Jordan's Desires [Brac Village 9] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Lynn Hagen (the beginning after the end read novel .TXT) 📖

He couldn’t very well say that his mate—a black panther—had scented the intruder. He had to add a touch of fabrication to his story. Bailey was trying to stick as close to the truth as possible, but some things needed to be fudged.

“Is this your home?”

Bailey shook his head. “My boyfriend has the flu. I’m over here taking care of him.”

The cop nodded. “We didn’t find anything outside. But it looks like the window was jimmied open.”

The confirmation that someone had tried to break in made a cold knot form in Bailey’s stomach. He was certain that it wasn’t a vampire because the sun hadn’t fully set. Could it have been one of the Vampire Hunters? Since Jordan had killed that lawyer, no one had heard anything else as far as Bailey knew.

Maybe the group had finally put two and two together and was coming after Jordan for revenge. They were careful not to leave any prints at the lawyer’s house but that didn’t mean that they had gone unnoticed. What if someone had seen them?

Once the cops had completed their investigation and taken Bailey’s statement, he was finally left alone with Jordan. He locked the front door and then walked over to the couch, kneeling by Jordan’s side.

The man was fast asleep. Bailey ran his fingers over the side of Jordan’s face, smiling at his…mate. Bailey grinned at the possessive word. He liked it. But then again, he was coming to like everything about Jordan.

As much as he fought against it, Bailey had fallen in love. He couldn’t muster up the regret as he stared into Jordan’s handsome face. His mate was nothing like Harley, and Bailey was thankful for that. Jordan didn’t shower him with pretty words or present him with a dozen roses. No, what Jordan gave him was priceless.

He gave Bailey nothing but the honest truth and for him, that was better than any pretty words or more cherished than any flowers that bloomed. What Jordan gave him was everlasting.

“You’re watching me.”

A grin pulled at the sides of Bailey’s lips. Jordan’s eyes were closed, yet he knew exactly what Bailey was doing. “I am.” His voice was a little rough, filled with emotion as Jordan opened his eyes, the amber irises seeming to glow with intensity. “What is a mate?” He knew what it was, on a basic level. But Bailey had a feeling that being mated meant so much more.

He wanted to fully understand what was happening between him and Jordan.

Jordan rolled to his side and placed his large hand on the side of Bailey’s face, his amber eyes sparkling as he gave Bailey a rueful smile. “You were born just for me, Bailey. From the moment you were conceived, you were mine. The fates connected our souls, bound us together, and made sure we fit together as perfectly as the stars shimmer for the moon.”

He inhaled softly when Jordan rested his forehead against Bailey’s. “You’re the one, Bailey—the one that was made for me to cherish.”

“But what if—”

“There will never come a time when I don’t want you, desire you. I will never wish to have another in my bed.”

Damn, damn, damn. Bailey was not going to cry. No, he was going to hold it together. Jordan was just—wow—fuck, the tears were growing heavy in his eyes. Bailey cleared his throat as he snaked his arms around Jordan’s neck. He held on for dear life as he absorbed Jordan’s words.

He had known Jordan was different from the very beginning, but Bailey had been too damn afraid to let anyone in. Jordan’s strong arms wrapped around him, holding him tight as Bailey finally composed himself enough to speak. “You’ll never hurt me?”

“The only time you may feel pain is if you eat my cooking.”

Bailey laughed into Jordan’s neck, kissing his mate’s rough beard. The man needed a shave. “I’m going to trust you, Jordan.” Those were the scariest words Bailey had ever spoken.

“Thank you,” Jordan replied.

Bailey wasn’t sure why the man was thanking him, but he finally felt like he belonged, like he had found someone that wasn’t going to use how Bailey felt against him. Jordan had said he was the one. He couldn’t see why the man would lie to him, not after all the shit they had been through so far.

“I’m starving,” Jordan said as he pulled back. “But I don’t think I can sit at a restaurant.”

“I’m a decent cook,” Bailey admitted. He could cook up a mean grilled cheese. Together, they were screwed. He could see now that they were going to dine out a lot. “Let me see what I can whip up for you.”

Jordan lay back, looking exhausted. Bailey was glad to see the guy slowly coming back. It had worried him when Jordan had done nothing but sleep for days. The doctor had told Bailey to expect that, but going through it was hell on the nerves.

He gathered the bread, butter, and cheese. Next Bailey grabbed the pan. In minutes he had two hot grilled cheese sandwiches sitting on a plate, along with a glass of juice. He had barely been able to get Jordan to swallow soup when he was sick.

Something solid in the stomach should make the man feel much better. He began to hum to himself as he carried the plate and glass out to Jordan, setting it down so he could wake his mate.

He silently cursed when he spilled some of the juice. Bailey grabbed a towel from the kitchen and then bent down to clean up the mess. As his hand swept under the couch, he hit something. He bent further and gazed under the couch, frowning when he saw a small device that looked like the end of a headphone set.

What the dickens was that?

Grabbing the hard piece of plastic, Bailey pulled it free and examined the thing. It was the strangest thing Bailey had ever seen. He brushed his hand over Jordan’s side. “Wake up.”

Jordan turned, his eyes slowly opening.