To Woo A Warrior (Southern Sanctuary) (7 page)

“…I was declaring my intentions.”

“You were what?”  She asked the
question out loud before she could stop herself.

“Sorry.” He looked anything but, a
cheeky smile teasing the corner of his lips making her want to smile back in
return. “I’m steaming full bore ahead and you need a chance to play catch up.
It must be my Viking genes coming to the fore.”

Hadleigh tamped down the urge to
smile and instead frowned. That last statement of Vaughn’s made absolutely no
sense in light of the fact he had stated she wasn’t the type of woman he’d
flirt with, maybe it was TV speak. Feeling distinctly out of her element
Hadleigh felt restless, unconsciously stretching her arms out for a brief
moment to release the tension in her shoulders, back and neck. When she finally
worked up the nerve to meet Vaughn’s gorgeous gaze once more she was surprised
that the smile was gone from his face and he now looked distinctly dazed,
almost in pain.

“You really don’t fight fair do
you?”  It was all Vaughn could do to stop himself from vaulting the
kitchen bench and taking this insanely beautiful woman up against the
refrigerator.

“What?”

Those clear grey eyes of hers were
filled with confusion and the cutest little wrinkle had appeared on her
forehead. Either this woman was a master of manipulation or she didn’t have a
vain bone in her gorgeous body. There was a third option he forced himself to
consider,
maybe she just wasn’t attracted to him. Nah, he
dismissed that thought instantly, looking at her from the top of her tousled
red curls down to those massive shit kicker boots she wore,
this
woman was made for him. He just needed some time to convince her of that fact.
And thankfully he had four weeks in which to do so. He was about to suggest the
idea of them getting some dinner, the chicken salad they’d just eaten barely
rated as an appetiser when the pager on his belt went off.

“Trouble?”

He looked up to find Hadleigh
standing there, a wicked looking broad blade magically appearing in her hand,
anticipation glowing on her face.  She looked as blood thirsty as hell,
Maat everything about this woman just fanned his attraction to her higher.
Blowing out a disappointed breath he shook his head. “Nah, just the Professor,
he wants to meet you.”

“Oh.” Hadleigh released her magic,
disappearing the blade. “Is the Professor your boss?”

Vaughn laughed heartily for a split
second. “Hardly, but it doesn’t stop him from thinking he is. Come on, I’ll
tell you everything you need to know about Xander on the way down to the
offices.”

Once again his large warm hand
encompassed hers with a gentle but firm grip. As he led the way out of the
kitchen across the plush living area she attempted to relinquish his hold. “I
really am capable of getting from A to B on my own you know.”

He glanced back sending her a sexy
grin that almost made her thankful he was leading the way otherwise she might
have embarrassed herself by walking into a wall.

“But my way is more fun.”

As they waited for the lift to
arrive, standing side by side holding hands Hadleigh prayed to the Goddess
above for strength. She couldn’t let Vaughn through her shields.  Couldn’t
stand the idea of one day seeing that look of part disappointment, part horror
that every man eventually gave her
when they
realised that she was more warrior than woman.

Chapter Eight

On the way to the production exec
floor Vaughn briefed Hadleigh on the arrangement they had with Xander Marr.
When they’d first come up with the idea of a reality TV show as a cover for
their activities, the one thing they all agreed would be essential was a front
man. Someone who would capture the public’s attention and keep it firmly fixed
on them so no one would notice how none of the backup Para-X team aged or how
rapidly they recovered from injury.

Enter Xander Marr, former male model
and possessor of a useless PhD in parapsychology from the University of
California. His looks and the fact that he was 6.2ft and wouldn’t look out of
place standing next to the towering Vaughn or any of his men cinched the
arrangement. Plus the man looked great on camera; with his slightly too long
dark brown Heathcliff hair, granite jaw, deep blue eyes and a mouth full of
gleaming white teeth.  Essentially Xander was harmless, easily distracted,
perhaps a little too obsessed with his looks but Vaughn had always kind of
liked the guy, from a safe distance.

Yet as he led Hadleigh down the
corridor towards Xander’s office he wondered at the sudden niggling dread that
filled his gut. He supposed there was a chance that Hadleigh might be charmed
by Xander’s handsome face. Yet he didn’t think that was
it.
No somewhere along the way Xander had begun to change.  He’d become tense,
jumping at shadows, snapping at everyone on the
team,
especially Serena whom he’d felt was hogging his camera time. Just before
Serena had disappeared Xander had floated the idea of replacing her with
someone a little more appropriately in awe of Xander. Vaughn held back a smirk,
somehow he didn’t think Hadleigh was the type of replacement that Xander had in
mind. He couldn’t imagine her fawning over Xander’s good looks or being
impressed by his d-grade celebrity status. He raised his free hand to knock on
Xander’s door, suddenly looking forward to making the introduction.

