Grounded (Grounded #1) Read online

  Jensen thought about that for a minute, biting his bottom lip the way he did whenever he was really trying to figure something out. I struggled to keep my breathing steady. I was ready for just about anything and hoped whatever was coming wasn’t anything that had to do with our relationship. I had to wonder when a relationship became more important than the safety of my family. We’d only been a couple for two days. I didn’t want that to end.

  “How much of this was real?” He waved his finger between us. I took his face in my hands, which made it nearly impossible for him to look anywhere but at me.

  “All of it, Jensen. I swear, all of it. That’s why I had to tell you. You had to know.” Jensen’s eyes slowly searched the landscape of my face to see if I was telling the truth. I wasn’t hiding anything anymore. “And I’m going to have to leave soon. A war is about to break out and we need everyone we can get.”

  “How does he fit into this?” Jensen pointed at Aric as if I wouldn’t know who he was talking about without the gesture.

  “He’s a Gobel.”

  He blew out a breath like he didn’t understand. “I’m so confused. I thought you are at war with them.”

  “We are, but Aric wants to help stop it from happening.”

  “How is he going to do that?”

  “You, or the threat of you, might be able to stop it. With my help, of course.”

  “You?” He shook his head.

  “Yeah, I know I don’t look like much, but I’m pretty badass.” I gave his shoulder a playful hit.

  He smiled at me the way he had before I told him all of the stuff about Gremalians and Gobels. “Somehow, I can see that. But why don’t you prove it?”

  I smirked and Aric snorted from behind me. “All right, but you get to explain what happens to the lights.”

  His eyebrows shot up. Pulling his arm out in front of him, I took a deep breath and lightly touched my finger tips to the sensitive skin on the underside of his forearm. The lights in the house dimmed as I drew the power to me. Flashes sparked across his skin.

  I kept the flashes small. I didn’t want to hurt him. Jensen started to squirm. His eyes widened and, little by little, I increased the voltage just enough to create a warm tingling sensation that would drive him nuts. The house came back to full power when Jensen broke our connection. When he yanked back, we started to fall. His arm circled my waist, pulling me on top of him as we hit to the ground.

  “What did you do?” His words came out slightly breathless.

  “I promise I’ll explain everything,” I said, my face only inches from his, “but we don’t have much time.”

  Chapter Eleven

  I wanted to leave early the next morning but, because his mother’s birthday was that weekend, Jensen wouldn’t dream of going before that. He said he needed to make some arrangements, but I think he also needed some time to process everything we’d told him and showed him, so Aric and I gave him as much space as we could for the rest of that week.

  Jensen and I talked on the phone. He told me that Aric had given his dad a week’s notice and that his dad gave him the go ahead to take a vacation with me. Jensen said he’d never taken a vacation, but his dad would manage. Actually, he said his dad was pretty excited that we were going together. Jensen clearly wasn’t planning on staying in Michigan forever. Our relationship would take a back seat for a while.

  Flint told me I didn’t have much time, information I shared with both Aric and Jensen. The last thing Jensen wanted was a bunch of Gremalians storming his town to yank his girlfriend home by the collar. I didn’t want that either.

  Apparently, his mother’s idea of heaven was the backyard, a BBQ, her two favorite guys and a few friends, Aric included. I didn’t think I fit into the equation, but she didn’t bat an eye when I showed up at Jensen’s insistence.

  Truthfully, I couldn’t imagine anything better. With my family, there weren’t any cook-outs, not a lot of together time at all. That wasn’t true of all Gremalian families, just mine specifically. Dad was always busy running our government while Mom acted like she didn’t notice how busy he was. She tried to spend time with me, but sometimes she had to go with him.

  While Jensen worked the grill—who knew he could cook?—I leaned back in a chair, raising my face to the sun, allowing the heat to warm my body. With sunglasses hiding my eyes, I figured Jensen couldn’t see me looking at him. I was wrong.

