Eternal Bond : (The Cursed Series, Book 3) Read online

  Aunt Beth listened with rapt attention, nodding along and laughing at Abby’s jokes. When Abby finally shut up, Aunt Beth turned to me. “And how was your day?”

  “Fine.” I shrugged.

  Aunt Beth’s face fell with disappointment. She really didn’t expect me to tell her every single thing that had happened, did she?

  “I mean, it was good. It’s really great to be back with all my friends. My classes seem easy enough.”

  Her face brightened, and she smiled. “Good. Dean has to work late tonight, so I thought I’d grab some pizza from the diner.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Abby said.

  “Me too.” I did love pizza. “Can you believe we have homework on the first day of school?” I scrunched up my face.

  “I know.” Abby groaned.

  “Well, I’m going to get a head start on it. Call me down when dinner’s here?”

  Aunt Beth nodded, and I headed upstairs. I really didn’t have a ton of homework, but I needed some quiet time.

  Grabbing my mother’s urn, I sat on my bed. “Hey, Mom. I officially started my senior year today. I can’t believe I’ll be graduating soon. Wish you’d be here to see it.” I smiled sadly and set the urn on the nightstand. Then I curled up with a pillow clutched to my chest.

  Between the stress that the first day of a new school year brings, being paired with Jax in my Life Skills class, Isach constantly hovering, and being overwhelmed by having all my friends back in my life, I was exhausted. Yawning, I closed my eyes.

  “Chloe!” Aunt Beth’s voice jolted me awake. “You have a visitor.”

  Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes. Who was here to see me? I ambled downstairs, my body sluggish from sleep.

  “Hi, Chloe.” Jax stood in the entryway, his back nearly pressed against the front door.

  Abby was nowhere to be found, and Aunt Beth had disappeared.

  Cautiously, I took a few steps toward Jax. “What’re you doing here? Is Trent with you?”

  “No, it’s just me.” He smiled, a hint of uncertainty flashing behind his eyes. “And I came here for you.”

  In the blink of an eye, he was in front of me. My face was in his hands, and his lips were on mine. I momentarily froze, but then his tongue pried my lips open, demanding entrance, and I granted him permission. Winding my arms around his neck, I yanked him closer, sighing. In the next instance, I was on the couch, and he was on top of me, his hands exploring my body like they had the first time we’d kissed.

  “I know you want this, Chloe. You want me, don’t you?” His voice was raw with desire.

  “Yes.” I moaned and arched into him.

  “Say it,” he demanded.

  “I want you, Jax.”

  “Hey, Chloe.” There was a quick knock on the door, and then Abby walked into my room. “Dinner’s here.”

  Heart racing, I sat up and looked around. I was still in my room. Alone. I took several deep breaths to calm myself, then stood.

  “You okay?” Abby tilted her head, studying me.

  “Yeah, I just had a really weird dream.” I laughed it off, hoping she’d drop it, too.

  “Okay. Well, Mom’s back with the pizza, so…” She hooked her thumb over her shoulder, then turned and walked out of my room.

  I rubbed my hands over my face and tried to shake off what remained of my dream. But I couldn’t rid myself of the feel of Jax kissing me or his hands on my body. I shuddered, shoved the thoughts away, and headed downstairs.

  Abby and Aunt Beth were already seated at the table, and I joined them. Abby dominated the dinner conversation with talk about her classes and all the fun stuff we’d get to do as seniors—prom, senior skip day, hosting a freshman for the day, graduation.

  I smiled as I listened to her. The best part of this year would be doing all those things with Trent and my friends.

  After we finished eating, I put leftovers in the fridge for Uncle Dean while Abby cleared the dirty dishes, and Aunt Beth filled the sink with soapy water. She shooed us away, and I didn’t hesitate to rush back upstairs.

  My short nap had only made me more tired, but I was not going to fall asleep again. Instead, I lugged my bag over to my desk and dug out the homework for Mr. Gordon’s class. I had to write a biography—a fake one—that told all about who I was. Age, profession, education… blah, blah, blah. It was so stupid.

  Yawning, I opened my laptop so I could research my chosen profession—veterinarian—to learn what education I needed, how much it paid, and other details.

