Waves of Change

by Nulli Para Ora

  The man was drop-dead gorgeous, and she knew Paula and Vivica would be all over him in no time. She was used to the way those two swarmed over any and all available men in reach. It was their nature. In life’s buffet, Paula and Vivica sampled one of everything on the menu and let the leftovers fall where they may.

  She pictured the way the rest of the scenario would play out. She would introduce Cara, Olivia, and Bethany. She’d save Vivica and Paula for last and watch as the two of them vied for his attention. It wouldn’t be long before one of the voracious vixens ended up with him in the back of the building with his pants around his ankles.

  For some reason, she felt an unfamiliar disappointment and a slight bit of anger when she pictured this man in their clutches. You know how it goes, and you don’t have time for this even if he was interested.

  She tried to smile wider to hide her blighted hope and turned her head toward the table. “Daniel, these are my friends Bethany, Cara, Olivia, Paula, and Vivica.”

  “Nice to meet you, ladies.” Daniel smiled, but he never took his eyes from hers. “Alicia, I know we just met, but if it isn’t too forward, would you like to get together and have coffee sometime, or maybe dinner?”

  The sensation of the blood draining from her face was in complete contrast with the rush of warmth throughout the rest of her body. She was tongue-tied for the first time in her life as she watched his face. She replayed his words inside her head to make sure she hadn’t lost her mind. He’s asking me out?

  She fought the urge to ask him if he was serious, and instead, took another look at the raven-haired statue of a man in front of her. Her gaze moved over his body again, and the heat from his warm hands felt amazing. A raised eyebrow from the handsome stranger brought her back to her senses, and she realized she’d been staring at him in silence. Way to look like a freak, Alicia. She tried to gather herself, and opened her mouth to speak when her mobile phone began vibrating on the table. “Please excuse me a moment.” When he nodded, she grabbed the device.

  She sobered when she saw the extension for the hospital on the small screen and pulled her wallet from her purse as she answered. “Dr. Lewis.” Alicia listened to the person on the other end, and her eyes widened. “How large is this ASD? … Give me an ETA … I’m on my way.” Turning to face Daniel again, she spoke almost as if she was on autopilot, immediately moving into surgeon mode. “I’m sorry, I have to run. Emergency, ASD, you know how it is.” She grabbed her purse and placed a one hundred dollar bill on the table before she ran to her car. She didn’t have time to spare as she headed to the hospital for surgery.

  Chapter 3

  Daniel watched her dart out of sight and resisted the unbearable urge to chase her. She’s gone. I didn’t even get to set a date, and she’s off to do… What the heck is she off to do? Disappointment pulled his brows down, and he shoved his hands into his pockets in defeat. What am I supposed to do now?

  His negative thoughts were interrupted when the woman who was introduced as Bethany walked over and shook his hand. “It was nice meeting you, Daniel. Thanks for your help.” She smiled and squeezed his hand tight before she gave him an exaggerated wink and mouthed the words, “Call her.”

  She pressed a small piece of paper into his palm, and when he looked at her face, he returned her amiable expression and leaned closer to her to whisper in her ear. “Thank you!”

  Bethany winked again and hurried the girls toward the shops at the end of the block after they put money on the table for the tip.

  A deep sigh forced its way out of his chest as he headed back to his table. I miss her already. He felt colder without her close by, empty even. As he took his seat back at his table, he unfolded the piece of paper Bethany passed to him in the handshake. Ten digits were written under the name Alicia Lewis. Happiness and gratitude made him feel as if he could levitate, and he knew from the tightness in his cheeks that he sported a goofy grin.

  “Wanna talk about it now?” Chris was almost glaring at him as he rocked back and forth on the back legs of his chair.

  To his amazement, he’d forgotten about Chris while he was with Alicia, and he didn’t see the problem with that. As he locked eyes with his baffled best friend, he mulled over every word she’d said. “What’s an ASD?”

  “A what?” Chris frowned, and stared at him like he’d grown a second head.

  “She said she had to go, emergency ASD.”

