Exodus regretted the words the moment they left his mouth.
“Niki?”
X entered his bedroom and closed the door.
As if that would stop Leviticus. He sailed right through the barrier without missing a beat. “Who is Niki?”
“She’s no one. Just a girl I met the other day.”
Levi sauntered over and leaned a hip against X’s dresser. “Don’t wear that God-awful T-shirt.”
X glanced down at the T-shirt he’d snagged from the middle drawer. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Other than the fact it’s faded beyond recognition, it’s thin enough that I could read the paper through it.”
Snatching up a different shirt, X grabbed a pair of boxer briefs, pulled them on, and tossed his damp towel on the footboard of his bed.
He then donned a pair of jeans and his favorite boots. “Unless you have some other reason for being here besides harassing me, I have things to attend to.”
Levi ran a hand through his black hair and narrowed his irritating green eyes. “Watch yourself, Exodus. You have two and a half weeks until you’re to be judged. You don’t want to screw that up and get carted off to Hell with Delia. Not to mention ole Lucy would have an orgasm if you showed up at his feet.”
“First of all, I have no intention of entertaining either Lucifer or Delia. And secondly, Niki isn’t what you’re imagining.”
Levi lifted an eyebrow. “Really? Then why don’t you relieve my curiosity and tell me what she is to you? Because if you screw up this late in the game, I’ll visit Hell and torture your ass myself.”
Exodus blew out a breath and gestured for Levi to follow him to the kitchen. “I might as well make coffee. It’s obviously going to be a long night.”
Chapter Ten
Niki waited until the service guy finished installing the small camera on the wall behind the register and then handed him a check. “I really appreciate you coming on such short notice.”
“It’s no problem, ma’am. I realize that Mondays are the only day the diner’s closed. And I understand your need to be discreet. It’s best that no one but you knows that camera is there.”
He picked up his bag of tools and strode toward the door. “If you have any problems with it or need help figuring out how to set it to record, just call the number on the back of that card I gave you.”
“I’m sure I can manage,” Niki assured him, following him to the door and locking it behind him.
Niki made her way to her small office and switched on her laptop. With a few quick keystrokes, the counter where the register sat came into view.
She could also see the front door clearly, as well as the center part of the dining room.
Glancing at the clock, Niki realized it was nearing noon and she hadn’t eaten yet. She pushed to her feet, plucked up her purse, and headed out the back door.
The sight of X’s Jeep parked near the tree line sent her heart into her throat. But nothing could compare to his long muscular body leaning casually against the car’s side.
Niki came to a stop. “What are you doing here? The diner is closed on Mondays.”
He pushed away from the Jeep and sauntered toward her. “I came to see if I could take you to lunch.”
Swallowing hard, she forced her gaze away from his powerful chest to look into his whiskey-colored eyes. “Lunch?”
It puzzled her as to why he would want to take her to lunch.
She glanced down at her attire and fought the urge to shrink back inside the diner.
The T-shirt she wore had to be at least two sizes too big, and her toes peeked out from her sandals, chipped polish and all.
At least her shorts fit. Somewhat.
He came to a stop in front of her. “Yes, lunch. You know that thing one does when they’re hungry and don’t want to cook?”
Her hand self-consciously went to her hair before pushing her glasses up on her nose. “I— Okay. I need to make sure Lucky has plenty of food.”
“That’s fine. Need a hand?”
Niki thought about the dirty clothes on her bathroom floor and the dishes sitting in the sink. “Thank you, but I got it. I’ll be right back.”
She turned away and hurried up the stairs, hating like hell that someone as gorgeous as X had caught her looking her worst.
Once inside, she tidied up her bathroom, changed her shirt, and brushed her hair.
“Shoes,” she murmured aloud, jogging across the room to grab her sneakers.
Why did she care how she appeared in front of X? It wasn’t as if he were romantically interested in her. He saw her as a friend. Nothing more.
Pulling on her sneakers, she opened the door and nearly ran into X.
His masculine scent hit her square in the face. God, he smells good.
“Everything all right?” His gaze swept over her, and an intense look entered his eyes. “You changed your clothes.”
Niki couldn’t find her voice. Though she was no expert in relationships, that sure looked a lot like interest staring back at her from X’s eyes.
“Yeah…I…”
They stared at each other for long moments before Exodus cleared his throat and stepped back. “Lead the way.”
He waited for her to precede him and then followed her down the stairs.
Niki could feel him behind her as if her entire body and mind were in tune with him.
She rounded the front of his Jeep and reached for the door handle, but he beat her to it.
And there was that masculine scent again.
His hands were suddenly on her waist. He lifted her as if she weighed nothing and set her gently onto the passenger seat.
Niki held her breath, afraid to move until he closed the door.
She really needed to get a grip before she did something stupid and embarrassed them both.
* * *
Niki took a drink of her unsweetened tea. “This is delicious. I’ve always loved Mexican food.”
“It’s not Hazel’s by any stretch,” Exodus teased. “But it’ll do in a pinch.”
