Read Online Wild Darkness (A Bound By Magick Novel) by Lauren Dane - Free Book Online
Authors: Lauren Dane
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our pay or something. He’s got enough to deal with.”
“You seem to know him pretty well.” Gage lifted a brow.
“He likes her.” Faine lifted his own in Gage’s direction and the two shared a look.
“He’s a man with principles. It’s logical. Also, it’s sort of my job to know people.”
Molly snorted. “It seems that many men are not entirely reasonable when it comes to Toshio Sato.”
“Why? Because he’s hot, intelligent and powerful?” Helena laughed and Molly joined in.
“Come on. Our tea has been consumed. Helena, you need to rest. I know Molly does too. Let’s get to bed. Tomorrow is a long day.” Gage clearly wanted to be done with the subject.
And bed sounded really good, so she allowed it.
They all headed back to where the rooms were, Gage and Molly disappearing into theirs. Faine continued to walk her to her door. He knew she didn’t need it, heaven knew she was utterly capable of protecting herself.
And yet.
He liked being around her. Liked watching over her, even if to just remove a tiny bit of the weight she always seemed to carry for everyone else.
She opened her door and he leaned against the jamb. Startled, she looked up at him, smiling nervously. “Thanks for your help today. I got a lot of work done because you did all the driving.”
“It’s my job. But it was also my pleasure. Do you plan to work out tomorrow morning?”
She nodded. “I’ll get up at six or so. There’s a workout space here. I’ll run a few miles on the treadmill and then hit the shooting range.” She lifted one shoulder.
“If you don’t mind, come get me. I need to work out as well.”
“Sure. And we can leave from there. If you like, I mean. Since you’re on my personal detail. It’ll be good to have you with me. Just the sight of you will keep the violence-on-a-whim people back.” Her smile was genuine and maybe even a touch flirtatious.
He’d shifted closer and she hadn’t moved back. The tension between them heated, simmering as the scent of her blush reached his senses. She licked her lips and the scent of loam and fur rose.
Her eyes widened and she faltered a moment, and Faine knew his control had slipped. But she’d talked weapons, praised his size and then licked those damnable lips. A Lycian could only take so much.
“My beast.” He pondered whether he should continue. If he should explain to her how much the warrior she was called to him. She was so very strong, and yet, frayed at the edges. Fragile at times. Which was even more irresistible.
“Oh.” She blinked several times. “Should I be worried?”
He bent, brushing his lips over hers, savoring the heat of her before he stood again, taking a step back. “Not for your safety. Good night, Helena. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He left her there, but not before he caught sight of the way she pressed her fingertips to her lips.
• • •
SHE woke up without an alarm, at six. Pretty much the same way she had most every morning of her adult life. She lay in bed awhile and thought about her day. It was her way of meditating, of getting herself organized for the hours—and the challenges—she faced.
The meetings would be stressful because the state capital was so crowded. Mainly it was state business handled there. Sato had a senatorial office near the capitol building where he met with his constituents and held meetings. But due to the insanity of the security concerns, his people worked with the state folks and they’d let them use their conference spaces, even for federal issues. Of course the hearings they were going to dealt with State of California business, so Sato would only be there if they needed him to speak on federal issues.
It was mind-blowing, all the different local, county, state and federal issues they drowned in. So many different egos to soothe, everyone had their own turf, their own rules to adhere to, their own processes. At least all Helena needed to do was be sure no one
“You seem to know him pretty well.” Gage lifted a brow.
“He likes her.” Faine lifted his own in Gage’s direction and the two shared a look.
“He’s a man with principles. It’s logical. Also, it’s sort of my job to know people.”
Molly snorted. “It seems that many men are not entirely reasonable when it comes to Toshio Sato.”
“Why? Because he’s hot, intelligent and powerful?” Helena laughed and Molly joined in.
“Come on. Our tea has been consumed. Helena, you need to rest. I know Molly does too. Let’s get to bed. Tomorrow is a long day.” Gage clearly wanted to be done with the subject.
And bed sounded really good, so she allowed it.
They all headed back to where the rooms were, Gage and Molly disappearing into theirs. Faine continued to walk her to her door. He knew she didn’t need it, heaven knew she was utterly capable of protecting herself.
And yet.
He liked being around her. Liked watching over her, even if to just remove a tiny bit of the weight she always seemed to carry for everyone else.
She opened her door and he leaned against the jamb. Startled, she looked up at him, smiling nervously. “Thanks for your help today. I got a lot of work done because you did all the driving.”
“It’s my job. But it was also my pleasure. Do you plan to work out tomorrow morning?”
She nodded. “I’ll get up at six or so. There’s a workout space here. I’ll run a few miles on the treadmill and then hit the shooting range.” She lifted one shoulder.
“If you don’t mind, come get me. I need to work out as well.”
“Sure. And we can leave from there. If you like, I mean. Since you’re on my personal detail. It’ll be good to have you with me. Just the sight of you will keep the violence-on-a-whim people back.” Her smile was genuine and maybe even a touch flirtatious.
He’d shifted closer and she hadn’t moved back. The tension between them heated, simmering as the scent of her blush reached his senses. She licked her lips and the scent of loam and fur rose.
Her eyes widened and she faltered a moment, and Faine knew his control had slipped. But she’d talked weapons, praised his size and then licked those damnable lips. A Lycian could only take so much.
“My beast.” He pondered whether he should continue. If he should explain to her how much the warrior she was called to him. She was so very strong, and yet, frayed at the edges. Fragile at times. Which was even more irresistible.
“Oh.” She blinked several times. “Should I be worried?”
He bent, brushing his lips over hers, savoring the heat of her before he stood again, taking a step back. “Not for your safety. Good night, Helena. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He left her there, but not before he caught sight of the way she pressed her fingertips to her lips.
• • •
SHE woke up without an alarm, at six. Pretty much the same way she had most every morning of her adult life. She lay in bed awhile and thought about her day. It was her way of meditating, of getting herself organized for the hours—and the challenges—she faced.
The meetings would be stressful because the state capital was so crowded. Mainly it was state business handled there. Sato had a senatorial office near the capitol building where he met with his constituents and held meetings. But due to the insanity of the security concerns, his people worked with the state folks and they’d let them use their conference spaces, even for federal issues. Of course the hearings they were going to dealt with State of California business, so Sato would only be there if they needed him to speak on federal issues.
It was mind-blowing, all the different local, county, state and federal issues they drowned in. So many different egos to soothe, everyone had their own turf, their own rules to adhere to, their own processes. At least all Helena needed to do was be sure no one
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