  “Stop watching me like that.” He snapped the tongs in my face, jarring me out of the trance-like state I was in from thinking about him. He manned the grill the entire time I was there and looked like he knew what he was doing. He probably did this all the time.

  “How can you even tell?”

  “I can feel it. And you’re gonna make me burn the steaks.”

  He leaned over me, a hand on each armrest, slowly lowering himself to kiss me. It was quick, and he pulled back like he just realized there were twenty people around us. I didn’t care, but his mother definitely would.

  When Jensen told his parents that he was going home with me to meet my parents, it wasn’t technically a lie. We couldn’t exactly tell them the entire truth. Alice voiced some concern over the road trip but backed off after finding out Aric would be going with us.

  She liked me just enough to not hate me, but I think she was worried that I might get Jensen in trouble somehow. I usually have a good handle on people. I was certain her worries had less to do with drugs or bank robberies and more to do with sex and babies.

  His mood turned grumpy as we packed the car outside his apartment after leaving his parents’ house. He complained about taking my car because it was small. Said there wasn’t enough space for all of our things. I’d only brought the one bag with me and somehow, even with the purchases I’d made while in New York, I was able to stuff everything inside it. Plus, he was only taking a large duffle bag.

  “Why can’t we take my bike?” It sounded more like a complaint than a question.

  “It’s a long drive and I wouldn’t be able to walk once we got there. My thighs would be mush from squeezing you.” I heard the sexual innuendo as soon as I said it and a raised eyebrow from Jensen told me he heard it too. “Plus. you know he,” I jutted my thumb behind me to an approaching Aric, “has to go with us. And we have to stop to pick someone else up. I think that would be a pretty tight squeeze.”

  “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind,” Jensen mumbled. I shoved his shoulder playfully.

  After giggling over the two giants squishing themselves into my tiny car, I drove the first leg of the trip until we were an hour across the state line. I hadn’t been sleeping well all week, and my lids started drooping from the monotony of the road. While we had some special talents, none of us were immune to dying in an accident, so it was time for a break.

  I pulled in to a rest stop and, after stretching my legs, went in to splash some cold water on my face. It felt good, but I wouldn’t be able to keep driving without some rest first.

  When I came out of the restroom, I headed for the car but saw that Aric and Jensen were no longer inside. I thought it was safe to assume that they also had to pee. Instead of sitting in the car longer than necessary, I stretched my legs a little more by walking over to the large map of Pennsylvania behind a Plexiglas window. I stared at it so long that I wasn’t really seeing it anymore until a voice beside me brought me out of my trance.

  “Hey,” a tall, blond boy said. He was right next to me with another guy, a dark haired one, a few steps away.

  “Hi.” I smiled back but quickly returned to focusing on the map, willing these guys to leave me alone. I really didn’t want things to get ugly.

  “I’m Andy. Where ya headed?”

  Okay, in another world or another time, that Andy kid might have been cute. But, seeing as how I’d been hanging with possibly two of the finest men to walk the earth, Andy…he just looked young. Who tries to pick up girls at a rest area?

  I didn’t answer his question, didn’t introduce mysel
f or tell him I was headed home. Even Gremalians are well versed on stranger danger.

  “See ya,” I said and started to walk away, but he followed, obviously tenacious.

  “What? Did I say something wrong? Because girl, you’re hot, and I’m just looking for some fun.”

  Scratch the ‘in another world he’d be cute’ crap. He was heinous. Spinning on my heels, I faced him. “Look, leave me alone or you won’t like the consequences.”

  “That’s hot. Threaten me again.”

  His smirk set me off and I started to throw a punch, but he reached out and grabbed my wrist, squeezing just tight enough to hurt. I was about to unleash some serious violence and a torrent of threats and words he most likely wouldn’t understand when his eyes widened and his body tightened. Suddenly, he let go and walked away.

  What the hell?

  I thought his complete change of heart was weird, but I found out why he walked away so abruptly seconds later. As I turned back toward the car, Aric and Jensen stood just three feet away, both arms crossed, causing their muscles to bulge. Their glares were so dangerous, I’m surprised the kid didn’t piss himself.