  Sounds of pebbles on glass snagged my attention, and I glanced at my window. The noise became more insistent, and I hesitantly stood. The last time someone had been outside my window, Abby had tricked me so Isach could kidnap me. I knew that wasn’t what was happening this time, but I still approached cautiously.

  I peeked outside. Jax stood on the ground. He motioned for me to open my window, and I did, even though I knew it was stupid. A second later, he was climbing into my room.

  I stared at him with disbelief. “How did you get up here?” Of all the things I should have asked, that was not one of them.

  “I jumped.” He grinned. “Nice room,” he said, wandering around before laying on my bed, hands tucked behind his head. “Cozy.”

  “What are you doing here?” I demanded.

  Was I dreaming again? I had to be, right? Jax did not just jump through my bedroom window.

  “I missed you.” He shrugged. “We really haven’t talked much since we got back. How are you?”

  “Um… okay, I guess. Confused.” I returned to sit in my desk chair. “How are you doing?”

  “Much better now that I’m here.” He propped himself up on his elbows, his gaze dark with lust. “You should come over here and join me.”

  “No. This can’t happen, Jax. You know that,” I said.

  There was no conviction in my words, though, and without realizing it, I stood and crossed the room. Kneeling on the bed, I leaned over him.

  “You know I care for you, but—”

  He grabbed the back of my neck and silenced me with a mind-numbing kiss. As if I had no control over my body, I straddled him, and he rewarded me with a groan so raw, so full of desire it lit a fire inside of me.

  “This is so wrong,” I whispered, but I couldn’t stop my lips from seeking his again.

  “It doesn’t feel wrong, Chloe.” He flipped me over so I was on my back, and he was above me. “It feels right.” He nipped at my jaw, his mouth moving toward my neck. “Admit how good it feels.”

  I tilted my head, granting him access, unable to argue with him. It did feel good. He felt good. “Jax.” I clawed at his shoulders, desperate for him to be closer. “Bite me again. Please.”

  He smiled against my neck, and then he sank his fangs into me. I cried out with pure ecstasy.

  A loud crash caused me to jump. My laptop was on the floor, and I was at my desk. My heart was in my throat, and my pulse roared in my ears. Eyes wide, I jerked my head toward the window. Closed.

  Then I turned toward my bed. Empty.

  I slapped my hand over my neck, a headache building in my temples. I’d been dreaming. Again. And they were getting more frequent, more intense. I needed some serious help.

  Picking up my laptop from the floor, I gave up on trying to do homework. I changed into my pajamas, climbed beneath my covers, and sent a message to Trent.

  Me: I MISS YOU LIKE CRAZY.

  Trent: I MISS YOU, TOO. YOU SHOULD SNEAK OUT TO SEE ME.

  Me: I’M NOT SNEAKING OUT.

  Trent: WHY NOT? YOU’RE GOOD AT IT. He included a winking emoji.

  I laughed. He did not seriously just say that to me. I typed a reply.

  Me: JERK. I followed that with an emoji with its tongue sticking out.

  Trent: THEN I’LL SNEAK OVER AND SEE YOU.

  Chewing on my bottom lip, I hesitated replying. I wanted to see him—no, I needed to see him—but if Aunt Beth or Uncle Dean caught him… My head fell back against the pil
low, and I groaned. Before I could send a reply, my phone rang.

  Grinning, I accepted the call. “Hey.”

  “Mmm,” Trent hummed, the sound sending a shiver down my back. “Hearing your voice is so much better than texting.”

  “But you’re so good at texting,” I teased, burrowing deeper into my bed.

  He laughed. “I was just teasing about sneaking over. Unless you want me to…”

  “Oh, I want you to, but I don’t want to get in trouble with Aunt Beth and Uncle Dean. You technically haven’t even met them yet.”

  “We should fix that. Tomorrow. I’ll drive you home from school, and you can introduce me to them.”

  I smiled at how eager he was to meet my family. Again. Hopefully, this time, he’d make a better first impression It helped that I wasn’t going to freak out and make Uncle Dean worry.

  “It’s a date,” I said.

  “Good. So, what’re you doing?”

  “Laying in bed.” I yawned.

