Guardians Of The Shifters (7 page)

                         Chapter 13

When you first walked in there was a light brown leather sofa set off to the left with a brown coffee table next to it. Next to the table there was a reclining chair that matched the couch. Mounted on the wall was a thirty two inch flat screen T.V and below that was another brown table. I was already in the kitchen and didn’t need to see it to know that it was just like every other kitchen. Thin white curtains covered the four windows that I could see.

Caden dropped my bag on the couch and peeled off his black leather jacket and draping it over the back of the couch. “Let me give you a tour.” I followed him towards the right side of the room and through a door. He flipped on a light. In the center of the room was a king sized bed that had a plain black comforter and matching pillows. To the left of the room was a tacky brown dresser and to the right of the room was a bathroom. There was a silver bedside table with a lamp built into it. Were they afraid someone was going to steal the lamp? Oh sure, let me just stick it under my coat so no one will see it. Dumb asses.

Caden’s house wasn’t much bigger than my unit except he had a kitchen, go him. “End of said tour.” I followed him back out of the room but not before my eyes glanced back at the bed. Of course it’s a big bed, he’s such a big dude. I stood awkwardly behind the couch not sure what to do now. I looked at Caden who was standing just as awkwardly. He ran a hand across his stubble peppered jaw. “Why don’t you take the first shower?”

I wasn’t going to argue. “Okay.” I grabbed my bag.

“Oh.” I looked back at him. “Try not to get the bandages wet.”

Nodding my head I disappeared to the bathroom. How was I not going to get them wet? It’s not like the water will magically keep it dry. Once I was in my birthday suit I stepped into the shower and the water automatically turned on, nice, I could get used to this. It was harder than hades to keep the bandages dry so I said screw it and washed up like I normally would. Once I was cleaned up I stepped onto the soft mat outside the shower to dry off. I wasn’t going to linger in the bathroom for my normal shower clean up so I quickly dried off and got dressed.

Caden was sitting on the bed with his head in his hands when I came out of the bathroom. I instantly went over to him and rested my hand on his shoulder. His muscles bunched under my touch.

“Caden…are you alright?”

He peeked up at me through thick lashes. “Yes, just tired.”

I didn’t believe him but I also didn’t say otherwise. “Okay, I’ll be in the other room.” I started to pull my hand away but his warm fingers snaked around my wrist pulling me back. I stood between his spread thighs looking down at him. His strong arms wrapped around my waist bringing me closer. He rested his cheek on my chest above my heart. My heart bounced around erratically and I was afraid that the organ would jump out and poke him in the eye. I brought my hand up and ran my fingers through his hair. A small purr like moan filled the room and vibrated through me. Caden’s voice came out as a low whisper.

“Mm…this is nice.”

I could only muster up one word and it came out shaky. “Yeah.”

I could hear a smile in his voice. “I haven’t held someone like this in a long time…makes me never want to let go.”

I could hear my heart in my ears thump thump. My body started to feel warm from the close proximity. It wasn’t a bad warmth, it was more like our body heat mingled together and oddly enough it was nice. We stayed like that for a while longer, his arms wrapped around me and me running my fingers through his hair. After a few more seconds he lifted his head up to look at me. “I should probably shower.” Yes he probably should but I didn’t want to move away. I mustered up enough will power to step out of his arms and when his warmth disappeared I wanted it back.

He stood from the bed and went into the bathroom, I didn’t leave the room until I heard the shower turn on. I walked back out to the small living room and went straight for my bag. I dumped its contents onto the couch and picked up a black dagger. The metal was a shiny black and the handle was made out of some kind of rubber with grooves. I think it was specifically made so that it wouldn’t slip out of your hands when they got all sweaty and nasty from fighting. Not a bad idea, who ever came up with it must have taken time to design it just right.

I was so absorbed with the dagger that I didn’t hear Caden until he spoke. “What are you doing?” I jumped what seemed like a mile high causing the blade to slice across my palm. Holy crap that sucker was sharp. A line of blood bubbled up from the cut and ran down the side of my hand. Caden was in front of me faster than my eyes could track and gently he grabbed my hand. I stopped moving around like a dork when I saw that he was shirtless. There were still beads of water peppered on his skin. One rolled down between his pecs, over the ridges of his abs and disappeared at the waist band of his dark blue pants that hung loosely from his hips.

For a minute I forgot all about my hand while I stared at him only to be sucked out of the stupor that I was in when he poked and prodded at it. I inhaled through clenched teeth, kind of sounded like a hissing sound. Caden gave me a disapproving look.

“What were you doing?”

Shrugging. “Just looking at it.”

He arched a brow. “So much so that everything around you faded.”

“I was admiring the handy work.” Until you walked out, I didn’t say that last part out loud.

He looked back at my hand. “It doesn’t look to bad…let’s clean it up and head to dinner.” His eyes locked with mine. “I’m starving.”

I swallowed thickly, I remember the last time he said that and he ended up kissing me. From the way he looked at me I knew that he remembered to. He had me plop down in a kitchen chair, understandable seeing how the blood droplets would stain the carpet and not the tacky linoleum. I was capable of cleaning it myself but he was determined to do it. I wasn’t going to complain, I liked the way his skin felt on mine, I know that I shouldn’t but heaven help me, I couldn’t help the way that I feel.

