The Watcher Series Volume # 1: Falling

by Rhiannon Jean

  “That’s my favorite flavor now,” he said quietly as his thumb brushed softly over my lips.

  Chapter 11

  I stood up, a little too quickly, and knocked my chair over.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t,” I apologized as I quickly picked up my chair. He looked perplexed for a moment.

  “You can’t what, Lily?”

  “I’m married, Gabriel, I…I just can’t.”

  “Is he married?”

  “What?”

  “Your husband, is he married?” I stood with my mouth open, unsure of how to answer. How would he know anything about my marriage?

  “I…I don’t know,” I answered honestly, “but I took vows. I’m…I’m not a cheater Gabriel.” He looked at me silently for what seemed like hours. I couldn’t read the look on his face. His eyes were dark and his mouth was set in a straight line. No smirk, no dimple, nothing familiar. He looked hard, stubborn, and dangerous. Suddenly, I was afraid: afraid of losing him, of losing whatever magic this was, and of having to go back to my sorry excuse for a life. Something in me had been awakened and I didn’t want it to be put back to sleep.

  Finally he took a deep breath, looked up at me with kindness in his eyes and said, “Please don’t leave. I’m sorry I pushed you.”

  “You didn’t push me, Gabriel. I wanted that kiss just as much, but I’m just…it’s just…I have a lot to figure out before I can act on those wants.”

  “You’re right…I’m sorry, Lily.” I sat back down and took his hand in mine. He was staring at the table with a faraway look on his face. I thought I had seen a hint of fear. Was he afraid of losing me too?

  “Someone once told me never to apologize for telling someone about myself. I think that someone should take their own advice,” I said with a playful smirk. “That kiss told me a lot.” His head popped up and he grinned at me. It was adorable and almost boyish in nature.

  “Oh, yeah? Well, what did you learn about me?”

  I blushed and said, “Lots.”

  Like, you’re trouble, big trouble, I thought to myself.

  The new guy had stopped playing and the bar radio was back on. Sarah McLachlan’s I Love You was playing softly and some couples had gotten up to dance. Gabriel stood up and for a moment I thought he had changed his mind and was going to leave. Instead, he held out his hand to me and asked, “Will you dance with me, Lily? Friends can dance…”

  I smiled shyly and said yes. I took his hand and let him guide me to the floor. He put a hand on my waist and took my other hand in his. He pulled me close and started to sway and hum with the lyrics. I smiled again, thinking about how fitting this music was for our situation. It seemed we both wanted something more, but what the more entailed was still a mystery. I had known him for about a minute but my heart seemed to be reaching for his heart. He started singing quietly as he rested his chin on my head. The lyrics spoke about how cold and long the nights are without each other, and Gabriel sang along telling me about how he couldn’t find the words to tell me he needed me.

  I looked up at him and whispered, “You need me?”

  His eyes found mine and he replied, “More than you know.”

  I sighed and leaned my head on his chest. His chest was hard, making me wonder what it would feel like to run my fingers over it, and the way he smelled was driving me crazy. He pulled me tighter as if I might slip away. The tears that I had been holding back once again threatened to spill over, stinging my eyes. My throat started to ache as I held back my emotions. Had it seriously only been twenty-four hours since we had first spoken? Part of me felt like I had known him for years…how was my heart already so sure of everything?

  The song ended and A Thousand Years by Christina Perri came on. That was enough to make me smile. I wondered what he would say when I told him about my obsession with the Twilight Series. That might actually scare him away. In fact, Ryan made fun of me on a regular basis for it. I started to quietly sing along with the first verse as we continued to sway.

  He pulled back and lifted my chin. “Did you just sing to me?”

  “Maybe,” I responded shyly.

  “Do it again?”

  I smiled and nodded. “You have to keep dancing though, so you can’t see how red my face gets.”

  He laughed quietly and agreed. I laid my head back on his chest, suddenly very aware of how strong his arms were. I placed my hand on his heart, feeling its slow and steady beat, trying not to be nervous. I sang the final verses and sighed quietly.

  The song ended and he pulled away. “Your voice is beautiful, Lily. Have you ever performed?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “Oh gosh, no way. I can do karaoke, but to perform with someone playing an actual instrument or without three shots of Jameson to warm me up…forget it!”

  “I bet you that I’ll get you to perform before the month ends,” he said.

  “Oh, really?”

  “Yep, let’s shake on it. But first, we should make terms for the bet. Like, what do we get if we win?”

  “Ohhhh,” I laughed, “okay, so we are making an honest-to-goodness bet?”

