To Woo A Warrior (Southern Sanctuary) (10 page)

Avoiding Vaughn certainly hadn’t
proven to be of any use.  Even her normal go to of out and out violence
barely took the edge off of the itch … or was it more of an ache. 
Grrr
, she stomped through to the gorgeously appointed
marble bathroom, tugging off her clothes as she went. 

In the past few years when she’d
felt the vague itch of need she’d by-passed the bad unfulfilling sex and gone
straight to her faithful shower head.  So that’s what she’d do now. She
was a
fully grown
woman who knew how to take care of
her own needs.  Spinning the taps she watched the
water
fall
, steam beginning to fill the room. This was going to be easy.

Five minutes later she groaned and
it wasn’t in release.  All she could think about was Vaughn, his hands
sliding over her wet skin, his tongue licking moisture off her neck, his lips
kissing hers.  And no Goddess darn release.  Indeed if anything she
felt more wound up than ever.  What in blazes was going on with her? 
Maybe she should just face the truth that she was defective.  She
certainly wasn’t acting like herself lately.

Stepping out of the shower she
grabbed a towel dragging it roughly through her hair.  Take today for
example and hitting Nate.  Goddess that man could talk and if he was
talking he was flirting.  She’d been so distracted for most of the day
with her thoughts on Vaughn that she’d barely registered anything Nate had
said.  Until finally he’d made some comment about her hair or maybe it had
been about her eyes and she became suddenly irrationally angry. 

Not at the flirtation and not really
even at Nate but at herself.  At the sudden realisation that she was such
a failure as a woman.  Why couldn’t she smile at Vaughn?  Ask him out
for a drink and just be normal?  Why couldn’t she be fun, flirty and
feminine?  

Suddenly she couldn’t bear to listen
to Nate’s fake flattery for a second longer, POW, she’d punched Nate and
watched him sail over the side of the hover.  She wasn’t particularly
sorry she’d punched him but nor had there been any satisfaction in the violent
act, which was really unlike her.

Using the towel to wipe the mirror
she stared at her own reflection and sneered.  Grabbing a comb she dragged
it through her wet hair.  Wondering for what must have been the millionth
time why it had to be so … red?  And curly!  Why couldn’t she have
long straight dark hair?  And while she was whining she might as well moan
about her height.  From the age of twelve through to about fifteen she had
gone to sleep praying to the Goddess every night that she would wake up and be
normal, petite even.  But no, every morning when she got up the ceiling
was ever closer.  It was hard enough being tall so
young,
but add being a girl to the equation and things began to take on a nightmarish
cast.  

It certainly hadn’t helped to wake
up and find her breasts had arrived, seemingly overnight when she was
fourteen.  Every boy in a
three town
radius noted
that occurrence.  And of course because she was so tall it invariably
meant the boys were eye level with that area … them …her breasts. 

It had all been so embarrassing, her
height, her breasts, her
brothers
constant teasing,
much easier to throw herself into her training with her father.  Weapons
didn’t judge, or whisper, stare or make fun of you.  Grabbing one of the
big bottles of lotion left out by the Maat cleaning elves she absently rubbed
cream into her arms and down her legs. 
Mmmm
,
nice smell, gardenias and candy, just because she liked to kill things didn’t
mean she couldn’t smell nice.  Lifting the bottle she noted the name,
maybe she should get some for herself.  Goddess she really was becoming a
mess of contradictions.  Picking up a robe she tugged it on and walked out
into the bedroom and stopped.

There on the ultra-king sized bed
was the most gorgeous dagger she’d ever seen.  It looked as if it were
made of liquid sunlight, gleaming so brightly she had to squint just to make
out the fine craftsmanship of the handle and the sharp edge of the blade. 
“
Ooohhh
aren’t you beautiful.” She crouched over it,
whispering softly as if it were a skittish puppy. 

Her hand came out gently to caress
the handle, almost fearing that it might be hot, but no it was cool and so very
light.  She picked it up, surprised out how perfectly the handle fit her
hand.  She couldn’t stop herself from feinting and stabbing at an
imaginary opponent, enjoying the way the dagger cut through the air
effortlessly.  A feeling of contentment welled up in her and with a start
she realised that feeling was emanating from the dagger.  Sitting abruptly
on the side of the bed she heard the crackle of paper.  Using her empty
hand she found the card. “
Hadleigh ….
V”. 

