The potent elixirs were still intact.
He frowned.
Was the old woman really legit, and more than that, could she really be trusted?
For all he knew, these elixirs could pose a threat to Nicole, he mulled, walking again.
And trusting the old woman---he wasn’t ready for that, at least not yet.
Scoping both ends of the hallway carefully, he stopped at her door.
As he moved to press the doorbell, he paused.
What in the hell was he doing here?
And what could he say, especially after their conversation earlier today?
Things were getting too personal.
And she wanted more than he could give.
Things had to stay strictly platonic between them, he frowned.
It was for her own sake.
Still, he had to ensure that she was safe, he reasoned, ringing the doorbell.
Her voice was soft. “Who is it?”
“It’s me, Xander,” he said hoarsely.
In a few seconds, the locks were freed, and his anticipation rose as the door creaked open.
The soft light silhouetted her shapely form in the open doorway. “Hi,” she whispered.
For a split second, simple words escaped his brain.
“Nicole,” he finally managed.
She was simply beautiful, he thought distractedly, taking in her beautiful freshly scrubbed face, and the simple yet elegant loungewear that covered her.
Her hands flitted to her ruffled neckline subconsciously. “Why have you stopped by?”
He cleared his throat. “I, uh, can I borrow some sugar?”
Idiot, can’t you come up with something better than that, he berated himself as irritation skewed through him.
She looked at him surprised.
“Of-ff course,” she stammered quickly, stepping aside. “Come in.”
“My apologies for disturbing your evening,” he continued, his eyes sweeping the living area.
The door clicked closed behind him.
He didn’t sense the vamp’s presence---at least not yet.
“No problem,” she insisted, her voice fading away.
After flicking on the lights, she walked into the kitchen.
Within seconds, his large body filled the kitchen doorway.
Already, she was standing on tiptoes and reaching into the cupboard. “How much do you need?”
“Not much. Maybe a cup or two.”
She brushed the soft tresses from her face before grabbing the silver, sugar canister. Balancing it in one arm, she tried to close the cabinet door. “Oh no,” she groaned suddenly as the lid flipped off and clattered to the floor. Like quicksand, the fine white granules sprinkled the tiled floor like crystal diamonds.
In a few quick strides, he reached her. “Here, let me,” he said quickly, whisking the canister from her arm. Then, humor infused his tone. “Seems to me somebody’s made a huge mess.”
“And whose fault is that? I’m not the one embarking on a baking spree in the middle of the night,” she smiled, stooping down. Then, she began sweeping the sugar into a pile with her hands. “Do you mind grabbing the wastebasket by the door?”
“Already taken care of,” he muttered, returning with the wastebasket before stooping down alongside her. And again, they were deeply aware of one another.
“Thank you,” she mumbled, a flush staining her cheeks.
A comfortable silence stretched between them as they busied with the task.
Her slender hands trailed through the sweet powder slowly, and it seemed that she was also affected by their simple movements.
His eyes strayed to her face.
Her cool mask had slipped and keen wistfulness shadowed it.
And he sensed that she wanted more.
Much more……
Suddenly, she cleared her throat. “What are you cooking at such a late hour?” she asked conversationally, tucking the wayward strand of hair behind her ear. “I would have never taken you for the culinary type.”
“Just throwing a little something together,” he lied.
“Like what?” she inquired, stopping as she turned in his direction.
“I’m, uh, making a tart.”
“A tart?” she asked somewhat confusedly. “What kind?”
“Just a recipe of my great grandmother,” he lied.
Besides, who knew what kind of crazy concoctions the old woman really made?
“Your great-grandmother? Does she live in Atlanta?”
How about just around the corner, he thought smartly, rolling his fingers together after tossing a handful of the grainy crumbs into the wastebasket. “She lives somewhat in these parts,” he said. “I’m afraid that it’s hopeless. She’s senile and has lost what little sense she has. And I hate to say it. But, she’s mean, ill-spirited, demented, and crazy.”
And that was the actual truth.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Xander,” she said truthfully, placing her hand atop of his. “I know that it can’t be easy for you. Believe me. I know how hard it is when someone in your family suffers.”
Guilt surged through him.
His sharp gaze traveled over her innocent features.
What kind of heel was he?
She deserved so much.
Much better than him.
And then the guilt was replaced with something else.
Desire...
He wanted her.
More than he’d ever wanted anything, he realized.
And not only that.
She wanted him, too.
It was written all over her face.
Wetting her lips with a nervous innocence, she turned towards him expectantly. Heaven him, heaven help him, but her top had lowered, revealing lightly, tanned breasts as they bunched up at the shirt’s neckline. Warring against his emotions, he tore his gaze away.
Clenching his jaw tight, he stared into her face again.
If he didn’t rein his libido in soon, there’s no telling what might happen……
What is happening to me, she fretted inwardly, and her senses scattered in different directions. Why couldn’t she think coherently or even breathe normally when he was around?
