Loving Ean (The Fae Guard Book 2) (9 page)

Every encounter ends the same, no conversation about what just happened, sometimes a little bit of innocuous small talk, and then a final kiss before we separate. No cuddling, no sleeping over, just walking away as though it never happened. Laila’s last words to me are always a statement, “no regrets.” I never answer.
See? Colossal prick.
I can’t give her any more than that without getting in even deeper. Telling her that I don’t, will never wish away each and every time that we’ve been together, will only make it harder for when it ends. So, I keep it as impersonal as possible, even though I know she deserves so much better. With each encounter, I become more, and more addicted. I don’t know how to stop.

When Christmas came, I spent it with my parents; the only time we ever get together for more than a day. They were pretty much absentee parents while I was growing up; still are, technically. They aren’t bad people, and I have never doubted that they love me. When they were around, I wasn’t ignored or forgotten. We spent time together laughing, and acting like a typical family. However, those times were few and far between, at minimum: my birthday and Christmas. The thing is, I came in second to the job. They were off saving the world. How do you compete with that? So, I spent the majority of my time at the Foster’s where Aden and I became more than friends, we became brothers.

It wasn’t an unhappy childhood, per say, but I wouldn’t wish it on any child. With my complete focus on my job, I knew a wife and any children I had would be put second, like I was. That isn’t acceptable to me, so there will be no family in my future.

Spending the holiday with my parents meant that I didn’t see Laila for five days. I wasn’t sure if I could handle going all the way to New Year’s without being with her. I wanted to fall down on my knees to thank my lucky stars when she called and asked if I wanted to go to a movie. Even if we were going with the group, I was desperate to see her, to have even the slightest touch of our skin. Turns out, nobody else wanted to see this particular movie, including us, instead we got up close and personal with the backseat of my car—twice. She’s my addiction, my drug of choice, and I don’t know how I’m ever going to be able to cut the habit.

Tonight is a party at Brannon’s place. A “Super Bowl” party of all things. We have a form of football here, but the rules are different, considering our abilities. Stop. I know you’re imagining Quidditch. Just stop.

And no, we can’t stream TV from the human realm. That’s a little unbelievable, don’t you think? No, Brannon pops over to a human friend’s house the night of the Super Bowl and brings back a DVD of it for his party the following night. He thinks it’s hilarious. I think he’s got a screw loose and yet, I can’t deny that it’s always a great night.

This year, however, I’m pretty pissed at being forced to go. I just got back from an assignment this afternoon and I had plans to be making Laila scream right about now. Instead, I’ll be watching her all night long, laughing and joking with everybody, unable to touch her. By unspoken agreement, we’ve kept our time together between the two of us for a lot of reasons. Not the least of which is that if Aden found out, he would kick my ass into the next eternity.

The driveway is packed since I arrived a little late, so I park my car on the street, and head into the house. Being single, Aden (I guess that doesn’t really apply to him anymore though), Kendrix, and I all live at the training center for convenience. Brannon is single too, but he’d chosen to buy a house. We were all a little shocked by his decision since Brannon has always been the most carefree, social one of the group. It turns out he is the one who longed for a home and to settle down more than any of us. However, that doesn’t mean he became a dud. The man knows how to throw a party; I’ll definitely give him that.

I jog over the shimmering grass; its gleam is completely unobscured due to the lack of shadows in this part of Rein. The realm still has places of darkness, but for the most part, our world is awash with light for most hours of the day, since our night is only around six hours long. And when the sun is in the sky, there are no shadows. Large, colorful flowers, akin to the magnolias in the human realm, adorning vividly green, leafy trees. Watching Shaylee experience our realm for the first time was hilarious. I’m pretty sure she thought she’d stepped onto a fantasy movie set and we were just fucking with her.

As I reach the door, I can already hear the groans and cheers of the crowd. Despite myself, a grin splits my face, maybe I need this, to let go, and relax. I open the door and see Kendrix coming down the hall with two beers in each hand. He gives me a chin lift then sets the beers down to shake my hand and slap me on the back. You want to call it a “man hug”? Go for it. What the fuck ever.

