Julian's Jeopardy

Chapter Twelve

A week later, Sheridan still couldn't get Jules's words out of her head.

Marriage? How the heck was she supposed to respond to that? He hadn't seemed like he was joking, but Jules had smiled at her. He'd bathed her, dried her, and dressed her, since she'd been too stupefied to do more than stand around looking like a moron.

Then they'd joined everyone for breakfast. He hadn't mentioned one word about her changing into a female version of his beast, and neither had she.

In the five days since, she'd seen him a handful of times. While he and the others worked together flying around the country checking on leads, she'd been assigned the labs, as if she were a permanent member of the Dawn Endeavor team.

The women gave her space. She'd spoken with Mrs. Sharpe a few times, mostly because Mrs. Sharpe wanted to make sure Sheridan had everything she needed in the labs. She'd also volunteered Sheridan the use of any and all equipment necessary to resume her work on the Sheridan Rose, should she want to.

Sheridan had gladly taken the offer.

So here she sat, staring around her lab while Jules was out risking life and limb to find Montaña. He said he wanted to eliminate the threat to her while also doing what should have been done a long time ago, whatever that meant.

Apparently, Montaña and these Circs had a history.

And if everything Mrs. Sharpe had said could be believed, Ricardo Montaña needed to be locked up for life for all the terrible things he'd done.

Sheridan felt like a fool for ever having doubted Jules and the others. From everything she'd seen since she'd been here, the Circs had saved more than just her life, but countless others as well.

But more than that, they were now a part of her. Jules was a part of her. A fitting mate, a voice inside of her seemed to say. That other awareness continued to grow, a kind of beast that wanted to experience the world. Sheridan felt both an innocence and an awakening, and though the scientist within her was fascinated by these changes, the all too human part of her was scared to death. She hadn't allowed more than a few of the beast's thoughts to penetrate since she'd changed a week ago. Though Jules had urged her to talk to Olivia or Morgan for advice, she wanted time to herself to ease into the changes her life was taking.

A knock at the door startled her.

“Sorry, it's just me.” Ava entered and stuffed her hands in her pockets.

“Oh, hello, Ava. How are you?”

Ava had been scarce lately, and even the others had commented on it. “I wondered if you could take a look at a friend of mine and see what's wrong with him.”

“Sure, if you'd like me to.”

Ava stared at her with those beautiful hazel eyes. Her coloring was so exotic.

She made Sheridan feel like a pale frump and a half. Even changed, Sheridan retained a softer aspect to her. Why would Jules not go for someone like Ava or Olivia? Both women were sexy and smart. Jules had looks, strength, and a commanding presence everyone respected. So why the hell was he interested in her?

“Can I ask you something?” Ava asked.

“What?”

Ava shuffled her feet. Somehow, though she stood at the same height as Sheridan, Ava managed to look much taller. A self-confident woman who knew her worth.

“What can you tell about a person when you touch them?” Ava looked sincerely curious.

Sheridan turned on her stool to fully face her. “My hands get an itch when I'm around someone who's hurt. Not emotionally wounded, but physically pained. Even if the person isn't aware of it, I sense it. Like buried cancer cells or blood disease or that something in Circs that makes them turn rogue.”

“Hmm. Touch me.” Ava stepped forward and held out her hand to Sheridan.

“What do you sense?”

Sheridan took Ava's hand. To her surprise, she felt a kindred spirit. “You're like the others. You can heal yourself.”

Ava didn't blink. “What else?”

“I… Wait.” Sheridan held tight, then slowly ran her hands over Ava's arms. Up and over her shoulders to her neck. The curious tingling in her palms continued.

“Fascinating. May I?” she asked.

“Go ahead.”

Sheridan stroked Ava from top to bottom. From her head to her face to her chest, knees, and feet. Everywhere, the woman tingled. Jolts of energy pulsed likes sparks. “You're healthy, no physical injuries of any kind. But you're hot.”

“How so?”

Sheridan couldn't put her finger on it. “I don't know. You feel like Jules did when I first touched him. His Circ energy is intense, like yours,” she said slowly.

Like mine. Sheridan looked into Ava's eyes and watched as Ava's pupils slowly narrowed and lengthened.

