Lynn Warren
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Only For This Time
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Dear Reader, Beltane is a time for celebrating, renewal and rebirth. May release...
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Lynn Warren
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Only For This Time
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Dear Reader, Beltane is a time for celebrating, renewal and rebirth. May releases will heat the very air around you and that’s not just the Beltane bonfires and the May Pole dancing. We have doubled the heat this month too, with two Amethyst Infernos. From C’est La Vie!, a medical romantic drama and a magical sensual tale from our Phantom Realms line by a debut author. Amethyst Inferno, Only For This Time by Lynn Warren, she certainly turns up the heat to incendiary levels, with a fabulous, paranormal, sensual, sexy and sometimes humorous tale set around Immortality Inc. This is the first of a brand new series and a first for Lynn venturing into the world of ultra sexy and she does it so well. Aurora knows that one should never fall in love with your boss, but does she listen, no way. She falls hook, line and sinker with Nic. Immerse yourself with Aurora and Nic, as they battle to keep their relationship, business only, will they succeed? Next, our second Amethyst Inferno is a fantasy tale from Cynnara Tregarth with her book Treaty of Desire. Two leaders from different worlds sign a treaty. A treaty, to protect both races when the portal between two worlds opens, as it does once every new millennium. The millennium is fast approaching and with it the need to protect both sides from the bloodshed and death seen in the past. Find out how Taja Lady of the Were-Cats and Seelie’s Chief Mage, Prince Adrastai deal with death threats and their growing love for each other. From our Phantom Realms line, debut author Rachel Carrington’s Indigo Spell. This is a delectable, sensual and sexy tale of Wizards, magic and wicked witches. Jaxon is a Wizard who has fallen in love with Tess a ‘human’ of all things. But love is not all a bed of roses, prejudice, interfering family members and wicked witches with murderous intent all have a hand in making Tess and Jaxon love almost impossible. And finally, Heart of The Matter from Brenda Schetnan she brings you, the reader a romantic medical drama from our C’est La Vie! line. Set in a New Mexico, Hospital two traumatized surgeons find love, amidst the politics, drama and busy hospital life. I hope you thoroughly enjoy these May releases and come back for more next month.
Gail Northman Editor Triskelion Publishing
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ONLY FOR THIS TIME by Lynn Warren Triskelion Publishing www.triskelionpublishing.com
Published by Triskelion Publishing www.triskelionpublishing.com 8190 W. Deer Valley Road, Peoria, AZ 85382 U.S.A. First e-published by Triskelion Publishing First e-publishing May 2004 ISBN 1-932866-06--X Copyright © C Triskelion Publishing 2004 All rights reserved. Cover art by Scott Carpenter PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Only For This Time
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CHAPTER ONE
She loved walking early in the morning as the sun rose casting a mauve glow over Chicago. Early spring left a chill in the air that invigorated those up and moving at six a.m. Delivery trucks rambled past scenting the air with diesel. Steam rose from the streets as Aurora moved briskly down Michigan Avenue on her way to the office. Glancing longingly at the new display in the Pottery Barn, she lifted her cup of Starbuck’s Houseblend to her lips and savored. A reprieve from the bedlam awaiting her at the start of the day, Aurora peeped around smiling at the city workers and several local business owners ready to start their day. The normalcy gave her pause. Her own life was anything but normal now. Exciting, nerve-wracking, challenging and fabulously frightening pretty much described her life these days. She still found difficulty in wrapping her mind around the way her life changed two years ago. A job interview that changed her life, her perspective and sent Aurora’s adrenaline into overdrive meeting the man who would eventually be her boss. Nic Avalon, a force no one dared reckon with and Aurora always managed to end up on his red list. Try as she might to fly below his radar, she continued to be a blip on this man’s screen. He must possess Aurora antennae or something. Not that she would’ve minded the interest, if it geared toward a more personal nature. The man created sparks flashing through her every time she spotted him. At first, she simply thought she feared the guy, then she understood. Not fear, no nothing that mundane when Nic walked into a room. It took a great deal of practice and meditation techniques to keep her blood pressure and heart rate down when Nic was around. You’d think she’d gotten over a silly infatuation with the boss after a couple of months. Unfortunately for her, Aurora’s tenacity kicked in and if anything, her attraction got stronger. Now, the only way she managed to keep from physically jumping him was to let him stir her to exasperation. Something Nic excelled in but since he was her boss, Aurora inevitably bit her tongue hard on several occasions. Bubbling with irritation Aurora managed to forget how attractive he was and get on with the work. Aurora continued down Michigan Avenue passing a local sports bar called Mac’s. The owner, Cullen MacNamara waved as he saw her pass. She waved back thinking how the meeting of Cullen and his wife Sabrina were part of Aurora’s learning curve. When she first accepted her position, that curve
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held very sharp dangerous angles. Luckily, Nic took pity on her then assisting on a number of hairy ugly scenes. Blue eyes glistened with good humor as she remembered how easily Nic could’ve fired her then. The fury in his eyes when she stood toe to toe with him announcing that the lives of Cullen and Sabrina were just as important to fate as an impending hurricane along the eastern seaboard. Ah well, wasn’t the first time she’d gotten under the skin of her boss. Probably wouldn’t be the last either. Aurora couldn’t help herself. They rubbed each other like sandpaper. She didn’t know why but something about her enigmatic employer always got her goat. Her annoyance meter seemed on the rise the past few weeks too. She didn’t like it much either. In the past, getting Nic riled seemed fair sport. The last few weeks though, Aurora felt antsy. An itchy sensation mingled with the strange electricity, the stress of it all would send her over the edge any day. Maybe a night out with the ladies and some Man Candy was in order. It’d been a long time since she’d gone out with the girls. Dinner, a couple of drinks, and some male models strutting their stuff could cure what ailed her. The last slurp of coffee went down regretfully. Most mornings, she could drink the stuff intravenously. Shifting her purse from one shoulder to another, Aurora mentally went over the contents. Two-way pager, cell phone, Palm Pilot everything in the on position, she was good to go. Aurora checked her watch and waited for the light to change when tires squealed around the corner and an engine gunned. A heavy SUV skidded back and forth out of control approaching the intersection. The light switched to green. Aurora watched as the driver of a small truck pulled into the intersection. Aurora’s pager buzzed. The wail of sirens came in the distance. Aurora watched with dismay, focusing the driver of the light truck. He was a young man about her age with short-cropped hair and nimble fingers tapping a tattoo on the steering wheel. The young man’s face turned to determination. He accelerated into the path of the oncoming SUV heedless of the danger. Impact was eminent. Aurora’s eyes sharpened. The driver of the SUV held a dangerous gleam in his eyes as he slammed the accelerator. This man wouldn’t stop, wouldn’t try avoiding an accident. Her eyes shifted to the other man and suddenly clarity hit. Aurora grabbed for her digital assistant digging around in her oversized purse. Not enough time here, her palms slicked with sweat. The young man in the truck would die instantly on impact. How did she know? It was her job to know. Aurora Devereaux was Fate.
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In this instance, she couldn’t turn away. She triggered a small blue button on the Palm signaling an emergency action. Sun blazed lemon yellow across the sky, a soft fragrance filled the air with a hint of spice. For the merest fraction of a second, the world around them seemed perfect. Time dripped like molasses as Fate intervened. Aurora held the small truck in place by causing the tires to lose traction. Even though the man tried accelerating, he didn’t go anywhere. The driver would assume he hit early morning ice melting in a pothole when he really ran into Fate’s good graces. The SUV hit the intersection hard clipping the left front headlight of the truck. Twisting metal and breaking glass didn’t slow the SUV as it sped down the street. Steam blew out from under the hood of the light truck as Aurora ran over to the driver side. Wow, that was too close! In all her duties, she’d never pushed that little blue button. She knew it was for emergencies only. Briefly, she wondered if that meant her emergency or someone else’s. Yet, she knew it was right. She tapped on the window as the young man driving the car slammed his hand into the steering wheel. “Are you okay?”
Aurora folded the Palm closed ignoring the blinking red light on top.
Technology, a wonder or a curse? Her cell phone rang as the driver picked up a radio and spoke into it. The words remained muffled, but Aurora noticed several items in the front seat that explained the driver’s need to try to delay the SUV. The biggest hints, a gun and a badge. The door to the truck opened and the driver slid out. His hands shook slightly as he took hold of the door. “Do you want me to call an ambulance?” The young man shook his buzzed brown head. “No, I’m okay. Damn truck. I would’ve had the guy.” Aurora blinked, innocently. “You were trying to hit him? Are you crazy?” “Not always. At least that’s what my wife says.” He smiled a soft, sweet grin making Aurora think of a puppy. He tilted his head at the front seat of the truck where the radio sat chirping. “I’m a cop. I was on my way in when I heard the blip on that guy.” “I see.” She watched as his hand still shook as he ran his fingers around to the back of his neck and rubbed. “Now that I think about it, maybe that wasn’t such a good idea.” Aurora’s lips curled delicately. “You mean you weren’t trying to kill yourself?”
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“I hadn’t really thought about that part. I just figured I was in a position to stop him.” Her cell phone rang again. The pager buzzed, more insistently if possible. Aurora reached into her purse and shifted away from the police officer’s line of sight. He turned to pick up the radio and call in the accident as she checked her pager. The display glowed ominously. Call in immediately. Aurora glanced back at the officer then checked her watch. Ten minutes late. No reason for anyone to get so bent. She’d be there as soon as she knew the young cop was okay. “Uh, do you need me to be a witness or anything? I’m a little late for work and my boss has this evil thing about tardiness.” “No, I don’t think so.” He grabbed a pad and pen out of his cup holder in the truck. “Give me a number I can get you at though. Just in case.” “Sure. My name’s Aurora.” Then, she rattled off the number for her other cell phone. The number friends and family called her on. “Great. Thanks.” He tossed the pad into the truck and held out his right hand. “I’m Craig Tanner.” Aurora shook his hand, noting the dampness, as her phone and pager went off again. “Nice to meet you, Craig.” He released her hand and grinned. “Wow, they’re really trying to hunt you down, aren’t they? Good luck at work, Aurora. Thanks for being here.” Waving, Aurora trotted across the street and continued the two blocks down to the towering office complex. She hit the glass doors at mid jog and flashed her badge at the security guard in the lobby. “Late again, Aurora.” Grimacing at the comment, Aurora swiped her badge along the keypad at the private elevator concealed down a small corridor. She could smell the fresh coffee coming from the bakery on the first floor and whined in regret. Later. The door to the elevator slid open and she stepped inside with a sigh. Leaning against the car as the elevator leaped to warp speed, Aurora examined her appearance in the mirror. She toyed with the top of her hair trying to control the wild toss of her long strawberry blonde curls. Her taupe suit remained crisp and sharp that helped maintain her business image. The elevator slowed to a stop and a woman’s voice asked for her key code. Aurora tapped the eight-digit code into the control panel and waited for the doors to slide open. She picked up her pace, shifting her purse again as she approached the large entrance to Immortality Incorporated.
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Pulling the heavy frosted glass open, Aurora stepped inside the large elegant front office. Subtle soothing jazz played from the ceiling speakers filling the room with quiet rhythm. Ivory walls, muted wool rugs, and soft comfortable furniture filled the office. A large circular desk manned by three receptionists sat toward the back of the room. By all accounts, Immortality Inc. resembled a successful international banking firm. That was where the similarity ended. Aurora slid her badge into the register attached to a closed door near the reception area. The door clicked open and she entered the hallway. Moving down the hall, Aurora heard the electronic sensors hum as the sensor began its sweep of her. Again, the pager went off, Aurora gritted her teeth together. She was in the building already; get a grip on your shorts people! She’d be there in a minute. The way they were paging her, you’d think a national emergency just erupted. The scan concluded and Aurora watched as the electronic doors slid open. The usual hub of the front office rattled as several assistants raced through the offices. Aurora grinned as two women sped around a corner heading for the boardroom. Immortality Incorporated sat on two floors of giant office complex.
On this level, the
employees, their offices and their aides while on the next floor, her boss’ office and no one actually knew what else he had up there. Aurora almost made it back to her own office when one of her assistants caught her next to the coffee maker. Moira hissed in alarm, adjusting her retro cat eye frames on the end of her nose. Her tall frame shifted to a halt and she ended up juggling a stack of papers. “Aurora! What are you doing in here? Didn’t you get the page?” Aurora poured the perfectly blended, dark roast into her mug. “I shut my pager off.” Moira nearly shrieked at the idea. “You didn’t?” The smirk contained, Aurora gazed at Moira. “No, I didn’t. I just got a little held up this morning.” Aurora inhaled the dark brew before sipping gently. “We know that. Why do you think the emergency page went out?” “Emergency? What emergency?” Aurora started out of the break room and down the hall to her office ignoring Moira as she trailed behind like a rabid poodle. “Aurora, you triggered it. The little button on your Palm. When you pressed it, you started the inquiry. Anyone who touches the blue button on their PDA triggers an automatic inquiry. Tell me you knew this already.” She dropped the stack of papers on the floor and stripped Aurora’s purse and coffee from her. “They’re all waiting for you, hon, in the boardroom.”
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“What?” A shred of nerves jumped into her stomach. She stepped past Moira and looked out into the hall. No one around except assistants that was bad. Where was everybody? Did she miss some kind of drill today? “Okay, what’s going on, Moira? Where is everyone?” The older woman nearly quivered in alarm. “You really don’t know. Oh dear,” the sympathy came as sadly as someone losing a dear relative. “Honey, they’re waiting for you. All of them. In the boardroom.” “Everyone?” Moira nodded, slowly. Sadly. “Even Nic?” Moira’s mouth pressed into a firm line and Aurora knew the answer. It appeared the gallows awaited. She just hoped her expression was figurative. Inhaling a deep cleansing breath, Aurora pressed her best smile on her face. “All right, I guess I’ll see you in a little while.” Moira sighed softly as Aurora walked out the large doorway. “I hope so.”
Nic examined the members sitting around the long oval table. The wood gleamed warmly as sunlight struck it along several edges from the wall lined with windows. He tilted his wrist to check his watch in a movement that no one else noticed. The occupants of the boardroom were too busy arguing the outcome of their missing Aspect. Aurora. Damn it all to hell. In the past two years, she’d given him nothing but trouble. Some of it was nearly impossible to dig they’re way out of. Now, this, and it looked bad for his young aspect. “She can’t get away with this. Not this time.” Ewan Delaney, the man in charge of the very volatile emotion called Fear stepped around his chair to get closer to Nic. “I’ve watched this girl get preferential for the past two years. This time she’s stuck her foot into something you won’t be able to get her out of.” Nic angled his head slightly at the remark. His eyes gleamed like coal. “I’m sorry. I didn’t quite hear that.” A pretty, young woman with shoulder length, dark hair leaned forward. Rebecca Riverton possessed a natural beauty, an innate kindness she seemed the unlikely holder of the position of Death. “There’s no preferential treatment here and you know that, Ewan. We need to calm down and wait for Aurora. I’m sure she has a logical reason for what took place.” The bickering began anew and Nic closed his mind to the noise. Yes, Aurora always had a reason. Logical, no, not in any conventional sense of the word. Aurora created her own logic in wild splashes of vivid color.
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He admired that most about her. Then his own practical, self-disciplined side took over filling him with a frustration he didn’t know could exist. The door slid open on a whoosh and silence filled the boardroom as the object of everyone’s discussion stepped forward. Nic lifted his hand and motioned for her to enter. “Come on in, Aurora. As you can see, we’ve been waiting for you.” His eyes ran over her, not really knowing what he sought.
Weakness, regret, irritation.
Whatever it was, he didn’t find it. What he saw was an amazing woman. Her eyes sparked, the blue irises flashing in defiance. She walked confidently into a den of lions, her long legs moving with grace. The tilt of her chin and the firm line of those full, rose tinted lips signaled Aurora prepared for battle. Hell, he recognized the look well enough. The woman had tormented him with it countless times over the past two years. Another time, another place he might’ve taken her up on that challenge he read in her eyes. The reason for not doing that stacked up like rows of toy soldiers in front of him. Aurora slid silently into the chair beside him. She folded her hands gently into her lap and swallowed. Nic’s lip twitched upward. That prim little gesture was Aurora’s only outward sign of nerves. Nic knew it. After all, he’d spent almost two years looking for chinks in this woman’s many layered armor. She smiled sweetly at him. Nic’s lips curled further. Venom laced her lips and those incredible blue eyes of hers itched for a fight. “So? What did I do now?” An eruption of accusations flooded from the eleven others at the table. They flew across the room at Aurora like a pack of hungry jackals ripping and tearing. Nic watched stoically while Aurora flattened her back against the chair. Finally, Nic held up a hand. “That’s enough. If you want her to hear you, I’d suggest a more orderly assault.” Aurora lifted a brow. “Very funny, I appreciate the help there.” “You’re not getting any help this time, Aurora.” Ewan was first to charge forth. “You did this all on your own.” Her hands unfolded and she flattened them on the table. “Does someone want to tell me what this is all about? As much fun as this, I’m sure Nic’s got better things to do.” Nic turned toward her, his voice quiet. “Aurora, there’s a problem with the police officer you saved this morning.”
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A slight blush spread through the pale ivory skin running across her high cheekbones. Nic cataloged the reaction. Obviously, she didn’t have a clue as to what her small act of saving the life of Craig Tanner did in the overall scheme of things. “What are you talking about? How could this affect anything?” The offending comment sent several members into orbit. “See? This is what I’m talking about!” “She shouldn’t even be an Aspect!” “How can you be so short sighted?” “That man was supposed to die this morning.” Aurora’s head snapped around at the remark. Nic turned his attention to Rebecca. This certainly wasn’t how he wanted Aurora to learn of her error. After all, most of the Aspects in this room had possessed their positions for many, many years. Technically, Aurora was still a novice when it came to Fate. Gil Contrelle stood up. Chaos. “Give it a rest, people. Aurora was just doing the right thing. How was she supposed to know what was at stake here?” “My point exactly.” “You know, Nic, if you’re just going to let them chew on me, how about they send it in an email.” Aurora slammed the chair back against the wall and stood up. “Even if you don’t, I do have better things to do.” “Sit down.” He could feel it. Every rigid muscle, every angry breath. Her long, delicate fingers flexed, as if she were a cat looking for somewhere to sink her claws into him. “I said, sit down.” She turned sharply and pulled her chair back into place. Lowering her body into the chair, she never took her eyes off him. Nic returned the glare blandly. “For the sake of expedience, I’ll cut to the chase. Aurora, when you saved the police officer, you directly influenced history and the flow of time.” Nic punched a few buttons on the console in front of him and a holographic screen rose along the sides of the walls. Nic stood as the image of Aurora standing at the crosswalk filled the screens. Nic gestured at the first screen closest to Aurora and started it in motion. “The truck containing Tanner arrives.” He didn’t bother looking back. “Here’s what was supposed to happen.” Thirteen members of Immortality Incorporated watched avidly as the scene played out. An instant before the SUV hit the intersection, Tanner pulled out in an effort to keep the SUV from fleeing.