  My jaw clenched and released. “I could’ve handled that myself,” I said as I passed them.

  “Oh, we know you could,” Jensen said.

  “Just having some fun, Alyssum.” Aric chuckled.

  “Whatever,” I said, coming back to the car with them trailing behind. “I need a break. Someone else is going to have to drive.”

  “I’ll do it,” they said together.

  I rolled my eyes. Boys. “Whatever. I’m resting in the back seat either way.” I climbed in and waited for them.

  Aric got behind the wheel and slid the seat all the way back until it slammed into my knees, then Jensen got in back with me.

  “Christ, Aric, thanks for leaving me a little room.”

  He snorted. “You’re like a little person. I think there’s plenty of leg space.”

  I hit the headrest in frustration, which only made him chuckle louder. Jensen rested his hand on the inside of my thigh; my head fell onto his shoulder. With my eyes closed, I still felt like someone was watching me. When I opened my eyes up, I saw Aric glance in the rearview mirror, then back to the road. Our eyes locked for seconds at a time before I reclosed my lids.

  When I woke up, it was dark. It took a few minutes for me to get acclimated to my surroundings. Jensen was driving, Aric riding shotgun, which left me the whole backseat to myself. I took advantage, stretching my arms and legs to their fullest.

  Cars didn’t make the most comfortable beds. As de facto decision maker, I declared it was time to stop for the night. We’d made it all the way to Akron. Solid sleep sounded very good.

  “They only had one room available.” I dangled the key in front of them. It was a mom-and-pop roadside motel that had old fashioned keys instead of the card swipey things. I saw the look on their faces, though, and neither was too happy about sharing a room.

  “Seriously?” Jensen scoffed.

  “Yeah, I think they’re cleaning blood from the others.” Neither laughed. “Look, we’re all friends here. It’ll be a little cozy, but we’ll manage.”

  Not waiting for them to comment, I popped the hatch and grabbed my overnight bag, then opened the door to the room. I was extremely happy to see a bed. They could sleep outside for all I cared. Instead, they followed.

  We found very little, just two full beds and a TV, but at least it was clean. I checked the time and sent Aric out for food. If we waited too long, I wouldn’t be able to eat, Jensen either, whether he believed it or not. I didn’t know about him, but I was starving, so waiting ‘til morning was out of the question.

  “So, what’s the sleeping arrangement here?” Jensen asked as soon as Aric left. I dug for some pajamas in the brown leather bag I’d brought with me.

  “What do you want it to be?” I turned to face him and decided to break some of the tension I’d felt hanging around since we left New York. “If you want to share a bed with Aric, test out that whole bi-curious thing, I’m okay with that.”

  He shook my comment off. “He still has feelings for you, Alyssum.”

  “And what do you have for me?” I crossed the bed between us on my knees, coming to rest only inches in front him. I could feel his body heat without touching him. It radiated, warming me from head to toe. He warmed parts of my body the sun couldn’t reach.

  “I have all kinds of feelings for you.” He sighed, watching me intently. “Maybe I’ll just sleep out in the car.”

  “Really?” I smirked. “You’re going to sleep out there and leave me in here alone with him? I doubt that.”

  We locked eyes. His were hard; mine were soft, hopefully flirty.

  “No.” He sighed again. “So, I’ll sleep…”

  “You can sleep with me. I mean, if you want to.” My stomach dropped at the thought. “It’s not like we’re going to have sex with Aric right freaking there.”

  And I’d never had a boy in my bed for the whole night before. Ah, never had a boy in my bed period. What was I getting myself into? Yet the thought of having Jensen beside me was an attractive one.

  “Not the first time, anyway.”

  I smiled big. “Was that a joke, Jensen Burkhardt? I do believe I’m rubbing off on you.”

  Balling his shirt in my fists, I pulled him in for a kiss. It was only meant to be a reassuring kiss but, as was becoming habit, I got carried away and it lasted longer than expected. All that desire and need left me flushed and both of us out of breath.