“Wow,” she said on a breath, still holding on to Ava's hands.

“Yeah. That's me. Miss Wow,” Ava muttered. She pulled back from Ava and stepped aside. “You felt that, all that heat? I'm healthy, right?”

Confused, Sheridan nodded.

“So how does my brother feel to you?” She turned to the door and yelled, “Come on in.”

Sheridan watched in horror as Grayson entered and shut the door behind him.

“Hello, Sheridan. It's been a while.”

In the Amazon jungle

Jules glared at Tersch as the big Circ dropped a dead rogue to the ground on top of the other bodies they'd amassed. “I thought I told you to cut that shit out. I had him. I didn't need you darting in front of me to deflect a bullet.” At such a distance, the fired round had bounced off Tersch's changed skin, as it would have bounced off Jules's.

“Sorry.”

Tersch didn't sound sorry. Before Jules could lay into him again, Morgan, Hayashi, and Fallon rejoined them while a Force Recon platoon secured the compound where they hoped to find Montaña. Fallon held a bloodied mercenary by the back of his neck in one clawed hand, and Hayashi held another in a white lab coat.

“This one says he doesn't speak English,” Fallon growled.

The silence in the jungle, but for the spatter of gunfire and swearing, felt as thick as the humidity drenching Jules in sweat. To his grim satisfaction, being here restored his memory. The hated tests, the sticky aboveground caves, the fucking rogues patrolling as security.

He and his team kept to the outskirts of the jungle, watching the operation go down. Though the US Marines had worked with them before, changed Circs still tended to distract warriors who didn't need to focus on anything but the mission. So for the most part, Jules and his team kept out of sight.

The intelligence Morgan had gathered finally led them to this place, where already a million dollars in drug money had been confiscated by discreet members of the United States's “nonexistent” black ops contingent.

“Surprised they used the jarheads on this,” Tersch muttered.

“Admiral London pulled some strings. Apparently they were already down here on some other business.” Jules stared at the man in the white coat and slowly smiled. Hel-lo, payback. “Hey, I know you. Manoel. Good to see you again.” Dr. Manoel Silva sputtered with fear. The mercenary in Fallon's hands tried to launch himself at Jules, but Fallon stopped him. The clash of Fallon's fist and the man's face proved fatal.

As Fallon withdrew his claws, he apologized. “Sorry, Jules. Wasn't paying enough attention.” He dropped the man to the ground and stepped closer to Dr.

Silva, now cowering in Hayashi's firm grip. “So how do you know this guy?” Jules flashed his fangs, pleased with the scent of terror wafting off the doctor.

“Manoel likes needles. He's Montaña's best friend. Used me like a pincushion last time I was here.”

Morgan smeared the camouflage on his face when he wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Fucker.” He glared at Silva before turning back to his mate. “You know, I missed being home, but now that I'm back, I miss our air conditioner more.” Hayashi grinned. “Suck it up, princess.” He ignored the finger Morgan gave him and turned back to Jules. “So if Manoel is Montaña's best friend, maybe he can tell us where his buddy is. The perimeter is surrounded, but no one's seen a hint of Montaña in days.”

Jules had a bad feeling in the pit of his belly. He glared down at Silva. “Where is he?”

Silva whined and cried, pleading ignorance.

Hayashi opened his mouth to speak and froze instead.

The entire team waited for the psychic spoor of energy to settle. Tiny shards of power sparked around the Asian, and whenever Jules stood too close, the uncomfortable zaps of energy made his hair stand on end.

“Ah, I see,” Hayashi murmured. He handed Silva over to Morgan. “Let's get this guy into safekeeping. I'm sure between Fallon and Olivia, we'll get tons of shit out of him. Now it's time to go home. Scarface is coming for you, Jules. For you and Sheridan. You're going to have to give him what he wants this time, or Sheridan's going to die.”

Two hours later, after everyone had been taken into custody and the laboratory shut down, the Dawn Endeavor team left South America. “Sheridan’s going to die” replayed in Jules's mind over and over as the flight dragged on. Jules couldn't wait to see his mate again, to touch her and stroke her hair, kiss her lips, brand her as his. Though Hayashi promised she'd be there waiting, Jules didn't trust his good fortune. He'd been so lost after he'd come back from that hell in the jungle the first time. And now that he finally had Sheridan back, he didn't want to lose her again.

