by Aliyah Burke
He stared at her. “You looked thirsty.”
“I am. Do you have a problem with me?”
He hung up the bale hooks. “Should I?” He never looked at her, so she stared at his back and the way his wet shirt adhered to him.
“You just don’t seem happy.”
He whirled to face her. “As I told Taylor when she asked something similar, so long as you don’t hurt my brother, you and I will never have a problem. I will protect and defend you as long as I am breathing.”
“Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but I’ll take it.” She drank some more.
He peeled off his leather gloves and readjusted his baseball cap. “Any other questions?”
It was obvious to her by his tone he wanted to leave and she took pity on him. He had, after all, given her his water. “No, thanks.”
Tiarnán looked her over then spun around and strode off.
“Staring at him for a reason?”
“Figures you’d show up now, Shel. Once the work is done.”
“And had I know he’d be here all sweaty, I may have come early. But that doesn’t explain why you’re staring after the grumpy Irishman.”
“Hard not to look at him. I was trying to imagine what kind of woman he will end up with.”
“Don’t know. Taylor asked if we wanted to go to town tonight with her.”
“I would love to.” She stared at her sodden shirt. “After. After a shower.”
“Excellent idea. You do smell.”
“I was working, you whore.”
“Ogling isn’t work,” Shelly teased her in Scottish Gaelic.
“Bitch.” She switched easily from English as well.
“Come on, you rank cow. We need to hose you off.”
“If I wasn’t so sore…”
“Blah, blah, blah,” she retorted, making a rude hand gesture.
Mal waited until she was close to Shel then she jumped on her. Wrapped her arms around her friend and rubbed on her.
“God damn it, Mal! Get off.”
She hung on, sharing as much sweat as she could.
“Get off!”
Shelly flipped her and Mal grunted as she stared up at her friend. She blinked then spoke. “Ow.”
“Stop whining. You got what you deserved. Mostly.”
Mal watched her, not making any move to regain her feet.
“Are you coming?”
“Nope. I think I’m going to lay right here. I’m sore. I’m sweaty and now I’m flat on my back. Here’s good.”
Shelly walked out of view. “Change your mind yet?” she hollered.
Mal closed her eyes. “Nope.”
“You’re lying in a barn.”
“Yep.”
“Last chance.”
Mal almost got up. Shel could be a pain in the ass when plans didn’t go her way. Devious little bitch. “Leave me to wallow in my pain, you evil wench.”
Splash!
Mal jackknifed into a sitting position, sputtering and wiping the water from her eyes. She glared up at Shel who sat on a bale of hay, a bucket dangling from her fingers.
“So should I tell Taylor you changed your mind then?”
“You callous bovine!”
“Words of love. Come on, get going”—she raised the bucket—“there’s much more where this came from.”
“I don’t think I like you.”
“Get moving.” Shelly walked away.
Mal didn’t dally, well aware Shel would, without hesitation, dump another bucket on her. Rude bitch. Muscles aching even more now, having been exacerbated by the jerking upright, Mal shuffled to the door.
She hadn’t increased in speed any when she pushed into her bedroom. Billy was there putting away clean laundry. His brows raised as humor filled his eyes.
“Something happen, baby?”
She sliced her gaze to him. “I’m sore. I’m wet. And I can wield a wicked scalpel. Don’t push it, Mr Kwan.” She went to the bathroom, where she stripped then stepped into the shower.
Billy awaited her with a towel held wide. She allowed him to wrap it around her.
“Feel better?”
“No.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
“Shel.” That was her complete explanation.
“Oh, I see,” he said, then dropped the subject entirely.
Billy retreated and she dried off then went to find something to wear. She decided on a pair of pale cream palazzo pants, black-heeled boots and a shimmery, emerald-green silk shirt. As she finished fixing her hair, the glint of her ring snagged her attention.
Married. I’m married. Using the mirror, she stared at Billy’s reflection as he continued what he was doing. His motions were fluid. Everything about him drew her eye.
He was good to her. A better man she couldn’t have asked for. She didn’t see any reasons it wouldn’t, or couldn’t, work between them. Am I thinking of being here forever? Giving up my life in Scotland?
“Have fun tonight, baby.”
She yanked her gaze up and met his in the mirror. “Huh?” Oh, so brilliant wordage, Doc.
“Tonight. You. Shelly. Taylor.”
“Right, right. Yes, sorry, I was um…distracted.”
His grin was purely sexual. “Glad to hear it.”
She huffed and got to her feet. “Don’t wait up.”
He snagged her as she went by, putting them nose-to-nose. “Trust me on this, wife. I will wait up for you.”
“See you then,” she whispered.
Their lips met and she pushed her tongue into his mouth. His taste segued into hers, mixing into a combination she loved. She clenched his shirt in her hands, anchoring herself to him.
“You better go now, Mal, or you’ll have to cancel girl’s night out.”
“Okay fine. I’m going. I’m going.” She returned to the dresser and put in her silver dangle earrings, checked her hair once more then turned to leave. At the door, she swiped her money and put it in her pocket.
