Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6 by Abigail Grant (most important books to read TXT) 📕

Do you just enjoy hanging out?” I laugh humorlessly. As if a higher demon of hell would sneak into a teenager’s dreams to just chill.

Barron clears his throat next to me. “Hanging out is not something a being like me ‘enjoys’. I have come to see my competition and assess my next move.”

A thought occurs to me. “Why haven’t you killed me yet?” I can’t believe that question feels so normal to ask.

Barron the blurry blob shifts in his seat. If I could describe the motion in any way, it would be the motion of nervousness.

I speak up again and tilt my head at him. “Can you not find me?”

He grunts. “I do not usually have a problem finding people. Someone very powerful is protecting you. It had to be why I was not aware of your existence for these thirteen years. It is no bother, though. It will only be a matter of time.”

I shudder at the thought of him ever finding me in person. “It’s okay to move on. I am not a threat to you, Barron. I am a nobody.”

He mutters something in another language that sounds ‘demonic,’ if demonic has a sound. His silhouette turns to me and leans in. The slight scent of dust hits my nose and I feel the need to sneeze. “You have not the slightest idea of the power that surrounds your existence.”

“What is that supposed to mean…?” I blink and Barron is gone. I am laying back on the couch once again, staring up at the high ceiling above me.

I turn my head slightly and Gavin is sitting on the floor next to me, lost in the flickering flames of the fire as it slowly dies out. I watch his stubble covered jaw clench and unclench as he mulls over whatever thoughts plague him. A smile graces my lips and I reach a hand up to his unruly dark hair. I run my fingers through the untamable locks. Gavin closes his eyes and sighs.

He turns to me and his golden eyes sparkle, as if the burning fire had managed to leak into his irises. He studies my face for a moment. “Good morning, Aella.”

His voice warms me more than the heat from the fireplace. “Good morning, Gavin.” My words come out less steady than his. I wonder if I’ll always be so dumb-struck by his presence.

He throws a broad grin in my direction and leans against the couch on his elbows, almost nose to nose with me. “I’m sorry I woke you. I tried to be quiet and let you rest. I ended up stuck in meetings with my Uncle Hagan way longer than necessary.”

I shake my head. “You didn’t wake me. I just had a bad dream.” The truth of how bad this particular dream was doesn’t need to come out just yet.

His eyebrows knit together in worry. “What was your dream about?” he asks.

I just shrug, nonchalant about it. “It doesn’t matter now that you’re here with me. I can’t remember the last time we were completely alone together.”

He reaches up and strokes my cheek with his fingertips, sparking electricity through his touch. The gold in his eyes darkens and he watches my mouth. “I can remember it perfectly,” he says and licks his lips.

I nod. “Oh, right. Now I remember,” I whisper back at him. I’m very aware of how quickly my chest rises and falls beneath my tight, baby-blue v-neck.

Gavin moves farther onto the couch, and the black leather sinks beneath us with a small creaking sound. His upper body is now directly above me, where I lay on my back. He is smiling again, and I bring my hand up to touch his perfect dimple. He speaks quietly to me. “Do you remember when we were in my car, that first time I brought you to meet my family?”

“Yes, I do.” I whisper back.

He lightly touches his nose to mine in an eskimo kiss. “Well, if I remember correctly, I’m pretty sure you told me that you’d go on a picnic with me in the woods sometime.”

I giggle at the memory of accidentally asking him out. “I definitely did say that.”

His smile broadens. “Good. Then how does tomorrow around lunchtime sound? I have a favorite spot I’d love for you to see.”

“Sounds perfect. It’s a date,” I say, making it official. My very first date with my Intended. Boy, how things are flip-flopped around here.

He lets out a breath he was holding and the sweet scent of spearmint fills my nose. “Thank goodness. I was worried you’d reject me.”

My mouth drops open. “Why on earth would you think that?” My shock at his ridiculous words is quite evident in my voice.

He lifts one shoulder. “I haven’t exactly been great to be around lately.” He looks at my chin, avoiding eye contact. “It has been kind of a struggle to understand priorities. I wanted things to go differently for us, but the job took over. My uncle hasn’t let up about making sure I know what is expected of me. I’m not supposed to show weakness when I’m on an assignment but you, Aella… you definitely make me weak.” His eyes flick back up to mine.

I stop breathing, taking in his last statement and my whole body turns to jelly. I reach to him to stroke his cheek and feel the rough bristle against the palm of my hand. I once asked him not to kiss me for fear I’d never get over him, but I’m not afraid of that anymore.

“Gavin,” I whisper to him. He tilts his head slightly in question, so I continue. “Will you please kiss me already?”

He chuckles right before his lips crash into mine. His kiss is urgent and full of longing, matching my own urgency. He explores my mouth with his before climbing fully onto the couch next to me. His arms slide to my back and press against me, tighten their hold. I wrap my arms around his neck