I missed my friends. I’d sent Liv a few videos and texts, but she’d been busy with tennis camp, her family, and trying to make sure Nate stayed away from the neighbor girl. I even missed Taya; although she mostly kept to herself, she’d been a steady presence. And Logan… he’d texted me again today, but I left him unread. I missed him, but his friendship carried a lot of baggage, especially after the kiss.
Pulling on a bikini I found in my closet, I made my way downstairs and outside.
The glass wall to the deck was open, and I could hear the Babushkas. They were involved in a serious chess game that involved lots of arguing and laughing.
Sitting on the edge of the pool, I dangled my feet into the water and looked out at the city. The Babushka’s squabble was like white noise, ebbing and flowing, never really angry.
“I need to learn Russian,” I told Aaraeth. I wonder what their argument is about now.
Aaraeth surprised me by answering, the one you call #1 is accusing #2 of cheating. They both think it’s funny.
“You can speak Russian?” I asked my dragon as she slid over my stomach on my skin.
Russian? I speak human. What more is there to know? She told me with a sniff.
I rolled my eyes and groaned, “Oh, Aaraeth…”
Bored, I stood and settled into a lounge chair with a can of sparkling water. The splash of the infinity pool cascading over the edge thrummed out a steady rhythm, masking the sounds of traffic in the distance.
Then, laying there in the sun, lazily eating fruit salad, a thread of energy ran the length of my body, and I shivered.
Setting the bowl down, I stood and paced, my bare feet padding against the concrete. Katie was working out, or so she’d announced, and the babushkas were still at their chess table.
My pacing caught #1’s attention, and her gaze strayed to me—her eyes wide.
“Aaraeth? Ask her if she felt that,” I whispered.
Reaching out with my mind, I closed my eyes.
“There, coming closer… It’s another Prime,” I breathed, worry creasing my brow.
Aaraeth smirked in my mind and berated me, You are terrible at sensing your own kind!
Then, something I hadn’t felt in months tugged at me, and I began running over the deck and through the house.
By the time I reached the oversized front door and flung it open, a black SUV had entered through the gate. I bounced on the balls of my feet, not wanting to rush the front walk.
The gravel crunched beneath the car’s tires as it neared, parking with a squeal of brakes.
Evgeni got out of the car, ignoring me as he talked on his mobile phone.
I felt so foolish to have thought, to have believed…
But Ashe wasn’t here.
My heart ached inside my chest, and I wondered how I could be so wrong.
Then, he rounded the SUV, his gaze meeting mine, and I began shaking all over.
Were my eyes deceiving me?
Was he really here?
Ashe dropped his bag and flew past Evgeni. When he reached me, he swung me around before gripping me into a tight hug.
Our little argument, the time, the distance, it all faded away, and he was here with me as if he’d never gone.
I laughed, and my eyes filled as I touched his face.
He brushed my lips with several kisses before tilting his head until his forehead rested against mine. Our breath mingled in the small space between us, and I felt whole for the first time since I left him in New York.
“I missed you so much,” I whispered breathlessly.
“God, I missed you too,” he said, his eyes locked on mine.
I wiped at my happy tears and laughed, “You look so thin, haven’t they been feeding you?”
His chest rose with a silent chuckle, “I see you’ve been hanging around the Babushkas.”
I nodded, my face unable to keep the smile from my lips. “I’m sorry about the fight. About not calling you.”
“No, I should’ve been on your side. I’m just so used to watching out for Eli. It’s a hard habit to break. I would’ve called you, but our site went dark—no coms in or out.”
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I perched up on tiptoe to kiss him again.
Evgeni had gotten off his phone and stood watching us. “All right. All right. Everyone loves each other. Go, finish your bond. I’m sick of this.” He made a shooing motion to the two of us.
Ashe’s jaw clenched as he met Evgeni’s gaze. “Mr. Garin?”
My bio-dad frowned and shook his head. “Why do you think I went to all that trouble to arrange your leave and bring you here?”
