Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

to settle. “Inez cal ed Sarah this morning.â€
    Jackson couldn’t stop the grin from spreading over his face. He felt the impact the moment El e walked into the room. She took his breath and stole his heart. He just stood there like an idiot with a big sil y grin on his face and nothing at al to say. She walked to him looking like a queen. Head up. Regal.
    Her long red hair spil ing down her back. Her eyes on his. His stomach tightened. She fit right under his shoulder, her arm slipping around his waist, standing with him at the door as her family came inside their home.
    He felt like a goof, not mean and badass, so happy about such a dumb little thing, but stil , no one knew but him. El e looked up at him. He sighed. Okay.
    No one knew how big of an idiot she could make him but her, and he could live with that. He felt her smile. In his mind. In his heart. And it warmed him.
    Kate came in with Matt. He tightened his hand on El e’s shoulder. Kate looked strong and wel rested, serene as always. She could bring calm to the stormiest situation. She sent him one of her special smiles and he felt included in her smal circle. Matt had served with him, trained with him, helped him rescue El e, never once hesitating. Jackson couldn’t help feeling a little guilty that he was going to ask Kate to do something so dangerous. As if reading his thoughts, or just reading his body language, Kate reached out a hand and laid it gently on his arm. At once he felt at peace. He smiled his thanks when she nodded and moved into his living room.
    Hannah came in. He loved Hannah. It was that simple. There was something elegant and charming and sweet about Hannah. And she belonged to Jonas and she would pretty much walk through fire for Jonas. Hannah hugged him. She had always hugged him and he knew she didn’t touch too many people so he’d always felt privileged and a little humbled by her acceptance of him.
    He kissed her on the cheek. “How are you feeling, honey?â€
    â€œAside from Jonas hovering over me and me throwing up constantly on account of this . . .†She rubbed her hand over her smal baby bump.
    â€œI’m fine. Do you mind if I make a few cookies to go with our tea? If we’re going to do another healing session with El e, we might need a little extra sugar.â€
    â€œThe kitchen’s al yours.†Hannah made everything taste a little bit better.
    She puts love into everything.
    â€œDamn it, El e. Wil you knock that off?†Jackson snapped. “You’re so fu . . .†He trailed off with al the sisters looking at him.
    â€œYou’re hardheaded.â€
    She laughed, damn her, not in the least afraid of his wrath. Out of the corner of his eye he caught Jonas shaking his head and mouthing words at him that looked suspiciously like “whipped.†Behind El e’s back he gave him the finger. Jonas just laughed at him.
    Joley came in last with Ilya towering over her. She instantly brought energy and brightness to the room. She was like quicksilver and Jackson was a little astonished that Ilya had actual y managed to get her to agree to marry him. He figured the ceremony had better take place soon. She, like Hannah, was pregnant.
    â€œI like your house,†Joley said.
    â€œWait until you see his piano,†El e answered smugly.
    The shocked silence hurt his ears. He could tel they were red-tipped and burning. You treacherous wench. You’re paying for that later.
    El e laughed out loud. “He’s amazing on the piano. Joley, you have to have him play the songs he’s written. They’re amazing pieces.â€
    â€œYou compose?†Joley asked, obviously interested.
    She loved anything at al to do with music and Jackson could see it was going to take a lot to slow her down now. He cleared his throat several times.
    â€œShe’s exaggerating. I tinker with it a little bit, nothing special.â€
    â€œYou play the piano?†Jonas demanded as if it was a sin.
    Jackson leaned down, lifted El e’s hair away from her neck and bit her. She yelped and he soothed the bite with his tongue. Get me out of this.
    She glared at him and rubbed her neck.
    â€œWhere’d you learn?†Sarah asked.
    Desperately he took El e’s hand and bit down on her finger, then sucked it into his mouth, his tongue moving over the smal sting. She yanked her hand away. You’re very oral,