The Guardians

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The Guardians

by

Mandy M. Roth

 

 

Dedication:

 

To my readers for sticking with me through thick and thin. Thanks for joining me on another wild ride.

 

 

Chapter One

 

I propped my feet up on the Formica table and leaned back in my chair to see if Brady was done filming his scene yet. He was already running an hour and a half behind schedule. Typical, but it still pissed me off. Since he was my ride home, I was stuck. I didn’t really mind. I’d also come prepared with things to do while I waited. Watching him work was rather amusing. It was especially funny when he and his co-star didn’t see eye to eye as was the case now.

The skinny redhead in front of him was having trouble getting into the “zone” in regards to chemistry. She was supposed to look like she couldn’t get enough of Brady in a sensual, erotic sort of way. That hadn’t happened as of yet. Instead, she was coming across as a giddy teenage girl who might faint at the slightest bit of attention from him. Sadly, I think that’s exactly what she was.

Every time Brady moved in to her to say his lines, she giggled. I wanted to buy her an ice cream cone and the newest heartthrob magazine before sending her on her merry way. Yeah, I was that annoyed with her. It didn’t help she’d started aggravating me about forty minutes earlier, leaving me no choice but to do mischievous magikal things to her from afar. Since I didn’t have to actually lay a hand on her, I looked innocent. Only Brady knew what I was doing. He was the only person present who was aware I was more than human. Each time I zapped the redhead, he laughed so hard they had to restart the scene. His running behind might have had something to do with my shenanigans, but it was so much easier to point the finger of blame in another direction.

David, the director, yelled “cut” and announced another break. At this rate, we’d be spending the night at the studio. The lights came on and the set cleared almost instantly. I couldn’t blame the crew for being in a hurry, I was a little sick of it all too. Though, shocking the redhead did make me giddy.

Brady grabbed his long-sleeved, white cotton shirt and tossed it on, not bothering to button it. The solid wall of tawny muscle left showing made me do a slight double-take. He was certainly a fine specimen. That much was for sure.

He nodded towards me. His tousled blond hair was purposely messy, styled in one of those shorter cuts, leaving the top about two inches long and the sides and back cut close. Brady’s hair routine consisted of pouring a glop of gel in his hands and running them through his hair. That was it. Anything above that was primping in his book and just wasn’t done.

Sadly enough, our rituals weren’t altogether that different. I tended to avoid the gel and just let my hair air dry. I had little room to comment on his laziness. Especially since most people assumed I was high maintenance.

As he neared, I spotted smudged lipstick on his face and laughed. Leaning forward, I grabbed my red handbag and tossed it to him. “Catch, Casanova.”

Brady wrinkled his nose and sighed. “Is it bad?”

Looking up into his blue eyes, I snickered. We’d been through enough of these types of scenes to know he was covered in lipstick. “It sort of looks like you’ve been attacked by an entire team of Great-Aunt Ednas, who all took turns laying one on you, but it could be worse,” I snorted. “They really should take that off her. It doesn’t do a thing for her. Light peach would have been a perfect color for her. It wouldn’t show so bad on you and it’d bring out her eyes.”

Brady chuckled and opened my handbag. “You know, when you go all girlie you make me wonder how we ended up friends.” Reaching into my bag, his eyes widened and the color drained from his face as he pulled out a handful of condoms. “Madelyn?”

I grinned. “Yes?”

“What are these?”

“Brady, you of all people, know what those are. Don’t even pretend like you don’t sleep with every girl who throws herself at you.”

The thick muscles in his neck worked overtime as he appeared to have momentary issues swallowing. I considered patting his back but held back. “Uhh, Mads, I thought you and Vance were taking some time apart?”

Flashing him a bad girl smile, I stood slowly. It felt good to stretch after sitting for so long. “We are on, if you’ll recall, what Vance likes to refer to as a break and I like to call broken up, because he did what…?” Tipping my head, I put my hand out to Brady, prompting him to take a guess.

Brady gave me the “I really don’t want to discuss this look” and grabbed a tissue out of my bag. “Because he cheated on you.”

“With how many women?”

