by Jane Cousins
“…I was declaring my intentions.”
“You were what?” She asked the question out loud before she could stop herself.
“Sorry.” He looked anything but, a cheeky smile teasing the corner of his lips making her want to smile back in return. “I’m steaming full bore ahead and you need a chance to play catch up. It must be my Viking genes coming to the fore.”
Hadleigh tamped down the urge to smile and instead frowned. That last statement of Vaughn’s made absolutely no sense in light of the fact he had stated she wasn’t the type of woman he’d flirt with, maybe it was TV speak. Feeling distinctly out of her element Hadleigh felt restless, unconsciously stretching her arms out for a brief moment to release the tension in her shoulders, back and neck. When she finally worked up the nerve to meet Vaughn’s gorgeous gaze once more she was surprised that the smile was gone from his face and he now looked distinctly dazed, almost in pain.
“You really don’t fight fair do you?” It was all Vaughn could do to stop himself from vaulting the kitchen bench and taking this insanely beautiful woman up against the refrigerator.
“What?”
Those clear grey eyes of hers were filled with confusion and the cutest little wrinkle had appeared on her forehead. Either this woman was a master of manipulation or she didn’t have a vain bone in her gorgeous body. There was a third option he forced himself to consider, maybe she just wasn’t attracted to him. Nah, he dismissed that thought instantly, looking at her from the top of her tousled red curls down to those massive shit kicker boots she wore, this woman was made for him. He just needed some time to convince her of that fact. And thankfully he had four weeks in which to do so. He was about to suggest the idea of them getting some dinner, the chicken salad they’d just eaten barely rated as an appetiser when the pager on his belt went off.
“Trouble?”
He looked up to find Hadleigh standing there, a wicked looking broad blade magically appearing in her hand, anticipation glowing on her face. She looked as blood thirsty as hell, Maat everything about this woman just fanned his attraction to her higher. Blowing out a disappointed breath he shook his head. “Nah, just the Professor, he wants to meet you.”
“Oh.” Hadleigh released her magic, disappearing the blade. “Is the Professor your boss?”
Vaughn laughed heartily for a split second. “Hardly, but it doesn’t stop him from thinking he is. Come on, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Xander on the way down to the offices.”
Once again his large warm hand encompassed hers with a gentle but firm grip. As he led the way out of the kitchen across the plush living area she attempted to relinquish his hold. “I really am capable of getting from A to B on my own you know.”
He glanced back sending her a sexy grin that almost made her thankful he was leading the way otherwise she might have embarrassed herself by walking into a wall.
“But my way is more fun.”
As they waited for the lift to arrive, standing side by side holding hands Hadleigh prayed to the Goddess above for strength. She couldn’t let Vaughn through her shields. Couldn’t stand the idea of one day seeing that look of part disappointment, part horror that every man eventually gave her when they realised that she was more warrior than woman.
Chapter Eight
On the way to the production exec floor Vaughn briefed Hadleigh on the arrangement they had with Xander Marr. When they’d first come up with the idea of a reality TV show as a cover for their activities, the one thing they all agreed would be essential was a front man. Someone who would capture the public’s attention and keep it firmly fixed on them so no one would notice how none of the backup Para-X team aged or how rapidly they recovered from injury.
Enter Xander Marr, former male model and possessor of a useless PhD in parapsychology from the University of California. His looks and the fact that he was 6.2ft and wouldn’t look out of place standing next to the towering Vaughn or any of his men cinched the arrangement. Plus the man looked great on camera; with his slightly too long dark brown Heathcliff hair, granite jaw, deep blue eyes and a mouth full of gleaming white teeth. Essentially Xander was harmless, easily distracted, perhaps a little too obsessed with his looks but Vaughn had always kind of liked the guy, from a safe distance.
