“How’s five percent?” he found himself saying instead.
Niki lowered her cup to the table. “I’ll give you four.”
Exodus wanted to laugh. Niki Stanton had driven to his home, stomped inside like she owned the place, and made him feel as if she’d bought him the damn refrigerator.
He leaned forward and extended his hand across the table. “Deal.”
Niki did exactly what he expected her to do. She pushed her glasses up on her nose.
And then she slid her palm against his.
Exodus wasn’t sure what happened to him in that moment. But the feel of her warm, tiny palm resting so innocently against his own shifted something inside him.
He pulled away, awed and more than a little confused by the feeling.
A soft, whining sound reached his ears, saving him from delving too deep into the sensation.
X pushed to his feet. “Are you in a hurry to get back?”
Niki glanced at her watch and then peered up at him over the rim of her glasses. “I have a few minutes. Why, what’s up?”
“I want to show you something.” He circled around to the counter, plucked up his box of leftovers from the diner that morning, and waited for Niki to stand. “Follow me.”
Niki fell in step behind him, following him through the den and to the front door.
Her soft gasp wasn’t lost on him as he opened the door and a small red fox came into view.
“Oh my goodness,” Niki breathed, stepping up next to X. “It’s a baby fox…”
Exodus bent and scratched the furry critter on the head and then spoke in a calm, soothing voice. “Hey there, little one. Are you hungry?”
Opening the box he held, X gave the small fox a piece of bacon before rising to his full height and glancing down into Niki’s upturned face. “Come on. I’ll show you the rest.”
Once outside, X took the steps down to the stone walkway, skirted the front of the house, and meandered over to a copse of trees to the left of the cabin.
He dumped the remainder of the food onto a large, flat stone and backed up a step.
Niki moved in close to his side. “Are there more?”
X nodded toward a worn trail between the bases of two trees.
Four more foxes appeared, watching Niki cautiously.
“It’s okay,” Exodus assured them. “She won’t hurt you.”
Niki’s hand lifted to her mouth. She stared at the sight before her with awe registering in her eyes. “I can’t believe they’re not afraid of you. Did you raise them from babies?”
Not wanting to give too much away, X hedged. “I’ve been feeding them for quite some time. Animals have instincts that most people lack. They know I won’t hurt them.”
Niki stepped in closer to X’s side. That sweet, subtle scent he’d noticed about her before reached his nose.
He peered down at her, trying to remember what color eyes she had. He was fairly certain they were green, but he couldn’t be sure.
The hair on the back of his neck suddenly stood on end, and the foxes scattered in different directions. Something evil had entered their midst, and Exodus had a good idea what that something was.
He took a step closer to Niki, his gaze scanning the distance for signs of Delia. And he knew it to be Delia… He could smell her.
“I think it’s time for you to go,” he demanded of Niki in a low, tight voice.
Something resembling hurt registered in her eyes, but it was gone so quickly X wondered if he’d imagined it.
“Of course. I didn’t mean to take up so much of your time, Mr. Brooks. I’ll get up with you about a payment schedule as soon as possible.”
And with that, she turned on her heel and marched back to her car.
Exodus wanted to run after her, to apologize for his abruptness, but he couldn’t. Delia was probably watching.
The last thing X needed was Delia going after the tiny Niki Stanton. Though Delia wouldn’t likely see Niki as a threat, X wasn’t willing to take that chance.
The second Niki’s car disappeared from view, Delia, the mother of all evil, stepped from the trees.
“Hello, Exodus.”
Fiery wings burst from X’s shoulders, nearly wringing a snarl of pain from him. He hadn’t used his angelic powers since he’d fallen from grace. He hadn’t needed to…until now. “Delia.”
Her long silky black hair hung over her shoulders to sway gently in the breeze as her diamond-colored eyes sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.
She wore a pair of white leather pants with a matching top that laced up the front. Of course, the ties were open to expose the tops of her ample breasts.
A diamond dangled from her belly button to match her beautifully evil eyes.
She licked her ruby-red lips. “Have you missed me?”
“Not even for a second,” X growled, nausea rolling through his gut. His sword appeared in his hand mere seconds after the shirt he wore burned away from his flesh.
She stopped in front of him and ran her finger down his now bare chest, stopping at the top of his jeans. “Ah, come now, Exodus. Is that any way to treat an old friend?”
He held her gaze, gripping his sword in his right hand. “Why are you here?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’ve missed you.” Her hand slid lower until she cupped his sex. She gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’ve missed this.”
Suppressing a shudder, X lifted his sword and rested it against her alabaster neck. “I don’t know what kind of deal you made to get out of your chains, but I’m more than happy to return you there.”
Anger briefly flashed in her eyes before the corner of her mouth lifted. “We’ll just have to see about that, won’t we?”
And with that, she faded from sight, leaving no evidence that she’d been there but the stink of Hell itself.
Chapter Six
Niki rolled to her side with a jaw-popping yawn, reached for her glasses on the nightstand, and put them on. She glanced at the clock to find it nearly seven in the morning. She’d overslept.
“Ugh,” she muttered, sitting up and placing her feet on the floor.
Lucky immediately bounded over to lick profusely at her hands.