Hadleigh wasn’t used to the
corporate world but even she recognised that Xander Marr’s office was
impressive. First off it was big, bordering on huge. In one corner alone there
was a fully fitted out personal gym, including room for a work out matted area.
She followed Vaughn past the large leather sofas facing a TV so enormous that
it took up almost an entire wall. A long mahogany bar was situated against the
far wall, the bookcases behind it lined with plaques and awards, all carefully
lit to reflect the light into the eyes of anyone entering the room so they’d
instantly be aware of the collection. That just left the desk, covered with a
hotch
potch of antique stone masks and statues depicting
phantasms and ghosts.

Sitting on the edge of the desk was
Professor Xander Marr.  Hadleigh assumed he’d been posing there since the
moment he knew they were coming. The muted light from the floor to ceiling
windows hitting his hair perfectly so that auburn glints in his brown hair
effectively gave him a halo whilst his salon tanned skin glowed with health. He
was such a stark contrast to Vaughn’s effortless golden good looks and rugged
masculinity that she had to clamp her lips together to prevent the laughter
from spilling out.

 “Hello there.” He affected a
surprised look, as if to intimate that he’d had no idea he would be having
visitors. Gleaming white teeth almost blinded her as he focused a welcoming
smile her way.

“Xander Marr I’d like to introduce
you to the newest member of our team, Hadleigh.” Vaughn deliberately left off
her surname; it was just one more of the many things that Xander didn’t need to
know. 

Hadleigh was surprised to note the
moment Vaughn relinquished his hold on her hand she missed the feel of it.
Tamping down on her weakness she stepped past him to shake hands with Xander.
Who was only just realising now how tall she was, as he scrambled off the desk,
only to discover that even standing ram rod straight she still had several
inches on him.

“Hadleigh, my aren’t you a…
”  
Xander winced ever so slightly as Hadleigh
unconsciously tightened her grip.

She swore to the Goddess that if he
said tall or sturdy she’d break his hand. 

“…
statuesque
one.”  Xander finished quickly, discreetly rubbing his hand.

“Thank you.” Hadleigh managed to
mutter, though she wasn’t sure if being described as statuesque was precisely a
compliment. But still when you were built like a brick outhouse as her brothers
so often stated a girl had to take what she could get.

“I think the audience will get a
real thrill seeing you fill out Serena’s costume.”  Xander actually let
his eyes travel slowly down her legs, a smile lifting the corner of his perfect
mouth as if he could already imagine her wearing Serena’s tiny sparkling purple
shorts.

“No shorts!” Vaughn barked, causing
Hadleigh to inwardly flinch. Goddess above why must this man constantly hammer
away at her already fragile self-esteem with his vehemence that she
remain
covered from head to toe?  “She’ll be outfitted
like the rest of the team.” Vaughn continued, lowering his voice. “More
professional.”

“Well we know she already looks
stunning in black.” Xander smiled, ignoring Vaughn’s outburst. “I suppose it’s
just a question now of how much of a distraction she’ll be for me?”

“Excuse me?” Hadleigh raised an
eyebrow briefly as she queried that statement. 

Xander sent her a self-deprecating
smile that looked entirely too practised to be sincere.  “It can get
pretty hairy out there on assignment. If I have to protect you as well as do my
job of tracking and verifying the paranormal entity then we’re going to have a
problem.”

Hadleigh relaxed. “No worries, I’m
very good at looking after myself.”

“She tossed Flynn to the floor in
her interview X.  I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

Xander chuffed a derisive laugh.
“Forgive me for being sceptical but we all know Flynn can be easily distracted.
Why don’t Hadleigh and I go a quick round or two
right
now just to give me peace of mind?  I mean we still have all those girls’
resumes on file, so it won’t be too much trouble to get some of them back in if
Hadleigh doesn’t work out.”  Xander shot her another smile as if to negate
the blow he’d just delivered.

It was all Vaughn could do not to
slap the man up the back of the head for his stupidity. Could he not see what a
prize Hadleigh was? Did he not trust Vaughn’s opinion? And finally had the
sight of the hundreds of rejected candidates leaving their offices over the
past five days completely escaped the man?  “You…
” 
 
He was about to tell Hadleigh that she didn’t have to comply with
Xander’s request but he lost the ability to speak abruptly.

Hadleigh had just pulled her long
sleeve top off to reveal that she was wearing a small black tank top
underneath. Vaughn’s problem was the tank top was short.  Exposing a lot
of creamy soft skin above the
waist band
of her
trousers and it was tight, hugging those gorgeous full breasts of hers like a
silken bandage. When she turned to face him, the strap of the top slid slightly
to one side revealing the black satin strap of her bra underneath. Vaughn’s
ability to breathe went right out the door along with his ability to speak.
When he finally managed to meet those crystal grey eyes of hers instead of arch
knowledge that her feminine wiles were creating havoc with his simple male mind
he found storm clouds.
A stoic look
on her face that
all but dared him to make a comment. She was the most confounding woman ever.

