Guardian Of Fate (Fate Series) (7 page)

There was silence on the other line for so long, I thought I lost the connection.

"Mom?"

"I'm here, Cassie. So this guy was saved then?"

"Yeah, by this other guy that I knew. He happened to be walking up the stairs just in time." I didn't want to bother my mom about Caleb. It just wasn't the time. I'd tell her about him once she got back and we got all of this sorted out, if there were even anything to tell. Dinner with Caleb could end up being a complete bust.

"That's odd too. You've never had one saved by someone else before. You said you knew him?"

I guess I wasn't going to get away with keeping Caleb out of this after all.

"His name is Caleb, and I met him the other night. He goes to the law school at Waitling. We had lunch today. He seems pretty cool. Nora met him tonight and agrees."

"Nora met him?" she asked.

It seemed like a strange question to me, but I answered, "Yeah, briefly when he walked me to the door tonight. Why?"

"Oh, nothing really. I just think Nora is a very good judge of character. I value her opinion more than anyone that you're with. Is that it then, Cassie? Anything more that happened? I'm going to have to get going, the call is going to cut off soon."

"But you haven't told me anything yet!" I cried. "Where are you, who are you going to meet?"

"I'll tell you everything when I get back, Cassie. I promise. Now, I have to go. Be careful, baby. Try to stay low until I get back. Okay?"

"Yeah, Mom. I will," I murmured, disappointment clear in my voice.

I listened to silence for a while after my mom hung up. I hated that she kept all of this from me. The waiting in wonder felt as bad as what it must be like to wait for some doctor to relay the test results for a fatal disease. Would my mother come back with a deadly diagnosis?

Not much in the mood for the movie anymore, I decided to take a quick shower and go to bed. The day's confusion exhausted my mind more than my body. I wished for a peaceful night of sleep before drifting off.

CHAPTER EIGHT

I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed. Looking at the clock, I realized why. I had slept almost a full eight hours without any dreams to wake me. It was something that hadn't happened in a while. It was still fairly early, and I had a few hours before I had to be at the hospital for my shift, so I went for a run.

Near the apartment complex, there was a trail that bikers and runners frequented in the warmer climates. Only the die-hard runners could be seen on the trail in the winter months. It ran alongside a small creek for about a mile, ending in a park, with a loop-around to bring you back onto the path. It was a great two-mile jog that I used to run daily, but lately, school and work seemed to be my excuses not to go.

Feeling the euphoria of the run about a half-mile into it, I vowed to make sure that I squeezed it back into my daily routine. With music in my ears, I reveled in the smell of morning, which always seemed to be so fresh, as if not yet tainted by the day. The trees off the path were hinting of fall, their colors promising bright reds and yellows before the world turned white. My mood easily blended in with my refreshingly bright surroundings, thinking of the pleasant things in my life, instead of the doom and gloom that had monopolized my thoughts lately. I wanted to make the most of this nostalgia.

My mind wandered to Caleb. The familiar settings reminded me of our lunch in the park and sparked fresh feelings of my newfound interest in a man. I thought of the way he made me feel when he directed that gorgeous smile at me, and the flirtatious innuendoes. Coming from some men, it would have had me launching a physical attack, but coming from him sent little wings fluttering in my belly. I smiled to myself over the reaction I had to the flower he gave me; how its scent smelled so much stronger than any other flower I could remember.

I was coming up on the loop in the park, still wrapped up tight in my own reverie, when suddenly my mind went blank, as if all of my thoughts were erased, and my focus jolted back to reality. Had I not been forced from my daydream, I would have collided right into Hunter. I stopped short in front of him, shock on my face, and breathing heavily. His calm demeanor seemed a complete contrast to my pounding heart. I got the feeling that Hunter didn't wear a lot of his reactions for everyone to see. He seemed like the kind of man to keep his emotions completely under control.

"Cassandra, what a pleasure to see you here this morning," he said, as if he were here every morning and I just happened to show up one day.

A smile brightened his face as his eyes roamed over my body. The heat had not yet set in on the day, but it suddenly felt as if the sun were high in the sky, shining its thermal rays directly on me. My running shorts and tank top clung to me, burning my skin, at the same time highlighting every curve. In a self-conscious gesture, I pulled the tank away from my breasts, only to have it land right back. All I managed to do was draw his attention directly at my breasts, which he shamelessly observed.

