A/N: Oh my god it's been so long! I'm so sorry this took months to even happen. I'm completely ashamed of myself =/ I don't know if any of you still read this story, although I'm sure hoping that you do and haven't given up on it yet! I made this lengthy, as my per usual, because you guys deserve it and because I'm horrible for taking two months to post on this. *smacks hands*
To the few stragglers that read this and followed or favorited while I was on my hiatus, bless you. To my darling Maya who hounded me (in the best way possible) about keeping up with this story; I adore you. I'm going to dedicate this chapter to her because, well, she damn well deserves it.
Happy reading everyone!
The second Jasmine's fuzzy mind became conscious to the real world, a groan escaped her throat. Landing with a muffled thud into her pillow. Her brain beat against her eyelids as if a concert was going on inside her skull; her eyes being the double bass to a drum set. Even with them closed it hurt like hell.
"Looks like someone has finally decided to join the land of the living."
Jasmine wanted to flip him off but didn't know where in the room Owen was located. To find out that meant she'd have to lift her head from the pillow and open her eyes. She would just take a pass on that action today. At least until her stomach didn't feel like it was trying to crawl its way out of her body.
Owen's deep chuckle filtered through the bedroom. Jasmine tightened her hands on the pillow she held against her face, groaning in reply. Every time she even slightly moved her stomach tossed violently and her dark vision spotted white. Her mind becoming a dizzy mess as if someone had just let her off a merry-go-round.
"How much did I drink last night?"
Jasmine's words came muffled against the fabric. Her voice displaying the agony she felt and, mentally, she was kicking her own ass.
She could've sworn it couldn't have been that much, but with how she was feeling now, her opinion obviously wasn't the best. The bed dipped making her body slid involuntarily towards the large mass that was Owen until her hip rested again him.
"How much?"
Jasmine reiterated her question. Her words continued to be muffled by the pillow. She could feel Owen tug at the sides of the soft material; her hands shot out to smack his hand away earning her another chuckle in the process. Owen's warm baritone trickled down her spine, leaving a heated trail behind on her skin, as his fingertips made a pattern down her bare back.
It was when Owen's fingers took a hold of the charcoal sheet tangled around her hips that Jasmine let the first shiver escape her, and it wasn't just because of his touch. Owen tugged the sheet further down until the humid air brushed the top of her buttocks. Was she naked?
Jasmine's silent question was answered a few moments later. Owen's hand snaking around the front of the sheet and underneath. A large lukewarm hand caressing up the smooth plains of her stomach until his fingers fluttered teasingly at her breasts. Another groan sounded from her as Owen tried to remove the pillow from her face but Jasmine had latched on to it with a death grip.
Turning her face, Jasmine attempted to open her eyes but let a chorus of swear words as her vision erupted in heated bursts of light. She squeezed her eyes closed with a hand coming up to shade them.
"A lot," Owen finally answered fingers going back and forth on her stomach. Tracing a heated line underneath her cleavage. "You said there wasn't enough whiskey in the world to help you forget that sweater."
Oh god. Her ugly sweater.
Jasmine bit down on her lip as her body revolted at the mention of the god-awful fabric disaster she'd worn. The embarrassment was overwhelming. How in the hell was she supposed to face everyone now?
The company Christmas party memos had been sent out to all staff on the island. All two thousand something of them were asked to select one of the three dates they'd sanctioned off for the specific event. Claire had no doubt done it this way so that every associate could go and enjoy themselves but keep enough employees in the park so it could run effectively. Minus a few missing hundred.
It was an ingenious idea on Claire's part. Truly. Jasmine was impressed by Claire's ability to get things done and still manage, well, everything. No matter, however, Jasmine didn't do large parties and she'd been under the impression that neither did Owen. So his admission that he was going with his crew on the last day shocked the hell out of her.
That's when Jasmine had felt compelled to inform him she wouldn't be attending, on any day. Owen had tried to talk her into it but she had refused. Later that day when Barry and the guys at the paddock had followed up with their own inquiries if Jasmine would be joining them. When she'd told them no, the entire day was spent dismissing pleas and protests of her not joining them.
It wasn't until she'd received another memo, about the Christmas party being an ugly sweater party, that Jasmine finally decided to cave. Jasmine couldn't pass up the idea of Owen wearing such a thing and immediately went and told him she'd be his plus one.
Jasmine had spent the rest of the day in the main area of the park (the only place for decent shopping). Unsurprisingly, one of the clothing stores had been selling Christmas sweaters. One in particular of a raptor skeleton that blinked, literally blinked, with holiday colored light spread throughout. Immediately Jasmine knew that that was the sweater for her.
Jasmine had figured Owen would get a kick out of the damnable thing and so she bought it. Worrying about if she should come bearing a warning sign about possible seizures from the frenzy of the flashing lights. Of course, Jasmine had to make it even more ugly and by the time she'd put the finishing touches on the outfit and took a good look at herself in the mirror, she suddenly felt like The Grinch.
As stupid as Jasmine felt, she was also damn proud of what she had accomplished in just a few hours. She was indeed, rocking an ugly sweater when she left the bungalow. On her way to the party Jasmine had somehow become atrociously happy with her ingenuity but any ounce of happiness Jasmine had accumulated in that short amount of time dissipated when she stepped inside the party.
No one; NO ONE else had been wearing an ugly sweater: except her. Jasmine had been paralyzed in horror as her eyes swept across the crowd. She'd watched as their eyes had taken in her choice of attire; lips curling and giggles ringing out in a steady chorus until it felt like that was all Jasmine could hear. Her eyes continued to scan the crowd until they locked on a petite copper headed woman with a smirk that was all smug satisfaction.
Jasmine wanted to take off one of her boots and launch it in her direction, but was frozen in embarrassment. Her cheeks no doubt the same color as one of the blinking red lights on her sweater and her eyes wide in humiliation. Jasmine had been so transfixed on Claire's location that she didn't even notice when Owen had walked up to her. She didn't acknowledge his presence until a large hand wrapped around her bicep.
