New Species 04 Justice (37 page)

“Thank you for your concern but I’m safe and having fun with my friends. With

your busy schedule, I’m sure you should be doing something besides harassing me.

This is a dance floor so dance or leave it. I already know the answer to that so good

night, Mr. North.”

“Jessie,” he snarled, “go home.”

Movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention. She flicked her gaze to

the right, inwardly winced when she realized that not only were the other people

keeping a wide berth but they’d stopped dancing to openly watch her and Justice. She

turned her head to the left and found more people staring at them from the bar area.

Jessie stared up at Justice, hated him a little for doing this and realized he wasn’t

going to stop until she left. It would definitely be as embarrassing as the last time,

perhaps even worse, and she felt her temper slipping. She closed her eyes, took deep

breaths and counted slowly to ten.
One. Two. Three. Four. Fi—

“Jessie? Move your ass out the door and go home. Don’t come to this bar ever

again.”

That was it. Jessie’s eyes snapped open and she gave up on trying to keep it cool. “I

work for you but this is my time off. I know everyone is afraid of you because you’re

Justice North but guess what? You’re not my leader. I quit if this is how you’re going to treat me every time I go somewhere. Will that make you happy? I’ll go home and pack

right now. I don’t need this, Mr. North. I’ll be off Homeland within the hour and you

won’t have to watch out for me ever again.”

Jessie spun and stomped across the dance floor toward the door. New Species

moved far out of her way, making her feel as if she’d suddenly contracted leprosy, the

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way they cleared a wide path to avoid getting within ten feet of her. She was so enraged

that tears threatened to spill but she held them back. She wouldn’t give him the

satisfaction of seeing how deeply he’d affected her.

Son of a bitch! I just quit my job. I loved working with the women and living in that house.

No more soaking in that glorious tub but that’s fine. I’ll get another job and Justice can go screw
himself. He―

“Jessie?” Justice snarled.

She jerked to a halt, shocked at the loudness of his voice and turned. The last bit of

her restraint snapped. Anger burned brightly and she was done dealing with his temper

tantrum. She loved him but he was being a complete ass. She wasn’t taking that shit

from any man, even him.

“What?”

He’d followed her and only feet separated them when he paused to glare,

seemingly oblivious to the people who gawked. She wished she could forget that

probably two hundred Species and dozens of humans were witnessing this argument.

The music cut off and the room grew as quiet as a church all of a sudden.
Shit
.

“Come here.”

She stared, stunned. “Excuse me?”

“Come here.” He pointed to the floor in front of him.

Oh, hell no
. She spun and headed for the door again. If he wanted to yell, he could do it without an audience. Maybe it was a Species thing to verbally ream someone’s ass

in public when they were angry but she wasn’t going to walk over to him to take that

kind of treatment.

Someone moved into her path and she winced. Tim Oberto looked thunderous as

she met his furious gaze, certain he’d shout at her once they were outside for mouthing

off to the precious NSO leader. He blocked the door and there wouldn’t be a way to

avoid him.

Trey stepped next her old boss, gripped him by his arm and hissed something in his

ear. Her teammates drew in closer to the two men, shooting nervous glances around

them and the tension was clear in their faces. They were expecting trouble and wanted

an out from the building. It was standard operating procedure.

Jessie wanted to scream in frustration and anger.
How could my night turn so bad, so

fast?
She and Breeze were going to have words. She was sure the woman had meant

well but all she’d accomplished was to get Jessie into a ton of trouble. Her father would hear about this and he’d probably lecture her about disrespect, tell her she should have

left the first time Justice had asked and she’d just have to silently take it without

protesting unless she told her father the truth. That wouldn’t go over well. Her dad

wouldn’t be happy that she’d slept with Justice. He always preferred to pretend she

was a little girl instead of a woman with needs.

“Get back here!” Justice roared.

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Jessie’s heart raced, she halted again and wasn’t sure what to do. Everyone in the

room had heard him.
Hell, they probably heard him at the front entry gate.
It stunned her that he’d make such a huge spectacle out of their argument. Everyone was going to be

talking about it for weeks, if not months. Jessie turned slowly. Justice stood in the same spot as before, he hadn’t moved an inch and his finger still pointed at the floor where he wanted her to be.

She took a deep breath and clenched her teeth as she slowly put one foot in front of

the other. His finger relaxed, fell to his side and his other hand unclenched from a fist.

She paused three feet in front of him to stare up into his exotic eyes.

“What? You’re causing a scene. You told me to leave and I am.” She kept her voice

soft and hoped no one could hear her.

“You never do what I tell you.” He didn’t lower his voice, spoke loud and clear,

and the sound easily carried across the room.

Jessie dropped her gaze to his black tie, remembering to avoid eye contact now that

she had calmed a little. She didn’t want to challenge him. She doubted it could get any

worse but she wasn’t about to test that theory.

“I’m doing what you want, leaving. I’m going home to pack.” She kept her voice

low. “Everyone is staring at us. I wish a hole could open up under me to get me out of

here and I refuse to allow you to humiliate me ever again.”

Jessie turned and made it three feet before Justice grabbed her. He spun her around

by her elbow and his other arm wrapped around her waist. She gasped when he

yanked her up against his body. Jessie jerked her head up to stare at him with shocked,

wide eyes. He jerked her tighter against his long frame, pinned her flush to him and

released her elbow. That hand drove into her hair at the base of her neck, fisted a

handful of it and gently pulled until her head tilted back.

“What are you doing?” she hissed. “Have you lost your mind?”

Justice leaned his face closer, peered deeply into her eyes and all the anger faded

from his. “I almost lost something. I’m doing what I should have done from the

beginning.”

