She listened to the message Emily left. She'd be at the house around seven...ready or not! So she thought Raina was trying to get out of it?! It was a fair assumption. It was 5:30 now...she'd be ready in time. She called her friends number and got voicemail right away. She got to her feet and began pacing...she grasped for her glass and as she waited for the beep, and took another sip.
"Em, its Rain, I'm so sorry, I really forgot! I....I was sorting through David’s..." she drew in a breath. "David’s clothes." Her voice broke a bit. "I will be ready at seven, I promise. At the moment I'm standing on the deck engulfed in David’s sweat shirt...gulping down a glass of wine, and wondering what he would think of this. I will be ready when you come!" She hit the end button on her phone, and was shocked when a buzz shook it at the same moment. The number was not a recognized one.
She answered with a tentative...”hello?"
"He'd approve," a voice purred over the phone.
Raina shook her head. "Who is this? And who would approve of what?"
"Why your attire my dear. David certainly would approve. His wife looks very sexy in his sweatshirt and well... I assume nothing else?" A deep throated chuckled followed.
Raina called to Turk to return to the deck. He leapt up, keen to his masters distress.
"Why are you calling me?”
"Just appreciating the view. Unlike your protector…playing the favorite at work again."
Raina frowned, and again tugged at the hem of the sweater.
"That doesn't help...I assure you. It is, however, very tempting...you really shouldn't be in public like that...it’s...well, it should be illegal."
Raina glanced to the wood but saw nothing. But she knew...she just knew. She felt anger at the intrusion. "So...making up for the other evening are you? You are no gentleman. Are you always so arrogant?"
"Only with you Raina. You fuel it though...just look at you." he chuckled again. "It would not be unpleasant, being with me. I promise you that." His voice lowered.
Raina felt the hairs on her head prickle with fear. She swallowed. "Thanatos?"
"Hmm hmm?" his voice was sultry now.
"Bite me!" She swung around and stomped into the house, Turk close at hand. She locked the sliding glass door behind her. She frowned at the outside, and then hurried to go get into her jeans. She was in a huff, snapping her bra in place under the sweat shirt, then shoving her feet into a pair of socks.
She looked down at her phone that again buzzed with an unknown number. Angrily she answered. "I thought I told you to bite me?"
There was silence, and she was about to hang up, when a startled voice spoke up. "Raina? Are you okay?"
Nolan! Her heart leapt!
"Oh Nolan it’s you! I’m sorry!”
He began to chuckle. “Who were you asking to bite you?"
"Thanatos," she bit out.
"He called?"
"Yes!"
"And he frightened you?"
"Always."
He sighed. "I told you I wouldn't allow harm to come to you...don't you believe me?"
"Yes, I believe," she said softly. "But...He said you were at work playing the favorite."
His chuckle was warm and tempting; she couldn't help her smile and the riot of butterflies in her stomach.
"You weren't?"
"No, I wasn't."
"You were..."
"Close by," he answered. " I can't be all places at all times...but let him keep thinking I won't be all places you are when he is not in my sight."
“Did you see me then?"
"Yes," he said softly.
"I didn't do it on purpose...I wasn’t expecting anyone to see me. Now I'm incredibly embarrassed!"
"Don't be Aelan," he whispered. "There was nothing inappropriate about how you look."
The pet name sent a delightful shiver down her back. She sighed. "The way he said it...it just felt...I felt exposed."
He was quiet for a second. "Don't get me wrong... there is nothing sexier to a man than to see a woman in just a shirt, feet bare, hair damp and a glass of wine in hand. But it’s not about exposure...it’s about the mystery."
Raina's heart teetered a bit. "Really?"
"Yes," he spoke thickly.
"So I was sexy?"
Again a second of silence. "Yes Raina, now stop fishing for compliments!" His voice was gruff with some emotion, and she liked it. "What are you doing tonight?"