We both stood there open mouthed as we watched Evgeni make a brisk beeline toward his office.
Ashe picked up his duffle bag, all the while watching me with those pale blue eyes. “We’re not. Just so you know. He’s crazy.”
“I think he’s serious. He told me there was a loophole,” I warned, the smile unwilling to leave my lips.
I wanted to be with Ashe.
Why was he fighting this?
Why was he fighting Evgeni?
If Evgeni said he had a way for us to complete our bond, then I believed him.
And yet, when I brought it up, Ashe seemed to pull farther away from me. And each time, it hurt more than the last.
However, my traitorous heart didn’t care. When my soldier pulled me into him and breathed in the scent of my hair, nothing else mattered.
“Show me where to put my bag,” he finally said, his arm around my back.
I nodded and led him through the house. I may have swayed my hips a bit as I led him up the staircase and down the hall to my bedroom.
Once inside, I watched him drop his bag and sag into the couch.
After he glanced around, he asked, “Wait, whose room is this?”
“Mine,” I answered hesitantly, twisting my lips and hoping that he wouldn’t make a big deal of it.
He sucked in a breath before slapping the couch beside him. “Come here.”
I did as he said, sitting next to him.
I was practically naked in my new bikini, but I didn’t care. I wanted to tempt him. I wanted to try to make him give in to me.
But as I sat, a bit of shyness came over me. Ashe Carrick, who I’d first named Tall, Dark, and Deadly Sexy, was here sitting with me. My heart skipped a beat, and my stomach filled with butterflies.
Five months had gone by full of sensual dreams and the physical pain of being apart, and now he was here, and for some reason, Evgeni was giving us the green light.
Ashe pushed a strand of my hair behind my ear, and I trembled, my heart picking up speed, my palms sweaty. I thought that I’d wanted Logan, but those feelings were nothing compared to what I felt for Ashe.
Ashe.
I stared at him with wide eyes until he said, “Eondian says you have something to tell me.”
Oh shit.
Eondian must know about Logan.
Biting my lower lip, my gaze fell to my hands, balled into fists so tight that I was sure my nails would draw blood.
My breath sped up, and I licked my lips, unable to meet Ashe’s eye.
Just... peel it off like a band-aid, I told myself.
“Um… I was drinking one night after I found out about Evgeni… and Logan kissed me. Then I threw up.” I gazed up into Ashe’s face to assess his reaction.
My soldier ran his hands over his face and through his dark hair before speaking. “Logan Brooks… You said you would try to avoid him. Lacy told me rumors…”
“Lacy?” I cut him off. “We’ve barely spoken, and you’re talking to Lacy?”
He cocked his head backward, “It’s not like that, and you know it.”
We stared warily at each other.
She is not getting her claws into Ashe, I told Aaraeth.
On this we agree, she replied.
His face stony, he said, “Don’t worry about her. We’ve been friends for a long time.” Then Ashe cracked
his knuckles as Eli had done. “Did Logan force you?”
I shook my head and whispered, “No.”
Saying nothing, my soldier stood and walked over to the glass wall. His eyes were on the view, but his mind was on what I’d done. He stood rigid, feet planted apart, and hands fisted at his sides as if he was prepared to fight. Waves of heated emotion rolled off him, settling across the room.
After several moments of watching, I stood. My bare feet sank into the plush area rug as I crossed it. Reaching out my fingers, I rested my hand on his arm, feeling the tensed muscles.
“It was a mistake. If I could take it back, I would. I swear. I’m so, so sorry. I am. Please… say something.”
Spinning on me and breaking my grasp, he growled, “I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at everything else. You could fuck Logan, and no one would care, but I’m not allowed to touch you.”
I sucked in a shuddering breath at the intensity in his eyes.
He tugged on the back of his neck with one hand and stared out the window.
“Who would even know?” I whispered.
