Damon (The Protectors #1)(32)
“How's everything going Callahan?”
“Good.” Grabbing her water she took a swig leaning against the bag she had been warming up on. “Today all my cases went smoothly.”
“Any problems other than that?” Mitch eyed her like he was a human lie detector.
“I'm still breathing, so all's good.”
“Don't be such a smart ass Callahan.” Mitch growled.
Chuckling she put her water down. “I'm fine. I think you guys are overreacting about this protection thing, but whatever.”
“Yeah well, humor me okay. Until they feel it's safe you have a round the clock body guard.”
Nicole rolled her eyes at Mitch who had already turned walking away and that is when she saw them. Two beautiful women heading toward Damon, Jared and Duncan. The one was the same red head from before. Glancing down at her old sweats and Snoopy t-shirt she groaned. God she was pathetic. Turning away, not wanting to see Damon head to the back with any of the women, she started pounding away on the heavy bag.
“PMS or the walking blood banks that just walked in the door?” Pam sneaked up behind her.
“Don't know what you're talking about.” Nicole huffed punching the bag with the combination they had been taught to warm up.
“Whatever.” Pam chuckled. “Jared told me about the women that's supplied for their needs. I mean damn....just look at them. Perfect in every way and their clothes, I mean wow, they must get paid good for this gig cause I couldn't afford the underwear their probably wearing, if they are even wearing any. I don't see any panty lines under those tight white pants the red head is wearing like a second skin. Probably a thong. I don't see them wearing granny panties.”
“Seriously Pam?” Stopping in mid swing Nicole turned glaring at Pam sweat sliding down her face. “Why in the hell do you think I care what kind of underwear they're wearing or not wearing.”
Pam gave an innocent shrug. “I was just making innocent conversation. You know a little gossip.”
“There is nothing innocent about you Pam.” Nicole poked a finger at her. “Now let me warm up.”
“By all means, beat the holy crap out of the bag.” Pam did a sweep of her hand in a courtly manner. “But if I were you I would head over there and stake my claim.”
“We're just friends.” Nicole punched the bag glancing toward Damon who was looking her way at that moment.
“Yeah, with benefits.” Pam snorted rolling her eyes. “I call bullshit. Girl, you are half way in the love with that man if not already there. You need to go fight for him, because as clear as I can see how you feel about him I see that redheaded bimbo is ready to stake her claim.”
Sighing, Nicole turned once again to Pam and grabbed her shirt thrusting it out. “Look at me Pam. I am no competition for her. I am wearing a pair of old sweats and a Snoopy t-shirt for shit sake. If that is what he wants then there is nothing I can do.”
Pam frowned. “You really don't know how gorgeous you are do you?” Pam really looked wowed. “Even in those ugly ass sweats and t-shirt you are hands down the most gorgeous woman I have ever known inside and out. I'd do you before I'd do that redhead.”
Nicole eyed her funny, trying to hold in her laughter. “Listen Pam, I love you I really do, but not that way.” Nicole teased
“Bitch.” Pam snorted then tackled her to the mat. “Come here and let me lay a wet on ya.”
“What the hell is wrong with you two?” Mitch walked up hands on his hips watching the women rolling around laughing and playfully punching each other.
“Pam just proclaimed her secret love for me and I had to turn her down. She didn't take it too well.” Laughing she walked to the center of the mat and plopped down to stretch out.
Damon had seen Nicole's frustration as she beat on the bag and knew the reason. He would feel the same way if another male had been rubbing himself against her, but the bag is not what he would be beating the shit out of. Alice was a beautiful woman, but she was pushy and it was well known she wanted a warrior and wanted one badly. She just wasn't his type and he preferred blondes to red heads, and the blonde he preferred was sitting on the mat looking lost. Pushing himself away from Alice he headed toward the mat. “You guys go ahead and I'll start class. I'm good.”
Jared caught Damon before he made it to the mat. “You need to feed Damon.”
“I'm fine, mom.” Damon shrugged Jared's hand off his shoulder. “But thanks for worrying.”
“If the Council finds out you're not feeding they will pull you and we need you here.” Jared glanced toward Nicole. “She needs you here.”
“I said I'm fine, Jared.” Damon went to walk away and again Jared stepped in his path.
“You cannot and I repeat cannot feed from her.” Jared snapped nodding toward Nicole. “If it's Alice we will call for someone else, but you need to feed and soon dammit.”
“I am walking away and if you step in my way again I will walk over you.” Damon snapped back getting nose to nose with Jared.
“Stubborn son of a bitch.” Jared moved to let him pass.
Damon tuned down his anger as he walked to the middle of the mat. He knew the dangers of not feeding and he knew the dangers of feeding from humans, especially humans they were attracted to and he was more than attracted to Nicole. Two things could happen. You either mated with the human which most vampires adhered or blood lust so strong hit that you become a mindless killer. Not only were humans dealing with addiction to their blood, but vampires were fighting addiction to human blood as well. Mitch had been right, it was a cluster f*ck of a mess. He should just go grab Alice and feed. It would solve the problem of getting too close to Nicole. No matter what she said it would hurt her to see him leave with another woman after being with her and he would bet his last dollar he would never be with her again.