Guardian by Heather Burch Page A

his chest. “Or heavenly angels.” She watched Will for a few seconds. “Is he still trying to—?”
    “Get a tan?” Mace nodded. “As far as we can tell. I think he’s trying to hide it though, so don’t say anything.”
    “So that is why I smell coconuts whenever he comes around.”
    “Yeah. And as far as us, Nikki, you and I will do what’s right. Not by our standards, but by a measure far above our desire to be together. Because that’s how we’re both geared. We’re hardwired for it.”
    She stared down at the wavy pattern in the teakwood deck. Was she hardwired to do the right thing? She used to think so, but now … Now she just didn’t trust her character. A big part of her wanted to be reckless and say, “Hey, whatever happens, happens.” And she hated that reaction. She needn’t admit it to Mace. His face reflected her insecurity.
    Nikki gestured toward the angel behind them. “Will’s as pale as he was the day we left.”
    Mace nodded. “Apparently angel skin doesn’t tan easily.”
    “You guys have all gotten darker.” Her gaze started to roam over his exposed skin, but she stopped herself at his pecs. Hard to drag her eyes away from those muscles, but she managed. Hardwired to do what’s right. Uh, yeeeeaaah.
    He cleared his throat. “Half-human. Guess that makes tanning possible.”
    The slight movement caused the amulet around his neck to shift. It was different from the one Vegan had given her back in Missouri, but fashioned in the same manner. Nikki stepped to him and reached to touch the necklace. Anything to redirect the conversation. “I remember the first night I saw this.” Her finger trailed the cord as her mind went back. Mace had doused his shirt in the water to soothe the burns she’d gotten on her hands after going into a blazing laboratory because someone was trapped inside. As she stroked the short necklace, her fingertips lightly grazed his skin.
    “I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through, Nikki.”
    “The camera helps take my mind off of things.” She stood only inches from him. Heat from the sun rose from his body and pushed against her. “I’m just glad you’re here,” she said, words so soft they could almost be swallowed by the sound of wind and waves. She mostly hoped they would be.
    He flashed a devastating smile. “I promised to see it through.”
    And that’s when all her solid, commitment-filled decisions came crashing around her. She ached to move closer, but she wouldn’t. Especially now, being so brave and hardwired to do what’s right. The fact was they were like two boats helplessly trapped in the same whirlpool. Being together only meant sinking faster.
    She needed to get away from him immediately.
    When she moved to step past, he trapped her hand, flattening it against his chest. “We can do this,” he said, and she understood what he meant. All too well.
    “Can we?” Her eyes closed and she allowed her body a moment to enjoy his nearness: fingers on her hand, his skin so warm, his heart pounding beneath her touch. His breath came in sweet waves against her cheeks.
    Too many unwanted realities rushed to the surface as they stood there, the biggest being the closer they got to each other, the farther away she felt from conquering the darkness that threatened. Darkness was an unfortunate truth for both of them, one that couldn’t be denied and one that wouldn’t go away. And sadly, one whose appetite only grew with time.

    How could standing with the girl you love feel so desperately lonely? She was right in thinking everything was on the line. Not just him, not just his eternity, but her very safety. Fact was, she was still in danger, and a boat ride across the ocean didn’t change that. Breaking one rule meant breaking more. Hadn’t he learned that the hard way? And breaking the rules could only mean one thing: failure.
    He’d put her in danger by trying to be too close to her. They had to watch their emotions. If they