Whipping back to me, his eyes wrinkled at the corners, “I would know, Sydney. I would know. I already feel guilty enough for everything that’s happened. I’m just lucky that I wasn’t found guilty during the inquiry.” His chest rose in a heavy breath and then lowered as he released it. “Maybe you should be with Logan…”
“Don’t you dare say that!” I spat. “Don’t you dare!”
“You’re so young… and so innocent.” He shook his head, “I’ve wanted you so bad, and I’ve blamed the bond, but it isn’t the bond—it’s me. But…”
“But what?” I asked.
“But I can’t trust myself around you. I’m afraid of hurting you.”
“You won’t hurt me. I know you won’t.”
He barked out a sardonic laugh and ran a hand over his face. “I scare myself. I’m not this hero you think I am. I’ve let everyone believe that Eondian acted on his own, but if I wanted to—I could have stopped him… and I didn’t.
“No, Ashe. You tried. I saw you try,” I breathed out.
He ground his teeth, his eyes glossy. “Not hard enough.”
“Don’t try to rewrite history. This is all the bond. It’s driving us crazy.”
His hands shook when I gripped them with my own.
Gazing up into his eyes, I said, “I told you—Evgeni knows of a loophole.”
I tugged on Ashe’s hand, but he stood frozen in place, watching me as I slid away and laid down on the bed, facing him.
Swallowing, he gave me a longing look before picking up his duffel. “I’m going to the guest bedroom.”
I crouched in the middle of the bed. “Just lay by me. I won’t even touch you. Please. I need to be near you.”
I could see his resolve weakening as his eyes wandered over my body. When he dropped the bag, I smiled and moved back to give him space. It was a king-size bed, so there was plenty of room.
Sitting on the edge, he undid his shoes and pulled off his military button-up, revealing a black t-shirt beneath.
He laid down and faced me, pulling a pillow between us.
“I’m just tired,” he whispered.
“Go to sleep then,” I smiled sadly and ran my fingers down his arm.
Reaching behind his head, he found the lamb. “What’s this?”
I grabbed Stuff-Tee and shoved him behind my pillow.
Ashe let out a troubled sigh before turning his back to me and sitting up again.
“I thought you were tired?” I asked, pushing myself up onto my elbow.
He held his head in his hands and didn’t answer.
Was this about Logan? Stuff-tee? Something else?
All I knew was that Eondian had been blocking both Aaraeth and me. He knew something was up with Ashe but was keeping quiet.
I crawled over to Ashe and rested my head against the slump of his shoulder, rubbing his back.
“Talk to me,” I pleaded, smoothing the black cotton with my palm.
I couldn’t help but compare him to Logan. Logan was seventeen, a bit shorter and smaller build. He smelled like cologne, but Ashe always smelled like rain and some spicy natural scent he had.
Logan was open and easy, while Ashe was broody and tense.
But I shared something with my soldier so deeply profound that nothing could compare to the intimacy we’d shared. It was more than physical; the bond had created an almost spiritual connection between us.
Yet, Ashe fought it every second we were together, and every moment we were apart. I couldn’t understand why he didn’t just give in. Was he worried about me being inexperienced?
Well, we could fix that.
Pulling away, he picked up his shoes and strode to the couch to put them on.
I watched him, wishing he’d say something.
When he finally did, I regretted it instantly.
“We need to talk, but not here,” he said, pointing to a tiny white bubble in the corner of the ceiling.
Sitting on my knees, I cringed. “Are you kidding me?! Is that a camera? In my room? Gahhhh… That’s messed up!”
Pulling a chair over to the corner, I tried to reach it, but with high ceilings, it was too far away.
“Stop. It doesn’t matter. Let’s go for a hike. I grew up around here, I know this area pretty well. Do you have access to a car?” He asked, taking my hand and helping me down from the chair.
Aaraeth? I asked. I don’t think we should go. I have a terrible feeling.
She blew out a long breath before saying, everything Ashe does is for you.
Freaking dragons, being so mysterious and enigmatic all the time. You tell me what’s going on.
I cannot.
