Without limits ssion and.., p.42
Without Limits: A BWWM Collection of Passion and Desire, page 42
Chapter Two
Serissa gazed out the window at the tarmac. At least the second leg of their trip was complete. They’d flown from NY to Edinburgh and spent a day there before boarding the chartered plane to the Isle of Skye. Her head still spun at how she’d ended up here. The plane turned and came to a stop not far from three men holding cameras aimed at them and another walking over to them. She also spotted a fifth man standing next to a dark brown Range Rover. There was also a limo bus parked near the SUV, which she assumed was their transportation. The man next to the car she recognized from New York, the host for the show, Kevin Fisher, and the man speaking to the cameramen was David Bishop, one of the producers. And so it begins, this entire journey would be caught on video. She must have been out of her ever-loving mind to listen to Avery.
The first thing Kevin had done after introducing himself to the final twenty girls the producers had chosen was flash his wedding ring, said it meant something to him, and to respect the bond. The first woman to try to come onto him was outta there. She had grinned at him. She liked him. But one of the girls had seen it as a challenge. She’d since been replaced.
Avery sat next to her on the plane and leaned over to look out the window. “Do you see him? This Highland Laird, Jax, we’re competing for?”
“He’s not really a Laird,” Pamela, another contestant, piped up from the seat across from theirs. “He’s only playing one for the show.”
“Yeah,” Cathy said from the seat behind them. “Not sure what he does but I know he’s getting a million dollars to do this show and that works fine for me. I’m sure I can help him spend that.”
“Only in your dreams,” Bridget, next to Pamela, said. “I’ll send you a wedding invitation.”
Serissa smiled at the women and their ribbing. Most were genuine romantics. A few were, well, not. The flight attendant came out and told them to gather their things and line up single file. They’d leave the plane one at a time and meet Jax separately as their luggage was unloaded. The women rushed to get into the aisle and be the first off. She and Avery were in no hurry and let them go. They had all spent the morning getting ready and the last few minutes of the flight putting on final touches, dressed to the nines in evening dresses. Like chandeliers, some of the sequined gowns glittered as the sunlight streaming through the windows hit them. Some resembled beautiful butterflies.
Avery appeared stunning in a short gold dress with a red sequined Egyptian neckline. Her shoulders were bare and her skin glowed, helped along by the sparkle she’d rubbed on her shoulders and arms.
Serissa had also decided to dress for the occasion and like her friend, she too went for a short dress. Black with a plunging neckline that had a crystal hanging at the back, she didn’t have much going on in the front, so the dress worked great on her. No fear of anything popping out she didn’t want to, making the plunge in the back fall a tad lower. At five-six she was a little above average height, but she had great legs and loved to show them off. Both she and Avery wore their favorite red soled four-inch shoes.
Kevin entered the plane and a short matronly woman followed behind him with headphones fitted over her blond hair and an electronic tablet in her hand. Kevin stopped Kim, the first contestant, from disembarking.
Avery snickered. “No surprise to find she’s the first one in line. I bet she’s the first one to lay a kiss on Laird Jax.”
Serissa chuckled, thinking the way Kim seemed to flirt with anything male she was probably right.
“Hello, ladies,” Kevin said. “I hope you all had a great trip.” He waited a moment for the greetings to end before continuing. “Now, Jax is waiting in the Range Rover. When I leave, he’ll get out and stand beside it. Then you’ll walk out one at a time and meet him. Renee here,” he inclined his head to the woman behind him, “is the production assistant and will let you know when you can start down. After greeting Jax you’ll get to the bus and we’ll head to the first stop on this journey.” He grinned. “Or the second since your arrival here is the first stop.”
The women all giggled and made excited sighs at finally meeting the man they’d all traveled there to meet.
Kevin rubbed his hands. “Now, for a little surprise, one of you lucky ladies will ride in the limo with Jax.”
The excited energy kicked up in the confines of the plane. Serissa felt her own nerves zing in response to his words. Avery squeezed her hand.
