Change Me (The Protector Series Book 2) Page 7

  “What? Then why are you so upset that I kicked his ass?” he asked after he turned to face me. Confusion was written all over his face.

  “Why do you care if some asshole gets too aggressive with me? What makes you think I need your help handling a situation like that?”

  He stalked toward me until his body was inches from mine. “I will never stand by and watch someone put their hands on you,” he bit out.

  “It's not your place, Jasper,” I snapped. “What were you even doing there?”

  He sighed. “Brooke started bartending there a few nights ago. Sam and I went tonight because she invited us.”

  “Ah, Brooke. Of course you went to see her,” I said, disgust in my tone.

  “Did he hurt you?” he asked, ignoring my previous statement.

  “Not as much as you did,” I muttered. I hadn't meant to say it out loud, it just came out. Jasper pulled back like I'd slapped him.

  “How did I hurt you?” he asked with a worried expression.

  I took a deep breath. I wasn't ready to explain this to him, but I knew it needed to be done.

  “You probably want to sit down,” I said gesturing to the couch. He shook his head and continued to look at me expectantly.

  “Okay, so you can do that weird thing where you look in my window, but you're not really there. Well, I can do something kinda like that, too,” I said. He didn't say anything so I kept going.

  “It's not really that I can do it. I can't control it; it just happens.”

  “Spit it out, Macie.”

  “I feel other people's pain,” I said throwing my hands in the air.

  Jasper’s jaw dropped.

  “And sometimes I can transfer that pain to other people,” I went on.

  “You're a Protector?” he asked, shocked.

  “You know about us?”

  “I'm a Raider, Macie.” He took a step back when he said it.

  “Am I supposed to know what that means?”

  “You're supposed to hate me. Raiders steal things from the people you protect. Occasionally, we harm the people you attempt to keep safe.” He was pacing now, running his hand through his hair. I stood there and waited for him to gather himself.

  He suddenly stopped and walked back to me. He put his hands on either side of my face, using his thumbs to stroke my cheeks.

  “You felt it. What I did to Jon, you felt all of that,” he whispered.

  I nodded as my eyes filled with tears.

  “Fuck!” he shouted. I closed my eyes and tried to pull away from him, but he wrapped his arms around me and held me tight to his chest.

  “I'm so sorry. I would have never done that if I'd known. I would never intentionally hurt you, Macie. I'm so fucking sorry.”

  Tears rolled down my cheeks as he spoke. He was sorry; I could feel it in the way he held me.

  “I forgive you,” I whispered. I wrapped my arms around his waist and held him as tight as I could manage through my exhaustion. “It's okay. I'm okay. That’s why I have to take the pills. If it's a situation I can't control, like the car accident a couple of weeks ago, I take a pill so I won't feel as much,” I explained.

  “Shit. I'm a dumbass,” he mumbled. I shook my head, disagreeing with him.

  He kissed the top of my head while he rubbed my back in efforts to comfort me. I could feel myself letting my guard down and I squeezed my eyes shut. I let go of Jasper and gently pushed against his chest. He dropped his arms, but didn't step back.

  “I think it's time for you to go,” I said, looking at the floor.

  “I'm not going anywhere.” He tried to grab my hand, but I jerked it away.

  “You always do this. You stay until I don't want you to go, and then you leave. I'm not doing it again. You said it yourself: I should hate you.”

  “You should, but you don't,” he said sternly.

  “I want to,” I muttered.

  He flexed his jaw in anger, before nodding once and turning his back on me. I watched him walk out of my apartment once again. and it didn't piss me off any less than the other times.

  I stood outside her apartment door for less than five minutes before I made up my mind. I threw it open, glad to see that she hadn't locked it. She was sitting on the couch with her head in her hands. When she looked up at me, I knew I'd made the right decision.