“Two,” he sighed before tapping a condom package, “at the same time.”

“Ding, ding. We have a winner.” Taking my bag from him, I tossed it aside and put my hand out. A woman’s touch was needed. Brady relinquished the tissue and stood still. I moved in close and went to work on cleaning him up. I thought about putting my mule heels back on. They gave me an additional two inches of height. Not that I normally needed any more, but Brady was six-four and I was five-nine. Compared to many women I knew, I was tall. Compared to Brady, I wasn’t.

Tilting his head to the side, I cleaned his cheek before going to work on his neck. I wrinkled my nose as I found something wet and slimy on him. “Gawd, did she drool on you too? This is ridiculous.” Grinning, I added my own saliva to the mix by spitting on the tissue before going back to the task at hand. Surprisingly enough, Brady wasn’t fazed.

“Tell me about it.” Brady shifted, not seeming pleased in the least. “So far today, I’ve been pushed off a building so many times I lost count and pawed by a girl who barely looks legal.”

I laughed and finished wiping him. “You noticed that too, huh?”

“Yeah.” The look on his face said he wasn’t happy about the age thing. It was surprising because I’d have guessed most men in their late twenties would be all over a hot little redhead wanting them, regardless of her age. Guess I was wrong. Though, Brady wasn’t like most men I knew.

“Her file says she’s nineteen. I don’t see it.”

Brady grabbed my wrist and held it gently. “Been peeking in Daddy’s files again, I see.”

“Yep.” Bending over, I reached for my shoes and stilled as I felt Brady’s hand on my ass. “Why, exactly, are you touching me?”

“Uhh, you had something on the back of your jeans. It’s gone now.”

Right. So much for my theory on him not being like most men.

I slipped my shoes on and began the fun task of cleaning up my area. “So, how long do you think we’ll be here tonight?” I asked, tossing my books back in my bag. My Ancient Civilizations class was killing my GPA and I was sick of staring at the text book.

He shrugged. “A while yet. Do you want me to send for a car?”

“Nah, my movie star roommate isn’t home yet and since the house is huge, I get lost often.” I’d have laughed but it was true. I still got a bit turned around and I’d lived there with Brady for two years now.

Brady smiled wide and nodded. “This guy must be a real winner, leaving you alone to fend for yourself.”

Pushing past him, I headed towards the sound system behind the backdrop. I turned it on and selected random play. The first MP3 kicked on and I laughed. Typical Brady music came blaring out—classic rock. “My roommate’s not so bad. Though he does have the worst taste in music.”

Turning to look back at Brady, I gasped and backed up when I found him standing directly behind me. He had the uncanny ability to sneak up on me. As much as I trusted Brady, it was still a bit unnerving. Part of my life left me utilizing my skills and being on guard at all times. The fact I let it go, dropping my natural shields for Brady, meant something. What, I wasn’t sure quite yet.

He took hold of my waist and steadied me. “I love catching you by surprise, Mads.”

I smacked his rock hard, six pack abs with the back of my hand. The man was muscled perfection at its finest. “Yeah, well I hate it. One of these days I’m going to level your butt.” Sadly enough, I meant every word I said. It would be accidental, I’m sure of it, but it would happen.

“Are you going to start tossing magik at me too?” he asked, his blue gaze raking over me. “I almost begged you to electrocute the barely legal girl.” 

“Hey, I zapped her in the rump at least four times. Maybe more. Those were for you by the way. I noticed she kept grabbing your backside and you kept pulling her hand off. If you’d rather I didn’t toy with her, I’ll stop.”

His eyes widened as I reached up and hit the search button on the sound system. “No. Please feel free to do whatever you want to her, Mads. She’s purposely delaying the scene and it’s pissing me off. Why the hell they picked her is beyond me. We obviously don’t connect.”

“You better start connecting real soon, Brady. She’s your romantic lead. So in between things blowing up and you kicking the bad guys’ asses, you have to look like you can’t get enough of her.” I gave him a droll look. “Currently, you’re coming across as not being able to get far enough away from her.”