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Glass sprayed, metal buckled and folded at the impact. The larger vehicle effectively destroyed the light sport truck. Blood stained what remained of the front windshield. Craig Tanner died instantly. Nic moved to the next screen on the wall. The face of a young brunette appeared. “Beth Tanner. Four years from what should’ve been now.” A wedding, flowers, music and a laughing family. “She would’ve re-married.” “Now, she doesn’t have to.” Ignoring the hostility in Aurora’s voice, Nic proceeded to reveal how the unfettered time line took place.
Amidst all the hisses and barbs flung her way, Aurora held control of her inner calm. This wasn’t the first time she’d been on the firing line. In most cases though, she had a couple of allies. Today, the edge clearly was not in her favor. Aurora inclined her head at the screen trying to keep her concentration off Nic and on the historical data. The man seemed made for Armani. The dark charcoal suit fell perfectly along Nic’s tall, hard muscled frame. His wardrobe choices tended to be conservative dark colors, but man oh, man could he fill out a suit. His hair was the color of midnight, styled impeccably to fall just at his collar. Thick, with a hint of a wave made Aurora’s fingers tingle at the thought of running them carelessly through his hair. Thoughts she shouldn’t have. His face wasn’t pretty. Hard, even lines composed an implacable expression. A sharp aquiline nose centered his features emphasizing the hard jaw line. His mouth, a firm line with a full lower lip triggered visions of what he could do with that wicked mouth. Aurora cleared her throat uncomfortably. Adjusting in her seat, she raised her eyes to find Nic’s onyx gaze on her. It took every ounce of willpower to remain in her chair and not waver. Regardless of the weird attraction that chose now to surface, she needed to keep her eye on the ball. She wasn’t important in the scheme of things here. The lives of Craig and Beth Tanner were. “Beth Tanner would re-marry a doctor in four years.” Nic’s graceful hands drifted over the screen. She’d never noticed he had hands like a pianist, long elegant fingers drifted quickly through the remnants of time. Images sped up, time seemed to run like a DVD clicking through the years. “A year later, a child would be born.” “She could have a child with Craig.” Aurora’s surprise at the words coming out of her mouth showed. Nearly groaning aloud, she seriously considered purchasing a gag.
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“Perhaps,” Nic didn’t look back at her. He continued to focus on time as it past through the years. Beth’s child grew. A daughter. A very gifted, very bright child would go to medical school like her father.
Years raced along, the daughter researched disease and then something extraordinary
appeared. “Oh, my.” Aurora felt the breath leave her body. Behold! She single handedly committed another huge cosmic boo-boo. Images shuttered onwards punctuated by their importance. A gag and where did one purchase an item that kept you from meddling in the fate of the world exactly? This daughter would cure cancer. Gil tapped her on the shoulder and whispered in a stage voice, “Now, you understand.” He prodded her arm with his elbow. “You shouldn’t have interfered here, Aurora.” Rebecca’s tone sounded off key in Aurora’s ears. “Another child wouldn’t produce the same result?” Ewan got out of his chair and came around the table at her. “That isn’t the point and you know it. You directly affected history here. You can’t do that.” He pointed a finger at her accusingly making Aurora want to snap at it. Okay, maybe she was wrong here, no need to get so testy about it. Ewan had the irritating habit of actually liking when people were wrong. Inferiority complex of some type, Aurora figured. “Only Time has the authority to do anything like that. You’re in direct violation of your duty.” He whirled on Nic. “She should be fired for this. You can’t let her slide on her looks this time.” “Excuse me?” That ripped it, she hadn’t taken Tae Kwan Do classes for the past two and half months for nothing. “Do you have a problem with me, Ewan?” He turned his cynical expression on her and Aurora considered, really considered clocking him. “Yes, I have a problem with you.” Gil laughed, “Why because she wouldn’t go out with you? Lighten up, bud.” Ewan stepped closer. Tall, threatening, but Aurora held ground. She was about to kick off her heels when Nic moved his body to shield her. “Back off.” “Your favoritism toward this girl is getting really tiring, Nic.” “I said, back off.” The words were quieter. The threat icy slick made Ewan hesitate. Tension that should’ve drained from her body now the altercation was extinguished returned in a rare form. A bizarre fever traveled her bloodstream making her hot and cold all at once. Aurora ignored Ewan instead appealing to Nic. “Have you checked the line for Craig and Beth’s children?”
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Nic nodded slightly. His dark eyes gleamed with a brewing anger Aurora witnessed on a number of occasions. “As it stands right now, they would have two children in three years. Both police officers.” Defeat crawled along the base of Aurora’s spine. Eleven pair of eyes glued her to the wall. All of them dripping with animosity. Did they all think Nic showed favoritism toward her? Peachy. Gil leaned back in his chair breaking the odd silence. “Stutter time, Nic. Send things back the way they’re supposed to be.” All the others in the room voted the same. No one even considered Aurora. Following direction like a pack of lost sheep and it grated on Aurora like acid. Did they truly believe this or had Mr. Ewan Fear scared them into it? It wasn’t that she couldn’t stand to be wrong. Far from it actually. Aurora excelled at being wrong, but that was how you learned. If you didn’t take risks, make mistakes you didn’t grow as a person. She might be immortal with all the perks but she still viewed her life as human. Aurora felt if you refused to do that, you would stagnate and die. Maybe not literally but certainly figuratively, no one employed by Immortality Incorporated would ever die. Part of the benefits package. Right this second, her benefits were the very least of her worries. Her mind ran over possible scenarios. Quick fixes to the problem of Craig Tanner. None of them sounded very good to her let alone plausible and it looked like she was out of time. Didn’t Nic say on the current path the Tanner’s wouldn’t produce a doctor? An idea tickled its way into her head. Things weren’t set in stone, time flowed in a myriad of directions just like fate. Aurora got to her feet, purpose lining her every movement. “Nic, what if the paths of the Tanners were changed? The creation of a brilliant child is a result of fate. Isn’t it?” She nearly laughed aloud at the boisterous outburst her remark caused. Chaos shouted at Death who in turn nearly pummeled Luck into the wall. A free for all with accusations and insults bounced across the wall of the boardroom. “Enough!” Silence fell like a drop of rain onto the desert floor. Aspects glared openly at Aurora as she tried biting back the small smile of victory. Favoritism or not, she demanded an opportunity to right the course of the Tanners. Nic strode to the head of the table. “Everyone, out. Now.” Nic pressed the button opening the door. “I’ll let you know what I decide.”
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Not a peep rose from anyone as everyone filed out of the boardroom. Aurora figured she could slip out quietly as well until a firm hand curled tightly around her arm. “Not you.”
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CHAPTER TWO
“Sit down, Aurora.” He waited until all the others left the boardroom before issuing the soft command. He triggered the door to the lock position and pressed the ‘No Interruptions’ button. Inhaling deeply, he considered the young woman and the defiant expression marbled on her face. “I almost think you enjoy this.” She cocked her head at him, blue eyes twinkling with hidden mischief. “Sometimes. Maybe, I guess. I didn’t realize Ewan had such a chip on his shoulders.” Her honesty amazed and aggravated him. Constantly she found ways to get under his skin. From the reactions of the others, she did the same to them with just as much glee. “So, what is this all about then?” Muscles clenched hard in his stomach as she shook back her impossibly long mass of golden red curls. Damn, where the hell did that come from? He watched her eyes as she searched for an answer. An odd itch ran through his veins something akin to an insect bite as the tip of her tongue touched the corner of her lips. “I was thinking about what you said. Things aren’t locked into place yet.” Aurora got to her feet and went over to the screen with Beth Tanner’s laughing image frozen on it. “What if I can alter their path?” “Unlikely.” He moved behind her. Close enough that he could smell the vanilla and light floral in her perfume. An ache, heavy and unquenchable settled in him. This was wrong and against every rule in his book. He shouldn’t experience sensations like this. He should step back put some space between them. Like a moth unable to help himself, he remained entranced by the flame. Aurora turned and stood toe to toe with him. She was tall, quite tall. An image blinked into his head of her long legs wrapped tightly around his waist. Nic coughed suddenly. “It wouldn’t work.” “Why? Because you say so?” Aurora folded her arms across her chest. “Normally, I’d buy into that one. But not here, not with these people.” “You get too emotionally involved.” “Considering you don’t show any emotion at all, Nic, I’d say that was a good thing.” Her eyes blazed, a blue flame surrounded by dark flecks.
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Immersed, Nic fell back on the best defense. “I see things objectively. Clearly without outside influence guiding me. You feed on it, Aurora. You allow yourself to get involved in the lives of your clientele. You let their hopes and dreams and fears reflect on your decision.” “I’m human, Nic. Remember? That’s how it works. We’re driven by humanity. Desires, failures, achievements, we feed off one another because we have to. Humanity couldn’t exist if we didn’t.” Philosophical discussions weren’t meant for the history of the world. Nic wasn’t about to let Aurora drag him into a mired pit of how humans couldn’t exist without one another. He’d spent several lifetimes alone. So he knew it was possible. Perhaps, it wasn’t filled with the pretty flowers and dancing clouds Aurora always seemed to find, but it was possible. “I won’t debate this with you. It doesn’t matter. Time flows in a designed pattern, you don’t have the power to deviate from that.” Aurora arched a brow. “Really?” Her perfume was driving him insane. On the other hand, the heat generated at standing so close to her might be the cause. Nic wasn’t sure. He gritted his teeth together to prevent them from snapping at her. “Yes, really.”
She inched closer to him.
“Time’s pattern is orderly, is it?
Can’t be changed.
Right?
Absolutely set in stone, and nothing, not even fate can change it.” Either she was about to do something amazingly stupid or maybe, if she got lucky, Nic would open his eyes. “What are you playing at?” “Just trying to prove a point.” “Which is what exactly?” Aurora swore she could see current arch between them. This close the man was a walking advertisement for power and sex appeal. Absolutely amazing and incredibly enticing, hadn’t she heard resistance was futile? It seemed where Nic was concerned that was the case. She could smell the expensive cologne he wore, with subtle hints of wood and moss. Get a grip woman, she ordered shortly or this isn’t going to work. Deliberately, she sucked in a quick breath and stepped closer to Nic. The heat from his body made her think of the myth about Icarus and flying too close to the sun. She needed to make a point here and this way would at least be exciting. “Aurora?” She watched Nic’s eyes darken, if that were possible to shiny pinpoints. Feeling his sharp intake of breath, Aurora slid her arms around his neck. “This is my point.” She let her fingers glide into his hair feeling the silky texture. The muscles in the back of his neck tightened and his head dipped.
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Only meaning to brush her lips to his, Aurora experienced lightning, staggering through her at their touch. His mouth was cool, firm like a smooth piece of marble as she pressed her body against him. She needed a reaction from him, just a small one. Then, explaining herself would be easy. Something changed. What started as an experiment to make Nic acknowledge that not all things were chiseled in stone, sparked to life like a brush fire through dry desert sage. Aurora’s hands slid down his hard shoulders and to the front of his jacket. She slipped the button free leaving her hands to journey up the wide expanse of his chest. Warm silk met her fingers. She ran her hands up his chest feeling the solid muscles tighten at her touch. She pushed off the jacket, the only thought to get closer to this inferno. Being burned never entered her mind. Nic’s arms came around her hard, flattening her breasts against his chest. Aurora’s breath clogged in her throat. The room fell sharply out of focus. He pinned her with his dark eyes, his mouth so close to hers she could feel his warm breath. “What kind of game are you playing now?” “No game.” This had gone way past any sort of amusement. “You’re treading on thin ice.” “Don’t I know it.” Need curled around and stretched its claws in her. What precisely was she playing at? She barely remembered her own name with his hands on her. How was she supposed to remember what the purpose of this little experiment was? Control evaporated and all that remained important was to feel his mouth on hers again. Her hands clutched at his back. “Kiss me, Nic. Just once.” The world tilted on its axis the second the words whispered from her lips. Lips met. Danced. Explored. Flames built. Something neither expected but both were eager to discover. His wickedly sexy mouth tasted. Demanded. Aurora met his tongue in a teasing display. Sparks rained down on her body. Aurora heard a noise but couldn’t look. His mouth pressed hotly against the curve of her neck as one hand snaked around her hips and raised her onto the table. He followed her down across the gleaming oak table. One hand snaked up her thigh. She couldn’t breath. Her heart pounded violently in her chest. What was happening here? Fire licked and danced through her veins as Nic found the hem of her skirt. His fingers stroked with urgency that shocked and excited. Lips left a heated trail down her throat to the curve of her breast. Aurora moaned softly in his arms. A hot coil of desire wedged deep inside him begging for release. Nic shifted his weight more fully on top of her, his rigid cock evident. The material of her skirt crinkled and swooshed loudly in her ears as Nic’s lightly calloused palm tickled the lace of her garter.
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Realty slammed into him like a speeding train. Stockings, garter, soft smooth skin, toned muscle and a thong. Set up. She’d played him like a callow teenager. She’d planned this little episode and he fell for it. Hook, line and sinker and Aurora had a big dumb bass dangling on the line. Damn it all to hell. Nic forced his hand to freeze in place. His breath sounded harsh and labored in his ears. His heart pounded in his chest. His entire body shook with need. How did he let this happen? Looking down at her, he knew the answer to that instantly. Aurora was an incredibly beautiful woman hot and pliant in his arms. Her fiery hair spread across his arm in waves, excitement darkened her lake blue eyes. He decided a taste of her very deadly medicine was in order. Why deny him something he obviously wanted? He’d atone later for his actions. “Is this what you wanted?” The strain in his voice revealed a weakness he wasn’t prepared to admit. His head lowered and he took her mouth savagely. Anger burned in his bloodstream as hotly as desire. A very dangerous mix, for someone who prided himself on his self-control, it very nearly sent him over the edge. Nic didn’t enjoy being a fool. In this instance, Aurora would pay. One way or another. He took her hand and pressed it to his hard arousal tearing his lips from hers. “Is this it? A quick fuck with the boss and you get your way.” He nearly growled in something close to primal rage as his mouth returned to hers. He didn’t count on her meeting the savagery with mind-altering passion of her own. Teeth nipped. Taunted. His mouth crushed hers. Desperate, wildness staggered him as he found his balance fail and he drifted to the end of a rocky cliff. His mind couldn’t grip a coherent thought. The only thing that mattered was Aurora. Here and now. He wanted everything. To be everything, inside filling her with his cock to have Aurora scream his name in the agonizing release she would beg for. Hands ran over skin and fabric desperate for access and for that reason he had to stop this. Now. Before he took her on the damn table. His fingers snaked into her hair dragging her up. His body was blistering where she touched him, hard. Deliberately, he crushed the need boiling in his blood and looked at the surroundings. He shoved files, reports, and various writing instruments on the floor when he laid Aurora on the table. The air in the boardroom seemed icy along his skin. Briefly, he noted his shirt tugged free of his waistband and unbuttoned. He shook his head at his own insanity.
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“Do you really want to have sex on the table?” Evidently, his words had the same affect as throwing a glass of ice water on her. “I’m game if you are.” He threw the last in as a deliberate jab. She stared at him, utter shock playing across her face. Her large eyes blinked at him in surprise as if she were just waking from a hypnotic trace. She looked down at her appearance. Her hands trembled as she fought to fasten the tiny buttons of her blouse. She slid off the table grabbing for a chair to steady her. “I don’t know what to say.” Masses of strawberry gold curls fell wildly about her face and down her back. “I never intended. . .” Her voice trailed off softly. “What?” When she didn’t respond to him directly, Nic gripped her arms. Aurora turned her eyes away trying to avoid him. He curled his fingers around her chin and lifted. “What exactly did you intend? I never figured you for the type to use sex as a means to an end.” “I don’t.” He watched the muscles working in her cheek, felt the tension in her body as he held her. “I just wanted to show you that you can’t always predict how things will turn out.” Nic released her and she sagged against the chair. Years of rigid constraint helped settle the grinding twist in his stomach and the remnants of desire lacing his nerve endings. “You couldn’t think of a better way to prove your point than this?” “I’m sorry.” Frustration smacked him in the face and settled around his feet taunting him like a fuming entity. She was so unpredictable he didn’t know how to counter any of her moves. Exquisite and now, incredibly dangerous to his entire way of life, he needed to make some difficult choices. Nic pinched the bridge of his nose and turned away for a moment. Her fragrance, the delicious vanilla was on his hands. He wanted a second just a brief breath of air to still the crazed thunderstorm blowing through him. “Get out.” “Nic?” “You heard me.” He whirled back at her. Satisfaction flooded him as she took a step back. “Let me explain.” “You did that already. I don’t like your motives, Aurora. Not at all. I’ve put up with your tricks and rule bending as Fate because we’ve usually been able to put things into place correctly.” He walked slowly over to her, jaw clenched. “The least you can do is give me the chance to explain this. Properly.” Aurora gestured at her rumpled appearance. “I thought if you saw even Time can’t predict every outcome, every instance that maybe you’d be willing to investigate the Tanners more fully.” “You thought wrong.”
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Anger flashed in her eyes pleasing him. She moved closer though careful not to get within his reach. “You think I planned this, don’t you?” He nodded. “Garters and stockings aren’t exactly office attire.” “I didn’t realize we had a dress code.” The tone became frosty. “I happen to like this stuff so I wear it.” Desire tripped through his system skittering along his nerves. He thought of all the skirts, dresses and slacks she’d worn over the past two years. He was hard instantly. Certain, he would lose his mind; Nic put just a breath between them. “You wear this stuff all the time?” The frustration in her became evident. She curled her lip at him. “Yes, Nic. I wear it all the time. I like silk and lace. It makes me feel sexy.” Every drop of moisture sucked out of his body at her words. “Aurora.” Her name was a warning. She took a deep breath accentuating the curve of her breast. She’d given up trying to get all the small buttons fastened. Hunger continued to pound through Nic. Aladdin rubbed the lamp and a genie appeared. Except for Nic, this genie wasn’t a woman he could afford. “I didn’t expect this, Nic. Even if you think, I was up to something. I want a chance to change the course for those two people. You’re the only one who can help me do that.” She reached for his hand, brought it up to her where her heart pounded just as feverishly as his own. “Feel that?” Pride and anger drained out of her eyes as she caressed his hand absently. “Look at me, Nic. I wouldn’t have stopped. You had the same effect on me as I did on you.” Nic fought for the cliff’s edge of control. Hanging by one hand as the stone fell away, he closed his eyes. Wanting things you could never have only ate away at your psyche. “All right.” He felt her sharp intake of breath against the rounded curve. His hand fell away. “On my terms.” “Anything you want.” “Be careful what you agree to. You might not be so willing later.” “I’ll go along with anything you want as long you give me the opportunity to show you the path of the Tanner’s can be changed with the a good outcome for everyone.” “Very well.” Nic’s mask of control slid back into place. “We’ll investigate. Personally. You’ll be given every reasonable opportunity as Fate to change their destiny for the proper outcome. If you can’t prove this won’t alter history detrimentally at the end of your investigation, you’ll resign.”
