Lauren (Keegan's Chronicles Spin Off) (6 page)

Lauren’s body tensed.
This was about Calvron
? She had to bite her tongue. Tristen might be able to make illusions, but Calvron could literally make up new dimensions. He was light years more powerful than Tristen could ever dream of being. She decided to keep that opinion to herself.

“I know how much you enjoy going to the worlds Calvron makes with your friends. I thought I would bring one to you.” He reached out and touched her hand lightly. “I guess I just wanted to impress you.”

Her heart softened and, once again, she was putty in his hands. “Well, it’s wonderful. Thank you.” She threw her arms around him and pressed her body against his lean, muscular frame. His warmth seeped into her like a tonic, and nothing mattered—not her failing school work or their fight the night before. Nothing mattered but the two of them touching.

“I can think of an easier way to impress me,” Lauren whispered naughtily. She grabbed the back of his head and pulled his lips to hers. With his lips on hers and his body pressed against her, all her problems faded away.

Chapter 7

L
auren opened her eyes to a wash of pale sunshine pouring through the sheer turquoise curtains that covered her bedroom window.

She realized that, in all the excitement of Tristen’s illusions the night before, she hadn’t pulled the black-and-white polka dot drapes closed. Usually the early morning light made her irritable, but, this morning, it brought a lazy smile to her face. She stretched her arms above her head and rolled towards the indention made by Tristen’s body.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled against his back. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply his woodsy scent. His breathing was slow and steady beneath her cheek; she loved the simple feel of his chest rising and falling.

A flush rose to her cheeks as she remembered the night before. Gone was the paranoid, jealous Tristen of the other day. In his place, she had a gentle, loving man who treated her like a princess.

To say the least, last night had been magickal.

Lauren propped herself up on an elbow and gazed down at her boyfriend. Asleep, he looked so innocent that she hated to wake him from his peaceful slumber. Why couldn’t it be the weekend?

She stared at his perfect features for a moment longer, then sighed. Unfortunately, they had real life to deal with. He had to go to work and she had to go to school.

Growing up was not quite as fun as she had expected.

With the greatest reluctance, Lauren untangled her arms and rolled to the side, careful not to make a sound as she slid from under the covers and rose to her feet. Her favorite fluffy, white robe hung over the back of her computer chair. She quietly eased her arms into the robe and tied the belt snugly at her waist. With one last glance at Tristen, she tiptoed out of the room to start breakfast. Hopefully, that would make waking him up a little more pleasant.

She started the coffee first, and soon the smell of brewing hazelnut filled the room. Coffee was the nectar of the gods.

Lauren cracked the little window over the sink and the cool morning breeze fluttered inside, brushing her hair away from her face. She tugged the ponytail band from her wrist and tossed her mass of dark curls into a low bun to keep it out of her face while she cooked, then set about gathering ingredients.

Lauren smiled to herself as she cracked an egg into a bowl. It was a rare treat for Tristen to stay the night at her place. He usually made excuses or begged her to come to his house. She felt almost…needed.

She grabbed the milk out of the fridge and poured a small amount into the bowl. Thankfully, it was still fresh. She went on a hunt for the cinnamon shaker when she didn’t find it in the spice cabinet. It turned up a moment later in the crisper drawer of the fridge.

“I don’t even want to know how,” Lauren told it, and then sprinkled a generous dusting into the egg mixture.

Crossing the kitchen, she pulled open the drawer near the sink and dug inside for a whisk. It had been a long time since she’d made French toast. Usually, she just grabbed a couple of Pop Tarts on her way out the door. With her crazy fast metabolism, she’d need the extra carbs to make it through the day today—cheer practice was going to be especially brutal, if her teammates’ rumors held any truth.

The butter sizzled, signaling that the frying pan was ready. Lauren flopped a piece of bread down in the skillet and dunked the next one in the mixture, making sure to get both sides evenly.

Tonight would be her first tutoring session with Audrey, she realized as she carefully placed the second piece of toast next to the first. Hopefully that went well. She’d never needed a tutor before. It was kinda embarrassing, but she’d have to swallow her pride. It was better to get help than to flunk.

She took a spatula to the browned toast and flipped one piece, then reached to do the same for the other just as Tristen buried his face in the crook of her neck. Startled, Lauren dropped the slice of bread back into the skillet.

“You scared me!” she gasped out, her heart racing into overdrive. She slid the spatula under the toast and flipped it, waiting for the initial panic to settle.

“I noticed. I’ve been watching you for a few moments. You’re so beautiful, even in the morning.” He trailed a line of light kisses down the side of her neck, sending shivers to her toes.

After placing the next slice of bread in the pan, Lauren turned and threw her arms around his neck. He had a bit of dark stubble on his face that made him look older. He looked like the kind of boy that mothers warned their daughters about, just missing the leather jacket and a motorcycle. Lauren felt sure he could arrange them.

Not for the first time, she wondered what her own mother would think of Tristen. He was as different from her dad as night and day.

Tristen’s hands stroked her hair with the gentlest of touches. Lauren could barely breathe when he was so close. “I’m glad you stayed,” she whispered, lifting her eyes to meet his intense gaze.

“Me, too,” he murmured against her lips, and then stole a kiss. “We really should talk more about making this permanent.”

