Chapter 169 Chapter 169
Stepping out of his tiny house, Blair rubbed a hand over his face and yawned. He was going to have to get a coffee maker for in there. He was used to it being within reach as soon as his eyes focused in the morning. Especially if he was going to keep having these long restless nights.
Closing the door, he looked around to see Cale running toward the front of the house, to where Gage, Devin, and Calum stood. None of them looked happy. Something was going on. “So much for coffee.” He mumbled and hurried to find out what was going on.
Devin was waving a hand around as Calum scowled and looked out toward the road.
“What have I missed?” Blair stifled another yawn.
“Dev’s parents have decided to visit.”
“What?” Coffee or not, that woke him up. “Here, now?” He looked at Calum, who mirrored his thoughts. They had enough issues keeping the women safe.
“They’re flying in, Devin said, looking around. “We’ll land them over at Ed’s.”
“Shit.” Blair looked around, he knew how many guards traveled with Shepard Addison.
“They can stay at our house,” Gage motioned to the small building Blair had just come from, “we’ll put the guards up in the bunkhouse.”
Blair nodded, still trying to process. “Why now?” He turned to see Kobie coming out of the house and forgot he’d asked a question. She was wearing low riding jeans with a black and white patterned halter top on. It covered most of her waist, he was thankful for that with the men here, but it left all of her shoulders and neck bare. He wanted to go over and lick that skin. She smiled at him and his heart started pounding. She was wearing makeup and it only enhanced how fucking gorgeous she was.
As she got closer, she held out a cup to him. He hadn’t even seen it.
He took it, unable to find his voice to speak. Taking a sip, he burned his tongue and didn’t care. It was probably the best coffee he’d ever tasted.
“What’s happening?” She looked only at him. “Rayne is in there on the phone with Beth making a shopping list that sounds like it will feed an army.”
“My parents are coming,” Devin said, in an unamused tone.
Kobie’s dark eyes went wide, “The king and queen are coming? Here? Now?”
“Yes.” Calum looked at Blair, an expression he couldn’t read on his face.
She put a hand over her throat, drawing Blair’s attention back to it. “I guess I better go try to tidy up, if that’s possible with paint cans and ladders all over the place.” She smiled up at Blair and then walked away.
Blair took another sip of the coffee, watching her walk away, momentarily mesmerized.
“We need to…”
Blair held up his hand to pause whoever was talking and darted after her, spilling hot coffee all over his wrist. “Hey,” he touched her bare shoulder and his cat rolled against him, prodding him to mark that soft skin. “Thanks.” She turned and gave him a soft look, those eyes, was all he could think. “For the coffee.” He added in case she was having as much trouble thinking as he was.
Kobie smiled slowly. He wanted to nibble on that bottom lip of hers. “You,” she placed a hand against his chest, “need to focus on whatever needs doing before royalty is on our doorstep.”
He inhaled, taking her scent into his body. No perfumes, no oils, just the intoxicating scent that was her, “you look fucking amazing,” he said in a whisper.
She smiled, a playful look in her eyes. “Thank you.”
Blair nodded slowly, his eyes moving all over her face. Just fucking amazing.
“Blair?” She whispered.
He watched her mouth as she said his name. “Yeah?”
“Kiss me and then go do whatever it is you have to do.”
His gaze darted back to her eyes. A man could get lost in those eyes. Holding the cup out of the way, he leaned down and grasped the back of her head, and pulled her closer. He wanted to devour her, his cat wanted more, but instead, he kissed her gently, slowly, tasting her mouth, coaxing her to kiss him back. When she did, he still controlled himself and kept it soft and sensual. Lifting his head slowly, he looked down to see her eyes had a sexy, longing look in them. He smiled and kissed her briefly. “Go in the house so I can focus. You’re killing me here.”
Backing away, she touched her mouth and gave him a heated look. “Let me know when you want breakfast.” She said in a breathless voice and then went back into the house.
Blair waited until she closed the door and then blew out a breath.
“All better now? Can we focus on how the hell we’re keeping Dev’s parents safe?” Calum said loudly.
Blair turned his head, his body following slowly, and went back toward them. Nodding, he took a quick sip, “what were you saying?”
Gage grinned, Devin shook his head. Even Calum looked amused, despite the serious issues they needed to talk about.
“Tell me I didn’t look that dopey over Rayne,” Devin said quietly.
“You were worse,” Calum said.
Devin scowled at him, “you were an idiot with Shaelan.”
Calum rubbed a hand over his chest. “Completely different circumstances.”
Blair smiled, “we’re all idiots when it comes to them.” He lifted his cup, “now how the hell are we keeping, nine coveted females, and the entire royal family safe?”
Blair stood beside the house and watched the helicopter fly overhead, then disappear as it landed at Ed’s.
“I’m nervous as fuck.” Cale came up beside him.
“Gage said the vans of guards arrived an hour ago.” Blair crossed his arms and looked up at the sky. It was getting darker.
“They must have been on the road before we were told they were coming.” Cale followed where Blair was looking. “This storm is going to hit hard.”
Blair nodded, “yeah. Because this isn’t enough of a challenge.” He motioned to the house, “having the whole royal family here and then twenty people trapped in an unfinished, partially furnished house.”
“What’s my priority here?” Cale scratched the side of his head, “I’m here to watch over this clan, but when royals are here…”
“They’ll bring about ten of their own guards,” Blair glanced back at the house, “you just keep doing what you’ve been doing and patrolling and keeping an eye on the girls.” He blew out a breath, “they’re getting better at not wandering away…”
“They’re getting annoyed with shadows at their every move,” Cale said quietly.
Blair nodded, “I know, but it’s either that or stay in the house. I’ll remind them.”
“Thanks. I thought Franki was going to take a bite out of me last night for trailing her on a run.”
Blair laughed, “would you rather be assigned to the girls that can’t shift yet?”
Cale’s eyes widened, “I think that might be worse. Those four are going to be a force, mother nature won’t even challenge.”
Blair nodded. “And they’re all ours.”
Cale turned to watch the vans come up the drive. “I’m definitely on their side in any battle, fight, or squabble.”
Blair felt pride move through him.