The Choice

I woke up to my alarm on my phone the next morning. I was feeling slightly better. Talking to Adam had really put things in perspective. Now, at least, I knew where I stood.

I was an Aphrodite. I attracted supernatural beings like honey attracted bears.

All right. Now the real question. Did the supernaturals like me because of my...what exactly? Scent? Physique? Personality? What made me an Aphrodite exactly? I would have to ask Adam.

I exited my bedroom after putting on a white sundress with little cherries on it. As soon as I came out, I smelled coffee.

Could it be?

I padded to the kitchen and there stood Adam. He was in front of the coffee machine and he had washed the mugs from last night.

I was embarrassed. I mean, this was my place, and I was not being a good hostess so far.

Adam turned around and handed me my coffee with milk. He knew I could not stand the taste of coffee alone. I always needed some milk in it.

“Good morning,” I said, smiling.

“Mornin’, Mia,” he said.

“Did you sleep in the spare bedroom?” I asked. “I’m sorry I didn’t offer it to you.”

“Yeah, I did,” he said, smiling. “Don’t worry. I know you were shaken up yesterday. I will just ask if I can use the shower.”

“Of course you can. I have some men’s clothes, too, if you want,” I offered, “but I don’t know if they’ll fit.”

“Don’t worry. I have clothes at the office. I’ll borrow a towel, though.”

“Sure.”

I put my mug on the counter and walked to the closet to retrieve a towel. I handed it to my boss and he thanked me before going to the bathroom.

I heard the water fall and I could not help a smile. How often did I dream about Adam showering at my place and the wild sex that would ensue? Hmm...oh, yeah. Pretty often.

As I was daydreaming, I heard a key in the lock. Only one person had a key beside me.

“Oh, no you don’t—” I scowled at the door.

Jackson entered as if he owned the place. He always did that. I usually didn’t mind, but now it just pissed me off.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, almost snarling.

“Easy, babe. I came to talk in peace,” he said, lifting his hands in the air.

“I don’t want to talk to you,” I replied, narrowing my eyes. “Give me the key back.”

It was his turn to scowl, but he put the key in the palm of my outstretched hand. Then he sniffed the air and began growling.

“We just broke up and you’re already fucking him?” he spat.

“Don’t you dare talk to me like that, Jackson,” I snapped. “You are the one who walked away. Not me. And I do what the fuck I want.”

“Mia—” Jackson started, but a low growl cut him off.

We both whipped our heads around to look at Adam. His eyes were pure gold with a large black pupil in the middle. Tiger’s eyes. They looked both frightening and exciting on Adam’s face.

“Don’t talk like that to her, doggy,” Adam growled.

“I hate you,” Jackson snarled back. “You took advantage of her. That’s low, even for you.”

“Nothing happened last night. Not that I owe you any explanation,” I said sharply.

Jackson turned to me and sniffed me.

I jerked back away from him. What did he think he was doing?

“You smell like him, but not of sex,” he said matter-of-factly.

What the hell?

I must have made a weird face because he smiled.

“You don’t know how refreshing it is to be finally myself around you.”

“Go be yourself somewhere else.” I frowned. “We’re done, Jackson, and I intend to date someone else now.”

“What?” the wolf growled.

“You heard me. Now please leave my place.”

“Why are you so mean to me and so nice to him? You always loved him more than me,” he whined.

“You know very well why I’m so mad at you. You could have told me about all of this, but you never trusted me enough.

“Was it my being an Aphrodite that made you love me?”

Jackson’s hazel eyes widened, and he gaped like a fish.

It hurt to not hear him deny it. Well, at least I knew where we stood. I sighed.

He took my hand in his.

“At first it was,” he confessed. “But then I got to know you, and I love you, Mia. I do. Please believe me.”

“No, Jackson. I’m tired,” I said. “Please go.”

He let go of my hand and finally strolled out the door.

Adam came closer but without touching me.

Point for him.

“Do you still want to go to work?” he asked calmly.

“Yeah. I need to focus on something else, if that’s all right.”

“Of course. Let’s go together.”

“Thank you, Adam. I don’t know what I’d do without you. It should have been such happy news that you guys were real.”

“It’s okay. Take your time. We’re in no rush.”

“Will you…show it to me one day?”

“What?” he asked puzzled.

“Your tiger,” I said, looking into his beautiful green eyes.

He smiled fondly, and I saw his eyes grow warmer. He liked it that I was curious about his tiger.

“Of course. I’ll tell you all I can say about weretiger culture too, if you want.”

“I’d love that,” I said with a smile.

He seemed so happy that it was contagious. I felt better instantly. Even Jackson did not manage to bring me down.

We drove to the office together. We walked inside the large glass building and parted as soon as we arrived on our floor.

Adam was the boss, so he had a closed office while I had only a small desk in an open space. I did not mind, though. It allowed me to work better with my colleagues.

Ismael walked in wearing a white polo shirt and dark-blue jeans.

I could not forget what Adam had said. Ismael was a demon.

Now that I looked at him more closely, I could see that his eyes were actually dark red. I had always thought they were dark brown.

He noticed my gaze and smiled seductively at me, making me frown. I had forgotten that Ismael loved himself a bit too much. Damn it. I was in for a ride.

“Hello there, Mia,” he said in his smooth voice, with a smile that revealed perfect white teeth.

Yep. He was a hunk, but not my type.

“See something you like?”

“Cut the crap, Ismael,” I said. “I know what you are. Adam told me.”

That made his eyes widen. He seemed at a loss for words, which was a first for him, but then he composed himself fast.

“Really, now. The boss finally told you. So, what do you think? Wanna try? You won’t regret it,” he said teasingly.

“No thanks. I never was interested in your…charming personality,” I said as nicely as I could.

“Why not? Trust me, the ladies are usually pleased—and you don’t even need to sell me your soul.”

“I’m flattered, but no thanks.”

“Too bad.” He pouted. “I could offer you so much.”

“I was wondering how I did not see it before.”

“My glamour is on point, girl,” he boasted. “Trust me, you couldn’t resist my other form.”

“I bet I could.”

That made him chuckle. Well, demons were confident, that was for sure.

“Oh no, little human. You could never resist my other form. The boss forbids it, though. The fey also need to use their glamour at work,” he added, amused.

He cornered me against my desk and he was about to put his hand on my face, but Gabriel walked in.

He was a tall man with dirty blond hair and icy blue eyes.

As soon as Ismael felt Gabriel’s approach, he froze.

“Don’t touch her,” Gabriel said in a clear, cold voice.

“Of course, Gabe,” Ismael said, retreating.

I looked at the other man, who was scowling at the demon. Could it be?

“Are you an angel, Gabriel?” I asked.

That made the ever-cold Gabriel arch a brow.

Wow. I never saw astonishment on his face before. That’s new.

“Yes. Shall I assume that Adam told you everything?” he asked.

“He did.” I nodded.

Gabriel broke into a small smile and damn, that made his whole face light up.

“Good. It was not fair to hide it from you any longer. You’re such a precious being, after all.”

I am? What does that mean?