She saw his ploy to change the subject, and decided to tease. "Nothing if you're coming over." She held her breath, and heard him gasp.
"Aelan, you are not playing fair. I only worry over your protection...it was easier when you were scared to go out. So where are you going tonight?"
She smiled into the phone." I love when you call me that...what does it mean?"
He chuckled again. "You don't know?"
"No," she laughed.
"Then I guess you can keep guessing."
She liked the sound of that. She wasn't sure she wanted to ruin the mystery. "Aelan," she tested it out on her tongue.
"What are you doing tonight?" he pushed gently.
"Out with Emily. We're picking some things up for tomorrow." She bit her lip, “How am I not playing fair?"
"What?" He cleared his throat. Clearly he knew what she was asking.
"I'm not playing fair?"
He growled. "You aren't supposed to be trying to tempt me."
"I tempt you?"
"You're certainly trying hard enough," he growled in response.
"So I possibly could get you to come over?"
"No."
"I don't believe you," she whispered, wondering where this bravery was coming from. Just twenty minutes ago she was sobbing in the shower over her late husband, now she was proud to be tempting another.
"Believe what you want," he finally purred. "But I will see you tomorrow...I'm looking forward to seeing you."
"Really?"
He chuckled again. "Really...now no worries...have fun with Emily tonight...no fear."
The call ended way before she was ready. She took in a breath. She ran her fingers through her damp hair once more and smiled. She then tripped up the stairs and into her bathroom to fix herself up for her friend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The day of the BBQ was overcast, much to Emily’s dismay. At least it wasn't freezing cold!! They would make do...all would be all right. At least this is what Raina kept telling her distraught friend.
Raina had reasons of her own to be worried. She kept glancing toward the back door, where the guests were entering into the back yard.
"Bradley said the boys might be late," Emily whispered to her. "They had work to get done...and Bradley says Nolan cannot leave things unfinished...he will stay until it’s done."
Raina’s shoulders slumped. Then shrugged with indifference. "Oh, oh really? Hmm, I'd forgotten they might be coming...." she trailed off when her friend gave her a look. She couldn't lie.
Emily laughed out loud. "Oh really? You forgot he was coming?" She threw a napkin at her. "You are the worse liar in existence!!"
Raina laughed at herself, then, once again straightened her lovely blue sundress. She reached into the hidden pocket it had and checked her phone, no missed calls or texts. She slipped it back in and smoothed the dress, then her hair.
"You look great," Emily assured her. She handed her a plate. "Can you help Bradley....he says the meat needs transferred to their warming stations. I have to go greet a few people."
"Gladly," Raina agreed. She headed to her other friend, shaking her head at the apron he wore.
"Ah, my assistant has arrived," he rejoiced. "Wonderful decision too...you are a good motivator Rain"
She laughed. "Oh really kind sir? How so?"
He chuckled. "I have never seen my hard working, nose to the grindstone, Gregor work quite as hard to get work done today! And he was doing it with a goofy grin and a whistle. So, whatever
you did for him...thank you!"
"Emily told you about the call," Raina growled. She had no been able to hide the little flirtation with her friend as they shopped the night before.
He grinned. "Yes...otherwise I would have thought my hard worker was going off his rocker!" He leaned close to her. "And I will give you time to tell Emily about the dinner...but don't make me wait long. I rarely keep juicy bits of gossip from my wife!"
Her mouth dropped open. "He told you?"
Bradley shrugged. "He has friends Rain...you expect him to keep all your secrets?"
She laughed and held the plate firmly. He loaded it up, and she nearly spilled it all when she saw Nolan’s entrance into the back yard. If she hadn't seen him, the sighs from a few nearby females would have been a clue.
He did look rather breathtaking, she realized, when she found she had to suck air into her own lungs.