  “Why are you asking me? You’re the one who got her wet so you could read her water more … intimately.” He rolled his eyes before he took a deep breath, and he leaned forward, settling his chair on all four legs. “Tell me what you learned.”

  Daniel couldn’t explain his need to be cautious, but as soon as Chris asked the question, he felt a strong need to keep anything about Alicia to himself, as if he needed to protect it.

  When he didn’t respond, Chris released an annoyed sigh. “Enki help me. How long have we known each other? Get a hold of yourself and just tell me what you found out. I am not going to steal your Dau-Hael.”

  Daniel took a deep breath through his nostrils to calm himself. He’s right. He trusted Chris with his life, and he knew he had nothing to worry about. So why am I hesitating? It took a few more seconds to convince himself to share, but as he placed his hand over the pocket with her number inside, his excitement returned. “She’s a doctor.”

  “What kind of doctor?”

  “She’s a heart surgeon.”

  Chris raised an eyebrow and smiled. “So she’s smarter than you. What else?”

  “She’s shy, loyal, strong, caring, supportive, understanding, and she smells like vanilla and sandalwood.” His thoughts traveled back to her, and he lost himself in his recollection of the most perfect woman in the world. She was infused into his water, and he would be able to sense her anywhere. Getting her wet was part of his plan, and he had succeeded in forming the Enaal bond with her. He smiled to himself as he thought of her face, her fingers, her hands, her legs, and the bit of cleavage he saw.

  “Daniel, if you’re about to start whacking off, I’m done. I don’t care how long we’ve known each other.”

  “Stay out of my water, Chris.” He wanted to be angry, but even as he did his best to glare at him, he couldn’t hold back his laughter, and Chris joined in.

  “I’m happy for you, my friend.” Chris reached out to clap him on the shoulder. His warm smile reached his eyes, and in that moment it seemed as if Chris was just as excited as he was.

  “Weren’t we on a mission, Mr. Twenty Questions?”

  Chris winked, and they returned to the task at hand. They needed to locate their mark, and they scanned the sidewalk across the street. “Intel says this guy’s also been attacking women, using their water to keep them from moving.”

  “Then let’s get him.”

  Chapter 4

  Alicia released a weary breath through her teeth as she removed her surgical mask. Peeling off two layers of gloves on her hands was one of the last tasks before she could head back to her office. As she approached the row of deep stainless steel sinks, she thought over the case she’d just finished. That was pretty close. She bumped a lever beneath the large basin in front of her with her knee and placed her hands into the stream of water activated by the action. She stared ahead at the pale green subway tiles on the wall and scrubbed away the light dusting of powder left behind from the gloves. Thank you, inventors of Gore-Tex. ASD repairs wouldn’t be the same without you. Thoughts of super materials and op notes swirled in her head until a familiar voice called out above the sound of the water as it splashed against the metal.

  “There she is. Great work on that case.”

  “Were you watching?” Alicia turned to regard Dr. Thomas Bergen, hospital director.

  “I certainly was. Your skills are as sharp as ever.” The older doctor spoke with a twinkle in his eye, a look she’d seen in her father’s eyes many times before.

  “Thanks, but we were lucky they arrived when they d
id.” Alicia shut off the water and grabbed a few paper towels. She turned to face the doctor as she dried her hands, leaning against one of the sink dividers while he spoke.

  “Don’t be so modest, Dr. Lewis. You do great work, and you help a lot of people. We are proud to have you on staff.”

  She knew Dr. Bergen was trying to be nice, but she had already resigned herself to a specific fact in this case. Timing was everything. She shook her head as she tossed the used towels into the nearby wastebasket before she returned her gaze to his. “If their plane hadn’t made it in time, the outcome could have been completely different.”

  “If they had a different surgeon, the outcome would have been different.” He crossed the room to stand next to her and gave his own head shake. “Just take the compliment.” The words were spoken through a chuckle as he gave the side of her upper arm a gentle pat.