Ever.

Nine hours later, after flying into the New River Air Station, Jules and the others headed home. This time, they had to pass not only the electronic gate and secured lock, but two psychic guards, courtesy of Admiral London.

“Great. Strange men at the house,” he muttered.

“Can't be any stranger than you bastards,” Morgan added under his breath. He sucked in a breath when Tersch's fist made contact with his arm. “Asshole.”

Fallon laughed.

Tersch grunted. “I'm telling you, Hayashi. You scraped the bottom of the barrel with this one. You should have gotten a better dude. Someone hotter maybe,” Tersch said with a critical frown. “And one with less mouth.” Hayashi answered in a calm voice, “I like his mouth just fine.” Which had Morgan snickering and Jules loosening up. He hadn't realized how tense he'd been, waiting to see Sheridan again.

“And speaking of mouths…” Tersch continued. “Jules, what's with this new female? She's kind of snarky, which I like. But she's connected to Montaña, which can't be good. So you keeping her or what? Because after what I saw her doing to you, I have to wonder. Your scent is all over her. And I don't know if I like that.” The others exchanged glances.

“You don't know if you like that?” What the hell did it matter what Tersch thought? Granted, he loved the guy like family, but Jules led the team.

“Oh boy,” Fallon murmured. “Here we go.”

“She might not be good for you, is all.” Tersch clenched his jaw tight and didn't look away when Jules glared at him.

The SUV finally pulled into the large stone circular drive. “We're going to continue this later. First I have to go see my mate,” Jules said with a low growl of promise and hurried to the front door.

“Mate?” Morgan shouted. “No shit.”

Jules heard the others talking excitedly behind him as he moved through the front door, past the guard inside who sized him up and nodded in welcome. None of the team should have been surprised by his admission. Though Jules hadn't openly stated his claim, his scent marked Sheridan better than words. But it still wasn't enough. He needed to solidify his position with his mate, so that she couldn't question where she belonged.

He hadn't been lying when he'd told her he wanted them to get to know each other. Unfortunately, he'd spent most of his time during the past few days out of the country. He lifted his head and tried to scent her.

Immediately, the sweet floral beacon drew him downstairs. He passed the few psychics Olivia, Fallon, and Mrs. Sharpe had okayed to be in the house while the team had been gone. Jules nodded to them, and they kept well out of his way.

“She's downstairs,” one of the braver telekinetics mentioned.

“Thanks.” Apparently everyone else knew he'd staked his claim. His beast growled in approval at the thought.

In the downstairs corridor, he nearly ran into Ava and a large male.

Ava smiled. “Welcome back, Jules. She's in the lab.” The big guy next to Ava didn't say much. He kept his gaze averted and nodded a hello.

Probably as attuned to Jules's alpha tendencies as the others. The psychic team reacted oddly to the Circs. Most of them kept a wary distance, which satisfied Jules. Because being around the fuckers made him want to beat on his chest and prove his dominance to the unfamiliar men. Strangely, his beast sensed like warriors in the dozen or so men attached to the security force. But the one with Ava had to be new. Jules hadn't seen him before.

Something about the male tugged at him, but before he could investigate, the scent of Sheridan hit him hard.

Ignoring Ava and the male, Jules picked up his pace and found his mate in the larger office she'd turned into her personal lab. She sat on her stool staring at the wall. Baffled, cute, and so sexy, he wanted to take her hard up against the wall she watched. No foreplay, just a hard, deep fuck. His beast snarled its agreement, and Jules took a long, deep breath to calm himself.

“Hey, baby.”

She squealed in fright and nearly fell off the stool.

He caught her, expecting a sarcastic setdown.

“God, you scared me.” Instead of yelling at him, she plastered her mouth to his.

He couldn't catch his breath as the whirlwind in his arms gave him the hard-on from hell.

