by Jane Cousins
“Don’t you get it Darc, I’m the problem. I’m the one common denominator.”
Darcy shook her head suppressing a sigh, trying to build up Hadleigh’s shattered self-esteem was a lost cause. Maybe this Vaughn would be the one ... Goddess what was she thinking? Determinedly she pulled the third book from the pile Hadleigh had arranged for her, opening it seemingly at random she ripped out a page, unconcerned about ruining the book knowing the page would grow back.
“Here.” Handing it to Hadleigh. “This may or may not prove useful.”
Hadleigh shot her a look.
“What? How many times would you like me to say it? You’re dealing with Gods or underling Gods, nothing is certain.” Turning Darcy stalked back to her desk and with a little jump, landed her tush once more upon the desk’s pristine surface, booted legs swinging idly.
“We done?” Nate placed the book he’d been flicking through back where he’d found it.
Hadleigh held up the sheet of paper Darcy had provided. “We’re done. Let’s get going.” She passed the desk muttering thanks to her cousin.
Darcy just waved her off with a smile. “Just be kinder to us when it comes to the dresses than Gaia was okay?”
Hadleigh shot her a nasty look before hustling Nate out into the corridor and back into the stationary closet. Family! Couldn’t live with them, weren’t allowed to kill them. Hmmm, unless she could make it look like an accident.
Nate whipped open the closet door and shouldered her hastily through into the bedroom.
“Hey.” Hadleigh stumbled to a halt. “What gives?” Watching bemused as he slammed the door closed behind them before immediately re-opening it only to step back in. “Nate?”
“Don’t you wear anything but black?” Nate mumbled as he began to paw though her clothes.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m trying to find you a decent outfit to wear on your date with Vaughn tonight.” Nate continued to peruse his options, easily ignoring Hadleigh’s attempt to drag him out of the closet.
“Okay first off I did not agree to go on a date with Vaughn.”
“He said you’d say that.” Nate muttered, shrugging her hands off to drop to his knees having caught sight of something at the back of the closet.
Hadleigh ignored his comment and continued. “And secondly I do not need help to dress.”
“A-ha, got you.” Nate held his find aloft. “Perfect.”
“Where did that come from?” Hadleigh frowned at the gold flecked long sleeved jersey top Nate had in his hands. “That’s not mine.”
“Of course it is.” Nate threw it at her. “It’s your closet. Now for some jeans, you need to keep it casual, it is only a movie date after all.”
“I didn’t agree to any date.” Hadleigh tried to keep her tone moderate and not whine.
Nate rolled his eyes. “You had your chance to say no but you ignored Vaughn’s phone calls. So when he contacted me I told him we were almost through and yes you were free this evening.” He grabbed her oldest jeans, the ones that had a hole in one of the knees. “These ones.” Clapping his hands at her, he backed her out of the closet. “Come on chop, chop.”
“Nate.”
“What am I missing? Of course, underwear.” He started towards her dresser.
It was the final straw for Hadleigh. She swung round to catch Nate by the throat, holding him in place, squeezing ever so slightly fighting hard the urge to throttle him.
“Hey.” Nate froze, managing to whisper. “What’s up?”
“You are not going into my underwear drawer and I am not going on a date with Vaughn, understand?”
Nate managed a nod. Hadleigh released her grip.
“Fine, but you need to be the one to tell him that, I’m just the messenger boy.”
Hadleigh pulled out her phone trying Vaughn’s number. “He’s not answering.” She frowned.
“Then you’ll have to tell him in person and you might as well be dressed for the occasion, since I’ve gone to so much trouble to arrange the outfit.” He scooped up the top and jeans herding Hadleigh into the bathroom.
“I’m not getting changed.” Hadleigh eyed him with her deadliest coldest look.
Nate’s response was to grin. “You know in this light your hair reminds me of embers in a dying blaze, and your eyes? They’re the exact colour of the clouds at twilight just before the sunsets and your skin...”