  “Well, yeah, is there any other kind?”

  “Okay, okay…hmmm, terms. Well, what do you want if you win?”

  “Oh, no, you’re not making me make my own terms. How about we make the terms for each other?” he replied.

  “That sounds fair. So what do I get if you lose?”

  “Ha ha ha,” he laughed. “Okay, so you’re still making me come up with the terms. Let’s see…if you win, I will make you dinner.”

  “You can cook?”

  “I told you I dabble in restaurants, remember?”

  “Oh yeah, but I thought maybe you were a waiter or something,” I blurted out. Sheesh, well played, Lily.

  He just smirked and said, “I started out as one. Now, I can cook.”

  “Okay, fair enough, dinner it is. What do you get if you win?”

  “Another kiss,” he said quietly. I was stunned into silence. My heart was beating so loudly I was afraid he could hear it. I looked up at him and took a step back, trying to regain some composure.

  I tried to laugh and said, “Well, it’s a good thing I’ll be winning then. As you can tell, I’m a girl who likes to eat.”

  He grabbed my hand, seeing that he had made me nervous, and said, “How about for now you just dance one more song with me?” I nodded and stepped back into his arms. This time he wrapped both arms around me after guiding mine up around his neck. Lady Antebellem’s Need You Now had come on and we started to sway slowly. I started singing softly to try to regain some semblance of sanity. Singing really grounded me, but I rarely sang for anyone. He joined in on the chorus and sang harmony to my melody.

  I smiled up at him and I got lost in those green depths. He continued the male singer’s verse and I continued to stare and smile. Once the chorus hit again, I laid my head against his chest and just listened to him. I could feel his voice vibrating his chest and I could hear his heart beating. It was fast and loud and I wondered if I made him nervous as well. We swayed until the last note faded and the lights in the bar came on for last call.

  I stepped back slightly and said, “Wow, I didn’t realize it was so late.”

  “Do you have to go?”

  I looked at him for a moment. “I don’t know.”

  “I don’t want you to, if that makes a difference.”

  I smiled and lowered my eyes. “I don’t want to either, but I think I should.”

  He sighed, “Yeah, you probably should. I can’t be held responsible for my actions after two o’clock in the morning, and I know I’ll try to kiss you again.” I smiled at the floor, afraid to make eye contact, knowing full well if I stayed any longer, I just might let him. I needed a moment to clear my head before I looked up at him, knowing my desire would be shining in my eyes, giving me away.

  After a few seconds I looked back up and said, “Okay, then, well, I better head out.”

  He took my
hand and said, “I’ll walk you to your car.” I followed him through the club and out the back entrance. Oh, no, we were alone in an alley. This was definitely not good. I’d had many a fantasy about a stranger taking me in an alley, pushing me up against a wall, kissing my breath away, and plunging his fingers deep inside me until I could no longer stand. He turned to look at me and I didn’t realize I had stopped and started staring at his back.

  He smiled and said, “Penny for your thoughts?” I cleared my throat and shook my head no.

  “Oh, really?” He began to stalk back to me, suddenly invading my personal space. I took a few steps backward and my back hit the door to the club. I opened my mouth to speak and he shook his head and held his finger up to my lips, shushing me. I immediately closed my mouth and I’m pretty sure I stopped breathing, my lips tingling from the contact. He pulled my arms up over my head and pinned them to the door with one of his beautifully large hands. He leaned in and rubbed his nose on mine in an Eskimo kiss sort of way. I let my breath out and I know he felt it on his lips. He closed his eyes and paused. I could hear my heart thundering in my chest. I could feel the power and the hunger emanating from his skin. His body was hot and hard, pressed against mine.

  “You have no idea, do you, Lily?” he said quietly. His voice was tense and thick with emotion. His eyes were dark, and held a gleam of danger in them. I was wet instantly.

  “W...w...what?” I managed to stutter out.

  “What you do to me. You have no idea.” I could feel his breath tickle my lips and the amount of willpower I had in this moment was almost god-like. I closed my eyes, trying to think of anything but his lips on mine and those beautiful hands disappearing into my jeans. God, I wanted him, more than any other man I had ever met. I opened my eyes and stared into his. The passion there mirrored my own and I could feel his arousal growing thicker against my stomach. I needed to leave before I gave in.

  “Please walk me to my car,” I whispered.

  He took a moment then released my hands and backed away, giving me a small smile. “As you wish.” He took my hand in his and we continued down the alley to where the valet had parked my car.