Kevin continued talking. “Jax will issue you the invitation on the spot and that lady will travel to our next destination with him. So one of you will have some alone time with him. About twenty minutes, that’s how far the next stop is. Make the most of it.”
There were even more squeals of excitement, and even Avery turned to look at Serissa with a big grin. All the women began fluffing or smoothing their hair and adjusting their clothes, as if they hadn’t already done it. Kevin left the plane, but the assistant stayed and everyone rushed to peek through the windows for a first glimpse of Jax as he stepped out of the Range Rover.
More than one audible indrawn breath filled the cabin. Over six feet of prime cut male stepped out of the limo and planted booted feet on the tarmac.
“Oh. My. God!”
Serissa wasn’t sure who said that but she couldn’t agree more. She’d remained in her window seat and the cool air from the vent blew right on her, but her skin felt heated and flushed from just the sight of him. For the last couple of weeks this entire thing had all been fun and games. A means to get her out of the slump she seemed to be in. Just another lark she embarked on with her best friend Avery. After seeing Jax, that changed.
Mine!
The word rose up from the depths of her soul and shook her to her core. She shuddered at its strength and glanced up at the women leaning over to look out the windows. They all wore the same shell-shocked expression. Serissa was sure she did too. Jax packed a punch.
“A real honest to God Highlander,” one of the girls said.
“Too bad he’s not wearing a kilt. I’d like to see what’s under it.”
No, he wore no kilt, instead he was casually dressed in khakis with lots of pockets, with a short-sleeve T-shirt stretched across a wide chest and hugged strong, powerful biceps. A brief thought crossed her mind that they might all be over dressed. He stood with his arms folded across said broad chest. She couldn’t see his eyes since he wore shades, but his hair brushed against the top of his shoulders and the sun highlighted the blond strains mixed in with the brown. Even though he stood several feet away from them his pull was just that strong.
Maybe that’s all there was to it. He had some serious pheromones going, and she wasn’t immune. She was, after all, only twenty-seven—a youngling. Some witches lived well into their hundreds, all of her line did.
The women lined up again and after a lot of giggling and posturing, one by one they left the plane. She and Avery were the only two left. They hugged and wished each other luck.
Serissa was the last one to leave the plane. Kevin’s assistant did a good job of blocking the doorway so she couldn’t watch Avery when she met him. By the time her turn came, her mind still churned in confusion from her strong attraction to the man as she stepped off the plane and started down the stairs. She had to hold on to the railing to make sure she didn’t trip into his arms. Not exactly a bad thing if he caught her. The closer she got to him the stronger and the more her heart seemed to increase its beat, the more her stomach muscles tightened and heat washed over her skin.
She came to a stop in front of him and simply stared. She barely heard what he’d said to her because she’d realized why they’d all had such a strong physical reaction to him. Her especially.
Vampire.
“Your name?”
His voice reminded her of a shot of brandy, smooth and a hint of husky, it held that same enthralling element as his looks. She shook her head to get her brain functioning again. “Oh hell,” she muttered under her breath as he grasped her hand. A current of electricity passed back and forth between them. When his eyebrows rose toward an elegant forehead, she covered up her blunder and his effect on her with a bright smile. “Serissa. Serissa Helstrom.”
Jax was even more alluring up close and personal. The streaks of sunlight in his hair were even more pronounced up close. It framed a face with a bone structure that could have been carved from one of the castle stones she’d seen in Edinburg. It wasn’t a beautiful face, oh no. It was downright heart thumping, juices flowing stunning. She wished he’d remove the dark sunglasses so she could see the color of his eyes, but his skin had a slight tan like he spent time in the sun.
Wait! It was the middle of the day. The sun was up. She glanced above at the orb directly overhead and frowned. How the hell was a vampire walking around during the day? With the sun shining down on his head. She zeroed in on him again and narrowed her eyes, studying him more thoroughly. Reading auras was one of her specialties; she opened herself to the currents eddying around him. Serissa could not be wrong about him. She made sure to block her thoughts, just in case he tried to manipulate her.