  “Fuck that, Macie. You couldn't hate me even if you tried. I know, because I've tried to hate you. I've tried to stay away from you, but damnit, it's impossible. You're in my head constantly.” I knelt down in front of her and pressed my forehead to hers. “I know I'm not the man you deserve, but I won't let anyone else have you. Let me try. Please, just let me try.”

  I waited impatiently for her to say something. When she didn't, I slowly stood up and turned toward the door.

  “Lesson number one,” she said quietly.

  “What?” I asked, confused.

  “Lesson number one is not to give up so damn easy. I'm stubborn and if you continue to give up that easily then this will be over by tomorrow.”

  “Lesson number one. Got it,” I said with a smile. She got off the couch and wrapped her arms around me.

  “Please try your hardest,” she whispered against my chest. My heart thudded under her head at the fear of letting her down. I would try, and I would succeed. Because failing meant losing her, and that just wasn't an option. That's when I knew that Macie Smith was going to change me forever.

  “I have a lot of questions I want to ask you about being a Protector,” I told her. “But it can wait until tomorrow.”

  I grabbed her hands from behind my back and brought them up to wrap around my neck. When I noticed she was on her tiptoes, I lifted her up off her feet and held her tightly against me. Her body was warm against mine. I kissed her softly, wanting to memorize the feel and the taste, but I was interrupted by her giggling.

  “You think that's funny?” I asked with one brow raised.

  “It's cute when you try to be nice,” she smirked.

  “You don't want me to be nice?”

  “I want you to be you, Jasper.” She pecked my lips quickly and pulled back to look at me through her lashes. My heart rate picked up at the sight.

  “What are we going to do about your attitude?” I asked, shaking my head at her. She shrugged innocently and trailed her index finger across my mouth, making my lips tingle. I sighed and closed my eyes, enjoying her touch. When she withdrew her fingers, I immediately pushed my lips against hers, not so gently this time. Instead of giggling, she wrapped her legs around my waist and opened her mouth for me to delve my tongue inside.

  My first instinct was to carry her to the bedroom, but I ignored it and turned toward the couch instead. I didn't want her to feel pressured to do something she wasn't ready for.

  I sat down and kept her steady on my lap, never breaking the kiss. I placed my hands on her hips and let my thumbs glide over the skin that wasn't covered by her tank top. She was warm and soft and everything I'd been craving since the first time I’d met her. I groaned against her mouth when I felt chill bumps spread across her skin.

  She pulled away and gripped the bottom of my shirt and tugged. I smiled as I helped her pull it over my head. She sat back and took in my upper body, running her hands over my abs appreciatively. I sucked in a breath when she lowered her head and kissed across my chest. I tried to hold back and let her take her time, but when she paused to pull her tank top over her head all of my self-control vanished.

  I grabbed hold of her ass and stood up with her still wrapped around me. I walked us to her bedroom eagerly and tossed her on the bed. She bit her lip as I crawled on top of her.

  “We don't have to do anything you don't want to do,” I whispered with my lips against her cheek. “But if you don't want this then you need to tell me right now.”

  Suddenly, Macie shoved me off of her. I got off of the bed and raised my hands in surrender, assuming that was my cue to stop. She smirked before scooting to the edge of the
bed and pulling me to her. She undid the button on my jeans and slowly unzipped them. I stopped her hands before she could tug my jeans down. “Are you sure?” I asked her.

  She nodded as she looked up at me with hooded eyes.

  “Say it, Macie. I want you to say it.”

  “I want this. I want you,” she said with confidence. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. I stepped out of my jeans and boxers. Macie followed my lead and stripped down to her bra and panties. I was ready for her and the way she looked me up and down only made me more eager.

  “Take it all off,” I instructed. I stayed back and watched as she unfastened her bra and slid the straps down her arms. She took a deep breath, drawing my undivided attention to her bare chest. I couldn't wait to get my hands on her breasts. And my mouth.

  I loved that she didn't hesitate or attempt to cover herself; she moved right along to her panties. Her hair sprawled out on the pillow as she lay on her back and hooked her thumbs under the thin fabric. Tilting her hips up off of the bed, she yanked them down her legs. I'd never seen anything sexier.

