Safe Travels

by Alex Dafney

  Reese shakes his head as Dom scoffs. “Geez, Rave. Could you just pretend to be a decent human being?” She crosses her arms over her chest, giving the best resting bitch face I’ve ever seen. “I never claimed to be a decent human being.” She shifts her eyes to me. “I’m here for the food, not the bonding. Just so we’re clear.” I shake my head slightly as I walk over to the stove to deal with the rice.

  Cooper and his team are all getting up from their seats in the living room as I pull the oven door open to check on the cornbread, finding it to be ready. I pull it out and place it on the stove before turning and opening the cabinet overhead and pressing up on my tip toes, reaching for the bowls. I feel a hand land on my hip then Cooper is reaching over me. He places the bowls on the counter before taking a step back. “Thanks again for cooking, O.” He says with a wide smile.

  I smile as he hands everyone a bowl. “Self serve, guys. Ophelia’s done enough.” I roll my eyes with a smile as I turn to cut the cornbread. Everyone makes their bowls and heads for the living room where there’s enough seating. The room falls quiet as we all eat.

  “This is better than my Moms, O. Don’t ever tell her that though.” Dom says, causing everyone to chuckle. Cooper places a hand on my knee after placing his bowl on the coffee table. “That was fantastic, love.” I give him a little smile before bending forward to place my bowl next to his. Raven stands, carrying her bowl to the kitchen. She steps back in the living room. “Thanks, Ophelia. You keep feeding me like that and I may end up liking you.” I roll my eyes as she walks toward the door.

  “Raven, wait.” Ryder calls as he scrambles to his feet. “I’ll walk you home.” She turns back to him with a raised eyebrow. “No need. I know the way.” She turns back to the door and opens it, leaving the house. Ryder sighs as he sits back down. Zane elbows him. “You can give that up, man. She probably takes after the praying mantis and rips the dudes head off after sex.”

  I bite back my laughter for Ryder’s sake, but damn if I don’t think Zane is right. Ryder stands, glancing around the room. “I’m gonna head out. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” He steps over to me, leaning down to hug me. “Thanks for dinner, O.” Zane places his bowl on the coffee table as he stands. “I’m going too.” He gives me a salute. “Thanks for the grub, princess.”

  Charlie stands next. “I should get going as well. I’ve got an early morning in research.” She looks at Micah with a hopeful expression. He stands, looking only at Charlie. “Can I walk you home?” She nods her head quickly before walking to the door. “Good luck on your mission guys!” She calls as Micah opens the door for her.

  I stand and start gathering the bowls from the coffee table as Cooper helps. We walk into the kitchen together, Cooper rinsing the bowls as I stack them in the dishwasher. “I can’t thank you enough for cooking for the team, O.” I wave a hand toward him. “It’s nothing, Coop. I happen to enjoy cooking and ya’ll need to branch out from pizza.” He gives a chuckle as he hands me the last bowl. I place it in the dishwasher and close the door.

  Cooper steps over to me, pulling me against his chest as he wraps his arms around me. “Even so. You did more tonight than you even know.” I glance up at him and find his forehead creased with worry. Just as I open my mouth Dom steps in the kitchen. “Sorry to interrupt. I’m heading out. I was just going to say thanks again for having me.” Cooper steps over, shaking his hand. “Glad you came by. I hope to have many more dinners between the teams.” I smile as Dom’s eyes meet mine. “I’m glad you stopped by. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He nods as he walks toward the door. Cooper and I make our way back to the living room where Grant and Reese are talking quietly to each other. Grant looks over at us as we sit on the couch together. “Thank you for dinner, Ophelia. I can honestly say I’ve never had a soup such as that.” I laugh as Cooper shakes his head. “It’s gumbo, Grant. You’ve never had gumbo before?” He gives a little shrug. “I grew up on fish and chips, poppet.” I give him a grin. “I’ll have to show you the ways of the south.” He chuckles as he stands. “I look forward to it.” He glances back at Reese. “Will you accompany me on an evening stroll?”