Yet as he led Hadleigh down the corridor towards Xander’s office he wondered at the sudden niggling dread that filled his gut. He supposed there was a chance that Hadleigh might be charmed by Xander’s handsome face. Yet he didn’t think that was it. No somewhere along the way Xander had begun to change. He’d become tense, jumping at shadows, snapping at everyone on the team, especially Serena whom he’d felt was hogging his camera time. Just before Serena had disappeared Xander had floated the idea of replacing her with someone a little more appropriately in awe of Xander. Vaughn held back a smirk, somehow he didn’t think Hadleigh was the type of replacement that Xander had in mind. He couldn’t imagine her fawning over Xander’s good looks or being impressed by his d-grade celebrity status. He raised his free hand to knock on Xander’s door, suddenly looking forward to making the introduction.
Hadleigh wasn’t used to the corporate world but even she recognised that Xander Marr’s office was impressive. First off it was big, bordering on huge. In one corner alone there was a fully fitted out personal gym, including room for a work out matted area. She followed Vaughn past the large leather sofas facing a TV so enormous that it took up almost an entire wall. A long mahogany bar was situated against the far wall, the bookcases behind it lined with plaques and awards, all carefully lit to reflect the light into the eyes of anyone entering the room so they’d instantly be aware of the collection. That just left the desk, covered with a hotch potch of antique stone masks and statues depicting phantasms and ghosts.
Sitting on the edge of the desk was Professor Xander Marr. Hadleigh assumed he’d been posing there since the moment he knew they were coming. The muted light from the floor to ceiling windows hitting his hair perfectly so that auburn glints in his brown hair effectively gave him a halo whilst his salon tanned skin glowed with health. He was such a stark contrast to Vaughn’s effortless golden good looks and rugged masculinity that she had to clamp her lips together to prevent the laughter from spilling out.
“Hello there.” He affected a surprised look, as if to intimate that he’d had no idea he would be having visitors. Gleaming white teeth almost blinded her as he focused a welcoming smile her way.
“Xander Marr I’d like to introduce you to the newest member of our team, Hadleigh.” Vaughn deliberately left off her surname; it was just one more of the many things that Xander didn’t need to know.
Hadleigh was surprised to note the moment Vaughn relinquished his hold on her hand she missed the feel of it. Tamping down on her weakness she stepped past him to shake hands with Xander. Who was only just realising now how tall she was, as he scrambled off the desk, only to discover that even standing ram rod straight she still had several inches on him.
“Hadleigh, my aren’t you a…” Xander winced ever so slightly as Hadleigh unconsciously tightened her grip.
She swore to the Goddess that if he said tall or sturdy she’d break his hand.
“…statuesque one.” Xander finished quickly, discreetly rubbing his hand.
“Thank you.” Hadleigh managed to mutter, though she wasn’t sure if being described as statuesque was precisely a compliment. But still when you were built like a brick outhouse as her brothers so often stated a girl had to take what she could get.
“I think the audience will get a real thrill seeing you fill out Serena’s costume.” Xander actually let his eyes travel slowly down her legs, a smile lifting the corner of his perfect mouth as if he could already imagine her wearing Serena’s tiny sparkling purple shorts.
“No shorts!” Vaughn barked, causing Hadleigh to inwardly flinch. Goddess above why must this man constantly hammer away at her already fragile self-esteem with his vehemence that she remain covered from hea
d to toe? “She’ll be outfitted like the rest of the team.” Vaughn continued, lowering his voice. “More professional.”
“Well we know she already looks stunning in black.” Xander smiled, ignoring Vaughn’s outburst. “I suppose it’s just a question now of how much of a distraction she’ll be for me?”
“Excuse me?” Hadleigh raised an eyebrow briefly as she queried that statement.
Xander sent her a self-deprecating smile that looked entirely too practised to be sincere. “It can get pretty hairy out there on assignment. If I have to protect you as well as do my job of tracking and verifying the paranormal entity then we’re going to have a problem.”
Hadleigh relaxed. “No worries, I’m very good at looking after myself.”