"What the hell are you wearing?"
"I-I thought this was an ugly sweater party."
It had been all she'd been able to stammer back in reply. It took everything she had left in her to look at him. Jasmine had never felt so mortified and she knew it was showcased clear as day all over her face.
"Claire?"
Jasmine snorted as she looked down at her shoes briefly. Taking the moment to regain her composure before she looked back up at him.
"What made you guess that?"
"Well, besides the fact that you're the only one in what has got to be one of the world's most horrendous sweaters and the fact you keep looking in Claire's direction; it's a dead giveaway. It's not too far of a stretch."
Jasmine felt the smile tug at her lips as her fingers searched for the off switch for the damn lights.
"So what you're telling me is, you think if this was an ugly sweater party I'd have a chance?"
Her voice was still small and guarded and she hated Claire for that.
"Oh baby trust me, you'd be the Queen of the motherfucker at this point."
Jasmine had allowed herself to laugh; head falling back as Owen brought her to his chest. She gave herself a second to wallow in the safety of his arms before squaring her shoulders and pushed away from him. Jasmine made a dramatic sweep with her arm, instructing for him to lead the way.
The rest of the night Jasmine had knocked back every shot and every available glass of whiskey she could get her hands on. Jasmine recalled vaguely that Owen had tried to talk to her about maybe slowing down. Her response completely lost now as she rolled onto her back, groaning into her hands, as her body tried to fight the hangover from hell she'd given herself.
What Jasmine couldn't figure out was how and why, exactly, she was naked. She opened her mouth to ask when Owen's hand innocently touched her bare calf. The skin on skin contact enough to send her mind on a rerun of heavy breathes, wet kisses, and her body pressed down with extra weight into the mattress.
"Hey," her voice reminded her of a chain smoking regular at a bar. Her mouth dry like the Mojave and tasted like an ashtray to match. "Did you take advantage of me?"
Jasmine peeped out of the crevice she made between her fingers. Her eyes locking onto the wide eyed mask of shock the breathtaking man in front of her now wore.
"Excuse me? If anyone took advantage of anyone here, it would be you."
"'I'm a complete angel," Jasmine countered.
She tried to fight the rising of her lips as Owen's eyebrows shot up, disbelief clear as day on his face.
"You kept asking me to take you home and when I told you no for the umpteenth time you decided that sticking your hands down my pan-"
"Alright, alright I get it!"
Jasmine waved her hands between them to stop him. A hot blush creeping up her neck turning her cheeks flush. She wanted to bury her face back in the pillow. Happy that Owen had fallen silent as she felt his weight shift on the bed.
"There's some Advil and water on the bedside table for you." Owen leaned down and made a move to kiss her on the mouth but changed course on the way to her pursed lips and ,instead, kissed her forehead. "Don't take too long to get ready. I can only deter your sister for so long."
Owen got off the bed and walked over to the small wooden table in the corner of their room. He picked up his infamous leather vest; Jasmine watching lazily as his back muscles flexed as he put it on. Carefully, she moved to the edge, curling the blankets around her.
"You aren't going to stay and shower with me?" she pouted.
He fixed his collar as his eyes took in her half-naked frame.
"Tempting; very tempting," Owen answered. His eyes flashing with heat as they followed the teasing trail Jasmine made. Her fingers tugging the dark fabric of the comforter dangerously close to exposing her breasts. "Unfortunately, its noon and I have a presentation to get ready for."
All the playfulness left her as Jasmine's eyes widened; her body lurching regretfully forward. A hand on her head didn't seem like it was enough to save her from vertigo. The nausea rolling in like a hurricane as she scrambled to the edge of the bed and off.
"Its noon?!" She shouted searching the floor for a clean towel. They really needed to start designating who washed and who folded clothes. "Why didn't you wake me up sooner?"
Owen gave her a look of admonishment as she continued to scurry around him like a chipmunk; a very naked chipmunk.
"I did! Every single time you either told me to eat shit or, my personal favorite, you would cut off my testicles and feed them to Susie, the T-Rex."
"Oh," was all Jasmine could say.
She'd halted in her frenzied search to listen to Owen. Once he was finished, however, she picked up a stray bra, and bolted towards their shower. Jasmine ran past him and not a moment later, her backside erupted in a blossoming spark of pain.
"Owen Elliot Grady!" Jasmine seethed.
Clutching on to her crumpled up clothes piled to her chest, Jasmine shot a withering look over her shoulder. Owen simply shrugged his shoulders.
"My hand slipped."
"Oh, I'm so sure-"
Her words fell quiet as Owen leaned down and planted a quick kiss on her lips leaving her exasperated and pouting as he made a quick exit.
Amber found herself fidgeting with the collar of her blouse for what felt like the millionth time. She'd been sitting in the waiting area to Claire's office for what felt like forever but, in all actuality, was merely fifteen minutes. If that.
She couldn't stop her hands from fidgeting or her legs from shaking to the dance of nerves that laid inside of her. Usually, Amber would have sent over one of her assistants, or even Jasmine to drop off the latest expense reports to Claire's office. But it was the day after the company Christmas party. Her assistants were no doubt nursing their hangovers and apparently, so was Jasmine.
After she'd called for the sixth time Amber had finally received an answer. Although, it had been from Owen and not from her sister. He'd promised Amber that Jasmine would be awake and at the station by no later than noon.
Well, noon had come and gone and already Claire had been leaving messages about the missing reports. So, here Amber was. Her fingers clutching the file of data and numbers. Amber's jittery hands took turns wiping the sweat of her palms on her pleated skirt; neither time helping the clammy texture.
This was ridiculous. Something like this shouldn't have been that hard. So why did Amber feel like the butterflies in her stomach were trying to eat her alive?