Hadleigh held up a hand. “Fine I’ll change. Just shut the hell up.” She slammed into the bathroom emerging two minutes later to find Nate holding up a pair of sparkly flat gold sandals. “Those definitely aren’t mine. I’ll just wear my boots.”
Nate just continued to hold them out. “Boots are not for dating. Boots are for kicking people in the head.” Hadleigh remained stock still, a mutinous expression on her face. Nate tilted his head to the side sending her an adoring look. “Have I told you how your skin reminds of a newborn...”
“Alright!” She sent him a death ray glare as she grabbed the sandals before plonking herself down on the edge of the bed to put them on. Anything to halt the flow of his sickly sweet flowery compliments. “What is up with you all of a sudden? Are you sure you’re not ill? You didn’t even flirt with Darcy.”
Nate leant back against the dresser, hiding his amusement as she fumbled with the delicate straps of the sandals. “I appreciate women, all women and I can’t deny that your cousin is hot but I don’t trespass on other men’s territory.”
“What?” Hadleigh’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
Nate took advantage of the moment to scoop her up by the elbows and escort her out to the living room and through the front door.
“What do you mean by another man’s territory?”
Nate leant past her, punching the call button for the elevator, pretty sure Hadleigh wasn’t even aware yet they’d left her apartment. “In a nutshell your cousin is marked.”
“By what?”
“I think you mean by whom.” Nate smiled “And I don’t know the answer to that.”
“How is she marked? Why can’t I see it?”
The elevator door opened and Nate nudged her on board and followed.
“It’s a mystical mark. A big hands off she’s mine kind of halo. And I should imagine you can’t see it because well … you’re a girl.”
Hadleigh was in shock, did Darcy know? No there was no way Darcy would have let herself be marked. “Why is this the first I’m hearing of it?”
“Probably because the mark is designed so that any man looking at Darcy, well he might keep looking but he won’t follow up by touching. I should imagine the woman has an army of admirers but few up close suitors. Most men wouldn’t even twig that they’ve been tricked. Only a complete null or a master of magic would be powerful enough to ignore it. It’s highly likely she doesn’t even have a clue that it’s there let alone who put it there. It had to be someone with a lot of power that’s for sure.”
“But you knew the second you saw her?” Hadleigh automatically followed Nate as he stepped out of the elevator. She needed answers to this puzzle, at least for Darcy’s sake.
Nate shrugged. “I knew because I always look past the facade into a person. It’s why I like women so much, you’re as fascinating on the inside as you are on the outer.”
Hadleigh stumbled to a stop, her mouth dropping open once more as she stared at Nate speechless.
Grinning Nate tapped on the closed door, opened it, leaned over giving Hadleigh a soft swift friendly peck on the cheek and a wink. “I know. I have surprising depths don’t I. Have a nice date.” He gave her a small push, pulling closed the door behind her.
Chapter Eighteen
Vaughn glanced up as Hadleigh entered the apartment.
“Whoa.” His eyes swept down her body. The gold jersey top clung to her frame like a second skin and those worn jeans made her legs look like they went forever. “You look..” He stopped when he saw her flinch. Honestly if it was the la
st thing he did he was going to teach this woman to take a compliment. “Perfect.” He finished, amused to watch her shoulders relax.
“I’m not staying. I just came to say … hey why does it smell like popcorn?”
Vaughn laughed. “Because it’s movie date night. Maat woman but you can be obtuse.” He strode over while she was still slightly off balance. He had to exploit every opportunity he could when it came to Hadleigh. “Come on.” He tugged her properly into the living room, steering her to a seat on the large comfy sofa. “So what will you have to drink, wine or wine?”
“Umm.” Hadleigh’s eyes were currently focused on the coffee table in front of her loaded down with bowls of popcorn, candy and cheese balls. “Wine…?”
“Excellent.” Vaughn grabbed an empty glass pouring her a measure before pouring one for himself. “So how was your day? Nice sandals by the way.”
