Souls ReAligned

by Tricia Daniels

  Ethan smirks, “Is there a problem with the itinerary?”

  “Besides the fact that there is one? Um, YES!”

  “John’s in charge of the schedules, Olivia. Weren’t you just with him?”

  “Well,” Olivia begins, furrowing her brow. “I highly doubt that John scheduled in anal sex for Saturday night.”

  Grinning, Ethan inches the chair a little closer to her. “You got me. I added that in. You’ll notice that’s not just scheduled for this Saturday night, but every Saturday night.”

  “That’s a shock,” rolling her eyes, she swipes her finger across the screen and looks up. “Here’s another shock. I just deleted it.”

  “Now, that’s a shame,” rolling toward her, he intends to move between her knees. He’s itching to run his hands along the length of her legs. They look so smooth, soft, and inviting. Maybe he’ll lift them over his shoulders and help himself to what’s between them. He’s certain he could rip through those nylons with very little effort. Reaching for her knee, he’s stopped by a three-inch heel, jammed into his chest. Looking up into her eyes, he meets the devil in her playful grin.

  “Move another inch,” she warns, looking down at the schedule on her phone, “and I’ll also delete Wednesday’s blow job and Thursday night’s…” There’s a long pause as her mouth opens in shock, “I don’t even know what that is!”

  Ethan grins. “Open the attachment,” he suggests. He waits, his eyebrows raised and a hopeful look on his face.

  She looks at him, every few seconds, while she waits for the attachment to load. Damn, that smile of his!

  Finally, it opens and she squints at it, tapping on the image to expand it, turning the phone different angles.

  Biting her lip, she looks down to meet his amused look and blushes. “Okay, so maybe I won’t delete that one.”

  Ethan inhales deeply as he watches that blush spread across her beautiful face. He has such a weakness for that reaction from her. It’s a sign of her innocence, her vulnerability. It calls out to the alpha male, deep within his core. Reaching up he firmly grasps her ankle, pulling it away from his chest and taking back control. Getting to his feet, the chair shoots back behind him.

  Stepping forward, he runs his hands up her legs to her knees, preparing to pry them apart.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” Grabbing his wrists, she gives him a warning look. “I’m not finished discussing this itinerary.” Challenging him, she locks onto his ardent stare.

  Moving closer, a sly grin curls at the corner of his mouth.

  Becoming nervous, Olivia swallows hard. Letting go of his wrists, she places her palms on either side of her, gripping the edge of the desk. When his hips press against her knees, they spread open, allowing him between them. As always, her body instantly gives assent to whatever he desires of it.

  “Sweetheart, I’m going to be really busy over the next couple of weeks. Some events you’ll need to attend with me. That’s the only reason for the itinerary.”

  “Okay, that I understand. But what the heck is KRAV MAGA?”

  “It’s a martial art,” he says, looking at his watch.

  “WHAT?” she wrinkles her nose.

  “I want you to learn self defense before we get back to Canada. I can’t be with you all the time. You won’t let me assign security to watch over you. I need to know that you can look after yourself.” Ethan gives her that commanding look, the one that makes her knees weak.

  “What if I don’t want to do,” looking down she reads the words again, “Krav Maga?” she asks, establishing eye contact again.

  Bringing his lips to hers, he kisses her tenderly, his hand closing around her throat, holding it firmly. “Be a good girl and try it. If you dislike it, John can find you something else.”

  Ethan has this way of making her whole body come alive and tingle with a single touch. When he locks onto her gaze with his gorgeous green eyes, as he’s doing right now, she finds herself to be a lot more agreeable, “Okay,”

  “Good,” grinning, he grabs her hips and lifts her down. “I need to get going. I have an appointment.”

  “Oh? You do?” she replies, with a cheeky tone. Looking at her phone, she scowls, “Funny, because I don’t seem to have a copy of your itinerary. I’m sure that’s just an oversight on John’s part. Right?” She stares at him, hoping he’ll explain instead of keeping secrets.