“Glad you could make it, brother. We weren’t sure if you’d still be out on assignment.” Kendrix smiles, showing off the same dimples as Brannon. The two Astalder brothers are identical twins but their personalities set them apart. Kendrix definitely has his own style; he’s got a fucking pirate earring, tats all up his arms, and is most comfortable in ripped jeans and faded t-shirts. Tonight he has on a shirt with the Captain America logo and the words, “On your left.”

I raise my eyebrows, “Shaylee got to you, huh?” I smirk. Aden’s woman has an obsession with funny t-shirts and loves to make us wear them. She knows we’ll do it too, just to make her happy. I almost snort in deprecation. The women in this group have us guys by the balls, and while Aden may be content with being pussy whipped, and Brannon may want to find it, Kendrix and I are of the same mind. Heaven forbid the day we fall victim to the talons of a woman.

“What?” Kendrix looks down at his shirt and grins, “I think it rocks. Besides, Laila said I remind her of Captain Awesome.” At my blank stare he laughs. “Seriously? She’s never made you sit through Chuck? Captain Awesome is the ridiculously good looking brother-in-law. In essence, I’m hot.” His eyebrows wiggle suggestively. Seriously? Does he think I’m one of the girls? I roll my eyes and punch him in the shoulder. I pick up two of the beers follow him when he grabs the others and back tracks to the door of the den. As we get nearer, there is a sudden cheer and the decibel in the room threatens to break the sound barrier.

The room is huge with a massive flat screen on one end, flanked by a bad ass stereo system. There are two rows of black leather couches and recliners, each set in a half circle, facing the TV. Behind them are pool, ping pong, and air hockey tables. I told you, Brannon likes to party. His house is the place we gather the most, next to Rock Falls.

Right now, the seats are divided into two sections on either side of the room, each with a crowd of trash-talking, morons in matching jerseys. It’s ridiculous and it almost makes me smile. Moments like this keep me from truly losing myself all together.

Kendrix walks in ahead of me. “Yo! I found this loser skulking around in the front yard,” he yells. “Which side of the room wants to claim his rotten luck for your team?”

“We’ll take him,” Aden bellows as he tosses me a New York Giants jersey. “We’re crushing their asses anyway.”

“Sold!” Kendrix grabs the beers from my hands and shoves me to the right. I trip over someone sitting on the floor, landing me in Hayleigh’s lap. To my shock, she laughs and gives me a push. “I don’t expect a lap dance unless we win, Ean.” I roll to the side and sprawl on the couch next to her. I’m trying not to stare, but I’ve never seen this side of Hayleigh. She is always reserved and almost stoic, if I weren’t so in love with Laila, I’d almost think she and I would be a good match. It’s become clear over the last couple of years that she is extremely jaded. It keeps her guarded and she holds herself at a slight distance from everyone. Laila and Shaylee have mentioned that she is more open and fun when they are together, but I’ve never seen her that way.

I laugh at her joke but quickly look away, afraid that my intense perusal will make her uncomfortable, and she’ll crawl back into her shell. For Brannon’s sake, I hope this change isn’t temporary. She has been inadvertently breaking his heart for as long as he’s known her.

All of the sudden the opposite side of the room lets out a monstrous groan as this side of the room erupts with triumphant cheers. “How are we gonna win this thing?” somebody complains.

“Let’s open up a can of kick ass and kill ’em all. Let the paramedics sort ’em out!” Laughter breaks out at the statement and though I don’t know the reference, I’m sure it’s a movie quote—as sure as I am who said it.

Scanning the room, my eyes land on Laila.
She’s so damn cute.
Her blonde locks are pulled up into a messy looking bun thing on her head, surrounded by an orange and blue ribbon to support her team. A temporary tattoo of Chicago Bears logo adorns her cheek, and she’s curled up on the couch in a jersey that is two sizes too big. I watch her yell at the ref on the television and want to laugh at the sight of a pixie bawling out the big, tough guy. As if she can feel my gaze, her head turns in my direction and our eyes meet. Despite the distance, an electric current bridges the gap between us. She gives me a small smile but turns swiftly back to the television. It’s become a pattern to seek her out after I get back from a trip. I don’t know how to deal with my stress any other way these days.

