When that didn’t elicit a response from her sister, she threw her hands up. “It’s been over a day, Julianna. Are you really going to not talk to me?”
All she got was a freezing stare.
Seeing as Julianna was determined to keep giving her the silent treatment, she instead looked outside the windows watching the clouds as their private plane flew through the skies on their way to New Jersey. She had hoped that Julianna’s silent fury would lessen especially since Darius wasn’t around anymore, but she was wrong. Her sister only seemed determined to ignore her as way to show her displeasure.
I’m a grown woman. She could sleep with whomever she wanted, whenever she wanted. Besides, she really didn’t know what was bothering Julianna. Maybe her sister needed to get laid. If she could find someone who was half as good in bed as Darius was, maybe she wouldn’t be such a sourpuss.
Of course, thinking of Darius in bed only made her remember the mind-blowing sex they had, and her core throbbed with excitement, knowing that he was waiting for her at home. Hopefully, Julianna would have cooled off by then, though she wasn’t sure how much privacy she and Darius would have with her just down the hall in Uncle Dante’s old room.
“Excuse me, Ms. Anderson,” Steve, their steward on the plane said as he approached them. “We’ll be landing shortly.”
“Thank you.”
She was glad they were almost there as anticipation throbbed in her veins. God, she never thought she’d be the type to go crazy over a man, but it seems she’d found her weakness in Darius. Just thinking of his devilish tongue and his hands made her giddy with anticipation.
The jet had barely stopped on the tarmac when Julianna unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for her bag in the overhead bin.
“Where are you going?” she asked her sister.
“I have stuff to do in New York,” Julianna replied in a clipped voice. “Uncle Nick arranged for someone to bring you home.” Slinging her duffel over her shoulder, she marched toward the door, tapping her foot impatiently. The moment it swung open, she disappeared without even waving goodbye or a glance back.
She hated having Julianna so angry at her, but at the same time, her sister was being unreasonable. Maybe someday, she’d understand if she ever had a boyfriend.
Boyfriend?
She felt her cheeks go hot. Calling Darius that seemed trite. Beau? Lover? Oh dear. She couldn’t see herself introducing him that way. Wait, how was she going to introduce him to other people? And then there was the rest of her family.
“Ms. Anderson? Is there anything else I can do for you?” Steve asked as he stood next to her.
“Oh.” Embarrassed at being caught daydreaming, she quickly got to her feet. “No, I’m fine. Thank you, Steve.”
“It was a pleasure to have you on board, as always.”
She grabbed her purse and allowed Steve to help her put her coat on before she walked out of the plane. Who could Nick have sent to bring her home, she wondered? As she descended the stairs, she saw who it was and smiled.
“Adrianna!” Astrid Jonasson—now Vrost—greeted, waving her hands excitedly.
“Astrid!” She nearly tripped down the stairs in her hurry to get to her friend. The warm embrace that greeted her made her want to weep with relief. She and the younger woman had gotten along very well the last time she was assigned to be her protector.
“Nice to see you too,” Astrid laughed. “Are you okay? Was the flight good? Is Steve the steward still hot?”
She chuckled. “Yes, yes, and yes!” She squeezed her tighter. “I’m so glad to see you.” And Astrid didn’t even know the half of it.
“Me too!”
“And I have to say, I’m honored that the future Beta of New York is the one protecting me today.” After the mages attacked them at the ball, Lucas had declared that he wanted Astrid to be his Beta, much to everyone’s surprise. Astrid, after all, was not even a full-fledged member of the Lycan Security Team. However, she did prove her worth by saving Lucas which only endeared the young woman to Adrianna more.
Astrid gave her a strange look. “Say, you look … different?”
“Different?”
“Yeah … it’s like …” She leaned in. “Are you using a new skin cream? Or maybe shampoo?”
“Huh? No. I’ve only been using my usual stuff.”
“Weird.” She sniffed at her. “It’s like … I don’t know. Never mind. C’mon, let’s go.” She gestured to the black SUV behind her. She followed Astrid into the car and hopped in behind her friend. Astrid gave instructions to the driver, and soon they were off.
“So, I can’t believe Uncle Nick sent you,” Adrianna began. “I mean, I’m glad he did, but you would think he and Zac would have you wrapped up in blankets while atop ten mattresses until the baby comes.”
“Me, nah!” Astrid rubbed the non-existent bump on her belly. “Besides, this is a True Mates baby. As you know, nothing can harm me, which is why he sent me to come get you.” She picked up a large paper bag from the back. “I heard about your kidnapping attempt. If anyone tries to get to you, they’ll have to go through me first.”
“Well I’m glad—” She stopped when Astrid opened the bag and the scent of dough and sugar hit her nostrils. “Oh,” she groaned. “That smells amazing. What is it?”
“These?” Astrid reached inside and took something out the size of a baseball. “Freshly made donuts. I got them on the way here.” She took a big bite and swallowed it in one gulp. “I swear, this baby is driving me crazy, always demanding food.”
Her mouth began to water and her stomach made a loud noise. “Er, sorry.”
“No worries.” She offered the bag to her. “Want one?”
She nearly tore into the paper grabbing a donut. It was still warm and soft, and she shoved it into her mouth, devouring
