The Awakening (28 page)

              It was an open floor...offices in a circle, with hallways leading to God knows where. It was bright though...a sky light above and most of the offices had windows. She purposely did not focus on anyone in particular, just followed Emily.

              Raina breathed relief. Good...all business, no time to stop and chat, or for awkward silences...pensive stares.

              Arms full, both women made for the back office, where already Raina had noted Bradley stood in the door. They were almost there when she heard a greeting. It was loud over the sound, and she winced a bit.

              "Hey, beautiful!"

              Thanatos...she actually smiled. So he wasn't that angry with her. She was still “beautiful”. She allowed him to lift the coffee tray from her...her wrists protested, not realizing how hard she had been gripping the container.

              Bradley shook his head at them. "About time! I'm starving!"

              "Didn't realize you were making the ladies pick it all up," Thanatos spoke up. "Or I'd have gone myself. But...then again, we've never had a more pleasant delivery." The green eyes took in Raina for a moment. "Should I put it all in the meeting room?" Thanatos easily relieved Emily of her bags too.

              Crazy immortal strength!

              Raina gave him a strange look. He was being overly friendly.

              Bradley started to protest when the bags were taken farther from him.

              "I have yours right here," Emily sighed, holding up a lone bag for him. "You and your stomach." She patted his tummy and smiled, Bradley grinned and looked sheepish. She lifted up on her tiptoes to kiss him.

              "Come with me," Thanatos invited, cocking his head in one direction, and rolling his eyes.

              Raina laughed, and obeyed.

              They set everything out on the long table where undoubtedly they had their meetings. Raina fussed that they hadn't got more napkins, or at least paper plates.

              "Its fine," he assured her. “I doubt the food will be around long enough for anyone to notice. We eat fast up here...too much work to do to pause longer."

              "You better hurry then," she teased, noting that he sat nonchalantly on the edge of the table. He seemed in no hurry.

              He grinned. "I’d rather not."

              Raina felt goose bumps rise on her arms. He always seemed so innocent...but there was that undercurrent of danger. He easily wooed her in. She shivered and gave him a smile.

              "You cold?" he reached out a hand and ran it over the goose bumps down her arm.

              "I'm okay," she whispered, when he pushed off the side of the table and drew nearer. She was going to protest, but two ladies walked in...obviously to grab their lunch.

              Their eyes traveled up and down Raina...then to Thanatos hand on her. Jealousy...yes, it was there.

              "Ladies," he purred.

They were full of blushes now.

"Come on, beautiful," he murmured, then took Raina's hand and lead her out of the room.

              "Nice," she laughed. "If they didn't hate me when they first saw me...”

              He grinned. "They'll get over it." He glanced around. "Ever been here?"

              She shook her head.

              "Give me a minute...I'll take you on a tour." He sat her down in a chair outside the meeting room, and made his way across the floor. She watched as he entered an office close to Bradley's. Her eyes flickered to the one directly beside Bradley’s, which had been empty when they arrived. Her heart leapt into her throat. It wasn't empty now!

              Nolan’s down turned head was enough to melt her insides. He was standing behind his desk, bent over some papers laid out before him. She knew him without even seeing his face. He sat down and turned to his computer screen. His gorgeous frowny face was in place as he compared the papers and the computer. His fingers went to the back of his neck to rub the stiffness away, and he closed his eyes for just a second. It was the sexiest thing she'd ever laid eyes on. She pulled her eyes away, staring down at her hands in her lap.

              She didn't look up again, until a pair of impressive black dress shoes appeared close to her own. Thanatos was looking down on her with concern. "Did you want to say hello?"

              Raina blinked up at him. He'd seen her observation. "He looks busy," she whispered, her throat was dry. "And it’s against the rules," she threw in.

              He took the seat next to her. "Hello is not going to infringe on Elly’s rules.

              "I'm sure she wouldn't feel the same...and besides... I don't think he...well, he probably doesn't..."

              "Yes he does," he sighed.

              Raina bit her lip. She looked down at her fingers, which were wringing together. "You are trying to bait me...to get him in trouble."

              He shrugged guiltily. "Come," he ordered. "I'll show you around the floor...then we'll eat our lunch! I notice the boss' door is closed...it might be awhile. Emily often stops by to say "hello" "His quotation making fingers made her giggle.

              A girl passed them and went into the meeting room, where the other two still remained chattering. “Claaaay,” she purred toward him.

“Anne,” he grinned.

“Share a lunch minute with me?” She didn’t wait for a reply, just gave a wink.

              Raina smirked at him.

              “Keep the smart remark,” he growled.

              She innocently shrugged, peaking over her shoulder toward the girl.

              "Ha, you missed it," Anne laughed at the other two. “Look...this one is marked Nolan...and guess who gets to take it to him? ME!"

              There was a collective groan.

              Raina and Thanatos exchanged amused glances. If she heard it, she knew he heard it. She lifted her brows and he nodded.

              "Go on," he sighed.

              Raina straightened her back. “What?”

“You are worth a little rebellion,” he whispered. “But this will be the only time!”