“Oh, man, going at it already.” Tersch groaned from the doorway. “Come on, lovebirds. Mrs. Sharpe wants everyone upstairs. Emergency meeting, right now.” Jules didn't want to stop, but he managed to tear his mouth from Sheridan's and panted, “Fuck. Right now?”

“Sorry. You and your mate will have to take up after.” The mean look Tersch directed at Sheridan snapped the hold Jules had on his control.

He gently set Sheridan down, turned, and flew at Tersch. Slamming the stupid berserker against the wall, Jules pulled back his fist, ready to remind Tersch about the current hierarchy in leadership. Mates ranked right up there with team leaders.

“Jules! What are you doing?”

“Teaching Tersch when to learn to shut his fucking mouth,” Jules growled, sensing the frustration and the hurt in his Circ. Since his friend responded best to pain, Jules though he'd use it to enforce his point.

“Don't hit him.” Sheridan sounded worried.

“I don't need you to fight my battles for me, red,” Tersch sneered.

She nudged Jules aside and poked Tersch in the chest. “My name is Sheridan, you big jerk.”

Her aggression startled both men into silence.

“And it's my lab, so I'll say whatever the hell I want to say. You two want to fight, take it upstairs. Now,” she added in a mean voice when neither Jules nor Tersch moved.

Tersch must have seen something in Sheridan's eyes, because he stopped bracing himself for Jules and leaned closer. “Tell me I did not just see that.” He licked his lips, and to Jules's unease, Sheridan stared at his mouth.

“See what?” she growled in a tone much rougher than the one she normally used.

Jules glanced at her hand and saw the shimmer of her sharpening claws.

“Have you shifted at all since we've been gone?” he asked quietly.

She blinked and pulled back from Tersch. “Ah, shifted?”

“Yeah, changed into your beast? That sexy creature that took me so lovingly just a few night ago?” He wanted her again, right now. He wanted Tersch to watch, so that the male would know exactly who Sheridan belonged to.

“Jules, shush.” Sheridan's face heated, and he turned her head to plant a kiss on her lips.

Tersch's eyes were huge. “The mating heat is strong. She's Circ? When were you going to tell us?”

“Asshole, I told you I mated her.”

“I'm not Circ.” Sheridan shook her head.

“No?” Tersch sniffed. “Smells like Circ to me. Nice, flowery, wild. But you smell like him too. And I don't know, but…”

Sheridan frowned. “But what?” Before Tersch could answer, she swore under her breath. “I don't belong to anyone. I'm a woman, unattached, who's thinking about having a civilized relationship with Julian Hawkins. I've been thinking, Jules.”

“Shit. When they start thinking, you're in real trouble.” The slight grin on Tersch's face relieved him.

Jules didn't want to fight Tersch, but Tersch needed to know Sheridan belonged. He glanced from his friend to his mate. Maybe her Circ traits had convinced Tersch to give her the respect she was due.

“Then again, I think you're in over your head with this one anyway,” Tersch added, his smile disappearing. “How do you know she's not working for Montaña?” Sheridan inhaled sharply. “I would never help that man do anything, let alone join with him to hurt Jules.” When Tersch simply shrugged, Sheridan's voice rose.

“Screw you. And get the hell out of my lab.”

The ferocity of her anger had the bite of the beast, enough so that Tersch straightened, glanced warily at Jules, then left without another word.

“Baby, you said you've been thinking?” Jules couldn't have been more pleased.

Every time he saw another facet of his mate, his beast purred with contentment. So strong, so his.

She watched Tersch's retreating back. “Ah, yes. Yes, I was thinking.” She turned to face him and cleared her throat. “We've never gone out on a date. I think we should have one.”

Things looked better than ever. Jules smiled. “Just what I was thinking. Let's get through this meeting with Mrs. Sharpe, and then we'll have some alone time.

Out of the bedroom,” he added before she could complain they had nothing but sex in common.

He didn't see the problem with their physical compatibility, but only because he trusted his beast's instincts. He knew, without a doubt, that Sheridan belonged to him. She'd turned Circ for him. She'd healed him. She turned him on the way no one ever had. Despite all his adventurous sex with his team and their mates, only sex with Sheridan involved the depths of his soul.

Jules had never believed in soul mates, but with Sheridan, he knew.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked in a soft voice, her blue eyes clear of guile.