  Frustrated, Ethan fights to maintain his composure. Why does this woman continually insist on challenging him? He, sure as hell, can’t tell her where he’s going and why. Not right now, anyway. Ignoring her, he rolls down the sleeves of his dress shirt and buttons them. Walking across the room, he picks up his suit jacket and checks his pockets. “John will make sure you get to Madison’s studio tonight after work. When I’m finished with my appointment I’ll call you.” Placing his hand on her back, he steers her toward the door.

  “Why can’t you teach me how to dance?” she complains.

  Frustrated, he looks at his watch again, “I’m not a dance instructor, Baby. Maddie is.”

  Trust starts to wane. Stopping at the door, she turns to face him, “Where are you going?”

  “I have an appointment,” he continues to walk away. His stoic disposition only heightens her uncertainty.

  Before she can voice her aggravation, one of his female assistants flanks Ethan in the hallway. The woman has several things she needs him to resolve before he gets to the door. Olivia walks beside him in silence, letting the poor girl try to accomplish her job, while he’s on the move. Stopping, he signs a few documents, and hands them back to her. Pushing the door open, he’s out into the parking lot in a few quick steps, leaving Olivia standing inside.

  Astonished that he seems to have forgotten about her, Olivia turns to walk back to the research room. The receptionist frowns as she passes her desk, giving her a silent apology. A sudden gust of wind makes papers fly off the desk and sail through the air. Olivia turns, as the door closes loudly and the sound of heavy footsteps approaches from behind her.

  Her heart drops, at the expression on his face. He looks frantic.

  “I’m sorry,” he says, as he reaches her. “I’m so sorry. I’m such an ass.”

  Before she has a chance to speak, his lips are on her. She stiffens in his arms, unsure how to react. As he pulls away, his brushes her hair away from her face.

  “You kissed me!” Olivia says, shocked.

  Ethan narrows his eyes, confused, “Is there a problem?”

  “Hello? We’re at work,” she chastises him.

  Ethan grins, “Oh, right.” He looks around at the employees, most of who are pretending they didn’t notice. “Well, even if there was nothing going on, they would have made stuff up anyway.” Holding her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he leans in to grace her with another kiss, “We might as well be open about it. Besides, the way you undress me with your eyes, they would’ve been on to you in no time, Miss James.” Running his hand from her shoulder to her fingertips, he grasps her hand.

  Looking over his shoulder Olivia notices curious eyes watching them. “If you ever paid attention to what’s going on around you, Ireland, you would have noticed that every woman undresses you with their eyes.”

  Ethan grins, standing tall and puffing out his chest, “Really?” As he scans the room, every woman in the vicinity averts their eyes. “I’ll have to pay closer attention,” he teases.

  Coming around the corner, John stops dead when he sees him. “Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?” he asks, looking at his watch.

  Ethan nods, and turns back to Olivia, looking like there’s something he wants to say.

  “Go!” she says, letting him off the hook. “Call me whenever your secret meeting is finished.” She glares at him, still unimpressed with his non-disclosure.

  Ethan and John exchange a look, but say nothing. Releasing her hand, he forces a small smile. “We’ll talk later,” he assures her before turning to leave.

  Feeling unse
ttled, Olivia watches as he walks to the car. Sensing her trepidation, John walks to her side. “One of the engineers is looking for you. He has an idea he wants to run past you.”

  It’s a long moment before she looks at him, nodding in acknowledgement. Starting toward the research room, she takes one last look over her shoulder, watching Ethan drive away. Worry consumes her. Lifting her hand, she takes hold of the Celtic knot pendant around her neck. Squeezing it tightly, she reminds herself of his promise.

  “Olivia,” John begins,

  She looks over at him, failing to hide her fears.

  “He’ll tell you, when he’s ready,” John says, trying to explain Ethan’s actions

  Looking to the floor, Olivia releases out a loud sigh and walks away.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  It was a tiring afternoon. Several attempts at correcting the software failed. Hours of textbook reading and telephone calls followed. All the while, she thinks of Ethan and what he’s hiding. The last thing she wants to do tonight is take a dance class. Climbing up two flights of stairs, she opens the door marked ‘Miss Maddie’s Dance Academy’.