“You need to go out, boy?”
He barked in response.
Grabbing her robe from the corner of the headboard, Niki slipped on her fuzzy bedroom shoes, plucked up Lucky’s leash, and stumbled toward the door.
Once she got the leash on, she opened the door, stepped out onto the deck, and descended the stairs behind Lucky.
The smell of food cooking greeted her nose as Lucky half dragged her around the yard in search of a preferred place to do his business.
Niki decided that as soon as she could afford it, she would have a fence installed back here where Lucky could run freely without fear of him wandering off or being hit by a car.
The yellow Lab had been with Niki for seven years, and she couldn’t imagine her life without him. He’d been a Christmas gift from her parents after her second heart surgery.
“It’s hard to believe that you’re seven,” she softly murmured, following Lucky from tree to tree. “That’s forty-nine in dog years. Since I’m twenty-five, you’re almost twice my age.”
“I’d wager that everyone in that diner is twice your age.”
Niki gasped, spinning around and nearly dropping Lucky’s leash. “Mr. Brooks!”
“It’s X, and I had you pegged for nineteen or twenty.”
Mortified at being caught in her robe, hair no doubt all askew, and sleep still in her eyes, Niki retorted, “You really shouldn’t creep around as you do. It’s… Well, it’s creepy.”
He had the audacity to smile. “I wasn’t creeping. I was sitting in my Jeep when I saw you come down.”
Niki glanced toward the Jeep in question. She hadn’t noticed it when she’d come down the stairs. “Well, then you should park around front like every other human being in these parts.”
“What if I’m not huma
n?” he responded with a twinkle in his eyes.
Gripping her robe together at the top, Niki found it hard to keep from smiling. Of course, she wouldn’t dare. She hadn’t brushed her teeth yet. “So, are you just getting here or leaving?”
“Just arriving.” He spread his booted feet apart and slightly rocked back on his heels. “Would you like to have breakfast with me?”
Caught off guard by his question, Niki said the first thing that came to mind. “I haven’t showered yet.”
“Obviously,” he countered, his white teeth flashing in a full-on smile.
Niki laughed nervously. “Give me twenty minutes.”
X stepped in close and took the leash from her. “Go shower. I’ll wait for Old Yeller here to do his thing and bring him up when he’s done.”
“His name’s Lucky,” Niki blurted, relinquishing the leash.
An awkward silence fell. “Okay then.” Niki spun around and hurried up the stairs.
Once inside, she closed the door and leaned heavily against it. What was it about Exodus Brooks that brought out the nerves in her? It seemed that every time he was near, she lost her ability to think correctly.
It had absolutely nothing to do with his gorgeous face or massive shoulders. Nothing at all.
* * *
Niki showered in record time, brushed her teeth and hair, and dressed in the clothes she’d brought into the bathroom with her.
She peered at herself in the mirror, saddened to see that her jeans were baggier than normal. She’d lost more weight.
With a sigh of despondency, she took her meds, tugged her pink T-shirt over her head, and pulled on her white running shoes. Tying her hair up into a messy knot, she donned her glasses, dabbed on a little perfume, and exited the bathroom.
Exodus sat at her small kitchen table, his long legs stretched out in front of him and the palm of his hand caressing the top of Lucky’s head.
He looked up when she stepped into the room. “You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” Niki found it difficult to gaze into his eyes. It seemed as if he could see into her very soul.
She cleared her throat and waved him toward the exit.
Exodus rolled to his feet and sauntered toward the door. He stood a good foot taller than her, which meant he had to duck to step outside.
He hesitated at the top of the stairs. “Ladies first.”
Niki didn’t want to walk in front of him. He’d be free to look his fill, to notice how thin she truly was.
She turned back. “I’ll meet you down there. I forgot to put food in Lucky’s bowl.”
Those knowing eyes assessed her before he nodded and descended the stairs.
Niki hated her insecurities almost as much as she despised pity. But she’d learned to live with it.
After pouring some food in the dog’s bowl and refreshing his water, she left the apartment.
The diner was booming with customers when Niki entered through the kitchen door.
She spotted Exodus sitting at a corner table across the room.
Here goes, she inwardly sighed, shooting Randal a smile and making her way to the dining room.
Exodus jumped to his feet and pulled out a chair for her. “I appreciate you agreeing to have breakfast with me. It gets old eating alone.”
That surprised Niki. With his looks, Exodus could have any woman in town. In the state of Georgia, for that matter. But she kept that thought to herself.
Taking a seat, she met his whiskey-colored gaze. “Since you eat alone, I take it you’re not married?” Where the hell had that come from?
“Never been married. And you?”
“Ah, no, I—”
“It’s good to see you socializing,” Faye interrupted, ambling over to Niki’s table. “You stay cooped up in that apartment far too much.”
Niki sent her a small smile. “I’ve only been here in Helen for a week, Faye. Hardly enough time to be out socializing.”
Faye’s kind brown eyes, softened. “I just worry about ya is all. You remind me so much of Hazel in her younger years.”
The mention of her grandmother brought a certain sadness to Niki’s heart. She shook off the feeling and patted Faye’s hand. “Thank you, Faye. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Good,” the waitress responded. “It was meant as one. Now, what can I get y’all to eat?”