“That would be because I can’t get far enough away from her. Trust me, I’ve tried.” He ran a hand through his hair and then over his squared jaw. He scratched his neck and yawned, proving what I already knew, he was tired. It had been a long day, full of action packed scenes and endless retakes, not to mention his lack of enthusiasm over the redhead. All things considered, Brady had the right to be a bit worn around the edges. As his best friend, I had the right to try to cheer him up.

I headed towards the set and smiled wide at the mock nightclub that had been erected several years back. In reality it was a half square that pulled apart for shooting purposes. On film, it was anything from a happening dance club to a raunchy bar, dependent upon what movie was being filmed there at the time. Currently, it was a high class strip club—a gentlemen’s club. That struck me as funny.

Yes, often I equate a gentleman with some guy ogling chicks’ breasts. Not.

Arching a brow, I cast a questioning look at Brady and let my gaze travel over his bare pecs. “Tell me again why they have you with your shirt off in the middle of a crowded club? No other men have their shirts off. What? Was your character suffering from hot flashes? I don’t get it.”

Brady smiled as he stretched his arms high above his head, yawning so loud that for a moment, he covered the music playing in the background. He also did a fine job of showing off every muscle as it rippled with his movements. “I asked them the same thing. They told me your dad ordered it.” A sly grin spread over his sleepy face. “Something about my sex-appeal.”

It sounded exactly like something my father would say. He owned the production company and did whatever the hell he wanted. Exploiting his hottest star, Brady, was one of his favorite pastimes. I hated every second of it and always felt bad for Brady. I wasn’t sure if he agreed to my father’s demands because he wanted to or if he did it to please me. “Do you want me to get that changed for you?”

For some reason, I was one of the only people who could get my father to budge on anything in the way of toning down how much he tried to exploit Brady. He knew I hated it. My father also knew Brady wasn’t fond of stripping down in front of millions, yet he still tried to push the envelope.

 “Let me think about it. If the barely legal gal keeps being all touchy-feely I might. She tried to slide her hand down my pants three times already. And I’m not trying to be a dick but the girl can’t dance.”

Running my hand over the black bar, I glanced around the set again. They tweaked it enough to not be recognizable from movie to movie but the general layout stayed the same.

“What ya thinking about?” he asked, watching me closely.

I laughed softly. “I was just thinking of how much fun it was to practically grow up here. I’ve seen just about everything. The first time I asked to go out dancing with my girlfriends, my father freaked out and had us use this place instead. I’m fairly sure we filled it to capacity. They all enjoyed it. I kind of wanted to go somewhere else but they had fun and that’s what was important.” I glanced back at him, recalling he was there as well. “Did you have fun?”

Brady nodded slowly as he walked towards me. “I enjoyed watching from the sidelines. I didn’t enjoy every one of your little girlfriends swarming around me until your mother came to my aid by kissing me on the cheek and putting her arm through mine. Your girlfriends looked pissed. Your mom just smiled.”

“Did you know she cornered me later about not coming to your rescue?” I asked, giving him the evil eye.

“Nope, but from the look on your face, it was my fault.”

“Mmmhmm, she told me I should have done that for you. I should have been the one to rescue you from them all. I laughed but she didn’t. I then went on to tell her I didn’t understand what the big deal was. It’s not like she looked a day over thirty. And I think you’ve gotten locked in some weird time warp too because you’ve looked exactly the same since I met you.” I cast him a wary look as I flipped the disco lights on, instantly bathing us in a multi-colored shower of light.

Brady moved up behind me and gave me the courtesy of dragging his feet a bit to warn me he was there. “Why did your mother think you should have been the one who saved me from your friends?”

“I’m not sure. You know how she is. She’s crazier than I am. But she went on and on about it. Mom even got to the point she told me, don’t laugh, millions of women around the world would die to get to kiss your cheek.”

Sure, it was true but it wasn’t something I expected to come out of my mouth. I tended to ignore Brady’s celebrity status unless picking on it. I wasn’t one for the public eye and still couldn’t understand how comfortable he was with all the attention he received. Of course, he didn’t have to hide his true calling from the world for fear he’d inadvertently notify all humans that demons were not only real but living among them.

Despite what I said, Brady laughed and took my hand in his. “What did you say?”