  Dr. Bergen had a contagious laugh, and when she heard it, Alicia couldn’t help but join in. Dr. Bergen was more than her boss. Even though he was over forty years older, he was a friend, and they both shared a love of making a difference and saving lives. These thoughts filtered into her consciousness as their laughter died down. As she studied his face, she watched his light expression fade, to be replaced by eyes framed by furrowed brows and narrowed lids. She didn’t have a reference for the change in his expression, and she tilted her head and raised a brow as she watched him. “Is there something wrong, Doctor?”

  “You’re exhausted; get some rest. Real rest this time, not staying here for thirty-six hours reading charts and doing rounds after working a fourteen-hour shift.”

  His laughter returned, and with it she felt a measure of relief. “Fine, Dr. Dad. I’m going. You do know my father is alive and well? His name is John, and he is more than happy to nag me about my work hours, so you don’t have to.”

  Another clap on her arm was his parting gesture, and he chuckled to himself as he left.

  Alicia crossed the room with a smile and retrieved her lab coat from her locker while thoughts of getting through paperwork danced in her head. As soon as she slipped her arms into the long sleeves, her mobile phone rang inside her pocket. “Dr. Lewis.”

  * * * *

  Daniel stood under the spray of his shower and attempted to wash away the workday. As he rinsed the last of the shampoo from his hair, his thoughts traveled back to Alicia, and a large smile spread his lips. The memory of the surprise on her face when her friend blotted her cleavage forced a laugh from his throat, and feelings of excitement returned in an instant. She’s shy. That’s so adorable.

  It had felt like an eternity before she turned back to face him while he knelt next to her, and when she did, it took all of his willpower to remain calm. Visions of kissing her face began to fill his head, and as he pictured being close to her, she suddenly invaded his senses.

  He could feel her in the water as it fell in droplets onto his skin, and he blinked his eyes in rapid-fire succession as the feeling disoriented him. She’s touching water. I can feel her. He concentrated and tracked the sensation in an attempt to locate the source. She’s washing her hands. She must have finished with her surgery. Should I call her now?

  Using his abilities, he stopped the water from falling from the shower, suspending the droplets in midair while he ran out of the bathroom to find his phone and her number. When he located both, he ran back to the shower and allowed the water to fall against his hand. He could sense she was still washing her hands, but he felt the vibrations of conversation as well. He tried to focus on only her, but when he heard a male voice, he couldn’t help eavesdropping.

  As he listened to the conversation, he blew out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding. The friendly, almost familial tone the man used with Alicia set his mind at ease, and he felt his muscles relax. Now he knew the man was harmless, so he returned his attention to the water pouring over her hands.

  After a minute or so, he was cut off from her. He took a deep breath and released it through his lips as if he was blowing out a candle. He stopped the water from falling from the showerhead again as he talked himself into action. Okay, I can do this. Another deep breath, and he second-guessed his approach. He held the phone and number in one hand while he paced naked in his bathroom. What if she thinks I’m a stalker? She didn’t actually give me her number, remember? What if it goes to voice mail? What exactly am I going to say in a message?

  There were too many variables to consider, and every avenue seemed to indicate not calling her was the best course of action. “But she’s my Dau-Hael.” It was enough of a reminder to spur him on, and he dialed her number.

  “Dr. Lewis.”

  He took a moment to calm himself before he spoke. “Hi, Alicia, it’s Daniel.”

  “Daniel?” There was surprise in her voice, and he had a hard time deciphering if the response was laced with fear.

  “Yeah, we met earlier today at the café, remember?” Please don’t think I’m some homicidal killer who stalks women they meet in restaurants.

  “I remember. It’s just … I wasn’t expecting you to call me.”

  She’s probably wondering how I got her number. Say something reassuring. “Bethany gave me your number. I wanted to give you a call since we never got a chance to set up a date for coffee or dinner.” He waited through the silence on the line. When he didn’t hear her voice for several moments, anxiety bubbled inside him, and he clenched and unclenched his free hand into a fist in response. He’d wait to hear her speak before he went any further, but as she remained mute, he worried she wouldn’t utter another syllable. I’m not a creepy guy, I promise. Please don’t hang up.

