Fated Hearts(In Deep Editing)

Chapter Five

Aubrey's POV

I stood there watching Kane walk away. He just kissed my hand. Butterflies? I've got frickin Pterodactyls flapping around in my stomach. It was so unexpectedly sweet and sexy, I had a hard time breathing. My eyes travel over his broad back and down to his lean hips. Good lord, that ass, could it be more perfect?

I roll my eyes at my own immature thoughts. I won't deny the attraction and chemistry between us. Nor will I deny that my thoughts have done little but think of him. But I've had that before, and it nearly killed me. But chris never made me feel safe. Excited? yes. Thrilling in bed? you bet. But safe and cherished? absolutely not. I recall the cup of hot cocoa and the way he left me his guard dog so that I would be able to sleep soundly. He even calls me angel. Maybe giving Kane a shot wouldn't be so bad...

No!

Its too soon for me. He can say he wants me til he's blue in the face. Words are just that- words.

I close the door and turn leaning against the cold wood. Grim studies me from the bed that he must have returned to. "Just make yourself at home why don't you?" I tell him laughing as he rolls over stretching out on my sheets as if to say don't mind if I do.

I walk over to plop down on my couch, staring at my untouched cup of coffee. I need to stay away from my grumpy viking. All I'll do is get hurt again. My stomach growls, interrupting the depressing direction my thoughts were heading. Deciding to grab some breakfast before work i grab my scarf and sweater, bundeling up before I whistle for Grim.  Snatching my bag off the hook, we head downstairs. Just as I reach the bottom step i pause to stoop down to cuddle the massive dog's neck.
"Go home gorgeous I'll see you tonight." I watch him trot over to Kane's shop, stopping to look for traffic before crossing the road. My jaw drops, how the hell did Kane teach him that?!

I shake my head in amazement as I breeze through the door to start my shift. There are a few tables waiting, and time flies as I collect orders, deliver food, and clear the tables in seemingly endless repetition.

Its later in the afternoon as I'm wiping a table off that Lucy approaches me. "Aubrey, there's a couple in the corner that asked for you." I look to the table mentioned to see a good looking couple sitting there. "Oh okay, I'm on it." She smiles tightly at me, turning on her heel to walk back into her office.

Oookay. I walk over with pad and pen ready. "Hi, may I get you two anything?" The man inhales, then stares hard at me. His bright blue eyes harden to resemble ice in his stare. A frown upon his brow, black hair falling in his eyes. I look right in his eyes unflinching, not intimidated. I break contact to look at the woman, who I thought to look the epitome of warmth. She has beautiful hazel eyes that sparkle in obvious amusement. A pert nose above full lips. Her hair is the most gorgeous shade of red I have ever seen. "Yes, please can I have a chocolate milkshake? Butthead wants a coffee." I like her immediately, and I smile. "Yes ma'am I'll have your order right out."

Walking away I can feel their stares on my back. I pour a coffee and prepare the woman's milkshake, trying to slow my pulse. Something about the man's energy feels familiar. Walking back toward their table I realize they've argued as they were both glaring at one another. "Your coffee, sir." I place his coffee in front of him. "Thanks." grumpy pants murmers.

Placing the milkshake in front of the woman, I straighten to leave. "Hey, wait! My names Annie. I've never seen you in town before." Annie calls to me. "Aubrey," I introduce, smiling. "And yes I'm new. Its a beautiful town." The man stares hard at me. "Why are you here?" I'm taken aback by his hostility, and it makes my temper flare. I step closer to the table over him. "Last time I checked, a grown woman is allowed to be where she wants. If you don't pay my bills I'm not really sure I answer to you." In the corner of my eye i see Annie covering a laughing with a cough.

I march straight back to Lucy's office, knocking once before entering. "That man. Is he an important customer here?" Her eyes widen. "Yes. Why?" I sigh as I sit in the chair in front of her desk. "I may have told him to screw off. Not in those words but basically." I wince at her blank face.

Then she completely catches me off guard by bursting out in loud, hearty laughter. I sit with raised brow, waiting for her to calm herself. "Oh, God! Okay so Annie is the only person other than Kane that can stand up to him, its just so good to hear that! Don't you worry bout Blaine, sweetie he's just an alpha male is all." I nod, heading out to check if Annie has throttled her man yet. Sadly she has not, though he does look like a chastised child.

"Do you need anything else?" I quip. Annie shoots me a grin. "Can you sit with us? It looks as if you've run out of customers." I look over my shoulder and she's right. I shrug sitting next her, looking at Blaine's amused face. "So, I'm sorry I was dick." He shoots me a crooked grin, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. I try to fight my smile to no avail. "Is she making you say this?" I ask, nodding my head at Annie. She laughs throwing an arm over my shoulder. He grins wide shooting me a wink.

"I'm keeping you Aubrey, you shall be my squishy!" I look at her weirdly and laugh. The bell tings, making us look to see Kane enter. Once he sees us his scowl deepens further, which I find shocking that it could actually do that, stalking over. "I thought you said you would call me when you got into town?" He asks Blaine, his voice gravely.

"Its so nice to see you too, honey!" Blaine jokes throwing a carefree grin up at Kane. My grumpy viking throws him an exhasperated look, all the whole glaring at me. What did I do? I roll my eyes and stand. Whelp that's my cue to leave.

I walk to where Jon is sitting in the corner of the kitchen fast asleep. Not wanting to disturb him I find Lucy. "Hey just the girl I need to see." Lucy grins. "I'm closing for tonight. More snow is coming in and no one wants to be out when it gets going." I lean against the door frame, "Well I've got Annie and Blaise left so-"

"Leave them to me." Boss lady interrupts with a raised hand. I sag in relief, "Awesome! I'm going to go curl up with a book. I can't wait for spring. Bye!"

I wave and grab my things to leave. Peaking out at Blaine and Annie's table, I notice all three are bent over in discussion. I shrug deciding to leave them be, I won't charge them for just a milkshake and coffee. Heading into my flat I go to my bathroom running a warm bath.

While it fills, I look into the mirror. My green eyes have a spark they haven't had in years. My skin glows and my hair shines. Happy. I look happy, I realize. I'm safe. And free. No one can tell Chris where I am. Then a flash of memory encases my mind, and I see a blueish black bruise over my face. I remember the smell of a sterile room in the hospital. The heaviness of the cast on my leg. I feel hands on my skin that no matter how many times I scrub at myself never goes away. And just like that I'm breathing through a panic attack, cutting the water off, albeit clumsily, to the bath tub.

There's a knock on my front door, but I can barely breathe. I sit on the toilet, my pulse racing in my ears, drowning out sound. Then my bathroom door opens to reveal Annie. She hurries over shoving my head in between my legs. "Breathe, honey. In through your nose," she breathes with me. "Out through your mouth." We repeat the process until I sit up. I look at her cautiously. "Feel better?" She asks and I nod, not having the strength to speak yet. "Take a bath, okay? I'm ordering a pizza." I just stare at her. She claps her hands twice. "I told you I've adopted you. Now do as I said!" I smile tentatively, appreciating her change of mood.

As I soak in the tub, I try to relax. Try to let go of my past. If only it were that simple.