“It means that you’re so buffed, rightly stacked in all---” Leslie stammered quickly.
“What she means to say,” she interrupted, sparing her friend from an embarrassing comment. “Is that you seem to be fit and athletic.”
“Oh,” Prince announced in his heavy voice. “I suppose that I am that.”
A minute of silence stretched between them.
“And why are you so sure that my surgery will be a success?” she asked, breaking the silence. Surprisingly, she wanted his thoughts and opinions on the situation. In the last hours, she’d realized that she’d been left in good hands.
“Without faith, where does it leave you?” he began seriously. “If you go through this life with no beliefs in anything or anyone, you may as well just give up on living---because what would be the point. Being alive and actually living your life are two things so rich in contrast. With faith, you’ll have to ability to experience all the things that life has to offer.”
A profound silence echoed in the room now.
“After you’ve recuperated from your surgery, you will see the world with different eyes, not just visually, but with an infallible introspect,” Prince retorted quietly. “And life as you know it will never be the same again. I pray that you’ll be prepared for it. Now, if you ladies will excuse me.”
After he’d departed, her thoughts were still scattered.
“Not only is my Goliath sexy, but he’s a philosopher as well,” Leslie murmured admirably. “He is so deep. Honestly, Nicole, I think that I’m in love.”
But, she hardly heard any of Leslie’s words.
She’d taken everything that he’d said to heart.
She would see again.
She believed.
***
Hours later, frowning, Xander halted his incessant pacing outside the apartment door. “How is she? Is she making it, okay?”
“Thank goodness, you’ve finally stopped!” Princeton interrupted sharply. “After all the pacing you’ve done in these last minutes, you’re lucky that you haven’t bore a hole in the floor. What are you doing here? Its 1:30 am. And where in the hell are your clothes? You’re parading around here in nothing but your trousers.” The protector eyed him knowingly. “You can’t stay away from her, can you?”
Sighing, he braced his hands on his hips. “No,” he finally admitted, staring at the door. “Damn it, I know that I need to.”
The protector laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. You love the woman, and I can understand why.”
“Can you?” he asked, somewhat taken aback.
“Yes,” Princeton added, nodding his head. “She reminds me so much of your mother---beautiful, kind, and graceful. Like her, she possesses a spirit that embodies hope. I realize, Xander, that I’ve accused you of being incredibly selfish where she’s concerned. But, after spending time with her today, I know that you’ve been right all along. She deserves more. She deserves life. Here.”
“Thank you for understanding. I’m going to do everything in my power to make that happen.”
“There’s something you should know.”
He tensed. “What?”
“Next week, she’s scheduled to go in for surgery. She’s trying to put on a brave front. But, still, I can tell that she’s afraid,” Princeton said deadpan. “She needs you, Xander.”
“Don’t you think that I know that?” he said, not bothering to hide his frustration. “But, maybe I’m not who she wants or needs. After what’s happened between us, I’m the last person that she wants to be around.” The hurt filled his voice. “Earlier, she said her goodbyes, and she said that she didn’t need me.”
“You don’t have the time or the right to wallow in your self-pity. Must I school you in the ways of love and relationships?” Princeton scoffed, “You hurt her, and she’s trying to deal with it the best way that she knows how.”
“I thought that protectors couldn’t feel---that you’re just programmed to protect,” he said, raising a brow. “I’m beginning to think otherwise.”
“Believe what you want,” Princeton began uncomfortably. “Maybe I’m beginning to conform because I’ve been here nearly a century.” He shook his head. “But, we’re not talking about me, remember?”
“Yeah, I remember,” he drawled slowly. “As for Nicole’s surgery, I’ll be there. I would never allow her to go through that alone.”
“I never imagined that you would. Besides, I just wanted to give you a slight motivational push,” the protector frowned thoughtfully. “And I didn’t think that I’d have cause to do this. But, I’ve got to bail—just for awhile. There are a few things that I need to take care of.”
“No. She’s not safe here alone.”
“I’m not going to leave her alone. You’re going to stay with her until I get back,” Princeton said, passing him a cool look. “Can you handle it?”
He gave an uncomfortable laugh. “Of course, I can handle it. I’ve been doing it all this time. And don’t use that tone with me. It’s the same one you’ve used in the past when you think I’m in over my head. I’ve got this.”
“If you say so---but don’t do anything stupid.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
“Oh, and one more question,” the protector called over his shoulder. “What do you know about this friend of hers?”
“Leslie?”
“Yeah, Leslie,” the protector said, lifting his brow arrogantly.
“I know that she cares about Nicole very much. Why?” he asked curiously, noting the protector’s interest.
“Nothing---just wondering,” Princeton stammered, turning away again. “I’ll be back in awhile. Remember, stay out of trouble.”
He watched until the protector faded from his sight.
And if he were a betting man, he’d wager that before long Princeton would have his own love troubles.
***
The quiet night was awakened by her anguished scream. “No, no, no! Don’t go! Please!”