Suddenly, the giant oak doors opened up and the face of Zara appeared before her.
"Claire's ready to see you, Amber."
Amber pursed her lips together in a tight smile as she rose from her seat. Her left hand smoothing out the lines in her skirt as she started forward.
"Oh goodie."
Amber thought she had mumbled it under her breath, but by the amused smirk on Zara's peach colored lips, she knew she had failed. She gave Zara a curt nod as she moved past her and continued in, what Amber hoped, were confident steps into the center of the office.
Claire was standing, no sitting, at the front of her desk. A wavering smile curling her full lips; only growing bigger the closer Amber got to her. Amber could feel the quirk of her brow as her eyes questioned what the hell was wrong with her ex. Claire seemed on edge. Jumpy even. If there was one thing Claire Dearing was, jumpy was not a word Amber would have chosen to describe her.
Claire took notice of her stance and straightened in her sitting position. Her arms crossing and uncrossing from her body rapidly as she fought to find a good place to put them.
"Claire, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"You just seem…tense."
Both women stared at each other as silence briefly swelled around them. Both women feeling like they had everything and nothing to say all at once. Claire opened her mouth to speak but the words fell short on her lips. She reminded Amber of a gasping fish searching for air.
"Anyways, I'm sorry these are so late. Everyone seems to be a little indisposed today."
Amber reached the file out between them. Claire leaned out and took it from her gingerly. A moment after silence moved around them; Amber feeling her feet quiver in her heels. She bit the inside of her cheek as she took in the eggshell colored blouse Claire chose to wear along with a matching pencil skirt.
Amber did always adore the way she looked wearing white. Claire's skin was so fair she almost ran the risk of looking washed out by the color. Somehow, Claire managed to look breathtaking in it, instead.
As another minute passed and neither of the girl's making a move to speak, Amber moved to leave.
"Wait!"
Amber felt her body give a jolt at the sudden deafening tone of Claire's voice in the silence of the office. Turning around to face her Amber gave Claire her undivided attention.
"My, ugh, my nephews are finally coming today."
"That's awesome, Claire."
"I'd really like you to meet them."
Amber quirked an eyebrow and genuinely curious asked, "Why?"
Claire pushed off her desk. Amber eyes watched coolly as her hips swayed just a bit before she stopped a few inches in front of her. It caused her to take in a sharp inhale of breath, which instantly she regretted. Claire had this distinct honeysuckle perfume Amber adored. Claire's bed sheets were wrapped in that smell and, in more times than she cared to count, Amber remembered her clothes carrying that smell with her all day. Long after she had left the comfort of Claire's bed.
"I've-I've been giving us a lot of thought, Amber. I know I was an asshole. Isaid something I shouldn't have and you deserved better than that. I feel like now I can give you what you wanted; what you deserve."
Claire's voice had started off shaky at the beginning of her admission. By the end her voice had taken on that strong quality that felt like rough velvet grating down Amber's spine.
Amber's head was spinning. She felt her mouth open and close repeatedly until it just stopped. What was she to say? The butterflies went into overdrive until she was sure they had flooded into her veins. Her lips were dry and she couldn't seem to talk past her heart, which had leapt up to her throat.
So she cleared her throat. Once. Twice. Amber's eyes never looking away from the clear blue searching one's of the woman she loved.
"I don't know what you want me to say, Claire."
Claire's brow furrowed in confusion; her eyes darkening with misunderstanding.
"I thought I just said it pretty clear what I wanted, Amber. It should be a pretty simple answer that I get in return."
"Well, excuse me but it isn't really all that simple. If you hadn't of been such an asshole in the first place we wouldn't be standing here. You finally telling me that you knew you were wrong doesn't change everything that's happened."
This was all wrong. Those weren't the words Amber wanted to say. Not at all. Amber watched in silent horror as Claire's jaw stiffened; her eyes becoming unreadable.
"You're seriously trying to pick a fight with me after I apologized?!"
"Is that what we're calling it?"
"I'm standing in front of you asking for another chance; that I'm still in love with you, and you're trying to argue."
When you put it like that…
"I'm not trying to argue with you, Claire. I just-"A heavy sigh left her as she finally broke eye contact. Amber's eyes immediately finding the tips of her pumps. "What happened between us; that feeling of being an embarrassment. That doesn't just go away because you finally acknowledge that you did it. I love you, Claire. That's the truest statement you're going to get from me."
"But. I know there is a but coming."
"But I'm going to need time to think over this."
Claire took in a deep breath of her own. Her shoulders noticeably relaxing as her eyes continued to roam over Ambers features.
"How much time."
"Just today. Give me until the end of today and I promise you, Claire I will give you an answer."
Claire tucked her arms around her middle as she took a small step away from her. It was so tiny; so minuscule. To Amber, however, it felt like the Great Wall of China had just been constructed between them.
"Okay. I can do that. I'd still like you to meet the boys."
Amber felt the first genuine smile she'd had all morning curl her lips.
"Yeah, okay. I would love that."
"Meet us in the Innovation Center say around, one-thirty?"
Amber wanted to lean in and kiss her, but remembered this wasn't the time. She had some thinking to do before she jumped all in again. So, instead Amber moved back towards the giant oak doors she'd entered. A friendly smile still etched on her face.
"We'll be there."
When Claire groaned Amber couldn't help but chuckle.
"You're going to bring your sister?" Claire whined.
"She is technically my assistant. Where I go, she goes."
"I'm going to promote her to assist Marie at the baby dinosaur pen."
Amber couldn't stop the laughter that bubbled from her lips.
"Don't be bitter," she spoke between giggles, waving like a dork before she took her exit and ran.
Jasmine let out a grumble as she walked up the steps to the Innovation Center. Her heart hammering away at her chest cavity like an angry dwarf on a caffeine high as kids barreled into her for what felt like the hundredth time. The third kid had actually ran into her with a drink. Spilling whatever contents were inside on the left leg of her cargo pants. The experience had left a sticky residue that Jasmine could just imagine seeping into her pores.