  I couldn't wait any longer to touch her. I crawled on top of her and softly kissed her lips. “You're perfect,” I told her. She pulled my mouth back to hers and kissed me harder. I shivered as she trailed her nails down my back.

  ***

  Macie was still asleep when I woke up the next morning. I took a second to gaze at the peaceful look on her face. I felt sick when I thought about her feeling the beating I'd given Jon.

  “Stop staring at me,” she murmured without opening her eyes.

  “Just appreciating the view,” I chuckled.

  “I feel like I need to take a shower.”

  “Good, I was just heading there,” I said as I yanked the covers off of her. She squealed when I scooped her up off the bed and carried her to the bathroom.

  Macie stayed in the shower longer than me. I had to get out of there before I convinced myself that spending the entire day without clothes on was okay.

  I found my phone on the couch and saw that I'd missed two calls from Sam. I was almost positive he was wanting to ask why I'd beaten the shit out of Jon, especially while we were already on the outs with him and Daniel, but I didn't feel like talking about it today.

  “You want to take me to lunch?” Macie asked as she walked down the hall in nothing but her towel.

  “I want to take you, alright. We can go get lunch afterwards,” I said with a wink.

  Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned pink. I laughed at her reaction, which she didn't appreciate. She crossed her arms over her chest and stuck her chin up.

  “Get me some pizza, then we’ll talk,” she said matter-of-factly.

  “You got it, babe,” I winked.

  I lay down on her couch and turned on the TV while I waited for her to get ready.

  I heard something crash to the floor in the bathroom, followed by Macie yelling, “Ouch!”

  I was getting up to go see what had happened when I noticed the sharp pain in my left foot.

  “Ahh,” I hissed as I bent over to rub it.

  “What happened to you?” Macie asked as she came down the hall brushing her hair.

  “I don't know. I was just sitting here and my foot started hurting,” I explained. I glanced up at her to see that all of the color had drained from her face. She was staring at the foot I was rubbing.

  “Macie? What's wrong?” I asked before standing and taking a step toward her.

  She slowly took a step back and gently shook her head. My brows were creased while I tried to figure out what had her so freaked out.

  I was just about to reach out for her when she grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked. I didn't have time to question her actions before my scalp started stinging. I scratched the spot on my head that felt like someone had ripped my hair out, then it hit me.

  “What the fuck was that?” I asked with wide eyes.

  “Y-you felt that?” Macie whispered.

  I nodded with my mouth open, still scratching my head.

  “How? How can you feel what I feel?” she asked a little louder. She started pacing across the room and mumbling to herself.

  “Wait a second. This could all just be some weird coincidence, Macie. Stop freaking out.”

  “Coincidence? I knocked my blow dryer off the counter and it landed on my left foot. I came in here and you were rubbing your left foot. I just pulled my hair and you started scratching your head because you felt it on your own head. Does that sound like a coincidence to you, Jasper?”

  “Well, is it a bad thing?” I shrugged.

  Macie studied me for a moment before answering. “I don't know.”

  “I mean, it's kind of freaking me out to be honest. But it's kinda cool that I can feel your pain. Maybe I can take it away, too.”

  “Uh, we aren't going to be testing that theory anytime soon. I need to call my brother. He will know what to do.” She was walking back to her bedroom when I snaked my arm around her waist and pulled her to a stop.

  “Hold up a sec, babe. We can figure this out on our own. Let's not involve your family just yet. Okay?”

  The truth was, I didn't want her brother to find out I was a Raider and talk Macie out of being with me. Taylor had already warned me about his protectiveness over her. And now that I knew I was technically the enemy, I couldn't let him get into Macie’s head before I proved myself to her.

  “Okay, but if anything else starts happening then I'm going to call him,” she said.

  I let out a sigh of relief before kissing her temple.

  “How about that pizza?” I whispered in her ear.