A chuckle bubbled up in her. “How well did you know my grandmother?”
“Well enough to know that she made the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. And that she cared about her customers. She knew all the regulars by name and even remembered their children’s names.”
“Yeah,” Niki agreed softly, memories of her grandma filtering through her mind. “She was the best.”
“Was she your maternal or paternal grandmother?”
“Paternal. She had two boys, my dad and my uncle Harry. Regretfully, I never had a chance to meet Harry. He died in a motorcycle accident before I was born.”
Exodus polished off the last of his food and leaned back in his chair. “Do you need to get back anytime soon, or can I keep you for a few more hours?”
Surprised by his question, Niki swallowed the food she’d been chewing and picked up her napkin.
She wiped at her mouth to buy some time. Truth was, she was more than a little terrified to spend so much time with X.
She opened her mouth to decline his offer, but instead found herself saying, “What did you have in mind?”
“It’s a surprise.”
Chapter Eleven
Exodus drove his Jeep along the creek’s edge until he reached what he sought.
A large barn sat up ahead, a safe haven he’d erected to keep the horses warm and dry.
For the life of him, Exodus had no idea why he couldn’t bring himself to stay away from Niki Stanton.
Even after Levi’s lecture the night before, X had found himself sitting behind the diner, waiting on Niki to emerge.
When she’d stepped out that back door and spotted him, the pink stain on her cheeks had nearly done him in. She had no idea how adorable he thought her to be.
He also knew her days were numbered. Levi had admitted as much the night before.
The dark-haired angel had been keeping an eye on X for some time now. Which meant
he knew everything there was to know about Niki Stanton, though it took him a while to admit it.
“Where are you taking me?”
Niki’s curious tone brought X’s attention back to her.
He nodded toward the large barn ahead. “There.”
“To see the horses?”
“To ride the horses.” He pulled the Jeep to a stop.
“But I don’t ride, remember? Horses terrify me.”
He could hear the nervousness creeping into her words.
Opening his door, he jumped down and moved around to help Niki to the ground. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”
“Seriously, X. I don’t know how to ride. And I’ve heard that horses can sense fear. I—”
“You’re riding with me.”
She dug in her heels. “With you? Like on the back of a horse?”
X grinned down at her. “Not on the back. I’ll seat you in front of me. You’ll be completely safe that way.”
“I don’t know…” she argued, her voice dripping with unease. “It still seems unsafe to me. Is the saddle even big enough to seat two people?”
Exodus took hold of her hand as they reached the barn door. “We’re not using a saddle.”
“What?”
Ignoring Niki’s gasped word, X called out, “Ink? Come here, boy!”
The beautiful black stallion looked up from the pile of hay he munched on and threw his head back. He suddenly reared up, braying his greeting to X.
“Oh God!” Niki jumped behind X, her hands gripping his shirt and her face pressed tightly against his back.
X immediately turned and wrapped his arms around her. He meant to assure her there was nothing to fear, but his voice trapped in his throat.
She pressed in closer, and X lost the ability move. He could only stand there, breathing in her sweet, intoxicating scent.
“Niki…”
She slowly pulled back enough to look into his eyes.
What kind of hold did this tiny scrap of a girl have on him? X barely knew her, and yet he felt as if he’d known her for an eternity.
Neither of them spoke, both simply staring into each other’s eyes. Until X found himself descending toward her upturned face.
Ink abruptly nudged him, bringing him back to reality. Had he really been about to kiss Niki Stanton?
What the hell was he thinking? He released her instantly, took a step back, and mounted the stallion.
Leaning down, he extended a hand toward her. “Come on up.”
Niki flicked her nervous gaze to the horse and then back to Exodus. “I can’t.”
“Sure you can,” he insisted, dipping low and locking on to her forearm. “Trust me.”
X had her feet off the ground and her seated in front of him before she could finish gasping.
“Oh God, oh God, oh God,” she whispered, reaching behind her to cling to his shirt.
Exodus grinned at the top of her head and enfolded her in his arms. “Easy there. We’re simply going to walk, okay? No running. You have my word.”
He could feel her reluctance as she released her death grip and attempted to relax back against him.
Her sweet, unique scent filtered up to wrap around X’s already confused mind.
He shook off his unwanted thoughts and turned his attention to the stallion. “You be a good boy, Ink. I know you can feel her fear, but I’m trusting you to stay calm. Can you do that for me?”
The giant stallion whinnied softly, telling Exodus without words that he understood.
Exodus had already been to see the horse earlier that day. He’d harnessed him, fed him, and explained what he wanted from him.
If Niki had any idea that Ink was actually wild and had wandered into the valley not a week before, she would most certainly have a panic attack.
“That’ll be our little secret, boy.” Picking up the reins with his right hand, X kept his free arm wrapped around Niki’s tiny waist and nudged the stallion with his thighs.
Chapter Twelve
Niki’s fear of sitting on that giant stallion was matched only by her excitement of being in X’s arms.