It wasn't until she reached the top did she finally spot her sister. Looking as pristine and delicate as ever in her usual uniform of petal pink blouses, skirts, and heels.
"When are you going to stop dressing like an office soccer mom," Jasmine teased as she got closer.
Amber's lips twitched, her feet falling into step beside her, as they walked towards the grand doors of the center.
"When you stop dressing like the female version of Ranger Rick."
"I'll have you know that what I'm wearing is very practical."
"Yeah. It's also good at repelling attention from the opposite sex."
When they got to the double doors Jasmine moved a few steps faster to catch it before it swung closed. A little kid vaulting it open a few moments before their arrival.
"Thank god Owen finds it attractive or else all hope of me ever getting nieces or nephews would be completely lost."
Jasmine shot her a look of horror that sent Amber into a cackling fit. The two women received a mixture of odd looks from parents and children, alike. Passing by them as they stood at the steps of the center where children were rapidly pressing on buttons making holographic dinosaurs of all species appear.
"Why would you even say something like that?" Jasmine questioned.
Her eyes too wide with a matching look of panic setting her body on edge.
"Oh come on, Jazz. Like you haven't thought about it?"
"Actually, no, I haven't. I don't even think Owen wants kids."
"He does," Amber stated matter-o-fact.
"And you would know this how?"
"He's a man. All men are programed to make shelter, kill, eat, and impregnate."
"Impregnate? Really? You couldn't have picked a less disgusting word?"
They moved around the circle. Making sure to keep a watchful eye out for running and screaming children. Alluding them as they tried not to bump into the masses of bodies.
"Is it? I was up watching a lot of X-Files last night."
"Explains a lot," Jasmine muttered as she squeezed past a family.
"I mean, you don't want to be impregnated anytime soon?"
"Sometimes, I really hate you. Changing the subject: why are we here?"
Jasmine looked over at her sister. The playful glow dimmed suddenly and was replaced with a sour look she knew all too well..
"Claire asked me to meet her nephews."
"Okay, hold on. Let's back up a second here. Why exactly are you meeting her nephews?"
"It's a long story."
"Do explain."
Amber shot her a chiding look but Jasmine easily brushed it off. There was apparently a whole entire thing she had missed this morning in her hungover haze and this was most definitely something she wanted to be a part of.
Realizing Jasmine wasn't going to be deterred, Amber let out a sigh as she prepared herself for the long, but short story she was going to tell. She just had to mentally brace herself for the twenty questions Jasmine was sure to play after.
"Since no one was around the office this morning to run Claire the daily reports I had to take them in myself."
"Naturally."
"When I got there Claire was already waiting for me. I was getting ready to leave after I handed her the documents when she asked me to meet her nephews."
Amber stopped and looked at her sister. Jasmine's brows shot up, face inquiring, as she waited for Amber to continue. When she didn't she asked, "That's it?"
Amber nodded in agreement: "That's it."
"I know you're lying. Your eye is twitching."
"Ugh. Fine! She also apologized and told me she wanted to be the woman I deserved and asked for a second chance; for us to start over in a sense."
Jasmine grabbed Amber by her arm, halting their next step as she turned Amber to face her.
"Amber-"
"What?"
"What did you say?"
Amber shrugged looking like the little sister Jasmine remembered. All the times they'd gotten in trouble together and their father had gone straight to Amber with the questioning. She was always the more honest of the two.
"I told her to give me until the end of today."
"Amber," Jasmine chided.
"What?! What do you want me to say, Jasmine?"
"Nothing. Except the truth."
"And what do you think the truth is?"
Amber was being defensive. Her posture already closing off to Jasmine and she didn't want that. All she wanted was for Amber to be honest with herself.
"Amber, do you want to get back together with Claire?"
"Yes and no."
"Just do it. I wish I would have never told you about that date."
"Oh, so you wish you could've just kept me in the dark?"
"No, of course not! But half or all of those things said were only because of how I came at Claire that day. She loves you and she's just scared. Love is a scary thing, Amber. But sometimes you just gotta make the decision and jump."
Amber was looking at her now like she'd gone mental.
"Okay, who are you and what have you done with my sister."
"Amber-"
"Seriously. That is not the usual response Jasmine would give."
"Yeah, well, I've grown up."
"Finally! Remind me to send Owen a thank you card."
Jasmine rolled her eyes as they took the couple of steps up to the main part of the center. Together they walked through a hologram of a raptor and stopped short as they caught sight of Zara standing with two boys, varying in age, next to her. Jasmine leaned into Amber and asked, "Those the nephews?"
Before Amber had a chance to answer her Claire's voice cut sharply across the small chatter of happy families.
"Zach! Gray!"
Both the boys in question moved towards Claire who was winding her way down the staircase. Jasmine didn't know why, but she was genuinely surprised to see a look of pure elation on the woman's face. Jasmine never seen Claire the way that Amber did. She always seemed stern and rigid; all business with no room for fluff. But this Claire, the one Jasmine watched embrace her nephews, was a whole new being entirely.
Claire caught sight of them standing a few feet away and in one swift curve of her hand, asked them to come over.
As they did Jasmine took her time assessing the two boys. Their age difference was incredibly ranged. Gray, the happier, sweeter, of the two seemed ten. Maybe eleven. Zach seemed the typical teenager. While his younger brother sprinted into their aunts opened arms, Zach played the uncaring teen. His steps quick but weighed down with attitude.
Neither Jasmine nor Amber wanted to interrupt this family reunion but it seemed they had very little choice where Claire was concerned. When they came into view both boys looked at them. Jasmine suddenly felt like she was being judged by the older of the two. Zach's eyes lingered on her holstered Colt. She cleared her throat and received scared eyes in return as Zach launched his gaze back at his aunt.