He hadn't seen her yet, his silver eyes filtering the crowd, skimming over some eye batting females. The silver darkened to a smoky grey when he squinted in his search. She couldn't help biting her lip. His dark hair was a bit disheveled, as though he'd run his fingers through it absentmindedly after he'd styled it. His strong firm fingers curled into fists and he shoved them in his pockets as if frustrated.
"He thinks you are playing hooky from the party," Bradley chuckled, watching the scene as well. He grinned at her pink cheeks "You okay?"
She nodded, not trusting her voice.
"There, that’s enough for now; go unload those in the warmer...more will be ready soon." He gave her a wink.
Raina blushed, ducked her head then carefully carried out her mission. She ran into an old friend on her way...one of her bridesmaids actually. Donna had not changed a bit. She smiled shyly at Raina.
"You look wonderful Raina," she spoke with the same soft voice. "Emily had said you were coming. I didn't believe it, if I may be honest."
Raina nodded. "I've given you every reason not to believe it," she whispered. "I'm sorry for that." The two of them continued together to Raina's destination. "I actually was thinking about you the other day...about a lot of the friends I pushed away after David. I...I want to make that right."
Donna smiled, reaching for the tongs to help her distribute the meat into the warmer. "I'd like that too...I've missed you. We've missed you. We would never blame you...we all know how much you loved David. I don't think I'd do much better if I were in your shoes. I'm just glad to see you now...we have time to catch up. No rush."
Gratefully, Raina offered a smile.
"Come join me later...when you're not busy...or you can sneak away from the slave driver there!" She laughed and pointed to Bradley, who waved his spatula, indicating he'd need her soon.
"I will," she promised, as Donna moved away.
Raina turned her attention to the job at hand. She was just covering the warmer up when she heard another stir from a group of ladies. She supposed Thanatos had shown up. Lifting her eyes, she knew her answer right away.
Unlike Nolan.... he had spotted her immediately. It also helped that Emily pointed her way.
"Thanks Em, wrong guy ushered my way," she grumbled. She hurried back to Bradley. He looked up with relief, and then frowned at her frown.
She blew out an exasperated sigh. "Listen, Clay is nice and all...but could you distract him...I have a feeling he’s a little more into me then I'd like."
Bradley’s blues lit in shock.
"He called last night and, ah, well, the conversation wasn't comfortable."
The blues opened wider. "Both of them called you last night?"
She blushed.
"Okay, okay, I got it," he chuckled. "You prefer brunettes."
Raina laughed, startling herself, but Bradley’s mischievous eyes made it impossible. "Something like that," she admitted.
She suffered a glance at the advancing Thanatos. She did have to admit he looked good tonight...all blonde hair perfection, nice tan...those ochre eyes that were making no excuses as they ran her up and down, were devastating...and she had to swallow once...but it was purely a physical reaction. What female wouldn't feel the same when she was the object of a gentleman’s attention?
"Raina, lovely to see you," he greeted. "The dress is great," he breathed. His eyes slid down her exposed legs, then back up to her face.
"Thank you," she breathed.
"Clay, here, you take over for Rain...she shouldn't be doing manual labor," Bradley cut in. He took the plate from her and handed it to him.
Thanatos took the plate and smiled. "No she shouldn't I'd love to help...her."
"Raina!" Emily shouted across the yard. She was motioning her over.
"Thanks," Raina spoke to Thanatos, she gave him a glare.
He took her arm behind Bradley’s turned back and drew her nearer. "The dress is great but the sweat shirt was better."
She took her arm back, blushing, and then turned her back on him. She headed to her still calling friend.
Emily was with a group of old friends, including Donna and they had insisted on saying hello. She was touched how warm they all were, and so excited to see her. She smiled politely and answered their inquiries, but she was distracted. What she really wanted to do was look for HIM.
Hmm, but that was wrong. She tried to shake off the desire to search for him. Wasn't it important that she reconnect with her old friends?? The want to outweighed any other importance.
As if in answer, her phone buzzed with a text.
