threateningly toward Garrett, his jaw clenching and his hands in fists.
Garrett moved so swiftly, I almost didn’t see it at all. He stood nose to nose with Ethan, his intense whisper sending prickling energy through my body, causing the hairs on my arms to rise. “You have no business touching her. A cheetah shifter is a rare treasure For your own safety, it would be best if you showed her the deference she deserves. Throw a blanket on the floor if you have to sleep.” The silver specs sparkling in his eyes were probably not a good sign.
Ethan responded with the same low in tensity, not backing down although Garrett could probably break his neck in less than a second. “I understand that you're going to take over as our trainer and I'll respect you in that capacity. But outside of that, you should know that I'd never get out of line with Jackie and I’m pissed off that you think I might. She’s my partner and I won’t treat her differently than any other female I’d train with. It's up to her, not you, whether or not I sleep on the floor."
" I'm fine with sharing the bed, Ethan." I frowned at Garrett who continued to glower at Ethan, his azure eyes still sparkling with some silver. Frustrated, I walked between them and put both my hands on Garrett’s chest, giving him a nudge toward the door. The heated vibrations still flowing through me calmed completely the moment I touched him, When the tension in my shoulders relaxed, he looked down where my hands rested on his chest and the corners of his mouth twitched.
I was annoyed that I’d have to be the one to sort out all this testosterone driven tension. “Could I please speak to you outside, Garrett?” I asked sweetly. He nodded politely and I followed him out the door. I wasn’t planning on staying sweet for long. I sat on a small chair in the yard and he stood a few feet away, leaning against the low brick wall, his expression curious. The buzzing heat was slightly less persistent outside the house so I took a deep breath for courage and began.
“You have no business telling Ethan and me how to behave when we're not working with you as a trainer. I want to trust you, because Rob does, but feeding off of shifters with your magic or whatever it is, gives me the creeps. I don’t want you feeding off of either of us. Especially since it makes us weak and we happen to be hiding from the council right now. I won’t be able to work with you if you do it again.” I crossed my arms to emphasize my words, lifting my chin to indicate I meant business.
Moving closer with a graceful stride, he sat on the bench across from mine. “ May I explain myself?" I nodded. "I have a small group of volunteer donors who help me out. In return, I provide them with a service.” I didn’t want to ask what that might be. "I don't force anyone.
“T onight, I arrived at your cottage before I had a chance to feed. I was worried when you didn’t call me at 3:00 o’clock as you were instructed to by Rob. When I saw Ethan’s arm draped over you I admit, I overreacted." He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "Try to understand—I feel very protective toward you, partly because of what happened two years ago. Now that you're both under my care, neither of you needs to be concerned about your safety. I'm on your side, and as predators go, I’m at the top of the food chain.” To prove his point his eyes turned silver blue, his fangs extended and the huskiness in his voice sent icy shivers racing down my spine. Memories of screaming men and washed up body parts flashed in my head. I didn’t want this vampire as an enemy, but I wouldn’t let him bully me either.
“Ethan didn’t do anything wrong.” I gave him my best stubborn look.
He looked amused again. “I’ll strike a bargain with you. I will never feed from Ethan or you again, unless you offer me your energy willingly. In return, you’ll work with me privately until you’re strong enough to block the magic
Garrett moved so swiftly, I almost didn’t see it at all. He stood nose to nose with Ethan, his intense whisper sending prickling energy through my body, causing the hairs on my arms to rise. “You have no business touching her. A cheetah shifter is a rare treasure For your own safety, it would be best if you showed her the deference she deserves. Throw a blanket on the floor if you have to sleep.” The silver specs sparkling in his eyes were probably not a good sign.
Ethan responded with the same low in tensity, not backing down although Garrett could probably break his neck in less than a second. “I understand that you're going to take over as our trainer and I'll respect you in that capacity. But outside of that, you should know that I'd never get out of line with Jackie and I’m pissed off that you think I might. She’s my partner and I won’t treat her differently than any other female I’d train with. It's up to her, not you, whether or not I sleep on the floor."
" I'm fine with sharing the bed, Ethan." I frowned at Garrett who continued to glower at Ethan, his azure eyes still sparkling with some silver. Frustrated, I walked between them and put both my hands on Garrett’s chest, giving him a nudge toward the door. The heated vibrations still flowing through me calmed completely the moment I touched him, When the tension in my shoulders relaxed, he looked down where my hands rested on his chest and the corners of his mouth twitched.
I was annoyed that I’d have to be the one to sort out all this testosterone driven tension. “Could I please speak to you outside, Garrett?” I asked sweetly. He nodded politely and I followed him out the door. I wasn’t planning on staying sweet for long. I sat on a small chair in the yard and he stood a few feet away, leaning against the low brick wall, his expression curious. The buzzing heat was slightly less persistent outside the house so I took a deep breath for courage and began.
“You have no business telling Ethan and me how to behave when we're not working with you as a trainer. I want to trust you, because Rob does, but feeding off of shifters with your magic or whatever it is, gives me the creeps. I don’t want you feeding off of either of us. Especially since it makes us weak and we happen to be hiding from the council right now. I won’t be able to work with you if you do it again.” I crossed my arms to emphasize my words, lifting my chin to indicate I meant business.
Moving closer with a graceful stride, he sat on the bench across from mine. “ May I explain myself?" I nodded. "I have a small group of volunteer donors who help me out. In return, I provide them with a service.” I didn’t want to ask what that might be. "I don't force anyone.
“T onight, I arrived at your cottage before I had a chance to feed. I was worried when you didn’t call me at 3:00 o’clock as you were instructed to by Rob. When I saw Ethan’s arm draped over you I admit, I overreacted." He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "Try to understand—I feel very protective toward you, partly because of what happened two years ago. Now that you're both under my care, neither of you needs to be concerned about your safety. I'm on your side, and as predators go, I’m at the top of the food chain.” To prove his point his eyes turned silver blue, his fangs extended and the huskiness in his voice sent icy shivers racing down my spine. Memories of screaming men and washed up body parts flashed in my head. I didn’t want this vampire as an enemy, but I wouldn’t let him bully me either.
“Ethan didn’t do anything wrong.” I gave him my best stubborn look.
He looked amused again. “I’ll strike a bargain with you. I will never feed from Ethan or you again, unless you offer me your energy willingly. In return, you’ll work with me privately until you’re strong enough to block the magic
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