“She tossed Flynn to the floor in her interview X. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
Xander chuffed a derisive laugh. “Forgive me for being sceptical but we all know Flynn can be easily distracted. Why don’t Hadleigh and I go a quick round or two right now just to give me peace of mind? I mean we still have all those girls’ resumes on file, so it won’t be too much trouble to get some of them back in if Hadleigh doesn’t work out.” Xander shot her another smile as if to negate the blow he’d just delivered.
It was all Vaughn could do not to slap the man up the back of the head for his stupidity. Could he not see what a prize Hadleigh was? Did he not trust Vaughn’s opinion? And finally had the sight of the hundreds of rejected candidates leaving their offices over the past five days completely escaped the man? “You…” He was about to tell Hadleigh that she didn’t have to comply with Xander’s request but he lost the ability to speak abruptly.
Hadleigh had just pulled her long sleeve top off to reveal that she was wearing a small black tank top underneath. Vaughn’s problem was the tank top was short. Exposing a lot of creamy soft skin above the waist band of her trousers and it was tight, hugging those gorgeous full breasts of hers like a silken bandage. When she turned to face him, the strap of the top slid slightly to one side revealing the black satin strap of her bra underneath. Vaughn’s ability to breathe went right out the door along with his ability to speak. When he finally managed to meet those crystal grey eyes of hers instead of arch knowledge that her feminine wiles were creating havoc with his simple male mind he found storm clouds. A stoic look on her face that all but dared him to make a comment. She was the most confounding woman ever.
Swallowing hard he finally managed to lean over and whisper. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I’m good.”
She made to move past him but he halted her progress by reaching over to tuck a stray curl behind her ear.
“Just don’t hurt him too much okay. If you break him he stays broke.”
Now it was Hadleigh’s turn to swallow. She’d defiantly taken off her top expecting Vaughn to look away in disgust or disinterest but instead he’d looked kind of well … dazed. And when he’d reached up to tuck her hair back, it was all she could not to melt into his touch.
She needed to hurt something and hurt something right now. Thank the Goddess Xander Marr was looking for a beating.
She tossed the man three times in a row flat on his back; didn’t even raise her heartbeat let alone a sweat. It was a frustrating exercise right up there with all her sad attempts at sex; a lot of build-up and then a complete let down. Gritting out a polite smile she forced down her temper. To give him his due the Professor knew how to take a fall, which was about the kindest thing she could say about his fighting technique.
What had slightly weirded her out throughout the entire encounter was the way the professor’s smile had grown wider with every crash he took to the mat. His blue eyes positively glowing with heated admiration by the time he called a draw. Holding back a derisive laugh she agreed that certainly the bout was a draw as he rose to his feet one last time with her help. Despite his mussed hair and a slight bruise coming up on his wrist the Professor looked none the worse for wear.
“Welcome to the team.” He stated heartily as if he had the deciding the vote, holding open his arms.
For what Hadleigh wasn’t quite sure. She rarely spent much time amongst norms and the non-magical folk at the Sanctuary didn’t count as they were all bat shit crazy artistic people. Still it was all she could do not to knock Xander Marr back to the floor when he stepped forward encasing her in a hug.
Behind her she thought she heard Vaughn growl, which was the first sound he’d made since she’d stepped onto the mats. Forcing herself to relax, she thumped the Professor on the back twice in a gesture of shared camaraderie that she wasn’t particularly feeling.
Stepping back Xander beamed at her as if that hadn’t been the most awkward hug in the history of hugs and that his back wasn’t aching from where she’d thumped him. “I can tell we’re going to have great fun you and I. Ohh!”
He’d noticed something on her shoulder and immediately Hadleigh froze, was it a spider? It had to be a spider from the way Xander’s skin tightened around his eyes in concern though funnily the skin on his forehead remained taunt and carefree. No time to think about whether the man had botox injections she all but screamed internally, there was a spider on her. Then Xander was reaching out, she was sure to brush the spider away, almost like a horror movie she watched the progress of his hand in slow motion. Knowing that when she turned her head there would be a big beady many-eyed spider waiting, poised to sink its fangs into her shoulder.
