The Awakening (18 page)

              Nolan set down the chairs, gave a nod and moved toward the house. He didn't have to ask him twice. "Early tomorrow?" He threw over his shoulder.

              Bradley smiled. "Sounds great! If Rains coming, maybe you could pick her up," he shouted to his back.

              Raina's breath caught when Nolan entered the house. Even in her fuzzy alcohol haze...she knew she was lucky. Women would fight to the death for a glance like that. He had genuine concern glinting in those silver eyes.

              "You want a ride home?" His voice was soft.

              Raina nodded dumbly.

              "She likes you really a lot," Emily giggled.

              Nolan chuckled. "Let me get you home to bed."

              Raina blushed, and Emily giggled again.

              "To your house," he amended. He grinned when she pouted. "Come on Raina." He crossed to her and took the glass of wine from her hand. "You need some water?"

              Raina shook her head, looking up at him.

He grinned when Raina stood up and teetered a bit. His hand quickly took her arm. She still wore his jacket, and he liked that.

              Emily got up too and followed them to her door. "You take care of her Nolan," she warned, slurring a bit.

              He nodded, securing Raina between his arm and his side. He steeled himself, and led her out to the Charger.

              Raina was so compliant and trusting, as he settled her in the seat and buckled her in. She smiled up at him. His breath caught a little at the trust there.

              "Watch yourself...I'm gonna shut the door."

              He then crawled in himself, and gave her a grin. "You're not going to make a mess of my car are you?" He was teasing.

              Raina shook her head and laid it back on the rest. She tilted her face back to him. "I never drink this much," she giggled. "It’s kinda nice and scary."

              "Scary how?" He backed out of the drive carefully.

              They drove for a few minutes, and she was silent. Nolan thought she had fallen asleep. He glanced over at her, and found those pretty blues watching him. He lifted his brows.

              She looked embarrassed to be found out. "Well...nice cause I don't have to think too hard about anything! I don't have to think about you being a super hero...and Thanatos a bad boy...guy. But scary because right now I don't think I could filter the words. I want to say something. But I really shouldn't."

              He chuckled, "Say it."

              Her lids drooped, as she studied him. "You sure?" she mumbled, tripping over her tongue.

              "Yes."

              "You might make your frowny face."

              He gripped the wheel and laughed. "Raina spit it out."

              She drew in a breath. "You're pretty hot."

              He coughed in surprise.

              "And I like you a really lot."

              "Raina..."

              "Ahhh, Raina shmaina," she growled.

              He smiled. "I really don't think this is a good time to talk."

              "Why ever not?"

              "Because you're drunk," he said matter of factly.

              "Me? I'm fine perfectly I can...to do...to, to say...." she paused. "I forgot what I was trying to say," she growled.

              "Exactly."

              She stuck her tongue out at him. Then pulled it back in when he gave her that look. The look that set the butterflies in her stomach to flight. She leaned back and just gazed at him.

              "How is it fair that one person could be so perfect?"

              Nolan stared out the windshield. "I'm not perfect," he said softly.

              "To me you are," she sighed. "You are beautiful. You have the handsome face...and your hair with its shine...and you smell nice. My nose likes you," she giggled.

              He ignored her words and reached for his drink holder. He handed her the bottle of water that was there. "You should drink this."

              She growled, and obeyed. "I'm trying to flatter you," she mumbled.

              "Call me flattered," he said in a dead voice.

              "Well you don't sound it," she huffed. "It may not mean much to you, but I never ever talk to men like that."

              "No kidding?" He was hoping his sarcasm would silence her.

              He pulled into her driveway and put the car in park, drew in a breath and turned toward her. "I'll help you inside," he said sharply. "Then I have to go."

              Raina fumbled with her belt, freeing herself from the restraint. "You are mad at me?"

              "No," he smiled. "Not mad...just a little weary."

              "Of me?" she pouted.

              "No Raina...not of you."

              She smiled, leaning toward him. "Good...even though you're pretty cute when you have your frowny face on."

              "Raina," he chuckled.

              "You don't like compliments," she stated softly.

              "No," he admitted.

              "Do you doubt my sincerity?"

              He smiled sadly. "I want you to see more than this." He waived a hand at himself.

              Raina blinked. "I do." She reached her hand up and touched his cheek. "You, Nolan Gregor, are sexy and hot and sweet and caring...all rolled in one."

