Her Guardians: Her Guardians Trilogy Book 1 (13 page)

“Yes, so you keep saying.”
My head was suddenly pounding and my eyes were growing weary.

W
alking over to the fireplace, I looked up at the angel once again. This painting obviously had more meaning than I originally thought.

I
leaned against the fireplace and hung my head. Exhaustion was kicking in, so I knew it would be a good idea if I asked Michael to take me home. I was about to ask, when I feel a hand on my shoulder. Spinning around, I find Michael looking at me, worry written all over his face.

“Listen, I know this is a lot to take in.
You must be tired. Please, stay here tonight. In the morning, we will talk some more. That’s if you want to?”

I nod
ded my head. That sounded like a good idea. I’m not sure whether I would be able to keep my eyes open on the way back home.

Taking
my hand, he led me up the stairs and to the bedrooms. I was a little unsure of what to do as I didn’t know which room I was supposed to walk into. Michael soon answered that for me.

“This is my ro
om.” Despite my tiredness, the look of the modern-day room made me chuckle a little. His bed was huge, his TV was huge—everything in this room was huge. But Michael wasn’t your average modern-day man. Maybe that’s what attracted me to him in the first place. I sought out the strange and unusual, just like he did.

He pulled
a shirt out from his closet and handed it to me. “You can wear this if you’d like. I have a spare toothbrush in my bathroom so feel free to use anything you want in there.”

Leading
me into his en-suite bathroom, I was immediately greeted with a big stand-up shower and two sinks, a huge mirror hanging above them. I looked in the mirror, but didn’t like what I saw. I looked exhausted, like half the woman I was before I left my flat earlier this evening.

He bent
down and looked underneath his sink. Soon, he was back up, handing me a brand new toothbrush, still in its wrapping. He smiled. “I’ll go sleep in the spare room, let you have some privacy.”

I couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.
I was frustrated and tired, but that didn’t stop me wanting to be near him.

He leaned in
, kissing me on the cheek, hesitating for a moment. I wonder if he felt the same way I did I would hope so.

He soon
retreated and the disappointment was written all over my face. He looked at me and said apologetically, before disappearing out the door, “Goodnight, Cassie.” Even his whisper was like velvet. A silky soft, magical velvet.

“Goodnight
, Michael,” I replied, a hint of sadness in my voice.

Chapter 7

Tossing and turning, tossing and turning.
That’s what I felt like I was doing all night. I slept fitfully, dreaming of all sorts of things—not of very nice things, either. I didn’t even realise I was asleep until I heard Michael’s voice at the door.

“Cassie, are you ok
ay?”

“What?” I ask
ed groggily.

“You were moaning in your sleep,” he explained.

“Just bad dreams, that’s all.”

“Do you want me to stay with you for a bit?”

“Yes, if you wouldn’t mind.”

I felt
him slide in next to me and I immediately relaxed. I snuggled up close to his chest and I felt his protective arms around me, holding me. He instantly started stroking my back and the feeling was so intoxicating, so relaxing, it soon sent me blissfully back to sleep.

Michael and I were in the clouds again. He held me lovingly in his arms, telling me he would protect me, keep me from harm.

“No one will ever get close to you.” His voice was soothing, loving
. “I have you. I will always be here for you.”

The light
that surrounded us shone brighter, almost as if in acceptance of his words, of our love for one another. He kissed me gently, tenderly. It all just felt right, like it was meant to be.

The dream wakes me gently, almost as if it was giving me a little nudge in the right direction. The room was still dark, but there was a hint of light in the distance.

Raising myself up from the bed slightly
, I looked down to find Michael still sleeping peacefully. I studied his face for a while, taking in his beauty. I never noticed that he had this perfect button nose and the most beautifully sculpted lips. I stared at those lips for a while, the ache to feel them on mine all too consuming. Instinctively, I bent down as slowly as I could and brushed my lips against his. It startled him a bit, but he soon relaxed and kissed me back.

The hunger was soon climbing.
The need to have him was too much. I hold onto the back of his T-shirt and roll him on top of me. I spread my legs, accepting his body close to mine. I felt how hard he was and the thought made my head spin. Knowing he wanted me made the ache for him even stronger.

Again
, he kept his hands high above my shoulders, never once moving them and placing them on my body. It frustrated me to the point that I grabbed his hand and pushed it towards my breast. If he wanted permission, I was going to have to force it upon him.

“Cassie, we can’t—
.”

“Please.
”

“Don’t beg
, Cassie. You should never have to beg for anything.”

“The
n why are you making me?” I asked, frustrated.

He pulled
his head up to get a better look at me. “You’re a—.”

“Virgin.
Yes, that’s right. So what?” I was starting to get angry and I wasn’t sure why.

“It’s precious
, Cassie. You seem so eager to give it away.”

