Shade(100)

Shade moved her into position to begin her defense training. Then he worked on her kick for several minutes, becoming irritated when she didn’t connect with him. She was trying not to touch him.

Lily became distracted as the noise upstairs increased. The music he had put on wasn’t able to entirely hide that the party had started. Her eyes went repeatedly to the stairway.

“Pay attention, Lily. If you used more strength, we would have been done ten minutes ago, and I would be upstairs drinking a cold beer,” Shade said, deciding to see how she felt about him going upstairs after she left.#p#分页标题#e#

She managed to kick him on the side of his thigh.

“About fucking time.” Shade smiled at her proudly, realizing she didn’t like the thought of him going upstairs.

“Did I hurt you?”

“No, Lily, you didn’t hurt me. Next time a dick like Gaige tries to touch your ass again, try that move.”

Lily grinned back. “Okay.”

“We’re done for the day.”

“Thanks, Sir.”

Going for her bag, she picked it up before she hesitated a moment, twisting the handle of the bag in her hand. “Thanks for getting me to go get the seeds. I would have just avoided the room.”

“I know. Lily, let’s work on getting rid of the old fears before adding new ones. You’re completely safe at the factory and here.”

“I know that.”

“Good. I’ll see you Sunday.” He waited to see if she would say whether she would be going to the diner after church.

“All right.”

Shade smiled as he walked her to her car. She was walking with an added confidence she hadn’t had before. The lessons were boosting her belief that she would be able to defend herself. She would, too; he would see to it. He would teach her how to defend herself against everyone except himself.

* * *

Shade carried two pizzas and a six-pack up the walkway to Lily’s front door, pausing when he heard music coming from inside. Gazing around the neighborhood, he saw that most of the houses were dark before he stepped to the window and looked through to see Lily dancing around the living room.

He smiled at seeing her enjoyment and the sexy way she rolled her hips. Her sensual movements had his cock rising behind his jeans. Thank fuck she went into the kitchen at that moment.

When Shade went to her front door and rang the bell, Lily answered the door seconds later, wearing dark-blue fleece pajamas. He was going to have to have a talk with her about the fucking peephole.

“Move, Lily, before I drop the pizzas.”

Unlocking the door, Lily took a step back, letting him enter.

Shade came in, setting the pizzas and beer on the coffee table.

“What are you doing here?” Lily asked, closing the door before walking barefoot back to the couch.

“I thought you might be hungry.” Lily’s stomach grumbled. “Go grab us a couple of plates.”

She did as Shade told her then sat down on the couch as Shade opened the box, putting two slices on her plate. She immediately took a bite of the warm pizza.

Shade put two slices on his own plate and began devouring his. They ate quietly as Lily put a movie on for them to watch.

When he opened a beer, he felt her stiffen next to him, and the hand holding her pizza trembled as she lifted it to her mouth. Shade began to talk about the movie she had put on and the two others in the series. Eventually, she relaxed back into the cushions after taking another slice of pizza. He thought she must have worked up an appetite with the dancing.

Shade opened himself another beer as he took another piece of pizza, seeing Lily crowd herself closer to the side of the couch, pinning her gaze on the television.

Her mother had used alcohol against her like a weapon, yet Shade wanted her to realize she could be around it and nothing would happen. The brothers were constantly drinking at the clubhouse, and he had every intention of her being there more often, so that was one fear she needed to overcome.

When he finished, he cleaned the table and put the beer in the fridge before relaxing back on the couch. The movie ended, and they argued about what to watch next.

Lily was through half of the second movie when she dozed off, her head on the side of the couch. Shade lifted her, laying her next to him. He kept his touch impersonal while, at the same time, wanting to hold her close as she drifted toward a deeper sleep.#p#分页标题#e#

“Go back to sleep,” he said with her stirring movements.

As her taut body relaxed against his with her bottom against his thighs, Shade held his breath, expecting her to wake up fully. He made sure to keep some distance, giving her personal space so he didn’t overwhelm her. He was giving her the illusion of safety while the wolf held her in his arms.