“I shook my head and told her I was still baffled by the idea of anyone purposely lining up to kiss you. She whapped me in the back of the head. When I pointed out it was only you, she did it again. And then she told me if I dared to dance with Michael Serener one more time, she’d personally see to it I never saw the light of day again.”

Brady pulled me against his expansive chest, moving our bodies back and forth as the music played. He’d always been one to spontaneously grab me and dance. It always felt right. Nothing about Brady put me off. Tossing my arm over his shoulder, I smiled. He pressed his thigh between my legs and began to rock his lower body in slow circles, taking me with him. I rubbed against him, following him move for move.

“So, what you’re saying is that you, my roommate and extremely close friend, do not find me attractive?”

I took hold of the hand he had on my hip and moved it to my butt. He cocked an eyebrow and I laughed softly, as I leaned back slowly, still riding his leg as I went. “You do realize we may be the only two people in the world who do this while having a full conversation like nothing is going on.”

Brady’s warm hand touched my bare midriff and I drew in a sharp breath as my body reacted to him. He slid it up, going under my green silk cami. I moved, backing up slowly, watching him intensely as I did. Every now and then, my body would react to him sexually. It was fairly easy to squish because he was my friend and it felt different. For some reason, it had been getting a bit harder to ignore as of late.

I thought Brady would move his hand down, like he always did. He didn’t. His fingers brushed the underside of my breast before he pulled his hand away. I smiled wide at his shock. “Surprise, no bra.”

A cunning smile spread over his face. “I noticed. And you never answered my question about finding me attractive.”

Pressing my body against his, I licked a line up his neck to his jaw. His entire body stiffened. It was too fun to toy with him. I kept going. I ran my nails down the front of his chiseled chest as I lowered myself on him, licking and kissing as I went. Each muscle on his stomach rippled as we continued to dance. I kept rhythm with him as I headed lower. Brady jerked, his entire body went rigid.

When I got to his navel, I licked around it carefully. Moving down, I kissed the tiny start of sandy blond hair trailing its way down into his jeans. I knew I was pushing past the point of acceptable behavior but I didn’t care. He’d stolen my breath when he’d skimmed over my breast. It was my turn to return the favor.

Looking up, I met his eyes with mine and slipped my fingers into the top of his jeans. I slid around the front. Unzipping him just a bit, I licked and kissed him. His stomach tightened and I nipped playfully at the skin there.

His jaw dropped as he ran his hand into the back of my hair. I stood quickly and backed away from him. He took a deep breath.

“Aww, aren’t paybacks a bitch?” I asked, backing up more.

Brady crouched slightly, putting his hands out on each side of him. He shook his head. “Hey, not nice. I brushed past your breast on accident and get that punishment in return?”

I stuck my bottom lip out, hoping to achieve a sexy pout. From the pained look on his face, I did. “I’m hurt. That was so bad it’s been labeled punishment?”

“Don’t try it, Mads, you know exactly what you just did and how it qualifies as punishment.”

I glanced behind me to see what would be the best escape route and then turned to face Brady. “Women do that and more to you when you’re working. Is it considered punishment then? The horny yet scorned look you’re wearing makes me want to do it again just to piss you off, Brady.”

“Really?” he asked, circling me. Brady took on the look of a predator and I loved every second of it.

“Ooo, I can now tell everyone I licked a movie star.” I winked and backed up again. “I’ve been told that millions of women would die to kiss your cheek. How many more would join in if we were talking about licking those abs?”

“That’s it. You’re mine.”

I did a rather dramatic full body shudder. “I’m shaking. There’s no net here, Brady. If you fall, it might hurt.”

The laughter that came from him made my body tingle in ways it shouldn’t. Stunned, I gave Brady the opening he needed. Instantly, he was on me, picking me up high in the air and growling. He tossed me over his shoulder as if I weighed nothing.

“Brady!” I cried out as I found myself staring at his tight jean covered ass. I smacked it and made my hand sting. “Ouch, remind me to never do that again.”