  Reese’s eyes widen slightly as he hurries to his feet. “Oh uh, sure.” Reese gives me a little wave as they walk to the door, Cooper following them. Cooper closes the door behind them and locks it. He turns back to me with a soft smile. “Can we take this party upstairs?” My eyes widen and my mouth falls open. He takes in my expression and shakes his head as he snickers, walking toward me. “No, no, love. I meant let’s retire to the bedroom and watch a movie. It’s been a long day.” I nod as I stand up. “That sounds like a wonderful plan.” He grips my hand in his as we climb up the stairs together. He pauses at his bedroom door. “I need to change clothes. I’ll meet you in your room.”

  I walk in my bedroom, leaving the door open behind me. Digging through one of the numerous boxes, I find a tank top and pair of shorts to change into before walking into the bathroom. I change into my pajamas, remove my makeup, and brush my teeth. As I pull the bathroom door open, I find Cooper in my bed in nothing other than boxer briefs. He holds the remote in hand, his eyes focused on the TV.

  I take a moment to appreciate his body. Geez, he’s sexy. I take a deep breath as I walk toward the bed, trying to check myself. I pull the covers back before climbing up on the bed. Cooper flips the covers back, covering himself as well as I lie my head on his chest. He wraps his arm around me as the movie starts.

  I try my best to focus on the movie, but Cooper is radiating stress and anxiety. I sit up, facing him. “Are you alright?” He runs his hand down his face before looking at me. “I’m nervous about tomorrow.” I pull my legs under me, criss cross applesauce style, and face him as he props himself against the headboard. “Do you normally get nervous before a mission?”

  He reaches toward me, gripping my hand in his and resting them on the bed between us. Taking a deep breath, he shakes his head. “Yes and No. There’s always some nerves when we go out on assignments, but this time, I just…” He trails off as he tilts his head back with his eyes closed. I scoot closer to him, laying my hand on his chest, right above his heart. “Talk to me, Coop.” He sighs heavily before looking in my eyes. “I don’t know, O. This mission just feels different. Maybe it’s the Hunters knowing that the Prophecy is coming to a head. I just…”

  I stay quiet, allowing him to gather his thoughts. His eyes lock back on mine. “I’m worried about leaving you too. I asked Dom to keep an eye out for you while I’m gone, just so you know.” I shrug one shoulder lightly. “That’s kind of his role, so, no harm done.” He pulls my hand that’s gripped in his, urging my closer to him. I uncross my legs and swing my leg over him, straddling his waist before lying my chest to his.

  He runs his fingers along my spine, causing goosebumps to spread across my body. “I know we’ve only known each other for a few weeks, but I can’t stand the thought of being away from you for the next few days.” I nod my head against his chest in agreement. The more I’m around him, the more I need him. I tilt my head so I can look in his eyes. “Everything’s going to be fine. You’ll be back by the end of the week. Dom will watch out for me while you’re away. I’ll even cook you dinner when you get home.” I finish with a cheeky grin.

  He chuckles as he places a kiss to my forehead. “You’re too good to be true, love.” I shake my head slowly as he pulls back, his eyes finding mine. “I feel the same about you.” I reach over to the bedside table, grabbing the remote and turning the TV off over my shoulder. I slide off Cooper as he scoots down into the bed. We face each other in the darkness, our legs tangled together, his arm swung over my hip and my hand on his chest.

  “So. Grant and Reese, huh?” He asks quietly. I chuckle lightly. “And Ryder and Raven, and Charlie and Micah.” He gives a little whistle. “No wonder we’ve never crossed teams before.” I pull back slightly, trying to see him in the darkness. “Other teams don’t hang out together?” I feel him shr
ug in the dark. “Not really. Most teams stay to themselves. This is kind of new territory with you and me. We live together, so our teams are going to cross paths, but getting together for dinner? That’s new.” I snuggle back into his chest, closing my eyes. “Good night, Coop.” He places a kiss to the top of my head. “Good night, my love.”

  Chapter 12

  The next morning, I make certain that I wake up before Cooper. I want to cook him a special breakfast since he’s leaving on mission this morning. I start the coffee pot before taking everything I need out of the refrigerator. Yesterday while at the grocery store, I decided to make a smoked salmon eggs Benedict.

  I finish making the plates and adding fresh fruit just as Cooper walks into the kitchen. He places his hands on my hips and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Good morning, love.” I reach behind me and hand him the coffee cup I fixed for him moments earlier. We each grab a plate and our coffee and walk to the kitchen table, sitting next to each other.

