Protecting Shaylee (The Fae Guard Book 1) (27 page)

“Aden?”

“Hmmm?” I almost miss it, because his face is buried in my neck. He nuzzles it lightly and a sweet tingling starts up at my center. I try to keep my focus on the conversation I want to have, but he’s not making it easy.

“Are you happy about the baby?”

He stills, and then raises his head so that his emerald eyes are gazing steadily into mine. “I’m over the fucking moon, baby.”

I can feel the light glowing inside me at his words. I’ve spent the last couple of hours thinking about being pregnant and every moment, I got just a little bit more excited about it. Sure, it would probably have been better to have waited, but now that this little life is growing inside me, I can’t imagine it any other way.

“Me too,” I say softly. He smiles widely at me, his dimple popping out and making that tingle get a little stronger. He makes me feel loved, worshiped, and adored. I don’t care if those are technically all the same thing; I feel each one of them.

“I’m excited to see our baby grow here.” His hand, that had been resting on my belly and rubbing light circles, slowly starts to move up until he’s cupping my breast. The tingles are igniting into a burn and it’s spreading to each nerve throughout my whole body.

He squeezes it lightly, and then begins toying with my nipple. Everything seems to have changed in a day because they are over sensitive and I gasp at the rush of lust traveling from the hardened peak straight to my pussy. “I love your tits, baby. But, I certainly have no problem with them getting bigger.” I giggle then moan when he lifts my breast up and slowly licks around the dark pink area before sucking the nipple into his mouth. I moan again and fidget just a little, bringing my legs together to try and relieve some of the pressure. Aden growls low in reply, and comes up over me, using his knee to part my legs before settling in between my thighs. When the hot, hard pressure of his cock pushes against me, I cry out and grip him with my legs around his hips.

“Fuck, baby, are you more sensitive?” He tests his theory by pressing a little harder against me, causing me to whimper and lock my legs even tighter. He’s looking down into my eyes, watching my reaction to his movements and he gets a satisfied little grin that turns sly in an instant. “You’re already so wet down there, baby. I can feel it coating my cock, making it slick and hot.” His words ignite me, just like he knew they would and I’m about three filthy words from coming.

He rocks into me a little harder this time, and then seals his mouth over mine, his tongue thrusting into my mouth in the same rhythm. It only takes another minute before I’m shaking with tremors of release. Aden moves down from my mouth laying hot, wet kisses all the way down to my breasts. He suckles, licks, kneads, all the while still rolling his hips, causing shockwaves to course through my body.

“I want to take you in my mouth and feel you come around my tongue, baby. But, I don’t think I can wait. You’re so fucking sexy and your responses have my cock ready to explode.”

I squeeze him between my legs with all of my strength. “I need you, Aden. I need you, now.”

Without any preamble he rears back and sinks deep, deep inside me. His mouth crashes down on mine and his kiss consumes me. I feel as though every part of me is fused with every part of him. Our souls, our hearts, and our bodies are one. The pace is frantic, both of us anxious to take that leap together.

“Are you ready?” His breath is coming out in pants and I can feel his body contracting.

“Yes!”

“Let go, baby. Let go.”

With his next thrust, I scream and shoot off like a rocket, splintering apart, shattering into oblivion like no other. His shout registers through my haze as he joins me in the stars and the feel of his orgasm rushing through him, heightens the sensation on every inch of my skin.

We ride each other through to the very last pulse and then collapse in a languid heap. He rolls to the side, slipping out and chuckles at my whimper of protest. Moving some wayward hair out of my face, he kisses me tenderly and whispers that he loves me, then turns me onto my side and pulls me in to his protective cocoon.

“Aden, when you said Saliysuli to my grandparents, you were telling them we were forever, right? That we are fated?”

“Yes. I wanted to make sure they understood that you belong with me. You’ll always belong with me.” He’s placing little kisses along the shell of my ear and I sigh in contentment. “Did you see the carving on the headboard?”

I nod, I hadn’t thought about it since I first saw it. “Did you have it done after you found out we were fated?”

“No. It was on the original design when I had it built. No one has ever slept in this bed with me but you. This bed was always intended to be where I would sleep with my soulmate.” I can feel him grinning into my hair, “The mother of my children.” He pauses and I think he’s done. “My wife,” he adds in a whisper.

I turn my head, my face beaming, and give him a kiss. Then settle back down into his embrace. At this moment, the world beyond us ceases to exist and we are just the three of us. Safe, warm, loved, and completely happy.

Blissful moments are often a precursor to its opposite. But, I don’t want to think about that.

SHAYLEE WAS UP SICK again in the early morning, so I decided not to wake her when I got up. I can’t bring myself to leave her right now, so I call Ean and ask him to come over so we can talk.

Once he arrives, I motion for him to have a seat on the couch and I grab us each a mug of coffee before joining him in the living room. The sun has been up for a few hours and it’s streaming through all of the open windows, warming me and giving me strength. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but this motherfucker who is stalking Shaylee has his days numbered.

I fill Ean in on our conversation with Fate, about the dreams, and the time Shaylee was almost suffocated. Since Ean also lives here, I need his help figuring out how this Fallen slipped in and out of my home without my notice.

“I slept with the fucking light on last night, Ean. I should have felt him, especially when I’m with Shaylee. Everything is magnified between the two of us, so how the hell did this guy get away with this?”