Niki glanced at Exodus, but he only waved a hand in the waitress’s direction. “Ladies first.”
“In that case, I’ll have an egg white and an order of toast.”
Faye sent her a disapproving look. “That’s not enough food to keep a bird alive, missy. You need some meat and grits.”
Insecurities over her weight hit home again. Niki could feel the heat rushing up her neck to pool in her face. “Okay. Add an order of bacon and some grits to that. With coffee.”
Faye seemed pleased with Niki’s change of heart. She then turned to Exodus and took his order before scurrying off toward the kitchen.
“So, tell me something about you,” Exodus rumbled, resting his chin on his knuckles.
Niki was grateful to take the focus off her lack of appetite. “What would you like to know?”
“Surprise me.”
“Okay. I’m twenty-five, an only child, and I come from South Carolina.”
He studied her for a moment. “Is that where you went to college?”
“Why would you think I went to college?”
He shrugged a broad shoulder. “I saw your framed degree in your apartment.”
A laugh burst from Niki, sending several pairs of heads turning in her direction. She didn’t care. It had been so long since she’d had anything to actually laugh about. “You cheated. Now, it’s your turn.”
Exodus leaned back in his seat as Faye meandered back over and placed two coffees in front of them. “I’m a bit older than twenty-five, I’ve lived in Helen Georgia for close to fifteen years now, and I didn’t go to college.”
“Hmmmm, so what is it that you do for a living, Mr. I’m Older Than Twenty-Five?”
He shrugged. “This and that. I mostly do woodwork.”
Niki had a strange feeling that he’d hedged on his occupation, but she decided to let it slide. For now.
Chapter Seven
Exodus would definitely have to watch himself around Niki Stanton. He found himself enjoying her company so much he’d let his guard down more than once. “Is your family in South Carolina?”
“My parents are, yes. They’re the only family I have. How about you?”
“I have no family.” Exodus took a drink of his coffee, but not before he’d noticed the odd look that sprang to Niki’s eyes.
She picked up one of the small creamers on the table and peeled the top back. “I’m sorry to hear that. How come you never married?”
“How come you haven’t?” he teasingly shot back.
A small, humorless laugh escaped her. “I didn’t even get asked to the prom. I certainly have never been proposed to.”
Exodus couldn’t look away from her eyes. Dark circles rested beneath them, emphasized by the lenses of her glasses.
She hadn’t been asked to prom. Of all the things he’d come to know about her in such a short time, that piece of information bothered him the most.
All young girls dreamed of going to prom, of wearing a beautiful dress, drinking bad punch, and listening to terrible music. Yet, Niki hadn’t been asked.
“I can smell your pity from here,” she admitted in a dry tone. “Don’t feel sorry for me, Mr. Brooks. I probably wouldn’t have gone had I been asked. One can’t very well attend prom in a turtleneck sweater, now can they?”
It puzzled X how he could feel so comfortable around Niki. He normally kept to himself, preferring the company of animals over humans. But Niki intrigued him.
Niki Stanton had survived a life of sickness and surgeries, only to uproot at a young age and travel to Georgia to keep her deceased grandmother’s diner open.
&n
bsp; Their plates arrived, saving X from fumbling around with a response.
“Refill your coffees?” Faye hovered next to the table with coffee pot extended.
Niki shook her head. “I’m good, Faye. Thank you.”
Exodus allowed the waitress to top off his cup. He waited for her to slip away before picking up his fork and taking a bite of his eggs. “What are you doing the rest of the morning?”
Niki appeared surprised by his question. “I—um—I’m going to study last year’s invoices to see if I can figure out why the diner has been losing money.”
“How can it be losing money?” X took another bite of eggs. “I mean, it’s the busiest place in Helen.”
With a slight shrug, Niki plucked up a piece of her toast. “I’m not sure, but I intend to find out.”
“Can it wait until after lunch? I have something I want to show you.” For the life of him, X couldn’t figure out why he wanted to spend the morning with Niki… He only knew that he did.
She glanced down at the piece of toast she held before meeting his gaze once more. “I suppose I can put off the dreaded task of searching through invoices for an hour or two. What do you want to show me?”
Exodus stabbed another chunk of egg. “You’ll see.”
* * *
“You can open your eyes now.” Exodus had driven Niki to the highest peak on his land and switched off his Jeep.
He turned to look at her, waiting for her to push her glasses up on her nose as she lifted her closed eyelids. She didn’t disappoint.
“What is it?”
“Let’s get out.” He climbed down, skirted the back of the Jeep, and opened her door.
She unbuckled her seatbelt, her palms instinctively going to his shoulders as he wrapped his hands around her tiny waist and lifted.
Warmth washed through him, beginning at his fingers where they held tightly to her body, and ending at the rapidly growing erection behind the zipper of his jeans.
He stilled, staring into Niki’s soft green eyes.
She watched him back, obviously feeling the same sensation as him.
It took a moment for X to regain his focus. He looked away, took a step back, and lowered her to the ground.
Heroes Among Us: A Paranormal Romance Collection Page 3
