wasn’t playing hard to get. She had laid her body out to him and was willing for him to take it. But she wasn’t letting her heart get involved. So why should he? Was he? He wanted to bang his head against a concrete wall. He didn’t know what the fuck was going on. The one thing he did know is that it pained him when he saw that small tattoo on her spine. A small reminder that her heart had been shattered before.
***
Annika took a long, hot shower in her guest bathroom. Given her whole “when in Rome” attitude, she supposed she should just spell cleanse herself but she had become accustomed to the pleasures of hot water bathing her body. Besides, she wanted more time to think…longer than a spell cleanse would take. Standing with her head under the spray, she played through the previous night. She had never, in all her adult years, experienced such mind blowing passion. Kieran was insatiable. She was insatiable. Had they waited a few more moments before she got out of bed, they probably would have gone at it again. What was up with that?
She didn’t want to over analyze it, but there was definitely something different about Kieran, and it scared the hell out of her. Even now, her body yearned for him. Could he possibly be someone that she could have a relationship with? No way. Annika Foss wasn’t built for love. All of her hopes and dreams about having a happily ever after had been shattered.
Yet, she liked Kieran…a lot. Even now, she wanted to just be around him and talk to him. Maybe they could be “friends with benefits” but with an extra heaping of friendship. Something a little more than meaningless sex but less than a committed relationship.
Annika wished she wasn’t so fucked in the head. She remembered waking up last night, spooned up against Kieran. As she came out from her deep sleep, she first felt his body warmth then realized his arm was holding her possessively. She felt safe and secure. As she became more aware, she reveled in the feeling for a brief moment, but then panic set in. She felt trapped and almost bolted. But then Kieran’s skillful fingers had found their way between her thighs and all thoughts of flight were gone. She then just enjoyed.
While lathering herself in soap, Annika realized none of it really mattered. She was hiding secrets from Kieran that if he found out, he would never want to be with her anyway. And there was a good chance that he would eventually find out. Annika’s life of crime and compulsion to steal was going to be a sure turn off for him. If Kieran found out about them, he would hate her no doubt.
Still, she wouldn’t apologize for the way she was. Her upbringing had been brutal and had shaped her into what she was today. Cold, isolated and removed. She didn’t see that changing really for anyone. Not even Kieran.
***
Kieran ate breakfast with Carrick and Ava after making sure that Annika and Mary were taken care of. He was happy to see that Mary actually left her bed to eat breakfast in the kitchen with Annika. He left them there talking while he made his way over to Carrick’s apartment. He really didn’t need to eat breakfast with them, but he did want to see Emma for a little bit. Morning time was the best with her. She was happy, bubbly and full of energy.
After eating, Kieran told Ava and Carrick that he planned on leaving tonight to travel to Balvraine.
“What’s the rush?” Carrick asked.
“Mary is doing quite well and there is no sense waiting until morning. I figure if we can get there tonight and get some rest, we can get Annika into the palace in the morning.”
Carrick nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
“What are you going to do for the rest of the day?” Ava asked.
Kieran was on the floor with Emma, playing with building blocks.
“I was thinking about taking Annika for a ride.”
“Hmmmm….”
“Don’t ‘hmmmm’ me, Ava. If you have something to say, say it.”
Ava looked slyly at him. “It’s just, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you take a woman riding before.”
“That’s ridiculous. Of course I have,” Kieran sputtered.
“No you haven’t,” Carrick piped in.
Kieran shot him a murderous look. He knew he sounded snotty when he said, “Whatever. I don’t need to justify my actions to either of you.”
Ava and Carrick exchanged a knowing