  “Not sleeping?” he asked, concern ringing out in his voice.

  “I tried to take a nap earlier and got interrupted. I’ve been tired ever since, and I tried to do homework for Mr. Gordon’s class and that is literally the dumbest class ever.”

  Trent laughed. “It is lame, isn’t it? Who did you get stuck working with?”

  Crap. I did not want to tell him that, especially over the phone. “Who are you working with?”

  “I asked you first.”

  I sighed. “Jax,” I grumbled, forcing as much disgust into my voice as possible.

  Trent fell silent, and I waited a moment, but when he still didn’t say anything, I said, “Trent? Are you still there?”

  He cleared his throat. “I bet he loves that.” Venom dripped from his tone.

  “It’s just a stupid class. Seriously, I’m going to ask Mr. Gordon for a new partner, so it doesn’t matter.” I shifted in bed and adjusted my pillow. “So, who are you working with?”

  “Gina.”

  It was my turn to be silent. Gina hadn’t shut up about how hot she thought Trent and Jax were, and now she was spending the semester pretending to be in a relationship with my boyfriend. Jealousy bubbled up in my chest.

  “Yeah, I bet she loves that, too. She thinks you’re the hottest guy in that school,” I said.

  “Do you think I’m the hottest guy in that school?” he asked.

  Despite my foul mood, I laughed. “You know I do.”

  “Well, that’s good, because I happen to think you’re the hottest girl in that school.”

  I laughed again. Trent was in an unusually good mood tonight. We spent another half hour on the phone, flirting, and talking about school and our friends. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

  When I yawned for the fourth time, Trent said, “Go to sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I grumbled incoherently, not wanting to end the call, but my eyelids were too heavy. “Okay.” I yawned again. “Love you.”

  “I love you, Chloe. More than anything.”

  My heart fluttered at his words. “Night.” I ended the call, slid my phone onto my nightstand near my mother’s urn, and closed my eyes.

  I had no idea how long I lay there, but it became unreasonably hot in my room. Kicking off the blankets, I rolled over and yelped. “Jax?”

  He smiled. “Hey, Chloe.”

  “What are you doing in my bed?” I snapped, sitting up and reaching for the blankets so I could cover myself from his hungry gaze.

  “I figured we could finish what we started earlier,” he said.

  He reached for me, and the moment his hand came into contact with my skin, I was awash in sensations. Jax pulled me down onto my back and leaned over so his body was half on me half on the bed.

  “We were just getting to the good part.” He trailed his finger across my bottom lip, over my jaw, and down my neck.

  Closing my eyes, I leaned into him.

  “I can’t stop thinking about how sweet you taste.” His lips puckered against my neck, and I moaned. “Can I bite you again, Chloe?”

  “Yes,” I whispered.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN:

  Losing My Mind

  THE REST OF THE WEEK PASSED much like the first half of the week had—Isach constantly watching me, Trent hovering to make sure I was okay, and me constantly dreaming about Jax. Thank God it was now Friday—and it was Labor Day weekend, which meant three days off.

  My last class of the day had just ended, and the hallway was packed with students excited for the weekend. I shuffled to my locker, my body weary with exhaustion. I yawned and rubbed at my eyes.

  Last night, Whitney had called me and Abby and asked if we could hang out with her after school today. Aunt Beth had agreed, and I couldn’t be more thankful.

  “You need to sleep,” Trent said.

  I jumped at the sound of his voice. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you it’s not nice to sneak up on people?”

  He chuckled, but it lacked any real humor. “I’m serious, Chloe. You look exhausted.”

  Sighing, I rested my forehead to his chest. “I am,” I muttered.

  My usual nightmares had packed up and gone on vacation, and now I was plagued with never ending wet dreams about Jax. Us kissing. Touching. Having sex. Trent catching us. I couldn’t stand it, nor could I understand it. If it wasn’t Isach messing with my head, then what or who was? I felt like I was losing my mind.

  Trent wrapped his arms around me, and I sagged against his body, yawning yet again.

  “I overheard Whitney talking to Abby about planning some big back to school party. They can do that while you sleep,” he said.