Hello Aelan....it read
Her heart fluttered at the endearment. Hi back ...she wrote. Her eyes lifted and searched, not having to search long. The beautiful man was trapped by a gaggle of females...go figure. From the looks of it, they knew him. Of course he would have a following! But he was texting her!
Behaving?
She studied the girls fawning over him. Maybe I should ask you that!
He frowned at her response. Why would you have to ask?
Nice entourage...she texted, lifting her eyebrow to him.
He slyly read it, still able to answer one of the flighty girl’s questions. His silver grey eyes settled back on Raina and he shook his head.
She watched him absently pressing his response into his phone.
Nice dress
She blushed....thanks…you look occupied
He frowned, paused to listen to another helplessly in love female’s prattle. Raina didn't even see him look at his phone, but her phone buzzed. She gaped at the response.
Jealous much?
Her blue eyes widened and she felt a bit of anger. She moved to sit in a chair in the shade, out of his view. Donna took the seat next to her, but didn't try to interrupt the texting session.
Raina read his text again and scowled. She wanted to be mean, flippant, but the truth was...she was jealous as hell! She bit her lip and hit send.
Yes
She held her breath and waited for his response. It came quickly.
Don't be. I can’t keep my eyes off of you
Raina felt warmed from head to foot. So he had noticed her! She wanted to hug herself. She smiled and read the text again before she replied. Good!
Good...his response made her giggle.
I hope they noticed she bit her lip, sending....
WHO?
She giggled at the capital letters.....Your admirers!
WHY?
She wished she could see his face now. Because I'm jealous!
Emily was at her elbow now. "You're here at a party, and you're texting?" she reprimanded. “Do you have a new best friend? Should I be jealous?"
"Who are you texting Rain?"
Raina blushed.
Emily folded her arms. "I asked a question young lady!"
Raina tilted her chin in Nolan’s general direction. “He started it. I think he’s trapped, and can't get away." She blushed
Donna's mouth dropped open. "How did I miss him?"
Emily glanced over and nodded "Yes... he has quite the group now. M
aybe you should save poor Nolan, instead of tease him."
Raina pouted. "If he wanted to see me, he'd forget them and come see me...instead he texts!"
Donna was enjoying the exchange. "I have to agree with her Emily."
"Thank you Donna!" Raina stuck out her lip in a pout.
Emily’s mouth fell open. "You are jealous!"
"Of course I am! We had a great call last night! And...and..." She bit her lip. "Don't kill me Em."
Emily’s dark brows rose and she crossed her arms again. "What haven't you told me?"
"Dinner," Raina said meekly.
"You had dinner with him...a DATE? And you didn’t tell ME?"
The look on Emily's face was comical. Raina giggled and got a glare. "I'm sorry Emmy."
"I can't believe you! I should strangle you!"
"I suspected it may come to that."
Raina's response made Donna laugh.
Emily frowned. "So now, after dinner...texts and phone calls... you expected him to trip over himself to get to you huh?"
Raina shrugged and grinned. "Nolan has to fall over no one...." She stood then and glanced over. She saw a slender hand on his arm, it squeezed and remained. She saw red in an instant! In a flash her phone was up, she hit a button and his ring was clearly heard.
Emily laughed out loud, and shook her head. "Get it girl," she teased. She grabbed Donna's hand and they left her to it.
Raina saw his shock, then his grin when he looked down and he saw who it was. He held his hand up to the group and mouthed, "Excuse me."
There were pouts and moans.
"Gregor," he spoke into the phone.
"I know I shouldn't have a say...but I don't want them touching you!" She had shouted this. To her horror, some of the said females glanced over at her.
A peal of laughter from Emily and Donna didn't help either.
He continued as if on a business call. "We haven't discussed that portion of the agreement yet...what are your worries?" He moved slightly from the group grinning apology. He had successfully saved her with his words.
"I know you don't want them to either," she said softly.
"Why is that?"
The Awakening (Wake Up #1) Page 10