Still, she couldn’t refrain from turning back to take one final look at Billy—an act that almost changed her mind about going. He must have known, for he shooed her on with a signal from his hands.
Mal left and met the two women in the large foyer. They were both stunning. The trio said good night to some roaming children then went out and climbed into the back of the waiting town car. They were being driven, in case they would be drinking.
“Dracen coming along?” she questioned, as the engine purred to life.
“I asked already.” Taylor met her gaze and shrugged. “She declined.”
“She’s very serious, isn’t she?”
“I secretly call her the dragon warrior. When she was teaching me to fight, she kicked my ass all over the place.” Taylor waved her hand about. “All over.”
The car pulled away and Mal leaned back with a contented sigh. She needed this.
“Either you’re moaning over your husband or you are actually relaxing, Mal.”
She flipped Shelly off. “Relaxing, thank you very much.”
“Maybe she’s thinking about sex.”
“Taylor, please, don’t side with Shelly. She’s a bad influence. Be stronger than that. Resist her evil lure.”
Shelly snorted. “Please, I’m not the one fucking in the stable.”
“Oh my God! The stable? Mal, is she serious?”
Mal punched Shel in the upper arm. “What are you talking about? I was working with Tiarnán, that was it. There is no—”
“No, not today. Sneaking down the ladder with hay in your hair and your shirt inside-out. Your husband following without his shirt on and nail rake marks on his back.”
Taylor hooted with laughter. “The barn.”
“At least it wasn’t in the computer room, like some.”
Shelly’s fair skin turned red.
“Wait, wait.” Taylor struggled for breath. “Catch me up, who are you…Tiarnán? No…” Her lips formed an ‘o’ as she glanced between them. “Edm
ond?”
“Sure was. On that back table. I hope to God you two sanitized it after.”
Cupping her hands about her breasts, Shelly hefted them in the bodice shirt she wore. “When ya gotta have it, ya gotta have it.”
Everyone collapsed in peals of laughter.
“Now, Taylor,” Mal said. “Tell us. Have you and Cale been caught anywhere?”
Chapter Fourteen
Never taking his gaze from the foosball table in front of him, Billy spun the handles as he worked to beat Cale. The children had long since been sent to bed. It was him, Cale, Tiarnán and Dracen hanging out. Taylor, Shelly and Mal had also gone to bed.
“Did Edmond get anything else from that USB you know of, Tiarnán?”
Edmond had to do stuff in layers, breaking codes each time he progressed. He took it slow so the entire thing wouldn’t corrupt. Yes, it took longer than they wished but to have information was worth the wait.
“Yes.” He let another dart in his hand go and the thunk as it sank into the board was clear. “He’s compiling a list of the main places the calls came in from, as well. Something about cross-referencing stuff.”
“Good, maybe we can make some use of this.”
“Seems like Mal is settling in well. I know Taylor likes her a lot.”
He smiled at Cale then blocked his shot. “I know it’s mutual. She’s also been spending time with Edmond, helping him when and where she can.”
“The medical facility is nicely set up. I’m glad she’s a doctor, that will be a big help around here.” Dracen sat in a chair, spinning a knife in her fingers.
Billy was happy they all liked her. He spun the handle and captured the winning goal. “Any leads on your artifacts?”
“No.” They spoke in tandem.
He and Cale shared a look. It had been that way between Dracen and Tiarnán since they’d known them. The two of them were connected on a level that was deep, even for Guardians. For many years, he’d believed Tiarnán and Dracen had been a couple. Now he knew better. They were just closer than any of the others.
Still, he’d noticed that since he’d returned from Scotland, Dracen had been pulling away, from him and the other Guardians. To have her here with them tonight was a treat. She had retreated into some shell even more—off alone, training or down in the armory with Inaki.
What were you expecting, Billy? his sensible side asked. For her to take Mal under her wing and become the best of friends? Okay, so that may have been assuming way too much, or hoping. Either way, she was nice to the women and occasionally smiled at them but she didn’t go with them. The trio had been out numerous times for girls’ nights out and none of them had included Dracen. Now that winter had arrived, they’d slowed down their outings.
Mal had told him that they always asked her but she politely refused. He was a bit skeptical on the polite bit. Dracen could be very abrasive. Not with the children, never with them, but to adults it wasn’t unheard of.
A sound in the hall had him looking over there and he grinned as he saw Edmond and Shelly walking together.
“They make a cute couple,” Cale said. “Do you think he will be battling? He is a Guardian.”
“There wasn’t any place it was said which six would be picked for this to reach its zenith. Perhaps he is.” Dracen spoke without any emotion.
“Come on, Dracen. I want to play you. Cale wasn’t enough competition.”
“Man, that’s rude.”
“Go sit down, loser.”
Cale flipped him off and stepped back so Dracen could take his place.
She cracked her neck and behind her he saw Cale and Tiarnán smirking at him. He understood—he knew he was in a ninety-five percentile of getting his ass kicked.
“Any word from the others?”
Dracen picked up the ball and held it over the middle then set it gently before his center player. He knew she was giving him the first attack.
