Free Dark of the Moon by Rachel Hawthorne Page A

chick flicks with Kate Hudson or Drew Barrymore. But would the torture be worth it? I was more into action flicks.
    Before the last full moon, I’d always been honest and upfront with people. Lately I felt as though I wasn’t even walking in my own skin anymore.
    But I couldn’t think of anything to say to Connor. I didn’t look away and neither did he. He was slowing his reps and I could see the slightest quiver in his muscles. He probably needed to stop, but he kept going. Watching him straining like that did something to my insides. Suddenly I was fighting to draw in air. I pressed the cool-down button and began slowing my steps to keep up with the machine’s preparing to shut down.
    I never took my gaze from Connor’s. When I finally stopped, I removed my earbuds and stuffed them in my shorts pocket. I wiped the towel over my face, burying it in the soft cotton and mentally preparing myself for what I planned to do.
    As deliberately as possible, I walked over to the bench beside Connor, sat, and pulled off my T-shirt, relishing the feel of cool air hitting the damp skin around my sports bra. Watching Connor in the mirror, I thought it looked as though his movements faltered. His eyes narrowed. He started pumping faster. I had this crazy moment of feeling like I was tormenting him,that perhaps he was finally really taking notice of me.
    Reaching down, I wrapped a hand around a ten-pound weight. I began mimicking his movements, all the while acutely aware of his gaze wandering over me. I grew warm and languid, the kind of feeling I had when I went to the spa with my mom and spoiled myself with a hot stone massage.
    “What are you staring at?” I finally asked.
    He shook his head, but didn’t look away. “None of the other girls are as devoted to working out as you are.”
    “I can’t help it if they’re slackers. I want to be the best Dark Guardian there is, and that means staying in shape.”
    “Guys will always be better Guardians than girls,” someone said.
    I jerked my head over to where Drew, a novice, was doing leg squats. It always seemed to me that the novices were a little too cocky when everyone knew that a true Guardian could kick their butts around the moon.
    “I could outrun you,” I said.
    “That’s stamina not strength.”
    “So what do you want to do? See who can lift the most weight?”
    Grinning, he shook his head. Drew was known for liking to get physical, for inciting fights. I didn’t know if the guy was going to make it as a Dark Guardian. Hehad anger issues he needed to get under control. Around him, a couple of guys stopped what they were doing to pay more attention to us.
    “Leave her alone, Drew,” Connor said.
    “I can fight my own battles,” I told him.
    He rolled his eyes, demonstrating his impatience with me.
    “Isn’t that what being a Guardian is about?” I asked.
    “It’s about fighting with the pack,” Connor said.
    I knew he was right. It irritated me that he was right. But his order to leave me alone was followed as everyone returned to concentrating on his exercises. When Connor barked, the others usually jumped. I figured if he wasn’t good friends with Lucas, if he didn’t believe our kind needed to behave with more civility, he might have challenged Lucas for pack leader. I had no doubt he would have won.
    In spite of his usual good humor, which had apparently gone into hiding since Lindsey’s betrayal, he was one of the toughest Guardians.
    So why hadn’t he beat Rafe?
    “So what’s up with you and Daniel?” Connor asked in a low voice.
    I almost lost my rhythm. I switched the weight to the other hand while he did the same. “What are you talking about?”
    “This morning at breakfast, the way you were acting. Looked like you were reconsidering him for a mate.”
    “Jealous?” I asked. I realized the moment the words left my mouth that it was the wrong ploy.
    “Just curious.”
    “He’s a nice guy, but that’s all.”
    Something shifted