“When can we go?” Troy asked.
Jess took the cup out of Rain’s hand and put it on the coffee table before standing up and reaching down to help her up as well. “We’ll take you there tomorrow. For now, we’re heading to bed and you all look ready to drop too.”
Kane stood up and picked up the rifle leaning against the side of the couch. “I’ll take the first watch, though I doubt they’ll be back tonight.”
“Wake me in a couple of hours and I’ll take over.” Jess threaded his fingers through Rain’s as they made their way up the steps to the bedroom.
As soon as the door closed, she stepped into his arms. Her voice had a sweet lilt to it. There was surprise too, but mostly she sounded happy. “I can hear you even when I have my walls in place.”
Jess hadn’t even known he was worried, but he relaxed at the sound. “I know. I hear you too. To be honest, I was surprised since you’re not telepathic.”
“Is it because we’re a couple?” Doubt crept into her voice.
His arms tightened around her slim body and he pressed his lips to the top of her soft hair. “I’m not an expert, but I think it’s because we are meant to be a couple. You and I are connected through our auras as well as our hearts.”
“Hmm…that sounds nice.” She snuggled in closer.
Her body fit against his as if they were two puzzle pieces that had finally found their match. Every crevice was filled by her soft flesh and their minds mingled, yet without the feeling of invasion. It was as if he held heaven in his arms. And he was never letting go. “I like it too, cher.”
Epilogue
Dinner at BeBe’s Restaurant had been one funny story after another. Jess spoke to his parents and they were overjoyed to take Troy in for as long as he wanted. The three seemed as if they were old friends in moments. Of course it was likely that Jess’ mother already knew they were coming and bringing a young man who needed her protection.
At the door of the restaurant she found herself part of a family, hugging and shedding a tear or two as they said goodbye. Here was everything she’d run away from and yet longed for all her life. People who cared and never judged her based on her strange abilities.
They stepped out into the busy street hand in hand.
“Hey.”
They both turned at the sound of Troy’s deep voice calling after them. He jogged over to close the distance.
“Is something wrong?” Jess released her hand and stepped closer to the younger man.
He looked at his shoes and then at Jess. “Are you sure about this?”
“You’ll be safe with them.”
Rain didn’t say anything. This was between the two of them and while she listened, she didn’t interfere.
Troy took awhile to make eye contact. “When you said you knew a place for me, I didn’t know you meant with your parents.”
Jess put his hands on his hips. “Don’t you like them?”
“Yes. I mean, of course I like them. They’re great.”
“What’s the problem then?”
“I’m just kind of surprised you would trust me with your mother and father. You know what I’m capable of.” His voice broke.
A wide smile spread across Jess’ face. “I know that you could have killed every man on that ridge in Nevada and you chose to destroy a helicopter instead. I know that your father hurt you and yet you didn’t kill him on any of the occasions when you’ve had the chance and I imagine over the years there have been many opportunities. I also know that you protected us by stepping outside the cabin when you didn’t have to. I think my parents will be safe with you and you’ll be safe with them. Just stay close to Momma and everything will be all right.”
Troy kicked at the pavement. Even though he was half a foot taller than Jess, he looked young. He was young and had no experience with the outside world. He’d been completely wide-eyed when they first arrived in the Big Easy during its busiest time of year.
“Was there something else, Troy?”
He dug his hand in his pockets and stared at the ground. “Do you think she would mind… I mean, would you mind… I haven’t had a mother in a long time. I just thought, maybe…if it’s all right with you.”
Jess slapped him on the back. “I think it’d be just fine if you called her Momma and I’m sure she wouldn’t have it any other way.”
It was the first time they had seen him look happy. It was as if the sun had come out for the first time for Troy Breckenridge. Rain’s heart broke a little at such a small thing meaning so much to him.
The two men hugged briefly as brothers might do. “We’ll come see you in Opelousas before we leave the area.”
Troy nodded and jogged back to BeBe’s.
Rain felt tightness in her chest as they walked away from him, but she knew Jess’ mother’s rare gift would keep Troy safe from the outside world without making him a prisoner. No one, including the senator, would find him as long as he was with Amalee McMean.
The first time Rain had walked down Bourbon Street in New Orleans it had been crowded, but Mardi Gras took crowded to a whole new level. The amount of humanity was daunting. She had put up solid walls to keep out any accidental input from anyone in the crowd. Her connection to Jess still managed to come through. She was relieved that it did. Growing accustomed to having him close, she’d hate to block him out. It would be as if she was losing part of herself.
It would have been nice to let down all her barriers, but the city was too full of sexually driven people. If even one of them were mildly psychic, she’d be ripping her clothes off in public. Not to mention the assorted angry, happy and stupid drunks. Everyone was a potential threat without her barriers in place.
Women bared their breasts for the privilege of having shiny plastic beads tossed to them. Music filled the streets and everyone was drunk in the extreme. Everyone except Jess and Rain.
His hand clasped hers as if he was afraid he’d lose her in the sea of people. The way the crowd rushed as great waves in one direction or the other reminded her of the ocean.
“Yas has probably had enough waiting for us for one night. Are you ready to go home, cher?” His breath tickled her ear.
Home. She’d never had one for as long as she could remember. She’d lived in many places, but she never considered anywhere home. A home should be safe and comfortable. It should be the thing you long for after a trip or a day away. She looked over at his angular features and arresting eyes. I’m already there.
His soft, lilting voice teased her mind without opening his mouth to speak. Then maybe just someplace I can strip you down and make love to you for the rest of the night.
Her pace quickened to keep up with her pounding heart as she turned down St. Peters Street and headed for the apartment with the man who’d finally given her a home.
About A.S. Fenichel
A.S. Fenichel adores writing stories filled with love, passion, desire, magic and maybe a little mayhem tossed in for good measure. Books have always been her perfect escape and she still relishes diving into one and staying up all night to finish a good story. Originally from New York, she grew up in New Jersey. She now lives in the southwest with her real-life hero, her wonderful husband. When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys cooking, travel, history and puttering in her garden.
A.S. welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by A.S. Fenichel
Alaskan Exposure
Christmas Bliss
Mayan Destiny 1: Mayan Afterglow
Mayan Destiny 2: Mayan Craving
Mayan Destiny 3: Mayan Inferno
Psychic Mates 1: Kane’s Bounty
Psychic Mat
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Revving Up the Holidays
Wishing Game
Print books by A.S. Fenichel
Mayan Destiny 1 & 2: Mayan Saviors
Mayan Destiny 3: Mayan Inferno
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
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Training Rain
ISBN 9781419992452
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Training Rain Copyright © 2014 A.S. Fenichel
Edited by Whitney Mae
Cover design by Dar Albert
Cover photography by PaulDidsayabutra, CURAphotography, konradbak, Artyom Yefimov
Electronic book publication September 2014
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