And why did she want to pull his hand close to her beating heart? Would he then know her secret---her untold truth?
I want him, she admitted to herself, releasing a pent-up breath.
I want him……
And for the first time in her life, she wished that she could be brave enough to take what she wanted.
Tempted by an element far from their control, they edged closer. As he closed his hand around hers, she gasped softly. Then, with a subtle slowness, he brushed a thumb along the back of her hand.
A shiver skated through her.
At once, the hot sensuous pleasure spread through her.
Her breath came fast.
And the only thing that she wanted to do was move closer.
His minty breath fanned across her face.
And dare she say that it was as unlabored as her own.
Was this what it was like when you wanted someone?
Did the heart beat fast like hers was doing now?
And did pleasurable, unexplainable feelings course through you as your body ached in the naughtiest of places?
And now, finally, she knew it.
Felt it.
That irrefutable feeling that not many people tapped into.
Real passion.
And it was burning her at the stake.
Suddenly, he removed his hand, jolting her back to reality.
“I think that’ll do it,” Xander said huskily, standing, and then pulled her up. “Where’s the broom? I’ll finish sweeping while you finish grabbing the sugar.”
“Certainly,” she agreed. “The broom is in the closet.”
Flustered, she moved to retrieve a small cup.
Hands trembling, she scooped the sugar into it. And so scattered were her thoughts, sh
e didn’t hear him as he approached. “Here’s the sugar,” she replied quickly. Turning fast, she plowed into him, and momentarily, her breathing faltered as he grasped her waist to steady her.
Only a breath separated them.
Again, they were lost.
Her breath was unsteady.
Or was it his, she marveled.
Through the thin cotton top, his touch seared her.
And she burned with pleasure from the contact.
Finally, he broke the sensual spell.
After prying the cup from her hands, he moved away. “Thanks for the sugar.”
“You are more than welcome,” she muttered, finally recovering as she trailed behind him. “That’s what neighbors are for, lending a helping hand when needed.”
Instead of going to the front door, he journeyed to the balcony, and she couldn’t hide her surprise. As he pulled on the sliding glass doors, her confusion grew. “What are you doing?”
“Just making sure that everything’s locked up.”
A hint of fear played in her voice “Why? You’re not thinking he’ll be back, do you?”
His hesitation was brief.
But still, she noticed it.
“I’m certain that you’ll be fine.”
Seconds later, they were standing at her apartment door.
Heat flooded her face as she faced him.
“Once again, thanks. I promise that I won’t disturb another one of your evenings.”
“You didn’t disturb me at all. And I’m glad that I could finally do something for you, and return the favor,” she admitted with a smile.
His husky tone was heavier. “I guess it’s goodnight then.”
“I guess it is,” she said in turn, grasping the doorknob.
As he moved away, the cool air caressed her, and she heard his keys jingle as he fished them from his pocket.
She closed the door behind her.
Leaning against it, she placed a shaky hand against her chest.
No surprise…
Her heartbeat was racing.
Slowly, she lumbered towards the bedroom, switching off the light switches as she went.
And why she turned them on each day, she had no answer.
But, maybe she was just clinging to one shred of normalcy from the seeing world.
After shrugging out of the lounge wear, she slipped on the chemise. The mattress dipped under her weight as she climbed into the bed, and then pulled up the covers. As she closed her eyes, a scandalizing thought occurred.
Tonight, he’d be the only thing walking her dreams.
***
The dark night laid claim to day.
And in the process, he’d acquired a wicked, great-grandmother who literally hated the sight of him, he grimaced. On top of that, he was nowhere close to apprehending the crazed vamp.
Thankfully, Nicole’s sweet presence balanced out the bad.
Leaning back against the patio chair, Xander stared into the night.
Distracted, he toyed with the vase at the table’s center.
Then, with a deep gentleness, he fingered the flower’s soft petal.
Delicate.
Innocent.
Perfection.
Everything that she is.
The chair wobbled as he straightened.
This has to stop, he argued silently. For her sake if nothing else!
And this attachment that they’d developed---
It’d served neither of them any good!
“My job is to protect you and nothing more,” he whispered in the darkness.
Then, reality seared past his dazed state.
Princeton, his protector, can never know who she really is, he vowed.
The chosen one.
His human bride…
With a quick snip, he broke the silky petal from the flower’s stem, and then, he held it to his nose. Taking a fast breath, he inhaled its sweet scent.
If he didn’t get a hold of himself, the whole world would realize that something was stirring between them, he mulled, coming to his feet. With a fast twist of his fingers, he twirled the flower and was rewarded with a kaleidoscope of visual rich colors. Then, he released it and watched transfixed as it flitted to the patio floor.
Her cry shattered the silence.
“Xander. Please, don’t go! He’ll hurt you!”
Gaze sharpening, he peered past the curtains.
Apparently, now she was enmeshed in a nightmare.
A faint noise sounded below.
As he rushed past the iron-wrought chair, it nearly toppled over.
