Free Harrier's Healer by Aliyah Burke Page B

him that wasn’t injured,
    Alexis felt a peace surround her that she hadn’t ever been aware of
    before. Security and contentment. As he turned off the light and ga-
    thered her against his protective body she sighed deeply. “Thank you,”
    she murmured as the days events overtook her and she feel asleep.
    “Sleep well, my sexy sienna healer. Sleep well.” With a kiss to
    her head he, too, slept.

C h a p t e r E i g h t
    “Why won’t you tell me where we are going?” Alexis protested
    as the driver put her bags in the trunk of the cab. She climbed into the
    backseat ahead of the blond-haired, blue-eyed man with her.
    “Don’t you think that defeats the whole idea of a surprise?” he
    responded with a chuckle.
    “Humph.” She slid across the leather seat so he could climb in
    on the same side, and tried to ignore the fact that her neighbors were
    watching avidly.
    “Come on, now. You’ll love it, I promise,” he coaxed for a smile
    and was rewarded with one. His gaze also took in the ogling stares but
    they didn’t seem to affect him at all.
    Closing the door he smiled as the taxi drove them away from
    prying eyes. He looked at the woman beside him. Meeting his eyes, she
    fell victim to his cornflower-blue orbs. “Where are we going?” she tried
    again.
    “These lips are sealed,” he answered with a wink.
    Alexis looked down at herself. She wore khaki capris and a
    black sleeveless shirt that displayed her well-toned arms. On her feet
    was a pair of black sandals that showed off the French manicure on her
    toes. Her hair was loose, framing her face, softening her appearance
    even more. “How can I be sure I packed the right clothing?”
    Scott shook his head. “Not gonna work. I was with you as you
    packed so you have the right clothes.”
    “Fine,” Alexis huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
    “You’re very adorable when you pout, did you know that?”
    “I’m not pouting.”
    He shrugged. “Okay, but I still think you’re adorable.”
    54
    Aliyah Burke
    Adorable. That one word made her feel like the only woman in
    the world. “Will you do something for me?”
    “What is it?” He moved his burning gaze up from her chest to
    her face.
    “Teach me some self-defense moves.”
    His eyes turned stormy. “Who’s threatened you?” The menace
    in his voice caused even the cabbie to look at him in shock with a bit of
    fear.
    She immediately reached across the cab and laid a dark hand on
    his solid arm. “No one. I just want to learn.” At his skeptical look, she
    reiterated, “No one has threatened me.”
    “Alexis,” came a deep rumbling growl.
    “I promise, Commander, no one has threatened me.” She began
    to move her arm back and he grabbed hold of it and skated her body
    across the smooth seat to anchor her next to him.
    “You will tell me if anyone does.” It was another order, not a
    question.
    “I don’t need you to protect me.”
    “Maybe not, but I need to protect you.” His knuckles skimmed
    over her cheekbone. “I want your promise, Lex,” he rumbled.
    “Okay, I promise. I will let you know if anyone threatens me.”
    She shook her head in dismay as she spoke.
    He opened his mouth to respond verbally but stopped. Any fur-
    ther protest was halted as the cab pulled up to the airport load-
    ing/unloading zone to stop by the door for their airline.
    “A flight?” Alexis watched as her bags were whisked away by
    an attendant at Scott’s order.
    “You’re not afraid to fly, are you?” he asked as he slid his arm
    around her back and escorted them inside the cool airport.
    “No, I’m not.” Her brows furrowed as she wondered what was
    in store for her.
    “Don’t worry so much. We aren’t leaving the country. Does that
    help?”
    “A bit. There’s gonna be access to a phone if my…our pagers go
    off, right?”
    A low growl slipped from him as if annoyed by the prospect.
    “We have our cells.” He began to laugh. “I’m not taking you to