She blinked, then moved quickly before he changed his mind. She stood as the girl started to exit. "Oh, there it is," she exclaimed. "Thank you so much for bringing it out for me!" Raina took the wrapped sandwich and the iced coffee drink. "I'm sure he's famished!" She turned her back, and without a glance to the chuckling Thanatos, she started for the office.

              Raina hesitated in the door way.

              "Set it on the desk please," he murmured, not even looking up.

              Raina felt warmed by that familiar soft voice. She didn't think he knew it was her. Well, so much for the connection to her. She had thought the second she entered the parking lot he would have known. But that was her crazy imagination. Or maybe he was too preoccupied?

              She glanced around the papers laying around the desk...no free space!

              "Where exactly would you like it on the desk?"

              His eyes snapped up to hers.

              Yes, that was shock...Nolan Gregor can be surprised! And he was stunning when he was off guard.

              "Hi," she said softly. Her fingers trembled, as did her knees.

              "Hey," he said back.

              Raina handed him his sandwich, and then the drink. His fingers skimmed hers with an agonizing pressure. She had to be careful not to drop the drink on the masses of paperwork.

              "Emily and I brought lunch. We were at the cafe...close."

              "I know," he spoke softly.

              She lifted a brow. "Yet you seem surprised to see me."

              He smiled sadly. "I knew you were here too, Aelan," he whispered. "I just didn't expect you to...come to me."

              She shook her head. "Why wouldn’t I?"

              "I had assumed Thanatos spoke to you. And because of that, I figured you would steer clear." His voice was crisp, business like.

              She tilted her head at him. "You mean...because she told me not to?"

              He shrugged.

              "I'm not "bestowed" to her Nolan...why ever would I feel the need to obey her?"

              "For your benefit."

              "Why would..." she bit her lip.” Why would it benefit me to stay away from you? I'm not scared of her."

              His eyes looked up at her pleadingly. "Raina...let’s not complicate it. I can still protect you...it’s just, we go back to the way it was. You pretend I don't exist."

              "How can you say that so nonchalantly?" Her blues were full of hurt.

              "We had some fun, Raina. I really think you are a sweet girl, but really it went too far. I shouldn't have revealed so much to you. I'm sorry."

              "We can't be friends?"

              He shook his head. "It would not be...smart."

              "Because of her? “ She wished she had something to toss at him, but her hands were empty.

              The silver eyes darkened. "What do you mean by that?"

              "I heard...from Thanatos...from Bradley...you weren't kind enough to tell me yourself about seeing her!”

              "There is nothing between Elenora and me," he growled.

              "So you just up and decided on your own that you should remove yourself from my life? Without consulting me? After our talks...after setting boundaries. What a waste of time that turned out to be!" She was close to tears now. "It had nothing what so ever to do with her showing up?"

              He clenched his jaw and shook his head.

              "I didn't think I could ever consider you a liar Nolan. Until now." She shoved a pile of his papers at him. Many crashed to the floor, or were whipped up by the air conditioning. She hadn't meant to make that much of a scene, but it seemed fitting. His grey eyes were wide with surprise. Two times today she had managed to throw him off his game. Her lip trembled. She turned on her heel, not allowing him a word, and made her way back to Thanatos.

              His green eyes twinkled with amusement. "Nicely done," he teased.

              "Take me on my tour please!" She was close to a break down.

              He didn't argue, just rose to his feet, paused, and stared over her shoulder. She glanced to see where his gaze was taking him.

              Nolan stood in the doorway of his office. His arms were crossed, and his face was pure anger.

              Raina felt the tears coming. She barely registered Thanatos taking her by the arm and leading her away from the main portion of the office.

              "Don't break down yet," he whispered.

              He turned her down a separate hall, and then drew her into an empty office.

              She felt suddenly apprehensive all alone with him. She stepped back when he closed the door and her backside came in contact with the desk. Wearily she took a seat. Her emotions couldn't take any more.

              "You okay?" He took her shoulders in his hands.

              She nodded, sucking in breath. "How could he be that way?"

              Thanatos tilted her chin, so he could look into her blues. "She must really have got under his skin."

              "She?" her eyes teared.

              "Elenora."

              She made a face. “I know you are partial to her, but I can’t stand her influence.”

              I’m also partial to the little mortal with the big heart,” he teased. “Nolan is an idiot, Raina. I have no idea how he could choose to stay away from you and then ask you to just forget….”

              She turned her face. Rejection swept over her. "How do I pretend that nothing happened?"

              He shrugged. “You don't forget...you just shift gears. Like him, he's good at shifting gears. When he's told something...assigned something, he'll do it with all his heart."

              She nodded. She knew that about him. "I can't shift that quickly."

              He chuckled at this.

              "So I guess I just accept it? That doesn't seem right."

              The green eyes caressed her gently. "You have to Raina...for your own sanity. I'm just sorry you were hurt." He drew in a breath. "Elenora... she can be quite compelling. And she
lives
to get her way. She can be a convincing girl. Believe me...I've fallen under her spell many times before. You can't blame him." He shrugged.

              “I don't," she sighed. "I think I just invested too much, too quickly."

              A slow handsome grin spread his lips. "I know the feeling." He reached for her hand.