Gasping wildly, she sat up in the bed. As the tears spilled over, she brushed the unkempt tresses from her face. “No,” she whispered again, swallowing past the clogged tears. “Please don’t leave me.”
Still, the quiet silence was her only company.
“It’s time for me to accept the truth,” she sniffled, wiping the tears from her face. “You are gone, and we’re over.”
She pressed the automated clock.
3:00 am.
She sighed. “I just need to clear my head.”
After leaving the bed, she slipped on the peachy sheer robe, and then padded across the carpeted floor. She pushed the oval latch down before stepping outside on the alcove.
She shivered as the night breeze swept across her, and momentarily she cursed her idiocy of exposing herself to the coldness. To ward of the chill, she hugged her body, and her steps were slow as she ambled across the concrete floor. Once she reached the wide balustrade, she halted.
She upturned her face to the night sky.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes.
And for a moment, peace settled over her as she leaned against the sturdy barrier. Privately, she wondered how many city lights danced across the city and sparkled like diamonds in the darkness.
More importantly, what about the light in her life?
“Why won’t you love me back?” she whispered softly, and a gentle breeze rushed in to caress her. To her chagrin, fresh tears filled her eyes. “With my every breath, I can feel you---even now. I want you to touch me. Hold me.”
She allowed the soft sob to leave her.
“You hurt me, did you know that? When you turned away from me, it was more than I could bear. But, how could you?” she accused gently, brushing the tear from her cheek. “I know that you felt what I felt---trembled when I trembled. When you touched me, I breathed for the first time in my life. It was so overwhelming yet fulfilling at the same time.” Now, her words were low. “And thes
e feelings, they’re pulling me under. But, I want to drown in them. I want them to consume me.”
She took a steadying breath. “But, my reality is, I’m all alone in this. And that’s why it hurts so much. Somehow, I have to deal with this.” She raised her face to the moon-filled night again. “I only ask one thing. Someday, when you’re granting wishes, please let him feel the love that I feel.”
With those words, she departed.
And that was all too bad.
Quietly, Xander stepped from the darkened shadows.
***
Again, the solitude and darkness were his company.
He stared moodily into the black void of night.
The deep longing stirred within him at her soft words.
“Why won’t you love me back?”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I do. I live and breathe it, just like you,” he whispered huskily, raising the half-empty liquor bottle to his lips, and then took another swig of the alcohol. His eyes watered as the hard liquor burned his throat, but still it didn’t deter the raging emotions within him. “
Guilt surged through him.
Certainly, he hadn’t purposely intruded on her private thoughts, he mulled silently.
And he’d already done enough damage.
But after Princeton had departed, he’d found his way to the alcove with a bottle of warm liquor as his companion.
And things had been fine until her piercing screams.
But, he’d forced himself to stay put.
Then, she’d awakened before carefully making her way to the alcove.
Not wanting to frighten her, he hadn’t made a sound.
So, he’d hidden in the shadows once she’d stepped out.
He sucked in a hard breath as his memories surfaced.
She’d been achingly beautiful.
An innocent, but alluring aura had surrounded her as she’d stood there.
Under the moonlit glow, her long black tresses had gleamed with brilliance as it spilled past her shoulders. And the sweet jasmine that swathed her neckline and pulse points had drifted along the cool wind, straight to him.
Again, a shameless lust had claimed him as his eyes had traveled over her.
And he’d been blinded with desire.
The satin peach robe had barely reached her thighs, perfectly outlining her hourglass figure. Her hips flared in a perfectly curvy pattern, leading to lightly browned thighs and well-sculpted calves.
A shudder of raw awareness had racked through him.
Then, her passionate words had carried across the wind.
“Why won’t you love me back?”
Stunned, he’d been rooted to the spot.
Just hearing the words out loud had rendered him speechless.
She loved him.
But, the burning fact stood.
She didn’t know the true him.
The monstrous side that he kept carefully hidden.
As he’d stood there, listening to her heartfelt pleas, he’d been tormented.
Like her.
He’d heard it with her every word---her every movement.
And he’d pitied them both.
Now, minutes later, he was still standing in the darkness like a lovesick fool, nursing his fiery need with burning cognac.
Holding the liquor bottle in his hand loosely, he retreated from the balustrade before trailing towards the door slowly. The masculine-filled quarter was bathed in darkness except for the glow of the silver-sheen candlesticks that adorned the walls alongside his bed. The queen-sized bed dwarfed her easily, and the atmosphere was surreal as she lay there innocently like a goddess princess.
But, it was blatantly obvious where her thoughts were now.
In her wicked scandalous dream, they were the principal players.
He tensed slightly.
Even the thin gauzy covering on the door couldn’t hinder his response or hers. And in her dream state, she sensed his presence as she writhed under the sheets. “Xander,” she whispered passionately. As a deep gasp escaped her, she pushed the sheet down to her waist.