  “You keep cooking like this, and I’ll never want to leave.” I give a little chuckle as I push my empty plate away from me, wrapping both hands around my coffee cup as I pull my legs up to rest on the edge of his chair. He runs his hand along my bare leg as he sips his coffee. “You feel any better about the mission?” He takes a deep breath, letting his shoulders relax. “A bit. I trust my team and I know everything will be fine.”

  I give him a faint smile before standing and clearing the table. He follows me to the kitchen as I clean up the pots and pans from the stove. “What are your plans while I’m away?” I let out an annoyed sigh as I load the dishwasher. “Unpacking mainly.” He snickers behind me. “I’d love to stay and help, but I’ve got to get to Headquarters to meet with Jim before we leave.”

  I turn to him as he wraps his arms around me. “Be careful, Coop.” I tilt my head up to him and his lips find mine. What starts as a sweet kiss quickly turns into something more. My lips part and his tongue slips in my mouth as my heart pounds wildly. His hand slides up my back to the back of my neck, holding me against him tightly as his other hand runs under my shirt, his thumb brushing the edge of my bra as I let my hands roam along his chest under his shirt.

  Cooper abruptly takes a step back and we stare at each other. Both of us flushed and breathing heavy. He runs his hand along the back of his neck. “Sorry, O. I got a little carried away.” I chuckle as I step toward him, closing the distance between us. Pushing up on my tiptoes I circle my hands around his neck, pulling him down to kiss him again. “Be careful out there, and hurry home.” I whisper against his lips.

  He pulls back, smiling down at me. “I’ll be back in a few days.” I let go of him and he turns to walk to the door, giving me that smile with the dimple before closing the door that leads to the garage. I sigh as my shoulders fall. I make my way upstairs to my room, glaring at the moving boxes as I make my way to the bathroom.

  Once I’ve showered and thrown on leggings and a sweatshirt I start on the boxes. My phone rings as I finish with the first box, tossing it to the middle of the room. “Hello?” I answer. “Hey, Ophelia. It’s Charlie. Do you feel up to company today?” I look at the box I’m unpacking. “Uh, I’m just unpacking. You can come over if you want though.” I hear a knock at the door. “Awesome! I’m here already.” I chuckle as I walk down the stairs to let her in.

  When I open the door, I’m surprised to find Raven standing next to her. “Oh, hey y’all.” Raven brushes by me. I close the door once Charlie walks in and turn to them. Raven crosses her arms over her chest. “Which way to your room? Let’s get the unpacking done.” I stare at her wide eyed before walking toward the stairs.

  They spend the next hour helping me unpack. Once everything is hung in the closet I step back with my hands on my hips. “Wow. Thanks, y’all. This would have taken me all day without the help.” I walk out of the closet to find Raven sitting at the foot of my bed while Charlie pulls something out of the last box. “Hey. What’s this?” She asks as she holds up my box of travel items. I step toward her, taking the box and flipping the lid open. “Oh. It’s just a box of random items I’ve collected over the years with cool places to travel to.”

  Raven stands, walking over to peer in the box. “What’s this?” She asks as she pulls the tiny toy horse from the box. “It was my Moms when she was a little girl. It was the first time I ever shifted.” She tosses it back in the box, pulling out the pink Pom Pom key chain. “And this?” I chuckle as I take it from her. “This I found at a thrift store. It takes me to a fraternity party in 2005.”

  She snatches it out of my hand. “Fraternity party? As in, hot college guys and alcohol? I’d say this afternoon has taken a turn for the better.” I shake my head as I try to take it from her. “No way. Cooper doesn’t want me going anywhere in time without protection.” She scoffs loudly. “You seem to be forgetting I’m half the brawn of this team.”

  I raise an eyebrow at her as she smirks. “I thought you were all for team building exercises.” I laugh at the absurdity. “I wouldn’t consider a college party for team building.” She dangles the keychain between us. “Come on, O. Cooper’s gone, Micah too, and I could use some male attention from someone other than Ryder.” I look from Charlie to Raven. Groaning as I take the keychain. “Fine. One lap around the party, one drink, and we’re out.” I hold my hands out to them and transport us back in time.

