Safe Travels

by Alex Dafney

  “Wait. What?” My scowl fades as my eyes widen and my cheeks burn. I did not just say that in front of Cooper. I cover my face with both of my hands and shake my head slowly. “This day can’t get any worse.” Cooper chuckles as he pulls my hands away from my face. I’m so embarrassed I can’t even look him in the eyes. He places his finger under my chin, turning my head so I have no choice but to look up at him.

  My cheeks burn as I look into his eyes. He gives me a small grin. “Why are you embarrassed?” I shake my head lightly as I try to shift my gaze to the floor. He tips my head up further so I’m unable to look away from him. “I just, gah, I don’t know.” Cooper gives me a loving grin before dropping his lips to mine, delivering a sweet kiss.

  He pulls his head back so he’s only inches away from me as his hand tightens on my hip. “There’s no reason to be embarrassed about this, love.” He steps back and places his hands on his hips, mocking a sexy pose as he winks at me. “Besides, we could always go upstairs and change that title.” I giggle as he performs a ridiculous attempt at a strip tease in front of me. Even turning around and shaking his ass.

  “Ahem.” I look over to find Mom standing in the doorway. Cooper drops his head. “Now, the day has gotten worse.” I chuckle as he stands straight, running his hand along the back of his neck. “Uh, hey there, Lillian. I didn’t realize you were here.” She gives him a smirk as she raises an eyebrow. “Your good looks may get you on the next Magic Mike, but you’re going to have to shape up on those dance moves.”

  I burst out laughing as Cooper shakes his head slowly. Mom steps over to me, placing a hand on my arm. “Sorry, O. You know we were both joking.” I wave my hand toward her, no longer mad about it. “Yeah. It’s fine. We could use a little laughter around here.” She looks over at Cooper with a shit eating grin. “Just have Cooper go door to door with his dance moves.” I chuckle as he places his hand to his chest, a fiend look of hurt on his face. “I’m not that bad!” Mom and I both laugh as Cooper gives a ridiculous dance move again.

  Mom shakes her head at him. “Don’t quit your day job, kiddo.” He chuckles as he runs his hand through his hair. “Yeah. I’m pretty bad.” He tells Mom bye before walking out of the room and up the stairs. She turns back to me. “I need to get going. Call me tomorrow.” I give her a quick hug, stepping back as she vanishes. I walk up the stairs in search of Cooper.

  His bedroom door is open, so I stroll in without warning. I catch a glimpse of him in the bathroom. He has his back to me, a towel wrapped low around his waist and shaving cream on his face. He catches my eyes in the mirror and smiles. “I didn’t have a chance to shave this morning.” I walk in the bathroom, hopping up on the counter next to him. “Mom just left.”

  He tilts his head back as he moves the razor along his neck before running it under the faucet. “She had to get away from my awesome dance moves, huh?” I give a little chuckle as I push his arm. He goes back to shaving as I watch him, noticing the bruises and cuts on his body are more evident today. My eyes trail lower and I catch sight of something I’ve never noticed.

  I reach over gripping the side of his towel with one finger, pulling it down slightly to reveal a small tattoo low on his hip. An upside-down V with a circle in the middle. Cooper turns his head and looks down where my finger traces the pattern of the tattoo. “It’s a glyph. It means protect. It’s tradition with the teams to get tattoos together before their first mission.”

  I look up to him with a raised eyebrow. “Now you’re telling me I have to get matching tattoos with my team? Where was that in the fine print?” He grins as he rolls his eyes at me in the mirror. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want, but your team is going to be expecting it.” I hop off the counter and walk out of the bathroom, calling over my shoulder. “I’m going to warm up our dinner. Do you want to watch a movie?” I hear him answer with a ‘yeah’ as I hit the top step.

  I warm up some of the chicken potpie Mom and I made earlier and carry the bowls to the living room, turning the TV on before jogging up the stairs to change into pajamas. I quickly slip into a pair of shorts and a tank top, throwing my short robe over it. I walk back down the stairs to find Cooper grinning at me from the couch. “Please tell me you have a bikini on again.” I shake my head lightly as I walk over to sit next to him. I turn and give him a flirty smile. “Or maybe I should tell you I’m not wearing anything under this.”

