The Awakening (34 page)

              "You like me too though, don't you? For a whole different reason." He chuckled darkly, his lips feathered up to her ear again. "Nolan’s heart...my heat."

              She did shiver at his words, and hated the telltale sign

              He chuckled. "I'm right whether you say it out loud or not."

              Raina pressed at his chest with her hands trapped between them. "Thanatos," she whispered.

              "Does it fit now?"

              Raina paused her pushing, and turned her face to him. She shook her head. "Does what fit?"

              He moved above her, his eyes now staring down on her. His handsome face was full of anguish. "Thanatos," he said softly.

              Her heart ached at the pain in him. "No, you are not death," she spoke with more confidence then she felt.

              He smiled a perfectly happy smile. "Are you afraid of me?"

              "Just a little," she breathed

              He touched her cheek with the tips of his fingers, and smiled when her cheeks flushed. "Or are you excited?"

              Raina bit her lip.

              His hand came up, his fingers gripped her jaw, and he captured her lips quickly with his. He was gentle and rough all at once. He was skilled, knew the right touch, the right pressure, and his mouth was warm, coaxing.

              Raina felt her thoughts flee into a haze, her heart in her throat. She melted for an instant...then recalled who held her.

              She gasped, and shoved him. "Don't!"

              He held her still. "Don't what, beautiful? I know it’s been a long time...and if you're waiting for Nolan to help you out physically, you will be waiting a long time. Trust me."

              She shoved at him again. "It doesn't change what I feel about him!"

              He growled. "He's barely even touched you."

              Raina felt tears prick her eyes. "Yes he has."

              He frowned. “One small kiss with him cannot satisfy years of going without." He kissed the side of her neck again. "Raina I could take care of you."

              She shook her head. "Thanatos don't," she whispered. "Not like this."

              He gathered her closer, burying his face into her hair. "Not like what?"

              She felt his arms flex, and his breath was kept even, by barely there control. He was a passionate being, emotional being. He was wounded, and scarred from opening up. His only response would be physical. "You're not thinking straight," she said softly.              

He chuckled mockingly. "I never think straight around you Raina. Much like my old friend...you have me bewitched. If he’s not going to take advantage of something so sweet...I will."

              Raina drew in a shaky breath, when his lips touched her jaw.

              "Tell me why I should stop. Your weak little pushes are followed by shuttering little breaths. You do not hate my touch."

              Raina wanted to scream that he lied, but he didn't.

              "You were right...I wish you were Nolan." she barely breathed. She knew it would hurt him, anger him.

              "All the more reason for me to continue. I could change your mind, Raina." He smiled down on her. "To see Nolan's face when that happened..."

              "Please Thanatos...you can't. Not for revenge...you are...you...you just want what you think Nolan wants, and you want to beat him to..."

              She felt the cold air hit her, as his contact was lifted from her.

              Those green eyes flared at her. He was breathing hard, and desire still was heavy in his face, his eyes. "You think I want you because he wants you?"

              Raina blinked up at him.

              He laughed bitterly. "Good night Raina." He moved her aside, and was out the gate in an instant. It slapped sharply behind him.

              Raina was left gulping in air. She was not sure whether she should feel shock or hurt. One feeling did surface rather quickly, and that was relief. She hated that she had felt slightly tempted. Nolan was right...being alone with him had been stupid! And she had thought the night had been going well.

              She barked a bitter laugh, and then jumped, feeling her phone buzz. Nolan! Oh how she wanted to hear his voice now! Even before she answered she decided then and there, she would tell him nothing of the incident. This would stay between her and her green eyed devil.

Chapter 12 Unexpected

            
 
Raina pulled into the parking lot, and drove into an empty space. She put it park, and drew in a breath.

              Her phone buzzed again, and Raina peaked down at it. Thanatos...again. She hit ignore. The last thing she wanted to do was rehash what had happened the other night. She got out of her car, and walked toward the little restaurant where she had agreed to meet Nolan.

              Breakfast and a surprise he had promised! She smiled.

              She entered the building, her eyes instantly finding him in a booth in a corner. Nolan stood out among everyone. She wondered if it was just because she was so attuned to him, but realized she was wrong, when the waitress filling his coffee spilled a bit. Her hands were trembling.

              He startled the girl, when he got out of the booth to greet Raina.

              Raina had to force herself not to run.

              "You look beautiful," he greeted.

              Raina looked down on her capris, tank, and white sneakers. She shrugged. "You said to dress comfortable."

              His smile broadened, and he helped her to the booth.

              "So no motorcycle?" Her blue eyes teased him.

              He chuckled. "No, too long of a trip."

              She frowned. "Where are we going?"

              She thanked the waitress for her coffee, and then turned her blues back on him. "Ok, spit it out!”

