Protecting Shaylee (The Fae Guard Book 1) by Elle Christensen Read Free Book Online

but—”
    “—You were never there just to see me, I was your job.” I cut him off once again. I don’t want to hear his explanation. Humiliation settles over my skin, a cold blanket that stifles my breathing. I was so stupid to think that he was my best friend. To think that he would come to visit—just to see me—a child. No wonder he went running after our heated session in the pantry. What was I, but another woman he was attracted to? One of the many, I’m sure. For shit’s sake, he’s gorgeous. He must have sensed that my naïve thoughts had turned to forever and took off before I embarrassed us both.
    “So, you got the council to assign you elsewhere after we—after my birthday.”
    He doesn’t attempt to respond this time, probably assuming I would cut him off again. Smart choice, jackass.
    “Two years of nothing. You up and left with no explanation or goodbye. But then, why would you? You passed the baton and moved on, right?” He was gone, so—“Wait, why are you here, now? Why would they send you when you obviously didn’t want to be assigned to me anymore?” This time I stop and give him chance to reply.
    His knuckles are white from squeezing the steering wheel tight, and he throws me a sharp look. “Are you ready to let me speak now and listen to what I have to say?”
    I scowl at him, but gesture for him to continue.
    “I handled it all wrong, when I left.” I don’t hold back my sarcastic grunt of agreement and he gives me another withering glare.
    “You were never just a job to me, Shaylee. You, your mom and dad, you’re all family to me. But, I needed to go. You weren’t ready for where our attraction was leading us.” he hurries to continue, knowing I’m about to interrupt again, I’m sure.
    “The council asked me to return for you and I had my own reasons for agreeing.” He stops now and I wait for him to continue. After a minute, it appears that he has nothing more to say. He knows I will believe him and it takes some of the wind out of my sails. I’m still angry and hurt over the way he left, but I’m exhausted and so ready to be done with this conversation. I turn back to the scenery and begin to nod off.

WHEN SHE FELL ASLEEP, some of the pressure eased from my hands and I lightened my grip on the steering wheel. I’d have this conversation with her, just not now. She is mine and she’ll accept it, eventually. But, I need time for her to get over her indignation at the way I left. Sure, I’d handled it wrong. However, I came back, and she needs to get over it. I can’t tell her about being fated until she’s accepted the fact that I’m not going to let her go.
    I see a small hotel ahead and pull off of the road into the softly lit parking lot. As soon as we left the city, I’d no longer felt the sensation of being stalked. I don’t want Shaylee to know the darkness is practically nipping at her heels. I had to get us the hell out of dodge because I knew it was close. I’m convinced that somehow, a Fallen found out about her before she was marked and they are coming for her. My instincts are telling me that we are safe to stop here for the night. It’s almost one in the morning and it’s been a long day for both of us. The fatigue is catching up with me, and I’m ready to have my girl in my arms and get some sleep.
    The hotel is built to look like a long, extended log cabin and when I enter the front office, I chuckle at the cheesy décor. They went a little overboard with the six point buck on the wall, his vacant, black eyes unnerving the guests. The desk is empty, so I ring the little, silver bell and wait for the attendant. A handsome, young man, in his early twenties, comes in through a door in the back and he checks me into a room with one queen bed. I’m not even going to pretend that wasn’t on purpose.
    With the key in hand, I jog back out to the car and pull it around back into the space for room number four. Shaylee still hasn’t moved, so I get