Addict (Hunter #2)(96)

“You said he would be an abomination.”

Jacob smiled, a truly brilliant thing. “I said I couldn’t actively affect the outcome. Of course, I never said a prophet can’t lie. I lie quite well, thank you.”

“Nice.” It was good to know the prophet had some human flaws.

His hand squeezed mine, giving me strength. “I might lie on occasion, but never to myself. That’s what people like Winter and Gray’s father get wrong. What they don’t understand is they choose. The demons believe they are one way, that they were born to do evil. In fact, they were not. They choose. They choose their culture, choose what those around them deem as acceptable. It takes true courage to see the rottenness of what is familiar and choose to change. Gray is brave. Tell him that though a prophet might be dark, though his power might have come from evil, how he uses it is the true gift our father gives us all. We choose who we are every single day. That is what all of this is about. So choose wisely, Kelsey Owens. So much rests on who you are.”

The door opened and I walked through.





Chapter Twenty



He is my husband. It’s hard to believe. After everything we went through, we made it to this day. I stare at the man on the bed. Naturally he insisted upon this hotel and this room. It was where he first saw me, first understood the potential of me.

I saw him for the first time standing in my hallway all those years ago. I’d been coming out of the bathroom, trying to pull myself together after going on a bender.

I look nicer tonight. Tonight I wear a white silk gown that clings to my every curve. It plunges to show off the slope of my breasts. The color makes my skin appear luminescent. Or maybe that’s the fact that I love him with all my heart.

“Kelsey mine.” He gives me that slow smile that makes everything female inside of me respond.

Gray hasn’t taken off his tuxedo pants and white dress shirt, though he ditched the tie and jacket long ago. He got rid of them during our first dance. I can still hear the song. It’s from a few years back. All of Me.

Our wedding was perfect. My family surrounded me. I suppose it was odd that one of the bride’s former lovers gave her away, but Marcus and I have found a comfortable friendship since we parted. I even love his new companion like a sister.

My mind fights the image. It’s wrong. Pain flashes through my system, an alarm bell telling me to wake the f*ck up.

Let it happen. See all the possibilities. Jacob’s voice whispers to me, reminding me that I’m still me. This is all one long “what if” scenario playing in my head. I relax. I won’t fight this. The moment I accept what’s happening, I’m right back in the moment.

He sits up and I can see a flash of perfect skin peeking from behind the buttons of his shirt. I love his chest. Smooth and warm, I love to lay my head on it and hear the sound of his heart beating. When I need peace, I’ll lay for hours wrapped around him. He holds out his hand and I walk to him.

“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” Gray’s eyes skim my body. He tells me all the time. He’s told me so many times, I’ve started to believe him.

“Have I told you I think about you all the time?” Years of training with Marcus and the academics have made me comfortable with talking about how I feel. I’m a different person. A better person.

He pulls me close and drags the pretty gown off my shoulders and exposes my breasts. I stay still. He likes to look at me, treating my body like a private work of art. Slowly his hand comes up, fingers brushing from my neck along my collarbone.

“You’re all I think about, Kelsey mine.” His hand cups my breast as the other curls around my neck, dragging me close for a kiss. His lips meet mine, soft velvet rubbing my lips, seeking entry.

I give it to him. I give him everything I have.

I only miss Marcus at odd times. It’s been so long and I know he’s happy, but there are moments I wish I hadn’t walked through that painting. She’d been waiting there. Not for me, but for him. For them all.

The room shifts slightly. It’s such a small thing. The light flickers and I feel a hand on my back.

“I would like some of that, bella,” a deep voice says.

Gray’s lips curl up against mine. “Give him what he wants or he’ll pout.”

I turn and Marcus is there, his night-black hair falling over his forehead. His eyes heat as he looks down at the breasts Gray has revealed.

He smiles at me, a sexy hint of fangs peeking between his generous lips. “I don’t pout, bella. Please tell our partner this. I’m far too old and proper to ever pout.”

The very thought makes me grin. I reach out and begin to unbutton his dress shirt. He and Gray were in gorgeous, matching tuxedoes. My men. “I don’t know how proper you are, baby. You participated in a wholly illegal marriage ceremony.”

“I was promised that ceremony was entirely legal in Fae society,” he replies.

He kisses me while I undress him.

“And if you ever try to leave us, we’ll take you right to a sithein,” Gray promises.

Gray slides in behind me. I can feel the heat of his breath on the nape of my neck. It makes me shiver, but I’m certainly not cold. I’m trapped between their bodies, and it’s where I love to be. It’s my favorite place in the world.

Four hands on my body. It’s certainly not the first time they’ve made love to me together, and it won’t be the last. This is my future. This is my home.