Disgust filled him as he peered below.
The crazed vamp was back.
Red eyes glaring fiercely, the vamp stared up at him, and his words were cold. “Don’t you understand it, Sullivan? You will never keep her away from me. Even though she’s fighting against it, our connection grows stronger everyday. Within the deepest part of her conscience, I live and breathe. And soon, I will claim her as mine.”
The hard anger tightened in his stomach like a fist. “For every moment of terror that she’s spent because of you, you’re going to pay a deadly price. And that is your reality,” Xander vowed, hissing as his fangs elongated. Releasing a sharp cry, he sent the hot white fire spewing from his mouth, and easily, it reached the parking lot. The searing, white flames seared the pavement, sending wispy steam billowing in the air.
Staggering away from the hot flames, the vamp turned astonished eyes up at him. “You---I know who you are and what you are. For months, I have been trying to find---” As if some new wonder had dawned, the vamp laughed maniacally before shaking his head to clear it. “All this time, the truth has been staring me in the face! And you have no idea how you’ve turned things in my favor, Sullivan. And fool that you are, you can’t get past that giant ego of yours to understand it. Killing you---that’s all I think about! And nothing else will bring me such immense satisfaction.” Then, stiffening, face contorting, the vamp gave a shrill cry as his fangs broke free.
“Tell me, is making useless threats how you get off? If you had the capability of killing me, I’d be dead right now,” he laughed coldly. “But, I’m not, am I? You’re out of your league, something that you’ve known from the very beginning.” Then, malice laced his tone. “Hide in the shadows, enjoy these last days. For I promise you, when our time comes, I’ll show you no mercy, and you’ll curse the day that you were ever born.”
“You cocky son-of-a-bitch!” the vamp cursed. “I’ll show you how capable---”
A shrill cry split across the night.
“What the---” Xander muttered, glancing to the sky.
With an ominous slowness, the heavens turned blood red, and then turned to black. And the earlier sound was nearly earsplitting, becoming shrilly and piercing. Then, as quickly as it arrived, it disappeared in a flourish.
Mouth gaped wide, strange awe filling his features, the vamp fell to his knees.
Stiffening, Xander stood stone cold.
What was this presence?
It was more dangerous and ominous than even he imagined---
Concern escalating, he whirled to face Nicole again.
Even she sensed the strange dangerous aura.
Whimpering softly, she twisted in the covers.
Then, as quickly as the ominous presence came, it went away, and the night was restored.
His gaze fell to the streets below.
The vamp was gone.
Her soft cry stole his attention.
“Xander, no,” she wept. “They’ll hurt you. Don’t go, please.”
Without hesitation, he moved away from the alcove’s ledge. And within moments, he’d entered the room, and now, he hovered beside the bed.
He glanced down at her.
Though she was asleep the fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. “Xander, they’ll hurt you…they’ll hurt you.”
“Shhhh,” he whispered, sinking down beside her, and pulled her into his arms. “I’ve
got you. No one is going to hurt me or you---never again. I promise.”
Giving a soft sob, she settled against his chest before quieting.
He tightened his hold. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you.”
Resting his chin atop of her head, he stroked her black tresses gently. And his piercing gaze rivaled the moonlight, streaming like silver across the bed.
Like a whip, the deep anger unfurled within him.
The self-disgust filled his whisper. “Because of me, you’re in grave danger.”
Now, it was clear that there lay a connection between him and the vamp, he thought, staring across the darkened space. And unfortunately, she was caught within the epic struggle.
Not only that.
There was another enemy---one more formidable than he could imagine.
“But, I’m not losing this war,” he said lowly, and his warm breath fanned her hair. Sighing contentedly, she snuggled closer, and again, the feelings consumed him as he held her. And now, his words were a whisper. “I won’t lose you.”
Chapter 7
Blinking at the stinging tears, Nicole trailed her fingers along the keys. As usual, the musical piece struck a deep chord within her soul, she mulled, playing the final strings of the haunting solo. The music swelled, and with a burst of strong emotion, she played the last note.
Thunderous applause echoed in the concert hall, and loud chants of approval soon followed from the crowd. Turning slightly, she addressed them with a quiet smile before facing away from them. Taking a fast breath, she kept her poise, but she couldn’t tamper the pride surging through her.
All the accolades were directed at her!
With a barely restrained curse, the head judge clapped the baton against the tabletop, and his stern voice carried disapproval. “Enough!”
Or maybe she hadn’t done so well after all, she thought, stiffening.
And scoring a rave review from Jacques Landers was near impossible! With him serving as head judge, it only proved that they wanted the best.
A hush fell over the concert hall.
“If you don’t quiet at once, you will be asked to depart the premises. This audition shall be conducted with the greatest civility. Neither rambunctious displays or absurdity are acceptable, nor will they be tolerated,” Jacques Landers reminded the onlookers. “Need I remind you that your chances could possibly be jeopardized because of such immature actions?”
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