Vaughn had given her this beautiful,
gorgeous weapon?  No it was too much. 

“Oh Sweetheart, how can I possibly
keep you?” 

And she so wanted to, every fibre of
her being wanted this dagger made from what looked like pure sunlight. 
She ran her fingers up and down the flat of the blade in almost a caress. 
“My Precious.” She whispered, feeling exactly like the
Golum
holding the ring.  “I’m sorrier than I can say but you’re going have to go
back.” 

Between one blink and the next the
blade was gone.  She searched the immediate area even though she knew she
hadn’t dropped it.  The Goddess darn thing had just blinked out of
existence, except, she could still feel the dagger’s presence in her head, that
feeling of contentment and now a touch of smugness.  And it was coming
from her left upper arm.  She yanked back her robe to stare at the solid
band of gold now wrapped around her bicep. 

“You sneaky gorgeous thing
you.”  She searched for a way to unlatch the wide bracelet but there
appeared to be no joins in the band.  “Okay, fine, for the moment you can
stay but eventually you’re going to have to go back to Vaughn.” 

Sitting there contemplating her gift
she realised she was going to have to find some way to thank Vaughn, even if
she did intend to only keep the dagger temporarily.  If she were a brave
confident woman she’d track him down and lay a lip lock on him.  Yeah
right, so she was definitely going to send him a note then.  Goddess she
was a coward.

Chapter Eleven

Vaughn entered the jet the next
morning battling the urge to pull out Hadleigh’s note and look at it yet
again.  The edges of the paper were already fraying.  He just had to
take comfort in the fact that it was folded safely away in his vest pocket,
placed directly over his heart.  Maat what a sap he was.  It wasn’t
like the note was effusive or even wordy for that matter but it was from
Hadleigh.  And it was so typical of her that every time he looked at it he
couldn’t wipe the goofy smile off his face as he stared at her one word note -
‘Thanks’. 

Yep that was Hadleigh all over. And
wasn’t this morning looking better and better, the seat across from her was
vacant.  Normally he hated to travel facing the back of the plane but
today he had Hadleigh to look at.  He wasn’t sure what reaction he was
expecting from her after the last three days but it certainly wasn’t for her to
look up, meet his gaze directly with those gorgeous grey eyes and smile right
at him.

“Morning.”  It was all he could
do to utter the polite inanity as he collapsed into the vacant seat
concentrating on fumbling the seatbelt closed.

“Morning.”  Hadleigh returned
easily as if the last three days of avoiding him had never happened.
  “Did you get my note?”  She asked in a soft throaty voice just
above a whisper.

“I did.” 

“I meant it.”  She gave him an
earnest look.

“Every single word?”  He
teased.

“Hey, if you wanted an epic poem you
should have hired someone else.”

“No I wanted a warrior.” 
Vaughn smiled.

Hadleigh forced herself not to
panic, there was something in the way he said those words, the way he was
looking at her that made her feel decidedly uncomfortable.  Suddenly her
breasts felt heavy and there was a throb that was tapping out a fast beat in
time with her pulse between her legs. 

“It’s … it’s a gorgeous
dagger.  But too much, I can’t accept it.”

Vaughn just raised an eyebrow before
grinning.  “Yet I don’t see you handing it back.”

“Yeah well I ran into a little snag
there.”  She tapped her bicep; through the material of her shirt Vaughn
heard the faint dull ring of metal.  “It seems like the dagger has a mind of
its own.”

Vaughn laughed.  “It knows
where it belongs.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it,
where did it come from?”

“When I awoke imbued with the size
and strength of a warrior elite it was in my hand.  A piece of light
transformed into a tool of truth.”

“And you gave it to me?  Your
Goddess gives you a gift and you’re giving it to me!  Are you mad? 
Won’t she be angry?  Why would you do something like that?”  Hadleigh
was so flabbergasted she couldn’t stop the questions pouring out of her mouth.

“Calm down.”  Vaughn held out a
hand to stop her.  

“I’m really not keeping it
now.”  Hadleigh once again tried futilely to get the band to budge from
her arm.

Vaughn successfully contained his
laughter but couldn’t keep the smile from twisting up the corner of his
lips.  “Do you honestly think that dagger would stay with you if you were
not worthy of such a gift?”

Hadleigh sent him a frustrated look,
collapsing back in her seat.  “How could you possibly give it away? 
To someone you barely know!”