"Oh good! I see you got your wristbands," Claire spoke with excitement.
This couldn't be the woman Jasmine had been putting up with for the past six, almost seven, months.
"Zara will be taking you around the park today. Oh! I almost forgot, here are your food vouchers. Good for anywhere in the park."
Claire gave the boys a tight lipped smile as the phone she clutched onto for dear life sounded off in her hand.
"Aunt Claire, you aren't coming with us?"
Gray's voice was small; almost nonexistent. The sadness that dulled his once happy expression making a miserable ache resound in her chest.
"No, I'm sorry. I have some work stuff to attend too." Ah, there was the Ice Queen. Seeing the dejected look on the younger boy's face Claire tried to recover. "I can push back a few things tomorrow; take you guys inside the control room. That'll be fun, right?"
She had no idea what she was doing. Jasmine faked a cough; any excuse really to bring a hand up to hide the smile that was spreading like wildfire. Claire must have sensed her joy at her unease. The woman in question sending her a look that could melt flesh before turning a more loving gaze back to the boys.
"Aunt Claire. Who are they?" Zach asked.
Instead of pointing, he nodded at the two girls. His eyes coolly scanning over both of them for the second time.
"Oh, these," Claire waved, "Are the Everrwood sisters. Amber is the parks resident vet and Jasmine is her assistant."
Claire said the last with little enthusiasm; ending it with both of them giving each other a playful look of challenge.
"Why would a vet assistant need a gun?"
Everyone turned to look at her in surprise (Jasmine knew Claire told her no guns allowed inside the park), while Jasmine locked eyes with the ballsy teen.
"Well kid, not everything here eats leaves."
Her response was calm and teasing. Letting him know he didn't get to her at all. Zach seemed impressed until a devious smirk tugged the corner of his pouty lips.
"Are you sure you guys are sisters? You don't even look related."
Jasmine felt her eyes narrow at him; they were just about the same height. That smirk was slowly spreading to a full blown smile. Zach knew he'd touched on a sore subject. It shouldn't have been that big of a deal, but for Jasmine always being told her and Amber couldn't be sisters, because they looked nothing alike, pissed her off to no end.
"That's just rude."
"We are sisters," Amber quickly interjected; voice sweet. "We just don't share the same mother."
"I still don't think it's possible. None of your features are the same. You aren't even the same height."
"Oh yeah, you and Gray don't look that related either. What's your parents' eye color?"
Zach looked at her like she was crazy as he began to answer, "Blue-"
"Ha! You're adopted!"
"Jasmine!"
Amber elbowed her hard in the side. Cutting off her fake laughter; a whoosh of forced air escaping her.
"I take back what I said earlier. Owen is not getting a card and you most definitely did not grow up."
"Again, rude."
"Anyways-" Claire cut them off. A look on her icy face that spoke volumes. She was probably wondering why she had invited them at all. "I have to get going. You guys have fun with Zara and I'll see you around 8? Do you guys go to bed early or have the same bedtime or-?"
Claire was already starting to back away from the group. Her phone vibrating tirelessly in her hand.
"It's alright Claire, I'll hangout with Zara and the boys for a bit."
Jasmine and Claire were both staring at Amber in surprise as she moved to stand next to her assistant.
"You're what?!" Jasmine asked flabbergasted.
"I'm sure they won't mind having someone who takes care of animals and can get them behind the scene access following them around. Right boys?"
Gray's eyes light up like fireworks had ignited behind them. He was already jumping clear up to Amber's clavicle and could probably go higher.
"That would be awesome!"
"That is sweet of you, Amber, but no taking them into any exhibits that aren't safe."
Amber gave Claire a nod; not realizing Claire had already given her back to them. Claire was already clear across the Innovation Center. Disappearing behind a giant door that Jasmine knew lead to wherever the lab was.
"I guess I'll see you later. Have fun babysitting," Jasmine called as she took off back towards the front of the building. Looking down at her watch she realized she had less than twenty-five minutes to get to the raptor paddock.
"I don't need a babysitter."
Jasmine felt her own smirk spread on her lips as she barreled through bodies and exited out the building.
The clearing was filled with more people than Jasmine had ever seen at the facility. Driving the quad over to the space where Owen's motorcycle was parked, she quickly surveyed the area. Eyes searching for the man in question.
The masses of workers sped past her in every direction. All this commotion all for a stupid run through for the suits. For that creepy asshole Hoskins that Jasmine didn't trust for as far as she could throw him. It was well known she probably wouldn't even be able to lift him.
No matter where her gaze fell, Jasmine didn't find any sign of the six foot two wilderness junkie. He wasn't an easy man to miss. Somehow, Jasmine felt like she must have been doing a damn good job at this point. Making a raspberry, she moved forward. Her eyes locking onto the cage, noticing Delta and Blue camouflaged behind giant banana leaves in the brush.
Slated orbs of gold and orange were the only terrifying thing giving away their position. No one else took notice; the girls were never this close to the front of the cage. So Jasmine found it stranger that no one had taken the time to realize something wasn't right.
Jasmine couldn't stop herself. She moved towards the cage and the girls' location. A cold shiver running ice through her veins when she felt, more than saw, their eyes catch on her approaching figure. Blue and Delta didn't break cover until Jasmine was just a few feet away from the paddock. A menacing growl that ended in a swift snort coming from her best girl, Blue.
She watched in awe as their bodies coiled and eased with grace from behind the foliage. Each step sounding impossibly heavy on forest floor. Calculating eyes roamed over her briefly before ending in the destination Jasmine knew they were the most interested in. Both Blue and Delta chirping at the idea of possible food.
Letting out a sigh, Jasmine brought her hands up nice and slow. Wiggling her fingers to show them both she had nothing to offer this time.
"Sorry ladies, I don't have any chicken for you today."