This trip was spent with the Ohtar. When I’m not looking after my leath leanbh, I devote a good majority of my time with them, helping to hunt Fallen. These trips hit me hard; killing isn’t a part of the natural order of the Fae. However, there are Fallen who must be stopped, and it is the job of the Ohtar to wipe them out. There is so much to be done to protect and I need to put every effort into helping that cause. Laila is the only thing that calms the agony inside me from taking a life. I can’t remember what I used to do. All I know is that I need her.

Now.

A sudden barrage of yelling breaks me from my deep thoughts and I look around, noticing that everyone’s attention is glued to the screen as they collectively cheer or groan over their teams. Everyone except Laila. She flits her eyes toward the door and cocks her head in silent question. I respond by standing and climbing around the people scattered on the floor, back out into the hallway. Once there, I lean my back against the wall and take a deep breath. I know how wrong this is. I know it, but my body refuses to listen, and it’s not just my dick leading me to her either. She is a balm for the wounds in my soul.

Silently, I walk down the hall to where it turns left, right before the entrance to the kitchen. I pause there, waiting. It’s only seconds later when I see her walking past and my arm shoots out to grab her, pulling her into the dark passageway and flush up against me. She squeaks in surprise but I quickly silence her with my mouth ravenously attacking hers. Without any hesitation, she throws herself into the kiss with every bit as much hunger.

That’s all it takes. I’ve lost my fucking mind. There is only one thought left, to bury myself inside her perfect little pussy. Without breaking apart, I start to walk backwards, my shoulder dragging along the wall, searching for an opening. Three steps back and the wall disappears, with a grunt of satisfaction, I twist around and back in through the doorway. Once we are both across the threshold, Laila reaches her foot back and nudges the door shut. Laila is such a little thing, I have to lift her to align our bodies in just the right place.

I walk forward until she is plastered up against the door and lift with my hands firmly on her light little ass. Her legs immediately encircle my hips and our new position allows me to move from her raspberry lips, licking and kissing down her jaw and neck, to find purchase in the little dip at the top of her cleavage. I know I shouldn’t but I suck the skin in, reveling in her succulent taste, and leaving a mark, branding her as mine. She lets out a little whimper and her head falls back against the door with a muffled thump.
Fuck.
We need to move away from the door, but Laila suddenly thrusts her hips into mine and I don’t care where the hell we are, I have to fuck her.

Her overly large jersey has fallen off of one shoulder, exposing her pale, creamy skin and a bright purple strap. I scrape my teeth along her clavicle until I reach the scrap of fabric and pull it down to meet the drooping neckline of her shirt. Laila arches her back and those fucking gorgeous tits are right where I want them. Using the leverage against the wall, I remove my hand from her ass, but not before I give it a rough squeeze, causing friction where my cock is pressed tightly against her core. Her moan of pleasure eggs me on and I frantically drag her shirt and bra down around her torso, locking her arms to her sides.

Laila is blessed with the most spectacular tits. They are large for her frame, round and full, scoops of ice cream tipped with a perfect cherry. Both hands come to her chest now and I lift the globes high and press them together. I lick around one nipple before moving on to the other. Circling each bud, I rock my cock into her pussy with every circle. Without the use of her arms, her whole body writhes in passion. Her whimpers get louder with each motion until I finally wrap my lips around one straining peak. With a deep suction and a rough thrust of my hips, she cries out and I feel her body shiver and quake with her release.

I have nothing left to hold on to, not one shred of control. I lift her once more and turn around, frantically looking for a place to land. We are in a guest bedroom. Hallefuckinglujah. I stride over to the bed and lower us both down without ever breaking the connection between our bodies. As we land, gravity shoves me into her and she cries out, her arousal already heightening again. Making quick work of our shirts and pants, I don a condom in record time and savagely plunge my throbbing cock into her soaking wet pussy. I probably should have checked to see if she was ready for me, but Laila is always hot and wet for me. When I’m buried deep, she cries out in ecstasy and thrashes on the bed.

“I’m going to fuck you hard, baby. I need you. Rough, hot, and hard.” I punctuate my words by pulling out about half way and then slamming back inside with such force that we scoot up the bed a little.