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Astonishment trickled over Aurora like hot sticky syrup. Talk about putting your money where your mouth was, she didn’t expect that. Her bad. She should’ve seen it coming. She really couldn’t say she didn’t deserve it either. Okay. Okay. Nic must be a helluva poker player. Except she knew he wasn’t kidding. Put up or shut up. Was she willing to give it up? Walk away. “You want me to resign?” Her voice came out a little mousey squeak. Damn. She needed to be cool. Collected. Taking a deep cleansing breath, Aurora grounded and centered. She could do this, right? Just pack up and toss away the last two years of her life. Was proving she was right about a young police officer and his wife so important that she could walk away from Nic. From Nic? Hang on a second there. She would resign from Fate. Walking away from Nic didn’t have anything to do with this. There wasn’t anything between them, right? No, nothing at all except she’d been ready to make love with him on the table in the office. No, nothing there at all. Nothing to worry about on that front. Maybe this was a good idea after all. If she left, she wouldn’t experience the chalky embarrassment at seeing him. “Okay, I’ll do it.” “I’m not kidding, Aurora. If you fail, you will leave here permanently.” “I understand.” She would lose more than just immortality. She would be susceptible to aging and death just like every other human on the planet. She could be killed in an accident the way Craig Tanner might’ve been. She would forfeit a salary where most people, certainly most CEOs, would sell their souls. Losing the excitement, the daily grind, the pages and calls at all hours. She knew she risked all that. The most disturbing element to this high stakes gamble, she could lose Nic. Aurora considered her big mouth might’ve collapsed any silly dreams she’d entertained in the past about her and Nic. If she lost her position as Fate, her memory of the last two years would vanish. She would undergo a debriefing altering her memories. She wouldn’t remember him. A niggling sense of doubt ran around her head screaming at her foolishness. Why would she want to? For the most part, Nic had irritated her and pushed her to the point of quitting on a number of occasions.
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She wouldn’t forget him, no matter what they did to her. She’d remember his strength, his intelligence and that wicked smile he flashed so seldom. No matter what happened, she wouldn’t forget him or what might’ve happened in here today. Clearing her throat, Aurora smoothed her hair and began working the buttons on her blouse. “Okay, as soon as I find an entry point, I’ll let you know.” “I’ll be waiting.”
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CHAPTER THREE
Aurora made it back to her office without anyone noticing. She closed the heavy cherry stained door and headed straight for the small bathroom. She ignored the eight monitors blinking around her desk and the pot of coffee Moira left for her and locked the bathroom door behind her. Leaning against the marble sink, Aurora turned on the cold water and splashed her feverish skin. Her fingers trembled as she brought them to her lips. Staring at her reflection, Aurora swiped at her the remains of her lipstick. Her eyes gleamed with unfulfilled yearning. She managed to smooth the wild tumble of hair into a reasonable facsimile of her normal style. Aurora sank to the small vanity chair and put her head in her hands. She’d nearly had intensely wild, blood boiling sex in the boardroom. On the table. With her boss. Groaning in despair, Aurora blew warm air on her suddenly icy fingers. She was completely out of her mind. Absolutely totally insane, all of her brain matter just liquefied when Nic touched her. It wasn’t just her brain that liquefied. Every limb, muscle, tendon and bone poured into a hot melted pool. Yep, she was crazy. She could always chalk it up to only having one cup of coffee this morning. At least, that she could remedy. Aurora opened the bathroom door and angled her direction to the pot of coffee on her desk. Lifting the steaming cup to her lips, she swallowed gratefully. “Well now, looks like Nic took a healthy bite out of you.” Choking, Aurora half expected the coffee to spew out her nose and ears in a caffeine spray. She sat the cup down on her desk, coughing. “You okay?” Rotating, she faced Gil lounging in one of plush burgundy leather chairs. He grinned at her disarmingly while she controlled her fit of coughing. “What do you want, Gil? I’m a bit pressed today.” “I just came by to check on you. We were a little worried about you.” Gil tilted his dark blonde curly head at the young brunette lying across Aurora’s sofa. Aurora noted his green eyes sparking at the other woman. Jess McGuire, the woman whose position was intriguing to just about everyone there. Desire. She hadn’t voiced any opinion during the altercation this morning which was interesting to Aurora. Since Jess always voiced an opinion. “We were a little worried. You know?”
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Although you could always count on Gil for a laugh, Aurora knew to be leery of the man’s motives. While Aurora fought to maintain her private life with her family and friends, Gil completely embraced the role of Chaos. He was strictly in it to stir up as much trouble as possible. As long as you were aware of that, everything stayed good. The minute you let your guard down though, expect trouble. Sitting on the edge of her desk, Aurora smiled brilliantly. “Everything’s fine. Same stuff, different day. Over the past two years, I’ve gotten used to getting hassled.” “By Nic?” Aurora shrugged. Keep casual. The last thing she wanted was for Gil and possibly Jess to pick up on something. Like she didn’t have enough trouble already. “Like everybody.” Gil frowned. “Hey, I tried helping. But man, you really stuck your foot in some shit this time.” “Thanks, Gil. I know you tried to help. I appreciate the support.” Her sarcasm wasn’t lost on Jess. The brunette giggled at the slight dig. Gil sat forward in the chair unfolding his long legs. “Seriously, cutie, if there’s anything we can do. We’re here for you.” “Uh-huh.” Gil chuckled warmly reminding Aurora how dangerously charming he could be. His lips curved into a grin between the light goatee he sported these days. Why couldn’t Aurora find him attractive? She knew the answer to that one straight away. Historically, she went for the guy who would eventually break her heart. “No really, I mean it. What can we do to help? I kind of felt bad for that cop and his wife. It looks like they really love each other.” His concern fabricated or not, got to her. Jess chimed in. “Maybe we can introduce something to help you. Just a tiny nudge, it could help get things on track.” Too bad, they couldn’t give her a good case of selective memory. Aurora didn’t think she’d ever be able to look at a table again and not feel a sudden surge of heat. “If you guys could figure out a way to get Nic off my case, I’d kiss you both.” She made the remark tongue in cheek hoping neither one would read anything into it. “I’d settle for lunch,” Jess commented. “Nic can be a hard ass. He seems especially hard on you. Probably because you’re still new at this whole immortality thing.” Gil stroked his goatee. The look in his eyes caused Aurora to worry. “Or, maybe there’s something else going on here. Something our dear boss, Time, doesn’t want anyone to know about.”
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Aurora’s laugh sounded a little too loud and way to high pitched. “Gil, you’re always trying to read something into things.” She got to her feet and began herding them out the door before she ended up confessing her attraction to Time. “Come on, everyone out. I really have work today. I’m sure you guys do to.”
Nic took several minutes reorganizing the boardroom. The clean up allowed him enough time to settle his jagged nerves. The anxiety she caused made him think of walking barefoot across broken glass. He flipped the switch on the wall and opened the blinds all the way to reveal downtown Chicago. He filed all the reports back where they belonged and retracted the monitors. Tucking the shirt back into his waistband, Nic straightened his tie. He picked up his suit coat and headed for the private exit. Unlocking the door to the boardroom, Nic disappeared down the dark corridor and headed back to his office. He clicked the door shut and laid his palm against the identification security pad on the door. The door to his office slid open on an electronic whoosh to reveal Nic’s private office. He strode inside, keyed the wall display for no disturbances and went to his desk. No one came in here except him and for countless reasons, Nic was grateful. One wall was comprised of windows looking out across the magnificent Chicago skyline. The other walls paneled in dark, rich wood with beautifully ornate moldings gave the office an old world appeal. Furnished in heavy antiques, the office resembled a vintage library rather than the origin of Time. Nic sat in his armchair and absently punched up the first cycles of the day on one of three keyboards at his hickory desk. He watched them with a critical eye looking for anything out of the ordinary. Aurora was right about one thing. Time flowed in currents. Those currents gave Nic the ability to access both the past and the future. No one in the entire world had access to the type of technology at Immortality Incorporated. No one would for at least another one hundred and fifty years. Nic crafted the art of coasting along those currents able to visit places past and those far, far in the future. His ability kept Immortality Incorporated’s true identity a secret. Most assumed the conglomerate handled large real estate developments or foreign trade of some type. Many people assumed they handled banking. They did. That, and much more. If he was a man of little honor or character, he could easily undo what took place between Aurora and him. Just a small ripple in the river and she wouldn’t remember. Nic wasn’t sure at the
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moment that it was a good thing his ethics were above reproach. Aurora wouldn’t recall anything. He would though. That was the problem. He would remember. The soft ivory of her skin as it heated to his touch. The scent of her lingered, his blood poured through his veins at a rage once more. Her hair was flame silk in his hands. Aurora, all flash and fire in his arms made it impossible to focus on anything else. He forced himself to consider the ultimatum he gave. Did he truly want her gone from this place? If that was the case, he could’ve done so on numerous instances over the past two years. The woman leaped into things without one hint of caution. Jumping wildly through life and every situation fate brought she managed to steer clear of any disastrous occurrence. Not disastrous for her anyway. What she did to him was an entirely different story. Reluctantly, he smiled. Aurora tied him up in knots and left him to untangle. He wondered if she had any idea what kind of power she apparently held over him. Perhaps, it was better to let her go now before it was too late. A mistake. That’s all it was, simply a momentarily lapse on his part allowing Aurora to sneak in under his carefully erected defenses. She wanted a reaction out of him and that’s what she got. One blood pounding, fiery reaction, and that still made Nic itch for more regardless of the consequences. Nic rarely denied himself anything. He didn’t have to. He would have to deny himself Aurora though, that was critical. Nic let his gaze wonder over the river of time. Colors flashed as a kaleidoscope whirling in intricate patterns as history played out before him. Humanity continued along its way without ever realizing what they did here. With an effort that surprised in its difficulty, Nic turned his focus away from Aurora and onto his job. A small holographic monitor lowered into position in front of Nic’s eyes. A blip appeared along the radar of time. Aurora had shown such concern for the young police officer and his wife, she’d forgotten about the criminal that escaped the scene. Something else for them to sort out during their investigation before this criminal caused any more damage. Nic waved his fingers across the display, enhancing the image. Zooming in from an aerial view to a close up tight enough for Nic to recognize the seedy neighborhood, he watched for a moment before punching a button on his desk that beeped for Aurora. “Aurora, are you ready to start our investigation?” “I’ve almost figured a good entry point. How do you feel about cheesecake?” Nic caught his smile before it spread over his face. “Depends. How do you feel about catching an armed robbery suspect?”
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The hesitation was clear. “Excuse me?” “The man that hit Craig Tanner this morning would’ve been incapacitated at the accident. Right now, he’s buying some crack to juice his courage to hit the First Federal bank this afternoon.” Nic continued observing the drug transaction. Resting his forefinger on his temple, his finger settled against his upper lip in an analytical pose. “If you’re planning lunch, we’ve got about three and a half hours before his next endeavor.” Using his free hand, Nic rotated the display at an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees and froze it. He keyed several strokes into the keyboard at his desk. The holograph melted seamlessly into the background. As Nic turned his attention to the glimmering web that appeared in its place rising from a silvery pool. He deliberately held time in check allowing him to examine the course and heed the power of time’s flow. The beauty of the Creation Web as it washed through the flow of time never failed to catch his breath. Each strand from the web shimmered delicately in the morning light as Nic got up and moved closer to it. He moved with the grace of a dancer and the discipline of a conductor orchestrating the flow of events.
Raising one finger, he gently separated several threads that appeared as insubstantial as
gossamer. He tugged the thread with two fingers while the other hand directed the holographic display back into position. From the future, Nic witnessed the outcome of his subject. “Aurora, I highly suggest you alter this gentlemen’s fate immediately. He’s going to kill three people this afternoon.” Nic relinquished his hold on the strand and fanned his hands apart. The web slipped back into the pool and time continued its trek. “Perhaps, this is a good opportunity to test your theory that nothing is set in stone. I’ll meet you in the lobby in ten minutes.”
Just peachy. While she’d searched out the perfect entry point for the Tanners, Aurora neglected the little problem of the criminal and his suddenly ambitious crime spree. Spinning out of the desk chair, she practically leaped across the room to pull up the information Nic just sent to her. Aurora opened the scene taking a scan of all the players in the area. Like a general conducting a well-scripted maneuver, Aurora pulled up several instances available to her at the moment. This man made bad choices his entire life. Aurora hoped the pattern would hold at least one more time. Three options looked the best; Aurora decided to give him a running start. Keying up the first scenario, she hoped this one would fly. Around the corner from the subject sat a patrol car, their current target the drug dealer who sold the crack. Setting the police in motion with a well-directed hunch, she crossed her fingers.
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Next, Aurora cued a rival of the subject who lived in an upstairs apartment from the current location. The man was under the impression his girlfriend cheated on him with the subject and he was not too happy with the news. The last scenario would strictly be of the subject’s choosing. She didn’t like this one much, but it wasn’t up to her to like people’s decisions. She just created the paths, they chose alone. Even in the case of the Tanners, she could only present them with options and hope they chose correctly. She sent a flagged message to Rebecca in the office of Death. If the subject chose this path, smoking the crack while in the alley, he would die from an overdose. As much as she abhorred violence and the crime that resulted from it, she felt obligated to give this man a choice. Sirens echoed along the alley as the police car chased down the dealer. She watched the screen for a moment then turned away as he lit the pipe.
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CHAPTER FOUR
“Well?” Amazing how one word could alternately drip with fury and be so irresistibly sexy at the same time. Aurora walked briskly across the lobby where Nic waited. Her heels clicked a loud echo across the marble tile. How did he manage to appear so unaffected and crisply pressed while she felt shaky and wrinkled? “What?” She joined Nic at the door waiting for an answer. Her throat dried, constricting tightly. Classifying a man as stunning wasn’t typical for Aurora, but Nic fit the bill. “Oh, the errant subject? I allowed him three different paths and I’m hoping the police pick him up. He’ll either be arrested or. . .” “I see. Good work.” He held the door open for her and they exited out onto Michigan Avenue. Traffic cluttered the avenue as people bustled down the street along their busy day. Sunlight streaked through the buildings giving warmth to the otherwise brisk spring air. “Where are we headed?” Aurora tilted her head at him arching a brow. “How do you do that?” She gestured the direction they needed to go in and Nic fell in step. “What?” She took hold of his arm feeling the corded muscles tense under the fabric. “That guy could die.” “True.” Nic withdrew his arm slowly. “That didn’t seem to bother you as much as it did when it was Craig Tanner.” “You’re very callous aren’t you?” Nic lowered his head giving her an icy cast came into his black eyes. “Is that what you think? Because I can put things into perspective without getting emotionally attached to everything I come in contact with.” “Everyone.” “Excuse me?” Aurora started down the sidewalk. Checking her watch that dangled on a bracelet, she figured they had ten minutes to get to their destination. “You said, ‘everything’, they’re people, Nic. Human beings, not things, I guess some people have a tough concept with that one.” Waiting at the crosswalk, Aurora tapped her foot against the cement curb.
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This immensely powerful man, so strong, so hard seemed so casual about the lives of those he guarded. From birth to death, Time held the key. So many people from every race, walk of life and age relied on him to be impartial. An enormous task that would break a lesser man, instead it hardened. Iced over like a giant polar cap until you couldn’t feel any longer. At what point did the polarization of Nic Avalon take place? Afraid of the answer, she decided to take the long way around. The light changed green and she started out into the crosswalk. Nic kept up. “How old are you?” “Actually?” Aurora weaved through a crowd of young women heading into a local lingerie shop. She considered her question for a long moment. Time was immortal just as she was. She’d had the job for two years; how long had Nic? Deciding to rephrase, she pointed at their destination. “Okay, how old would you be normally?” “About forty, I guess.” “Hmm.” Aurora steered him to the front of the John Hancock building. Luckily, they were early enough to beat the lunch crowd at The Cheesecake Factory. “Hope you’re hungry.” She opened the door and didn’t wait for him, leaping ahead of two people in line at the hostess desk. “Hi, we’ve got reservations. And, we’d like to sit on the patio, please.” The woman checked the name and smiled. Aurora perked up instantly as the hostess grabbed two menus and gestured for them to follow. The patio was a super place to people watch. Aurora and her friends often met for lunch here to get their fix of white raspberry cheesecake and do some speedy shopping at Neiman’s or the Pottery Barn. “How’s this?” Aurora glanced swiftly around the patio and located Beth Tanner at a table toward the street. “How about this one?” She flashed a brilliant smile. “I get a kick out of watching people go by.” “Sure, if you don’t mind our manager conducting job interviews in your ear.” The hostess pulled out both chairs and handed them each a menu. “Josh is your server. He’ll be out in a moment.” Aurora angled her chair closer to Nic’s. “Isn’t this nice? What a pretty day it’s turned out to be.” She batted long lashes at him and grinned. Sometimes, she simply couldn’t help herself. Mischief just flowed in her blood like oxygen. Ah well, timing was everything. She reached out and linked Nic’s fingers in her own, ignoring the zap of current at the touch. In a voice as loud as she could make it and still sound reasonably normal, Aurora announced to anyone listening. “Really Nic, I don’t think you’re too old for me. I like men more mature.”
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Nic blanched, coughing slightly. Aurora angled her head and caught a glimpse of the restaurant manager and Beth Tanner. Beth tried not to giggle, while the manager sternly went on with the interview. Aurora fixed Nic with a hard stare willing him to pick up on her little deception. She tapped one manicured nail sharply into his wrist. Finally, a dark brow rose. “I never said I thought you were too young; I just thought you might want someone a little fresher.” “Fresher? Honey, you aren’t a pair of dirty sweat socks.” Smothered laughter came from the table behind her. Aurora winked at Nic. Got her. Aurora leaned back in her chair while the manager announced the conclusion of the interview. She forgot she still held Nic’s hand and looked at it a little self-consciously. Chairs skidded back and Aurora could hear Beth Tanner thank the manager for his time. Soft footsteps fell, and the young woman halted at their table. Aurora smiled warmly and kicked Nic gently in the leg. “I’m sorry; I don’t mean to interrupt your lunch.” Nic inclined his head and Aurora saw the message in his eyes. She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at him. “Yes?” Beth shifted her weight back and forth. Aurora could see she didn’t make a habit of talking to strangers. “I just wanted to let you both know that I saw the two of you come in. You make a fabulous couple, really.” “Thank you.” Nic’s timbre was smooth smoke aged whiskey. “My parents are fifteen years apart and they’re the best couple I’ve ever seen.” Beth’s smile radiated across her entire face. “There, you see.” Aurora slid her chair around so her body almost brushed against Nic. She patted him on the shoulder. Then reached out her hand clasping Beth’s in her own. “Hi there, I’m Aurora and this is Nic.” “Nice meeting you both.” “Would you like to join us? We haven’t ordered yet.” “Oh I couldn’t intrude.” Aurora watched Nic get to his feet and slide an empty chair over for Beth. “It’s no intrusion. Aurora likes meeting new people.” Amazingly, he caught on to her ploy without having a need to verbalize. Aurora frowned slightly. Probably not a good sign being able to pick up on one another’s feelings, they resembled lovers privy to each others intimate thoughts.