“You mean me making you breakfast every morning?” Lauren ran her hand down his bare chest, his silky skin warm beneath her palm.

“I mean waking up together every morning.” He trailed his thumb along her lower lip, his eyes on her lips. “I like having you close to me.”

When he was so near, Lauren would have said anything to make him happy. The sheer force of his personality overpowered her until she wanted to always tell him “yes.”

A little voice in the back of her mind warned it was too early to move in together. They needed to take it slow and get to know each other better.

“Well, it will have to at least wait till after spring break.” Lauren turned back to the stove and cursed under her breath. She had burnt the last piece.

“What does spring break have anything to do with us moving in together?” Tristen pulled a plate out of the cabinet and helped himself to a couple of pieces of toast.

Lauren realized she hadn’t prepared the syrup yet and hurried over to the fridge, using the delay to weigh her words. “Didn’t I tell you?” she asked innocently as she grabbed the little plastic bottle from the door. “Keegan and Anna are going to visit over spring break.” She threw the syrup in the microwave to warm it up, carefully avoiding his eyes. She hadn’t mentioned it to him because she didn’t want to ruin their wonderful night, but in the harsh light of day, she figured she might as well get it out there while he was in a good mood.

“No. I guess you forgot to tell me.” His voice was bland. He shoved a forkful of toast in his mouth and chewed thoughtfully before he spoke again. “I suppose it’s about time I met your friends since you talk about them so much. They seem interesting.”

Her shoulders relaxed. He took it much easier than she expected.

“They’re going to love you.” Lauren gave him her brightest smile. She really wanted her friends to like him. She hated to admit it, but their approval meant a lot. Obviously, the guys weren’t crazy about him, but maybe if Keegan and Anna gave Tristen the thumbs up, the others would get off her back.

When the microwave beeped, she pulled the syrup out and placed it on the counter. They sat at the kitchen bar instead of bothering with the table. She put a couple slices on her own plate and came to stand next to him, upending the syrup bottle over her toast.

“I have to admit, I didn’t think you would be very excited about them coming.” Lauren picked up her fork and knife and started cutting her slices into smaller squares.

“Who wouldn’t want to meet an elf and a witch?” With the faintest hint of a twinkle in his eye, he grinned, displaying his bright white teeth that were ever-so-slightly crooked. Lauren found it somewhat comforting that he had at least one physical imperfection.

“Well, when you say it like that… They are really great.” Lauren grinned at the thought of her crazy friends. She hadn’t realized how much she missed them until she got the phone call from Keegan.

Tristen hummed noncommittally. “I’m sure they are.”

“What are your plans for the day?” Lauren drove her fork into the toast and soaked up as much syrup as she could before she took a bite, closing her eyes to savor the sticky cinnamon goodness.

“Business meeting with my dad. Then the usual. Don’t forget—tonight we’re going out with the guys.” Tristen met her eyes over his coffee cup.

Crap
. Lauren groaned inwardly. She
had
forgotten. She really didn’t feel like hanging out with his friends at a club. She had so much school work to catch up on. Not to mention his friends could be downright obnoxious. She smiled sweetly as she said, “I’m looking forward to it.”

Thank goodness it’s only a myth that fairies can’t lie.

“Wear something sexy.” Tristen winked and stood up, throwing his napkin on the counter. He dropped a sticky, syrupy kiss to her forehead. “I hate to run, but if I want to make it to the office on time, I really need to get going. Thanks for breakfast. It was delicious.”

She leaned back to admire his strong shoulders and narrow waist as he left the kitchen and walked down the hall. Shoving another piece of toast in her mouth, she ogled until he turned into her bedroom.

Twenty minutes later, he strolled back in, his hair wet from the shower, and his face cleanly shaven. He’d changed out of his plaid pajama pants and into black slacks that fit just right, a white button down shirt with the collar open, and a cotton t-shirt peeking out underneath.

It still took her breath away that this sexy man was all hers.

“I wish you didn’t have to go.” Lauren entwined her fingers with his and walked him to the door.

“It’s only for a few hours, and you have classes anyway,” he reminded her. He leaned down and rested his forehead on hers. “I’ll see you soon.”

He hadn’t even left yet, and she already felt the sharp pang of loneliness. Lauren nodded slightly and tilted her face up to meet his lips.

Then he pulled the door open and slipped out.

Chapter 8

L
auren was sitting cross-legged on her couch, flipping through TV channels when the doorbell rang. She hit the power button, tossed the remote aside, and threw the colorful afghan off her legs.

She skipped across the living room carpet and flung open the front door. A smile lit her face when she saw Audrey standing in the hallway.

The shapeshifter’s tall, curvy form dominated the doorway, her pale hair in a careless braid pulled forward over her shoulder. She wore dark jeans, a navy hoodie, and a snug white t-shirt that said “100% Organic.” Obviously Donald’s obsession with T-shirts was rubbing off on her.

“Hi!” she said brightly.

“Thanks for coming over.” Lauren stood back so Audrey could step through.

Audrey glanced around the apartment, a look of approval on her face. “This place is awesome.”

Lauren agreed—her apartment was awesome. High ceilings with exposed beams and lots of natural light, plus pale hardwood floors and lots of black-and-white polka dots: pillows on the couch, throw rugs, even an entire armchair in the living room. She shut and locked the door before turning to smile at her guest.