Swallowing hard he finally managed
to lean over and whisper. “You don’t have to do this.”

“I’m good.”  

She made to move past him but he
halted her progress by reaching over to tuck a stray curl behind her ear.

“Just don’t hurt him too much okay.
If you break him he stays broke.” 

Now it was Hadleigh’s turn to
swallow.  She’d defiantly taken off her top expecting Vaughn to look away
in disgust or disinterest but instead he’d looked kind of well … dazed. And
when he’d reached up to tuck her hair back, it was all she could not to melt
into his touch.

She needed to hurt something and
hurt something right now. Thank the Goddess Xander Marr was looking for a
beating.

She tossed the man three times in a
row flat on his back; didn’t even raise her heartbeat let alone a sweat. It was
a frustrating exercise right up there with all her sad attempts at sex
;
a lot of build-up and then a complete let down. Gritting
out a polite smile she forced down her temper. To give him his due the
Professor knew how to take a fall, which was about the kindest thing she could
say about his fighting technique.

What had slightly
weirded
her out throughout the entire encounter was the way
the professor’s smile had grown wider with every crash he took to the
mat.  His blue eyes positively glowing with heated admiration by the time
he called a draw.  Holding back a derisive laugh she agreed that certainly
the bout was a draw as he rose to his feet one last time with her help.
  Despite his mussed hair and a slight bruise coming up on his wrist
the Professor looked none the worse for wear.

“Welcome to the team.” He stated
heartily as if he had the deciding the vote, holding open his arms.

For what Hadleigh wasn’t quite sure.
 She rarely spent much time amongst norms and the non-magical folk at the
Sanctuary didn’t
count
as they were all bat shit crazy
artistic people. Still it was all she could do not to knock Xander Marr back to
the floor when he stepped forward encasing her in a hug.

Behind her she thought she heard Vaughn
growl, which was the first sound he’d made since she’d stepped onto the mats.
Forcing herself to relax, she thumped the Professor on the back twice in a
gesture of shared camaraderie that she wasn’t particularly feeling.

Stepping back Xander beamed at her
as if that hadn’t been the most awkward hug in the history of hugs and that his
back wasn’t aching from where she’d thumped him. “I can tell we’re going to
have great fun you and I.
Ohh
!”  

He’d noticed something on her
shoulder and immediately Hadleigh froze, was it a spider? It had to be a spider
from the way Xander’s skin tightened around his eyes in concern though funnily
the skin on his forehead remained taunt and carefree. No time to think about
whether the man had
botox
injections she all but screamed
internally, there was a spider on her. Then Xander was reaching out, she was
sure to brush the spider
away,
almost like a horror
movie she watched the progress of his hand in slow motion. Knowing that when
she turned her head there would be a big beady many-eyed spider waiting, poised
to sink its fangs into her shoulder.

Except … there
wasn’t.
  She barely had time to register that Xander was
reaching for her bra strap that had come askew from her tank top strap when
there was a puff of smoke, a loud bang and Xander was flying backwards across
the room. The man ricocheted off the edge of the bar crumpling to the floor in
an ungainly heap.

Goddess help that wretch Declan, no
wonder he knew how long it had been since she’d had sex. Her apprentice had quite
literally
booby trapped
her underwear. She was going
to kill him, bring him back from the dead and kill him all over again.

Vaughn knelt down
to check Xander’s pulse
,
strong
and steady thank Maat
. Rolling the smaller man over he noted the chalky
texture of Xander’s skin and the blood matting the hair on the crown of his
head. He wasn’t surprised at either the blood or the fact the man was
unconscious considering the hit he’d taken when he’d landed. Vaughn still
wasn’t quite sure how it had happened nor was he able to fight the feeling of
quiet satisfaction he felt at seeing Xander prone and damaged. He wasn’t sure
if it was the hug Xander had initiated with Hadleigh or the liberties he’d
taken believing he was in a position to adjust her bra strap. Either way Vaughn
had been ready to rip the man’s heart out from his chest but before he’d been
able to do anything Xander had been flying across the room.

“Is it bad?” Hadleigh’s tone sounded
peeved more than concerned, which in of itself made Vaughn feel instantly
better.

“What’s going on?” Drum’s deep
rumble came from the doorway.

Turning Vaughn glanced at his
second. “Call medical, Xander’s hit his head.”

A few minutes passed as Vaughn found
something to wrap around Xander’s head, more to protect the expensive carpet
than give any medical aid. Suddenly he wasn’t in a very forgiving mood when it
came to Xander.

“Medical are on their way.” Drum’s
huge black boots came to rest by Xander’s head. “How did he manage that?”

“We were having a few practise
rounds on the mats.” Hadleigh supplied the information.

“How did he end up over all the way
over here?” Drum studied the distance.

Hadleigh sent him a stony look. “He
touched my bra strap.”