The Awakening (48 page)

              "To me you are a gift. You didn’t...ask for it. Nolan, please don't say such things. You were cursed, yes...it happened, but you never planned it! And you have not taken advantage of what you've been given!"

              "I have had my moments."

              "Not like Elenora...or even Thanatos."

              His brow furrowed, and his fingers continued their play in her hair.

              The headache was nearly gone.

              "You deserve goodness Nolan. You've sowed it! Even to those undeserving!"

              He grinned. "I'm not always good."

              "You're good to me." Her eyes closed at his heavenly contact.

              "I take that back then...I’m always good to you, but could never be at all times to all people." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear to get a full view of her face. "I wouldn't be doing this for Thanatos." He applied more pressure with his fingers to indicate of what he spoke.

              She giggled. "I would love to see if you did!" She sighed as more of the pain melted away. "Poor Thanatos...what he must be feeling."

              Nolan growled low in his chest, and tugged at her hair in chastisement, but even that felt good to her tender scalp. He eased the tug, by again weaving his hand into the thickness.

              "It’s so unfair," she whimpered.

              "Hmm?" he brushed a thumb over her temple.

              "I don't get to touch your hair."

              A deep chuckle came from him. She had shocked him with her change of subject. "No, you don't."

              Raina smiled, eyes still closed. "I'm lucky to have you here...to minister to me. I couldn't imagine having to deal with this on my own."

              “You want to check on him…don’t you?”

              Her eyes flew open in surprise. "Who?"

              His mouth tipped in a crooked grin. "You can't help yourself...you're too kind."

              "I'm not happy with him you know?" Her blue eyes flashed. "I hate that he hurt you.”

              "But you are still concerned that he may be suffering."

              She frowned. "And I hate myself for it."

              He tucked a finger under her chin. "It’s one of the things I love about you." His silver eyes softened. "Makes me jealous as hell, but it’s who you are."

              Raina smiled sheepishly. "A quick text?"

              He shrugged, giving up, lifting his coffee to his lips.

              Raina went for her purse and dug her phone out. She frowned...it was dead. She showed him the lifeless screen, and then headed for the charger plugged in on her counter. "Later then," she said with a shrug.

              She nearly jumped out of her skin when a loud pounding came to the door. Unthinking of her appearance, she hurried to it. She peaked out of the peephole and groaned. "Damn!" She pulled the heavy door open.

              "Where have you been?" Emily's dark eyes flashed. "You run out on me...leave me that garbled message, promise to call me? I should beat you! I've tried to call you six times just this morning!"

              Raina winced at the shouting words. "I'm sorry."

              "Sorry? I'll show you sorry! You'll know the meaning of the word sorry when I get through...with...you," her words wandered off at the end. She pulled in a breath, and then smiled. "Good morning, Nolan."

              Raina blushed, and followed her friends gaze. Her beautiful Nolan was leaning lazily against the entrance to the kitchen. His sleep tousled hair gave him a sexy appearance. His sweat pants hung low on his hips, his tank snug at his torso.

              "Morning, Emily." His soft voice made both girls stop and stare for a long second.

              Emily positively beamed, as her eyes fell on Raina.

              Raina groaned. "Don't look at me like that Em! It’s not what you think!"

              "I will be terribly disappointed if it isn't."

              Nolan laughed softly, pushed from the door way to return to his chair.

              "Don't leave me alone," she croaked after him. "Nolan, you get back here and defend my honor!" Raina's cheeks were flames. She swung back to Emily. "He brought me home… he slept on the couch.......that is all!"

              Emily shook her head. "Your story."

              Raina almost smiled.

              Emily grasped her friend’s shoulders. "I want a full report...not now of course, but you will call me," she ordered.

              Raina shook her head. "Em there is no story!"

              Emily rolled her eyes. "You have a sexy man in your kitchen, enjoying morning coffee with you, with bed head and bedroom eyes. You will not convince me nothing went on!"

              Raina frowned. "Em, you know me better!"

              Emily sighed, and nodded. "But a girl can dream can't she?"