She knew she was playing with fire and in danger of having her heart broken. But she didn’t care. Nothing mattered to her in that moment but staying upright on top of that horse and basking in the feel of X’s embrace.
The horse began to move forward, his gait gentle and slow. The farther he got from the safety of the barn, the more Niki began to relax.
She wasn’t sure how she knew Exodus wouldn’t let her fall. She only knew that she did.
“Are you all right?” X rumbled next to her ear.
Niki pressed more firmly against him. “I think so. Are you sure he won’t take off into a run?”
“I’m sure. Just relax and enjoy the scenery.”
As beautiful as the scenery was, nothing compared to Exodus holding her close. Niki could get lost in the incredible sensation.
His scent, warmth, and strength surrounded her, creating a blanket of feels she never wanted to lose.
The massive stallion walked along the edge of the creek bed, giving Niki a view she never could have imagined.
Fish, frogs, and tadpoles frolicked in the water, oblivious to the trio above them.
A distant herd of horses grazed on the grass, majestic and full of grace.
“This is the most amazing place in the world,” she whispered, watching the moss sway from the branches of the live oaks.
X’s arms tightened around her. “I’m glad you like it. I have something more beautiful I want to show you.”
Niki couldn’t imagine anything more incredible than what she’d already seen. “Lead the way.”
Odd that her fear of the stallion had dissipated as if it she’d ridden all her life.
X maneuvered the horse through a copse of trees and up a grass-covered hill. “Close your eyes.”
With a smile he couldn’t see, Niki obeyed.
Without her ability to see, the rest of her senses came alive.
The sounds the stallion made, the rushing water of the creek, birds chirping nearby all mingled together to drown out her inhibitions. But nothing compared to the feel of X’s chest moving against her back…his unique scent tickling her senses.
“We’re here.”
It took her a second to realize he’d spoken, so caught up was she in the moment.
She slowly opened her eyes and took in the awe-inspiring beauty that lay before her.
A field of wild flowers surrounded a crystal-clear pond with a white sandy bottom. Giant trees were scattered about, lending shade to the random deer passing through.
“Why are they not running away?” Niki had never known deer not to be skittish.
She felt Exodus shrug. “They can sense that we mean them no harm.”
He slid off the stallion and held his arms up for her. “Would you like to swim?”
Niki didn’t hesitate. She leaned down, allowing him to help her from the stallion’s back. “I don’t have anything to swim in.”
“You have your T-shirt and shorts. What more do you need?” With that, he gripped the hem of his own shirt and tugged it over his head.
Niki nearly swallowed her tongue.
She’d known he was huge, but without a shirt, Exodus was pure power. His arm muscles alone were bigger than Niki’s thigh.
He toed off his boots next and unzipped his jeans.
Niki looked away, not trusting herself to stand there and watch him undress.
His laugh brought her attention back to him.
She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed to find him wearing shorts.
He grinned down at her. “Come now, you didn’t think I would force you to skinny-dip on our first date?”
Both of them instantly sobered.
Niki hadn’t missed the mention of this being a date or the fact that he seemed to regret the words the moment they’d left his mouth.<
br />
“Of c-course not,” she stammered, looking away to remove her shoes.
By the time she got them off and straightened, X was already in the water.
Niki eased to the edge of the clear pond and inched her toes in. The freezing water sent goose bumps scattering along her flesh. “It’s freezing!”
Exodus turned to face her. “Don’t think about it. The quicker you jump in, the faster your body temperature will adjust.”
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she laughed, sailing headlong into the pond’s icy depths.
She popped up near Exodus to find him laughing. “You’re braver than I gave you credit for. Are you cold?”
Niki attempted to keep her gaze focused on his face and not on his massive chest muscles. “It’s not as bad as I imagined it would be. It actually feels pretty good.”
They swam around for several minutes before coming to rest in the shallow edge.
Niki followed X’s lead and took a seat on the bottom. “How did you end up in a small town like Helen?”
He shrugged a broad shoulder, sending water droplets trickling down his arm. “It’s a long, boring story. Suffice it to say, I was only passing through when a friend of mine told me about this little slice of heaven. I got a good deal on the place, so I snatched it up and began building my cabin.”
“And met my grandmother.”
“Yes. Hazel’s was the first place I dined at when I arrived in Helen. I’ve been eating there ever since.”
Niki turned to stare across the pond. “I used to visit Helen a lot as a child. But once I started high school, I grew too busy. Plus, the surgeries prevented me from much travel. But I regret not spending more time with Grandma. She’s gone now, and I can never get that time back.”
“You’ll see her again someday,” X assured her in a soft tone. “I’m sure she’s looking down on—”
“As I said before, I don’t believe in all that mumbo jumbo.”
Exodus swirled his hand across the surface of the water. “What’s made you so bitter, Niki?”
Niki pushed to her feet. “I’m not bitter, X, just practical.”
He stood as well and followed her from the water. “Then why do you become upset any time something is mentioned about God, angels, or the afterlife?”
Heroes Among Us: A Paranormal Romance Collection Page 5