I pull
ed myself away from him. “I’m twenty-five years old and still a virgin. I obviously haven’t been
that
eager, have I?”

“Why me?
” His face was one of bewilderment. It was almost as if he felt he wasn’t worthy of me.

“Why
not
you? Why do you seem to have me on this pedestal, Michael? I’m just a normal girl with an abnormal ability. Nothing more, nothing less.”

He sighed
, obviously frustrated with my outburst. “I wish you would stop putting yourself down like that. I keep telling you that you’re special.”

I was about to
argue again when he interrupted, his answer completely shutting me down. “You’re special to
me
.”

I couldn’t possibly argue with that
. I wasn’t just special, but special to him. It was something I’d been longing to hear.

“Do you remember
the first day we met?”

“Something I will never forget.”
He looked off, deep in thought and smiling.

“You were the only man I ever felt really nervous around.
That time I got close to you and tripped, almost spilling my coffee on you, was me trying to pluck up the courage to talk to you. I was a nervous wreck. I wanted to be close to you, even then.”

He took his time looking
at me, my hidden meaning obviously bouncing around in his head.

“It’s complicated.
” The frustration seemed to settle in him as much as me.

“How is it complicated
, Michael? I want you and I’m hoping that you want me, too. What else is there to think about?”

“But you’re—
.”

“Innocent—
a virgin,” I interrupted. “Yeah, I get it.”

“Please don’t sulk.
I’m not saying no. I’m just saying to give it time. Can you do that for me?”

“If you’re worried about me
, don’t be. I’m ready. I want this. I want you.” I placed my hand on his face.

“The
n give
me
the time. Can I ask that of you?”

I
instantly felt selfish and a little guilty for my childish behaviour. Michael was obviously a good man. Maybe he was also a virgin and I was the one throwing my teddy in the corner because he wouldn’t have sex with me!

Wow, how the roles are reversed.
I’m used to men asking for sex, so this one’s completely dumbfounded me. One that made me smile a little.

“I’m sorry.
I’m being selfish.”

He chuckled a little
. “No, you’re not. I understand. This sort of thing hasn’t happened to me before. I’m not quite sure what to do about it, to be honest.”

I was really curious.
I know they say curiosity killed the cat, but I couldn’t help what came out of my mouth next. It just sort of ran away with me.

“Have yo
u ever been in love?” I cringed a little, but it didn’t seem to faze him.

“Twice.”
He sighed and placed his hand on mine.

That hurt a little
more than I thought it would. “What happened the first time around?”

“Her name was
Elizabeth. She broke my heart.”

“I
’m sorry to hear that.” I winced slightly. I could tell he didn’t really want to talk about it so I thought I’d move on. “And the other time?”

“Well, she’s special.
Someone I can’t quite get out of my head.”

He looked at me sheepishly and smiled
. I wasn’t sure whether I heard him correctly or not. Was he really talking about me? He could tell I was stunned, so he continued, “I met her about six months ago. She walked into my life without a care in the world and nearly knocked me to my knees. I wanted to hate her—tried to, in fact—but it was no use. She had this pull, you see. I don’t know how she does it, but I want to run to her all the time. Be close to her. I even followed her a few times without her knowing. Not because I do that sort of thing normally. Just because I wanted to make sure she was safe. Be there if she ever needed me. I am her guardian.”

I couldn’t help the pull
I had to rush to his lips. If only he knew just how eager I was to cement our relationship. I wanted to show him how much he really meant to me.

He pulled
away again, breathless. “You don’t understand how hard you’re making this for me.”

“The
n why fight it?” I was being so cheeky.

He shook
his head, getting out of bed. “I’m going to make coffee and toast. You want some?”

“Oh yes
, please. That would be nice.”

He disappear
ed out the door, leaving me to freshen up a little. I decided to pop into the shower, then wrapped a towel around me, heading back to the bed.

Waiting
for me was a plate with two pieces of toast with butter, and a nice steaming coffee.

“Did you summon the Mexican with his donkey to bring you that?”
I smiled brightly, trying to stifle my laugh.

“What do you mean?”
He looked confused, which was adorable.

“The coffee
. You know…
Bruce Almighty
.”

His laughter filled
the room and it immediately made me weak in the knees. His laugh was like nothing else I’d heard before.

“I know I’m not from this world, but I don’t have
that
sort of power.”

“But do you have any powers?
I feel a little silly for asking, but I know nothing. All I know is from comic books and films. This is real—all too real.”

“I’m strong, but that’s about it.
I can’t summon Mexicans to bring me coffee, or lasso the moon and brighten the stars for you. Although, I would if I could.” He winked.

Scanning me with his eyes
, he spied the towel wrapped around me. It’s almost as if he is noticing me for the very first time.

“
Um…that’s really distracting.”

“I know
. You’ve told me that before.” I was being cheeky again, but this side of me was liberating. It was like I had been hiding behind myself all this time.