  I land us in a coat closet of sorts on the main floor. The music is loud as we materialize. Raven looks around with a wide smile. “Hell yeah. Let’s get our drink on, ladies.” She says before throwing the door open. I take the lead, walking straight to the kitchen where I know the alcohol is located. Charlie and I make a mixed drink as Raven grabs a beer from the ice in the sink.

  Two large guys in football jerseys walk into the room from the back yard. Raven turns and gives them a flirty smile as they walk over to us. “Hey, there. Haven’t seen you around here before.” Raven runs her fingernails along one of their biceps. “Oh, we’re just visiting from the Omega branch out of Georgia.” The guy looks down at her hand on his arm before smiling widely at the guy next to him. “Why don’t we show these peaches a good time?”

  I fight the urge to roll my eyes as we follow the guys into the living room slash dance floor. Raven makes quick work sandwiching herself between the two and dancing while Charlie and I hang out on the edge. “Wow. I’ve never seen her like this.” I chuckle as I watch Raven grinding on the two guys. She catches us watching and motions for us to join. I look over to Charlie and shrug before throwing my drink back.

  We make our way to Raven, dancing for a bit before going off in search of another drink. Raven and Charlie go in search of the bathroom as I refresh our drinks. I feel an unfamiliar hand land on my hip. Turning slightly, I look back to find one of the jersey guys. I try to wiggle out of his grip, but he takes that to mean ‘grip me tighter’. “You look sexy as hell when you’re dancing.” I try to step around him, but he leans in closer, his breath smelling of beer. “Let’s take this party upstairs to my room, peaches.”

  “I, uh, I have a boyfriend. Sorry.” He leans down, his lips inches from mine. “I won’t tell if you don’t” I lean back as far as I can just as a hand lands on his shoulder. “Hands off the merchandise, bud.” I sigh in relief when I hear Raven’s voice. He steps back, giving her a slow, wicked smile. “Don’t worry, baby. You can join too.”

  In the blink of an eye, Raven grips his wrist and spins him, slamming his chest down on the kitchen counter as she holds his arm behind him. I stare wide eyed as she leans down to his ear. “You wouldn’t even know what to do with a girl like me.” She steps back, allowing him up, giving a humorless laugh as she reaches behind me, grabbing a bottle of vodka from the table. “Time to go, O.”

  I nod as I step around the huge jersey wearing guy to Charlie’s side. Raven lifts the vodka bottle slightly giving him a little salute. “Thanks for the parting gift.” She turns and follows Charlie and I to the front door as he stares at us with
his mouth slightly open.

  We step outside and look around, walking toward the side of the house. I grip Raven and Charlie’s hand and take us back to the present. Charlie lets out an audible sigh as we materialize in Cooper’s kitchen. Raven turns with the bottle of vodka, pulling open cabinet doors until she finds the glasses. “Sorry, O. I didn’t realize he was such a douche, or I wouldn’t have left you alone.”

  She turns with the three glasses filled with vodka, handing us each one as I open the refrigerator for a mixer. “No worries. I can’t believe you took that guy down like that.” She scoffs. “I could take their whole football team down without breaking a sweat.” I eye her as I pour cranberry juice in my glass, passing the juice to Charlie.

  We take our drinks to the living room, where I turn on the TV for background noise. Pulling my legs up next to me I sip my drink. “So, what happened with you and Micah last night?” I ask Charlie as she settles on the loveseat. She takes on a dreamy expression before talking. “Well, he walked me home and we stood around on the porch talking for a little while. Before he left, he hugged me and asked if I’d like to go out when he gets back from mission.”

  I give her a sweet smile before looking at Raven who’s rolling her eyes so hard, I think they may fall out of her head. “What about Ryder? He seems to like you.” She groans as she kicks her feet up on the coffee table. “He’s handsome, but I don’t do relationships. He may be a good lay one day though.” I cough as I choke on my drink, sitting forward and pounding my chest.

  She gives me an annoyed look. “My bad. I forgot you’re the virgin shifting princess.” My mouth drops open as I glare at her with wide eyes. “Wait. You’re a virgin? You and Cooper aren’t, you know?” Charlie asks. I look between the two of them as I shake my head slowly. “No. Cooper and I have never done anything more than kiss.” Charlie stares at me with wide eyes and a blank expression. “Wow.”