Anchor of Secrets by Tessa Hale

12

“I’m losing my mind!”I moaned as I flopped back on the recliner in the screening room. “If I watch one more movie, my brain is going to turn to mush.”

A week had passed since the guys had rescued me from Damien’s torture chamber. He was still in the wind, but I was healing. Scratch that, I was healed. Whatever magical properties were in Declan’s blood, I felt the best I had in my life.

The nightmares had eased, too. But I knew why. Each night, I would wake up to realize I wasn’t alone. Trace always snuck in after I had fallen asleep and was gone before I woke up. He never mentioned his nightly visits, and I didn’t either. I was simply grateful that he gave me the gift of sleep.

Things with Colt were still strained. I understood where he’d been coming from, but I couldn’t magically erase the hurt, either. But we were both trying. This took the form of daily games of gin rummy. I knew we were making progress when he stopped letting me win and started getting competitive.

Ronan was physically present, but his walls were back to being sky-high. Not just with me, but with Declan, too. And I knew it hurt Dec. He was so incredibly strong, but his brother shutting him out again killed him.

Things were easiest with Dash. Maybe it was his gentleness or his ease. I was comfortable simply being with him. But I was over the daily movie marathons.

He lifted the remote and switched off the screen. “What do you want to do?”

I straightened in my seat. “Can we go somewhere?”

Dash’s lips pursed. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Damien’s a douche canoe who ruins everything,” I grumbled.

Dash chuckled. “Not arguing with you there.”

“I want to move. Go for a walk. Stretch my muscles. I’m going stir-crazy.”

Dash stood, holding out a hand to me. “Come on.”

I let him pull me to my feet and tug me out of the screening room. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

Dash didn’t lead me up the stairs. Instead, he turned down a hall I’d never been to.

“How big is this freaking house?” I muttered.

“It’s perfect for hide-and-seek, that’s for sure.”

A second later, he stopped at a door. He opened it and flicked on a light. Scratch that, at least a dozen lights.

My jaw dropped as I took in the massive space. It looked like a training facility for Olympic athletes. “This is your gym?”

Dash grinned. “It doesn’t suck.”

It definitely did not. There were at least a dozen cardio machines, including treadmills, stair climbers, ellipticals, and rowers. I couldn’t count the number of weight machines. A rope dangled from the ceiling, and in the middle of all of it was a massive mat that looked as if it were a makeshift fight ring.

I glanced at Dash. “Is this where you do your martial arts training?”

“Sometimes. I work with a trainer who owns a gym about thirty minutes away, but I spar with the guys down here a lot to keep in shape between sessions.”

I brightened as an idea took hold. “Train me.”

Dash’s brow furrowed. “What?”

“I want you to train me. Teach me how to defend myself. To fight back.” I’d felt powerless for so long. Maybe something like this would change that.

“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. You’re still healing. You—”

I pressed a finger to Dash’s lips to stop him. “I’m 100 percent healthy. The doctor agreed. This will help my mind get there. I might not ever have anchor abilities, but I can learn to protect myself.”

Dash didn’t move or say anything for a moment. Then he snagged my wrist and pressed a kiss to the center of my palm.

The guys had been cautious about their displays of affection since I’d run. Trace only touched me when he held me at night. Ronan didn’t touch me at all.

Colt would drop a kiss to the top of my head or on my temple. Declan would brush chaste kisses across my lips. And Dash was big on hugs.

Just the faintest feel of his mouth against my hand had my body shivering with longing. I missed the way the guys had made me come alive with their touch. I knew we had a lot to figure out before we went there again. But it didn’t stop me from missing it.

“Okay,” Dash said.

My eyes went wide. “Okay?”

He chuckled. “It’s not a bad idea to get some training.” His gaze raked over me. “You should be okay in that for today.”

I looked down at myself. I was barefoot, wearing sweats and a tank top that had a built-in bra. It wasn’t a ton of support, but that was probably all right.

“We need to warm up first. Let’s jog around the mat.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Jogging? I thought I was going to learn to be a badass.”

Dash laughed. “Badasses need cardiovascular and muscle strength. You want me to train you? I’ll be putting you on a strict regime. Running at least three days a week. Weight training another three. Fight training six.”

My jaw went slack. “Seriously?”

He shrugged. “You said you were bored.”

“I might be regretting that,” I mumbled, following Dash as he picked up to a jog.

He didn’t make me run for long. Maybe five minutes, but I was panting by the end. Then he led me in a series of stretches. Finally, Dash came to stand in the center of the ring.

“First things first. You need to know the human body’s strengths and weaknesses.”

I joined him in the ring.

“Strongest places on you.” Dash brushed his fingers across my elbows and then my knees.

A pleasant shiver skated across my skin.

“Weakest spots on an opponent.” Dash pointed to his nose, throat, below his ribs, and then his groin.

I nodded.

“Where you hit depends on the hold you’re in. But no matter how you get out, the first thing you do is run. Do not stay and fight.”

He didn’t have to tell me twice. I wasn’t about to give Damien a second shot at me. “I have a feeling all your training is going to make me a faster runner.”

Dash grinned. “You’ll curse me at first, but then you’ll start to feel really powerful.”

My lips curved in a smile. “I’d like that.”

“Okay.” Dash moved in a flash. He was in front of me one second and behind me the next. He pulled me into a hold where he had both my wrists in his grip and my body pinned against his. “How would you get out of this?”

Heat rolled through me. It had been so long since I’d felt the pressure of Dash’s body against mine. Every thought flew out of my head. I didn’t remember why we were here or what I wanted to learn. There was only Dash and me and the pulsing need between my legs.

My hips rolled of their own volition, pressing my ass against Dash.

He growled as he hardened. “Leighton…”

I couldn’t stop myself. I pressed harder, needing to feel more. A whimper escaped my lips, and Dash froze.

“Mon Coeur… are you hurting?”

My eyes closed at the endearment, and I nodded.

“Are you missing us?”

I nodded again.

“What do you need?” he whispered, his lips skimming the column of my neck.

My head tipped back, giving him better access. “To let go…” I needed to release all of this pent-up fear, anger, and hurt. I needed to feel free.

Dash’s hand slipped under the waistband of my sweats but not beneath my underwear. Instead, he stroked me through the thin cotton. “So wet. You have missed us.”

My eyes stung. I had missed them. So much it hurt.

He nipped my ear with his teeth. “When you fully let us back in, you’ll get your reward.”

I stiffened at that, but Dash trailed his lips down my neck.

“But I’ll give you a little something to take the edge off.”

Dash teased my throat with kisses and nips as his fingers stroked me through my panties. My hips moved against them, seeking more. My core cried out to be filled.

“Please, Dash.”

“I know, Mon Coeur. But not until we have all of you. Mind, body, and soul.”

I whimpered as he spread me wider through the cotton. His finger rubbed against my clit, and my body bucked as I panted.

“Dash…”

“Come for me, Mon Coeur. Let me hear you break.”

Dash dropped a hand to pinch my nipple as he pressed down on my clit.

I fractured in his arms, releasing some of all that had been building. But I knew it was only a glimmer of what I truly needed. But to get it, I’d have to take the most terrifying leap of all. Trusting the guys with my heart.