              “Raina…”

              "I want to kiss you Nolan. I've never wanted to kiss anyone but my husband." She seemed sobered by the thought. Her fingers brushed up his jaw and into the wonderfully soft dark hair. Her hazy blue eyes searched his. “Would you like a kiss Nolan?"

              Nolan could not speak with her looking at him like that. Hell yes he wanted her to kiss him. He had never wanted anything more. He just continued to look at her, his heart pounding.

              She smiled when he stayed still as a statue. Either he was in shock, or overwhelmed... she'd take either. She didn't want to wait for his answer, seeing her opportunity, she moved in.

              She kissed his mouth softly....her hand curled around his neck to hold him there. His lips were soft, and she felt his indrawn breath. She paused for a second, feeling the adrenaline in her veins...the warmth coming from him. Her eyes were wide with uncertainty.

              He was still...so still, she wondered what he was feeling...was he as excited as she was?

              His eyes slid closed, and he breathed in her scent...every part of his being wished to kiss her back... just one touch...one sampling...that would be enough...he could make it enough. He tilted his face toward hers, and his lower lip brushed hers. She shivered. His hands itched to be deep in her blonde locks, to tug her closer, but he refrained.

              Raina smiled. She felt his restraint, and his desire for her in that one movement. She threw caution to the wind, and pressed her mouth to his. She felt him give in, his mouth also following hers...tasting.

              Nolan groaned deep in his throat. He couldn't seem to get enough, her hands in his hair, her little frame leaning into his chest...his hands now around her waist, pulling her closer.

              She responded to his gentle touch, and he responded back...his breath gone, his wits gone. She was sitting in his lap now, her arms around his neck, his hands in her hair.

              Raina felt tears in her eyes. This felt so perfect, so right. "Please don't be a dream," she whispered against his mouth.

              He sucked in a breath, then opened his eyes...looking straight into hers. Desire read heavy in those silver eyes.

              "I need you Nolan," she whispered softly.

              Nolan growled and pulled away. "No," he barked. He took her hands from his neck and sat her back into her seat and shoved his door open. He slammed it behind him. His long fingers tangled in and fisted into his hair in frustration. "Damn it," he shouted to the wind.

              She watched him standing there, catching his breath...his sides heaved with the effort. Her breath was heavy in her own chest. What had just happened? She swallowed hard, as he moved to her side of the car and opened her door.

              "Come, you need to go inside." His silver eyes blazed down on her.

              Raina was still shocked at his outburst. She looked up at him dumbly.

              "Now," he ordered. He took her hand and helped her out. He held her arm and slammed the car door, grabbed her shoulders, and pushed her against the car door. His silver eyes were black...with what? Rage? Desire? Fear?

              Raina held her breath, sobering more now. His hands on her shoulders were firm, unmoving. She looked up at him with confusion. Her eyes traveled to the frown on his lips and she sighed.

              "Don't look at me like that," he whispered, fighting with anger. "You can't say words like that to me! You can't touch me like that...you can't kiss me, and Raina...you have to stop thinking of me as anything else but your friend. I know you've been drinking, and that can bring emotions. I can't be who you need me to be. I want to be! It’s hard enough for me to admit that. Understand? If you care about me, you will!”

              Raina blinked back tears. She again had been foolish. "Yes," she whispered. She pushed him away and stumbled toward the door.

              "Raina!" He followed her.

              "Nolan...don't. Stay away from me! I feel stupid enough...now if you could leave me be please, I would like to sleep off my stupidity." She turned her back on him, unlocking her door. Turk greeted her, and then yelped in joy to see Nolan.

              "Please," he whispered.

              She pushed the dog inside and closed the door again. "Please what Nolan? You spoke your peace... I will not try to kiss you...I will not tell you I care for you." She felt the tears come. "But God Nolan I do. How can I help that? You think I asked to have you in my life? You are the one that started showing up in my dreams! You can't play the martyr!"

              He looked taken aback. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

              She blinked.

              "I shouldn't have kissed back," he spoke softly, gently. "God Raina...why did you have to be so willing? Don't you know how dangerous..." He dug his fingers into the back of his neck.

              "I'm only willing when it comes to you." Her heart was on her sleeve, and it pained him.

              "Don't be," he pleaded. "Please don't. There’s so much you don't know about me."

              "Then tell me."

              He shook his head.             

              She wiped her tears angrily. "I'm drunk," she sighed.

