The Guardian Trilogy: The Complete Collection - Guardian, Allegiant & Reborn

by Sara Mack

  I want to be stern, but my voice wavers. “How dare you? You’ve been gone for seven hours!”

  He gives me a look of genuine remorse. “I got talking and then Charlie offered me a beer. Time got away from me…”

  I close the distance between us and throw my arms around his neck. “Don’t you ever do that to me again.”

  He wraps his arms around me. “I’m sorry; I won’t.” He kisses the top of my head then tries to look at me, but I remain wrapped around him. “You were really that worried?”

  I raise my head. “Have you forgotten my last boyfriend left me and never came back alive? I thought you’d been in an accident! Or captured. Do you remember we’re in hiding?”

  He looks at me and a slow smile spreads across his face. It annoys me, and I push against his chest. “This isn’t funny! I nearly had a heart attack!”

  He rearranges his features. “You’re right. It’s not funny.”

  I cross my arms. “Then what’s up with the grin? Knock it off.”

  “Do you realize what you just called me?”

  I give him a sour look. “Inconsiderate? Irritating?”

  He shakes his head. “You called me your boyfriend.”

  I narrow my eyes. “I did not.”

  “You did so,” he smiles again. “You said ‘my last boyfriend left me.’ Which would mean I’m your current one.”

  I open my mouth to dispute him, but nothing comes out. He steps forward and wraps his arms around my waist.

  “I really am sorry,” he says and dips his head to kiss me.

  I move out of the way and set my jaw. “It’s going to take more than that.”

  He looks to the ceiling in thought. “Dinner,” he says and refocuses on my face. “Let me take you to dinner. To make up for my inability to tell time.”

  I eye him suspiciously even though my heart is overjoyed at seeing him safe and alive. “That’s a start,” I concede.

  He wipes my cheek with his thumb. “How long until you’re ready?”

  “Give me ten minutes,” I say and back away from him. There’s no way I’m letting him out of my sight for anything longer than that.

  We end up at a restaurant just east of Charlotte Amalie called the Fat Turtle. Even though it’s early evening, I can tell this place turns into party central at night, especially the day before a holiday. The restaurant is located on the waterfront where large yachts, too many to count, have set anchor. There’s an open air bar, along with inside seating, and an area for dancing. Dane requests a table outside, and I get the feeling that he has been here before. Teagan’s image materializes before my eyes and I imagine them here together, sipping cocktails and dancing close. The thought leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

  Once we’re seated, we order and our food comes fairly quick. It’s good, but not as good as Gladys’ in my opinion, and I pick at the chicken on my plate. When we finish our meal, Dane pays the bill and then moves us to one of the bistro tables closer to the bar.

  “We’re staying?” I ask.

  He nods. “It’s nice to get out, don’t you think?”

  I look around. The place is filling up. It will be nice to stare at something besides the flat screen for a night.

  “So, what do you want?” he asks, standing to get a drink.

  “I don’t know. Something fruity?”

  “Something fruity,” he repeats and smiles. “You’re fruity.”

  “Okay, then. Scotch on the rocks.” Like I would ever drink that.

  He frowns. “Never mind. Something fruity it is.”

  Apparently he doesn’t want to scrape me off the floor later. He heads to the bar, and I watch him go. When he reaches it, he squeezes in between a blonde and another guy about our age. The blonde is wearing the tightest mini dress I’ve ever seen. She has the body to pull it off, but wow. What exactly is she advertising? Dane orders and the blonde notices, turning to him and tossing her hair. She beams at him, introducing herself, and Dane smiles politely. The bartender eventually retrieves our drinks, and Dane makes his way back to me. He holds a bottle in one hand and a glass that contains liquid as blue as pool water in the other.

  “Here you go.” He hands it to me.

  “What is it?”

  “It’s called Turtle Soup,” he smiles. “Don’t worry. No turtles were harmed in the making of it.”