              Nolan looked down at his hands, and nodded. "I have to take a trip. I...I have to go see Joseph."

              A chill ran up and down her spine.

              "I knew it was going to come to that. It’s been a long while since I've seen him. We talk on the phone a lot, but..." He swallowed. "I don't want you to get scared. This is pretty unorthodox, but...he heard about you...obviously through Elenora."

              Raina gasped.

              "So he asked for my side of the story."

              "But he doesn't know about... you and me sneaking?"

              Nolan glanced down at his hands. "I...I confessed to him Raina. I thought if he knew...in the future, it might bode well for you.”

              "Are we in danger now?"

              "Not from Joseph," he promised. "He will not harm you."

              Raina drew in a breath, and blew it out shakily. "What does this have to do with me now then? What’s the surprise?"

              He shrugged. "Joseph lives in Florida."

              Raina frowned. "So?"

              He looked almost guilty. "Besides the fact that he wants to meet you....there are alligators in Florida...masses. I thought you might want to see one or two."

              Raina didn't know what to respond to first...Joseph or the alligators.

              "You're coming with me Rain...that is, I want you to come with me. I want you to meet Joseph...I want him to know you, to see what the fuss is about. I want you to earn his favor.”

              She bit her lip, and stared down into her coffee. "So the alligators are just a nice juicy carrot before me?"

              He chuckled softly. "Will you go to Florida with me, Aelan?"

              Raina gave him a nod. "Because I trust you."

              He smiled.

              She smiled back. "Well, when do we leave?" Butterflies exploded in her tummy.

              "Right after breakfast," he said carefully.

              Raina's mouth dropped open. "Nolan...I'm not packed...I haven't...I haven't made arrangements for my boys...."

              He chuckled, cutting her off. "Emily packed for you. She has your house keys...already made off with your car...she and Bradley followed you here. And they will look after Turk and Percy," he promised.

              Raina blinked.

              His eyes were sober. "Are you mad?"

              Raina watched his mouth turn down in a frown. "No," she whispered. "Just shocked is all. You must really believe this is the right thing, if you went into so much planning." Her blue eyes danced. "And you must have been sure I would say yes."

              His brows lifted. "Or I'd be in a world of hurt when you stomped out of here to no car." He shrugged, offering a heart stopping smile. "I knew you'd say yes, with or without alligators," he teased.

              She flushed, and gave a nod.

              "Thanatos will be on assignment, busy, and unaware, thanks to Bradley."

              Raina shook her head. "Except he keeps calling me."

              Nolan frowned.

              Raina waved off his concern. "What about Elenora?"

              "The She-devil?" His silvers twinkled. "Elenora is off on another of her trips. Joseph assured me she will not be home on our visit. It’s the perfect time to go. I'm glad you have such good friends...made this so easy for me!"

              Raina rolled her eyes. "Oh Emily must be crowing with pleasure now, as she drives away in my car."

              Nolan chuckled. "I will take care of you," he promised softly.

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              "Right this way Mr. and Mrs. Gregor," the young man chimed in. He headed toward the elevator.

              Raina felt her tummy stir at the Mr. and Mrs.

              Nolan took her hand, giving her a secret smile, not correcting him, and they followed. She tucked in close to him on the elevator. He smelled divine, as usual. She listened to the bell boy go on about what a perfect week they had chosen. The humidity would be down...but the heat up. It was perfect beach weather.

              Raina smiled, yes, the ocean! The beach! She had nearly forgotten she'd get to see how the sea on the other side of the country looked.

              She peaked up at Nolan, who was smiling too. He had noted her reaction. "And alligators?" he teased.

              The young man beamed. "Just you try not to run into one around here. You can check out Shark Valley...best viewing!" He glanced to Raina. "Unless the lady is scared..."

              "Oh no, she’s not," Nolan chuckled. "Big reason behind this trip, isn't it?"

              Raina blushed.

              The doors opened on their floor, and they were lead down the hall to a corner room. The door opened easily.

              Raina nearly gasped at the size. She hurried passed Nolan, letting go of his hand and moving to the window. The view was breath taking. White beach and blue water! The windows wrapped around one side of the first room, a living room of sorts. From that room, you entered a kitchen of sorts, then past a massive bathroom, into the bedroom suite. She explored each, as Nolan took care of the youngman’s tip.

              Raina was at the bedroom window when he came up behind her.

              "Is this okay?"

              She smiled, not taking her eyes from the view. "It’s beautiful."

              "I thought you might like the presidential," he teased. "I wanted to make this trip, as short as it is, special."

              She turned about, regarding the room...and its one massive bed.

              "The living room couch pulls out into a bed," he jumped in, stepping between her and the view of the bed.

              Raina shyly looked down. "We could both sleep in that bed, and never know the other was there," she teased. "It’s huge!"