  “Oh, wait, my keys!”

  “I got them for you earlier,” he smiled.

  “Thank you,” I said, wondering how this man had thought of everything. We had reached my car, and he unlocked it and opened the door for me. I looked up at him and hesitated. “Thank you so much for tonight. It was one of the best nights I’ve had in a really long time, maybe ever.”

  He grinned and said, “You’re very welcome, Miss Lily.”

  This made me laugh, and I stood on my tiptoes and lightly kissed him on his cheek. He pulled me closer and put his arms around me and whispered, “Ditto.” He stepped back and let me go, and I got into my car and buckled up.

  “Can I see you tomorrow?” he asked. I smiled so big my face hurt.

  “Umm, do you like French toast?”

  “I love it.”

  “Meet me at Dot’s Diner at 8ish?”

  “It’s a date,” he said as he winked. “Text me when you get home so I know you’re safe.” I nodded and he closed my door and began to walk away.

  I pulled out and hummed Lady Antebellum all the way home. I was floating on cloud nine and couldn’t stop smiling. All thoughts of my mom, my past, finals and my failing marriage had dissipated. I had no idea where this was going, but I knew I wanted to get to know more about Gabriel, who he was and what he did. He was such an enigma.

  How was it that he knew so much about me already? What was it about him that made me want to trust him? The songs he had chosen to sing spoke directly to my damaged heart. I swore whenever he looked at me he could see straight through to my soul. I had seen a hint of danger from him when he held the knife to my attacker’s throat then again when he had me trapped in the alley, and I’d seen the dark look in his eyes when I had imagined us naked and sweaty. I wondered briefly if he had a dark past as well. Maybe he’d understand mine; I really hoped he would.

  I sighed when I pulled into my parking space and slowly got out of the car. I was hoping Ryan was asleep. I didn’t want to fight anymore. I just wanted to sit down like adults and talk this out. Things needed to change and we both needed to say our parts and move on. When I got inside, I realized the apartment was empty. He had never worked this late before. Usually he was fast asleep on the couch and I had to wake him up to come to bed. I walked into the bedroom, turned on the light, and noticed something taped to my vanity mirror. I walked closer to read it. My purse and keys fell from my hands. I fell to my knees and began to sob as my world came crashing down around me.

  End of Book One

  Thank you so much for reading “The Watcher Series Vol #1: Falling”. If you loved it, would please consider leaving a review on Amazon.com or Goodreads.com? Just a few words and/or stars really does help!

  Find out what happens to Lily next in “The Watcher Series Vol #2: Deceiving” available on Amazon.com on April 7, 2015.

  For more information about me or “The Watcher Series”, please visit my Facebook: facebook.com/rhiannonjean7979 or find me on Twitter @rhiannon.jean79 or even on Instagram @Rhiannon.jean. I look forward to hearing from you!

  Hi Readers!

  Thank you so much for going on this journey with me through the first part of Lily and Gabriel’s story. While I was writing, I listened to music non-stop. Music plays a huge part in my life and in these two characters’ creation and storylines. I have listed the songs below that are mentioned in the book, if you would like to find them on iTunes. Again, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you and I thank the artists of these songs for their inspiration.

  PLAYLIST

  The Watcher Series Vol 1: Falling

  PLAYLIST

  “Hate Me” – Blue October

  “It’s Been Awhile” – Staind

  “Down in a Hole” – Alice in Chains

  “Machinehead” – Bush

  “Swallowed” – Bush

  “Glycerine” - Bush

  “Broken” – Seether, feat. Amy Lee

  “Push” - Matchbox Twenty

  “Long Day” – Matchbox Twenty

  “Like a Stone” – Audioslave

  “Hang” – Matchbox Twenty

  “Zombie” – The Cranberries

  “Hollaback Girl” – Gwen Stefani

  “What the Hell” – Avril Lavigne

  “Just Dance” – Lady Gaga

  “Burning Gold” – Christina Perri

  “Come Away with Me” – Norah Jones

  “Turn Me On” – Norah Jones

  “The Scientist” – Coldplay

  “Chasing Cars” – Snow Patrol

  “With or Without You” – U2

  “Use Somebody” – Kings of Leon

  “Collide” – Howie Day

  “Somebody That I Used to Know” – Gotye

  “I Won’t Give Up” – Jason Mraz

  “Someone Like You” – Adele

  “I Love You” – Sarah McLachlan

  “A Thousand Years” – Christina Perri

  “Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum

  Copyright © 2015 by Rhiannon Jean

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.