Something pinched my butt, sending me jerking upwards. Seeing Brady’s mouth clamped down on my butt cheek shocked me to the point I accidentally let too much magik surface. I’d spent many years learning how to control it. He released his hold on me and I pushed for him to put me down. He didn’t budge. When I realized what I’d done and what he didn’t do--fall over--my eyes widened. Brady’s did too.

“I can’t believe you bit me in the butt!”

He wagged his brows. “Really, because I could bite you again so you’re sure it was me who did and that it happened. Nice touch with the trying to zap me with your power, Mads.” 

My jaw dropped. I didn’t try. I did zap him. How he was still standing was a mystery to me. “Put me down.”

He quickly kissed my backside and tossed a sly grin my way. “Okay.” He dropped his shoulder and released his hold on me.

The hard floor came upon me without warning. My right shoulder hit first, followed closely by my hip then head. Pain shot through me as I laid there stunned by the fact he’d dropped me. I tasted something metallic and knew it was my blood. I’d gotten my ass kicked enough during my secret nocturnal activities to know what my blood tasted like. Demons seemed to get great joy out of making me bleed and I seemed to bleed well, so all was right in my fucked up world.

Brady dropped down next to me, looking mortified and put a hand out. “Oh God, Mads. I’m so sorry. I thought you’d… umm… I thought you’d…?”

Lifting my head slowly, I glared at him as I pushed off the floor. My shoulder and elbow hurt like hell. I winced. “You thought what, Brady? Did you think I’d bounce to my feet and be fine?”

He shook his head. “Baby, I didn’t think you’d get hurt. I—”

Shocked, I stared at him, waiting for a punch line that didn’t come. “Did you just call me baby?”

Brady stopped and seemed to think about what I’d just asked him. “I don’t know. Maybe. Here.” He slid his arms under mine and lifted me effortlessly. “Sorry. Are you okay?”

I nodded. The urge to slap him upside the head was great. Somehow, I managed to resist. It was difficult.

His eyes widened as he reached for my face. “You’re bleeding. Fuck, I split your lip. Oh God, Madelyn, I am so sorry. Come on, let’s get you home.”

I rotated my shoulder and stretched my arm. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t worry about it? Are you nuts?”

I patted his chest. I couldn’t really tell him that big bad supernatural things did far more than drop me on my backside and split my lip on a nightly basis. They gave it their all to kill me. No. Brady was human and wasn’t to know the entire truth about me. I forced a smile to my face. “I’ll be fine. No big deal. Although, should I ever ask you to put me down again, could you maybe ease me to my feet? Tossing me off your shoulder doesn’t feel so good.”

Brady took hold of me and pulled me into a tight hug. It was different, very different from the way we normally embraced. When he kissed the side of my head, I damn near fell over. Pushing on his chest, I groaned. “Get off, you’re creepin’ me out. I’m fine. It happened. I’m not mad at you. Although, I am thinking of making you kiss my hip. And I’d also like to state for the record, that I promise to never lick you again as payback. It only leaves me aching. I get a bite on the ass and then tossed on it. Hardly seems fair.”

Brady sighed. “I’m so sorry, Mads. I mean it.”

The sound of people approaching made me push on Brady again until he let go. “Looks like it’s time for you to get back to work.”

Cupping my face, he leaned in close to me. “I am so unbelievably sorry, Mads. I swear.” Suddenly, his lips were pressed against mine. Shocked, I opened my mouth to protest. Brady opened his as well and slid his tongue against mine. I wanted to push him away and smack him upside his blond head. I didn’t. Instead, I surrendered to him, allowing his tongue free reign of my mouth.

His hands stayed on my face. He held me firmly as if he was afraid I’d pull away. I thought I’d pull away, too. I didn’t. Pushing my tongue into his mouth, I could barely breathe as my entire body began to tingle.

Hello? It’s Brady you’re kissing! Snap out of it.

Never one to listen to anyone, including myself, I kept my lips pressed to his. I slid my arms up and took hold of the back of his neck as I rose onto my tiptoes. The kiss became more aggressive, our tongues diving in and out of the other’s mouth. The coppery metallic taste of my blood mixed in and I went to draw back. Brady held me tighter and went nuts, licking, sucking, as though it were no big deal I was bleeding and we were kissing. He moaned. I followed suit.