              Pushing her toward the door, Raina allowed a nervous laugh. "Keep dreaming."

              "Raina...he's in your kitchen...you look adorable in your night shirt...go in there and get it girl!"

              Raina blushed. "Go home Emily. I will call you later today!"

              Emily giggled, and tripped her way outside.

              She wanted to slam door behind the giggling woman, but the fresh air touched her warmed cheeks, and she allowed the screen door to slap into place instead. Raina shook her head. She went back into the kitchen/dining room where her Nolan awaited. He hadn't returned to his seat. He leaned back on the counter and regarded her closely.

              Raina lifted her eyebrows. "What?"

              He frowned. "Should I be worried?"

              She tilted her head. "About?"

              A grin played at his lips. "That you've come in here to get it?"

              She blushed to the roots of her hair. "I won't be attacking you Nolan, no." Her eyes took in the sight of him.

              He smiled. "Thank you for defending my honor."

              "When you just left me to defend my own!? You as good as said...yeah I bedded her...without saying a word!"

              His silver eyes danced, and he choked on his laugh. "Bedded?"

              Raina made a face at him. "Isn't that one of those fancy words from your time.... meaning, you know." She blushed.

              "Are you calling me old?"

              She chuckled. "Maybe."

              "I don't know if I like that kind of sass from you."

              She gave a shrug.

              "As an elder, I could impose discipline!" His eyes flashed dangerously.

              Raina’s blue eyes twinkled. "Old man like you...you might break a hip trying!"

              Nolan’s teeth closed over his bottom lip, giving him a devilish look. "Do not tempt me to try!"

              Raina rolled her eyes, turned to the table, and saw his iPod sitting by his coffee cup. "Why did you bring this?" She reached over and snatched it.

              "In case I went for a run. I drove you home in your car...I thought I'd go home by foot. I like my music when I run." He reached for his iPod, and she pulled back.

              "Music? What do you listen to grandpa? Oldies?"

              "You might find a few in there...but I'm eclectic." He held his hand out for the gadget.

              "Ok grandpa, let’s just see."

              Nolan lunged for her, catching her around the waist, pinning her to his body with one arm, while the other reached for his music. "Don't want to break this while I'm throttling you!"

              Raina squirmed in his arms, successfully keeping the iPod from him. "Let me have a listen," she giggled, and nearly dropped it, as his fingers tickled her ribs. "Nolan," she cried.

              "My iPod," he growled, but the growl turned into a chuckle.

              Raina struggled, but her laughter made her fighting useless, and she soon tired, and finally gave up, and shoved it at his chest. "Spoil sport!"

              "That’s what I thought," he grumbled. His arm about her flexed, squeezing the air from her.

              Raina looked up at him with merriment. "I just wanted to hear what you like." She felt his heart pick up tempo, and she liked that.

              His silvers lit. "You just heard what I like." His voice dropped an octave.

              She frowned.

              "Your laugh Raina. It’s sweeter than anything I have on this." He tipped his head at the iPod. His palm, flat at her back, pushed gently, not allowing their contact to end. His breathing was erratic, and she doubted it was because of the struggle.

              "Yeah?" she sounded a little breathless too.

              He grinned. "Yeah."

              "My head is pounding...please don't add to my agony by making me throw up!"

              Raina gasped, and Nolan’s arm tightened.

              "Sorry to barge in on this love fest but..."

              Nolan growled. His distraction, had kept him from recognizing the green eyed devil’s presence...that was not good! He mentally kicked himself, and instinctively turned Raina away, protecting her with his body, but not quite able to hide all of her.

              Thanatos eyes moved the length of Raina’s legs, and he smiled in approval. "It’s nice to see someone in a good mood." His eyes darkened. "You didn't go home last night friend."

              Nolan frowned. "You came back?"

              "I thought we'd talk...without distraction." His green eyes narrowed at Raina. "But I see you made a little distraction yourself."

              Raina growled and pushed passed Nolan's shoulder. "Does no one I know have a pure mind? You think so little of me?" She crossed her arms and glared at him.