Ean is leaning back against the couch with his arms crossed over his broad chest, a deep frown on his face. “There’s nothing special about the locks on our doors and this person could be as capable as anyone at picking it. It’s not like we have some kind of magic protective spells that we cast.” He rolls his eyes. The ridiculous notions that humans have about our magic usually make us laugh, but all I can work up, at this moment, is a sarcastic grunt of agreement.

Ean leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees, his arms hanging loosely between them. “As for why you didn’t notice, I honestly don’t know, Aden. I met with her a while ago to talk about the increased amount of Fallen I’ve been running into on assignment.” His face twists into what I assume in annoyance. “She kept changing the fucking subject to—” He breaks off and shakes his head, as though to get back on track. “Anyway, she wasn’t very forthcoming. There’s something going on, Aden, and it pisses me off that Fate is leaving us hanging in the wind about it.”

I’ve crossed one leg and have the ankle resting on top of the opposite leg, and as my agitation grows, it begins to bounce. I still the action, but then run my hands over my hair, needing to move something to expel the anxious energy I feel. “She said it wasn’t solid enough to share right now. I get that, I really do. And if it doesn’t have any effect on solving my current problem, I really don’t give a shit right now.”

Ean gives me a dark look. His mind is completely focused on the job, these days, and he is running himself into the ground trying to be a protector for all of the Fae. He only ever sees the many, not the one.

I shake my head and lean forward, mirroring his position and look him dead in the eye. “She is what matters
most
right now, Ean. One day, when you’ve met your fate, you’ll understand. Until then, you have to trust me and help me get this guy.”

Ean snorts in derision. “Yeah, I need to be tied to a soulmate like I need a vow of celibacy. I don’t need that kind of distraction.”

“Aden, I—Oh, hi, Ean.” Shaylee walks into the room and gives a little wave when she sees him. She’s wearing small, silky robe that doesn’t cover nearly enough of her and when she moves toward the kitchen, the back lifts to where she is almost showing off her delectable ass; the one that belongs only to me.

I jump up out of my chair and hastily make my way to the kitchen. She’s pulling down a mug and I snatch it from her hand, giving her a quick hard kiss when she frowns up at me.

“Let me get that for you, baby. You go and get dressed and I’ll make you some toast too.”

“Aden, please don’t tell me that you’re going to treat me like an invalid for the next nine months,” She says, “Because if that’s the case, you’ll be getting to know that couch really well.”

I slip two fingers into her belt loop and bring her close to me, then grasp her hips while I dip my head to whisper in her ear. “First of all, let’s be clear about one thing. Under no circumstances will we ever spend a night in our home not in the same bed.” I lean back a little, making sure she understands that I am completely serious. Her eyes widen just a little, but a corner of her mouth ticks up when she nods in agreement.

“Second,” I say quietly, “I’m not trying to treat you like an invalid, I would simply like to you to put on a little more clothing before Ean gets a view of what is only mine to see.” I run one of my hands around and down, bringing it up underneath her robe. When my hand meets nothing but smooth, naked skin, I groan, realizing that she didn’t put on any panties. Her eyes go impossibly wide and she gasps, having obviously forgotten her state of undress. I swivel her around to face the hallway and give her ass a little pat to get her going. She scampers down the hallway without protest and I heave a sigh of relief knowing that she’ll be covered up in front of Ean. I’d hate to have to beat the shit out of him for leering at my girl.

After I’m seated again, with toast and coffee ready on the end table next to me, Ean and I dive into conversation about what our next steps should be. Shaylee comes back from the bedroom, walks over to grab her breakfast, and moves toward the other arm chair. Before she can get a step, I place my hand on her arm and pat my lap. She blushes and glances at Ean, who is smiling broadly at her, and the red flush deepens. I throw Ean a dirty look before returning my gaze to Shaylee, and tug lightly until she gives in and sits on my lap. I’m not going to deny it. I need her near me right now. I settle her comfortably and turn my attention back to the topic at hand, while she munches on her breakfast.

“I don’t think moving to another apartment will make a difference.” I feel a burst of anger and slam my hand down on the armrest of the chair. “How the fuck did this get past me?”

Ean blows out a breath and looks at me warily. “Don’t get defensive, ok? Just let me get this thought out before you shut it down.”

“Just spit it out, Ean,” I snap. My patience is getting thin, but I don’t have it in me to feel the least bit remorseful about it right now. Shaylee slips an arm around my shoulders and softly strokes her fingers through the hair on the back of my head. Immediately, I feel myself calming.

“When you’ve found your other half, it calms your soul. You’re able to relax into a peaceful state, having comfort and safety in each other’s arms.” I’m taken aback by Ean’s words, he sounds as though he’s speaking from experience. But, he’s never said anything about finding the one he’s fated with. I file that talk away for another day and listen as he goes on.

“Is it possible that being together caused you to settle into a more vulnerable state? Less aware of what’s around you because you’re wrapped up in each other?”

I want to scoff and tell him that he’s crazy, but there is some value to what he is saying. “I suppose that could contribute. But seriously, Ean, do you really think
that
alone would cause me to be entirely oblivious to that kind of evil being so close to me?”

He sighs in frustration, scrubbing his face with his hands, and flopping back against the couch. “No. I think it may be a part of it, but I also agree that you would never let your guard down so completely.”