  She giggled and squirmed out of my hold. I heard the hair dryer come on a minute later.

  My phone buzzed from the couch and I went to check it. I assumed it was Sam and knew I wasn't going to answer it. If he wanted me to help him with a job, I would have no choice but to go. It comes with being a Raider: we’re forced to help fellow raiders when they ask whether we want to or not.

  I wanted to be relieved to see that it wasn't Sam calling me, but I was just as disappointed to see that it was Brooke. I decided to answer it and do my best to let her down easy.

  “Hey, Brooke,” I answered.

  “Hey, baby. I was thinking we could get lunch together. Then, maybe we can come back to my place for the rest of the day.” She made her voice sound sultry, which made me cringe inwardly.

  “Brooke, I didn't want to tell you this over the phone, but I don't plan on seeing you any time soon, so here it goes. I've met someone. What you and I had was fun while it lasted, but it's over.” I held my breath and waited for her to burst into tears, scream at me, or throw her phone across the room, but none of that happened.

  “Thanks for letting me know, J,” she said calmly before disconnecting the call. I stared at my phone, expecting a dramatic text to come through, but it didn't. After five solid minutes of waiting on edge, I breathed a sigh of relief and put my phone back into my pocket.

  “Shall we?” Macie asked as she came sauntering down the hall. I smiled when she held her hand out for me to take. We held hands until we got to my bike. I felt like a middle schooler showing PDA to make my friends jealous, but she obviously liked it so I didn't let go.

  “Do you know somebody that drives a white SUV?” Macie asked after I parked in front of the pizza place.

  “Um, I know a few people that do. Why do you ask?”

  She looked over her shoulder and then back at me before answering.

  “I thought someone was following us, but she must have turned back there.”

  “She?” I asked, as I drew my brows together.

  “Yeah. It was probably nothing,” she shrugged. I watched as she walked into the pizza joint. The first person who popped into my head was Brooke. She drove a white SUV, but why would she be following us? She wouldn’t be. It must have been someone else driving too close or something. I shook off the paranoid feeling and went inside after Maci
e.

  She was sitting at a table in the corner of the restaurant smiling at me as I walked toward her.

  “What’s got you in such a good mood?” I asked, smiling back at her.

  “Pizza, that’s what.”

  I laughed and so did she. “I’m glad you love it as much as I do,” I said, but she didn’t hear me. She was preoccupied by someone who had just walked in. Before I could turn around, she had already gotten out of her chair and was running toward the front door.

  “Bennett! Bennett Matthew James! What the hell are you doing here?” she practically screamed before jumping into his arms. He squeezed her tightly against him and I forced myself to tear my eyes away from the two of them before I did something I would regret. Well, I wouldn’t regret doing it, but I would regret upsetting Macie.

  I was rolling the paper napkin between my index fingers and thumbs when she finally sat back down across from me. I looked up, prepared to smile at her, but the smile never came because I saw Bennett Fucking James getting ready to take the seat beside her.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” I ask through gritted teeth.

  “Jasper!” Macie scolded me before kicking me in the shin under the table. I ignored her and continued glaring at Bennett.

  Bennett jerked his gaze away from mine and looked at Macie.

  “Is he here with you?” he asked. Disgust was evident in his voice.

  “You two know each other?” she asked, bewildered.

  “Macie, I need to talk to you. Alone.” Bennett said through gritted teeth.

  I flexed my jaw as Macie looked back and forth between us. I don’t know why I was shocked that she chose him over me.

  “I’ll be right back. Okay?” She wanted me to stay and wait for her to come back, I could tell from the pleading look in her eyes. Unfortunately for her, that sure as shit wasn’t going to happen.

  “Go ahead and take your time, Macie. I just remembered I’ve got to be somewhere,” I lied. I didn’t wait for her to respond. I got on my bike and high-tailed it out of the parking lot as fast as I could.

  I pulled out my phone at the first red-light and called Sam.

  “It’s about time you call me,” he said as a way of answering.