Regali (A Walker Saga)
Page 22
The door opened and there she was before him. Her tiny blond friend, Lucy, was clutching one of her hands. His eyes briefly dropped to Lucy but she held no interest for him. He preferred them less fragile and she was Colton’s, anyways.
Lucy’s features hardened as she leaned toward him. “Do you have to stand there all sexy like?” she demanded. “What do you want, Brace.”
He straightened, pushing back his hair and wondering where this animosity had come from. Probably something to do with Colton.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay?”
He looked directly into Aribella’s eyes. He could feel the connection. His hands itched to reach out and trace the contours of her beautiful face, touch that ivory skin that looked soft and perfect. Why did he feel as if he’d touched her a million times before? To stop himself from reaching for her he tried to lighten the mood.
“You ran out so fast. Was it something I said?”
She smiled fully for the first time and Brace almost scooped her up and ran from the room. If he had to tie her up until she admitted to this insane energy and connection between them … well, it was starting to seem like a viable option.
“Just a headache. I think I’ve been world-jumping a bit too frequently. Thanks for your concern.”
He tried to remember what question she was answering. He was acting like a love-sick fool and at five hundred years he was just too old for that.
She slid past him. He clenched his fists to stop from reaching out to her.
“See you later, Brace,” she called over her shoulder.
“You can count on it, Aribella.” He said quietly as she disappeared.
A week later he was sparring with Colton in the Abernath training hall. He was happy that his words were starting to have some effect. Only half the men were there that day.
“What’s up with you? Your efforts are even more half-assed than usual.” His friend was watching him a half-smirk on his face.
Brace pulled himself up from the mat. Usually he could wipe the floor with Colton, but today his focus was off.
“Woman troubles.”
Colton’s smirk increased. Brace’s last relationship had been fifty years before, now he preferred an uncomplicated life. And he held out the hope he would eventually find his mate. And while Brace was happy that Colton had found his other half in Lucy, he wanted to find the same, the one to quell the endless loneliness inside him.
Brace threw out his legs and, taking Colton by surprise, hooked behind his friend’s knee. Colton landed on his ass.
“You can talk, Colt, if I have to hear one more time how sexy Lucy is.”
Colton’s eyes hardened. “I’ve never said that. Lucy deserves better than to be talked about like she’s just a hot chick down the street.”
Brace let a grin cross his face as Colton hung his head, swearing.
“I told you, old friend,” Brace said, getting to his feet. “She’s the first female where you’ve cared more for her than yourself. Definitely glad you’ve found your mate.”
“My damn wolf is driving me crazy. He demands that we get our asses to First World and find our mate,” Colton snarled. “But Lucy said she’s got something going on with Abby.”
Brace laughed. “Those two are an interesting pair. And try not to smother your mate, Colt. I know it goes against Walker and wolf instincts, but it’s better to have an equal relationship.”
Colton shot out a jab, which Brace sidestepped. His follow-around elbow cracked Colton in the jaw.
“You’re the most over-protective male on Abernath,” Colton said. “How can you judge me for the same thing?”
Brace shook his head. “There’re differences between being protective and smothering every facet of personality from a woman. Why fall in love with all that strength and then try to squash it out of her because you’re afraid to lose her?”
It took no effort to knock the distracted Colton onto his ass again. Brace stood over him, hands on his hips.
“You’re a good man. And you will be for Lucy.”
Colton nodded. “I’m not sure you’re right but only time will tell. And I know I can’t stay away from her. I have a constant need to be where she is.”
Brace stopped. “Well, I have to go back to see Josian soon. You can have some Lucy time … and I feel that I should be spending some time with Aribella.”
Colton eyed him, his expression curious.
“It’s all because of Abby, isn’t it? The reason you’re so distracted and crazy at the moment.”
Brace wasn’t going to lie to his friend anymore. “Yes. I can’t stop thinking about her. And the dreams every night … I don’t know what the hell’s going on.”
“Dreams?” Colton asked.
“Yep, dreams as if we’ve been together before. Just snippets of a life that I wished to have with a mate.”
Colton bounced across the floor toward the door. “Sounds like something worth exploring.”
Brace laughed as he followed at a slower pace. But Colton was right; it was time to see if there was something there.
He was going to find Aribella. And she better prepare, because when Brace set his mind to something, nothing changed it, and right now the stunning redhead was set firmly in his sights.
***
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About the Author
Jaymin Eve is a twenty-nine-year-old with the best job in the world. When she’s not being a mother to two beautiful girls, you’ll find her hammering away at her computer lost in her fantasy worlds, or traveling to far-off places for family fun and exploration.
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