              His mouth quirked in a grin. "I know."

              She hiccupped on her own laugh. "We do need to talk, don't we?"

              He nodded.

              "Not tonight," she said with a nod.

              He nodded back. "Can I pick you up tomorrow? We're going to the McRays for clean up." He was good at quickly changing the subject.

              She nodded. "Call first...I drank a lot tonight, didn't I?" She wobbled a bit. "I don't think I've ever drank that much!"             

              He immediately reached out to steady her. He was shocked when she instead stepped into the circle of his arms.

              He held her briefly, a bit stiffly. He wanted to bury his face in her hair…he could not allow himself this luxury. He pulled her back at arm’s length and forced a smile on his face. "Can you make it inside?"

              She sighed and gave a nod, then shook her head. "I'm dizzy.”

              He grinned. Without a word, he opened the door, arm around her, helped her inside. He closed the door, and then barked one command to the bouncy Border collie, who settled right away.

              "He likes you," she giggled.

              Nolan chuckled. "I like him too." He led her gently to the sofa and sat her down. "Stay here," he whispered.

              She heard him moving about her kitchen, in her freezer, her cabinets. He returned with a glass of ice water. "Drink this, and make sure you have a bit more before bed. You don't want to wake up dehydrated."

              She obediently sipped at the cool water.

He sat down next to her. Turk was right there, head on Nolan’s knee.

              "Can you promise to answer one question?" She yawned and her eyes drooped.

              He grinned. "Will you remember my answer in the morning?"

              She giggled. "This one I will...I promise."

              He nodded. "Fine, one. Your question?" his warm voice was deep and low.

              "It’s loaded."

              He nodded. "I figured that. I'm sure my answer will be loaded too." He gave her a slow easy...sexy as hell, grin.

              She blushed. "What are you?" Her eyes studied him, watched him squirm, watched the pulse at his throat quicken. "I'm looking at you now, and I know...it’s not all handsome man. You have a wisdom...an age about you, an unearthly beauty...like an angel."

              He grinned. "I'm not an angel," he chuckled.

              "And you are not a vampire," she giggled, remembering their talk in the woods.

              "No definitely not!" He smiled.

              "But you are supernatural," she whispered.

              He swallowed. "Yes."

              Her heart skipped a beat. She had known it, but to hear it from his lips, made her blood run with excitement. She sat forward; the alcohol seemed to lessen its hold on her. "So...answer my question."

              "I just answered like three," he laughed.

              She pouted, seeing he was dragging his feet. "It was my first question that counted."  Her blues never wavered from him, as she waited.

              "It’s hard just to say," he whispered.

              She nodded. "Can you show me?"

              His silver eyes darkened. "I suppose, this would help." He reached for her hand, and held it to his heart.

              Raina’s heart skittered about in her rib cage. She felt his heart strong and steady beating against her palm. She felt his chest expand as he breathed in deeply. The warmth radiated from him. "You are alive...still human," she spoke softly.

              "Forever human," he whispered. "My heart beats...I breath, I eat to live...I have all the functions of a mortal."

              "But you're..."

              "I'm immortal Aelan." His silver eyes darkened, and she felt his heart pick up the pace. He released her hand, as though realizing that he had given away his nervousness.

              "What does that mean?"

              His brow lifted. "More questions?"

              She blushed.

              "It means I do not die."

              "Then how long have you...."

              "Not tonight," he growled gently.

              "And Thanatos?"

              He gave a nod and rose to his feet.

              "Nolan how am I supposed to just accept that answer?"

              He smiled down on her. "Because it’s true. You said yourself...you felt I was different...”

              "But...immortal? What kind?"

              "The doesn't die kind," he said sarcastically.

              Raina rolled her eyes.

              "Sleep. I will get you tomorrow....I will call." His silvers softened on her. "Answers later."

              She didn't want him to leave. She struggled to wrap her brain about what he had just said. She grabbed a handful of his slacks before he got further. "How?"

              He squatted down to her eye level. His eyes were wary, and very sad. "I was cursed." He took in a deep breath to steady himself. It was not easy revealing this." I promise...I will tell you more...explain it all...just not tonight, not like this."

              "Cursed?" Her eyes blinked up at him. Her lip trembled.

              "Hush," he whispered. His hand gripped her chin and his thumb stopped the trembling lip.

              "Not you...you can't be..." She felt his thumb press her lip again and she quieted.