If I had caught my breath, I might have said something about how rude he was, but my breathing only seemed to accelerate with his attention. He, on the other hand, appeared to be perfectly content standing there in his worn blue jeans, which hung casually from his waist, but perfectly hugged his hips. His lightweight, black T-shirt did little to cover the muscles in his chest and biceps underneath.

"Cassandra, you look like you need to sit down. Are you okay?" One hand gently grabbed my elbow as his other arm wrapped around my waist. His touch made me flinch, and he withdrew his hand around my waist, but kept his hand at my elbow.

Finally finding my voice, but still a little breathless, I managed, "Oh... no... Hunter, I'm fine, thanks. You just surprised me. I was kind of in a zone. What are you doing here?" I pulled my arm down, releasing his hold on my elbow.

"I was just checking out the area. I'm contemplating getting an apartment in the complex that I saw you and Caleb at yesterday, and I wanted to see what the neighborhood was like. Here, come and sit for a second." He pulled at my wrist, leading me towards a bench off the path.

I tried to pull back. "No, Hunter, I'm fine. Really. I have to get to—"

"Cassandra, your heart is racing and you still can't seem to take a full breath. Sit." He pulled harder at my wrist, forcing me to sit next to him. I didn't really notice that my heart was thumping so hard, but I looked down at my chest and saw it rapidly rising and falling. Our knees were almost touching as our bodies angled in, slightly facing one another. The closeness, and the fact that I felt half naked, did little to dispel my anxiety.

"I'm better now, thank you." I tried to ease back on the bench, but there was little room left on my end. "You know, I was really surprised to see you at the apartment yesterday. What's with the change of heart? When we met, you said you were just passing through. Now you're going to rent an apartment?"
And in my complex, no less!
I thought to myself.

He laughed. "I told you, Cassandra, I like what I see here."

I didn't want to look him in the eyes, but I did. His penetrating gaze made me feel like he was hinting at more than location. "Yeah but I thought you were just—"

"Hitting on you?"

"No, I was going to say kidd—"

"I was."

"You were kidding? Then why are you looking at_—"

"I was hitting on you."

It took me a minute before my brain processed his quick response, and when it did, I was still at a loss for words. I must have looked like an idiot with my mouth hanging open, which I only realized after I saw where his eyes had fallen.

Well, this was awkward. Here I was looking my worst, sweat dripping down my face (and other unmentionable areas), sitting with
the
most gorgeous man I had ever met, and he just told me he'd been hitting on me. I felt like someone was playing a cruel joke on me, or my willpower was being tested by a higher authority. My life was a wreck, and all of a sudden, I have two guys either asking me out or hitting on me? What are the freaking odds of that? None to one, because I didn't believe that this was happenstance for a second. Something was going on.

"Look, I'm flattered, Hunter. I really am, but I don't have the time for someone in my life right now."

There was no disappointment, surprise, or even understanding on his face. There was only a cold hard stare, looking deep into my eyes, almost daring them to look away. "So where does Caleb fit in?"

"Caleb?" I shouldn't have been surprised that he had brought Caleb up, since he saw us at the apartment yesterday, and even mentioned him earlier. I really didn't even know what was between Caleb and me anyway. I wasn't about to share with Hunter what I didn't understand yet.

"Yes, Caleb. I saw you two at the apartment, remember? What were you doing with him?" His penetrating eyes stayed riveted on mine. I felt the need to squirm from them, but I stayed my ground and looked right back.

"We ran into each other at school and he walked me home. It was nothing." Why did this guy make me feel so defensive?

"Did you kiss him?"

"What?" I couldn't believe his candor. Unfortunately, my brain reacted to his question, and I pictured the near kiss between Caleb and me, broken up only by Nora's interference. I could feel my cheeks blushing from the memory. My reaction made it evident to Hunter to conclude whatever he wanted to from it.

I don't know why I cared what he thought of my reaction, or the near kiss with Caleb, for that matter, but I let out a resounding, "No!"

"Good."

His lips were on mine so suddenly that my brain refused to process that it was wrong. My first reaction was to gasp, which his tongue took complete advantage of. Each caress sent shock waves throughout my body as his tongue sensually mated with mine. My mouth seemed to have a life of its own, seeking its own pleasure in the dance. I breathed in through my nose and his powerful scent, a mix of lavender and musk, intoxicated me. His hand, entangled in my hair, grasped the back of my head, and kept me locked in his hedonistic torture.

