Beta'd by Angelfan984

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Chapter 6 - Safety

Emma's hand dropped from the door. Kicking off her shoes she quietly walked across the plush carpet. This place was amazing. Walking into the bathroom she plugged up the bathtub and started to run a bubble bath. She was pretty sure she had been a little kid the last time she had a bubble bath. In minutes the steam from the bath water clouded up the mirrors on the wall and she was sinking into the most luxurious bath she had in her whole life.

She felt herself relaxing.

Floating.

Sleep started to slip its silky hands around her to pull her down. Just a moment, she thought, as her eyes drifted shut. The tension she hadn't realized was in her muscles fell away. The calming smell of lavender joined forces with sleep and she felt herself losing a slow battle.

Gregory stopped dead in his tracks as he exited the bolt hole. He had failed. Not only had he failed but also he had lost at least seven comrades. The boss was not going to like this, not if he had killed his own son for betraying him. "Where is everyone else that went with you?" Stryker's cold voice came from the darkness. "Not only do you go on an unauthorized mission, but you take some of my best men and get them killed." His voice stayed calm and was almost worst than how it used to be, before he had Zephyra. Speaking of whom was standing at Stryker's side a sinister smile gracing her beautiful face.

He swallowed hard and tried to think up an answer that wouldn't bring down the wrath of them both. "I—It was Hook. He ambushed us, we didn't even see him coming, and he has a woman helping him now. We need to take him out. He is weakening our cause."

"Oh, our cause?" Zephyra's smoky voice purred. But he wasn't fooled, she was dangerous, he had witnessed her torture she dealt.

"Yes—s, my queen." He bowed his head slightly in respect while stuttering out the words he hoped would appease her.

"My love, would you like to spend some time with Gregory so that he can understand the full extent of our unhappiness at his actions?" Stryker asked Zephyra, planting a soft kiss on the side of her neck. A smile lit up her face at the gift she was given, torturing humans was her favorite pass time, but torturing anyone was a close second.

"Of course." She replied wetting her red lips with her pink tongue. "I'd love too."

Hands grasped around her wet upper forearms and pulled her from the tub. She sputtered water and sucked in the air her body so desperately needed. It had been only seconds she was sure of it. Sleep had claimed her and the water tried to claim her as well only she was saved somehow. Pressed against a firm body she took in ragged breaths for a few moments before her senses came back to her and she realized the owner of the black clade shirt she clung to was Killian. She became acutely aware of her nakedness.

"Love if you wanted me to join you all you had to do was ask." His soft voice washed over her. And a blush crept up her neck and to her cheeks. "I knew you wouldn't resist me that long."

She went to pull away from him at his words but then thought better of it. Instead she pressed closer so that he couldn't see any part of her nakedness. Unfortunately it was a very revealing experience and she could feel the length of him hard and pressed against her bare belly. A soft moan came from his chest and she felt the blush deepen on her cheeks. Warmth spread through her and she felt tingly. "Towel." She squeaked out. The attempt to make it a command fell short and she felt a silent chuckle vibrate through his chest.

"Of course love, anything for a lady." He purred close to her ear, seconds later a towel dangled from his hook within her grasp and she tugged it from him and had it around her wet body all in one movement. He tsked at her quickness a slight pout curved his lips down.

She pushed wet hair behind her ear in unaccustomed nervousness. "Thanks." She told him, meaning it. Emma wasn't used to thanking anyone, she never relied on anyone but herself, but two times in that night he had saved her from certain death. "I guess I was more exhausted than I thought."

"I could help you to bed." He smiled, charm oozed from his words. Warmth spread in places she would rather not acknowledge. But he didn't need to know that. Her back straightened and she met his eyes for the first time since he had saved her. They sparkled in mirth and something else she couldn't truly read in their depths. "After all, I do think a thank you is in order." He smirked.