He couldn't help himself and glanced at her aura. It still glowed a bright, neon purple—that of a woman in love.

“Like what?” Jules asked, knowing he wore a dopey smile on his face.

He guided her out of the lab and up to where Mrs. Sharpe and the others waited in the conference room.

“Like you…” Sheridan blushed. “Never mind.”

Jules squeezed her to him and kissed the top of her head. “Soon as we're done with this meeting, put on a dress. We're going somewhere nice. Just you and me.”

And the rest of the team, apparently. Did Jules honestly think Sheridan hadn't seen Tersch disappear around the corner into a booth with one of the psychic guys, who wore an obnoxious baseball cap? Or that Morgan and Hayashi, coupled with Fallon and Olivia at a booth several feet away, weren't noticeable?

“I thought we were going out alone?” she murmured as they sat in the back corner of the Islander, an upscale seafood restaurant near Atlantic Beach, just half an hour from the mansion.

“We are alone. The others are here for our protection, I swear.” Jules took her hand across the table and rubbed it in soft circles.

Her blood heated from just his touch. The vanilla musk always surrounding him deepened, and she drew in a jagged breath.

“Yeah, I know,” he whispered. “I feel it too.”

The love? Is that what he feels? Or the incredible intimacy between the two of us, despite the crowded restaurant?

“You're so beautiful.”

She blinked. “Me? You think I'm beautiful?”

Jules chuckled and brought her hand to his lips. “Honey, your hair is the stuff of fantasies. First time I saw it tied up in that ponytail, I wanted to rip the band away. The sight of your hair over my stomach when you're going—”

“Jules,” she hissed.

He grinned. “Well, the sight of all that thick hair gets to me. And your eyes are special. So blue. And of course, though I hate to be a typical guy and say I'm hot for your body, I am. Very, very hot.” He cleared his throat and let her go. Then he drained a glass of water in one long swallow.

She blushed, thrilled he was so attracted. “I still don't know why.”

“You're oblivious.”

“To what?”

He sighed. “It's probably for the best. Sheridan, the minute we walked in here, every guy gave you a look. I can't blame them. That blue dress really shows off your curves. You have the nicest ass I've ever seen. And don't get me started on your breasts.”

She huffed. “Okay, okay. I get it. You're weird. You like redheads with big butts, big boobs, and pasty skin.”

He chuckled. “Good. You keep thinking I'm weird and not that you're a bombshell with killer curves. Then I won't have to kill any of the assholes making eyes at you.”

She took a sip of her own water and pretended she believed him. The waiter appeared, and they ordered their food. When he left, Sheridan jumped into the discussion that was long overdue.

“Jules, I've wanted to talk to you for a while.”

“I'm right here, sweetheart. Talk away.”

Why did he have to call her sweetheart and baby? On his lips, they weren't putdowns or platitudes but endearments. Jules made her feel treasured, cared for, almost…loved. Sheridan studied his face and his eyes, searching for the truth. What did he really feel for her? When he said she belonged to him, what did that really mean?

They barely knew each other, and they'd met under unfortunate circumstances. Physical chemistry wasn't enough to base a relationship on. I know that, she reminded the animal inside her wanting to leap across the table and sate herself with his rock-hard body.

His eyes flashed, the pupils narrowing as he studied her.

“Your beast, hmm?” he asked softly.

“She's in there. I want to call it an it, but she won't let me.” Sheridan shook her head. “But you're distracting me. I wanted to talk about us.”

“Good. So do I.”

She frowned. “You do?”

“Sheridan, I really like you, but I have the sense you don't like me.” She blinked. This wasn't how she'd envisioned their conversation. “Excuse me?”

He shifted in his seat and glanced away. His lips quirked, and she had the uneasy suspicion he might be laughing at her.

“Are you—”

“Sheridan, I have real feelings for you,” he said in a low voice. “I've tried telling you about me, hoping you'd do the same. But you won't talk to me.”

“Probably because whenever we're together we make lo—”

“Your salads,” the waiter said as he set down their plates. The minute he left, Sheridan leaned closer.

“I'm talking to you now.” Oh wow, he looks hurt. Like I hurt his feelings or something. “Are you okay?”