Hadleigh paused and blinked. “Um thanks … I spoke with my cousin Darcy she thinks someone in the God family is behind this.”
“God family?” Vaughn took the seat next to her, looking relaxed and happy to be in such close proximity.
“You know, God, demi god, lesser-god, bastard off-spring of a God.”
“Why?”
“She doesn’t know, but she gave me a list … damn Nate has the list. I should...” She made to leave but Vaughn gripped her arm gently holding her in place.
“Don’t worry Nate will start working on it, you’ve got the night off … remember our second date, it’s happening right now if you hadn’t already twigged.”
“Well, I hadn’t intended to...” Hadleigh took a sip of wine, mmm nice. “That is…”
“I wore a sweater and everything. What you don’t like it?” Vaughn drew her attention to the soft grey V-necked sweater that clung to his broad shoulders, tapering to his narrow waist.
“It’s very, um … nice.” She offered.
“Nice is the kiss of death. I can take it off if you don’t like it.” He teased, his hand moving to the waistband.
Hadleigh stopped him with a cry. “Goddess don’t do that.” The thought of him sweaterless, in touchable distance with all that golden muscular skin on display, suddenly her throat was bone dry. Taking a gulp of her wine she looked around in desperation. “So when is this movie starting?”
“Good.” He blasted her with a confident grin. “I knew you’d stay.”
Grabbing the remote he pushed a couple of buttons killing the lights and starting the movie before scooting over so he was plastered to her side.
“What are you doing?” She tried to move away but there was nowhere left to go.
“Scary movie remember.” He leaned forward grabbing a bowl of popcorn and placing it in her lap. “Have some popcorn.” Stealing some for himself whilst he was at it.
Hadleigh shot him a wary look before deciding to concentrate on the movie as the production company credits began rolling. “This isn’t one of those stupid ones where the girls all run around in their underwear and get killed immediately after they have sex is it?”
Vaughn issued a derisive huff. “Give me some credit. I like my scary movies with a side of humour, romance and action.”
Hadleigh’s eyes widened as the title came up. “Hey The Mummy. I haven’t seen this in ages. I love Brendan Fraser.”
“And it has Rachel Weisz for me.”
Hadleigh shot him a curious look, Rachel Weisz, beautiful actress but she wasn’t your usual blonde busty Hollywood star. “You like Rachel Weisz?”
“Sure.” Vaughn grabbed some more popcorn. “She’s smart, feisty and fearless without being stupid. What’s not to like? Ssshhh, the good stuff is starting.”
* * *
As the final credits rolled Hadleigh turned to look at Vaughn, surprised to find she didn’t have very far to look at all. Sometime during the movie he’d removed her sandals and lifted her legs over his so she was practically sitting on his lap. When had that happened? “I … I should go.”
Vaughn kept his arm locked tightly over her legs. “Why? It’s still early yet and The Mummy Returns is next. Besides everyone knows the second feature is when all the good date stuff starts.”
Hadleigh shivered slightly as one of his hands moved up her leg to rest on her thigh, squeezing ever so gently. Without stopping to think she blurted out. “Then I should definitely be going.”
“What and fail to adhere to the second date rules? That would only put so much more pressure on our third date. You don’t want that do you?”
Hadleigh could feel her heart start beating at a rapid gallop, her skin felt tight and sensitive all at the same time and the heat. The blessed heat that seemed to radiate from Vaughn sank through her clothes and centred between her legs making it hard to think. In an act of preservation she slammed a hand flat against his hard chest and pushed, keeping him from closing the distance between them even further. “We really shouldn’t be doing this … we’re work colleagues.”
Goddess how lame was that excuse.
“Temporary work colleagues.” He amended, staring at her with those hot golden eyes. The light from the TV reflecting in their depths making it seem as if flames danced there.
Hadleigh would have protested further if it wasn’t for the fact that Vaughn’s heartbeat beneath her touch was galloping just as fast as her own. There was something kind of hot knowing how much she affected him. It made her feel wanted, reckless even. Leaning forward she laid her lips on his, a soft gasp escaping her when his hands instantly moved to cup her butt and haul her completely on to his lap.
