Chapter 13
I woke up still surrounded by Carter’s arms and it was perfect. I didn’t understand why the guys never stayed all night with me. They laid in the bed to help me get to sleep, but always left at some point. A girl could get a complex about something like that. I looked up to see him looking at me and smiled. “Good morning, handsome.”
“Good morning, beautiful.” Carter always knew what to say. “Any plans today, maybe knocking out some walls instead of ceilings?”
“Ha ha, very funny. I figured I would train some with Harrison and maybe get out of the house to go see a movie. Wonder Woman is out and I am dying to see it,” I said.
“Mind if I tag along to the movie?”
“Of course not. I would love if you went with me.” We got up, even though it was really difficult, and got ready for the day. We headed down to the kitchen and inhaled the best smell in the world – bacon. Harrison had been cooking breakfast every morning for all of us. The smell almost made me forget about the intruder – almost, but not quite. She was sitting in “my” chair and twirling her hair at Chase. It made me feel a little better that he was barely paying her any attention. Good grief, was she going to flirt with all of them? Then a horrible thought came to mind. What if she was supposed to bond with one of them or two of them? A shiver ran through my entire body and I felt like I might throw up. I poured a glass of water to keep my hands busy and sat beside Carter.
“Good morning, Breanna,” Amazon Bitch said.
“Good morning,” I mumbled. I didn’t even look at her when I spoke.
“Looks like someone is not a morning person,” she said. I didn’t even acknowledge her comment. I just kept drinking my water with my head down. I was afraid that if I looked up at her, I would punch her in her pretty face.
“Here you go, Bre,” Harrison said while bringing me a plate of breakfast goodness.
“Thanks, Harry.”
“Harry? I thought you hated when people called you that. The last time I remember someone doing it, you didn’t say a word and just punched them in the face,” the intruder said.
“Well, Bre is special and she can call me whatever she wants,” Harrison replied while winking at me.
“Hmm. Looks like Carter and Bryce aren’t the only ones that think she is special. You might want to watch out for this one, Carter. Seems you aren’t the only one to catch her eye,” Alexis commented while smirking.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I questioned.
“Oh, nothing. It’s just interesting that you are Carter’s girlfriend, but were holding hands with Bryce last night and calling Harrison pet names today. Add that to the fact that you live here and it makes a girl wonder.”
“Makes a girl wonder what?” I looked directly at her for the first time today. Amazon Bitch wanted her ass kicked today it seemed.
“Nothing, I’m just messing with you.” She waved a hand in the air, acting like what she said was no big deal. Each of the guys looked at one another with worried looks.
“Bre is my girlfriend, but is close friends with everyone here. Don’t make it out to be something it’s not, Alexis. You are a guest here and will treat her with respect, or you won’t be a guest here any longer,” Carter said to her through narrowed eyes and a clenched jaw.
“Oh, Carter, I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just joking with her like us girls do, right, Breanna?” Alexis said.
“Whatever.” Amazon Bitch. I really wish I could punch her like I did with the bag last night. If we weren’t trying to hide what I am, she would not be standing right now. Breathe, Bre.
“Well, what are everyone’s plans today?” Bryce said, trying to change the subject.
“I was hoping Harry could help me brush up on my self-defense technique a little and then Carter and I are going to see Wonder Woman. It’s about time there’s a girl superhero that is the lead in a movie,” I replied.
“Sure, Bre, I have some time to train today. Wanna get started in about an hour?” Harrison asked.
“Yes, that sounds great,” I said. After finishing up with breakfast, I went upstairs to change into workout clothes. I then made my way outside to where Harrison preferred to train and saw the intruder, also in workout clothes, talking to Harrison. Oh, shit. She’s going to train with us. How am I going to hide my gifts? I am going to have to act completely like a human…or am I? Then again, this might be fun.
I walked out smiling and ready to kick some Amazon Bitch ass. Harrison looked at me, smiled, and cocked his head to the side in question. Then he shook his head, realizing why I was so excited. I pretended to not notice and started stretching. She was almost a foot taller than me, but slender. I can take her. He started us out separately, doing drills of basic moves. He continued with this for a while and I was starting to get bored. I was ready to hit something, well, someone. Alexis must have been getting bored, too, because she complained, “Harrison, enough with the drills. Let’s see what she’s got.”
“Okay, but you asked for it. Bre is pretty good,” Harrison replied. I smirked at him and tried to contain my excitement. I really needed to concentrate and make sure I wasn’t showing any of my gifts, but a little extra oomph in my punches wouldn’t hurt. He faced us off against each other and told us to begin. She struck first with a punch, followed quickly by a kick. I blocked them both. She was pretty quick, but nowhere near as fast as I was, even without my gifts. I aimed a punch at her right side on her ribs and added a tiny bit of air to it. My aim was dead on and she let out a sharp breath, taking a step back. I could see her eyes narrowing and could tell she was pissed. Welcome to the club, bitch.
