Protecting Shaylee (The Fae Guard Book 1) (15 page)

We’ve been at it for several hours. I was about to give her a break and get some food, but I decide to mess with her. Walking over to her, I put a foot on each side of her torso, lean down, and give her a stern face. “Suck it up, Buttercup. We’ve got work to do.” Shaylee’s eyes narrow at the patronizing nickname and before I know what’s hit me, she brings up her left foot and pushes into the back of my opposite knee. Normally, I would be able to catch my balance, but just then, I feel a light push. I tip over to her right and she rolls left, just missing being crushed by my weight.

I twist in my fall and land on my ass, chagrined at being taken off guard by her. That’s the second time she’s used the air to give me a shove. The first time was an accident, but my instincts tell me that she’s getting a feel for it and this time, it was quite deliberate. My brow furrows in irritation as I observe her clutching her stomach and shaking with laughter.
Damn.
My one saving grace for my pride is that none of my boys were here to see it.

The next few days are crammed with hand-to-hand combat training. Fae are protectors by nature, so physical and magical defense are mastered in a very short timeframe. The half Fae trainees should be at a disadvantage from the Fae who have grown up in Rien, having been training since they were teenagers. However, after their marking, the leath leanbh have a window of time where they are able to absorb all of the knowledge they’ve missed at an amazing rate.

Shaylee is excelling even faster than I expected and we’ll be able to begin working on bringing her magic into the mix. For the most part, she’s been able to control her abilities and we’ve avoided any major catastrophes. Though, it certainly wasn’t without incident. Like the time I called her “Buttercup,” knowing it would piss her off, since I was basically telling her to stop acting like a child. I’ve found that works well to make her mad enough to really focus. Except, if looks could kill, I’d be dead and buried. When the hole in the ground opened up beneath me, I just barely caused a stiff wind to blow back and keep me from falling.
Damn, that was hot. Artic shower tonight buddy.

Her slip drills, bag and mitt work, and overall technique have become stellar. Her body, though already in great shape, has become leaner and stronger. Then every evening, after we finished up, she’d hightail it to her apartment and practically hide from me. Though, I know she is spending some time with Laila and Hayleigh and glad she is fitting in so seamlessly. Finding friends and, hopefully, making this home.

I’m not going to bullshit you; I fucking miss her. And, it doesn’t help that I spend my days with my hands all over her while we train. It takes all of my effort not to let my restraint go, when we fall to the mats, and fuck her on the floor of the training room. But, I let her have some space, holding onto my patience with cold showers and the reminder that Friday gets closer every day.

I haven’t let her get away from me completely, though. I left a bouquet of her favorite flower, bluebell roses, on her bed one night, knowing it would bring her a little comfort of home, since they don’t grow in Rien. I put a box of animal crackers on her table to remind her of the zoo. My favorite moment was when I left a stuffed unicorn, prompting her to remind me of our first day here when she mentioned them and I told her we’d discuss it another time. She wasn’t super happy about the fact that I was just messing with her and that we don’t, in fact, have unicorns (where humans conjured up that piece of folklore is beyond me . . . ). I swear, she almost looked disappointed.

To my relief, it’s Friday.
You mean to your dick’s relief. Ok, that too.
Shaylee has been sending me speculative glances all day, not surprising considering the heated looks I’ve been sending her way. I can’t seem to stop devouring her gorgeous body and making a mental list of all the things I’m going to do to her tonight. It takes every thread of my control to concentrate on training her, but somehow, I get through the day.

Once we put away the equipment, she walks past me toward the exit, avoiding my gaze.

Nice try, babe.

My arm sneaks out and hooks her around the waist, pulling her up against me, her back to my front. I feather a kiss on the shell of her ear and smile into her hair when her breath hitches and I feel a shiver race through her. I knew the sexual tension this week hadn’t been one-sided, but feeling the tension coiling her muscles, I realize that she is every bit as wound up as I am.

She is the perfect height to mold our bodies flawlessly together. But, I still have to lower my head to brush more soft kisses along the sides of her neck and nip at her earlobe. I inhale deeply, her lavender scent surrounds me, and her skin tastes like sun kissed strawberries, making my mouth water.

“I know you’re aware of what day it is, baby.” I’m practically purring. She turns her head to face mine, her eyes wide, trying valiantly for an innocent look. I almost smile, but manage to keep my smoldering expression, letting her feel the burn of how much I want her.

“I’ve got plans with the girls tonight.” A twinkle appears in her eye.
This ought to be fun.
She’s ready to be mine, I can see the acceptance lurking in the cobalt depths, but she’s not quite done making me chase her.

“I haven’t forgotten.” My right hand slides back from her waist and slips down to give her ass a strong squeeze. “Just remember where you’re sleeping tonight.” With that, I give her another squeeze and let her go, spinning around and walking swiftly to the locker room door. I’ve got a plan. Reaching into my bag, I text Brannon and Kendrix, enlisting their help. They agree with some good natured grumbling, particularly about Ean getting out of it since he is off on assignment. Giving myself time to get cleaned up, we agree to meet in thirty minutes.

