talented.
He reached for a sketchbook on a battered table and flipped open the first page. His face stared back at him, so much pain in his eyes he stepped back. When had she sketched him? Considering his face bore the ever- present scar, it had been within the last couple of days. His hands shook when he flipped the top closed. She’d seen him. The real him.
God. He had to get out of there.
His phone buzzed, and he absently pressed it to his ear. “What?”
“It’s Conn. We have a report of demons being in Dublin. Somehow they got word of the contractual mating.”
The world stopped. Jase’s head snapped up and his heart clutched. “They’re after me?”
“No. Our contacts confirm they’re after Brenna.”
Terror rippled through him so quickly he swayed. Where the hell was Brenna?
Brenna tucked her packages under one arm and skirted a mom with three toddlers. “Thanks for coming shopping today.”
Deb nodded, her gaze on the huge Christmas tree set in the middle of a mall. “Are you kidding? I wanted to hear all about the crazy, fanged sex you had last night.”
Brenna forced a laugh. The sex had been more emotional than crazy, but it had been wild. “I have to admit, my ass really hurts.”
“The branding?” Deb asked.
“It’s a marking.” And yes, her butt burned like she’d been branded with a cattle prod. Though the
“Same thing.” Deb set down her many shopping bags and stretched her neck. “Are you thinking forever now with the vampire?”
Brenna shrugged. Well, maybe. It could work out, right? “No. I’m not thinking forever.”
“Liar. I know you. No way would you have slept with him without some emotion, and now, you’re probably thinking you’re in love with him.” Deb shook her head.
“I’m not in love. But he’s got a sweet side. Deep down, he’s so hurt—”
“Stop.” Deb held out a hand. “Please don’t tell me you’re going to save him. That you’re going to be the one woman to get through his hard shell and make him whole.” The words were snarky, but the concern in her eyes was genuine.
Brenna swallowed. “I don’t know.”
Deb groaned. “I knew this would happen. Didn’t I say this would happen?”
“Yes.” Brenna wrinkled her nose. “You warned me.”
“Okay.” Deb frowned and glanced around. “By the way, how did you get loose without Coven Nine security all over you?”
Now that was a good friend. One who made her point and then changed the subject so Brenna didn’t cry. “Well, the CRAP group has been taken out of the picture, and Brenna’s Warriors are no longer a threat since I’ve mated. I’m free.”
Deb hopped once. “That’s wonderful. Those stodgy bodyguards were no fun.” She glanced at her watch and frowned. “But I have to go pick up the boys at practice. Do you want to come?”
“Nope.” Freedom rushed through Brenna like a warm breeze. No more bodyguards. At least for a while. “I need to finish shopping today.”
“Okay.” After giving her a quick hug, Deb sprinted out of the mall.
There was a time when Brenna had energy. Maybe now that she’d mated Jase, she’d get her spunk back. With a sigh, she turned to finish her shopping. Store after store, she added to her purchases.
Finally, she headed to the center of the mall.
She felt him before she saw him. Slowly turning, she faced Jase, who stood looking at her with pure relief. Heat slammed into her face. “Hi. What are you doing here?”
