by Quinn Loftis
“I don’t want you goin out tonight. It’s New Years and a lot of no good heathens will be about. It ain’t no place for an eight-year-old.”
Emma was shocked by her words. It sounded as if she actually cared. Okay, so it wasn’t exactly a profession of love, but for Mildred it might as well have been. Emma nodded. “Yes ma’am.” She closed the door behind her as she entered her room. Raphael was still there. She figured he must have known she wasn’t in danger when she’d left earlier and that was why he hadn’t followed.
Emma’s head turned when she saw the cat peek out from under her bed and make a swipe for the mouse that continued to elude it. “I guess it’s just us tonight, guys,” she told them. The cat gave her an annoyed look like it was Emma’s fault that it couldn’t catch the sneaky mouse. “Hey, it’s not my fault that you’re too lazy to stand up when you try to catch your dinner. Sliding on your belly is really pretty pitiful.” It yawned as though bored and then slid back into the shadows under the bed.
Emma looked at Raphael as she climbed up on the bed and sat with her legs crossed. She wondered what angels did on New Year’s or if it was something they even acknowledged at all. She figured not since they seemed to see time differently than humans. She kind of felt bad that he would be stuck, bored, with a little girl to watch over―not a lot of excitement there. She thought for a few minutes before a mischievous smile stretched across her face.
“So Raph, want to build a bomb? We can bring in the new year with a bang.” She smiled. “Pun intended.”
Raphael gave her a dry look. “You told Darla you would not.”
“Yes, but I didn’t say anything about instructing and supervising while you did.”
Raphael shook his head but a smile tugged at his lips. “You really are too clever for your own good.”
Chapter 12
“If you dream you are a lion tamer in a circus, your subconscious mind is expressing your need to conquer the beasts in your life, or your need for danger to feel alive.”
The Fireside was packed by nine o’clock and already a few rowdy men (and some women) who’d taken their libation very seriously had had to be tossed out. Serenity sat at one of the makeshift bars that had been set up along the outer walls of the restaurant. The center tables had been removed creating an open space for dancing, and a raised platform had been assembled on the far right wall where a local band was playing. Serenity tapped her hand absentmindedly to the beat as she watched Glory flit about the room with a tray of drinks. She laughed as her friend danced with different customers as she passed out the orders. Serenity would never have attempted to dance with a tray of drinks above her head. Knowing her luck, she’d end up wearing the beverages instead of delivering them.
She resisted the urge to check the time on her phone, considering it probably hadn’t been three minutes since she’d looked the last time. Dair had told her it might be a little later before he would arrive, but that it would be sometime before midnight. Despite their new relationship, he still had a job to do that took him to all corners of the world. But it seemed to Serenity that his assignments had been increasing lately. Given this, she was actually quite surprised with the amount of time he was able to devote to spending with her. After all, there were a lot of people in this world. Didn’t it stand to reason that there would be a lot of destinies that needed influencing? When her mind wasn’t drifting to thoughts of Dair, it was continually jumping back to Emma.
Darla had tried to reassure her by telling her that Emma was fine when she had brought her the soup, but it still didn’t put her mind at ease. Even knowing that Raphael was with her didn’t seem to be enough to calm her worries. She could only imagine what Mildred and her minions had planned for the night’s festivities. She really hoped that maybe Mildred had decided to go to one of her friend’s houses instead of having her usual gathering at her home. She’d rather Emma be home alone than with those cretins.
“Why do you look like someone just ran over your dog, stuffed it, and then gave it to you as a Christmas present?” Willa asked, taking one of the empty bar stools, asked as she saddled up next to Serenity..
Serenity laughed. “You and Glory have to be related.”
Willa looked over at the long legged, blonde who continued to dance around. She snorted. “If we’re related then I want to slap her for taking all the good genes. My entire leg is as long as her calf. If she wasn’t so nice, I’d probably slash her tires.”
Serenity slapped the bar as laughter bubbled up at Willa’s comment. Leave it to the snarky woman to hand out a backhanded compliment with such irritation. “Hey, at least you’re athletic. I’m about as graceful as a hobbled cow being dragged by a mule.”
Willa glanced at her from the corner of her eye. “True. You best be glad you’ve got nice boobs; they make up for just about any flaw―at least in the eyes of the opposite gender.”
“I’m not sure whether to thank you for the compliment, or be weirded out that you think I have nice boobs.”
“Oh, please, don’t even act like you don’t notice when another female has nice assets. If chicks didn’t notice other chicks being attractive then there would be no need for Spanks, push up bras, or the amazing back fat reducers. Because, let’s be honest, women don’t wear that crap for men; they wear it to keep from being judged by other bitches.”
“While I might actually agree with that statement, I’m wondering if Glory needs to cut you off.” Serenity eyed the other woman speculatively.
“Naw,” Willa waved her off. “I haven’t had anything other than Orange Crush to drink. I just don’t have a problem telling it like it is.”
Serenity considered her words. “Is that because of what you’ve been through?” She knew that Willa wasn’t shy to talk about her experience with breast cancer, but she still hoped that her question wouldn’t offend her.