Blue gave a disapproving snort. Her head shaking rough; her snot smacking into the side of Delta's jaw causing the other to snap. Blue snapped back proving her Beta status as Delta simply hissed back in reply. A second later they turned their gaze back to her, this time Delta inquired instead.
"Ladies, I told you I don't have anymore chicken," Jasmine whispered back fiercely.
Delta shook her head, clearly disapproving, while Blues eyes narrowed, and flashed her a clear view of her sharp white teeth.
"Hey, hey now! It wasn't my decision. That was all your alpha. He thinks giving you "people" food will mess with your digestion." Jasmine moved swiftly from air quotations to her hands circling around her tummy, for added effect. She almost giggled as she watched the girls' heads move in small circles along with her hands. "I don't understand how, though, since a chicken is something you ladies would probably hunt and kill. Normally, I would try and sneak some to you anyways, but, I love him, so I guess I'll listen to him."
"Yeah I wouldn't recommend trying to do that," Owen sounded from behind her.
Jasmine felt like she was going to jump out of her skin and projectile vomit all at once. She turned stiffly to face the walking god before her. A pleased smile gracing his lips as he stood in front of her. She could feel the heat creeping up her neck, her teeth grazing over her upper lip, as her gaze settled for a moment on the tips of her boots. Jasmine tried to quell the paint of pink her face was no doubt brushed with. She'd actually turned a mixture of pink and pale all at once. It was quite impressive.
"How long have you been standing there?" she gulped out each word.
"Long enough."
He leaned down and planted a timid kiss on her lips, his nose grazing over hers for a millisecond before he moved it away. All his crew had known for a long time that Owen and she were an item. However, being the professional Owen was, he still required professionalism and kept work and pleasure separate. So random acts of affection, like now, shocked the hell out of her. But she most certainly was not going to object.
Delta and Blue both gave out an annoyed snort reminding her off the animal version of a scoff; their chirping chatter rising up like a bunch of gossiping hens.
"Oh you two will get over it," Owen shot back.
Jasmine felt like she was sweating like a waterfall; her mouth so dry, her attempt at licking her lips seemed to only make it worse. She was having a hard time looking up at the cocky happiness that was etched on Owen's face in the form of a smile. The blushing seemingly growing worse and burning brighter.
"I wanted to come find you, let you know Barry said you can stand next to him and watch. It's going to be a better view up top."
Owen snaked an arm around her waist and drew her in close. He planted a delicate kiss on her lips; Jasmine not needing a moment to think as her body responded eagerly. The kiss was light. A soft brush of lips and caresses that sent her stomach fluttering. Before Owen pulled away he made sure they stayed a breath's away from each other, his eyes locking onto hers as he spoke: "We'll talk about this later."
His arm dropped from her waist and he moved to head back towards where Barry was already calling his name.
"Oh I'm sure we will," Jasmine replied sarcastically; fighting the shiver the sudden touch of cold had given her at the absence of his warmth. She rolled her tongue around her mouth, her hands on her hips when she called after him, "Any chance we can forget about what you heard?"
"Nope!"
"Figures," Jasmine grumbled.
She looked back in the direction of the girls; Delta already left and Blue was just being forever the creeper as she stared.
"You girls are always getting me into trouble."
Chirping sounded from behind her as she turned on her heel. Jasmine's eyes searched for Barry, still fighting to get rid of the heated blush that had taken over her face. She was trying to think of something to wipe it away as she made it to the stairs when three Humvee's pulled up into the clearing. She stopped her ascent, fingers tingling from the cool metal of the rails, her left foot resting on the first step. She watched all the men emerge like clowns. They came out in droves. Jasmine's eyes caught sight of the one person she had been hoping she really wouldn't have to see ever again, but fate was indeed a cruel mistress.
When James eyes locked with hers he shot her that gorgeously smug smile that made her want to gouge out her eyes. Instantly, any hint of the teasing blush she'd felt had immediately dissipated from her cheeks. Leaving them bare as the rosy color was stripped away. Without giving James the satisfaction of a reaction Jasmine pushed forward and made a speedy retreat up the stairs.
Owen couldn't believe Hoskins had had the balls to bring that asshole back to the paddock. Actually, he did. He couldn't remember a time when Hoskins had ever really listened to him. When it came to his raptors' sure Hoskins listened. But apparently when it came to everything else, his opinion meant jack shit.
He calmed his nerves as he took in a deep breath. He could hear his girls' entrance into the clearing; feel the imminent arrival as the ground thundered beneath him. The vibrations in the metal of the walkway becoming stronger. In that moment, Blue shot out first. The pig barely escaping her last lung with her claws as it dashed inside the small vent; the gate slamming shut behind it.
"Hold!"
Owen's voice rang out with command. His fingers pressing furiously on the clicker. One. Two. Three. Four.
"Eyes up!"
He lifted his hand high into the air and watched as their heads rose up with it. One. Two. Three. Four.
Instantly, Charlie broke eye contact and snapped at Echo who had accidentally whacked her sister with her tail. The younger of the two snapped and crackled at the other.
"Hey! Charlie! Don't give me that shit!"
Owen's voice quickly took on a stern tone as he pointed at the offending sibling. His fingers snapping as the girls grew restless beneath him. One. Two. Three. Four. Owen held them in that spot for a moment longer before he informed them: "And we're moving."
Jasmine couldn't believe it. Owen was actually doing it. Jasmine bit down on her knuckle; her arms wrapped tightly around her frame as she stood next to Barry. She could hear the slight chuckle that left him as he eyed her. Usually, Jasmine would have flipped him off with her pretty little middle finger, but today she was all nerves.
"Blue-this one's for you."
She watched as Owen tossed the disgusting dead rat to his main girl; watched as he held them in place for a few heartbeats longer. That damn clicker sounding off in its repetitive beats of four. Owen used it so much that there were times at home when she would catch his hand involuntarily doing the motion. He absentmindedly did it when he read the paper or a book. Anytime his mind was focused around something else.
