Page 36 of Shackled to the World
Annora was so worried they’d be too late to save Logan that she was becoming desperate.
Taking unnecessary risks.
Pushing herself too far, too fast, and that worried him. He’d been like that before he met her, focused only on the job, and he didn’t want that life for her. She deserved better.
He meandered down the tunnel next to her, not in any rush to return to the others. Wanting to distract her, take her mind off her worries, he captured her hand when it brushed past his and wove their fingers together.
When she faltered, glancing at him sideways, he couldn’t resist the temptation to see how far he could push her. He tugged on her arm, spinning her around in a dramatic, tango-like dance move, and pressed her up against the cement stone wall.
She peered up at him with wide-eyed innocence, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear. “What are you doing?”
“I’m not letting you get caught in the same trap as me.” He ducked his head until their noses brushed. “There is more to life than training and work. You taught me that.”
When she tried to duck her head, he caught her hand and put it over his heart, determined to make her understand. He worried that if he couldn’t find the right words, she would slip through his fingers and fall prey to the insanity of hatred and war, forgetting what mattered most.
He was used to fighting with his fists, teeth and talons. He wasn’t any good at expressing himself.
But for her, he would try.
“We’re here for you…if you’ll allow us. You haven’t lost us. Don’t shut us out.” He cleared his throat, struggling to speak. “I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
* * *
Annora stared up at the big, gruff man, able to taste his anxiety. Knowing she was the cause of his unhappiness made her stomach lurch. She stroked the scruff along his chin, then brushed her fingertips along the crinkles worrying had etched across his forehead. “I have no intention of going anywhere.”
He leaned down, his voice a demand. “No more shutting us out.”
Before she had a chance to say anything, his control snapped. His lips slammed against hers, and she found her back crushed against the wall behind her, like he couldn’t get close enough.
Then the outside world was forgotten as he devoured her.
He nipped at her lips, demanding more, and she relished the sting. She slid her hands down his shoulders to rest against his chest, savoring the way his muscles flexed under her touch. Knowing he needed more, she trailed her fingers down to the waistband of his pants, then shoved her hands up under his shirt, shivering at the heat pouring off of him.
A growl rumbled in his chest, igniting every nerve ending in her body, leaving her craving more. He bent, grabbed the back of her legs, and lifted her clear off the floor. She quickly wrapped her legs around his waist, and a hum of approval resonated low in his throat.
A second later, the tunnel seemed to be flooded with people, the kids whistling and catcalling as they passed. Xander lifted his head and snarled viciously. Wind picked up in the tunnel, as if a great creature was flapping its wings, sending the students scurrying like rats trying to outrun a flood.
His pupils were fully dilated, his body rigid as he tucked her away from prying eyes, his beast in full control. He wasn’t being possessive, but trying to protect her virtue, and warmth flooded her at his thoughtfulness. Not sure how to calm him, she cuddled him close, running her nails up and down the back of his neck until he finally relaxed against her.
He slowly lowered her to her feet, not looking at her. When he would’ve moved away, she clamped her hands around his wrists, halting him as if she’d used a spell to freeze him. She trailed her fingers down the inside of his wrist to the center of his palm and spread her fingers wide, linking them through his.
His grip immediately tightened around her, and he stared impassively at their joined hands for a full minute. When he realized that she wasn’t trying to get away, he seemed to deflate, the tension going out of him. Tucking her close, he guided her aboveground to join the others.
The team surveyed her and Xander when they emerged from the tunnels, their attention lingering on their clasped hands for a few seconds before they went back into protection mode as they headed out. To her surprise, Xander didn’t release her until they got back to Grady House.
The absolute darkness huddled around the house caused her steps to slow.
Something was waiting for them.
As the guys escorted her inside and began making supper, Annora wandered into the living room, gazing out of the wall of glass, searching for what triggered her unease. “I need a few moments to myself. Is the backyard still warded?”
The guys paused, glancing at each other, when Camden spoke. “Yes, it’s still warded. Stay within the boundaries.”
She could tell that it cost him not to send one of the guys out with her, and she had no doubt she’d only have a few minutes to herself before at least one of them came searching for her. She’d have to work fast if she didn’t want to be discovered.
Annora hurried toward the sliding glass door that made up most of one wall. As soon as she slipped outside, the cool night air was like a slap to the face, the touch of frost in it reminding her of Logan. Pushing away the distracting thoughts, she quickly stepped down off the porch, and made her way toward the darkness lingering just beyond the wards.
She stopped at the edge and crossed her arms with a scowl. “What the hell do you want?”
