Free Night Blade by J. C. Daniels Page A

hand slid into my hair and tangled. “You’re going to do Christmas this year. With me.”
    I lifted up a little to look at him. “I am, huh?”
    “Yeah.” He lifted up onto one elbow and pressed his mouth to mine. “Nice, normal…it doesn’t get much more nice and normal than that.”
    “Christmas, huh?” I lay my head back on his chest, smiling a little. “Are we going to get a tree?”
    “Damn straight…a tree. I’ll buy you presents. You can buy something, too. I think something red and slinky, like all those lingerie things you look at and never buy.”
    Sleep tugged at me harder but I found myself smiling. “You’d look funny in a red lace teddy, Damon.”
    “Ha, ha.”
    I think he might have kissed me.
    I know I heard him whisper something. But I don’t know what he said. I’d already tumbled back down into sleep.
    This time, there were no dreams.
     
    * * * * *
     
    “Doyle was in here.”
    I was down in my gym. Damon hadn’t made a sound, but I’d known he was coming. I’d felt the burn of him on my skin. He could lash that energy down, but lately, even when he was playing at being human, I knew when he was near me.
    I lowered my blade and turned, staring at him as he stood in the doorway, a frown on his face. “You’re the one who sent him over here to check up on me. Of course, he was here.”
    “I wanted him to make sure you were okay,” Damon snapped. “I didn’t tell him to…”
    He trailed off, glaring at me.
    “Check up on me?” I swiped my forearm across my brow before the sweat could get into my eyes. “Damon, I really wish the lot of you could get one thing through your heads…I’ve been taking care of myself for a damn long time. I don’t need babysitters.”
    A muscle jerked in his jaw.
    I sighed and turned away, staring at the mirrors as I lifted my blade again.
    “Why was he down here?” Damon asked.
    I smirked as I lifted the blade again.
    “Kit…”
    “Want an answer?”
    “If I didn’t want one, I wouldn’t ask.”
    I met his eyes in the mirror as I drew the blade down in a diagonal cut. “Maybe I should make you fight me for it.”
    He gave me a pained look.
    I laughed. Sparring with Damon was fun. He had to keep the brakes on, something we both knew but when he was keeping the brakes on, he couldn’t keep up with me. Meaning I kicked his ass.
    Damon was a decent sparring partner but he’d never be a swordsman.
    “I’ll tell you what…I’ll answer the question, if you’ll agree to do me a favor.” I finished the attack pattern and then turned to him, smiling a little.
    He wasn’t looking at my face.
    Clearing my throat, I waited until his gaze shifted from my breasts upward. “You are such a man,” I muttered.
    A faint grin tugged at his lips and he shrugged. Then he crossed his arms over his chest. “You know, I could just make Doyle tell me.”
    “But you asked me. And I can tell you. Right now…exactly what you want to know, for a favor. All you have to do is something that’s completely within your power to give,” I said. I banished my blade. Her sheath was on one of the weapons tables and she settled there, quiet and quiescent as I strolled over to stand a few feet in front of Damon.
    “What?”
    “Stop.” I studied his face, wondering if he’d understand what I was asking when I didn’t fully grasp all of it myself. “Just…stop, Damon.”
    A muscle pulsed in his cheek.
    “You’re standing there worrying because you’re thinking Doyle could hurt me,” I said softly. “He’s still young and new enough in his skin that I can handle him…and you know it.”
    Lashes drooped over his eyes.
    “It would take blood and pain on both our parts, but I could do it. Plus…” I shrugged restlessly. “The kid hates me, but he trusts and loves you, so you need to trust him and stop worrying he’s going to hurt me. Trust both of us.”
    “Fine,” he bit off.
    “That’s not all.”
    Gray eyes narrowed.
    “It’s a bulk sort of