  “Olivia!” Maddie squeals, as she glides across the floor. Throwing her arms around her, she squeezes her tightly.

  “Hi, Maddie.”

  “I’m so glad you’re taking lessons. I was able to convince my best instructor to stay late to work with you for the next couple of weeks.”

  “Oh?” Olivia is surprised that she’d go through that much trouble. When Maddie finally releases her, she stands back and introduces her, “Olivia James, this is Michael Kelly.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet ye,” he says, in a voice that would challenge Ethan’s reign of sexiest Irish brogue. Welcoming her with the most incredible smile, he extends his hand. Staring at his warm brown eyes and dazzling dimples, Olivia suddenly feels shy.

  “I… It’s...” stumbling with her words, she feels embarrassed. “It’s been a long day,” she explains, taking his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry you have to work extra hours because of me.”

  “Now, don’t worry your pretty little head about that. I’d do anything for Maddie. Have you ever waltzed before?”

  “No, never,” she says, as her eyes take inventory of his assets. She can find no fault with his body. Michael is tall, fit and toned. He has a dancer’s body, with lean hungry muscles, not to mention an incredible ass, and powerful thighs. His shoulders and chest are not broad like Ethan’s, but Michael is undoubtedly strong and capable of impressive stamina. Olivia begins to feel a little warm.

  “No worries at all. We’ll start from the beginning.” Michael gives her a stomach clenching, dimpled smile that puts her at ease, “Do you have dancing shoes with ye?” he asks curiously.

  Dancing shoes? Olivia looks over at Madison in her tights and heeled dancing shoes and then down at her sweat pants and Converse high tops. “Oh, I don’t have dancing shoes,” she says embarrassed.

  Madison gives her a sweet smile, “It’s okay. You can dance just as well in what you have on. Right Michael?”

  “Of course, whatever you’re comfortable in.”

  “Let’s get started,” Maddie suggests, “Ethan wants us to meet him for drinks after he goes to the gym.

  “Well, then,” Michael lifts his arms. “Let’s start with the proper hold.” Smiling, he waits for her to accept his hand, “Just walk forward and follow my lead. Right foot begins,” he advises.

  Feeling awkward, Olivia tries to follow the simple instructions; right, left, right, left, stumble. Gah! “I’m sorry,” Looking up into his gentle, forgiving brown eyes, she sighs her frustration.

  “No need to be sorry, love.” he says, patiently. Holding his hands up again, he waits. “We’ll begin again. As many times as you need, until you’re comfortable.”

  Pushing through the crowded bar, Maddie and Olivia find a table and wait for Ethan to join them.

  Sitting back with a drink, and a few appetizers, they indulge in a little girl talk.

  “Ethan tells me that you aren’t seeing anyone right now,” Olivia says.

  Maddie blushes, and looks around uncomfortably, “That’s true. I’m single.”

  “When was the last time you were with someone?”

  “What do you mean?” Wondering what exactly Olivia knows, Maddie shifts uncomfortably in her seat.

  Looking perplexed, Olivia clarifies, “How long ago has it been since you were in a committed relationship with a man?

  “Oh,” Maddie says, looking relieved, “Well, I’ve never had a boyfriend. If that’s what you’re asking.”

  “How is that possible?” Olivia asks in shock, “There isn’t a man in the place who hasn’t looked at you. They’re practically drooling.”

  “Well, trust me,” Maddie begins, looking around the room, “none of them will come anywhere near me. I’m too busy to date, anyway.”

  “Really?” Olivia asks, bewildered. “I wonder why? You’re a beautiful girl. I can’t believe you’re almost thirty and you've never had a steady boyfriend.”

  “Well, that’s because you didn’t grow up with Ethan O’Connell for a brother,” Maddie mumbles under her breath.

  Trying to hear her over a loud obnoxious voice from the back of the room, Olivia leans in, “What?” she asks.

  “Nothing.” Signaling for the waitress, Maddie refuses to repeat herself.

  “Well, what about Michael? He’s hot, and he seems to like you a lot,”

  Shrugging, Maddie frowns, “Well, there was a time he was interested in me.”

  “What happened?” Olivia asks, curiously.