“I heard from Aminta. She won’t be home for a while. While she thinks she’s located her artifact for sure, she was called out to help with some rescues. Up in the mountains they’ve had record snow and so rescues have become more and more necessary.”
He nodded at Dracen’s explanation.
“Roz sent a message to Lian, I heard,” Cale said. He rose and walked to get himself another beer. Dropping one off for Tiarnán, Cale retook his seat. “She’s found both artifact and mate.”
“Really?” He readjusted his grip on the handles. “What’s he like?”
“She didn’t say. Just that we would be meeting them soon.” A slight pause. “Yes, that was it.”
“You gonna play or just sit there with the ball at your feet?”
He looked at Dracen who coolly arched an eyebrow back at him. Baring his teeth, he growled. “Be prepared to have your ass handed to you.”
The other three burst into laughter as he launched the ball. This was what he loved, spending time with his family. In the background, music poured from the surround sound and enveloped them in the rich bass.
“Score.”
Wait, what? He shook his head and swore. “That’s bull. You cheated.”
Dracen laughed and accepted a beer. “How? I’m over here, not my fault you can’t concentrate.”
“Again,” he said.
She shrugged. “Your funeral.”
* * * *
“Merry Christmas, wife.”
Mal opened her eyes in time to see Billy inching his way up along her body. His hair fell in messy disarray about his face. He kissed her as he moved and she shifted beneath him, anxious for him to reach her lips.
“Merry Christmas.” She flicked her glance to the window. Still dark out. “Do we have to get up and start on breakfast? You know the children will be up soon. If they’re not already.”
“They’re not in here.”
She sank her hands into his hair and tugged, encouraging him to move up faster. Billy resisted, taking his time, swirling his tongue over her breasts, teasing her nipples.
“Good thing,” she panted. “Come up here.”
“No, I’m enjoying my Christmas present.”
She pulled his hair until he looked at her. “Trust me, that’s not your present.”
His grin was wolfish. “Will I like it?”
She dragged her tongue along her lower lip. “I don’t know. How about I try it out on you and you tell me if you do or not.”
He cupped her pussy and sank two fingers past the folds and deep inside her. “Sounds good to me.” He rolled so he was under her, moving down her body. When his tongue swiped along her clit, she moaned.
Mal readjusted so his cock was near her mouth and she began to lick him. He gripped her thighs and held her where he wanted her as he worked himself inside her. Fingers. Tongue.
She allowed the pleasure to wash over her as she worked his thickness deep in her throat.
* * * *
They made it down later to help with the large breakfast. Her body still hummed from what she and Billy had shared. From the look in his eyes, more was on the menu for later in the day.
She couldn’t wait.
Once all the presents had been opened, and food had been eaten and the children were playing with their new toys, Billy took her hand and led her off to a small corner where they had some privacy.
“Yes?”
He reached into a drawer and withdrew a decent sized box. It was covered by silver paper and had a red and green bow on the top.
“Merry Christmas, Mal.”
She took it from him, surprised by the weight. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“Just open it.”
She untied the bow and opened the paper. Using a nail to slice through the tape holding the top flap down, she looked at him. He watched her, a slight upturn of his lips.
“What is it?”
“Open it, Mal.”
She did and he held his hand out for the tissue paper on the top. Mal gave it to him then reached ba
ck in and pulled out the rectangular crystal. Her breath escaped her in a rush.
“Oh, Billy.” Tears pricked her eyes. “This is so beautiful.”
In a convex image within the crystal were her Highlands. On one end, they were highlighted by the Northern Lights, which exploded in the sky. Then that segued into the Highlands at dawn, complete with the fog and mist rising from the loch. The colors so rich, detail so crisp and pure, it was like she stared directly at the real thing.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“No,” she sniffed. “I love it.” She kissed him and stepped back. “I need to put this upstairs so I don’t drop it.”
“I’ll put it there. You go enjoy your day.”
She wound her arms around him and kissed his chest. “Thank you.”
“It does my heart wonders to see that smile on your face again, Mal.” He stroked down the side of her face. “I’ll put it by your side of the bed so you can see it.”
* * * *
Later that night, after she and Billy had made love again, they shut off the lights and crawled back into bed. The Northern Lights glowed in the dark. He held her close and she fell asleep in his arms under the gentle light of the Aurora Borealis.
* * * *
He tapped his pencil on the edge of the table. Something bothered him—he couldn’t sit still. Flames of discontent licked between his shoulder blades. Billy tried to pay attention to what Edmond was telling them. To his left was the safe that held the first two artifacts.
He continually looked over there. Sparks and ribbons of color filled the case. His palms itched as he watched. He wanted to hold his. A glance to Cale showed him his brother felt the same.
“Something’s happening.”
Edmond fell silent at his outburst. Everyone there looked at him.
“An attack?” Tiarnán leaned forward.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I’m jumpy. Something isn’t right.”
Edmond pulled up the security cameras. “I don’t see anything.”
“Where’re Mal and the kids?”
Edmond typed in a few things and soon, Billy could see her on the screen. She walked with the other children and Shelly. The other person he saw there made him breathe easier. Dracen was with them.