There is a very good chance that Shaylee will be pissed, but I’m confident in my tactics of persuasion. I might even decide to punish her for making me suffer all week. The thoughts running through my head have my cock perking up.
He’s definitely liking where this is headed.

I PRACTICALLY RUN OUT of the training room, booking it for my little studio and my standard post-training, cold shower. I don’t know how I got through this week; I’ve been like a damn cat in heat. I have no freaking control over my body where that man is concerned. Luckily, the sessions were intense and I was able to put all of that excess energy into my training. But when I got home in the evening? Not so much.

My dreams weren’t helping either. They were dirty and hot as shit! I had no idea I was that creative. I always woke up in the middle of the night panting, just on the edge, but never falling off of the cliff. Waking in the morning, feeling frustrated and unsatisfied, seriously ramped up my bitch-o-meter. On top of that, I woke feeling dark, as though I had been cocooned in the obscure blackness and I needed to peel the shadows off of me. There was something about that sensation that seemed vaguely familiar. But, in the morning, the sunshine washed it away and I didn’t think much about it.

Arriving at my apartment, I stripped and stood under an ice cold shower until the heat raging through my every cell calmed down. My hair is almost completely straight and won’t hold much curl, so I let it air dry, not caring much about the little bit of wave. I slip on a pair of black yoga pants, forgo a bra in favor of a thin camisole and an oversized t-shirt that slips off of one shoulder (not ALL eighties fashions are hideous). I have a thing about funny t-shirts and this one has a unicorn with the quote, “
Maybe, we don’t believe in
you
.”

Finding my stash of chocolate in the freezer, I lock my apartment and dash down to the elevator, punching twelve, heading to Laila’s place. The door is open when I get there and Hayleigh waves from where she is already sprawled out on the floor, in front of a big, flat screen. Laila’s apartment is laid out similar to Aden’s, though it’s only one bedroom. However, it’s splashed with bright color everywhere. There are so many colors, it should look overwhelming and tacky, but Laila has an unbelievable eye, having mixed them all together just right so that the end result is cheery and comfortable.

I toss Hayleigh the bag of chocolate that I brought and swipe the bowl of Carmel Corn, before plopping onto the lemon-yellow sofa. Laila strolls into the kitchen and brings a pizza box and napkins over, then goes back for a bottle of wine, glasses, and a corkscrew. She opens the bottle, pours us each a glass, then takes a seat next to me on the couch. I’m about to ask what we are going to watch when I notice they are both staring at me expectantly.

I look back and forth at them for a minute before asking. “What?” Maybe, if I pretend I have no idea what they are talking about, they’ll let it go.
Fat chance.

Laila rolls her eyes, “Don’t play dumb, Shaylee. If you didn’t want us to pester you, you shouldn’t have told us about Friday.”

Yes, you should have known better.
What were you thinking, idiot?

“Laila, do you really want me to talk to you about what your brother is most likely going to be doing tonight?” I quip. Laila’s face scrunches up in disgust and I feel just a little better having inflicted the discomfort.
Bitch-o-meter is nearing its limit.

“Ok, so maybe you can leave out the details—“

“I want details!” Hayleigh interrupts, waving her hand in the air like a school child.

Laila gives her a dirty look before turning back to me, “I was just wondering what you’ve decided to do.”

“I’d love to pretend that I’m not going to give in, but I think all three of us know the reality, which is, that I’m crazy about your stupid brother,” I offer. Laila claps her hands in excitement and I glower at her. Or at least, I try. But I can’t hold on to the attitude and I feel my expression transform into a glowing smile. “I suppose it’s time to put us both out of our misery.”

“And the rest of us,” Hayleigh mutters. I raise my eyebrow at her and she gives me a cheeky smile. “Come on, Shaylee. The sexual tension between you guys is palpable. We were all waiting for the day when you guys would snap. I don’t know how you kept it up; it was exhausting just to watch.” All three of us dissolve into laughter.

Laila reaches over and hugs me tight, “You’re good for him, Shaylee. You’re destined to be together forever and I’m thrilled that it’s you.”

“Destined? I don’t know about that.” I respond. She gives me an odd look and I can’t help but feel like I’m missing something—
again.
But, I go on with the rest of my thought, “As for forever, only time will tell, I guess. The best I can do right now is give us a shot, while making sure I don’t let him break my heart again.”

Laila studies me for a moment more. “You and Aden need to have a serious talk. He has things he needs to tell you.” She holds up her hand when I open my mouth to comment. “It’s not my place, girl. You need to work it out with him. I’m only telling you so that you don’t let him get away with avoiding it. So, just ask him about it.”

I want to pester her for more details, but in the short time I’ve gotten to know Laila, I’ve learned that she is made of steel. She doesn’t bend. I give her a jerky nod and swallow my desire to interrogate her.