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Yikes!
Nic felt the tension from Aurora instantly. He turned his head to watch her before shifting an arm over the back of her chair. She was slick; he would give her that, the first part of her plan to alter the path of the Tanners seemed underway without a hitch. “Beth Tanner.” She was cute as a pixie, her fresh scrubbed complexion all peaches and cream. Young, open to life, Nic got a good look at Aurora’s latest case. Beth Tanner had short brunette hair, styled in a cute flip. She didn’t appear very tall, but all the curves were right. Aurora released the woman’s hand and Nic shook it in turn. “Nice meeting you, Beth. Have a seat. I’ll see if I can get a waiter.” Nic motioned for a gangly young man on his way to their table. The boy took their drink orders asking if they had any questions about the menu. With their orders taken, Nic resumed the game. He wasn’t sure exactly what Aurora’s plan was or how to react. Anymore sharp jabs to the shin though and he might have to retaliate in a different manner. He observed subtly as Aurora drew the shy Beth Tanner into a conversation about shopping. Something no woman could resist according to his experience. The more they talked, the more Aurora loosened up. Nic reached out and took her hand bringing her wrist to his lips. A searing pulse met his lips and he inhaled the lingering scent of perfume as his mouth grazed the pulse point. “Aurora, I’m sure Beth can find the best shopping without any assistance.” Beth Tanner was cute. No doubt about that. No one in Nic’s experience was as stunning as Aurora. He sought to keep his mind off the woman, but the fire she stoked in him didn’t seem to cool. The more he denied or tried to ignore the easier she came unbidden into his mind. He could tolerate temptation, but she clouded his thoughts more frequently than ever making it more difficult to put her aside. “Actually, I’m new to Chicago. I’d appreciate any tips.” Aurora practically ripped her arm free of his grasp and Nic chuckled. “You’re new to Chicago? How nice. It’s a great place. Isn’t it, Aurora?” Enjoying her uneasiness, he watched her avidly. Aurora took a drink of the iced tea and Nic had a feeling she wished it was a martini. “Chicago’s great. I love it here. So, where are you from?” “Wisconsin. We moved here three weeks ago. My husband’s father decided if Craig was going to make a career of police work, he should be in a larger city. It was really like fate, you know? Craig started looking for a job like a junior grade detective or something and poof! There it was.”
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Nic angled a steely glare at Aurora. “Funny how those things work out.” Aurora pounced quickly changing the subject. “What about you?” Beth grinned. “I’m all for adventure. But, I’m thinking that getting a job here will be tough.” Nic took a bite of his chicken after spearing it with his fork. “What do you do?” Beth appeared a little embarrassed and he could feel waves of sympathy pouring off Aurora. No wonder the young wielder of Fate got herself into trouble all the time. She let her heart lead. “Until today, I’ve been a student for the past three and half years. I figured a waitress might get me into the job market.” “Babe, aren’t we still going to that jazz concert at Mac’s tonight?” Nic dumped a packet of sugar into his tea and stirred it, gently. He let the question hang out in the air until he saw Aurora wiggle uncomfortably in her seat. Then he leaned over, his hand went around the base of her neck tangling in all that hair. His lips skimmed along her jaw line and he practically growled. “Oh, I thought we had other plans this evening.” He could sense the flush of heat burn across her cheeks. Raising his head, he witnessed the gem colored eyes flash with temper. He wasn’t sure what he liked better arousing her ire or simply arousing her. So much for taking his own warning to heart if he continued acting like a teenager, he deserved the trouble it caused. “Well, that shouldn’t take too long.” She patted him gently on the arm and flared a toothy grin. Nic gave her the point and withdrew. Aurora’s lips puckered into a mock kiss and Nic idly stirred the tea once more. “Anyway, we could meet at the club say around eight tonight? The concert starts at nine and Mac’s always got us a great table. It’ll be fun, the jazz is hot and the food’s terrific. I can’t vouch for my company here,” she nudged Nic with her elbow, “but you’ll get a chance to meet some new people. And, they’re also looking for wait staff there.” “Is it a dive or something?” “Oh, no. Not at all. The place is always packed. One of the girls just got promoted to assistant manager is all.” Nic stabbed another piece of chicken. “Sounds like you spend too much time there, Aurora.” Again the flash of teeth and Nic held back a chuckle. “Silly man. You remember, I eat there once a week at least and I introduced Cullen to his wife.” Hell’s bells. Cullen and Sabrina MacNamara. Nic nearly choked on the piece of chicken. Aurora stared at him sweetly while he gasped and coughed. How could he forget Aurora’s first unauthorized foray as fate? Patting him on the back sharply, Aurora managed to order cheesecake for desert while Nic wondered if he could strangle her and get away with it.
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“All right,” gasping, Nic took his glass of iced tea and drained it. “We’ll go.” “Fabulous.” “Oh wow, I’m running late. I still need to call Craig and tell him about tonight.” Beth slid her chair back and tossed enough money onto the table to cover her part of the check. “Thanks so much, you guys. It was really great meeting you.” “We’ll see you tonight!” Aurora called after her. Nic threw several bills on the table and got to his feet. “Impressive. I’ll give you that. It’s a constant amazement to me how things circle around each other when it comes to you.” “Why is that amazing?” Nic led her out of the patio area and back on to Michigan Avenue. “Need to stop at Neiman’s for anything?” “You’re so funny.” She pointed the tip of a nail into his chest. “You know if were going to make this work, you could be a little more cordial.” He laughed, not a nice warm laugh, but one intending to run chills up your spine. From the look on her face, he apparently succeeded. “Cordial?” “You know, nice. Pleasant. I figured you’d understand old school vernacular better.” Noticing her inward sigh of longing at a particularly interesting window display, Nic pressed on. “You want to explain that one?” He took hold of Aurora’s arm and she skidded to a halt beside him. “You are a little testy, aren’t you? Bad chicken?” Nic tightened his grip on her upper arm. “Okay, look, all I meant was if we’re going to pull this off, we need to act like we like each other.” “You want to make the Tanners believe we’re lovers.” Nodding, considering, he slowly released his grip. Would it be such a hardship to have his hands on her? No hardship for him except he’d be taking in a lot of cold showers. The girl had a great deal to learn on the subject of toying with him. “Be careful what you wish for, Aurora.”
The buzz of traffic evaporated in her ears as a hiss of breath blew out of her lungs. How did she always manage to say the wrong thing around this man? “I just figured since we were undercover. . .” Nic’s black brow arched. She’d done it again. In a matter of seconds, she pretty much insinuated a lot more than she intended. “Oh God, sorry.” “The object of this little adventure is for you to provide me with irrefutable proof that time can alter and still achieve the same result. So far, I see a trail of destiny turning around on it’s self.”
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Aurora shook her head and the effects of the branding touch he wrapped around her arm. “What?” She started walking again, slowly as her hearing restored. Birds whistled; the click of high heels on the sidewalk. “What did you say?” “You weren’t listening?” Aurora groaned silently. She needed an escape, a vacation something to help clear her head of Nic. Today would be a great day to spend in the park, on a picnic. Sunlight glimmered across the leaves along the street beckoning her to a simpler existence. “I heard you, Nic. But seriously, I didn’t understand a word. Were you a lawyer in another life?” “Back to my age again are we? You really seem to have a problem with that. What’s the matter, Aurora? Do you always date guys younger than yourself?” The sharp scent of sauerkraut and mustard filled her nostrils as they passed a hot dog vendor. Normally, her stomach would growl in eager anticipation of a spicy sausage on a bun. Instead, nausea rolled through her and Aurora was sure most of it came from trying to keep up with Nic’s roller coaster conversation. “Okay.” Aurora stopped walking and leaned against the Tribune building to catch her breath. She inhaled, once, twice and willed a sense of calm to steal over her. “We seem to have a bit of trouble here with motives. Here it is, Nic. I do not, at all, in the least little bit have any problem with your age. I figure you’re at least what? A hundred or so if you calculated it as normal human years which is just nifty for me because you want to know why? I don’t care how old you are.” Nic smirked. “At least that’s a nice round figure.” Aurora nearly grabbed hold of his lapels to shake him. A difficult task since the man was around six three and probably outweighed her by a hundred pounds. “Nic, it doesn’t matter.” “No?” Shaking her head, Aurora wanted to yell, scream, or pound. The man was remarkably stubborn, vain or both. “No. Not a bit.” “It should.” His hands pressed along either side of her flattening against the building. Aurora swallowed. Every drop of moisture turned to ash in her mouth. Her stomach stopped its tirade as if waiting for something new and exotic to pounce on. Breathe. “Why?”
Her voice had the consistency of sandpaper, rough and scratchy.
Nic smiled
dangerously and she could sense her limbs begin to melt. Did he have any idea what he did to her? Nic leaned closer. She heard the echo of his breath against her ear. That dangerously seductive cologne he wore permeated every thread of her body. Certain the world would slip away unnoticed,
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Aurora tried to concentrate. “Why this, of course. Don’t you think it’s strange, Aurora, that you would picture us as lovers?” Inhale. Calm. Breathe. Her eyes fluttered shut momentarily as she struggled with her focus. This wasn’t right. It certainly wasn’t fair. He continually possessed the upper hand. Another deep breath and at least, she caught up with the latest topic. Focus. The scent of him, the heat of his body next to hers jangled her nerves like shattering china. Get a grip, Aurora. Nic didn’t play fair, why should she? Deliberately, she turned her head so that her mouth was a breath from his. Her muscles turned to thick molten lava and he hadn’t touched her. She really, really wanted to kiss him. Just one more time, she needed it, hungered for it in a way that left her mind reeling. “I picked lovers because I thought the Tanners would accept it and be more comfortable with a couple rather than a boss and his employee.” “Is that the reason?” His warm breath tickled her lips. She nodded gently and her mouth swept across his cleft chin. The shadow from his beard grazed her lips. Damn, she was not going to get through this. “The only reason?” “Yes.” The word came out of her lips on a puff of air. Don’t move. Don’t breathe, don’t even think. Nic levered his hands and body from her and stepped back. Aurora desperately needed a moment of solitude, but it didn’t look like she’d get any. Nic wanted to make her suffer and she seriously couldn’t blame him. She brought a hand to her throat to check her pulse. “I just thought it might be easier. That’s all.” “Aurora, since when have you done anything the easy way?” Sighing, Aurora started back down the street to the office. “Touché.”
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CHAPTER FIVE
“So?” A two-letter word carried a lot of innuendo. Aurora hoped it conveyed a sexy, in charge woman, not the exasperation she felt. She really wished she’d drank a martini for lunch instead of ice tea. Somehow, she figured the alcohol would only accelerate the fire in her blood. She wiggled out of Nic’s mock grasp and started for the crosswalk. Only one block left until they got back to the office. “So, you want to know if I have a problem with us pretending to be lovers.” His teeth gleamed in a grin that was entirely too hot for her. Her pager went off. Super, an extra vibration wasn’t anything she wanted at the moment. She fumbled with the button and Nic took it out of her fingers. His long elegant fingers smoothed over hers and brought a hiss of breath too her lips. Aurora swallowed, damn sandpaper. She shifted her eyes up toward the office building. Trying to mentally plan the rest of her day seemed useless with Nic standing close. He was goading her and she knew it. Play along, Aurora. He really doesn’t need to know how much of an effect he has. “If you don’t find the whole thing too distasteful, I guess we could meet outside of Mac’s about eight or so.” “Wouldn’t that be strange us arriving separately?” “Maybe. But I only live four blocks from there. No need to take a car or cab.” “Good enough.” Nic pulled open the door to the lobby for her. “Let’s go take a look at your other problem and see how it played out.” Looking back at her, he held up the pager, “You’ve been here two years and you still don’t know how these things work.” He shook the small black object that Aurora swore came out of Batman’s personal stock of goodies. “I know how it works.” “Sure.” Aurora reached to snatch it from him. Nic moved it out of her grasp and used his other hand to guide her through the entrance. “Give it back.” “If you don’t know how it works, it’s pretty useless to have.” Aurora swiped her badge. “Nic, give it back. I know how the thing works.” “Tell me how to place the functions on priority only.” Nic swiped his badge as well and moved to the elevator. Aurora’s heels clicked in irritation as she followed him.
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She threw her hair over her shoulder as the elevator hummed down to meet them. “You’re a pain in the ass.” “So I’ve heard.” Nic chuckled. The elevator doors slid open and he stepped inside. “I’m sure that’s why you’re attracted to me.”
Fury bubbled across Aurora a hot molten metal forged in the deepest caverns of the earth. Nic studied the struggle. To her credit, Aurora didn’t attack him once the elevator door closed. The hum of electricity and piped in music was the only sound. Nic smiled. She held her breath. Pretty soon, she’d start pinching her fingers to keep from scratching at him. If the elevator stopped before their destination, Nic figured she’d just pass out. He found it quite interesting that she would lapse into a juvenile tactic to prevent him from getting the best of her. Nic sighed inwardly as the thought of his age and experience rendered an impossible verdict. Even if Aurora was interested in him as a man, it could never work. Far too many differences created a vast wasteland between them. The elevator slowed to a stop and Nic let Aurora step out first. “Send me a report on the escaped criminal.” “Certainly.” “And Aurora,” he waited for her to turn and face him. She kept her lips tightly clamped although managing to look him square in the eye. It was almost too enjoyable, he considered. “I’ll pick you up at your place at seven-thirty Friday night.” “Fine.” Watching her walk away, Nic felt a strange sense of triumph. The swish of her skirt across her hips did things to his imagination he wished he might forget. Instead, he looked after her like some lovesick teenager. Maybe picking her up at her apartment wasn’t such a good idea. Things could get complicated. Hell, things already were much too complicated for his liking. Besides, this wasn’t real. The whole thing was just a ploy to get Aurora’s subjects to feel comfortable with them. Why should he care if they were comfortable about anything? After all, he generally turned an analytical eye toward humanity even though he still qualified as a member. Nic growled on the way back to his own office. Stopped momentarily by two lesser incarnations, Nic found his services needed for the remainder of the day.
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Time had the peculiar ability to lag as slow as watching a blade of grass grow on a sunny spring day or streak by as lightning in the center of a turbulent thunderstorm. No one could figure out how that happened or why, if they knew the truth, they wouldn’t believe it. Deft movements made by Time allowed the flow to speed up to a crashing pace or slow to merely a trickle. Sometimes, just sometimes, Nic Avalon liked messing with people. He waited patiently or as patiently as he could ever pretend to wait for the end of the week to arrive. Pining for Aurora, that was the only explanation he came up with and it certainly wasn’t attractive. Grown men didn’t pine. They also didn’t speed up Time for their own benefit. Except on a rare occasion when he simply couldn’t stand it any longer. Nothing crucial pending, no wars, no volcanoes or icebergs, no happy-go-lucky immortals up to no good so Nic felt pretty safe advancing time just a few hours closer to their date. Chicago’s spring delayed with a cold front moving in, he wondered if this jazz concert would take place outside. Who knows? It might become advantageous for a little icy wind to drift past. Aurora might find the need to snuggle up to him. Not only did he lose all hold on his sanity, but now, his cocky self preservation seemed to fail. Everywhere he went, everything he saw somehow found Aurora tangled inside. Staring out the window of his office, Nic gazed at the soft pink buds littering the trees in the park with a pastel blush and thought of her mouth. So lush and full it reminded him of the color of a petal, soft pale pink and he longed to stroke a finger across. Get a grip. Walking through his outer office, Nic decided he should clear his head. A walk in the park would get the heart beating with exercise instead of lust. Something constructive. Anything to take his mind off Aurora, she awoke desires in him that he never thought existed. Instead, he found Ewan waiting. Be careful what you wished for it usually had the nasty habit of coming to fruition. Ewan tapped his fingers impatiently along the table. His feet crossed at the ankles as he lounged in one of the wing chairs. Nic raised a brow. “Been here long?” “Long enough.” Obviously, Ewan was still in a mood. Nic twisted his lips in consideration. The incarnation of Fear should’ve taken classes in friendly persuasion. Charming to the last, Ewan’s sharpest characteristic was sarcasm. “Well, here I am what do you need?”
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“I saw you with her.” Nic folded his arms and leaned against a desk that his secretary usually occupied. “Do you want to be a little more specific?” Eyes narrowed to dull pieces of coal as Nic observed Ewan unfold his length out of the chair. He approached Nic, tall, a little thinner with all the attitude of someone about to up himself on the evolutionary scale. “I saw you the other day with Aurora on my way back from lunch.” Obviously, the chip on Ewan’s shoulders wasn’t just professional jealously. “Okay.” “Is that all you have to say? Just okay, like everything’s swell.” “Swell? Even that term is a little passé for you, Ewan. Now, what’s really bothering you? The fact that you saw Aurora or could it be you’ve missed several opportunities of your own recently?” Nic stepped away from the desk. He wasn’t about to get into some strange case of male strutting because Ewan had an axe to grind. Whatever Ewan thought he would achieve here, he was sorely mistaken. Laughing, Ewan walked over to where Nic stood moments before. “I forgot what a dry sense of humor you have.” “I didn’t realize I said something funny.” Nic observed the play of emotions across the other man’s features. Anger settled in Ewan’s eyes as Nic continued to watch the display with a well-schooled, closed off expression. “You did, Nic. Honestly. After all, my work’s always been exemplary.” He thought about laughing, but Ewan’s already inflamed temper didn’t need riling. As with all the incarnates, the learning curve remained steep. Ewan fell short on a number of occasions. Interesting how he failed to remember that now when he obviously received a great deal of satisfaction plaguing Aurora. Nic checked his watch. This display of Ewan’s annoyed him. While the other man tried to goad him into a heated exchange, Nic found the tactics childish and boring. He didn’t want to stand around the remainder of the day exchanging hidden barbs with Ewan. “All right, Ewan. Obviously, seeing Aurora and I together troubles you.” “Damn right it does!” Teeth snapped together and Ewan advanced. “I’m not about to let her undermine the integrity of what we do here just because she’s out to screw the boss. It’s against policy, Nic. Your policy.” He pointed a finger at Nic’s chest. Air hissed slowly out of Nic’s lips as Ewan inched forward. “If you can’t deal with her, I—” “You’ll what?” Nic moved, so fast it was a blur of color and motion to the naked eye. He glared down out Ewan with eyes that went blacker than any night sky. “What will you do, Ewan?”