  His eyes dart from the robe to my eyes, his pupils dilating as he gives me a smoldering look. “You’re going to be the death of me, love.” He grabs both bowls from the table, passing one to me before picking up the remote and turning on a movie.

  Chapter 15

  The next few weeks go by quickly. Cooper’s team is healing well. Ryder still has two months before he can go back to training and Zane has a few weeks as well. A few days after they were attacked, I went back to training twice daily. Cooper joins me most days, but today isn’t one of those.

  I walk out of Headquarters, guzzling a bottle of water on the way to my car. Raven and Dom flank my sides. “What are we going to do this weekend? I’m going freaking stir crazy.” Dom grumbles as I chuckle at him. Since the issue with Cooper’s team we’ve been told not to travel, especially not into the past. I know my team has been breaking that rule, as well as Cooper and me. When I brought it up, they all denied it, so I simply asked them to use the buddy system.

  “Why don’t we get together at mine and Cooper’s?” Raven sighs loudly as she looks up at the sky. “Nooo. I want to do something fun.” I huff as I reach my car. “Sorry we’re not fun enough for you.” She rolls her eyes at me. “You know what I mean. We’ve hung out at y’alls place every weekend for the last month, and if I have to play freaking video games one more minute... I need a change of scenery.” Dom nods in agreement as he folds his arms over his chest. I let out a sigh as I open the car door. “Let me talk to Coop. Ya’ll come over around six.” Dom grins while Raven tries not to, as I sit in the driver’s seat. I close the door and watch as they walk toward Dom’s car. Closing my eyes, I lean my head back against the seat. “Coop’s going to flip his shit.” I mutter to myself.

  I walk in the house, tossing my purse on the kitchen table. “Babe?” I call loudly. When I don’t get an answer, I head upstairs to take a shower. I walk toward my bathroom and hear the water running. “Hey, Coop!” I yell from outside the doorway. “Hey, love.” He says as he turns the water off. I wait until I hear the shower door close to step in the bathroom. He has a towel hung low on his hips with a wide grin. I walk over to him and wrap my arms around him, taking in his fresh scent. “I need to grab a shower.” I say as I look up at him.

  After I shower and change, I find Cooper lounging on the couch downstairs. I snuggle up on the couch next to him as he runs his hand along my thigh. I turn to look up to him. “Oh, I had something I needed to talk to you about.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me against him tightly. “Your team driving you crazy too?” I give a little laugh as I nod. “What should we do about it? We can’t keep them here forever.” He sighs heavily as he rests his cheek on the top of my head. “The guys will be here soon; we’ll figure something out we can do together. We’re stronger in numbers.”

  I nod my agreement as the front door swings open. I glance over as Zane and Dom stroll in. They’ve become good friends over the last few weeks. “God! Do you two ever give it a rest?” Dom rolls his eyes at Cooper and I as he strolls into the kitchen. “What’s up, princess?” Cooper releases me as Zane leans down, giving me a quick hug. Dom returns with two beers, passing one to Zane. He sits on the other side of me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, pulling me to his side as he looks from me to Cooper. “So, can we go out tonight? Please Mom and Dad!” I chuckle as Cooper rolls his eyes with a grin.

  The door opens and Raven and Ryder stroll in together, followed by Micah and Charlie, and Reese and Grant. We exchange hellos and hugs before everyone seems to settle their gaze on either Cooper or myself. I
find Raven scowling at me with her arms folded over her chest. I give her a scowl right back and she scoffs loudly. “I told ya’ll they wouldn’t agree. Let’s get out of here.” Raven starts toward the door. “I didn’t even say anything, Rave.”

  She turns back to me with an angry glare. “This is bullshit! We’ve been stuck here for a month!” She waves her arms around as her eyes widen. I stand and take a step toward her with my hand up. “I understand, but this wasn’t our rule.” I motion my hand between Cooper and myself. “No, but you damn sure agreed like the good little soldiers you are.” I let out a heavy sigh as I tilt my head back.

  Grant steps toward me, placing his hand on my arm so I’ll look at him. “What Raven is trying to say, is shifters weren’t meant to stay in one place for this long, poppet. We need to get out and take in some fresh air.” I look back at Raven who is still scowling. “No. I said exactly what I meant to say.” I roll my eyes at her as I turn toward the kitchen table, hearing my phone ringing in my purse.