She stepped toward me again and tried a different technique, but I blocked her again and immediately kicked her legs out from under her. She hit the ground hard, flat on her ass. I stepped back and tried not to laugh, because I didn’t even use my gift at all. She hauled herself back up, looking even more pissed. Her face was blood red. “Okay, let’s go again and this time I am not holding back,” she said. Bring it on, Amazon Bitch.
Alexis came at me with everything she had and this time, I leaned out of the way of a punch, but missed her leg sweeping mine out from under me. I landed on my ass this time. She didn’t give me a second to recover before punching me in the face. Harrison hauls her back from me. “Alex, she gave you a chance to get up when you were down. Give her the same courtesy.”
My cheek stung like crazy and I was irate. She wanted to play rough? No problem. “No, it’s fine, Harry. Now that I understand the rules, we are on more even ground. Let’s go!” I wasted no time going after her this time. I jabbed her again in the same spot at her ribs adding a little air to it and immediately punched her in the face with my other hand, again adding a little air to it. Her head swung to the side and I saw blood coming from her mouth, but I didn’t let up. I roundhouse-kicked her on the other side of her jaw and put a lot of air into it. She hit the ground hard and didn’t move for a second. Did I kill her already? Good grief, it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours. I really need to learn better control.
She started moving a little and groaned. Harrison went over to her and helped her up. She was bleeding heavily from her lip and her cheek was already swelling. Oooo, that is gonna look great in a few hours! Yes, take that, Amazon Bitch. She looked at me with an “I want to kill you” look and I reveled in it. I smiled a knowing smile at her and raised one eyebrow. She would know better than to mess with me again. I may be small, but I packed quite a punch – literally!
I walked over to her and said, “Are you okay, Alexis? Sorry if I hit you too hard. I sometimes just really get into it and get a little carried away. Do you need some ice?”
“No, I’m fine, thank you. Harrison, I think I am going to go in and take a shower. Wanna join me?” she asked while looking at me, prodding me for a response. She may not be able to kick my ass, but she could mess with me through my boys.
I tried not to react, but I was fuming. Harrison said, “No, I’m good. Bre really needs to continue to train, so we will be here a while. Go on in and shower, then rest. That cheek looks bad.”
As soon as she was gone, Harrison looked at me and said, “You shouldn’t have done that. She might be able to tell you used a gift. But between you and me, it was kick-ass!” He lifted his hand to high-five me. I slapped his hand and laughed.
“To be honest, Harrison, I barely even used air, except on that last kick. I could have taken her without a gift, but I wanted her to hurt a little. She has been messing with me since she got here and I am done,” I replied.
“I get it and don’t worry, she shouldn’t be able to tell. But I know her and she will be out for your blood now. She will mess with you even more since you bruised her ego by knocking her on her ass, twice. Just be prepared and try not to kill her. I saw the ceiling in the work out room. Thinking about her while working out?” he asked.
“Maybe,” I quietly said.
“Why don’t we go for a run around the property to calm down?” he suggested.
“That sounds perfect, let’s go.” Harrison and I jogged part way around the property and stopped to take a break near the woods.
We were resting on a large rock when Harrison asked, “You don’t usually have a temper, so what is it about her that gets you riled up?”
“She won’t stop touching you or insinuating things she would like to do with you. I mean, really, she just asked you to take a shower with her! I don’t like her near you guys. I know it sounds selfish since I am not dating any of you, but she is the devil and I don’t like her here.”
Harrison chuckled and rubbed a thumb down the side of my face. “I wouldn’t like anyone touching you, either, so I get it.” He looked directly at me when he said this. It reminded me of when we were in his bed and I thought he was going to kiss me. He leaned in a bit and all I could think about were his lips. I stared down at them, willing them closer, and they came. I looked up into Harrison’s eyes and it looked like he was asking permission, so I nodded just a bit. He then slowly lowered his lips to mine and softly kissed me. He was so gentle, completely different than when Chase kissed me, but just as exciting. His hand cupped the back of my head and I leaned into him. I could feel his muscular chest against mine. I wrapped my arms around his waist and rubbed my hands up his back. He pressed harder into the kiss and I opened my mouth a little. He immediately dived in with his tongue and tasted my mouth. I raked my nails down his back and he moaned. Our tongues played with each other until liquid fire was running through my body. I tried to pull him closer, but we were already chest-to-chest and I was all but sitting in his lap. Harrison broke the kiss, breathing heavily, and looked at me. My lips felt swollen, but wonderful. “That was even better than I expected. It was the hottest kiss I have ever had.”
I smiled up at him, “I have to agree with you.” I turned, leaned my back onto his chest, and sighed. He wrapped his arms around me and I was in heaven. “I wish we could stay out here forever. I feel more relaxed than I have in a while. Thanks for getting me away from her for a bit.”
“I told you I would do anything for you and I meant it.”