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He could feel it now, the alarm swimming off Ewan in oily waves. The bizarre anger running through him, and something far more reckless that Nic recognized and didn’t like in the least. Greed twitched a barbed tail with a serrated edge that swung back and forth with no regard. Ewan paled visibly as he understood the potentially fatal error. Nic didn’t raise a hand, his voice remained even toned and laced with venom. “I highly advise you to rethink your responsibilities here. Think about it very carefully, Ewan and consider who you are dealing with. Let me know if you need any assistance understanding where you are in the scheme of things.” Without a glance backward, Nic left the room and headed out of the building. He located Aurora about four hours later as she tried finishing up for the day. He leaned into her doorway, observing the mad scramble of faxes, computer database additions as well as the nearly four hundred e-mails that scurried across an immortal’s desk during the day. He caught a whiff of some aromatherapy candle burning in her office. Aurora evidently liked that sort of thing. He was surprised she didn’t have a Zen garden out on her balcony. He wondered if she found the scent soothing. Something maintained her balance. He wanted to know what that was. Maybe it was strong enough to use on him. “I didn’t get your report.” “I didn’t send it.” “Why not?” Nic walked into the office, nodding to Moira. The tall woman skittered a path out of Nic’s way calling to Aurora she’d see her in the morning. Aurora turned on him, her fist full of papers. “A little busy around here today. Besides, it came back just as I’d told you it would.” “Really? Even though I asked you about it a couple of days ago.” Aurora dug around on her desk and found the code to bring up the event in question. She snapped the portable keyboard in place and punched the buttons to show on the monitor. “I wasn’t trying to usurp your authority.” Her perpetrator wandered into the alley with the drugs in his possession. His rival for a lady found him and proceeded to pound the man into the ground and that was where the police discovered both of them. She looked back at Nic. “Satisfied?” “Hardly.” He walked toward her, slowly, deliberately. Wanting more, settling for so much less. “You?” Get a handle on this.
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“Why do I get the feeling we’ve changed topics again?” He watched her closely as she appeared to back away from him. She put herself and the large desk between them. Which considering their torrid recent history and how prominently furniture figured in it, probably wasn’t the best plan. He eyed the desk suggestively. “Give me a break, Nic. I need to get this done so I can go home and change.” “You look fine.” “Right. If your definition of fine is harried and harassed I look magnificent.” She typed in a few more lines on the current subjects sending them to the other monitors and set the computer to keep an eye on. “I can’t go out looking like this even if it is a pretend date.” “I see, vanity. Not a problem. I’ll leave you to this.” He started to turn and then glanced back. “I just wanted to let you know that I reconsidered.” Alarm rose in her voice. “What?” It had kind of a metallic edge to it. “You can’t back out now.” Nic shook his head. “I’m not backing out. Not at all. In fact, I’m kind of looking forward to it in some bizarre sort of way.” He never thought masochism was his thing. Evidently, he experienced some need to inflict torture upon his person. That’s exactly what this night of play-acting entailed. “I wanted to tell you I changed my mind about insisting on picking you up.” She glanced at him quizzically. Her usually sharp blue eyes became vague with fog. “It isn’t necessary to make you feel uncomfortable, so I decided if you want to walk that’s fine.” “Okay, that’s fine.” Her voice remained mild and Nic decided to give in. “I’ll see you at a quarter till eight.” “Good enough.” Nic checked his watch, a slim elegant timepiece that he’d worn for a very long time. If Aurora planned to change before their date, he would do the same. He headed through the somewhat deserted office slipping into his own without interruption. Glancing back at the river circling around his private office, Nic gave a cursory examination to ascertain all systems functioned normally. Colors trickled consistent and true. A prism flowed easily around the walls of the office an astonishing array of light and energy. If someone captured the Northern Lights and turned them, loose inside a glass bottle, that’s what Nic watched. Quiet, utter stillness and sometimes, Nic thought he heard the delicate sound of music. Soft, gentle and such a heart wrenching sound the echoes of time could carry you away if you allowed. Once assured the world would turn on its axis for the remainder of the evening, Nic moved to a wall near one of the huge windows. Raising his hand, he laid his palm against the side of the glass and a scanner triggered.
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The wall shimmered, shimmied and vanished revealing an entrance to Nic’s penthouse. Nic stepped past the barricade and the wall rose behind him. Luxury surrounded him. Priceless treasures from the Ming period to Faberge sat unguarded. Masterpieces of Monet to Renoir decorated the walls; the floors were of tumbled marble. The carpets hand woven. Most of the furniture in the formal living room was restored antiques. They were pretty things. Simply that. Nic enjoyed them, understood the beauty, the potential greed that objects inspired. They passed the time, making being alone a little less lonely. “Lights, low.” The computer driven household raised the surrounding lights to the reading level Nic preferred. He walked down the hall to the bedroom and tossed his coat on the chair. Unbuttoning the shirt, Nic moved into the bathroom. The shirt went into the laundry and Nic stripped off the rest of his clothes and stepped into the shower. Carved out of a solid sheet of marble, the wall of the shower housed eight showerheads strategically placed around the snail shaped shower. Water and lighting, Nic had set to voice commands on the computer. “Shower full spray, ninety-five degrees.” Water streamed from all eight heads soaking Nic instantly. He picked up a tube with liquid soap with a fresh clean scent and lathered up. He honestly couldn’t remember the last time he’d been on a date. A real one anyway. He wasn’t even sure what was standard protocol these days. All things considered, he spent far too much of his life as Time. The museum quality pieces scattered across his penthouse brought a hollow type of pleasure. Until then he’d never stop to consider he might be lonely. Nic had always been alone. It was part of the task of Time. A vast cavern seemed to surround him like Merlin imprisoned in his crystal cave. Every material pleasure could become his, yet he hungered for something more. Something he never considered wanting or needing, companionship. Two years ago, another form of pleasure came to his attention. Aurora. The most beautiful exciting woman he’d ever met, ever touched. The more he was around her, the harder it got. He really didn’t think a woman would find him the least bit interesting. Stuffy, perhaps, annoying set in his ways; those were traits he knew well. As far as he knew, Aurora simply reacted to him the way she did because he was her boss. She didn’t want to lose her job. He rinsed off. Using the pima cotton towel to dry off, Nic dismissed the tinge of temper dwelling in his brain. The irritating red-clouded doubt threatened to make him think Aurora would actually use sex as a means to keep her job.
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Aurora’s love for shoes was unquenchable, insatiable and knew no boundaries. A new pair of shoes was almost the equivalent of exquisite chocolate. Tennis shoes, hiking boots, and sexy little party numbers gave Aurora a thrill like stockbrokers riding an unexpected surge in the market. Barefooted, Aurora eyed the new pair with something akin to hunger. She’d never consider her love of footwear a fetish. No, fetishes were strange little habits she didn’t indulge in. Obsession. Yes, that was a good word for the tingle, the gasp of pleasure, the oh-so perfect pair and when you found them on sale, life was at the most unspoiled. Her most recent acquisition a pair of Gucci clogs. These sweet little shoes definitely fell in the sexy category. She slid her foot in the high heel clog sighing as the brown leather the color of creamed coffee caressed her foot. She examined her foot in her full-length mirror assessing the effect. The heels were a little higher than what she usually wore, over three and a half inches. Nic was so tall though, this brought her to more eye level. Fabulous. They’d set her back some serious change, but oh my, they were worth every penny. Sliding out of the clogs, Aurora picked up the pair of low-rise jeans in a distressed ice blue color. She dug a black belt out of her dresser that had silver medallions encircling it. The shoes slipped back on almost like Cinderella. Pocketing some cash, she selected a necklace with colored stones twinkling from it and a pair of dangling earrings. In her closet, she found a white tank with a pretty, gathered collar. She sprayed a mist of cologne, grabbed up her leather coat and headed for the door. After the first block, she cursed Nic loudly. His responsibility and unyielding sex appeal were the reason blisters threatened her feet like a minefield. As beautiful and sexy as these shoes were three and half-inch heels weren’t designed to walk great distances. Pain always surrendered to pride. Aurora flagged down a cab. She hoped Nic waited inside. She didn’t want to see the smug gleam when she rolled up in a cab. Lucky for her, yeah right, everyone waited outside. The cab slid into a spot right in front of Mac’s Sports bar. She waved to Nic, a crooked smile on her lips as she paid the cabby. Turning she found her body in his arms. She really needed to compliment him on his wardrobe. Impeccably stylish, he wore dark slacks with a black leather Bayard sport coat. His throat left exposed by the cream incredibly soft looking sport shirt. Aurora found her eyes drawn to the tan column of his throat.
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“Hey there, I thought you said you were walking? I would’ve picked you up.” He brushed his mouth across her lips and released. Electricity sizzled up her spine and left her momentarily paralyzed. Nic’s arm went around her waist and led her to where the Tanner’s stood waiting. This, was her incredibly brilliant idea. She wondered if Immortality Incorporated had an in house psychiatrist. Her hormones hit overdrive and the rest of her body seemed more than willing to participate. A brilliant smile appeared on her lips as she recovered quickly. She asked for this and deal with it she would. She walked up to the Tanners and grinned like a little kid with an ice cream cone. “Hi Beth, glad you could make it. I’m not late, am I?” “No, we just got here a minute ago.” Beth’s arm linked tightly with her husband. “This is my husband, Craig.” The young man smiled in return as realization struck his eyes. “Hey, Aurora, right? We met this morning when I mashed the front end of my truck.” “Oh you’re kidding?” Beth looked back at Nic and Aurora. “I didn’t know you were the one. What a coincidence.” “Isn’t it,” Nic murmured as he opened the door for everyone. His smile stayed smooth as polished glass while Aurora dared a good look at him. His eyes were hard polished stones as they went inside. Aurora knew from experience, Nic wasn’t pleased. Not a good sign, considering Aurora spent most of her time deciding what to wear tonight instead of focusing on a plan for the Tanners. Okay, maybe her attention wasn’t where it should be. A little divided or corrupted, considering what she’d like to do to Nic, it was the latter. One look at Nic and her pulse rose considerably. Mac’s customers filled the sports bar for the special event this evening. The Voodoo Punch Lizards were playing tracks from their new CD to a select crowd. Luckily, Aurora did have the presence of mind to phone ahead and ask Cullen to hold a table for them. The bar wasn’t your average sports hang out. Casual lighting, gleaming wood and televisions strategically placed gave Mac’s an upscale appearance with a homey flavor. Aurora squeezed to the hostess desk and gave her name. Leading them over to their table, the hostess chatted about tonight’s specials. A mix of Cajun and Italian apparently in honor of tonight’s entertainment made up the menu. Aurora looked over to the Tanners as the hostess pointed out the round table and four raised back chairs next to the stage. Most of the tables in the bar pushed close together so dancing could take place later. “I didn’t even ask if you guys liked this type of food.”
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Craig pulled out a chair and let his wife squeeze in. “That catfish sounded good.” He took a seat, “Beth isn’t really a spicy fan, but she likes Italian.” Aurora wiped a hand across her brow in mock relief. “Glad to hear it. Potential disaster avoided.” She assumed Nic held her chair out because he’d seen Craig do the same. “Thanks.” “My pleasure.” A waitress practically hopped into view. Aurora remembered her but couldn’t place her name. She was bright blonde with an effervescent personality. “Hi there! What are we drinking this evening?” “What’s on tap?” “It might be better if you tell me what you have in mind. We’ve got over twenty beers on tap.” While Nic and Craig decided on a beer, Aurora ordered a dry martini and Beth settled for a glass of white wine. Nic’s arm lay across the back of her chair and he absently toyed with strands of her hair. A small, casual gesture designed to wreak havoc on her. Aurora nearly changed her order to a double martini. Instead, she wiggled her back into the chair hoping to shoo him away. Nic wrapped his fingers around the side of her neck and leaned closer to her as the Tanners engaged in a discussion about the menu. “Why are you so jumpy?” His breath tickled her ear. “I thought you had a great deal of practice with men.” Tilting her head to let her hair fall across her face, Aurora created a curtain between Nic, and the Tanners. “What are you doing?” She didn’t mean to hiss, but this just wasn’t what she intended. Or was it? If she let herself be truthful, she might discover she wanted far too many things where Nic was concerned. “I’m trying to act like were on a date here. If you keep pulling back, the Tanners are going to think we’re fighting. Is that part of your plan, if it is, you might want to let me in on it.” Aurora grumbled an apology as the drinks arrived. The waitress took everyone’s order. Aurora figured Nic would go Italian and wrong again he had catfish. This little guessing game of hers wasn’t working out so why did she bother. Anything to keep her mind off the blood roaring in her ears and fire coursing her veins, Aurora didn’t think the ploy worked. Trying to figure out his likes and dislikes only served to dig sharply at her ego.
Nic listened to Craig talk about beer, Chicago and being a cop while Aurora carried a strained conversation with Beth. He glanced at the clock on the wall; the concert seemed scheduled to start for another hour. Assuming the kitchen didn’t have everything cooked and under heat lamps, they had around forty minutes until the food showed up.
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He tried drawing Aurora more into the conversation, but her generally outgoing personality seemed buried under a wall of tension he could sense rolling off her. Bluesy romantic music filled the bar as the lights dimmed subtly to give the crowd a chance to dance before the show started. Several couples wandered out onto the floor while a DJ selected several songs designed to keep the crowd happy. Beth tugged at Craig’s arm. “C’mon, I love this song.” She started out of her chair as Craig shrugged and stood. Nic waited until they were safely out of earshot before turning an irritated gaze at Aurora. “What is going on?” “This isn’t a good idea.” Nic sighed, frustration turning to steam. “No kidding. I think I might’ve mentioned that.” “Not them. Us.” Nic rubbed the muscles in the back of his neck. He watched Aurora nibble along the edge of a long fingernail, something she did when she was nervous.
“What us, Aurora?
This is a game
remember? Your game, I might add.” He thought that might snap her out of her downcast mood. Only her pretty, blue eyes seemed faded and he still sensed the buddle of nerves. “I didn’t say it was a game.” The words made her lips turn into a sad pout. Not bad enough her lips were driving him wild with need, now, she had to make them look so sad he wanted to kiss her. He’d never met a woman who pouted so prettily. “Okay, not a game. But you’re making it a really long night when you practically crawl out of your skin when I touch you.” Besides the most obvious fact, Nic didn’t see anything that would change the path of the Tanners here. “I was under the impression lovers generally appear comfortable with each other in public. Didn’t you want us to appear comfortable with one another? Isn’t that what you said? Which way is it, Aurora?” “I’m sorry.” Her eyes stayed downcast and he thought her heard a sniffle. That shocked him; Aurora didn’t appear the type of woman to cry over much of anything. Certainly not anything as trivial as his remark, he’d seen her stand up to far more verbal torture than that. “Aurora, look at me.” When she didn’t right away, he used two fingers to tilt her chin up. His touch was light and very gentle. Aurora jerked as if the contact branded. “If you don’t want me to touch you, say so. It’s not like the Tanners would notice us anyway.” He wasn’t sure that was true. But Craig and Beth seemed perfectly happy on the dance floor. “No.” Aurora shook her head. “I mean, yes.” Grabbing the martini glass, she gulped two large swallows. “Hell, I have no idea what I mean.”
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CHAPTER SIX
She gave her hand slowly to his and he closed her smaller hand in the rough warmth of his own. He smiled tenderly at the slight chill to her skin. Nerves. It made him wonder what would cause them and at the same time brought an interesting jolt to his ego. Walking the few steps to the dance floor, Nic held her chilled fingers in both his hands. The music drifted across them with smoke and a slow sensuous beat. Nic turned her to face him. The rhythm dark and sensuous folded them up in the trance. Aurora lips tilted shakily. “Do you really think this is such a good idea?” Drawing in the sweet scent she wore, Nic moved so that his body was next to hers. Aurora was right; this wasn’t such a good idea. He put his arms around her waist with his hands splayed along the small of her back. Long and willowy Aurora made him think of an enchanted Elvin princess. A woman of magic, Aurora was capable of entrancing an isolated man out of his solitude. She could weave her spell around you with just a look. His mind went numb as his fingers brushed along the bare skin at her back. “I think it’s a very good idea. Now, put your arms around me.” Hesitantly, she draped her arms around neck. With those heels of hers, she practically looked him in the eyes. Cute little shoes, tight, low-rise jeans, and a soft little tank, she succeeded in driving him completely crazy. He wanted to know if she truly meant to. “Closer.” He urged her closer, tighter against his body as he began swaying to the music. Fabric wasn’t nearly the barrier it should be. He felt every curve and a surge of lightning arched blue heat between them. She looked up at him with surprise. “You can dance.” “I can do lots of things.” Like stop time. Right now, this moment and let the feel of her so close continue to wash over him. Pound over him as the waves struck the shore at high tide. He needed. There was fury in it, strength and so timeless in its beat that Nic knew he could easily drown. He didn’t remember the last woman he held like this, couldn’t recall wanting another with such fury surging through him. Aurora felt like a hot summer day when baking under the sun and a cool breeze touched your skin as it drifted past. Gone all too soon but not so easily forgotten. “Not surprising.” She snuck a grin. “After all, any man who’s a hundred and ninety should know how to do some things.” His hands moved up her shoulders and down to her hips enjoying the awareness.
Blood
smoldered. Persecuting him probably wasn’t her intent but Nic felt it as she tightened the screws.
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Control continued to stay difficult to master. Denial seemed utterly futile. Desire came fast ignoring his desperate battle. “You’re a funny girl.” Aurora coughed slightly as his hands stayed on her hips. “Maybe not.” He saw the struggle within her as well. The desire followed and she tightened her grip around his neck. “We shouldn’t do this.” “Dance?” “No, not dance. This isn’t like any dance I’ve ever had.” For the life of him, he couldn’t remember the last time his self-imposed solitude wreaked havoc on his sexual appetite. Exile created a cage and Aurora dangled the key. She probably had no idea how close he was to actually acting on the need. He could resist her, would resist her until the fire went away. Let it suffocate or burn itself into oblivion all alone he warned his body. Her breath heated the skin at his throat and Nic drew air into his lungs that felt like shards of glass. Her mouth grazed the corded muscle at his neck. He knew then he could not, would not resist anything she willingly gave him. Damn it, he wanted her to give it all. He wanted to bury his cock in so deep inside her hot core that he was the only man she would ever think of again. Time flickered to a halt as everything but them blurred. Colors, sound, all of it faded into the distance as Nic held time in place. Tilting his head, he brought his lips to her temple. “Pretend, Aurora. For a while. Pretend you want this, that you want me.” It was probably a bad move. Once you let an animal out of the confines of his cage, they rarely willingly returned. She felt so good in his arms, soft with an underlying strength. Just for a while, he could do this and still maintain control. He held her close as their hips moved in a timeless rhythm, brushing against one another. Aurora’s head lay on his shoulder, her hands ran down the muscles along his back and Nic thought about things that he knew he had no business thinking about. His fingers drifted to the edge of her tank and glided under. Her skin felt so warm, silky and the scent so very tantalizing. Nic dropped to his knees and his hands slid down to her hips, Aurora gasped in surprise, glancing quickly around. With his mouth against the skin of her stomach, he inhaled a shuddering breath. “It’s all right. Just for a moment.” His tongue grazed the skin at her belly while Aurora’s hands tangled into his black hair. “Nic, damn it, what are you trying to do to me?” Releasing the snap of her jeans, he slid the zipper with excruciating slowness. Aurora fingers tightened their grip. “Tell me you want me, Aurora.” Nic hooked his index finger along the peach satin string of her thong and let his tongue slide over her pelvic bone.