  I snatch it out, answering quickly when I see it’s Callie. “Hey, Cal!” I say cheerfully as I walk into the kitchen, away from our grumbling teams. “Ohmygod! I’m so glad you answered! The first party for the sorority is tonight and they expect the pledges to bring in tons of hot guys! I don’t know any hot guys! They’re never going to let me in the sorority now. My life is ruined! Oh my god! What am I going to do?” She says without taking a breath.

  I chuckle lightly. “Callie, I’m sure they don’t actually expect you to bring in ‘hot’ guys for a party.” She huffs. “No, O. They told us today that if we didn’t bring people to make this the best end-summer party, then you can kiss your spot goodbye.” I glance over my shoulder to the group. “Uh, I may be able to help. Let me call you back in a minute.” I hang up before she can say anything and walk into the living room to face the group. “Anyone want to go to a sorority party in Alabama?”

  Everyone cheers and high fives as Cooper gives me a questioning look. I walk over, flop down on the couch next to him as I place my hand on his arm, looking up at him. “That was Callie. She’s afraid she won’t be accepted into the sorority if she doesn’t have people at the party.” He gives a little nod as he glances around the group before looking back at me. “Alright. As long as we all stay together.” I give him a bright smile before turning to everyone. “Y’all go change and meet us back here in ten minutes. It’s Alabama in August, so we’re basically walking into a sauna.”

  I watch as everyone files out of the door. Cooper grips my hand in his as he leads me up the stairs. I walk into my bedroom, straight for the closet, pulling out a sleeveless black dress that hits mid thigh and hugs every curve. I throw it on and slip into a pair of wedge sandals before going in search of Cooper. I find him in his closet, buttoning a long sleeve shirt that he has rolled the sleeves up to his elbows. He stops mid button as he looks me over with his mouth parted slightly.

  He starts to unbutton his shirt and I give him a questioning look as he tosses it in the floor. “What are you doing?” He takes the few steps toward me, pushing me backwards until my back is against the wall next to the door. “There’s no way in hell I’m leaving this bedroom when you look like this.” I chuckle as his gaze slides down my body. I stretch upward, placing a quick kiss to his lips. “Come on. We owe it to the teams. They’ve been more than cooperative.”

  He groans as he lets his hands slide away from my hips. He pulls out a drawer, grabbing a T-shirt and tossing it on over his khaki shorts. He looks down himself and throws his hands to the side. “College dude appropriate?” I giggle as I wrap my arms around him. “You look handsome as ever.”

  “Come on! We don’t have all night for you two to do the horizontal tango!” I sigh as Cooper chuckles at Raven yelling from the bottom of the steps. Cooper and I make our way downstairs where I appraise the group. The guys are all in shorts and short sleeve shirts and Charlie and Raven both in dresses similar to mine. “Alright. Let me make a phone call and we’ll be on our way.”

  I grab my phone from my purse and call Callie. “Hey.” She answers with a sad voice. “Hey, Cal. Where are you?” She sighs. “Lying in bed at my apartment listening to my future go down the drain.” I chuckle at her melodramatics. “Are you there alone?” She sighs again. “Did you not just hear about my future. Of course, I’m alone!” She whines. I glance back at the group behind me. “I think I can help. Go and pull all of your blinds closed, make sure the door is locked and stay on the phone with me.”

  I listen as she shuffles around. “Okay. I’m done.” She huffs in a short time. I close my eyes and focus on her location, seeing her standing in the living room to her apartment. We materialize in front of her and she sucks in a breath before darting to me and throwing her arms around me. “I’ve missed you so freaking much!” She pulls back and slaps me in the arm rather roughly with a scowl on her face. “Where the hell have you been?”

  I scoff as I rub my arm. “If you’re going to look at me like that, we can all go back to where we came from.” Raven lets out a long sigh beside me as Callie’s eyes widen. “Please don’t go, O. I’m sorry, but seriously, where the hell have you been?” I tilt my head to the side with an apologetic half smile. “I’ll tell you all about it later. Let’s get you in this Sorority first.”

  She bounces in front of me before scanning the crowd around her. I begin introducing her to everyone. She takes a step back after she learns everyone’s name. “Okay. Which of you are single? I’m supposed to bring hot guys to the party.” Zane and Dom throw their hands in the air as Zane steps forward. “I’m definitely single, and damn sure hot.” He fans his face as we all laugh.

