Protecting Shaylee

by Elle Christensen

  “I know. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there. Do you still want to go out this week?”

  “Absolutely. How about I pick you up on Tuesday night and we’ll catch a movie?”

  I hop up from the couch and do a little happy dance. When I turn towards the kitchen, I see Aden frowning at me and whispering to my mom. She winks at me before turning to say something to Aden. She pats him on the cheek and then gets up to take care of the dishes.

  After I finish my call, I walk over and give Aden a big hug. He seems a little less tense after whatever my mother said to him.

  “Goodnight, Aden. I’m glad you’re here.”

  He kisses the top of my head, then affectionately tugs on my pony tail. “Sweet dreams, Buttercup.”

  Aden had always protected me. Especially when Killian and I had a nasty breakup, near the end of my freshman year of college. We’d been a couple ever since our first date and, in the beginning, it was easy and so fun. We had so much in common and oddly, we even shared similar looks. His hair and skin were almost as light as mine. Though, as he aged, his features began to darken little by little. Genetics, I suppose.

  Eventually, Killian had become controlling and overly possessive. I had begun to get uncomfortable, so I told him we needed to take a break. He got angry and I could feel the rage radiating from his body. He yelled that he wouldn’t let me go, and I would be sorry if I went out with anybody else. I was seriously frightened. Aden was in town that weekend, and I sobbed in his arms until I’d fallen asleep. The next afternoon, Killian called to apologize, and he kept his distance from me after that. He was always there, watching, but he never approached me. I was pretty sure Aden had had a talk with him, but neither of us ever brought it up.

  During that first year of college, I was living in the dorm, and I didn’t see Aden as much. I was all grown up and when I did see him, I was surprised to find myself noticing the sexy dimple in his left cheek when he smiled. I noticed how his shirts stretched across the muscles in his chest and the way his pants hung low on his narrow hips. I noticed his strong, chiseled jaw and sensuous mouth, and I wondered what it would be like if he kissed me (Don’t judge. It’s not like I did anything about those observations while Killian and I were still together.) I daydreamed about the white-blond hair he kept just a little shaggy, longing to find out what it felt like to run my fingers through it. But, I wasn’t stupid. I knew he saw me as a kid sister, and I would never jeopardize our relationship. So, I shoved those feeling down deep, and locked them away.

  Then, on my nineteenth birthday, we crossed that invisible line. The next day he left and never came back. He hadn’t even said goodbye. I was torn to shreds. I’d lost my best friend, my hero, and . . . he broke my heart.

  Chapter Two

  Aden

  I lay my bags down on the floor next to the bed and look around. The guest apartment on the Brydan’s top floor looks the same as the last time I was here. I wish this were just another visit, like the ones I made when Shaylee was growing up. Memories of the little imp bring a smile to my lips.

  Then, she had to go and grow up. I don’t know the exact moment it happened, but one day I arrived, and she was no longer a child. She was just a few months shy of nineteen. She was a woman—a beautiful, and sexy-as-hell, woman. I began having trouble seeing her as my little “Buttercup”. My body started reacting to her lavender scent, her luscious curves, and her mouth. That mouth was just begging to be explored with my tongue. What’s worse, I could see the same desires growing in her eyes.

  It was hard enough to fight my own desire, but when she looked at me with those passion-filled eyes, I wanted nothing more than to haul her into nearest bedroom, and learn what she tasted like—everywhere.

  For her birthday, I’d given her season passes to the Bronx Zoo. When she opened the box and saw my little inside joke, she laughed so hard, tears were streaming down her face. That sound—the sound of her laughter—was what did me in.

  I gave her a grin, and then stood, taking plates to the kitchen. I needed to clear my head, get control over my reaction to her. There was a large pantry off of the kitchen and I disappeared in there to put something away, and then stayed there for a moment, taking deep breaths and having a stern talk with my dick. Just as I was stepping out, I saw her waiting for me. She was leaning against the wall, next to the door, but moved in front of me as soon as I appeared. Her face was lit up with the most beautiful smile and any control I’d gained in her absence began to slither away.

