Chapter 10
Jade soared high over the city, feeling more sated and happy than she had in centuries. She saw the familiar lights of the Miami skyline, but tonight she paused to admire just how beautiful they were.
She was very pleased with how her meeting with Price Galean had gone. She could appreciate his concern over her involvement with such a high profile public figure such as Horatio Caine, so she was both relieved and delighted to receive his blessing and acknowledgement of her claim on the fiery haired mortal.
But her delicious romp with Horatio in her bed combined with her nerves over meeting with the Prince, she had used a considerable amount of energy. She needed to feed. She still had a couple of hours before sunrise, so with a heavy sigh she turned and headed for the less desirable part of Miami.
It didn't take her long to spot her target, and the lone male in the alleyway never saw her coming as she swooped down upon him. She bared her teeth and sank them into the soft flesh of his neck, growling with hunger as the warm coppery liquid began to flow into her mouth. She quickly drank her fill, careful not to take too much as she had no reason to kill. When she was finished, she licked her lips and left the limp mortal sleeping peacefully on a bus stop bench before heading for home and the sanctuary of her lavish bedroom.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Horatio paused again, for the umteenth time of the day, leaned against the lab table, closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to push the tiredness away. His head hurt, his muscles ached, and it was taking every ounce of will power he possessed to keep his focus and concentrate on the case the team was working on. The double dose of aspirin and the three large cups of coffee he had guzzled had managed to get him through most of the morning, but now it was just after lunch time and he was absolutely exhausted.
He didn't hear the lab door open as Eric walked into the room.
"H?" The younger man asked, concerned. "You OK?"
Horatio looked up, startled. "Fine… Eric," he stammered a reply. "Just a bit tired is all. Did you get any prints off the knife found at the crime scene?"
Eric momentarily ignored the question as he took in Horatio's haggard appearance. 'A bit tired' didn't even begin to describe it. The man's eyes, usually a crisp and clear blue, were bleary and red rimmed, and his face looked drawn and pale. A look of worry clouded Eric's face.
"You work another double shift H?" Eric asked. "That's twice in one week. That's crazy. The brass can't expect anyone to be able to do that and stay sharp. You need some sleep."
Horatio didn't argue. But although the double shifts were taking their toll, it's nothing that Horatio hadn't done before. He did not, however, see the need to share the other reason that he body was so drained of energy. His incredible lovemaking session with Jade. That was one piece of information he would keep to himself.
"Hey look," Eric continued. "We've got things under control here. Why don't you go home and crash? If anything shakes loose, I'll call you."
Horatio had to admit the idea of flopping into soft warm bed sounded wonderful. The longer he tried to keep pushing himself, the greater the chance of missing a key piece of evidence or making a mistake that could damage the investigation. So despite his dedicated work ethic, he reluctantly convinced himself that the prudent thing to do would be to heed Eric's advice.
"Anything comes up, you'll call me?" He asked, rubbing his forehead.
Eric nodded in reply. "Promise."
Horatio sighed heavily and put his sunglasses on. "Okay. Thank you my brother." And he headed for the door.
"No problem. Get some rest H," he heard Eric say as he left the room.
Minutes later, Horatio was pulling out of the parking lot. Without even realizing it, he turned and drove off in the opposite direction of his house. He was almost three miles away from the station before he consciously realized where he was heading…
No point in turning around now… his tired brain rationalized.
He pulled up in front of Jade's palatial home, parked his car, and walked to the front door. He was just about to knock when the huge door swung open and Donovan greeted him.
"Mr. Caine, nice to see you again," the young man said pleasantly. "She's upstairs in her bedroom. I assume you know the way?"
Horatio blushed slightly, but nodded.
"Very well then, Good Day to you Sir," Donovan smiled and closed the door, then disappeared into another room.
Horatio quickly made his way up the stairs and silently entered Jade's decadent bedroom. Not a hint of the bright Miami sunshine made its way through the layers of heavy draperies, the only light in the room the soft amber flicker of a few candles. The intoxicating scent of jasmine hung heavy in the air.
Horatio slowly approached the luxurious oversized bed and saw the blanketed figure stir.
"Jade," he called softly.
"Mmmm, Horatio," she purred in reply. She slowly pulled back the covers and Horatio caught his breath at the exotic sight of her nude body.
"Get out of those clothes and come here my love," Jade said in a sultry tone.
Horatio complied immediately and slipped into the silky sheets, his body responding to being so close to her. Gone were the aches and pains he had struggled with throughout the whole morning. He felt nothing but a calm peace, a pleasant warm tingle that washed through him all the way to his toes. She pulled him close and settled into the soft bedding with him, stroking a gentle hand through his hair.
"I… needed to see you…" Horatio began, but she stilled him.
"Shhhhh," she whispered, softly caressing his skin. "It's time to sleep now. Sleep Horatio."
He needed no other persuasion. He felt his body completely relax in her arms and within minutes he fell into a deep and restful sleep. Jade settled herself beside him, keeping him cradled close to her, relishing the feel of his body melded against hers. Then she too, drifted off to sleep, a contented smile on her face…
A/N: My sincerest apologies for the large time gaps in my story updates… I hate it when life interferes with my creative expressions! However, I am back at the keyboard once again… Thank you for your patience, thank you for the reviews, and thank you for reading! -NiteJasmine