“Am I? Sheridan, do you even like me?” His earnest expression took her aback, and she realized he might feel as awkward about their combustible lust as she did.

“I do like you.” She did. A lot. More than was healthy.

He’s mine.

Clamping down on her beast, she smiled at him. “You're protective, responsible, a leader of men. You have integrity and a decent sense of humor.” She thought about what she knew of him and continued. “You're really good in bed.

Really, really good.” Man, understatement of the year.

He smiled at her, and his eyes twinkled. The rest of the room disappeared.

Only Jules mattered.

“You're too good for me.” She sighed, depressed at thoughts of him eventually leaving her.

He blinked. “What?”

“Jules, I'm a realist. I work with plants, and I like my job. Why? Because I don't have to deal with people. I'm honest, sometimes brutally so. I try to be nice, but I have a bad habit of just saying what I think without filtering first. I don't dress as fashionably as Olivia and will never look even half as good in jeans as Ava does. I'm not fond of sports, though I do like to run. And you'll never see a six-pack on my belly.” My jiggly belly. She frowned and touched her stomach. Actually, come to think of it, she'd felt firmer since her change into the beast.

“None of that matters.” Jules waved away her concerns. “Sheridan, I'm not normal.” He lowered his voice. “I have a dangerous job. And I'm a lot more than a regular guy.” He paused. “I'm Circ. I have to be to survive the mating heats. I've been with women—and men.” He seemed to be waiting for a reaction.

Unfortunately, she couldn't drum up the disgust he seemed to be looking for.

Good Lord. The thought of Jules doing the other Circs made her wet. He was a sexual male, and she loved his dominance.

His nostrils flared, and he smiled, showing a hint of fang he quickly covered.

“See? That's why you and I work. You can accept what I am. I'm different, and I always will be. I'm in charge because I have to be.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “And you like that.”

God, yes, do I. She coughed and took a sip of her water. Then a sudden thought came to her. “Have you and Tersch…?”

“Yeah. A lot. And with the others too. I'm the leader, an alpha. Sex bonds us.

The team, I mean.”

She flushed, suddenly wet and wishing they were anywhere but here.

He exhaled hard. “Man, you smell good. So I take it that doesn't bother you?”

“Olivia and Ava too?”

“Olivia, not Ava. She's not one of us.”

That’s what you think. “Olivia, hmm?”

He didn't look away from her, and the lack of his discomfort somehow made it easier to accept. “Olivia's happily mated to Fallon. She's a part of my team now. But I don't want to spend the rest of my life with her as my mate. She knows her place among us, and being with her is almost intrusive now, especially with the baby coming.

“Sheridan, I know this sounds really out there, but we're not human. We're Circ, and Circs have unusual needs.”

Though Sheridan didn't like the thought of Jules with Olivia, her beast accepted it. Just the notion that Jules had kissed Olivia bothered the crap out of her; jealousy reared its ugly head. Yet her beast urged her to understand the necessity of the Circ bonding process.

A glance over to her right showed Olivia sitting with Fallon, her arm around his shoulder. The woman was clearly in love with her mate. Though she'd expressed affection for Jules, she didn't seem flirty or more than friendly with him.

“So you're not in love with her?” As soon as she said it, Sheridan hastily corrected, “I mean, you're not involved with any of your team that way? Like mates, right?”

“We're all a team. The longer you're with us, the better you'll see how we function. I'd give my life for any of them. We've been through some tough stuff, danger, pain, loss. But now Fallon has Olivia, and Hayashi has Morgan, as irritating as he can be.”

They shared a smile.

“Two of us have bonded, but Tersch and I are still alone. Or at least, Tersch is.” Jules grasped her hand again, his energy snaking into her palm. “Sheridan, I want to know everything about you. I know you like vanilla and not chocolate. That you're sexy as hell but still innocent, no matter what we've done.” He grinned at her blush. “You're a tremendous healer. Your gift is much of who you are. Giving, caring, unselfish. That's why I fell in love with you, Sheridan. That's why I mated you and why I want to marry you. We have the rest of our lives to learn about each other. I want to get started with you by my side.”