  Raven clears her throat. “Glad there will be hot, single guys at this party. I’ve been cooped up for way too damn long.” I sneak a glance at Ryder to find his face drop slightly. “Single too.” He says lowly as he holds his hand up. I give him a sympathetic smile when his eyes meet mine. I was really hoping he and Raven would work something out when she was taking care of him at her house a few weeks ago.

  Callie looks between Cooper and I, then down to our clasped hands. “I take it Cooper from Oxford is taken.” She raises an eyebrow at me with a smirk on her face. “Oxford? As in England? And here I thought I knew you, chap.” Grant gives a little chuckle as he elbows him in the side. Callie looks from me to Cooper. “Uh, Cal. This is my boyfriend, Cooper. Not from Oxford.”

  She gives a little nod. “Wow. You really do have to catch me up.” I smile at her, but on the inside I’m sad. This could be one of the last times my old life and new life coexist. She reaches for my hand, pulling me behind her down the hallway. “Ya’ll make yourselves at home! I’m just going to change, and we’ll go.” She flings me in her bedroom and closes the door behind us, turning to me with wide eyes. “Spill it.”

  I sit on the edge of her bed as she steps into the closet, giving her the readers digest version of the past month as she gets ready. “So, y’all live together?” A smile creeps onto my face. “Yeah. We’ve been living together for a month and a half or so.” She steps out of the closet in a short, green, form fitting dress. She places her hands on her hip and gives me a devious smile. “How are things in the bedroom? He’s freaking hot!”

  I drop my mouth open with rounded eyes. “Callie!” She waves a hand at me as she rolls her eyes. “Seriously though, O. Please tell me he has the moves to match the body.” I tilt my head back, looking up to the ceiling. “We haven’t, uh, you know.” I look back to Callie who has a shocked expression. “You haven’t?” I shake my head slightly. “Not that I haven’t thought about it, and things between us are definitely developing.” I sigh as I lie back on the bed. “I’m falling for him, Cal. I just don’t want to be the only one who feels that way.”

  She sits on the bed next to me. “Come on, babe. I’ve literally been around the two of you for five minutes and I’m jealous of the way he looks at you.” I sit up giving her a little smile. “You think so?” She nods her head before sta
nding and offering me her hand to help me up. “Let’s get out of here.” I follow her to the door where she pauses. “What’s the deal with Dom?” I groan, practically hearing the wheels in her head grinding. “I’ll let you figure that out.”

  We walk into the living room to find Cooper and the group standing around quietly. His eyes meet mine and he gives me a charming smile. Maybe Callie is right about him feeling the same way I do. He makes the few steps to us, dropping a kiss to my cheek. “I ordered a party bus for us. It’s not like we can shift there, and none of us brought cars.” Callie squeals as she jumps up and down. “Ohmygosh! You are amazing! I’ll be sure to get a spot now!” She wraps her arms around his waist as his eyes widen. He pats her back with one hand in an uncomfortable way as I giggle.

  Raven stands from the couch. “Can we go already? If I don’t get laid soon, I may just die.” I roll my eyes as the rest of the group chuckles. Raven walks over, snatching the front door open and peering outside. “Bus is here.” She calls over her shoulder as she walks out. Cooper steps in front of me as everyone files out the door, dropping his hands to my hips as I wrap my arms around his neck. “I haven’t told you how incredibly sexy you look tonight.” He says before dropping his lips to mine. “Come on love birds.” I look to Callie holding the door open for us.

  We make our way out the door and follow our teams into what looks like a small RV. Once inside my mouth drops open slightly. The inside is set up like a limo with a bar to one side and black lights all around. Dom and Zane make drinks, passing them around to the rest of us. Callie can barely contain her excitement as she bounces in place. “Ya’ll fucking rock!”

  As we pull up to the Sorority house, Cooper steps in front of the door, blocking our way out. “A few rules.” Groans go through our teams and even a plastic cup is thrown in his direction. He glares at Raven as I do the same, knowing the cup came from her. “Now. Everyone keep your guard up. We’re here to drink and have a good time, but make sure you always have a team member in your line of sight. Watch each other’s back.” He steps away from the door and gestures his hand for them to exit.