              Thanatos chuckled. "No, but I'll blame you of a lot worse, if I get that kind of reaction." His eyes again slid over her. "Go get some clothes on, beautiful. We all need to have a talk." He rubbed the back of his skull, wincing, in obvious pain.

              She pushed passed him, smirking, now very happy he felt a bit of pain. "I would offer you some aspirin....but I won't waste perfectly good medicine on a perfectly good ass!"

              Nolan snorted.

              Thanatos was not ruffled, he grinned even broader. He glanced over his shoulder, and shrugged.  "Thanks. I work out."

              Raina growled, her mouth popped open in surprise. "I didn't mean..."

              "Clothes, Raina...we're waiting."

              She made a face at him, and hurried for the stairs, stomping her foot on each one as she went up. She wanted every pound to resound in his head. Her rants were heard clearly, even after she slammed the door to her bedroom.

              Thanatos grinned at Nolan, and yes, they shared a moment.

              Nolan was quick to cover his amusement.

              Thanatos helped himself to some coffee, and then lifted his brows. "Is she as feisty in bed?"

              Nolan about choked on his coffee. He cleared his throat gruffly. "I wouldn't know."

              The green eyes glared. "Of course you wouldn't!”

              “I couldn't leave her the way she was last night. You should know its hell...you're eyes reveal the pain you are still in."

              Thanatos rubbed his forehead. "Could you do something about it?"

              Nolan frowned. "I could." He shrugged his shoulders, but made no move toward him.

              Thanatos rolled his eyes. "Okay, I deserve that."

              Nolan sighed. "I know you brought it on yourself to protect her. Thank you."

              "Yeah...you're welcome...because it’s all about you," he growled.

              Nolan’s jaw flexed, and he ground his teeth together. "I shouldn't be thanking you for anything." His fists clenched. "You shot me....again! If we weren't in her home...and if I didn't know she'd be upset, I'd beat the hell out of you."

              Thanatos grinned. "She doesn't want me hurt? Hmm, that’s about the best thing I've heard in a long while!"

              Nolan glanced away in distaste. "She can't help who she is. She doesn't want me to hurt you...but she might kick your ass if she knew she'd win."

              Thanatos chuckled, and drank down more of the strong coffee. "I might let her."

              The corner of Nolan’s mouth tilted slightly, unable to completely avoid a smile.

              "Where’s Elly?" Nolan cleared his throat; glad Raina wasn't there to chastise him. "Elenora?" he corrected.

              "She went back to grandpa...per usual. She’s here...she’s gone."

              "I'm surprised she even tells you what she’s doing."

              Thanatos lifted a shoulder. "She trusts me to a point."

              "Stupid girl," Nolan chuckled. "I suppose she left instructions?"

              The green eyed devil frowned. "She wanted to let you know...she won't take any more of your ignoring."

              Nolan’s jaw tightened. "I don't want to see her."

              "And you blatantly ignoring her is not helping your case. Especially if she finds you were sneaking around disobeying her!"

              "Then let’s make sure she doesn't find out," Nolan growled back.

              Thanatos shook his head. "Why don't you just listen to her, and leave the sweet mortal alone?"

              Nolan scowled. "You know I can't."

              "I could protect her."

              "And how long before she gets jealous over you, and tells you to stay away too? No, I'll take my chances watching Raina myself."

              "What if...what if she tries to hurt her? Really hurt her? What if Richard takes your…"

              "I'll give it back to him! To protect her."

              "Why wait? You are so miserable with being immortal...just ask him to take it away now."

              "That’s like committing suicide," Nolan whispered. "And I cannot do that to her!"

              Thanatos crossed his arms. "She'd get over it!"

              Silver eyes flashed dark. "Ask her if she would."

              Thanatos scoffed. "She got over David...are you saying you mean more?"

              Nolan’s jaw clenched again.

              "You are hopeless my friend...she’s got you all wrapped up, doesn't she?"

              Nolan’s eyes looked black, as he leveled them at Thanatos. "Finish with the instructions."