Willa shrugged. “Maybe I’m a little worse since surviving it. I’ve always said what I thought, but perhaps, now that I’ve been faced with the reality of my own mortality, I definitely hesitate less.” Willa stood and straightened her shirt. “This is too serious talk for a night of celebrating. But since we are on the topic, I’ll give you some advice. It’s free this time. Don’t wait to have death staring you in the face, taunting you with the reality that you aren’t as invincible as you thought, before you start living every minute as though it would be your last. I can promise you something; when you do finally face the reaper, the life that flashes before your eyes needs to be one that you can be proud of. I’m not saying live with no regrets, because hell, regrets are what help us grow to be better than we were. What I’m saying is be able to die knowing that what you’re leaving behind is worth something. Your influence doesn’t die with you. That’s something I realized when I learned that my life might be coming to its conclusion. I wouldn’t be physically here anymore, but my actions, words, and beliefs would continue to impact others―whether I wanted them to or not―long after I was gone.” Willa smiled at her as she patted her leg. “I better go check on your aunt before I get onto any more soapboxes.”
Before she could walk away, Serenity grabbed her sleeve. “Willa.”
The other woman turned and met her eyes.
“Thank you.” Serenity wasn’t sure what she was thanking the woman for―maybe for occupying some time while she waited for Dair and worried about Emma, or perhaps, for the advice that she didn’t know she needed. Whatever it was, she wanted Willa to know she appreciated it. “I’m glad you kicked cancer’s ass.”
Willa laughed. “Apparently, I still had important conversations to have at New Year’s Eve parties surrounded by drunk, stupid people and bad dancers.”
Serenity watched Willa as she was swallowed by the crowd as she walked away. That had definitely been a strange conversation to have at a party. But, then again, it was New Year’s Eve. And what was New Year’s if not the time for making changes, whether they be changes in behavior or thoughts. So perhaps, it wasn’t such a s
trange conversation after all.
“You look entirely too contemplative for this crowd.” A warm breath caressed her ear causing Serenity to shutter.
She turned around abruptly on the stool to find Dair standing there leaning against the bar looking like a dark, mysterious character straight from the paranormal romance novels that had become so popular. She could only imagine the description an author would use to create the image of him in the minds of the reader. Serenity didn’t think there was any way words could adequately portray his otherworldly beauty—chiseled features, a solid form, and dark eyes that would cause even the most saintly female to be tempted―which he had no qualms about using on her.
His lips tilted up in a knowing smile and Serenity’s heart sped up. Nope, she was pretty sure there was no way words could capture what that smile did to her. “Just had an interesting talk with Willa,” she finally answered after pushing away the strong desire to throw herself in his arms. Yah, that wouldn’t be pathetic at all.
“I have a feeling most talks with Willa would be categorized as interesting,” Dair said as he leaned closer to her so she could hear him above the music. Her brow rose in surprise when he grabbed the seat of her stool and pulled her closer until he was standing in between her legs. Dair reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear as he stared into her eyes. “How are you tonight?”
What could she say? I’m better because you’re here. Or maybe something like, Well a few minutes ago I could barely breathe because you’re my air and without you I might suffocate. Okay, so maybe that was a little much, but Serenity made it a point to attempt to be honest with herself, and honestly there were so many answers to that question. She could try to be sexy and flirty but his touch was doing weird things to her brain and its ability to cause her mouth to form words. So the only thing she was able to squeak out was, “Fine.”
Dair bit his bottom lip as humor danced across his features. He knew what he did to her and he was shameless about it.
“Well, I for one am much better now that I’m with you,” he told her as his hand rested on her hip giving her a gentle squeeze.
Serenity had to remind herself to breathe. In and out, Sarah, she told herself as she held his mesmerizing gaze. They sat silently staring at each other for several minutes. The music suddenly changed to a slower pop song with a sensual beat. Serenity turned to look at the band, thinking there was no way they were playing it, and she saw that the band was taking a break and a DJ had taken over.
“Would you like to dance?” Dair asked, drawing her attention back to him.
Serenity smiled. “The Sandman knows how to dance?” She knew he heard the challenge in her voice, and by the look in his eyes he was more than up to it. Dair took her hand as he stepped away from the bar and pulled her from her perch. He led her through the throng of dancing people, some with partners and others just in groups. Serenity couldn’t help but notice there were quite a few that had some pretty good moves. Her hand grew sweaty as she watched several couples moving so sensually with one another that for a brief instance she felt as though she had walked onto the set of Dirty Dancing.
Dair turned around once he had found a clear piece of floor. He pulled her close, taking her hands in his and lifting them to wrap around his neck. Serenity’s eyes widened when those hands then slid across her arms to her shoulders and then down her rib cage to her hips. It was more intimate than any kiss they had shared. She wasn’t sure if it had anything to do with the way he was looking at her or if maybe the coolness of his skin against her warm skin caused the heightened effect. Dair pulled her closer and she had to tilt her head back further in order to look at his face. Serenity couldn’t take her eyes away from his.
“Are you doing something to me?” she whispered. She’d intended it to be louder but she couldn’t seem to get her breathing under control and so her words were much softer.