Then the kiss deepened, her bones melting, it was all she could do to cling to his shoulders. When he finished plundering her mouth he laid a series of warm gentle kisses along her jawline and then down the side of her throat. Her breasts tightened and ached for his touch but he kept his hands locked under her butt.
“What…” She arched into him as he used his teeth to nip at the pulse beating rapidly in the side of her throat. “What are the rules … again?”
“Smooches.” Somehow her top had slipped leaving one shoulder exposed and Vaughn was busy exploring. “And some under the sweater action.”
Hadleigh groaned at the torture he was inflicting with just his mouth and Goddess it was all she could do not to beg him to touch her. But that didn’t stop her from touching him. Reaching down she pushed both of her hands up and under his sweater, trailing her blunt nails up over his stomach to his chest. Enjoying the feel of his solid flesh beneath her touch, the muscles spasming and jumping under her inquisitive fingers. It made her feel … powerful.
Hadleigh couldn’t believe how much she was enjoying what was essentially a rather innocent make out session with Vaughn. In fact the idea spun around the back of her mind that she’d never really experienced one before. Growing up with a warrior plus sized father, three largish painful yet over-protective brothers and surrounded by her extended family she’d never really done the date thing in her teenage years.
When she got to college, dating became a pressurized situation with sex seeming to be the only option on the table. Most boys more determined to thrust their hands down her top than kiss her senseless. Even Jeremy - or shit head as her female cousins referred to him - her first real boyfriend at university had traded more on his looks and charisma as head of the water polo team to manoeuvre her into having sex than any actual skills he possessed as a seducer of women.
He’d even pulled out the - you sure there’s not something wrong with you? - two months into their relationship when she still hadn’t put out. So it had been more a question of pressure than desire that had led to her first sexual experience. And look how that had turned out. Jeremy peeved at her naïve inexperience spreading the Jolly Red Giant nickname around the campus tout sweet. That whole fiasco had been the start of her slippery slope to fast one night encounters of the frustrating kind. None of which had involved anything half as exciting as this second date make out session with Vaughn.
And it wa
s exciting she realised because of the danger. They were single consenting adults. This encounter could potentially lead anywhere. Vaughn could choose any moment to touch her. Pull off her top. Rip off her jeans. Just the thought made her move even closer, settling her weight so the hard length of his cock rubbed against the seam of her jeans just where she ached the most. Vaughn issued a small groan, for a moment she thought he might complain about her weight, it had happened before. Instead he arched his back and pressed another drugging kiss to her lips.
“Maat you are driving me crazy. If you don’t stop wriggling on top of me I’m going to come in my jeans.” Vaughn smiled sexily at her. “And I haven’t done that ... well ever.”
Hadleigh couldn’t help but laugh. It was nice that they could share a joke, even if his words practically lit a bunsen burner between her thighs. She rubbed her palms ever so lightly across his nipples, loving the way it made his breath catch in his throat as she trailed one hand down to settled against the bare flesh of his ribcage, her fingers dancing across the sensitive skin he had there.
Still his hands remained locked in place cupping her butt, the maddening man wasn’t even squeezing. His only weapons, his mouth, tongue and teeth and it was driving her wild. It was on the tip of her tongue to beg him to touch her … anywhere …. everywhere. As she pulled away from him, the words froze. There was something in his eyes, some deep burning desire that suddenly scared her silly.
“Vaughn I really need to go to the bathroom.”
Goddess there was that yellow streak rearing its cowardly head yet again. Of all reactions she didn’t expect him to laugh.
“I knew I shouldn’t have plied you with all of that wine.”
He didn’t seem upset that she was breaking the mood. Instead the man stood up, with her still attached to him. She gasped not just at the strength that took but the way he ever so slowly slid her down his body until her feet touched the ground. Reluctantly he broke his hold and pointed her in the direction of the bathroom.