Brady tasted so good, unlike any other man I’d ever kissed. Our tongues maintained constant contact, each naturally following the other as if they’d had years and years of practice when in truth, it was their first encounter. He pressed his body to mine and moved to the beat of the music. I swayed with him, thrust for thrust. Something came over me and I had to touch more of him, feel his skin under my fingertips. Sliding my hands down him, I moaned into his mouth as I retraced my way down his torso.

The feel of hands going up and under the sides of my cami threatened to send me into overdrive. I broke free of the kiss and went to turn away. I managed to make it a whole step before Brady captured my hand and spun me into him. Suddenly, my back was pressed to his front. He moved again, rubbing his body against mine. I gasped when the hard bulge beneath his jeans rubbed against my low back.

Rocking with him, I moved my arm up behind his neck. Tilting my head back, I locked gazes with him. For a second, neither one of us did a thing. Then, Brady bent his head and took control of my mouth once more, sliding his tongue in and finding mine. His hands splayed across my stomach. I dropped my free hand and grabbed the back of his thigh, pulling him tighter to me as we simulated sex to the beat.

Every ounce of me wanted the sex to be real. I wanted Brady buried to the hilt in me, ramming his cock in me as I clung to him. The very thought of that made my pussy damp and shocked me to the core. What was happening to me? To us?

It’s Brady you’re kissing!

Tearing my mouth free of his, I turned my head slowly and looked up. I froze. Brady did the same. The entire crew stood there staring at us with their mouths wide open. “Umm, Brady?”

He shifted behind me. Sighing deeply, he pressed lips against my ear and whispered, “I’m sorry, Madelyn. I forgot where we were. Don’t be upset. Please. I know how you are about keeping your private life private.”

Brady was right. I did guard my privacy heavily. So did he, to a point. But he always took it in stride when a tabloid ran something about him. Nine times out of ten, it was false but he never got worked up. As I stood there, frozen against Brady’s warm body, I knew I had two choices—freak out or go with the flow. Surprisingly enough, I choose option B.

“Ah, Brady, do you know what’s going to happen now?”

“Mads, I’m—”

I elbowed him in the stomach and he shut up. Nodding, I tossed my hands in the air. “Great, just great! Now my parents are going to find out we’re having quadruplets. You swore you were going to tell my dad first. Now it’ll be plastered all over the front of every tabloid from here to infinity. Wait until they find out I’m already four months pregnant. They’ll not only freak over you and me, but the poor babies will be subjected to them as well. It’s a good thing I’m not showing yet.”

Brady was silent. Turning to him, I found him with his mouth hanging open. His brow furrowed as he stared down at me. “Madelyn…?”

“Oh, don’t you stand there pretending to be shocked. You know damn well you’re their father! Don’t try to get out of it this late in the game.”

He touched my shoulder gently and tried to speak again. Nothing but a strangled cry came out. I did my best to hold in the smile wanting to come. When it was clear Brady was lost and looking a bit nauseous, I gave in and patted him on the chest.

“Sorry, everyone else claims they’re giving birth to your child. I felt left out.” I glanced back at the crew. “I bet he goes with double layering his condoms from now on. What do you guys think?”

The entire group burst into laughter. Turning back to face Brady, I winked and pulled his head down. Planting a tiny kiss on his forehead, I whispered to him, “Breathe. It was a joke. We’d have to actually have sex for you to get me pregnant. Relax.”

He remained locked in his state of shock.

I drew back and pointed at his redheaded co-star. “You, come here.”

Her eyes widened but she ran to me all the same. I took her hand and put it on Brady’s shoulder. “Now, try to stop acting like a complete and utter idiot around him. He’s human not a god. He doesn’t find your behavior cute or attractive. None of us do. Pull yourself together and act a hair above your age.” I smacked Brady’s abs lightly. “He should be all set for the scene now. Try not to drool on him again or leave him covered in lipstick. Take care now.”

I walked past her and winked at the crew. They clapped and laughed harder. Grabbing my backpack and handbag, I headed towards the door.

“My work here is done.”