Something inside her snapped and she wanted to kiss him, to make him want her as much as her body wanted him. She reached out for him and pulled him towards her, her mouth fusing them together. The kiss was hot. It went on for minutes or hours she wasn't sure which, but she was gasping for air when she finally tore her lips from his. He leaned in to kiss her again and she pushed him back while stepping back. Her hand went to the towel where it was knotted; surprise filled her to find that it was still wrapped around her after a kiss that shook the world like that one had. A groan was pulled from his chest at her actions and her eyes dropped to the wet floor at his feet. She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes; she would step in again and do more than kissing if she did.

Clearing her throat she said, "I'm going to bed. Alone." Backing from the spacious bathroom she quickly got to her bed and pulled on a t-shirt, letting the wet towel fall from beneath it, she climbed onto the huge bed. Which was very empty.

She laid down facing the wall, her back to the bathroom door, and waited for some sound to indicate he had left the room. Thoughts filled her head of going back to the bathroom and finishing what she started. Stupid thoughts. But they made her feel warmth spread through her body all the same. When none came she moved restlessly to face the bathroom door on the verge of climbing from the bed and going back to him. The light had been turned off and her bedroom door was slightly ajar where it didn't quite fit back together the way it had before he had broken it down. To save her. Again. Disappointment filled her at the lost opportunity. It would have been so easy to go to him, and give in to her sexual cravings, just this once. Sighing she pulled the covers up to her chin and stared at the light coming through the cracks of the door. She imagined still going to him, and taking from him the heat and warmth she knew he held while offering up all the heat she felt towards him.

Killian stalked across his room for the millionth time since quietly leaving Emma's room. He wanted her. More now than before, and it was dangerous. He wasn't thinking straight. Bad things happened when he didn't think straight. Like getting himself killed in a poorly lit tavern; or having his hand sliced off by a demon; or losing his brother to that poison. All of it was ultimately his fault. He refused to bring that danger to Emma. Making up his mind he decided to take her to Ruby when the sun went down that evening. She would protect her in ways he could not.

Why had he let himself become so entangled in this mortal woman? Even after only a handful of hours. Ash had taught him better. He had broken all the rules in one evening because he wanted her. Pinching his nose between his fingers he groaned. He could use some guidance right now.

Pulling out his phone he pressed the quick call button "Call Ash." He told the phone, moments later the phone started to ring.

"Ash here." His old friends voice came across the line.

"Ash, I fucked up. I told a mortal woman our secret."

"I know." Was his reply, of course he knew, he always seemed to know everything.

"I don't know what to do. I have lost my mind. I think I'm going crazy." He thought of her wet body pressed to his and barely suppressed a groan. He knew what heaven felt like even if he would never make it there.

"Keep her safe. You have put her in grave danger with you actions, now the noble thing to do is to protect her." Ash's voice was calm and patient. "You are not going crazy, but remember what I said about making sure the woman is the right one. Don't waste your one chance at freedom over the wrong one."

"It's not like that." Killian protested. Was it?

"Of course it isn't." Ash chuckled. "Look I'm going to be away on business for the next few days, you know how to get in touch if it is an emergency." With those parting words the line went dead.

Well that was no help. He had to keep her at arms length and keep her safe. It was the only thing he could do. But starting that evening he would have her in a more secure place. Sanctuary would be her safe haven.

Killian sat on the edge of his bed and pulled off his boots followed by the rest of his clothes. He could feel the sun starting to rise and he was becoming tired. Laying back he stared at his ceiling as pictures of Emma filled his mind. Of things he would do to her given half the chance. If she wanted him. He felt his manhood start to stir again with the erotic thoughts. Grasping himself in his hand, he moved with his hand imagining it was Emma that held him; Emma that touched him in this way.

It only took a few moments to bring him over that edge. An embarrassing amount of time had he really been with Emma. Something he would have to work on if he was ever with her. What was he thinking? Keep her at arms length! He must. It was her safety that mattered, and if he was to close to her he couldn't keep her safe. He couldn't keep anyone he loved safe.

A/N - Hope you enjoyed this chapter. ^.^