The Art Of Listening

Chapter 12

I looked at Jax and tried to process what he was saying. "So, I am your mate, the other half of your soul? Who did you piss off in a past life, I'm nothing but trouble." Jax was not happy about my choice of words, "Artemis, you are perfect and  I hate when you say otherwise. I couldn't be happier it is you. I knew it from the moment I first laid eyes on you." I smiled at him.

"So what happens now? Is there something that I am supposed to do?" He chuckles at me, "Well, the wolves mark each other with a bite to the neck, but us vampires use an exchange of blood. Then, we make love to seal our bond. The bond isn't to be taken lightly and it is eternal. Meaning, if we were to bond tonight, you could never leave me for another or me leave you. I could always feel when you are hurt or scared or in pain, but I can feel your joy as well. You could too. We would be linked together, forever. So, I want to you to really think about that before anything else happens." 

"Will I turn into a vampire?" I asked, a bit afraid. He smiled and cupped my cheek, "No, my Angel. I don't even know if you could turn, but it takes a larger exchange of blood for that." I nodded, my mind spinning. I flopped back on the pillows. I tried to think about what my life would look like without Jax and my heart clenched painfully and I knew, without a doubt, I loved him. 

"OK, let's do this, then." He cocked an eyebrow at me, "Are you sure. You have been through a lot lately and as I said, this is forever." I grabbed his hand and looked into those beautiful, icy, blue eyes and smiled. "Jax, I love you and I think I did from the moment I answered the door in my towel. No one is every going to be able to take your place and I don't even want to imagine it."  He leaned in and kissed me gently. 

He pulled back and cupped my cheek, "The blood exchange will be tiring, so we can do that and then I want to hold you while we sleep." I smiled, "Best offer ever." He grinned and then his fangs grew, long, white, sharp, perfect. He kissed across my jaw and down my neck, stopping at the large vein and licking it gently, making me moan. I felt him place one small kiss there before his fangs pierced my flesh. It hurt, I wasn't going to lie. I whimpered as he drank until he pulled back, licking the bite with his tongue, then, I moaned. 

"You taste like heaven itself, Angel. Now, you must drink from me." He bit into his wrist and placed it against my mouth. I sealed my lips over the bite and his blood rushed into my mouth. It was sweet and slightly salty, but in a good way. He moaned as my tongue lapped against his skin. After a moment, he pulled his arm away and it healed as he crashed his lips into mine, kissing me hungrily. His tongue plunged into my mouth and possessed it completely. I was lost in his kiss. He pulled away, panting. "You lips are so addicting, but we must rest." He pulled me into his chest as we lay on the bed, my eyes drifting closed as he whispered against my hair, "I love you, My Angel."  I was too far gone to respond.

I stirred awake to see Jax sleeping peacefully next to me. His face was relaxed and I couldn't help but stare at his perfection and wonder how an ugly duckling like me ended up with someone like him. "Angel, it is very rude to stare." He mumbled sleepily. I smiled, "I can't help it, you are too perfect to be real." He chuckled and turned to kiss me, but I put a hand over my mouth and shook my head. I jumped from the bed and ran into the bathroom to brush my teeth. "What's wrong, Angel?" Jax's concerned voice followed me. "Morning breath." I said simply as I shoved a toothbrush into my mouth. 

Jax chuckled as he stood, leaning against the bathroom door. I finished brushing my teeth and turned to grin at Jax, "All better." He smirked and strolled towards me, leaning down. I thought he was going to kiss me, but he grabbed my toothbrush instead. "What are you doing?" I asked him as he put toothpaste on it and he grinned as he stuck my toothbrush in his mouth. My jaw dropped, "That is so not ok, you nasty man!" I shrieked. He chuckled as he continued to brush his teeth with stolen goods. I quickly brushed my hair and braided it, glaring at him and my toothbrush before heading to the closet for clothes. 

I was halfway down the stairs when Lorilee walked in, smiling brightly. Her eyes narrowed when she saw the pure anger on my face. "What happened?" I opened my mouth to tell her when the guys strolled in and stopped in their track at the look on my face. "He's an ass, and absolute mad man and a thief, not to mention, completely disgusting! You used my toothbrush, what kind of animal does that?" I ranted, walking into the kitchen. Lorilee grimaced, "That is a bit disgusting, I mean there are some lines you don't cross." 

Jax strolled in with a smirk on his face and I glared at him. He shrugged, "Angel, you had my tongue in your mouth, why is your toothbrush any different?" I groaned, "It just is ok? That is like you wearing my underwear, it just isn't done!" He chuckled, "I am not a cross dresser, Angel." I threw my hands in the air and he continued to laugh, the guys joining him, Lorilee and I still looked grossed out. Trevor took a deep breath and looked at Jax and then at me, grinning. I furrowed my brows and the rest of the guys sniffed and grinned. I looked at Lorilee, she was grinning too. "What?" I asked

"You bonded." Was all he said and my cheeks flamed fire engine red. Jax threw an arm around my shoulders, "We did the blood exchange, she was exhausted and I am not putting pressure on her." In my mind, I was plotting revenge on Jax, for me and my toothbrush. An Evil smile curled across my lips and Lorilee caught it and winked at me with her own evil smile. The girls would rule this place today.

Jax and I made breakfast together, me acting like I was ok from earlier, but really, I was plotting. After breakfast, the guys had work to do and Jax told me he needed to feed and he would be back in a couple hours. I didn't ask how he fed, I didn't want to know. As soon as they were all gone, Lorilee and I began plotting our revenge, well my revenge, but having a witch to help is awesome! By the time Jax and guys returned for dinner, we were ready. 

I stood at the top of the stairs, wearing a sexy red dress, complete with heels, makeup, and hair done perfectly, thanks to Lorilee. Jax froze at the bottom of the stairs, staring at me. "You look incredible, Love." He breathed and the guys all stood behind him nodding. I smiled and thanked him. I started to walk down and stopped as he started to walk up. He got up three stairs when he was attacked by flying water balloons filled with water and pink glitter. The rained down on him and the guys, coating them in the vile substance. They all looked shocked as Lorilee walked down behind me and high fived me, both of us wearing victorious grins. "Look, Lo, sparkling vampires." I laughed. 

Jax's face morphed into a smirk, causing me to shriek as I threw off my heels and took off running. "Baby, come back, I just want a hug!" He cackled evilly, running after me. Needless to say, he caught me. I never thought I could honestly out run a vampire. He rubbed his body all over mine, "Look, guys, a glittery fairy." He laughed, I was not amused.