  Maddie doesn’t want to come right out and say it, but it feels good to be able to talk about it. “One night we were all here after work. Ethan had a little too much to drink and got into it with Ian.”

  Olivia looks up at the waitress as she puts another drink down in front of her. “Ian? What does that have to do with Michael?” she asks, wrinkling her nose.

  “Ian was showing a little too much interest in McKenna. After a few drinks, Ethan decided… nobody messes with my little sister, and kicked Ian’s ass. Until then, Michael was interested in me. He was very sweet and attentive toward me. The next day, he barely looked at me. After that, he gradually put space between us.”

  The loud obnoxious voice roars through the room again, followed by laughter. Recognizing it this time, Olivia turns, looking through the crowd.

  A sinister grin curls across his lips from across the crowded room. Starting toward her, his malevolent plan begins to unfold.

  “Shit!” Olivia blurts out, “Where the hell is your brother?” Looking down at her phone, she checks for messages. Feeling the man’s menacing presence, she raises her eyes to see a pair of dirty, torn jeans standing in front of her.

  “Hello, Olivia.”

  “Hello, Griff,” she responds, hitting send on a message to Ethan. Looking up she meets with Griff’s ice-cold stare.

  Looking over at Maddie, he nods. “Madison.”

  “Hi, James,” she says, before nervously surveying the room for security.

  “Can I buy you ladies a drink?” he offers, glancing between the two beautiful women. “How about a glass of your favorite wine?” Locking on to Olivia’s gaze, he waits for her answer.

  “Thanks, but I don’t like wine.” Glancing at her phone every thirty seconds, she watches for Ethan reply.

  Griff looks at her confused, “You don’t like wine? Hmmm. Weren’t you drinking wine the last time I saw you?”

  Olivia looks at him perplexed, “At the grand opening? NO! It wouldn’t have been me. Wine gives me a headache.”

  Griff scratches his head and gives her a puzzled look. “Right, I’m sorry. It wasn’t you. It was that blonde girl that Ethan was with the night we landed at the airport.”

  Color rapidly draining from her face, Olivia looks over at Madison, “Jessica?” she asks, hesitantly.

  “Christ, no!” Griff falsely assures her, “She wasn
’t in Canada. It was just some little blonde girl that had too much to drink. He took her up to her room. I remember now. She was the one that was drinking wine.”

  Remembering that night, Olivia starts to feel sick to her stomach. That was the night that Ethan was missing in action. All his texts messages stopped and he didn’t return any of her calls. Olivia frowns, concerned now, that this blonde might be the secret that he’s keeping?

  Looking up at Griff, Maddie gives him a venomous look. “Olivia,” she interjects, “I know what you’re thinking right now. I also know my brother. There’s no way that anything happened with that girl. Ethan would rather die than hurt you.”

  Olivia wants to believe, she really does. History often has a way of repeating itself. Olivia knows very well, words that sound convincing can sometimes hide deceit.

  Griff looks up as the roomful of rowdy patrons parts. Watching Ethan head straight toward them, he tries to clear his virulent expression. Ethan doesn’t take his eyes off Griff as he pushes his way through the crowd. Even from across the room, he sends a very clear warning to him.

  Reaching the table, out of breath and soaking wet, Ethan stands toe to toe with Griff.

  “O’Connell,” Griff says, nodding his head. “I was just leaving.”

  “Good,” Ethan says, the tension in his muscles twitching as he watches Griff walk away.

  “Thank God, you’re finally here!” Olivia says feeling exasperated, “Where were you?” Moving over in the booth, she lets Ethan slide in beside her.

  “And why are you all wet? Is it raining?” Madison asks.

  “I was boxing, at the gym,” he explains. “As soon as I saw your message, I ran all the way here. I didn’t stop to change.”

  Both girls scrunch up their faces, “Ew!”

  “So, you’re all sweaty?” Olivia asks, moving further away from him on the bench.

  Grabbing her arm, he stops her from moving. “I ran, all the way here to make sure you were safe,” he says grinning, “I think I deserve a kiss.” Leaning in he puckers his lips and waits.