A/N: I know, it's been forever since my last post; I'm really sorry =\ This chapter isn't my best work and I hope to go back and clean it up, but I had this random urge to post . . . so I just did. Hope it's not too atrocious! Reviews are love!! =)

CHAPTER EIGHT

Tyler's POV

Elbowing James, I pointed at Katerina but he simply nodded. "They look pretty close."

"What should we do?" I questioned, feeling a familiar sense of protectionism washing through my mind.

"Tyler there's a point when she can take care of herself without too much help from us. This is that point."

"Don't you mean time?" I laughed slightly at my brother's lack of sleep.

"Shut up, it's the same thing. All I'm saying is, she can take care of herself."

"But if he does anything to hurt her-."

"Then we beat his sorry ass," he laughed but gripped his jaw as he finished. "That kid's got some punch."

"I just don't want to see her get hurt again. Don't you remember how she was after-."

"Of course I do," he snapped angrily but quickly calmed. "Ty, if she needs our help she'll ask. We can't always be there to defend her. These guys have done a pretty good job at keeping her safe and it looks like that kid cares for her."

"Yeah," I smiled, not being able to argue. "What crazed idiot would punch you without a good enough reason?" He laughed and we saw the cowboy kid looking at us.

"Protective older brothers, eh?"

"Were you listening-," I started angrily.

"Nah, it's just the way you look at her," he grinned. "Spot wont do anything to hurt her, trust me."

Katerina's POV

Tyler and Jack were talking and raising an eyebrow, I muttered, "What're they plotting?" Spot looked up, then from me to Jack and Tyler.

"Probably talking about you," he laughed. I smiled, taking his drink again but this time he stopped me. I looked at him and held my breath, realizing how close we were. I couldn't help acknowledging how much I loved his eyes and his breath tickling my skin. Quickly taking my hand from the drink, I looked away.

I couldn't feel like this, I didn't. Neither of us did. It was nothing.

Nothing.

When I glanced up at him, after my mental scolding, he looked normal but something in his eyes showed hurt. I bit my lip, feeling stupid.

What was the worst that could happen?

Looking at my brothers, I saw they were deep in conversation with Jack and, letting my eyes flicker back to Spot, I saw he was eating, involved in a conversation with David, who was now across from me. I scooted my chair closer, acting as if I wanted to join on their conversation about the pier. Neither really noticed so I quietly, and very carefully, slid my hand over towards Spot's lap but his leg moved a little.

Biting the inside of my mouth, I slipped my hand in his.

At first he didn't do anything but when I started to drop my hand, he repositioned it, getting a firmer grip, and he glanced over at me, with warmth in his eyes, I felt my stomach flutter as I looked back at my plate

"Katerina?" Tyler suddenly called, making me jump. "Mum wanted us to give you this." He held out a box and Jack took it, setting it in front of me. I smiled in thanks and Tyler tilted his head slightly. "Why're you so bright?"

"Is it a crime?" I teased. "I got a present from mum, why shouldn't I be happy?" He grinned, shaking his head but went back to his conversation.

"Ya gonna open it?" Spot asked, nodding towards the box. I shrugged, taking it into my lap and unwrapping it but gasped, looking up once more.

"What?" James smirked.

"She gave me her bracelet," I whispered, smiling. I had always admired it and constantly asked her if I could wear it, just for fun but she always told me I had to wait until I was old enough. Trying to get it on, I twisted my arm to clasp it but couldn't.

Spot chuckled, doing it for me and I smiled.

"Thanks."

"Anytime," he smirked back. "You wanna head back?" I shrugged and he got up, grabbing our jackets, helping me put mine on. We started walking but along the way, I felt his hand in mine and it made me blush slightly.

His smile widened and he shook his head.

We got back to the boarding house and I sat on the couch, leaning against the arm of it, closing my eyes. I felt a finger brushing my hair aside and opened my eyes to see Spot right in front of me. Getting that butterfly feeling in the pit of my stomach, I felt my cheeks heat up. He smiled but I saw him glance down at my lips. As he edged closer, I couldn't take it anymore, so I sat up, filling the rest of the space between our lips. He smirked into the kiss; wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer. Somehow, I wound up with my arms around his neck and when we pulled back, I realized I was in his lap. As I was about to get up, he firmly wrapped his arms around my waist so I leaned back into him. When the door opened again, I was running my fingers down his arm and he was making small circled on my back. I didn't bother opening my eyes, too tired to as footsteps padded softly.

"Royal, are ya sleeping?"

I mumbled something unintelligent and he chuckled, picking me up before taking me up stairs.

"Spot," I murmured as he set me on the bed, tugging at his sleeve lightly.

"Yeah," he whispered as he sat.

"It's cold," I shivered. I felt his hand on my forehead and my cheek.

"Royal, you're warm."

"But it's cold," I muttered, pulling him lie beside me.

"Are ya sure ya ain't sick?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"You're an idiot," I told him, snuggling closer to his chest. I felt him chuckle and smiled as he wrapped his arm around me. Kissing the top of my forehead, his fingers traced patterns along my arm as I drifted off into peaceful dreams.