Dair leaned down closer, his gaze continuing to penetrate into her soul. “Not yet.” The whispered promise was enough to cause a churning in her gut. To hell with butterflies, she had a hoard of dragons dive bombing each other in her stomach.
She knew he could see the anxiety that had suddenly risen up in her.
“Relax, Sarah.” Dair’s deep voice rumbled in his chest. “Just dance with me. I’m not asking for anything more.”
She felt his hands begin to guide her hips to the beat of the music and, to her surprise, as Dair continued to lead her, she discovered there on that dance floor that the Sandman had some wicked moves. Serenity wouldn’t say that she was a great dancer, but she could move to a beat. Glory loved to dance and they had spent many nights dancing in Darla and Wayne’s living room. Glory insisted that since there was nothing to do in their little bitty town then they’d to make something to do. Serenity figured they could be doing a lot worse than watching YouTube videos to learn new moves. Glory had even tried to teach Darla. Now that was a night to remember.
“Are you with me?” Dair’s breath against her ear brought her attention back to the present. She looked up at him and smiled. Movement directly behind him drew her attention. Glory leaned around him and grinned.
“I’m on break,” she yelled. “How about you and I put all those moves we learned for no reason to good use?”
Serenity groaned inwardly. Well, if she was going to embarrass herself, at least she wouldn’t be alone. She stepped back out of his hands and gave Glory a nod. “Let’s do this,” she said as she looked up at Dair, hoping that the look in her eyes was every bit as alluring as his was. She figured she did something right because his eyes began to swirl like obsidian liquid and he reached for her. She slapped his hands away and shook her head at him. Glory came around to his side, her body moving perfectly with the music. Serenity moved to his other side and began to mimic Glory’s moves. She knew she wasn’t as smooth as her best friend, but she held her own.
Dair’s breath was stuck in his throat as he watched Serenity dance. He knew that Glory was next to him as well, but he only had eyes for his girl. There was something so primal about dancing, if done right it was almost like a claiming, and as Serenity moved around him getting close enough to touch and then backing away, Dair laid claim to her, to her heart, her mind, her body and her soul. They were his and he would care for them as no other could. There was nothing physical about it, though one day he hoped to be the one claiming her in that way as well. This was a claim on her as what he could only describe as his soul mate. As the tempo of the music changed again, he vaguely heard Glory tell Serenity that she had to get back to work. The music was no longer a sensual beat and the atmosphere of the dance floor changed accordingly. Couples embraced and swayed as the slower tune began to fill the room. Serenity slowed her movements and was looking at him in a way no one ever had. He stepped closer to her, placing both hands on her hips and pulled her into his body.
Dair heard the quick intake of her breath as he settled her tightly against him. He leaned down until his mouth was next to her ear. He briefly took a breath, momentarily enraptured by her scent. “Put your arms around my neck, Princess,” he whispered, letting his lips brush up against her skin as he spoke. Dair loved the way she responded to him. It let him know that he wasn’t the only one affected. She was just as lost as he was.
He recognized the song that was playing and began to sing it softly to her. The words were so incredibly perfect for how he felt, it was as though the writer had plucked Dair’s thoughts from his mind as he crafted the song.
“You are beautiful, baby undeniable.
You are warmth, completely sunshinable.
And you’ve captured me.
You are my weakness, baby temptation,
You are completeness, utter salvation.
And you’ve saved me.
I won’t deny it; I can no longer breathe,
Without you beside me,
This world I would rather leave.
I need you baby, like crops need the rain,
My existence
was dark,
But since you there’s been no pain.
You are desire, baby irrevocable
You are sensation, totally strokeable,
And you’ve ensnared me.
You are mine, baby unsharable
You are splendor, wholly stareable.
And you’ve humbled me.”
The words poured out of Dair as though he had written them himself and he meant them with every fiber of his being. Serenity was everything the song described and more. To him, she was it. No other existed to him. She pulled herself closer to him and his stomach tightened as he thought about her fate. Dair didn’t want to think about that. He wanted to be here in the moment with his love. He wanted to build memories with her that they could carry with them from this life into the next.
Dair felt her lips on his neck and he fought the urge to pull back and claim her lips with his own. Serenity tested every ounce of control that he never thought he could lose. He would give her whatever was in his power to do so, and he’d even try to give her what was not in his to give. As the song ended, he pressed a tender kiss to her jaw before whispering, “I love you.”
Serenity wished she had more control over her emotions when it came to Dair, but when he spoke those words with such conviction, she was lost. Pulling back to look up at him, her eyes were slightly blurry with unshed tears. His hands came up to cup her face and his eyes held hers. They didn’t say anything. There were no words in that moment. Dair leaned down until his lips were pressed to hers. The music played around them and other bodies moved as they were still in the current. For Serenity, in that moment with his large hands holding her and his full lips holding hers captive, there was only Dair. He crowded every thought pushing out any distractions. The kiss lasted longer than was probably socially acceptable but she couldn’t bring herself to care.
When he finally pulled away, she saw the sly smile on his sensual mouth. He knew what he did to her. She knew he could feel it, the way her world suddenly zeroed in on him, and he loved it.