He groaned inside my mouth, a deep, vibrato tone that seemed to pulsate into my body. I opened my eyes, to see him watching me so intently, I felt he might actually be reading my forbidden thoughts. He smiled against my lips, and brought me to my senses.

I pulled back against his hand at my head, but it didn't budge. Bringing my hands up to his chest, I pushed against the hardness beneath my palms, but I was no match for his strength. He released his hold from my head and allowed me to push him back slightly.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Hunter?" I yelled, standing up and backing away from the bench.

He continued to sit, with that smile on his face, just as composed as before he kissed me. How could he be so damn calm? Could nothing affect him?

"Setting the bar," he answered, his smile slowly replaced by a sober expression.

I was fuming, clenched fists at my sides, probably subconsciously refraining myself from battering them at his face.

"What bar? This isn't a competition, damn it! I just met both of you the other night. I don't even know you!"

Hunter stood and came towards me. I started to step back, but decided to stand my ground and face him, proving that I wasn't some weak-kneed girl. If he only knew how contrary to that person I really was. I've seen and dealt with much more than a lot of women... no... people, have in an entire lifetime. I wasn't going to back down from some cocky male who thought a kiss could make me melt like a schoolgirl with a crush. Granted, it was the most electrifying kiss I'd ever felt in my entire life, but how dare he think he could just oblige himself on me that way!

He was inches away from me, forcing me to look up at him. Being so close, the strength of his compelling scent anesthetized my resistance again. I opened my mouth, forcing myself to block out the seductive fragrance. His eyes fell back to my mouth and he slowly started to lean closer. I closed my mouth and tensed, but did not move. I was determined to remain in place and show him that, although he took me by surprise before, I could withstand his attempt at seduction.

His face stopped so close to mine I felt the wind of his breath when he said, "Do you want to know me, Cassandra?"

Even the sound of my name came out as a caress. I had to get out of there.

"You know what, Hunter? I think I do know you. I know your type, and it's usually the kind I try to stay away from." I turned to go, but he grabbed my arm and spun me back around. Colliding with his chest, his hand pressed into my back as his other grabbed underneath my chin forcing me to look up at him.

"I guarantee you won't be able to stay away from me. And I'm definitely not the type of man that you've ever met. But I will take great pleasure in teaching you all about my kind, and I promise, you'll take great pleasure in learning it."

Once again, his lips were on mine, but I was quicker to block his tongue from my mouth this time. He quietly laughed into my lips right before his tongue taunted them, promising them great things if they were to open. After several failed attempts, he pulled away.

"We'll start our lessons soon, but it'll only be when you ask me to teach you."

"You conceited ass," I spat. "What makes you think I'll ever ask?"

"You
will
ask. Of that I'm sure. Once you have a taste, you'll crave it until you have more." His head moved quickly to my ear and he whispered, "Until your next lesson..." His lips gently suckled my neck, just below my ear lobe. He seemed to know exactly the right spot to kiss, sending goose bumps down the left side of my body. Closing my eyes, my head tilted to the right, giving him more access. But instead of feeling the pressure of his lips on my tender skin, I felt cool air pass over the area still moist from his tongue's wet trail.

I opened my eyes from the sudden withdrawal to see him looking at my face, which I'm certain revealed the pure ecstasy he had me in. I expected to see a smug expression, lapping up my weakness; but instead, I saw the same look of desire mirrored on his face, along with a hint of surprise. Could it be that his seduction backfired? Did his own body betray him?

It only took a minute for the self-satisfied grin to take over his expression. He let go of me and I stood there limply, my composure not ready to take control yet.

"Goodbye, Cassandra," he said softly. "I look forward to your next lesson."

I opened my mouth to speak, not really knowing what to say, but it didn't matter because he walked away without giving me the chance.

I don't remember seeing another soul throughout the entire scene with Hunter, so luckily, there was no one around to witness me stumbling back and melting into the bench. My energy was drained. It could have been because my heart rate had been on overload the whole time I was with him. Or, who knows? Maybe he was so powerful he sucked it right out of me. With everything else going completely helter-skelter in my life, I wouldn't be surprised. I certainly
felt
powerless against him.

As I sat there, lifeless, on the bench, I thought about how relieved I was that he was gone. But in the next instant, I wanted to kick myself for wondering what lesson number one entailed.