After it was all said and done Caden disappeared into his bedroom and came out pulling a shirt on over his head. I’ll admit, I could watch his muscles ripple all day with some form of movement, actually I could watch him all day, after all I am a girl. Without Caden noticing I grabbed a dagger and stuck it in the waist band of my pants. Five minutes later we were out the door and heading to the dining hall.

All eyes were on us as we walked in, the only difference was was that nobody gave us weird looks. I mean why would they? There were other pressing issues besides a shifter and guardian getting all buddy buddy like say…how the assassins were able to breach this place in the first place. If I was one to point fingers I’d point them at Cole because there is something sketchy about that guy. Plus when we first came in there are currents of electricity that could curl the short and curlies and possibly stop your heart. Those currants had to have been shut off in order for them to come in swinging.

There is no way in hell that they would have been able to make it past the first door otherwise. I think that there is a traitor in our midst and no one seems to be asking questions. I was lost in my own thoughts when Caden returned with food, I didn’t even remember sitting down. I wasn’t all that hungry to begin with but picked at the food any way.

“Penny for your thoughts love.”

I looked at him. “I just think it’s weird.”

Confused. “What’s weird?”

I lowered my voice. “If this place is supposedly unbreachable, how did the assassins get in? I saw those killer electric currents when we first arrived and there is no way in hell they could have made it through without them being shut off.” I paused. “Then you have two sets of metal doors that are at least fifty feet high, nobody could scale up those suckers, nobody is that good, plus.” I paused again for a dramatic affect. “Both sets of doors have a key code.”

A half smile graced his sensual lips. “All very good valid points, I see someone has been thinking with their brain.” He looked around the room. “I have been wondering the same thing.”

“I’m glad we are both on the same page.”

He winked at me. “But the only question is…who would betray us and what do they have to gain?”

“Cole.” I didn’t even hesitate.

He arched a brow at me. “Cole? And what would he gain out of all of this?”

I shrugged. “Maybe he is tired of being the head honcho or quite possibly he’s truly one of their members and he was placed here to gather intel. And maybe just maybe he secretly wants to wipe all of you out…I’m telling you the dude is a bit sketchy.”

“Who’s a bit sketchy?”

My spine stiffened, well speak of the devil and he should appear. I said the first thing that popped into my head. “The apple.”

“The apple?” He said questioningly.

“Yes, it looks rotten.” Picking up the apple I shoved it in his face so he could get a better look. “See?”

He backed out of the way. “Yes I see, I’ll throw this batch out and get new ones…enjoy your dinner.” He stalked off shaking his head and muttering to himself. I turned my attention back to Caden, he had an amused look on his face.

“An apple…really?

“Well I had to say something and the apple was the first thing that popped in my head.”

He chuckled. “Quick thinking…but for now on lets voice our thoughts and speculations when we are alone and not surrounded my eaves droppers.”

“Agreed.”

We finished eating and headed out staying close to each other, honestly who else could we trust? I was exhausted by the time we reached his house and I had too many thoughts running through my head. Caden and I could speculate the impending doom in the morning. He said I could take the bed so I made my way to it and crawled in pulling the covers up to my chin and fell fast asleep.

                        Chapter 14

The next morning I was cascaded in warmth, more warmth than what a blanket could give me. There was something heavy draped over my side. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and looked at the source of the weight. A muscular arm was wrapped around me and my eyes followed the length of the ligament that was connected to Caden. I sucked in a breath at the sight of him in slumber. He looked so peaceful and worry free. I did my best not to move because I didn’t want to wake him.

It felt like there was something squeezing my heart. I could wake up every morning and watch him sleep (nah, not weird at all). Without thinking I started running my fingertips up and down his arm and even in sleep the powerful muscles under his skin bunched and quivered under my touch. His arm automatically tightened around me and he snuggled closer. By now it was already difficult to breath, not because he was somewhat cutting off my circulation but because he looked at piece.

A bunch of different emotions rushed to the surface but I quickly squished it down when his eyes started to flutter open. When his eyes opened completely they locked with mine and a smile started to form on his lips. “Good morning beautiful.” Holy Christ, his voice sounded even sexier laced with sleep. I mean, a British accent was sexy as hell but even more so laced with sleep. I think I stopped breathing for a couple seconds. Eventually I was able to find my own voice.

“Morning.”

He moved his arm to sit up on one elbow. “How did you sleep?”

“Good…you?”

“Perfectly.

I smiled at him as I threw back the covers to get out of bed although the bed was one place I’d rather be, just as long as he was in it. Him and all his sexy, groggy glorieness. My muscles felt tense and sore from all the fighting from yesterday. Hopefully once I get used to the whole guardian roll and train my muscles they won’t make my body ache.

Caden smoothly rolled out of bed, stretched like a cat and sauntered his way over to me and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. Not sure why he did that. When he left the room I stood there unable to move and a bit confused. The smell of coffee wafered to my nose and that was what got me putting one foot in front of the other. At least we didn’t have to go to the dining hall to get a hot beverage. Caden was standing at the stove with a spatula in hand and he looked at me over his shoulder.

“Breakfast?”

“Sure.” A man that could cook was a big turn on.

“Hope scrambled eggs and toast is okay, it’s the only thing I know how to make.”

And there goes the turn on thought. “It’s fine.”

I sat down at the table with my coffee in hand and watched him move around the kitchen, he moved around like a cat, quiet and graceful. That had to be the panther that lived inside of him. Shortly he set two plates filled with scrambled eggs and toast down in front of us. I wasn’t really one for eggs but ate them anyway.