Vaughn relaxed back in his own
seat.  “You know your problem?”

Hadleigh winced inwardly wondering
what he was going to say: her height, the way she walked, the way she dressed,
her hair, that she was too sullen, too serious, no fun.  Goddess what flaw
did Vaughn find her most appalling?

Vaughn continued unaware of her
mental cringe.  “You think too much.”

“What?”  Her mouth dropped open
in surprise.

“Yeah, for a warrior you really do
think too much.  You need to relax and just go with the flow more. 
You know - behead and move on … behead and move on.”  Vaughn’s eyes glowed
a soft gold, filled with amusement.

Hadleigh stared at him for a moment
in real astonishment as his words sunk in.  Then she felt it welling
within her, surprised, she clapped a hand over her mouth to try and stem the
flow but it was too late. Laughter burst out of her in a merry torrent.

Vaughn’s eyes turned a dark gold as
he soaked up her amusement, the way her eyes sparkled and her face softened for
just a moment.  Maat what he wouldn’t give to see her laugh more even
whilst his aching cock was demanding that he find the nearest flat surface and
fuck her senseless. 

Hadleigh finally got her laughter
under control.  Goddess darn this man, she didn’t just desire his god like
golden body she genuinely liked him.  “I will find a way to return the
dagger to you.” 

“As you like.”  Vaughn bowed
his head slightly, revelling in the fact that this gorgeous woman was talking
to him again, making eye contact. 
Phase
one,
gift completed and relatively successful now on to phase two, seduction without
flirting. 
Mmmm
, he was going to have to ponder
that problem.

 “What
ho
,
my two favourite people.”  Xander Marr plunked himself down in the chair
across the aisle from Hadleigh effectively breaking the moment they had been
sharing. 

Internally Vaughn bristled, what was
it about Xander that was annoyed him so much of late?  Was it how casually
he had accepted Serena’s departure?  Or was it the way the man eyed
Hadleigh as if she were a mountain he was thinking of climbing? 

“Ah Professor, how’s the
head?”  Hadleigh enquired, wondering just how much the man remembered of
their bout the other morning.

“Call me Xander my dear and just
fine thank you.  Just need to watch my blood sugar levels.  Sorry if
I scared you by passing out like that.”

“No, not at all.”  She glanced
towards the front of the plane as the engine sounds changed. Xander must have
been the last arrival for the door was closed and they were now taxiing into
position for take-off.

“As our newest member I thought you
would like to read all about this week’s case.”  Xander pulled out a file
from his expensive leather satchel.  “Very interesting haunting. 
Very high profile.”  He attempted to waggle his eyebrows suggestively at
her but with all that Botox in his forehead it was hard to tell exactly what he
was trying to achieve.

“Oh.”  Hadleigh took the file,
flipping it open.  “A poltergeist?” 

She didn’t know much about
troublesome ghosts.  Her relatives were awfully long lived and by the time
they did shuffle off the mortal coil most of them were more than happy to
depart for the next plane of existence. 

“Yes.”  Xander’s blue eyes were
alight with enthusiasm.  “Lots of promising stories regarding
sightings.  To increase our odds tonight of getting something on film it
would be best if you stuck close to me.”

“Me?”  Hadleigh looked up
surprised.

“Oh yes, poltergeists are often
attracted to feminine energy.  Just stay in a down camera position and you
and I should make a great team.”  Xander moved his focus to concentrate on
doing up his seatbelt. 

It provided Hadleigh the opportunity
to look at Vaughn.  “Down camera?”  She mouthed the question.

Vaughn grinned and mouthed
back.  “So he’ll look taller than you.”

Hadleigh hid her smile by
concentrating on tightening her own seatbelt as the plane paused momentarily
then commenced take off, the g-force pushing her back into the seat
slightly.  Turning her head when Xander tapped her on the arm to get her
attention. 

“So it’s important to know where you
are in your cycle?”

“What?”  She had no idea what
the man was asking.

“The poltergeist!”  Xander
stated, then seeing her confusion carried on.  “Are you ovulating?”

As the plane levelled out and the
engine noise dropped abruptly stunned silence blanketed the jet, until Nate’s
voice sounded from the back of the plane.  “Dude, one head injury wasn’t
enough for you this week?”

*                  
*                     
*

Hadleigh watched from her seat in
the plush minivan next to Dash as Xander was greeted by the doorman of the five
star
hotel
like an old friend.    