  I roll my eyes and take a drink. It’s really good; it’s frozen and tastes like melon. I’m going to have to pace myself. Alcoholic drinks that taste like Kool-Aid are dangerous.

  “So,” he leans over the table, “am I closer to being forgiven yet?”

  “Marginally,” I say and play with my straw.

  “You can’t be that mad,” he says. “I’ve seen you mad and this isn’t it.”

  I look him in the eye. “I was more worried than anything. You’d be just as concerned if I went missing for hours.”

  He smirks. “Would I?”

  I kick him under the table; he grimaces as I connect with his shin. “You’d better be.”

  He laughs, but then his face falls with concern. “You know I’d be sick with worry.”

  I take another drink. “Well, then, welcome to my world.”

  As the place gets crowded, Dane and I spend the time people watching. I’m sure my karma is ruined with the comments I’ve been making, especially toward little Miss Mini Dress. But, it’s fun to laugh and forget this afternoon. As evening falls, a DJ starts to play and the dance floor fills. Dane heads back to the bar. “You want another?”

  This would be my third. “I don’t think that’s wise.” I feel pretty good, but then again I’m seated. I don’t want to risk it.

  Dane makes a face at me and leaves. I guess I’ll be driving home. I watch him weave his way across the dance floor and disappear through the bodies. When he reappears, bottle in hand, the blonde from earlier swoops in from his right, setting her hands against his chest. Her invitation is clear. She wants to dance.

  At first it looks like he’s going to refuse, but then he glances at me. We make eye contact and a knowing smirk spreads across his face. My mouth falls open as I watch his bold move. He decides to dance with her. What is he trying to do? Piss me off?

  Little Miss Mini Dress smiles broadly and runs a hand through her hair as she moves. I watch them and a stunned expression takes over my features. Dane can dance. Like really dance. My face flushes as I remember my comments from the other day, when I told him I thought guys who could dance were hot. I adjust my face and my posture, crossing my arms and trying to look impassive. The blonde puts her hands on him, he shoots me a look, and I raise an eyebrow. I know why he’s doing this, but it still doesn’t stop the jealousy that seers through my veins.

  “Who’s your friend?”

  I look to my right and find a guy standing beside me. He’s blonde too, with perfectly styled hair and tanned skin. He rests one hand on the table, and I can tell just from his arm that he’s built. I follow his line of vision and see that he’s staring at my floorshow.

  I shake my head. “She’s not my friend.”

  He smiles. “Not her. Him.”

  “His name is Dane.” I uncross my arms and turn my body to face him. “And you are?”

  He holds out his hand. “Aiden.”

  I take it. “Emma.”

  He reveals his perfect smile again. “So, Emma, is your friend, Dane, available?”

  What? I look at Dane and then back at Aiden. “Um, no. He’s not.”

  He sighs. “Figures.” I must look really lost because he elaborates. “He doesn’t look that into her and he’s not dancing with you, so I thought maybe…”

  The light dawns, and I suppress a giggle. “I’m sorry; I’m afraid you’re not his type.”

  He nods like he knew that was coming then steps back. “So, I take it he’s with you?”

  I shrug. “We’re working on it.”

  “Well, you’re not getting anywhere sitting here,” he says and extends his hand again.
“Would you like to dance?”

  Would I? I grin. “Yes, thank you.” I take Aiden’s hand and hop off my seat. He leads us into the crowd and I shoot a look over his shoulder at Dane, which is hard because he’s quite tall. Dane gives me a nod with both eyebrows raised. Game on.

  Aiden turns out to be a pretty good dancer and it’s not long before I’m lost in the fun of this. It’s only when I glance at Dane and Brittany Wannabe that I come crashing down. He’s not touching her, but she’s all over him. The longer they’re together the more irritated I get. I can’t blame the alcohol; I only had two drinks and I feel fine. As the songs morph into one another, one thought becomes crystal clear – he’s mine, damn it, and you can’t have him.

  Aiden notices my distraction and places his hands around my waist, turning me, so my back is to Dane and Brittany. He leans in to my ear and speaks over the music, “I’m going to move you his way then you cut in, okay?”