For a brief moment, he nearly lost his sanity as he took in the sight. Her short chemise had risen up, exposing the lacy, white panties that she wore. In his dazed state, he saw her body clench as her fingers curled tightly against the mattress. Her heart-wrenching moan tightened his groin as she called his name again. Finally, she whispered, “I want you so much. Please…”
The liquor bottle’s neck snapped as his hand tightened around it. But, he barely noticed the jagged glass as it pierced his hand or the wet liquid as it splattered against his bare chest and the rest of his body. The silver dagger chain bit into his neck as the muscles tightened along his shoulders. And it flashed brilliantly as the moons rays danced across it. But, even its illustrious glow didn’t blind him from the fact that they were intimately connected.
And soon, neither of them would be able to control their raging needs.
Ignoring the warning in his head, he entered her dream.
He sucked in a hard breath as he breached past the hazy fog.
The feelings were intense.
And he was right there with her, in the erotic dream as she experienced every mind blowing feeling that he had.
“I need you,” she whispered again. “Please.”
Pressing his palms against the pane, he stepped closer. “I want you too, baby,” he whispered hoarsely, his eyes stinging with burning desire. His jaw tightened as the intense need raged within him, and he knew that her needs matched his own.
“Xander,” she whispered faintly, and then a deep moan erupted from her again. “Touch me. Please.”
His breath fogged the pane as his eyes closed. In his mind, he imagined touching every delicate inch of her soft, pliant body. And his need was so great that he thought he’d splinter in half.
“Xander,” she cried as her breath caught, and he thought he’d come undone.
Frustrated, he pushed away from the door.
You’ll only hurt her, his conscience whispered boldly. Walk away from her.
He inhaled sharply as her soft, muted cries filtered through the thin glass onto him.
And he knew that she was reaching the pinnacle of her passionate, erotic dream.
This has to end, he raged silently.
They didn’t stand a chance to beat the odds that were stacked against them.
And for a moment, he cursed the Vamdragan legacy and their wants, needs, and desires.
What about what he wanted?
What they wanted?
The broken glass pierced his bare feet as he treaded to the patio table, but he hardly noticed it. Frustrated, he plopped down onto the chair. He braced his foot against the table’s bottom railing as he stared into the night.
He closed his eyes.
Even in their dream state, his desire was potent.
Her skin was like sweet velvet as his hands drifted across it with the softest touch.
And like slaves, they succumbed to the masters of their lust.
His groin tightened again.
Within him, she evoked a burning need that only she could satisfy.
His wounded gaze pierced through the door’s pane again.
Pure pleasure filled her beautiful features now, and until then, he didn’t realize that he’d been holding his own breath. Her mouth opened as she gasped wildly. Finally, her passionate cry met him, and he released a deep groan, knowing that she’d found the paradise she’d sought.
He shuddered from his release as well.
And he knew then, that without her, he’d never be satisfied.
Chapter 14
A week later…
“You’re going to pull through this,” Leslie told her. “And I want to be here when you get your first look. I promise that I’m not that scary looking.”
“Leslie, you’re beautiful where it counts the most---in the inside. You’ve stood by me, even when I was at my worst, and I thank you for it,�
�� she murmured, squeezing her friend’s hand, and then brushed the tears away hastily. “Of course, I’d have to be a slobbering mess before surgery. Now, go. I need a moment to myself. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Leslie sniffed. “I’ll be outside if you need me.”
“Ok,” she nodded.
The hospital bed stayed motionless as she turned on her side.
She hugged the pillow to her chest.
Tears filled her eyes.
“Xander, how could you?” she sobbed quietly. “How could you not be here?”
Since their encounter at the Java Spot, they hadn’t seen each other.
Foolishly, she’d hoped that he would fight for them.
She’d been wrong.
She started when the door creaked open.
“Nicole,” John Williamson began shakily. “Your mother and I are here. We just want a minute. Please, can we come in?”
With a trembling hand, she reached out, “Daddy---”
Her sobs broke free as they entered the room.
“It’s going to be okay, Nicole. Everything’s going to work out,” her father promised as they stopped alongside the bed.
“Nicole,” Mary said, and then finally broke down.
She didn’t protest as she pulled her into her arms.
“I love you,” she whispered brokenly, holding onto her mother.
Her father sobbed quietly as he squeezed her free hand. “We love you, too, Nicole.”
“Nicole, do you know how much I’ve missed you?” her mother mumbled against her head, and then kissed it gently. “A day hasn’t gone by when I haven’t thought of you, thought of how much I missed my baby girl. I love you, so much.”
“I’m sorry that I blamed you for Kassie’s death,” she apologized as she pulled away slightly. “It was no one’s fault.”
“No, it wasn’t,” Mary soothed gently, cupping her face in her hand. Gently, she wiped the tears from her cheeks. “It was hard for all of us. We were all grieving, and we didn’t know how to handle our loss. If it hadn’t been for your father’s steadfast patience, gentleness, and devotion, I would’ve never survived it.”
“We love you, sweetheart,” John murmured quietly, breaking into tears. “And I’d give anything to take back that night. If I could have traded places with either of you, I would have.”
Dragon Reign: A Paranormal Love Tale Page 34