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With surprising force, Aurora tilted his head up. Her eyes glazed with passion. “I want to fuck you right here on the floor. Right now. Does that answer your question?” Control splintered as he drew the jeans down her hips, “Let me taste you.” He used one finger to draw down her mound over the Brazilian wax and smiled, pleased. Then, he urged her lips apart and bent his head. He lapped slowly, savoring her, tasting the hot honey. Her muscles contracted sharply and Aurora dug her nails into his shoulders. Nic drew in a shaky breath. Blood pounded into him, harder now, and desperation clawed wildly, she wanted to fuck him right there in the middle of the bar and to hell with everything else. That would destroy everything, in a few selfish moments, he could effectively ruin her life. He considered the not so well veiled threat Ewan presented him with this morning. He was indeed breaking his own rules. With barely any regard, fire singed him as he gave in to the need stripping his nerve endings raw. Arousal threatened to explode and he knew the time came to back off or face embarrassing the hell out of him. He leaned back allowing time to continue unhindered, “Looks like our food’s ready.” Aurora lifted her head; a dazed dreamy expression filled her lake blue eyes. “I don’t care.” “Any other time, I’d be right with you. But, we don’t want your clients getting lonely.” What remaining control he possessed went to maintaining some semblance of normal behavior. His hands shook as he raised her jeans up over her hips, securing them in place. Heat pulsed over him where his fingers accidentally grazed her and Nic drew in a sharp breath. He didn’t care one lick about the Tanners at the moment. If they weren’t important to Aurora, he would’ve ended this charade long ago. Aurora’s hands slid down his chest. His muscles contracted tightly at her touch. His eyes glanced down at her and he saw she knew as well. “This wasn’t supposed to happen, you know. I can’t believe I said I want to fuck my boss.” Years of pining for this man, dreaming about a night like this one and she shot down the chance like a shiny balloon escaping the atmosphere. Aurora jumped back singed by a rack in a hot oven. “Tell me I didn’t say that aloud.” One hand drifted to her lips as Nic entwined the other in his own. “I did, didn’t I?” “Maybe, but I don’t think I heard you.” His kissed her fingers. “Say it again so I can be sure.” “No. Thanks, I think.” Aurora pulled out her own chair and sat noticing that Craig and Beth were still dancing. Nic sat next to her, picked up his fork and knife twirling the utensils in his fingers. He didn’t feel much like trading compliments at the moment. Food wouldn’t satisfy this hunger. An innate sense of self-preservation forced a lockdown in him then jockeyed for position with kindness. He sat the
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utensils down with a clink on the plate in front of him and turned in his chair to Aurora. He saw the Tanners approach but knew this needed saying. “I want you, Aurora. If we spend much more time together, I can tell you what’s going to happen. Do you understand that? Even if it means stopping time to do it.” “Wouldn’t that be something? Stop time whenever you needed to.” Beth laughed at the concept as she and Craig started on their dinners. “No one would ever be late to work or miss an important date.” Aurora slid an evil glare in his direction. Nic picked up Beth’s conversation. “No kidding, I’m terrible at birthdays and all that. If I could stop time, then I could just spend more of it with Aurora.” “Oh that’s so sweet.” Craig chuckled, “Damn, I’ll have to remember that one.” Nic grinned as Aurora ground the heel of her shoe into his feet. “Sometimes, I amaze myself.” Aurora slathered a piece of catfish in a spicy tarter sauce. “And sometimes, you don’t know when to shut up.” Craig pointed a fork at Aurora. “Goal!” A tall red headed man strolled up to the table and smiled warmly when he saw Aurora. “So, you made it after all.” “Hi Cullen, how’ve you been?” Nic watched relief rush over her in waves as she greeted the bar owner. The man had the build of a linebacker with thick auburn hair and bright blue eyes. Nic wondered if he and Aurora came from long lost relatives. “Thanks for saving us a spot.” “No problem, glad you could come.” Cullen turned a charming smile on Beth. “Aurora tells me you’ve been job hunting.” Beth glanced quickly at Aurora, surprise lighting her eyes. “Uh, yes.” “Come see me during the week if you’re interested. I’ve got a part-time serving job open.” Nic watched the exchange and connected Aurora’s part in it. “The tips are pretty good and the hours are flexible.” “Is Tuesday okay?” Cullen nodded. “That’s fine. Nice to see you again, Aurora.” “Tell Sabrina, I’ll be by to pick up the latest Patterson.” “Will do.” Cullen left them and Beth practically bounced in her chair. “Oh wow, that’s fabulous. Thanks Aurora, I really appreciate it.” Aurora waved a hand. “Not a problem. I’m just glad I remembered Cullen mentioning it.”
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Craig gave Beth a quick squeeze on the shoulder. “That’s great, hon. Now, you’ll have time to finish college if you want.” “What’s your major, Beth?” Nic signaled the waitress for another round of drinks. The Voodoo Punch Lizards began tuning their instruments. “Well, I was pre-med, but I think I’m too old to finish that now.” He saw the well-placed look Aurora gave him in the corner of his eye. “You’re not too old.” Beth nodded. “My parents were really upset we decided to get married so young. They wanted me to go to school and finish my degree. I fell in love with Craig first.” “I told her to finish. Who cares if she’s thirty or forty when she has her degree? As long as it’s important to her.” Craig drank a long swallow of beer and grinned at his wife. Nic smiled. He figured Beth was twenty-two at the most. There was a distinct possibility she could get her PhD. Then, of course, the problem arose that she might become too career oriented for children. Apparently, this was the angle Aurora wanted. Triggering a change in the Tanners’ history might be the event that could conceivably save Craig Tanner’s life should Beth excel at medicine. If a child produced by the couple would have the same aptitude. If. Another very large concept littered with potholes along the way.
Biting into the green olive garnishing her martini, Aurora prayed for the music to start. Her skin still hummed with vibration from where Nic touched her. That wasn’t the worst of it, he’d said he wanted her. Damn it, they were adults and her meager love life only dreamed of such a night with him. Her muscles went limp and her skin heated as if she’d been poured from a fiery smelt into a mold. She realized that right away Beth’s desire to be a doctor wouldn’t carry any weight with Nic. She needed more information and to get it she would have to continue this bizarre charade further. “Is anyone in your family a doctor?” “Actually, in both our families. But, that isn’t why I wanted to go into medicine.” Beth’s smile lit up the dim sports bar with a glow of pure sunlight. “I love kids and I’ve always hated the idea of any of them being hurt or sick.” “I keep telling her we should just have our own kids. Then she could study something like research or diseases.” Now, here, finally something she could use. “You want children?” “Sure, eventually. Doesn’t everybody?”
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Aurora gave a crooked tilt to her lips. “I don’t know. I’m pretty sure I don’t.” Beth leaned closer as a waitress cleared their plates. The music started up a wild wicked bass and bright clean piano. “I think the two of you would have beautiful babies.” A metal disk rattled around her stomach. Cold, dead weight drying her throat and making the air in her lungs come out in a whoosh. “I don’t think Nic’s ready for that.” She practically had to yell for Beth to hear over the strumming guitar. No doubt Nic heard her but it wasn’t the first faux paux of the evening. That might as well write the next comedy of errors blockbuster film on her life. Besides, this was all part of the image they tried creating like all this with Nic mattered. She turned her chair around to concentrate on the Voodoo Lizards. They were an eclectic group; she’d give them that. Wild rifts and smooth jazz gave her something to think about besides Nic’s fingers entangling with hers. Pretend or not, it felt so very real. Why did this happen now? Why not with a nice accountant kind of guy her mother always tried to hook her up with. Things would’ve been a whole lot simpler. Simple yes, bone throbbing excitement not in the least. Aurora loved excitement, but she couldn’t remember a man ever created such a tingling fury. She dated, several men over the years, but nothing passionate. Nothing as serious as this could be. Nic managed to evaporate every sane thought out of her head with the briefest touch. When they kissed, oh damn, she didn’t want to think about that right now. Aurora felt her body go hot all over. The band finished it’s first set. “Excuse me for a minute.” Leaping up, Aurora raced for the restroom to splash some cool water on her face. How could Nic make holding hands so damn hot? Icy water didn’t seem to cool the fever, Aurora patted her face dry and slicked some more lip gloss on her lips. Another forty-five minutes and she was on her way home for a very cold shower. Aurora came out of the restroom and nearly ran shrieking from Mac’s. Shock, a dark gray thundercloud settled over her head and prepared to rain on her parade. In front of her table was her nosey, report-everything-back-to-mom little sister, Amanda, and her brother in law, Casey. Nic moved from the bar where he picked up another round of drinks and passed Aurora another martini. “I thought you could use this.” “Oh God.” Aurora sipped the drink as Nic held two beer mugs in one hand and a glass of wine in another. “This is so bad.” Nic couldn’t help it, he laughed. “Things just have a way of complicating themselves around you, don’t they?” “Just call me the Queen of Complications.” “That’s what I’m afraid of.” Nic murmured following Aurora back to the table.
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“Aurora! Hi! We were just talking to your friends.” Amanda gushed, batting coppery eyelashes at Nic. “I see that.” “You should’ve told us you were coming tonight. Or we should’ve told you; you got better seats after all.” Amanda linked her arm with Casey’s. “It was a last minute thing.” “Well, maybe next time. That’s beside the point anyway. C’mon Aurora, how come you kept Nic here a secret? Mom’s gonna have a fit when she finds out you’ve been dating him without bringing him over for her and dad to meet.” Aurora shifted her weight from foot to foot. She’ll only find out when you blab! Aurora nearly shouted at her younger sister. Fabulous. In about an hour, her entire family would know about Nic. Setting the drinks down, Nic wrapped an arm around Aurora’s shoulders. “We haven’t been seeing each other very long.” “Yeah. Why would I want to inflict him on my nutty family so soon?” Aurora blinked. Did she say that aloud? Wow, she really excelled at sticking her large foot in her mouth. Amanda laughed, as did Casey. “Hey why don’t you all come to Sarah’s birthday party?” “Amanda, that’s probably not a good idea.” “Who’s Sarah?” Aurora turned back to Beth. “My two year old niece.” Taking one very large slurp of the martini, she wished Nic would “Stutter” this scene right into oblivion. “Oh that sounds fun! Are you sure we wouldn’t be intruding?” “The more the merrier, right Casey?” Amanda chuckled as Casey grinned. “Nothing better than a barbeque and a bunch of kids running crazy around the yard.” Casey finally spoke up. “Don’t try to get a bunch of strangers thinking this is fun. It’s loud, a little nutty but we’ll have plenty of food and beer. You all are more than welcome.” He nudged his wife as the band returned to the stage. “Come on, Amanda. Nice meeting you all.” Sinking into her chair, Aurora felt Nic lean over the back. “This puts a new wrinkle in things.” Maybe if she choked on her olive, then when she woke up this would just be a weird nightmare. Aurora looked over the rim of her glass at the Tanners. “I’m sorry, guys. My sister can be a little exuberant.” “Hmm, I wonder where she gets that from.” Aurora nudged Nic in the arm. The younger couple laughed at the exchange. “No problem, my sister’s the same.” Craig grinned, “She drove me crazy when we were growing up.”
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“Are you the oldest, Aurora?” At Aurora’s reluctant nod, Beth continued wisely, “I know all about that. I’m surprised my siblings are still alive. I can’t tell you how many times I plotted their demise when I was in high school.” She looked at Nic. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” “Only child.” He said it so matter-of-factly that Aurora wondered if Nic even remembered having a family. As annoying and nosey as her family was, Aurora knew she would miss them if they weren’t around. Nic essentially had no one. At least no one ever mentioned him having family. How sad. It made her all the more aware of Nic’s isolation and his efforts to keep it that way. “In some ways that’s good, in others you miss all this fun.” Aurora broke into the conversation as the band started the next set. “I don’t want you two to feel obligated to attend a two year olds birthday.” “We love kids and it’s great meeting a lot of nice people right away.” “Well, you will definitely meet a lot of people at this party. Most are nice. My brother-in-law invites half the neighborhood and most of his friends from work.” Aurora thought that might dissuade the Tanners, but it didn’t. She sighed settling in as the Voodoo Lizards picked up where they left off. “Was this part of your plan?” Aurora might’ve laughed if she could find something amusing about the whole thing. Pandora’s Box opened and went flying right out of her hands dispersing all types of trouble and Aurora appeared helpless to stop the matter. She could see it now; the Tanners would fit in nicely with the partygoers. The event might even help alter their own path, but what would it do to Nic and her? Oh she had just a phenomenal gift of focus here. If she didn’t change the outcome of Craig’s life, it wouldn’t matter about Nic. She would be gone from Immortality Incorporated and his life. Maybe she needed to put it on a sticky note on her refrigerator and her desk and anywhere else sticky notes went. As cheery and happily in love her parents were, her mother couldn’t understand why her eldest daughter hadn’t married. Aurora knew she really didn’t have an acceptable reason, not in her mother’s eyes. She wanted her children married with lots and lots of grandbabies for them to spoil. Well, she already had four. Enough for most people so Aurora hoped her mother would eventually lose interest.
Another martini and Nic figured he’d carry Aurora out of the bar. A case of nerves bundled tight like a roll of wire. He watched Aurora as she tossed scenarios in her head. Nic supposed he should’ve warned her of the interference. He knew earlier today that her sister and brother-in-law would attend tonight’s concert. But, he chose not to.
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Aurora needed to learn that not everything played nicely into her plans. One thing you never could manage was a family. His observations were family acted unpredictably and usually at the most inopportune moments. Nic smiled slowly to himself. He promised her the opportunity to change the outcome of Craig Tanner’s life. He never promised it would be painless. Besides, the longer he held Craig and Beth Tanner in stasis the more apt they were to incur other difficulties. The punch-drunk reptiles or whoever they were continued to intoxicate the audience. Nic didn’t appreciate their hold on the crowd. There was only one intoxication in the room and Nic sat next to her. He bided his time until the concert ended and Aurora said goodnight to the Tanners. “It was a nice evening. I look forward to seeing you again.” He shook Craig’s hand as the couple headed out. Nic kept a loose arm around Aurora’s shoulders until the young couple got into a cab and drove down the street. As soon as they were out of sight, Aurora turned to him. His arm reluctantly fell away from her shoulders. He could see the apology forming on her full lips before she opened her mouth. “I’m sorry. Again. I had no idea my family would be here.” “Did you know they liked the reptiles?” “Lizards.” Nic tilted his head in acknowledgement of the error. “Yes. I should’ve realized they would come.” “Probably.” People filed out of the building around them. He glanced up; the moon cast a silky glow over the night. The skyline of Chicago made stars against the blackness of night. Nic checked his watch. “Do you want me to get you a cab?” “Where are you going?” He quirked a dark brow surprised at her interest. “Back to the office for awhile.” “I’ve got a few things I could get done there.” Aurora walked to a waiting cab. “Give me a head start on tomorrow.” “All right.” The six block drive to the office building made in silence and with an odd sense of edginess that Nic found vaguely disturbing. He paid the cabbie and followed Aurora inside. Safety lights were the only source of illumination as they walked swiftly to the elevator. Nic didn’t mind the silence or the relative darkness. Yet, Aurora walked faster and closer to him until the doors of elevator closed. “I didn’t know you were scared of the dark.” He felt her bristle at the remark. “I’m not.” “Aurora, you really have nothing to fear. As an Immortal, you can’t be harmed by anything real or imaginary.”
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“Thanks, I appreciate that.” Nic grinned as the elevator slid to a halt. “No problem.” “Gotta love a sensitive man.” Aurora started for her office only this time, he caught hold of her. “Tell me about this birthday party.” “What?” “Your niece’s party. What’s it going to be like?” He released as she regarded him strangely. She probably thought he was antagonizing her again. He wasn’t. He had little memories of childhood or a family. He found the addition of Aurora’s family an intriguing concept into a murky plan Aurora had for keeping Craig Tanner alive. “You’re kidding, right? Please, tell me you’re kidding.” She appeared oddly uncomfortable at the prospect while he wanted to know more. “I have no memory of a childhood, Aurora, let alone a family. I was simply curious that’s all.” Nic walked away and headed to the private entrance of his office. Aurora came after him and caught hold of his sleeve as he opened the door. “I always seem to find myself apologizing to you. Why is that?” Nic shrugged. “I don’t usually make such a mess of things, you know? I generally develop a better rapport with people, easier anyway.” “So it’s just with me?” She nodded, “Evidently.” She let go of his coat and caught sight of flickering lights in his office. “I had no idea about your family. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.” “Why would you? I’m a private man, Aurora.” “No kidding.” “I like it that way. It makes things simpler.” He escaped involvement and the ultimate loss by refusing to interact with or attach to anyone. Aurora would call it a lonely existence. It was. He admitted that freely but he needed the solitude. His solitude assured he was always capable of doing his job without any strings attached. She’d find that difficult because Aurora attached strings to everything. “I guess I never really thought about it, you know? Once you’ve been here so long, your family and friends would eventually die.” She shrugged at the potential of such a great cost to involvement, trying to make it more casual than she felt. Moving past the heavy topic, Aurora chose to ignore the hint. He’d given her ample opportunity to walk away tonight. She hadn’t. She twisted her lips and gnawed at a corner, thinking. “Okay, birthday party. They’ll be around thirty people there. Family, friends and all their kids. It’s loud, really loud. Loud enough to make your nerves vibrate, but it’s a happy loud. There’s food everywhere, like a
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potluck explosion. It starts late afternoon and ends by early evening when all the kids and parents collapse in exhaustion.” “Sounds fun.” Aurora sighed, “You want to go, don’t you?” She scratched the back of her ear. “Great, I didn’t think you’d really want to subject yourself to this.” “Don’t you think your relatives would find it odd that I wasn’t there? Especially after Amanda fills them in.” He winked at her and had the sheer pleasure of watching Aurora whimpered in dismay. He dug in a little further, getting a kick out of the nosey sister. “She kept an eye on us all night.” “Super.” Nic opened the door to the office and walked inside. “I’ll just tell them we’re fighting.” “A little coincidental, don’t you think.” “If I tell you the truth, I may need to leave the planet.” Aurora stamped her foot in irritation and chewed the tip of her fingernail noting after tonight, she needed a nail appointment. “Amanda knows you’re my boss. I’ve kind of mentioned you in the past.” “And that’s bad?” “It could be.” “Why is that?” Aurora twisted a ring on her right hand with her thumb. “I don’t know. There’s a lot of stigma against men dating their employees. I wasn’t sure how the Tanners would take the scenario.” “I see. Sounds plausible, I suppose.” He found it interesting that even though she appeared terribly curious about the office, she wasn’t going to come inside unless he offered. “Aurora, you can come in.” “Hmm, what? Are you sure? I mean, no one comes in here. Except you of course.” He waited as she peered around the doorway. Her eyes darkened to an impossible shade of sapphire. She inhaled quickly and he gestured slowly for her to enter.