But here, now, he was doing it with the sole purpose of being the Alpha communicating with his pack. In one motion his hand dropped down his calm word of, "Go!" releasing the girls. They took off underneath him; sounding off what Jasmine hoped was their happiness at being allowed to roam free.
Simultaneously, all of the upper floor resounded in cheers and congratulations. Barry moved from beside her laughing like a child as he met Owen across the walkway and embraced him in a hug.
"You did it! You finally did it!"
Owen smiled at his friend and looked over in the direction where Jasmine had planted herself. She shot him a goofy smile hoping that how proud she was shown in her eyes. Jasmine didn't mind being patient and waiting for her chance to congratulate him. She figured the best way to do that would be later when they were both back home and alone.
Hoskins laughter cut through the revelry, replacing the joy Jasmine had felt with that of a sickening coil of disdain. She hated that this man had to be here to witness something Owen was so proud of. Jasmine watched intently as the men talked. Owen wiping his hands calmly, tucking the rag into his back pocket, as Hoskins made a pretend boxing move. He playfully landed a blow on Owen's shoulder. Owen followed the motion of Hoskins fist, his hands now on his hips, as he looked at the older man. Clearly unimpressed and uninterested.
"Why are you here, buddy? And I thought I told you not to bring that piece of shit back to my property."
It wasn't a stretch for Jasmine to figure out the piece of shit Owen was referring too. The piece of shit in question had just finished making his way up the stairs to the walkway. Jasmine took that as her queue to leave, or to at least remove herself from the same floor. It would've been a damn accidental shame if James had fallen inside the paddock for some reason.
As Jasmine made her way to the closest staircase, she could hear the heated discussion between the three men as they followed close behind her. She didn't want to know what they were so actively discussing or what it could entail. Jasmine knew if Hoskins was involved, it couldn't be good. No matter what that drumstick on legs said.
Jasmine took each step two-by-two until her feet crashed down on the jungle floor. She could barely hear the continued conversation as the men made their way around and down the stairs.
This wasn't the place for her. Jasmine had wanted to be there to support him on his big day and she had. She'd never been so proud and happy for Owen all at once. Even if she did embarrass the crap out of herself in the process. But what was going on right now was beyond her pay grade and decided it was best she should go home.
Jasmine was almost back to her quad when she heard the shout.
"Pig loose!"
Instantly her head wiped around, her body surging with adrenaline. A scrawny boy in a light denim shirt and dark navy beanie ran across the top. A long poll in his hands as he rushed around the star-shaped upper walkways trying to locate the pig. In his mad shuffle to get a good hold on the pig, the guy didn't pay much attention to his surroundings.
Jasmine noticed James was leaning too far over the railing. The kid lost his balance, slamming into him, and sent his body careening over the edge. James body landing violently on the paddock floor.
Everything after that happened fast, but at the same time, turned to slow motion. Jasmine watched as panic took over Owen's features; his shoulders tightening as urgency rushed through his system. He dropped the bucket he had been holding. His body sprinting forward as he stopped just beside the buttons that opened the last gate to the paddock.
How the hell did he even get inside the main part of the cage in the first place?
Jasmine's heart hammered in her chest as her vision blurred.
"No. No, Owen don't," she muttered helplessly to herself.
Already her feet were sending her sprinting towards him. Barry was already there, shouting at him; telling him the words she'd only been able to whisper around the fear that constricted her throat. Jasmine's hands collided with the rough steel as her body jolted from the sudden stop. But it was too late. Owen had already pressed the button and was sliding under the gate.
"Owen! No!"
This time her throat worked. Each word sounding as horrified and panicked as she truly felt.
That's when she noticed James was standing, his gun drawn directly at Blue.
"Whoa! Hold your fire! Hold your fire! Do not fire!"
Owen sprinted forward again easily putting himself between James and the danger. Not even realizing he was putting himself there instead.
"Owen! Don't do this!"
Jasmine felt stupid. The tears were something she couldn't stop; her words cracking as the panic was replaced by worry.
"If you put twelve amps in these animals they'll never trust me again. Put your gun away James."
Owen spread his arms wide out in front of him. Attempting to make himself appear larger than he was.
"Blue," Owen called low, his voice caring. "Stand down." Blue snapped in response. Owen's voice quickly rose higher, his authority dripping over every next word. "Hey! Hey! What did I just say?"
The girls' moved around them while Owen inched himself back. Forcing James to move back towards the open gate. Barry scanned in his thumbprint and without another thought tore through the metal door and towards the control box. Stopping the gate from opening any wider. Jasmine had taken that moment to follow him in. Common sense not stopping her as she almost ran out into the paddock to grab a hold of Owen and pull him back in herself. James be damned.
"Miss Jasmine, no!"
Jasmine tried to wring her arm free of Barry's tight grip as he moved her back away from the gate. But the man had a vice grip and no matter how much she shook he wouldn't release her. When she made no signs to fight him, Barry let go.
Blue snarled at Owen and Jasmine had to fight to swallow down the next scream that threatened to tear free from her throat. That's when she noticed it. The gun that was no longer trained on the girls but now trained at the back of Owen's head.
In less than two seconds Jasmine drew her Colt from its holster and pointed it, point blank, at the back of James head. Her hands were clammy and shaking. The realization that Blue wasn't snarling at Owen, but at James, trying to protect her alpha,knocked the wind out of her. Owen hadn't sensed the actual danger behind him because he was focused on the wrong danger in front of him.
That was the moment Jasmine realized there were more dangerous things in that cage besides the animals in it.
Jasmine knew that James would fire. In front of all these people. He would claim that he'd been scared; hadn't realized where the gun had been aimed. He'd meant to shoot the animals threatening him not the man in front of him that had tried to save him. James would come up with a bullshit story, Hoskins no doubt verifying it, and that would be the end of Owen. So fast. So simple. So easy it would be for them to rip out her heart and leave her broken on the floor.