Jessie flattened her palms on his chest to gently push away but his arm didn’t

loosen around her waist. “What are you talking about?”

His voice came out a husky rumble. “I’m claiming you publicly, Jessie. I’m letting

everyone know you are mine.”

Jessie was glad he held her because her knees gave out under her. His strong arm

kept her from collapsing to the floor as she reeled from his words, her mind fumbling

with the meaning behind them.

“But…” She couldn’t find words.

“I nearly lost you.” His voice grew gruff, louder and he rumbled the words, “You’re

not walking out of my life. You’re mine, Jessie. You belong with me.”

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He ran his tongue over his lips, his gaze dropped to her mouth and she realized he

intended to kiss her as he slowly dipped his head closer. She couldn’t move, too

astonished to do anything more than watch his mouth descend closer to hers.

His lips brushed hers and she closed her eyes, tense. Justice’s tongue swept inside,

forced her mouth open wider and he growled. The passion he hit her with

overwhelmed her in seconds. She melted against him, her fingers gripped the lapels of

his jacket and fisted the expensive material just for something to cling to. It had been

weeks since he’d touched her, her body remembered and missed his touch and

everything faded except Justice.

She kissed him back, meeting his need with her own and moaned against his

tongue. The hand gripping her hair loosened to cradle the back of her head and Jessie

forgot about the room full of people witnessing them entangled in the middle of the

room. She forgot she was mad at him. There was just them, they were together and he

didn’t want her to leave him. Her hands released his shirt to slide up around his neck

and her feet left the floor as Justice lifted her higher up his body.

Justice finally broke the kiss. Dazed, Jessie stared up at him, panting, her body

turned-on and then she remembered where they were. A blush heated her cheeks and

she didn’t dare look away from his sexy gaze as they stared at each other. She wasn’t

prepared to deal with the reactions of the room. The only thing that mattered was right

in front of her, holding her tightly.

Justice looked away from her and adjusted his hold until he swept her up into his

arms to cradle her against his chest with her legs hooked over one of his strong arms.

She clung to his neck and realized he’d carefully captured her skirt when he’d lifted her legs to keep her from flashing anyone. She braved glancing around to see what he did.

Every face, both human and Species, appeared utterly stunned.

“This is Jessie.” Justice paused, turned his head and seemed to want to address

everyone. “She’s human. I know some might have a problem with that. I’m sorry if you

do but I won’t give her up regardless of your reactions. She’s mine and she’s going to be my mate.”

Jessie was glad he held her. Her arms tightened around his neck and she darted a

glance at her old boss. Tim’s mouth hung open, his face was red and his eyes were filled

with disbelief. She quickly glanced away. Trey still gripped the older man’s arm, jerked

hard on him to move him away from blocking the door and her old team leader smiled

when he caught her eye. He dragged Tim toward the bar, waving the rest of the team

back with a jerk of his head.

“I know it’s going to cause problems with some humans because of my position.”

Justice paused and Jessie stared into his eyes. He glanced away. “I’m more than willing

to step down if that is what you think should happen. Just let me know tomorrow after

you make a decision. Right now I’m taking my mate home to make wedding plans.

Have a great party and have fun.” He strode for the door.

“Justice?”

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Justice stopped walking, his hold on her tightened and he slowly turned to

acknowledge the deep male voice that had called out his name. Jessie studied the room,

searching all the faces for the speaker. A tall male stepped forward—a big guy with a

broad chest and massive arms. His catlike eyes locked on Justice as he lifted a hand to

brush back straight black hair from his ear. Justice growled low, a threatening sound,

and Jessie didn’t need to be told he was ready to fight.

“You may have the job if you want it, Brawn. I won’t fight you and put my mate in

danger.”

“We welcome your mate,” Brawn announced loudly. “No one could take your

place so don’t expect a call tomorrow asking you to step down. She’ll make a welcome

addition to our family.” His cat eyes focused on Jessie. “I don’t want to fight him but I do admit to being a little envious. Take care of him, Justice’s mate.”

Jessie was too stunned to reply but Justice didn’t have that problem.

“Thank you.”

The man lowered his head and his gaze toward the floor. Justice turned away and

strode quickly for the door. An officer rushed to it, smiled and held it open wide to

allow him to carry her out into the night air.

“I can’t believe you just did that,” Jessie whispered.

Justice grinned when he glanced at her. “Me neither, but I’m glad I did. I’m taking

you home to pack your belongings. You’re moving into my house tonight and you’re

never leaving.” He stopped walking and his gaze held hers. “We’re getting married and

that isn’t up for debate.”

“You could ask me.” Amusement filled her, and happiness.

He cocked his head. “I could.” He looked away, laughed and carried her to his Jeep

to deposit her in the passenger seat.

Jessie heard the music start up again inside the bar as the man she loved jumped

into the driver’s seat. He tore off his tie and turned in his seat to dangle it between

them.

“Before you answer, let me tell you a few things. I won’t take no for an answer. I

will use this to bind you to my bed until you change your mind if you don’t answer the

way I want you to.” He chuckled again. “Will you marry me?”

She grinned. “I don’t know.” Her attention fixed on the tie for a few seconds before

she met his gaze again. “I might be tempted to say no just to get you to tie me to your

bed. It sounds fun and kinky.”

“Jessie,” he purred.

“Yes.”

“Yes to your name or yes you will marry me?”

She bit her lip, giving him a teasing look. “I’m still thinking about what you’ll do to

me when you have me naked and bound on the bed. Give me a minute.”

He dropped the tie into his lap and started the Jeep. “We’ll settle this at home.”

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