  I nod and follow his lead. When we get close, Aiden reaches out and practically turns me between them, cutting off Miss Mini Dress and distracting her. I land in front of Dane and he grabs me, pulling me close. He smiles as he finds my ear. “It’s about time you came to save me.”

  I smirk. “You’re the one who decided to dance with her.”

  “You know who I’d rather dance with.”

  I lean back. “Speaking of, you’ve been holding out on me.”

  He grins. “I can’t reveal all my secrets. I have to play them when the time is right. I wouldn’t want you to fall in love with me too fast or anything.”

  I shoot him a sarcastic look; although, the way we’re moving is making my heart race.

  He looks over my head. “Who’s your new pal?”

  I glance over my shoulder and find Aiden a few feet away. He’s doing an excellent job of leading on the blonde. I smile, and he winks at me. I turn back to Dane. “That’s Aiden. Actually, he wanted to be your friend not mine; if you get what I mean.”

  He suppresses a smile. “I take it you told him otherwise?”

  “He delivered me to you didn’t he?”

  Dane leans closer. “Remind me to thank him later.”

  We stop talking as we continue to dance. More people must have joined the party because Dane and I end up pressed together to make room for more moving bodies. He takes the opportunity to catch my mouth with his and kisses me in a way that should be illegal. Blood pounds behind my ears as I clutch his arm to steady myself. Desperate thoughts of earlier today race through my mind and mix with the jealous emotions from moments ago. I thought I’d lost him. Other women and men want him. What’s wrong with me? The decision hits me like lightning.

  When he releases my mouth, I stand on my toes and find his ear. “Take me home.”

  He leans back and gives me a confused smile. “I thought I was your home.”

  I shake my head and find his ear again. “You don’t understand. Take. Me. Home.”

  When our eyes meet the realization hits. I don’t have to ask him a third time.

  Chapter 27

  A numb feeling radiates down the left side of my body, waking me. My eyes flutter open to find both my arm and leg trapped beneath Dane, asleep and useless. The morning sun bleeds through the windows and I lift my head to peer down the length of the couch, my eyes catching on his shirt that hangs off the back. My gaze moves from the shirt to the floor, where I find small piles of the rest of our clothes. Memories of last night slam into my brain and my face immediately flushes.

  Yeah. We didn’t even make it past the living room.

  I lower my head to his shoulder, and he instinctively pulls me closer. One of his arms is beneath me, and I’m sure it’s just as asleep as my limbs are. I dread the prickling sensation of the blood returning to my arm and leg once we move, so I close my eyes, hoping to ignore the feeling and remain where I am. It’s no use. As much I as want to stay cradled in his arms, I need to sit up.

  His eyes pop open as I try to disentangle myself. “Hey –”

  “Go back to sleep,” I whisper.

  “What are you doing?”

  “My arm’s numb,” I say, shaking it as I sit. The throw blanket, that used to hang over the back of the couch, crookedly covers us; I reach out with my good hand to bring it up to my chest.

  He smirks and props himself on his elbow. “You’re going to be modest now?”

  I give him a stale look. “I’m not going to start parading around here naked, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  He raises an eyebrow. “I’ve already seen everything. What’s the point?”

  “The point,” I fake arrogance, “is that I’m a lady. Not an exhibitionist.”

  He snickers. “A lady, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  “Since when do ladies blatantly ask to be taken home and, ah…what’s a good word?”

  My mouth falls open. “Would you rather I hadn’t?”

  He smiles. “Most definitely not.” He places his hand on the side of my neck, cradling my face, and pulls my mouth to his. He gently kisses me then leans back, his expression serious. “Not in a million years.”

  I smile, biting my lip. As I look into his eyes, my pulse starts to race. Images from last night flash in my memory. I have no complaints.

  “I would have broken out the dance moves sooner if I’d known,” he says and lies back, crossing his arms beneath his head.