Except … there wasn’t. She barely had time to register that Xander was reaching for her bra strap that had come askew from her tank top strap when there was a puff of smoke, a loud bang and Xander was flying backwards across the room. The man ricocheted off the edge of the bar crumpling to the floor in an ungainly heap.
Goddess help that wretch Declan, no wonder he knew how long it had been since she’d had sex. Her apprentice had quite literally booby trapped her underwear. She was going to kill him, bring him back from the dead and kill him all over again.
Vaughn knelt down to check Xander’s pulse, strong and steady thank Maat. Rolling the smaller man over he noted the chalky texture of Xander’s skin and the blood matting the hair on the crown of his head. He wasn’t surprised at either the blood or the fact the man was unconscious considering the hit he’d taken when he’d landed. Vaughn still wasn’t quite sure how it had happened nor was he able to fight the feeling of quiet satisfaction he felt at seeing Xander prone and damaged. He wasn’t sure if it was the hug Xander had initiated with Hadleigh or the liberties he’d taken believing he was in a position to adjust her bra strap. Either way Vaughn had been ready to rip the man’s heart out from his chest but before he’d been able to do anything Xander had been flying across the room.
“Is it bad?” Hadleigh’s tone sounded peeved more than concerned, which in of itself made Vaughn feel instantly better.
“What’s going on?” Drum’s deep rumble came from the doorway.
Turning Vaughn glanced at his second. “Call medical, Xander’s hit his head.”
A few minutes passed as Vaughn found something to wrap around Xander’s head, more to protect the expensive carpet than give any medical aid. Suddenly he wasn’t in a very forgiving mood when it came to Xander.
“Medical are on their way.” Drum’s huge black boots came to rest by Xander’s head. “How did he manage that?”
“We were having a few practise rounds on the mats.” Hadleigh supplied the information.
“How did he end up over all the way over here?” Drum studied the distance.
Hadleigh sent him a stony look. “He touched my bra strap.”
Drum turned those liquid dark eyes on her for a moment, processing this new information. Then he shrugged those massive shoulders. “Fair enough. V we have a job, your name is on the roster.”
Vaughn instantly looked torn, staring down at Xander’s unconscious body with a distinct look of regret. “I should probably make sure Xander is okay. Get Rafe to sub for me,
he owes me.”
“I’ll go.” Hadleigh all but bounced on her feet with enthusiasm. The idea of beheading something, anything, rather than stay here and face the humiliating results of Declan’s little joke was infinitely appealing.
Drum shrugged again. “Fine with me.” He looked towards Vaughn. “What do you think?”
“Sure.” Vaughn tried not to sound too surly. Damn he’d wanted to be the first one to go on assignment with Hadleigh. “Have fun.”
Drum’s dark eyes danced with suppressed amusement at Vaughn’s predicament, knowing full well his friend was seething with jealously right at this moment.
“Let’s get you fitted out and hit the road.” Drum gestured with a large hand for Hadleigh to precede him from the room. At the door he turned back to look at Vaughn. “Don’t worry V, I’ll keep my hands well clear of her underwear.”
Chapter Nine
“That was great.”
Drum sitting across from Hadleigh in the back of the company jet suppressed a laugh. He didn’t think he’d met anyone who took such joy in their work as Hadleigh did. Sitting there covered with blood splatters, gore and dirt, she was damn near glowing. Vaughn was one lucky son of an asp.
“You’ve killed Nims before.” Drum stated the fact.
“Yes, but where I’m from we call them Pox and I’ve only come across them travelling in pairs before, never a nest like that. I didn’t know they were capable of getting as big as the mother. I was so envious when you took her head off.”
Drum smiled broadly. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed the company of a woman so much. Hadleigh had been more than easy to partner up with on this mission; deadly accurate skills and fearless but always aware of his position and ready to back him up if need be.