  I nodded. Whitney probably wouldn’t be too happy with that plan, but she’d understand. Hopefully.

  “Hey.” Abby bounded toward us. “Ready? Oh, hi, Trent,” she said as if she’d just noticed him standing there.

  Reluctantly pulling away from Trent, I straightened. My sleep-deprived muscles screamed in protest. “Yeah, almost,” I said. I turned back to my locker and finished gathering the books I’d need for the weekend. “Okay, now I’m ready.”

  Trent swept his hand alongside my neck, his palm landing squarely on the bite mark, and I whimpered helplessly as a deep, aching pain took hold of my insides, twisting and pulsing to an unwanted rhythm that matched my heartbeat—Jax, Jax, Jax, Jax.

  Trent leaned down and kissed me softly. “I’ll see you at the house in a few minutes.”

  “Okay.” My voice was raw from the effort of holding back tears.

  Why was I so consumed with Jax? I didn’t want to be. I loved Trent. Why couldn’t I be dreaming about him every night?

  The three of us walked out to the student parking lot, and I climbed into Abby’s car. Every action was zombie-like, and now my head was starting to pound, too. Perfect. When Abby turned the ignition, the radio blared loudly. I cringed and fumbled to turn it down.

  “Are you okay?” Abby asked.

  “Just tired.” I yawned. “And I’m getting a headache. Was it just me or did today drag?”

  “It definitely dragged.” She backed out of her parking spot and followed Trent’s truck toward his house. “I have aspirin in my backpack if you want some.”

  “Thanks.” I twisted around to the backseat and grabbed her backpack. “Where is it?”

  “Front zipper part.”

  I found the small bottle of aspirin and shook two pills into my palm. Then I retrieved my now warm bottle of water from the side pouch of my backpack and downed the pills. I only hoped they worked.

  Abby drove in behind Trent’s truck and parked in front of his house. “Did you know Whitney talked to Mom last night?” she asked.

  “Seriously?” My eyes went wide.

  Abby nodded. “Yeah, she told Mom that her father’s job granted him a hiatus so she and her brother could finish high school, and that they were staying in Keene Valley. Whitney thanked Mom for letting us hang out.”

  I laughed. “That sounds like Whit
ney.”

  As soon as I was out of the car, Whitney had me wrapped in a hug.

  “Whoa,” I said.

  “Trent told me you’re not sleeping, so go curl up next to him and take a nap. I’ll take care of everything else,” she whispered and then let go of me as quickly as she’d grabbed me. She and Abby rushed inside, already laughing and talking about the party they wanted to have.

  “C’mon.” Trent held his hand out to me.

  I took it and let him lead me inside and straight to his bedroom. I toed off my shoes and flopped face-first onto his bed.

  Behind me, he chuckled. “Do you want to change into something more comfortable? You can wear one of my shirts.”

  It wouldn’t be the first time I’d done that, and I did love curling up wearing nothing but his too-large T-shirt that smelled like him.

  I forced myself to get up. “Yes, please.”

  He rummaged around in his dresser and then tossed me a solid black shirt. I immediately brought it to my nose and inhaled, letting his scent wrap around.

  “Thanks. I’ll be right back.” I left his room and made a beeline for the bathroom.

  It didn’t take me long to change, and when I stepped into the hallway, Jax was there. My heart slammed against my ribcage. Was this real or another dream? I couldn’t tell anymore.

  He was leaning against the opposite wall, arms crossed. “You are always hogging the bathroom.”

  I gave him a dirty look.

  Jax pushed off the wall, his gaze roaming the length of my body, his eyes lingering on my bare legs. “You’d look a lot better in my T-shirt,” he said.

  And just like that, I was imagining myself wearing his shirt. A shirt he’d slowly peel off over my head, his lips greedy on mine as he carried me to his bed and laid me down, his body pressing against mine. I groaned and bit my bottom lip.

  “I haven’t seen that shade of red in far too long,” Jax whispered, suddenly much closer, so close I could feel the heat, the desire, pouring off him. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers a teasing tickle against my face.

  “Please stop,” I whispered, unsure how much longer I could keep doing this—dreaming about him, wanting him, but denying every urge I had. Urges that were starting to dominate my every thought.