  “Thank you, Aden. That was the perfect gift.” The way she said my name had visions of twisted sheets and naked bodies dancing in my head. She lifted up on her toes to place a kiss on my cheek and my feral instincts took over. I caught her mouth with my own, wrapped my arms around her waist, and dragged her back into the pantry. Fuck, yes. I kicked the door shut and shoved her up against the wall, devouring her mouth. She’d gasped in shock, when my lips met hers, and I took full advantage, plunging my tongue in and tasting the sweetness of her mouth. Damn, she was every bit as sweet as I knew she would be.

  I was lost to her, to the passion raging between us. I grabbed her ass and hauled her body up to mine, grinding my cock against the heat of her pussy. She let out a little moan and I growled low in response.

  “That is the sexiest fucking sound, baby,” I said against her mouth. Her arms went around my neck, her hands running through my hair. My mouth traveled down her neck and I lifted her ass up a little higher, until her legs wrapped around my waist. With her back supported by the wall, I rocked against her a little harder. She moaned again and I became obsessed with the need to make her do it over and over again. I slid my hand up over her stomach to her breast and pinched her hardened nipple. Her gasp was sexy-as-hell, and when she started to suck on my neck, another thread of my control snapped.

  I sealed my mouth over hers and my hand worked the buttons down the front of her blouse. When I’d done away with the last one, I pulled back just a little to look down. Fuck! Her tits were heaving with her labored breathing. They were spilling out of the barely-there, nude, lace bra. My eyes were burning into her flesh, and I knew she felt the heat when she arched her back, bringing those delicious tits to just the right height. With just the tiniest tug from my teeth, her breast was freed from its confinement, and I latched on to the pink bud. She cried out as I sucked it deeply into my mouth and then bit down lightly. Her hands were pulling at my hair and it fueled my need as I moved to give her other plump breast the same attention.

  She began writhing and rocking her pelvis into mine. I wasn’t sure I could last much longer without sinking my aching cock into her deep, wet heat. My mouth returned to hers and my hand continued to tease her nipples before moving slowly down to the button of her jeans. When I reached her belly button, I felt the dangling jewelry of a belly ring and pulled back to look at it. I stared for a moment. A tiny little Tinkerbell was winking at me. Later, I would recognize the irony in her choice, but at that moment, I was lost to everything but the feel of her body against mine.

  “You like it?” her voice was breathy and so damn hot.

  I looked into her green eyes, despite the passion darkening them, they somehow shined brighter. “It’s fucking sexy, baby. Hot as hell.”

  A little smile played at her lips in response, and then she rocked into me again—hard. My head was spinning, only able to focus on one thing; I had to make her come. I needed to hear her scream my name. I unsnapped her jeans and dragged down the zipper before slipping my hand down to her slick folds. “Fuck, baby, you’re so wet.” She let out a little whimper and rocked against my hand. I wanted to turn that little whimper into a scream. I plunged a finger into her pussy and felt tight, tight suction. I’d never felt it so tight. What the hell? And then it hit me; she was a virgin. That’s the moment when some of the fog cleared, and I realized who was in my arms and what the fuck I was doing to her.

  Guilt assailed me. We shouldn’t be doing this. But I needed to take something from t
his, something to keep with me. I couldn’t leave her in this state, anyway. I’d give her what we both needed. I continued to work my finger in and out of her, while my thumb rubber circles on her clit. I licked and ate at her tits and when I could feel her pussy tightening even more, I put solid pressure on her swollen bud. Her body began to shudder and I muffled her screams with my tongue in her mouth. I worked her until the last of her shudders subsided. Then I hugged her close and filled myself with her scent.

  I knew what I had to do, so I savored the moment: cementing her smell, her taste, the feel of her body; committing them all to memory. I also used the time to try and figure out what to tell her. I couldn’t lie to her. But, I knew I couldn’t tell her my plans either. She’d try to stop me—to find excuses—but I knew what the right course of action was. When I pulled away and began to re-dress her, her eyes looked confused.