“We’re not staying together?” 
She queried as Rafe eased the van back into the Washington D.C lunchtime
traffic. 

“We’re just the lowly staff.  Xander
thinks we bunk at some budget two
star
across town but
in reality we have our own base here.  Plenty of room, you’ll like
it.”  Dash smiled easily flashing a dimple, his gold edged hazel eyes lit
with good humour that instantly made Hadleigh feel at ease.

“If he’s such a pain why do you put
up with him?”  She queried.

“Ah don’t get me wrong, he’s a nice
guy … in small doses.  Plus he’s exactly what we need as a front
man.  He’s still enthusiastic about the paranormal even though we’ve
ensured he’s never been able to capture a single useable bit of evidence on
film.  He’s academic enough that he never questions where the budget for
the jets, hotels and equipment come from.  And best of all he’s easily
distracted.”

“By what exactly?”

Dash shrugged.  “Slime, dirt
and cobwebs mostly.  If we’re facing a threat or a misunderstood friendly
it’s relatively easy to manage the guy to a safer … cleaner locale.  From
what I hear with your female energy and all you’ll be the one doing the
managing tonight.”

“As long as I stay down camera I’m
told.”  Hadleigh groused mildly.

“Just tilt your head, pause and say
‘did you hear that?’ a lot.  It creeps Xander out and will keep the camera
guys amused.”

“And while I’m looking after the
talent what will you seven miscreants be doing?” 

“Checking out the building for
real.  There really have been reports of screams and unexplained noises in
the last four days.  It’s a good location for a shoot, high ceilings,
big
rooms; otherwise we’d go in sans crew.  But we need
to film somewhere this week and chances are it’s probably just kids squatting
in an abandoned building.”

 Hadleigh mentally squared her
shoulders, okay so all she had to remember to do was stick with Xander, stay
down camera and say ‘did you hear that?’  It sounded boring and a waste of
her skills but perfectly doable.  Great Aunt Alma owed her big time for
this favour.  Taking another deep breath she blinked, her nose
crinkling.  “Hey do you smell … swamp?”

“That would be me!”  Came
Nate’s surly voice from the back of the bus where he sat by his lonesome. 

Now she came to think about it he’d
been sitting by himself at the back of the plane as well.  Suddenly
Hadleigh found herself laughing for the second time that day and she couldn’t
seem to stop as first Dash and then the others all joined in.  Being part
of a team she was finding was kind of nice.

*                  
*                     
*

Dash had undersold the ‘base’ big
time.  Mansion was probably a more fitting description as Hadleigh took a
moment to admire the guest bedroom she’d been assigned.  It was huge, as
was the warrior sized bed smack bang in the middle of it.  Decorated in
soft blues and creams the décor reminded her of a book she’d once seen titled
French shabby chic.  The two double glass doors on either side of the bed
leading out to small wrought iron balconies filled with dark blue flowering
plants completed the picture.  The bathroom was a replica of the one back
in Atlanta, same marble, expensive fixtures, even the same lotions and
products. 

As soon as they’d arrived she’d hit
the gym with the team for some weight training and some sparring, though not
with Vaughn.  He seemed happy to keep his distance and supervise. 
Which was probably for the best, just the idea of the two of them wrestling on
a mat together made her hot, bothered and way too distracted. 

After the gym they’d grabbed a quick
lunch on the move whilst Rafe walked them through a floor plan of the haunted
house, pointing out where the cameras and the two man crew would be set up and
where infra-red sensors and night scopes would be fixed in place.  They
discussed the pros and cons of several weapons before being dismissed for the
rest of the day. 

Hadleigh had immediately sought
sanctuary in her room, where she could catch a shower and pace the floor until
it was time for the team’s late dinner.  Now as she contemplated her
outfit for the mission she was pleased that there were no tight sparkly shorts
in sight.  Instead Rafe had provided her with the exact same outfit the
guys wore, well except for the vest, according to Rafe that would be a last
minute delivery. 

Five minutes later she was staring
at herself in the
full length
mirror wondering why the
Goddess above disliked her so very much.  Were the pants supposed to cling
to her butt like that?  And the long sleeve black top, it might cover
everything but was it supposed to look like it was painted on?  Only the
boots and the black cap were proving to be inoffensive.  Grabbing the cap
off the bed she took one last cringing look in the mirror at her butt before
heading downstairs for dinner.