Ashe picked up his duffel and made his way to the double doors.
“Once you’re dressed, meet me downstairs,” he said, his tone cold.
My stomach twisted.
Being with my would-be mate was supposed to be a good thing. So, why did I feel like shit? Why did I feel like something bad was about to happen?
Once in my closet, I dressed in jean shorts, a loose white button-up shirt tied at the waist, no-show socks, and trainers. I sat at the built-in vanity in the bathroom and carefully applied mascara. Then I stood, bent over, and brushed my hair into a ponytail.
Once confident I was looking good enough, I pulled out my mini backpack to carry supplies for our hike and jogged down the stairs.
In the kitchen, I gathered four water bottles, two bananas, and four energy bars.
Babushka #1 stood over a simmering pot of something on the stove. She gave me a strange look, her usual smile gone from her lips.
Using my translation app, I asked, “Have you seen a soldier?”
“Evgeni,” she told me.
“He’s with Evgeni?”
She nodded.
Crossing the main floor, I walked down the corridor toward the office but stopped when I heard raised voices.
“Just take the papers. Once you’re married, no one can touch you—not the council or the law,” said Evgeni.
“I’ve given you my answer a million times,” Ashe replied in angry tones.
“What’s wrong? Isn’t she attractive enough? Smart enough? Not your type?” Evgeni taunted him, and I covered my mouth with a shaky hand. “You would marry Lacy Bryant, but not my daughter? Isn’t she good enough for you?”
Ashe snarled, “It’s not that, and you know it. If you won’t protect Sydney, then I will. She’s not ready for the bond, let alone getting married.”
“And you know this how? You haven’t spent any time with her. But that girl is more mature than most adults. If it isn’t you, it’ll be one of their pawns. Is that what you want?”
I heard a thumping, which sounded like Evgeni’s hand or fist slapping the table. “You started this, now finish it. You’ve already claimed her, and from what I saw on the front steps, she wants you.”
“Watch what you say about her, Evg
eni!” Ashe growled. Waves of red heat rolled off him, striking me even as I stood in the hallway.
My soldier wasn’t hiding his emotions today, and it worried me.
Silence hung in the air, and when Evgeni spoke, his voice was like steel, “You disappoint me, Carrick.”
Another pause and a tinkling of crystal and liquid being poured. “My people tell me that she has a relationship with Zane’s son, Logan. Is that what you want? Some Orthodox prick to fuck your bondmate?”
He’d dropped the statement like a bomb, and I was relieved that I’d already told Ashe.
Evgeni continued, “You need to take her upstairs and finish the goddamn bond!”
I barely heard Ashe’s response because it was an exasperated whisper, “She’s a child.”
24
Ashe didn’t want me. He didn’t want to marry me.
My heart sank, and I stumbled, falling against the wall with a thud.
When the guys went quiet, I knew they had to have heard me. Darting into the workout room, I pressed myself against the door.
Hide us, Aaraeth! Hide me! I told her.
Aaraeth showed me a bubble, and I visualized it around me, blocking everyone out, making me invisible.
Footsteps sounded in the hall, as both Primes stood just feet from me.
It must’ve worked because the two paused near the opening to the main part of the house.
“It must’ve been the cat,” Evgeni said before his heavier footsteps took him back to his office. He slammed the door hard enough that it shook the wall I leaned against.
We have a cat?
Gulping, I cautiously peeked out into the hallway before sliding out and speed walking to the powder-room nearby.
Once inside, I sank down onto the lid of the toilet, my head in my hands. My nose started to run, but I didn’t care.
Ashe didn’t want me.
Trying to maintain the bubble, I pinched my arm—hard.
Get your shit together, Sydney! I chided myself. “You’re okay. You’re okay.”
I splashed water onto my face, then patted it dry with one of the decorative towels.
Examining myself in the mirror, I cleaned up the runny mascara before smiling coldly.
“I can do this,” I whispered. I wasn’t the child he thought I was.
Over Easy Page 21