  “We can’t keep this up in here, baby.” The passion began to clear from her eyes and she looked around, realizing where we were. A giggle escaped her mouth and she fought to keep from bursting into laughter. I couldn’t find it in me to laugh with her and pretend I wasn’t fighting the beast inside me that was screaming to make her mine.

  When I had done up the last of her buttons, she stroked her hand down the side of my face and I couldn’t keep from leaning into her palm.

  “We moved my bedroom down to the lower level a few months ago, and Mom is still up on the third floor. Why don’t you come down after she goes to bed?” She placed a soft kiss on my lips and looked into my eyes for confirmation.

  “Ok, baby. I’ll come down later.” It was the truth; I would go down and see her one last time before I left. I gave her one last lingering kiss, then opened the door and took a quick glance around. Seeing it empty, I let her pass me by and head toward the stairs that would take her down to the bottom floor. With one last smile thrown my way, she disappeared through the door and shut it behind her.

  I waited until almost four in the morning, sure she would be asleep. I’d packed my bag earlier, so I grabbed it and quietly slipped down to her bedroom. She was lying on her stomach, her gorgeous light hair splayed across the pillows and down her back. Her pink lips were slightly parted and her breathing was deep and even. She’d left the card with eh zoo passes in the kitchen, so placed them on the nightstand next to her bed. I wanted her to know I’d been here, but I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye. I leaned down and kissed her softly before turning to leave. She was so beautiful, lying there, waiting for me.

  She wasn’t ready; I couldn’t have her.

  Yet.

  Shaylee was my only assignment as a guard. I’d done it as a favor to her father. I spent most of my time training young fae who had decided to join the Mie'Lorvor, the Fae Guard. As the months passed, I began to doubt what I’d felt. I began to wonder if the passion had been in the moment and was all there was between us. I wondered if those possessive emotions were simply an effect of having protected her for so long. Perhaps my leaving had been the best thing for both of us in the long run.

  For a year and a half, I went about business as usual, but I felt restless and empty. I decided to step away from my usual duties and spent six months working with the Ohtar faction of the Mie'Lorvor, whose job was to hunt the Ukkutae, the Fallen. Then, two weeks ago, I was called in to meet with the council once again and given a new, specific assignment.

  Shaylee.

  It went against every instinct I had not to argue with them. I’d convinced myself that Shaylee was a part of my past, someone to be fondly remembered and firmly put behind me. But, I knew as well as anyone, that it would do me no good. Once the council makes a decision, you don’t have any other option but to obey. I was also pretty sure that their ulterior motive behind this choice was to make me realize and accept that Shaylee and I were fated. However, I wasn’t ready to dwell on the dual purpose of this task.

  Now here I am, forced to introduce Shaylee to her true nature and train her to survive the dangers that are, as of yet, unknown to her. I stood at the window and watched her arrive, then stayed in my room like a coward, not anxious to face her wrath.

  I expected to hear her yell or possibly even stomp up the stairs to hand me my ass for the way I left. When that never happened, and the time for dinner drew near, I wondered if Violet had told her I was there or kept it a surprise. Sighing deeply, I decided to get it over with.

  When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I see that I’m the first to arrive. I can hear the tinkling of laughter in the kitchen, and I follow the sound. When I hear my name, I stop and listen. Violet has just told Shaylee that I am coming to her birthday dinner, so I wait to gauge her reaction to the news. Instead of yelling, there is a long silence. Then, I hear her soft voice asking why.

  Damn, her voice is sexy. It’s smooth and rich and it flows with my blood straight down to my cock. Seriously? This is so not the time to get a hard-on.

  I don’t wait for her mother to answer but instead, go strolling in as if I’d never left. “To see you on your birthday, Buttercup,” I answer. My breath catches suddenly at the vision before me.

  Somehow, Shaylee has become even more beautiful. Her eyes are a deeper shade of blue, her skin is creamy and smooth, her breasts are fuller, her hips a little rounder. But what truly steals my attention is her mouth. I am clearly just as obsessed with it as I was before. That mouth was made to do dirty things, and I have no shortage of images concerning the activities it should be put to use for. I quickly look away, trying to get my cock to calm the hell down.