  “He knows, don’t worry about it. But I can’t have a bunch of jealousy mucking everything up.”

  Jensen relented, nodding as if he understood.

  In the end, I got one bed alone. After a bunch of macho bravado over which of them would sleep on the floor, Jensen “won.” Apparently, neither would admit they wanted the comfort of a mattress and, at that point, I just didn’t care.

  The room was set up in such a way where Jensen could use the maroon-flowered bedspread from my bed to make the carpet between me and the wall as comfortable as possible. That’s where there was the most room, so that’s where Jensen slept.

  Aric passed out as soon as his head hit the pillow, his light snore the only sound in the room. Of course, my ever present insomnia didn’t disappoint. I tossed around so much that I started to worry I’d keep Jensen up since his head was near the squeaking springs.

  After using the bathroom and getting a drink, I tiptoed back to bed and stopped short just to look Jensen over. He seemed comfortable enough; the blanket I’d folded in half draped over his waist, leaving his bare chest free and one hand lying heavily on perfectly etched abs. He might be even cuter asleep than he was awake. Even when his muscles were relaxed, he looked strong. Quietly, I scooted into the crook of his arm and laid my head on his shoulder. I wanted to be close to him but not close enough to disturb his sleep. When an arm tightened around my waist, I knew I had.

  “Sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “It’s a great way to be awakened.” The parking lot lights peeked in through the curtains, creating a glow in the room. He had to cast his eyes down to see me.

  “Couldn’t sleep?” I shook my head. “Something wrong? Not that I mind having you in my bed…or floor, rather.”

  “No. I’ve always had trouble. Used to drive my parents nuts.” The muscles in my body started to relax up against his body. He had muscles I hadn’t even realized were tight. “But this feels pretty comfortable.”

  “Come on, you don’t want to fall asleep on the floor. Let’s get in bed.” He tried pushing me off, but either he wasn’t trying very hard or I was stronger than even I thought.

  “I don’t want him,” my thumb jutted in Aric’s direction, “to wake up to that, you know. I just don’t want to throw it in his face. Wasn’t that your point earlier?”

  Jensen thought for a moment. “I’ll stay just until you fall asleep, then come
back to the floor. How’s that sound?”

  “Like a plan.” I smiled up at him. Before we moved, I listened to make sure the light sound of Aric’s sleep remained rhythmic and even. Jensen spooned against my back, holding me to his chest with his arm, and kissed me behind my ear twice. His breath on my neck sent a shiver to my toes right before I nodded off.

  ***

  Every muscle in my body called out to be stretched or used when I woke the next morning. True to his word, Jensen wasn’t beside me and actually wasn’t on the floor either. I heard the shower in the bathroom. Aric sat on his bed, pajama bottoms only, looking over a map I didn’t remember him having. I think they were trying to kill me with their hotness and ample muscles, but I suspected Aric wanted to be sure I saw what I was missing. He was an idiot if he thought I didn’t already have almost every inch of his body ingrained in my memory. After a quick breakfast, we were back on the road.

  Chapter Twelve

  We made better time driving during the day. I figured there wouldn’t be as many cars at night and that the lack of cars would make driving easier, but, during the day, everyone was rushing to get somewhere. We were going just as fast during the day as we were during the night, but with the added benefit of being wide awake.

  I’d decided that it’d be best to get home after most of the town had gone to sleep. We couldn’t arrive too early. Plus, we still had to stop for Aric’s passenger. He reminded us about that when we woke that morning.

  His older brother, Kale, married a non-Gobel and moved away a few years ago. He didn’t want anything to do with the battles between us and them, especially after he fell in love with a human. If she got hurt, with no supernatural way to heal herself, he could lose her. That wasn’t something he’d risk. However, Aric had been in constant contact with him, the only of his siblings who had—and Kale wanted to be there if Aric’s plan came to fruition. That’s why we needed to pick him up along the way. I told Aric just to say when.