Page 32 of Guardians

Deciding not to let his rudeness upset her, she said, “It feels wonderful.”

“Well, the hot water heater is solar powered so it won’t be able to replenish the supply until morning. I told you to take your time, so this is basically my fault. But marathon showers work better during the day.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful.” She reached over and turned off the spray, but kept the steamed-up door between them.

“Malik said we can come over as soon as you’re ready. Bianca is awake and doing well.”

He left the bathroom and she felt bad for misjudging his intrusion. He could have opened the shower door while he delivered his message, but he chose to allow her some privacy. The idea of him exposing her, gazing at her naked body as if he had every right to do so, sent a strange rush of heat sweeping over her body. Kane had manipulated her, used her desperation and hunger to gain her surrender. Why had his bullying affected her so deeply? She should hate him or at least resent his heavy-handedness. Instead, her nipples tingled and her pussy clenched with echoes of desire.

She stepped out of the shower and dried off quickly, eager to see her friend and distract herself from these disquieting thoughts. After dressing in jeans and a sweater, she returned tothe bathroom and combed out her wet hair. If they were going outside, maybe washing it hadn’t been such a good idea.

“Any chance someone dropped off my coat and boots?” she asked as she stepped out into the living room. “I took them off in the lodge.”

He flashed a roguish grin. “I like carrying you around.”

“Is that my only option?”

“For tonight. I’ll go collect your things from the lodge in the morning.”

She wanted to see Bianca badly enough to swallow her pride. “Thank you. I’d appreciate it.” While she was humiliating herself, she decided to tackle the laundry issue as well. “All of my clothes are in desperate need of washing. How is that accomplished in your village?”

“When it’s warm, everyone fends for themselves. But when it’s cold like this, we use the communal laundry. Give me what you want cleaned and I’ll submit it with our next order.”

He deactivated the file he’d been working on and motioned toward the door. “Grab a blanket or the quilt off my bed and let’s get going. I don’t want Bianca to fall asleep before we get over there.”

Agreeing wholeheartedly, she darted back into the bedroom and grabbed the quilt. When she returned to the living room, Kane had pulled on his coat. She closed the distance between them, her pulse escalating with each step. She’d never met anyone before who could get her heart racing with just a look.

He picked her up and headed for the door. She wrapped one arm around his neck and held the quilt closed with the other. Thewind stung her face and easily penetrated the thickness of the quilt. It felt worse somehow now that she’d been out of the cold for a few hours.

Someone opened the door as they approached, but Lexie had her face pressed against the warmth of Kane’s neck.

“Has he decided that you’re incapable of walking?”

Tara! Lexie lifted her head with a happy cry. “You came back.”

“It’s even worse than that,” Tara said with a blinding smile. “I volunteered. Now you’re stuck with me.”

Lexie wiggled out of Kane’s arms, shedding the quilt as her feet found the floor. “Are you serious? You’re going to let a coalition claim you?”

Tara shrugged. “You seem to have survived it. In fact, you look damn good.”

Lexie wrapped her arms around her best friend and hugged her tightly. “Thank you. I’m shocked, but so glad you changed your mind.”

“Bianca is getting sleepy.” Malik’s deep voice drew her attention to the other side of the room. He stood in the doorway to what was apparently the bedroom. “If you want to see her, now is the time.”

“Yes, Doctor,” Lexie sassed, but hurried into the other room.

Bianca was propped up on a couple of pillows. She still looked frail, but her eyes weren’t as glassy as before. Lexie sat down on the edge of the bed and gave her hand a squeeze. “Did they give you antibiotics?”

Bianca nodded. “Malik gave me a shot and a breathing treatment. Is he really one of your mates?”

“Yes. It’s Malik, Kane, and a man named Diego. They’re all part of the pride leader’s security team. They’re called guardians.”

“He seems nice.” Bianca coughed then shook her head. “I feel so guilty for what’s happening to you. If I hadn’t gotten sick?—”

“If you hadn’t gotten sick, we would have thrown ourselves on the mercy of the cats in a week or two. We were almost out of protein bars, and they weren’t enough to sustain us. We were freezing to death and starving. All your illness did was force us to admit the truth. We will not survive without the hybrids.”

“Then I want to volunteer too,” Bianca said then succumbed to another coughing fit. “If I recover.”

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