  Walking swiftly over, I lay a kiss on Violet’s cheek, then move to Shaylee and do the same. I ruffle her hair like I did when she was a child and her eyes swing up to meet mine. I give her a lopsided grin before quipping, “What’s up, Buttercup?” To my surprise, there is no anger in her gaze. Instead, I see a flash of sadness, but she shutters her emotions so quickly, that I question if I saw it at all.

  “Aden,” she states my name in greeting with a small smile and then turns back to her mother. “What time will everyone be here?”

  I am shocked by her docile response. Shaylee had always been filled with fire, a passion that bled into every facet of her life. Her reactions were never small. I suppose I could attribute it to maturity, but I have a feeling that it’s something else, something that doused her spark. I hope the Shaylee I knew is still in there and isn’t lost forever.

  Chapter Three

  Shaylee

  He is still so damn sexy. I keep my eyes on my mother, looking at her expectantly, ignoring the mixture of obnoxious fluttering in my stomach and the need to stomp on his foot. Yes, like a child throwing a tantrum.

  Say hello to Buttercup, jackass.

  My mother begins to chatter about the plans for the party, but my attention is fixed on the overwhelming presence beside me. Aden shifts, standing slightly behind me, and the warmth of his body seeps into my back. A shiver of desire runs through me before I can stifle it; my body heating up between my legs. Damn it! There went my hope that I’d gotten over my attraction to him.

  I scoot a little forward on my seat and sit up straight, trying to distance myself. I hear a low chuckle behind me and then the heat moves closer. What the hell? After a moment, I feel a minuscule tug on my head and realize that Aden is playing with the ends of my long hair. Another maddening shiver courses though my body and when I hear another soft snicker, I realize that he’s not oblivious to the reactions he’s eliciting from me. The jerk is doing it on purpose!

  My blood starts to boil, and not because I’m turned on. Well . . . that too. What is he doing? I’m so confused that my head is spinning. When I feel his finger trace down my spine, I jump up from my seat, desperate to get away. My mother looks at me in surprise, and but her attention is diverted when the doorbell rings.

  I stifle a sigh of relief. Saved by the bell. Don’t think I don’t know what a cliché that is. Doesn’t make it less true.

  I practically run from the kitchen, down th
e hall, to get to the door, avoiding any and all contact with Aden. I reach the door and open it to see my aunt Rhoslyn, standing on the porch. Her back is to me, and she seems to be scanning the street but at the sound of the door, she turns to me and pulls me in for a tight hug.

  “Happy Birthday, beautiful!” I sink into my aunt’s embrace and inhale the scent of peppermint. Aunt Rhoslyn is my father’s sister and we have always had a special bond. She moved in for a while after my father died and we grew incredibly close. I missed her terribly when she met her husband and moved out. However, they are only a few blocks away and their house was my “home away from home” growing up.

  It’s easy to see that we are related. Like me, she is tall and willowy, with straight blond hair, hanging to just below her shoulders. She always wears her hair pulled back away from her face, accentuating the one big difference in our looks—her gorgeous green eyes. If not for the eye color, she and my father could have been twins. From what I’d been told, their mother had green eyes, and their father blue. I couldn’t verify that, one way or the other, since I’d never met my grandparents. Apparently, they live in a very remote area of Scotland that is hard to travel to and from. My father always promised that we would visit when I was older, but once he was gone, we never spoke about it again.

  I give her a quick peck on the cheek, then usher her inside as we chat about my job and school. I take her coat and hang it on the stand before leading her into the front room. Aden is standing at the large bay window, staring at the street, his face pensive. As we enter the room, he turns and makes his way over to greet my aunt with a soft kiss on her cheek.

  To my surprise, she grasps onto his hands and looks at him intently. “It should be you.” Aden inclines his head in acknowledgement of her words, but does not reply. My eyes bounces between the two, wondering what the heck I missed.