  “Known what?”

  “The effect they would have on you.”

  I scoot down, propping myself on my side. I rest my head on my tingling hand. “It wasn’t the dancing.”

  “No?” He smiles.

  “Okay, maybe a little,” I concede.

  “I knew it.”

  I laugh, but then my smile fades. “Do you want the truth?”

  He looks at me concerned and then mirrors my pose. “Always.”

  Carefully, I select my words. “It was the overwhelming fact that I could lose you. The panic I felt when I thought you were hurt…or worse. Then, that woman was all over you. And Aiden! Even guys want you.” I look down. “You’ve done so much for me, and I’ve done nothing for you. I’ve pushed you away a million times, and you keep coming back.” I meet his eyes. “It was time to give you something to come back for.”

  He searches my face. As silent seconds pass, I start to feel self-conscious. “Well, say something.”

  “You’re so wrong.”

  My expression twists. “About what?”

  “Everything.” He leans closer. “I will always be there for you. You’ve changed my life.”

  Disbelief clouds my features. “That’s not true.”

  “It is. Do you want to know what my life was like before we met? Every day was the same. Go to work, try to contact Teagan, and fight with my dad. Then, I’d wake up the next day and do the exact same thing. Go to work, Skype, and fight,” he pauses. “Until I met you. You turned my world upside down.”

  My skeptical expression melts a little.

  “The more time we spent together the more I realized what I did and didn’t want. You forced me to take a good look at myself and make some tough decisions.”

  “That doesn’t sound good. I never meant to –”

  “I know; that’s the beauty of it.” He tucks a wayward piece of hair behind my ear. “You challenged me in ways I’ve never been before. You gave me something to look forward to each day, and I craved your attention. You know why?”

  I give him a crooked smile and get sarcastic, “Because there’s nothing like picking up the pieces of a stubborn girl’s broken heart?” I still don’t know why he’s put up with me.

  “You do have the damsel in distress thing going on.” He smiles and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me close. “Honestly, though, it was because your attention was never a sure thing. When most people find out I’m Charles Walker’s son they get all clingy and twitchy, but not you. Your attitude toward me never changed. I had to work hard to impress you; it made me question who I really w
as.”

  I look down.

  “Remember the day we ran into James’ mother at the store?”

  I nod. How could I forget?

  “That was the moment I realized what I had.”

  My eyes meet his. “And what was that?”

  “Someone to fight for; someone who needed me. No one has needed me in a really long time.”

  With wide eyes, I reassure him, “You are so needed. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  His expression softens in response to my admission, and he stares at me intently. Slowly, he traces the side of my face from my temple to my chin, as if committing the curve to memory. “You give me a reason to get up in the morning. Don’t ever say you’ve done nothing for me, because it’s not true. You’ve done more than I can ever explain.”

  His touch lingers on my chin, and he gently nudges my mouth toward his. I oblige him and he plants a soft kiss on my lips.

  “I think your sacrifices outweigh mine,” I whisper. “What I’ve done wasn’t even on purpose.”

  He gives me a knowing look. “Last night was on purpose.”

  I immediately blush. “Last night didn’t change your life.”

  “Yeah, it did.”

  “Please,” I laugh. “I’m so glad I could help.”

  He leans forward. “Would you care to help again?”

  “Right now?”

  “No, next Tuesday. Yes, right now.” I catch his sly smile before his lips find my neck.

  “Don’t we have somewhere to be today?” I ask as I wind my fingers through his hair.

  His voice is muffled under my chin. “Right here works for me.”

  I giggle and move to the side. “No; what’s my surprise for Thanksgiving?”

  He picks up his head and glances at the clock near the television. “We have two hours until we have to be at the dock.”

  “For?”

  “Fishing,” he says. “I’ve chartered a boat. Have you ever been deep sea fishing?”

  “I’ve never left the continental United States. So, no.”

  “I think you’ll love it.” His mouth finds mine and he speaks between kisses, “You won’t miss being home at all.”