Jax continued to hold her hand. Bringing up his other hand to enclose her lone one completely. No, he wasn’t letting her go anytime soon. “And I bet you are a little hellion. Serissa, would you like to ride to the next stop with me?”
“Ah…What?” She blinked. His request took her by surprise and reminded her they had an audience, one that at some point could include millions. It’s official. Insanity had finally crept in. It was the only reason why she was in Scotland with nineteen other women competing for the affections of a freaking vampire.
After forcing her lips to curl into a smile, she shifted her head a fraction to stare at the cameramen, Kevin’s grinning face, and all the ladies with their noses pressed up against the window of the bus. Avery smiled and waved, so did most of the others, but a few had narrowed eyes that glittered with anything but love. She could see quite well, tinted windows or not. If looks were steel they’d be shooting daggers at her.
Serissa dared not look down to where a soundman lay at their feet to capture her reply, but then the director yelled, “Cut.”
The cameras still continued to film as she was whisked to the other side of the bus and a body mic was quickly attached to her back before she was returned to stand before Jax again in the same spot.
The director yelled, “GO!”
At least the sound guy was gone but now everyone waited on her response. All this fuss, but seriously, she had only one choice. “Yes, of course.” But what had she gotten herself into?
Jax opened the door for her and she got into the car and scooted to the other side. She leaned against the door and turned to stare at him again. She’d seen auras like his before or one similar to it, both times vampires. Jax’s was surrounded by red yet there did seem to be a purplish tint to it. Now that she hadn’t seen before, but the red hue was blood red, a sign of the night creatures. How could he walk about in broad daylight? At least no taint of evil, nothing dark threaded through the red. That was a relief.
“How is this possible?” she blurted before she caught herself, not bothering to look into any of the cameras stationed throughout the car. The driver started the engine and they pulled off. Jax hadn’t taken his gaze off her. At least she assumed he hadn’t since he still wore those dark glasses. She didn’t know for sure.
“Don’t you believe in the impossible?” He flashed her a grin.
Oh goddess, the man had double dimples. What kind of vampire had double dimples?
“After all,” Jax continued, “isn’t that why you’ve come? To seek the possibilities.”
Even his voice mesmerized, a hint of the Highlands they traveled over echoed in the cadence of his speech. She could listen to him all day and night.
“Yes. Yes, I did. I do believe even the impossible can be made possible.”
Jax leaned forward and grabbed a bottle sitting in a bucket of ice, in the center console of the car. All he did was remove the cork but it didn’t make a popping sound, so the Champagne must have already been uncorked, but cool white smoke still wafted out of the opening. He took out one of the two flute glasses, also in the bucket, and poured. Liquid bubbled up to the top of the first one. Passing the glass to her, he did the same with the other. He placed the bottle back in its nesting place and twisted in his seat to face her. Raising his glass he said, “Here’s to us making the impossible…possible.”
They clinked glasses and took a sip. “Mmm…excellent.”
“Yes. It’s very good. So, Serissa, tell me something about yourself. What do you do for a living?”
The thought popped into her head to say she was a white witch, but she’d spotted the cameras in the car and the mic attached to the back of her dress, ensuring the director and producers would catch every word of their not so private exchange.
“I’m a graphic art designer and anime artist,” she said instead. Which was the truth and all he really needed to know.
“Anime. That’s interesting. Have you done any for films or games?”
“Both.”
“I’m impressed. You’re going to have to tell me some of the films or games so I can take a look at your work.”
She took another sip of her sparkling wine. Most of her work was in the fantasy paranormal genre—primarily vampires—but he might not be a vampire. She’d never heard of a vampire who walked around during the day. Perhaps Jax was something else of the paranormal world she’d need to research, but all her instincts screamed at her—vampire!
They were also screaming something else. Mine!