Jasmine stilled herself as she kept that gun pointed at James's skull. Her breathing finally evening out.
"Delta! I see you. Backup! Okay. Good…good. James, are you out?"
James stayed silent behind him for a moment before the deep gravelly baritone of his voice responded.
"Yeah."
Which was a lie. But that omission would never be spoken as James simply holstered his gun and quickly rolled himself inside the second cage. Jasmine could feel the cramping in her muscles begin at keeping the gun trained on one thing for too long. She couldn't put it down for some reason, however. Not until Owen rolled quickly into the closing cage. The girls' slamming into it all fangs, claws, and vicious appetites.
James got to his feet, dusting himself off, as he finally looked over in Jasmine's direction. She didn't say anything as she lowered her gun and took off in Owen's direction. When he turned she slammed into his chest, her arms wrapping tightly around him, as she buried her face into the rough leather of his vest.
"Don't you ever do something that fucking stupid again, Owen."
"Hey, it's alright. Everything turned out okay."
Jasmine wanted to argue. Tell him what a fool he was for even considering that James's life had been worth saving. How oblivious to the real threat he had been. Blue was still at the cage growling in what Jasmine could only assume was in the assholes direction.
Owen gently took her arms and had her release him. He walked towards the man he'd saved and surprised everyone by striking him. The violence had been so sudden that a hush grew immediately around the cage. The sound of soft flesh being brutalized resounding around them as Owen's hit sent James stumbling back. It had grown eerily quiet amongst them; the only sound that could be heard for a brief moment, was the hard breathing of Blue.
"Don't you ever threaten my animals again or that'll be the last goddamn thing you ever do."
The venom in his words promised more than threatened. The stocky frame of her boyfriend suddenly towering over the leaner figure of her old lover. Ugh, she hated referring to him like that.
"They were going to attack me!"
"These guards are trained 24/7 on this island on how to isolate threats before something like severe bodily injury or death occurs. They would have stunned the animals before they'd ever been able to rip open your worthless hide. So, don't you ever raise a gun to them; know your place. "
That smirk Jasmine hated seeing, the one she knew meant something deadly, was creeping its way back on James face. The sickening part was that it was directed at Owen. Rage coiled and burned in her stomach and assaulted her veins. She couldn't see past the blind spots it had created. She didn't realize that she was in front of him until she felt her fist, Colt still in hand, whip out and smash against his nose.
"Jesus! What is it with you two and hitting people? Didn't your parent's ever teach you to use your words?"
Jasmine shoved him hard against the gate. His back bounced off of the metal bars and so she shoved him back again. All that heated rage inside of both of them clashed between them as blood began to drip freely from his nose.
Jasmine lowered her voice just enough so only James only could hear her: "If I ever catch you doing something like that again, I will kill you where you stand."
How many more people have to die before you do the right thing?
They were both locked in a dangerous game of wills. Their eyes never leaving the other; James never once making a move to tend to his bleeding nose. He leaned in closer and whispered down for only her ears to hear.
"You better pray I never find you alone."
"Likewise," Jasmine spat back before she took the first step back.
She felt a large hand on her hip and knew, without question, it was Owen. She allowed him to push her towards the exit as he turned back around to make sure that James was indeed following them.
"Your girlfriend packs more of a punch, Boy Scout," James sneered.
"Last a checked she pistol-whipped you."
Barry came up besides Owen and crossed his arm. Both men waiting on the other to finally turn around and run back out into the open. James eyed the both of them for a few brief moments before turning on his heel and walking out. Hoskins handed him a handkerchief for his nose and pulling him over to the side, giving Owen one last glance before they disappeared behind a Humvee.
"I'm going to fucking kill them!" James spat, hatred lacing his words with pure venom.
He kept dabbing aimlessly at his bleeding nose and already felt his jaw and cheek swelling from the hit he'd taken from Owen. It was just like Jasmine to have to use a weapon to do any damage. James knew how easy it would be to rip her apart like wet paper. The bitch stood no chance.
"Not yet you aren't," Hoskins interjected.
He seemed calm and collected and James hated him for it.
"And why is that?"
"Because we need them. Right there:" Hoskins pointed in the direction of both Owen and Jasmine, who had his hands gently on her face. Her hands wrapped around his wrists as she looked up at him, listening intently to something he was saying. James had never felt more like vomiting until that moment. "We see both of their weaknesses," Hoskins continued. "We're gonna use that to our advantage."
"Like ripe fruit for the picking."
"Is there any sweeter kind?"
Amber had been telling Gray about the similarities between a cow and stegosaurus digestive system (Zach was just tuning them out), when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.
"Hold on a moment, sweetie. I gotta take this. Amber Everrwood?"
She listened intently as the voice over the phone informed her off a possible poisoning of a triceratops in sector five. Clearing her throat, Amber gave the younger boy an apologetic smile.
"Duty calls," she told him waving her phone for added emphasis before sliding it back into her coat pocket. "I promise that I will be back as soon as I can though. I'm sure in the meantime you'll have fun with Zara."
All three of them looked back at the woman who'd had her phone glued to her ear for the past hour in a half. Amber looked back at the boys and singularly replied, "Nah."
"I'll be back in a jiffy!"
With multiple apologizes and promises thrown in Zach and Gray's way, Amber finally felt comfortable leaving them. Even though she loved her job she felt oddly upset for being interrupted. At least it gave her an incentive to finish earlier than usual.
Hoskins flipped his cellphone shut. A devilish smirk raising the corner of his lips as he turned to face his second-in-command.
"It's done."
Bum bum bum! The plot thickens! As always thank you so much for reading! Reviews are always lovely and deeply appreciated! I always love reading what you guys think!
xxMUCH LOVExx
-J