  “Daniel, my schedule is pretty crazy, and…”

  Thank Enki, she didn’t hang up. “I understand, just pick a time and we can meet.”

  “The time I might have available could be at an obscene hour, and that wouldn’t be reasonable or fair to you.”

  “If that is the time you have, then I don’t see a problem.” He listened as she took in a deep breath, and he felt his heart in his throat. Is this it? Is she trying to find a way to say no? Each second felt like a decade, and he felt beads of sweat appear on his forehead, blending into the water dripping from his hair.

  “Well, I just got out of surgery, but if you want to meet for dinner in about an hour, we can do that. If you haven’t eaten, that is.”

  The urge to jump for joy all but took over his rational thought, and he lifted both arms in the air in a touchdown gesture while he mouthed silent cheers. He pulled the phone down and practically glued it to his ear. “Where would you like to meet?”

  “How about Rochelle’s?”

  “Perfect. I’ll see you there.”

  “Sounds good, Daniel. See you then.”

  He held onto the phone until she hung up. The moment he pressed the button to end the call, he let loose a flurry of sentences of gratitude in his native tongue. As he thought about where they’d meet, his breath hitched. Rochelle’s is on the lake. She chose a location on the water. Excellent.

  A large smile spread his lips as he got back into the shower and allowed the warm spray to cascade over his body once again. I’ll have to stop by Pat’s on the way, so I need to make sure to leave time for traffic. Images of her face danced in his head as he soaped up his body, and he began to rehearse the things he’d say to her. I could ask her about—

  His thoughts were interrupted when he felt her again. He didn’t just detect her; his senses felt like they were assaulted by her, and he placed his hands between the tiled wall and the mottled glass shower door to brace himself. Enki-ak-si lilu. She’s taking a shower! The sight of her naked body made him call out to Enki, goddess of the Leuk Ahnal, asking for her favor. He’d need all the help he could get if he was going to stay focused, but even Enki was no match for the temptation of his Dau-Hael.

  He tried to steady himself as he sensed the spray as it hit her body. He allowed himself to be one with the water, and he closed his eyes as he fol
lowed the path of the drops from her face to her chest and over her breasts. His mouth went dry as he took in the watery image of her bare body, and he gulped mouthfuls of the liquid as it poured down over him. His exploration of her continued as he tracked a rivulet down her waist, to her hips, and even lower to the delta of her womanhood. “Shit!”

  There was no way to stop his body’s reaction to her, and his erection was immediate and painful as he longed to touch the woman he could see through the water. Every drop that caressed her skin made an impression in his mind, and his water called out to her. Need built up inside him, and he ached to chase the trails of the droplets over her body with his tongue. The water pressed details into him, making him feel the smoothness of her skin and the soft curves of her feminine figure.

  His hips jerked forward of their own volition, and he clenched his teeth as he tried to gain some form of control. The water of his shower beat down on him, pressing the connection into his flesh and searing the vision of her naked form into his.

  Daniel groaned as he all but felt Alicia rub soap over herself. His shaft pulsed and throbbed in painful sync with his heart, and he reached down with one hand and began to stroke himself, needing relief from the feelings building inside him. His brow furrowed when he felt the movements of Alicia’s hands as she bathed. He pushed his tongue between his lips and teeth as he grasped his shaft more firmly. Moans escaped his lips as Alicia moved a washcloth-covered hand over her breasts. When she moved to clean her pubic area, he felt the last tenuous thread he held himself in check with snap.

  Grunts and groans were punctuated by hissed breaths as he pumped faster. Water from the showerhead caused his hair to cling to his skin when he bowed his head forward, but he didn’t care about the tendrils of hair near his eyes. He was close, and his breathing changed to rapid, shallow pants as his sac tightened. He held onto the shower door for dear life and screwed his eyes shut as he felt his climax upon him. When Alicia spread her lower lips and began to wash herself, he came, shooting arcs of his seed into the endless stream of the shower while he visualized replacing her fingers with his mouth. He maintained his grip on the door and tried to hold himself steady through the aftershocks. Keeping his balance was a tough feat with legs that felt like gelatin.