Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 29

The ride back to Noah's place was eerily quiet. It was almost four in the morning by the time Noah exited Jake's car with a wave, and nothing more.

Jake was running through all possible scenarios to explain what he had just witnessed. It had to be in his mind.

But, it felt so... real. And by the tang in his mouth, he could tell that he did actually vomit in the woods. Noah seemed just as dazed as he was. Neither of them spoke a single word the entire way back.

Jake was fae.

Or part fae.

He felt the wings, touched the ears that came to a point. They had been there. And the female, Saleh. She had reached out and physically touched him. He felt it. He saw her use magic.

If his mother was telling the truth about his father this whole time then Jake owed her a huge apology. What kind of magic did he wield? Would Jake be able to access it?

No, this was crazy. He couldn't actually be thinking of using magic. Or believing that fae were real...

It wasn't until he slowly pulled into a parking spot in front of his building that he began to consider what to tell Anna.

The truth? Or at least what he thought was the truth? Everything that he just experienced would only make him sound insane. And if she couldn't go with him tomorrow, there would be no way to convince her of the fact.

He slammed his hands against his steering wheel as he realized he wouldn't be able to tell her anything. Not until he talked to his mom and Saleh again.

Anna would have questions that he didn't have answers to or questions he wasn't willing to answer just yet. What would he do?

He needed her. Needed to feel her, kiss her, to ground himself. He needed to be reminded that he was, in fact, real. That everything around him was real.

He flew up the steps to his apartment and unlocked the door as fast as he could.

Anna.

Anna.

Anna.

He could only think of her. Only wanted her. Her presence could push away every doubt and fear in his mind. Her kiss could show him the truth. Her body could remind him who he was. As long as Anna was real, he could forget the rest for tonight. He just needed to get to her.

He stopped in the bathroom to brush his teeth and then followed the light at the end of his hallway, to the bedroom, to her.

There was never a sight as lovely as Anna, laying in that bed, in his shirt, holding that bear, fast asleep. Heart pounding in his chest with adrenaline, he kicked his shoes off and snuck up onto the bed and crawled across to her, his peace, his lifeline.

Her skin beneath his lips was warm and soft as he began to place kisses along the side of her neck and her jaw. He slid his arms around her waist and blew in her ear until her eyes began to flutter open.

She smiled when she felt the trail of kisses he was leaving and turned her face toward him.

"Hello, handsome," she yawned

"Hello, beautiful." His lips claimed hers and she pressed into him. Her hands slid up his body and into his hair as he positioned himself on top of her.

"I love you and only you," he whispered before brushing his tongue against hers as she opened for him.

Slipping his hands underneath her shirt, he ran his calloused fingers over her soft skin.