Aurora’s breath caught in her lungs and her mouth fell open in a gasp. “Oh. . . My. . .” Afraid to move or breathe lest she disturb the wondrous symphony of lights, Aurora watched in utter awe. Nic motioned once more for her and she moved as slowly and gently as possibly. “Close the door.” The timbre of his voice seemed to affect the kaleidoscope of intricate color dancing across the walls of his office. “This is amazing.” Breath evaporated on her lips as she gently closed the door. “Incredible.”
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Leaning against the cold wood door, Aurora simply stared. So this was Time’s inner sanctum. The beauty of the aurora borealis, an English garden at springtime, the sunset over Hawaii was nothing in comparison. She tilted her head, listening then turned her gaze on Nic. “Do I hear music?” He smiled. For the rest of her life, Aurora knew she would remember that smile and what it did. Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest. His lips, those white teeth and the glimmer in those amazingly dark fathomless eyes held her captive. In her entire life, Aurora couldn’t recall ever witnessing anything more beautiful than the flow of time. Except Nic. He’d tossed his jacket on the chair before she came into the office. He moved with the grace of an athlete, and held his hand out to her. He was beautiful, sexy and Aurora wished with all her heart that she’d never met him. The past two years she kept warm on Saturday nights with the fuzzy sensation of the equivalent of a teenage crush. It wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough. “I didn’t think anyone else would be able to hear the music.” She took his hand seeing the arc of electricity for real this time instead of merely experiencing. “This is amazing. No wonder you don’t like to come out of here. It’s so pretty.” He led her over to a long desk. Releasing her hand, he fingered a silver stick about the size of half dollar and slid it into a tiny drive. A monitor dropped into view and Craig and Beth Tanner appeared. “Ewan probably wouldn’t agree to give you this, but what the hell? He isn’t the boss.” Ejecting the stick, Nic held it out between two fingers. “What is it?” “It’s almost a cheat sheet for you. It charts the Tanners and lets you know if their path arcs in anyway. You’re looking for a change; this is the easiest way to track it.” He gestured for Aurora to take it. “It slides into the drive on your PDA.” Her fingers shook gently as she took the memory stick. “Why?” An image of the snotty Ewan came to mind disrupting the symphony of light playing across Nic’s office. “What does Ewan have to do with this?” “Nothing, forget I mentioned it.” “Hang on a second there, babe.” Aurora slipped the stick into her jean pocket and frowned. “That doesn’t sound like nothing.” “Don’t worry. It’s nothing I can’t handle.” Aurora walked closer to him watching with careful scrutiny as Nic pulled a section of the web to analyze. Her eyes locked on the glittery light with a silver cast as he tugged it into view. His attention appeared only on the web and Aurora decided to leave delicately. Between her attraction to Nic and this
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mesmerizing place, Aurora knew a little distance was in order. First, she needed to clear the air about Fear. “Tell me what Ewan has to do with this, Nic.” “I said I could handle it.” Leaning against the door, she debated for a moment. “I know that and I believe you. However, if this has something to do with me then I think I should be involved.” “Is that what you think?” “Yes.” She heard Nic tap on the keyboard as she reached for the door. “Ewan seems to have forgotten who is in charge.” “Is that all?” “I thought that was quite enough actually.” Aurora rotated her head back to Nic. “What do I have to do with this?” “Quite a bit. He saw us together the other day and feels that you’re taking advantage. Sexually.” “You’ve got to be kidding?” Aurora pushed her hair back as rage flashed. “Gil was right, wasn’t he? He is jealous.” “Maybe. He could cause trouble for you. I’ve warned him against such a maneuver. We’ll see if he complies.” “Fabulous.” She had her hand on the door handle when she heard his voice. “Aurora, we have a problem.”
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CHAPTER SEVEN
Aurora’s fingers twisted the knob and held tight to the cold metal. “Aurora, close the door.” She let go of the door, her back to Nic. His voice scraped harshly across her skin. “Now.” “What’d I do now?” “Come over here.” The door clicked quietly behind her and Aurora heard the metal clank of the lock. “Nic? What’s wrong?” She walked over where he stood stiffly next to the web. He shoved the keyboard aside. “Nic?” He used one finger and lifted a strand. Aurora noticed the thickness. The single thread coiled through the entire length of the web. Multi-faceted with a prism of color, Aurora stared entranced. “What is it?” “Here and here.” Nic pointed at two spots on the thread that carried blemishes. Tinged with a red blush and one the color pink roses, Aurora watched as Nic isolated the marks. “Do you know what this is?” His voice remained quiet, soft and still she understood the temper and the steel vibrating within. “I’m not sure.” She hesitated, not wanting to seem dense. Not wanting to make Nic angrier, at least, without knowing the reason why like irritating Nic was her favorite sport or something. “It’s my thread.” Aurora shook her head trying to assimilate. “I didn’t think Immortals had threads.” “Everything on the planet has a thread. Animal, human, everything, we’re part of it all.” Aurora leaned past him to look at the red and pink along his thread. “What are those?” She pointed at the marks careful not to touch. “Interference.” Aurora moved next to him. “I don’t understand. From where? Ewan?” “Really?” The word fell ripe with innuendo, rich with anger. “You don’t have any idea.” “Okay, I’m obviously in trouble again. I think you better tell me why.” “When was the last time you spoke with Chaos or Desire?” The catfish Aurora ate for dinner came to life and stirred a whirlpool in her stomach. Her throat closed drying to ash. Comprehension dawned and it became ugly with snapping teeth and vicious claws. Gil and Jess planted something on the timeline. “When did you talk to them?”
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Someone, most likely Gil, had seriously screwed her. Gil liked toying with people. That’s why he was so good at his job. She was pretty sure Jess had the hots for him. Women noticed this sort of thing. Oh hell. Air. She needed some air. If she noticed Jess’ attraction, undoubtedly, she could see Aurora’s attraction to Nic. “Nic, if you can tell me what this all means, I think I know what happened.” She moved with cement attached to her heels, rubbing her throat, hoping to moisten the crack in her voice. It wasn’t that she feared Nic. He didn’t appear to use violence as an outlet to his anger. Lucky her, she could’ve been pulverized by now. However, she did fear his response. Sometimes, she thought if she had any sense, she ought to fear a man with such power. What brought her to her knees, crumbling her very existence was the idea that she might somehow disappoint him. “Answer the question.” The lash fell hard, innocence no longer in question. “Have you spoken with Chaos or Desire this week?” “Yes.” Something bizarre appeared in her mind like serving cricket ice cream in a bowl and then having it melt at her feet. This whole thing wasn’t bad enough that her teenage crush on her boss was about to become public knowledge, if it hadn’t already. Nic would know and she would melt into a puddle. Then, she realized with a disturbing clarity that Nic didn’t refer to Gil or Jess by their first names. Only by their offices, and that was strangely weird. Weird because Nic referred to Ewan by his name and it seemed classifying the others by their offices made them easier to deal with. Not to mention, a bit demeaning no longer categorized as a person. Had Nic been alone so long that people no longer mattered to him? At what point did she become like him? She wouldn’t allow that to happen, not ever. Regardless how her path changed, she would never lose sight of her own humanity. She couldn’t let Nic lose his either. “They’re people, you know?” Nic relinquished the thread allowing it to blend back into the web. He swiped at the web and it melded into the flow of time. “What did you say to them?” “Not anything that should make you mad, that’s for sure. If anyone should be mad here, it’s me. Unless you’re embarrassed by it.” “Aurora.” Her name became a warning. One she understood after spending two years in Nic’s employ.
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“When did you forget Gil and Jess and even Ewan are human?” She took hold of his arm, forcing him to stop. “What about you, Nic? Do you even remember yourself?” Nic slanted a look at her that reminded Aurora of utter darkness. “Is that what you think? Aurora, you really know very little of my humanity or me. I am very well aware they are human. And, quite capable of leading you along while they get their kicks. Because you trust them, it’s even easier.” She got closer forgetting prey should stay away from the hunter. Hazardous and Aurora should know better. “I see. Okay, here’s what happened. They were in my office after the board meeting. After we, uh, you know? I didn’t see them when I came out of the restroom. Gil thought—” “I can imagine what Gil thought. Just looking at you gives a man ideas.” Nic shook his head utterly dismayed. “Do you realize I’m going to have to suspend them indefinitely?” Aurora saw the anger fuelled by frustration as he whirled on her. “Damn it, Aurora, this is exactly the kind of thing Ewan’s been looking for.” “Look, this is my fault and I accept full responsibility here. Gil and Jess were just trying to help me out, I think.” “Gil doesn’t help anyone out unless there’s something in it for him.” Aurora shrugged. “We’re friends. I told him I’d take any help they could give if it meant getting the Tanners a fair shake. I really didn’t think they’d do anything. Not like this. Jess isn’t exactly a champion of mine.” “Did you ask them to mark my thread?” Aghast, Aurora’s eyebrows flew up and her eyes shone spotlights in the dim light from the office. Whoa! Was she off track with this one. She thought he knew about the crush. That Gil or Jess said something to him and who knows who else worked at Immortality Incorporated. Here she was prepared to be the butt of all gossip on Monday which was nothing unusual, but this? No way. “No, of course not. Are you kidding me? I couldn’t ask that. How could anyone do that?” “Even if it meant Craig Tanner’s life would be spared?” She deserved the doubt, the censure, but that didn’t keep the acidic taste out of her mouth. “They don’t have that ability.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. She stood at the top of a ladder and watched as the rungs holding her feet snapped, so much for a good working relationship with your colleagues. “Do they?” “No, they don’t.” Nic’s hand went around the back of her neck and coiled into her hair. “But, they can keep me preoccupied so I wouldn’t notice other indiscretions.” “I don’t think—”
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“What?” His breath mingled with hers as he bent his head. “Obsession is a strange thing. It strikes without warning or regard.” His eyes bore into hers. “Don’t you think that it’s really strange we can’t keep our hands off each other. We’ve known each other for over two years, Aurora. Why now?” Whatever she’d expected, Nic indicating he wasn’t attracted to her until the last couple of days wasn’t the statement she prepared for. Maybe he did know. His fingers loosened in her hair while his hand stroked down between her shoulder blades and brought her closer. His other hand went to her hip and pulled her against him.
Aurora burned at the contact as his eyes lit with a gleam of grim
satisfaction. “Is this all there is, Aurora? You like someone else pulling the strings? Telling you what to feel and who to want.” Tiny frissons of heat journeyed up the length of her spine as he ran his hand up her back again. His fingers sifted through her hair baring her throat. A shadow of beard scraped the column of her throat while his lips moved across her jaw line. “You think they did this?” She gasped as he nipped the corner of her chin. “Nic, that’s just not right.” “Do you think it’s right that I wake up at night shaking because I want you so badly?” Fingers dug into her hips as he pressed his lips to the corner of her mouth. “That you’re all I can feel. You’re all that matters. Is it right?” Aurora’s eyes fell shut. Inhale. Breathe. Concentrate. His mouth skimmed across her lips feathery soft.
“You’re all I want to touch.
Do you
understand what it’s like to feel this and know it’s a lie? A devious little trick to keep me from tracking time.” Desire ran sharp as a blade through Aurora’s entire body. The hunger, the desperation she’d never experienced before Nic’s touch. Was her willingness only a result of Gil and Jess playing practical jokes? The longing, the ache, she remembered the embers kindling for the last two years. She’d waited so very long for him never imagining anything could come of her dreams. He wanted her; she could feel it with every fiber of her being. She wanted him. Could two wicked co-workers cause so much trouble? That could not be possible. Could it?
Nic’s fingers contracted hard at Aurora’s hipbone before he noticed he might hurt her. Pulling his hands away, Nic backed up. He turned his head seeing the glitter of the Chicago night. Pretty, so full of life, music and smoke, the flash and fire reminded him of Aurora. Rubbing the back of his neck,
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he worked the tight muscles. “I can’t do this.” He walked to the palm identification panel tempted to retreat. “Not with you.” “Nic, let’s get out of here. Go somewhere and talk about this. We need to think clearly. I honestly don’t think their motives were to disrupt things.” He sensed her come up behind him. As soon as the scent of vanilla filled his nostrils, he felt his hands tremble. She touched his hand flattening it against the panel. “I have something to tell you and it’s well, not anything I figured I’d ever be saying.” Nic sighed heavily; she just complicated the hell out everything. Again. “What the hell?” Aurora grabbed hold of Nic’s hand in a death grip as the wall of his office shimmered and faded. “Nic?” Practically glued across his back, Aurora stared past his shoulder into the foyer of his penthouse. He peeled her fingernails out of his wrist and led her into the foyer. “You wanted to go some place and talk.” “You live here? You seriously live here.” The blue of her irises darkened to nearly black. He noticed her head swiveling like a merry-go-round trying to take in his home. “I feel like I’ve just entered the Batcave or Superman’s hideout.” “I don’t think Superman had a hideout.” Aurora tossed her hands in the air, flapping them with frustration. “You know what I mean. Damn Nic, I didn’t think you lived here. No wonder you’re always at work. It’s because you’re always at work!” “You have amazing powers of deduction sometimes.” “That’s what shock will do for you.” He went over to the wet bar and poured two glasses of Cabernet. He took a swallow. The rush of velvet, grape and currant flooded his tongue with complex tannins. He sat the other glass on the bar for Aurora. “There you go a glass of wine and a view of the city. Now, what did you want to say to me.” “You should sell tickets.” Aurora snatched up the glass and drank deeply. She started a tap dance around the subject. “Perks of being the boss.” His eyes covered her, draped her in the fiery curtain as he felt his footing begin to slip at the edge of the chasm. He cleared his throat and came out from the bar. “Besides, someone has to be here all the time.” “Yeah, right, Time stops for no man or something like that, right?” The reckless lilt to her voice caught hold and steadied him. Aurora haunted him day and night and now he knew the despicable reason behind his sudden hunger.
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Two years. Two of the longest years of his existence. From the moment he met Aurora, he struggled to think coherently of little else. He remembered her interview. Beautiful, young, with a mind eager and sharp she struck him hard and fast with a gilded bow. She thought her degree in marketing would create high marks especially with an international company. He wasn’t interested in her degree. Her passion for life sold him. The openness of her mind, willing to challenge any task, amazed him. The beauty of her heart so tender and conscious of the immense power placed in her hand. She was so thrilled and eager to assist humanity no matter the cause. Time did nothing to alter his perception of her. She grew more beautiful, more unique and more out of reach with ever hour that passed. Cold unyielding steel bound tightly across his chest when he tried clamping down on the fierce hurt and fury assailed him. Nic finished his wine. Every single cell in his body focused. “I can’t change what I am. Even if I wanted to. You know that.” Aurora laughed. The sound started as a giggle rapidly accelerating to a genuine belly roll. Nic frowned, “You’re intoxicated.” “Probably.” She finished the wine, tilting the glass in his direction. “I need a little courage anyway.” Nic studied her as she kicked off her heels and moved across the rug. She sat the wine glass on an end table. “I’ve got to be insane to do this. Really, totally nuts here.” She moved closer and Nic found himself backed against the doorframe. She drew in a deep breath and his eyes went to her breasts. “Okay, here’s the thing. Whatever Gil and Jess did, like I said, I’ll take responsibility. If you want to suspend me or whatever it doesn’t matter as long as I can finish the job with the Tanners.” “Why would you do that?” “Because they wouldn’t have gone after that angle if something wasn’t already there. Something they could see and I guess you didn’t.” She sighed and Nic found his gaze at her lips. “Or just didn’t want to.” Her hand rose to his cheek. Nic lingered in the softness, gentle and just a bit unsteady. It tripped through his heart like the wings of a hummingbird. “I’m trying to say this without making a complete fool out of myself. Trouble is, there’s really no way not to make a fool out of myself.” “Try me.” Nic kept still. Since the episode in the boardroom, he found himself susceptible to all forms of fantasy. Most of it involved Aurora beneath him, a bit of champagne and a tangle of sheets. Now he knew her attraction was only a ruse designed to elicit a response. It did. One hell of a response he eagerly would die to repeat if only it was real. “I’m attracted to you. Have been since the moment we met and I know having a crush on your boss is passé not to mention inappropriate.” Her fingers trailed into his hair. “Of course, appropriate wasn’t what happened at Mac’s either.” He never thought strands of hair could excite or tease. She
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curled her other hand into his hair and Nic nearly groaned aloud. “But, I never seem to follow the rules. Besides, what you did to me at Mac’s wasn’t fair. I’m still wet, Nic.” “Aurora, stop.” He wrapped his hands around hers and pulled them from his hair where she caused craziness. Guilt came at him with short snapping fangs; she had no idea what she dealt with in him. She pushed limits. Her tongue licked her lips and Nic dropped her hands. Held in absolute thrall, he watched intently as she moved his hands around her hips. “Pretend, Nic. Just for a little while that you want me.” “Sweet heaven.” He didn’t need to pretend. Nic understood while guilt bit into him and the ultimate pain he’d cause, he just couldn’t help himself. “I want to drive myself so far inside you, Aurora.” He witnessed beauty in his life. The light of creation spread during sunrise while mountains rose from the earth. The most perfect rose with blood red petals shaped into a faultless bloom with the sweetest scent. His hands clutched at the material of her tank and he dragged her up against him. Women throughout history from Cleopatra to Anne Bolin, Nic understood merely the eyes didn’t measure beauty. Beauty touched so achingly by the soul. Aurora’s hands went to his chest. The muscles under his shirt bunched and tightened. The steel bindings around his carefully erected control ruptured. His mouth descended on hers. Tentative and gentle, he brushed his mouth across hers. The kiss deepened sharply as he angled his head. Drawing her in, absorbing her as a man possessed. Her taste, he wanted to taste her again. That sample before hadn’t been nearly enough. Her scent. The softness of her skin. Flavors, sweet and potent flowed over him as his tongue swept into her mouth. He tasted the wine and something far sweeter, more intoxicating than any nectar known to man. He wanted more, craved it as if he’d been lost at sea for years. Desolation was his past, his life and Aurora revealed life. The dance became vibrant with Aurora stroking his chest. Her quick agile fingers lifted the hem of his shirt so she could make contact with skin. Waiting so very long for this moment, this tiny mark in the landscape of time seemed worth everything now. He knew from the instant he saw her their time would come. Nothing Nic did could stop this. He wouldn’t stop this moment anyway. Nic didn’t have to see her thread or his to know they would eventually entwine together. Yet, it’d been torture the waiting, lingering, hoping nothing got in the way.