Lowering the glass, she stared at him wanting to gauge his reaction to her answer. “Vampire Series.” Those damn glasses hid his expression well. But at the side of his head, the vein at his temple seemed to puff ever so slightly like he was trying to control his reaction.
“Really,” he said. But this time his voice no longer held the hint of amusement to it. If she had to guess, she’d say it got more intense.
“Yes. It’s quite popular. Vampires are all the rage right now.”
He shifted in his seat. “I don’t think they’ve ever gone out of rage.”
Chapter Three
Jax almost crushed the stem of the glass in his hand when Serissa said Vampire Series. Forcing himself to calm down, he relaxed his grip and downed the rest of his Champagne. It was just a game, nothing more. She stared at him, waiting for an answer. He mumbled his reply but she’d heard him.
“No, they haven’t gone out of rage. Thank God! I love vampires.”
He smiled. Perhaps this wouldn’t be too bad after all. Jax was pretty sure it was her thoughts he’d followed that day in New York two months ago, which was why he sat in the back of the damn car. He was inclined to call a halt to the whole thing but he wasn’t sure. He’d been able to read all of the women except for Serissa and the one called Karen. Karen’s thoughts came with more impressions than clear words. Mostly her surface emotion.
There were differences among the women. Some were there to make a genuine connection. Others wanted to be on television and use it to launch a non-existent career. Still, one or two wanted to win and get their hands on the million dollars he’d walk away with. He could read those clear as a book, but Serissa, he couldn’t even pick up her surface emotion and he didn’t know her well enough yet to pick up her natural cues. But even those seem reigned in. She didn’t quite relax back into the seat, she kept herself slightly stiff and never once leaned in toward him. Hard to tell if this was just her personality or if she was just nervous.
She was a puzzle, a beautiful one with her creamy peanut butter coloring and wide full lips he’d enjoy exploring. He’d admired all the women who stepped off the plane, but she’d been the only one that caused him to inhale sharply. The only thing was if she’d been the one whose thoughts he’d picked up before, why couldn’t he now? There were some humans who had strong natural psychic shields—he suspected Karen had some to an extent—but unless they’ve had training, and most hadn’t, he should still be able to read them or breach their defenses. Narrowing his eyes he concentrated.
Serissa raised her hands and rubbed her temples. “Sorry, all of a sudden I got a wicked headache.” She blinked a few times and then stared back at him.
Shit, she was strong. He’d need a lot more force to strip down her shields, and it wouldn’t be pleasant for her. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her, especially if she was the one. So he’d have to go about things the mortal way and court her and the other women. Already, he knew which ones he’d eliminate this first go around. She was not one of them.
“Here,” he said scooting closer to her. “Let me.” Raising his hands, he massaged the spot she had been rubbing infusing her with a healing touch. “There, better?”
She’d closed her eyes and leaned closer to him, their thighs almost touching. He widened his legs within the confines of the car to make sure they did and to give himself some breathing room.
“Mmm…divine,” she purred.
The sudden stop of the vehicle surprised them both. For a moment he’d been mesmerized by her and when her lush lips parted, all he could think about was covering his mouth to hers. He glanced up and spotted a camera just beside her head. He’d completely forgotten about the damn things.
Damnit! His every move would be on there for the whole world to see. Yeah, his Ma and bro were right. He was out of his frigging mind for doing this, but the promise he’d found in that mind he’d scanned hadn’t left him. He wanted to meet that woman, needed to. Buchannans did not give up, they never surrendered. After 500 years he wasn’t about to start. She was here, he knew it and he’d find her. The woman he held could very well be the one.
Jax lowered his hands from Serissa’s temples but only to take her hand. He turned it over and noticed a pentagram tattooed on the inside of her wrist. He smiled and kissed the very center. A jolt like lightning raced through his body and struck him in his very core. Even stronger than when they’d first touched. This time, his chest rose and fell, his lips parted. Then his door opened and Kevin stood there, one of the cameramen behind him.