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Balling his fist in the fabric of her tank, Nic tore his mouth from hers. Pain lanced with guilt as he looked at her. God, she was beautiful. The most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, touched, and he knew in the pit of his soul what would happen. “Aurora,” her name came out on a breath near her forehead. His fingers twined in a strand of her hair. “Be sure of this.” She raised her arms over her head so he could remove the cotton garment and the guilt swarmed around him fast. He wanted this, wanted her so desperately that at this moment he risked so many things. Gazing at him with shiny eyes, she let him look his fill. Her breasts were small, pretty globes with rosebud nipples. He lifted one, kneaded gently, and placed her nipple to his lips and tasted.
Dreams often didn’t come close to reality. For Aurora, the dreams and fantasies of making love with Nic over the past two years shattered by the sweetest reality. Nic’s lips closed on her breast and her breath fell in short quick pants. He wedged his thigh between her legs; God, he was hard. Aurora could feel the heat of his cock, suddenly wanting to grip the velvet shaft and stroke the length. Sensations fluttered over her hot and fast. She wasn’t lying when she said she wanted to fuck him. Right now, she wanted him in her so deep and fast they both screamed. His lips grazed her collarbone. Current licked and tingled along her skin where he touched, teased, tormented her into a pool of molten lava. His hands were warm, calloused and surprisingly gentle traveling down her waist. His lips trailed down to her stomach pressing open-mouthed kisses every inch. Aurora’s muscles tensed, she was hot, slick, and ready. Sparks danced over her skin. She squeezed his shoulders hard, looking for stability on shaky ground. She tore at the buttons on his shirt, trembling, wanting flesh against flesh. Greed shuddered through her. Searing, feverish need boiled in her at the sight of Nic. He was a large man with an amazing athletic build. Beautifully sculpted male, with amazing pecs and rock hard abs, Aurora inhaled the clean scent of his skin. She touched him, soft as a feather, delighted when his skin contracted sharply. Twisting her fingers in his hair, she grinned at mussing up his impeccable appearance. He kissed her wrist and her pulse leapt in response. “Tell me what you want, Aurora, what you need.” “Everything.”
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“Everything, you shall have.” He kissed her slowly. Dangerously. Devouring her until she couldn’t see the ledge as she rushed up to it. While the world melted away and nothing else mattered. No second thoughts, no outside influences, nothing could interfere. She’d waited a lifetime, it seemed, for Nic and now dreams came true. Floating awash on a sea of sensation, Nic lifted her and carried her to the bedroom. He lowered her down onto a rich burgundy quilt then knelt beside her. Brushing an errant strand of hair from her eyes, he gazed at her with dark enigmatic eyes. “You’re so beautiful.” Her heart sang at the words. She’d heard the words before from many people, but none touched her heart the way Nic did. Fingers wrestled with buttons, snaps and rigid denim. Zippers and the rustle of fabric as skin finally melted in a frenzy. His lips played nefarious games and he grinned at a discovery. “No garter?” “Not with jeans, Nic.” She touched him, stroking over the long, burning length of his cock and smiled at the hiss of breath. Leaning forward, she wrapped her fingers around the base and slid her tongue over his velvety tip. Nic shuddered and gripped her around the waist, rolling her onto her back. His eyes gleamed with brilliant ebony flame as his hands hooked around her thighs. The touch of wicked marvelous fingers dancing across her skin made her shake with need. He dipped his fingers, taunting her core with a slow, wicked motion until her hips bucked. “Say the words, Aurora.” Parting her lips, his tongue danced around her clit, tasting and probing until Aurora cried out. Aurora fell into a great starry void hurtling hard and fast as Nic brought her to the first peak. He growled in her ear, “Tell me you want to fuck me.” His name came out in a gasp. A plea. The air around them searing and thick. Aurora bucked and shouted as muscles contracted around her, pleading for his cock. Shuddering, Aurora twisted away and gasped for air. “I want to fuck you, now, Nic.” She nipped at his lip, wrapping her arm around his neck. Wildfires blazed so hot and fast they threatened to extinguish too quickly. “Before you drive me fucking insane.” She shifted her weight, sliding down on the mattress, pressing up against him. Legs tangled and she could feel his cock against her inner thigh. Her hips shifted as she wrapped her legs around him. “Now.” She surged hard against him. “It has to be now.” He slid his amazing cock deep inside her. Aurora’s body contracted sharply as two pieces of an age-old puzzle fit together in harmony. “Oh God,” he slid further inside on a fiery stroke and it felt as if they’d joined souls. Fulfillment, a rare satisfaction wrapped around her. He moved slowly deep within, drawing out, sliding in and thunder exploded.
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The storm built. Her legs contacted hard around him forcing him to go deeper into her pussy. She needed it. Wild, powerful, fast, his cock pumped into her, a raging storm. Aurora felt him, drawing in and out making her pussy tingle from the current they created. Nic led her to a realm she never knew existed and she followed without hesitation. Lightning blazed and crackled. Their bodies in tune like an ultimate orchestra. Reaching between her legs, her fingers closed on his cock, working it while he worked her into exquisite agony. She caressed and he played. Mouths captured and cajoled until Aurora felt the rush as he drove her to the next peak. Framing her face with his hands, Nic’s black eyes bore down on her with frightening, exciting intensity. “Look at me, Aurora. Let me see you.” She opened her eyes meeting his midnight gaze head on. The first wave hit hard. Aurora’s pussy turned to molten lava as Nic held her hips hard. Shaking her to the very center of her being, she held on, clutching the quilt, and hard biceps riding the next furious crest. Nic shuddered. His forehead pressed against hers and an animalistic groan tore through his throat. Hot seed pumped into her receptive core and Aurora wrapped an arm around Nic’s neck while the world splintered away.
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CHAPTER EIGHT
Lying on his side in a tangle of sheets, Nic propped himself up on his elbow. Moonlight spilled over the room in a soft silvery glow. It was late, well past midnight, but he couldn’t sleep. All he wanted was to look at Aurora. She was sound asleep in his bed. Gorgeous golden red curls spilled in a tangle across his pillow, the moon cast her face in a faintly ethereal glow. She reminded him once more of an Elvin princess asleep inside the castle walls. Beauty captured for such a fleeting moment and he had it in his hand. She was gorgeous, yes, but Nic couldn’t remember the last time he’d met a woman so down-toearth and unaffected by her physical appearance. He assumed when they first met she’d be vain and shallow. He couldn’t have been more wrong on all accounts. His fairytale setting came to an abrupt end when Aurora did something Nic never expected. The most immaculate, stylish, classiest, beautiful woman on the planet let out a snore that would shake the rafters of most buildings. Nic sat up, certain his hearing was mistaken. Leaning closer, to Aurora, he watched her chest rise and fall. There it was again. A soft, cute little snort coming from a woman he could so easily lose his heart to. He understood with extreme gravity this was something he could not afford to do under any circumstances. No matter how much he needed, wanted or desired, his future could only be alone. Solitude and the ultimate loneliness never troubled him before. Now, the sharp, cold blade stabbed and drew blood straight from his heart. Nic kissed Aurora’s forehead and slid out of bed adjusting the sheets and comforter around her. Walking into the closet any woman would kill for, Nic dug out a pair of sweats and slid into them. He padded down the hall into a library where he spent time when he needed to settle his mind. Silly of him to think, even hope the quiet stillness of this room could somehow silence the dreadful knowledge. That it was necessary he knew, but it didn’t help ease the dull ache forming in pit of his stomach and radiating through his entire body. She did not deserve this. He poured a glass of cognac and lit a fire in the stone fireplace. Eyes darkened to coal as he watched the frames crackle and flare from his spot in a leather chair. He sipped the cognac and knew all too soon that his time with Aurora would end. He would hurt her. He knew that. Remorse became a tangible entity with that thought. He wasn’t what she needed.
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Aurora needed a man she could take home to her family. Go to barbeques or birthday parties take cruises and spend quiet evenings at home with, nothing he could provide. Nic didn’t have to look at the flow of time. He had the ability to check any portion of the Timeline, anywhere or any instance. It wasn’t anything he made of habit of because the results usually disturbed. He’d only done it twice in absolute dire circumstances. Both cases, he wasn’t certain there would be anything left of history if he didn’t look. Scruples perhaps, Nic wasn’t certain.
Aurora’s perception that he lacked compassion for
humanity wasn’t precisely true. She acted out in frustration where he always needed logic. Logic told him some things weren’t met to be. Bad things happened to good people like the case of Craig and Beth Tanner. In most cases, humanity was simply an aspect of the job. Then along came Aurora. Nic swirled the glass watching the rich amber liquid in the glow of the fire. He wished there could be another way. He didn’t want to hurt her. The idea of having to intentionally hurt her twisted his gut as if he’d swallowed a piece of hot shrapnel. “Hi there.” Her voice reminded him of sex and smoke. He turned to gaze at her as she walked into the library wrapped in a blanket from the bed. He tipped the cognac glass to his lips watching as she pushed the curly hair off her forehead. An entirely too sexy sleepy look fell across her face as she yawned luxuriously. Arousal slammed into him with the force of a hurricane. Deliberately he sat the glass down and gripped the side of the chair. “Hello.” “Why aren’t you asleep?” “You snore.” He flashed a wolfish grin. “Excuse me?” Indignant, a bit embarrassed, Nic’s smile remained in place. “I said you snore.” “I do not.” There was a bit of huffiness in her voice. “I don’t mind, Aurora. I’m a heavy sleeper.” He got to his feet hoping the sweats concealed evidence of his arousal. “Go back to bed; I’ll be there in a while.” “Not tired?” He heard the concern and it scratched at his conscious. “I’ve got a couple of things I need to do first.” He kissed her cheek with a brush of his lips. Wanting so much more and not daring to take the chance, Nic drew back. “We’ll talk in the morning.” “Nic? Is everything okay? Something hasn’t happened with the Tanners?” “They’re fine, Aurora. It’s late. Go back to sleep.” She nodded, covering a yawn with her hand and shuffled out of the library.
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His entire life, he’d spent alone. No one to laugh or cry with, no one to tease or make love with, and now she finally arrived. Nothing on earth ever caught hold of him, twisting and turning him with such ease making him wish he were simply a man. The jagged metal lodged in his stomach dug in cutting a sharp searing wound. He wanted a life with her. The laughter, the tears whatever the poets wrote. He wanted that, all of it, with her. That he’d even thought of such an idea told him he’d gone too far already. There were rules against this kind of thing. His rules. Put there for this very reason because what the hell would he do when Aurora left? He sat in the chair for a while mulling over his dilemma. The fire flickered carelessly in the hearth. He ran a forefinger over the rim of the brandy glass. The glow of the moon cast blue shadows across the library as it continued its journey across the night sky. A dull throb settled in his skull as he concluded no matter how he did this, it would never be easy. He made a promise to Aurora. A promise he intended to keep no matter what it did to him in return. Helping her with this quest of the Tanners would entail walking across a minefield. He would spend time with her during this charade until she came to the inevitable conclusion she wouldn’t change their course in time. Then, things would change once more. Aurora would return to her former existence and he would go on with a life of solitude. He’d always been comfortable with his life. Nic understood he lived a life most people would envy. Immortality Incorporated’s business in the mundane world left him an incredibly wealthy man.
He knew many things. Traveling the globe hundreds of times, Nic
experienced the tragedy of war and the beauty of creation in places no other man could begin to comprehend. He studied the world and humanity, but only as an observer, never as a participant. The solitude, the quiet, kept him sane in a world that showed so little sanity. How foolish did that make him wanting to trade in all this for one woman? Nic laughed a cold harsh sound. Incredibly foolish. Brilliant yellow sunlight streaked in the window warming Aurora’s face.
Waking slowly,
stretching like a cat, she smiled remembering Nic. Making love with him had been so amazing, so decadently rich. She wanted him again. The craving seemed dark and dangerous and she gloried in the sensation. She turned over in Nic’s bed, feeling snuggly and reached for him. Her hand came up empty and the sheets cold. Raising her head, she looked over at his pillow. No indention, bad sign, this was a really bad sign. He’d never come to bed last night. She’d slept alone.
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Aurora tossed the bed covers back and put her feet on the floor. Last night, she didn’t get a chance to take a look around the bedroom. The view was worth a million bucks all by itself. Tasteful, decorated in deep jewel tones, the room was monster size. She stretched her arms overhead and yawned then got to her feet and began searching for her clothing. She found her clothes folded neatly on a chair next to the window. Aurora sighed as she snatched up her tank and pulled it on. Was Nic being thoughtful or did he just want her to find her clothes fast so she’d get out of his penthouse? Wow. She couldn’t help wondering if they’d made a mistake. Aurora shook out her jeans and slipped into them. Moving to the hallway, she hoped it led to the bathroom. The smoky, maple scent of bacon filled the air. Aurora raised her head slightly. Maybe she was wrong, maybe everything was okay. Finding the bathroom, she took a moment to gasp. It reminded her of one of those spas women pay lots of money to pamper them. Holy smoke, she could spend a day in the tub. She imagined scented bath salts, candles, rose petals and a nice soothing instrumental playing while she soaked and day dreamed. Instead, she spent ten minutes freshening up and taming the wild mass of hair on her head. She probably looked like a wet poodle, but that was the curse of curly hair. She tried fluffing back to the normal style and discovered she resembled a redheaded lioness. When she thought she looked human again instead of lioness, Aurora opened the door on the other side of the bathroom. She walked over to the door and into the living area where she found Nic working in the kitchen on breakfast. “Good morning.” Nic passed her a cup of coffee and motioned for her to sit at the bar. “I’ve got breakfast coming up.” Aurora cocked her head slightly. Yep, she didn’t imagine the chill in the air, the formality that seemed to follow Nic Avalon. The temperature dropped twenty degrees and she wanted to know why. Aurora took the coffee gratefully. Brain cells didn’t function appropriately in the morning until after coffee. She slid into the barstool and watched Nic with a hint of suspicion. Nothing better than having a nice chilly breakfast on Saturday morning with your boss especially when it fell under the most sticky of circumstances. Well, this just made the top ten most politically incorrect way to spend a morning as far as Aurora was concerned. Now, how did you handle this? Temper? Probably not a good idea yet, considering she didn’t know the reason behind this sudden freeze. Regrets, most likely but she didn’t want to face that one yet.
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She smiled, “Looks good.” Nic placed a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast in front of her. Her stomach growled, not necessarily out of hunger. Nic stood across from her and bit off a bite of bacon. “Good. How’d you sleep?” Aurora nibbled on the bacon. There was a leading question if you ever heard one. Well, if wanted to open this up, she’d play. “Good. You?” She picked up a piece of toast and slathered raspberry jelly across it. “Didn’t look like you came to bed last night. I guess if I look at it from an optimistic point of view, you don’t bring a lot of women home.” “That’s an understatement.” Aurora arched a brow. “Well, isn’t this uncomfortable? Want to share? Why should I be the only one thinking you’re sorry about last night?” She watched him stiffen at the remark. She shifted her eyes to look around the kitchen. Like the rest of the penthouse, beautiful, gourmet and immaculate. Nic liked pretty things around him. She didn’t have a problem with that, she did have a problem shuffling what happened last night into a neat little stack so you could forget about it. Nic avoided her eyes when she looked back at him from the brim of the coffee cup. The jagged twinge of anger poked and prodded, but Aurora didn’t plan reacting to it yet. “You’re a good cook.” “Thanks.” Aurora sighed and sat the cup down. “I really don’t want this to be uncomfortable for you, Nic.” She spoke gently, noticing her hand shook as she sat the cup down. “It isn’t.” “Could’ve fooled me.” Nic sat his fork down and pushed his plate aside. “I’m not trying to fool you, Nic.” She licked an errant drop of jelly from the corner of her lips. A sudden flash of desire in Nic’s eyes gave her hope. “If you want to pretend nothing ever happened, I’m afraid we’re going to have problems.” “I’m not pretending anything, Aurora. Nothing changed here. Regardless what occurred last night, I’m still your employer.” Nic moved away from the bar. He picked up the plate and dropped it into the sink. Temper, Aurora. Hold onto it and keep your redhead under control. She bit into the egg with a casualness she certainly did not feel. Part of her wanted to grab hold of Nic and pound him hard. The other half of her wanted to take him back to bed. A biting sensation in the back of her neck told her it wasn’t going to be the later. “So what, business as usual then?” “Yes.”
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The food turned to caliche cement in her stomach making Aurora think this was probably going cause her gallstones or something. “Ah well, I guess that blows my plans of taking you on a picnic today.” She forced a smile on her face, her cheeks quivered at the idea. “Aurora.” Nic walked around the bar to stand in front of her. When he said her name like that, bells rang, birds sang, clouds cleared away. It was so beautiful, the gentleness of his voice, it made her want to cry. She held up a hand. Biting the inside of her cheek, to keep from tearing up, Aurora slid out of the barstool away from him. “It’s okay. No worries, Nic. I’ll just find my shoes and get out of your hair.” “This isn’t easy for me, you know?” Something snapped, the redheaded curse, her own defense mechanisms, whatever, made Aurora turn slowly. Nic ruined her nice, clean exit. He just had to push it back on her and naturally, she needed retaliation. “Easy? Are you kidding me?” She saw her shoes behind Nic next to the sofa. She shoved at his chest and moved past him. “Nic, give me a little credit.” “I give you a lot of credit.” Aurora snatched up one shoe and slipped her foot into it. “No, I don’t think you do. You’re acting like I’m going to get down on my knees and propose.” Nic started forward. His eyes gleamed hotly. “You’re not making this easy.” “I tried.” She shrugged. “I decided I don’t want to. Making this easy on you makes it harder on me, way harder than I ever realized.” Nic walked over to her and inclined his head. He reached for her and she pushed him off. He gestured between at the space between them. “This was a mistake. You know it, so do I.” “A mistake?” A dream, so soft, delicate and sometimes fragile could shatter all around you so easily. Aurora let the pain wash over her with all the heartbreak. Gazing at Nic, she saw the implacable expression on his hard features. The line of his lips, the coldness of his jaw, the anger in the depth of his eyes troubled Aurora. She sniffed, swiping at her nose before picking up her other shoe. “Wow, nice job there. You really know how to hurt a girl.” “I’m trying not to hurt you.” “Yeah, okay.” Aurora nodded abruptly. “If that’s the case, you need some practice on your technique.” Aurora started for the front door; Nic caught her by the wrist before she took hold of the
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door handle. “Oh yeah, do you have some sort of secret passage out of the Bat cave. I don’t want anyone to see me leaving, you know?” His grip on her wrist tightened. “It doesn’t have to be like this. We can be civil to one another.” “You think?” Okay, if he wanted to see how civil they could be, she put it to the test. Instead of pulling her wrist away, Aurora stepped up. A habit, maybe not a good one, but Aurora couldn’t back down if challenged. Thank heavens for three-inch heels. A little bravado went a long way when you could look a man in the eye. He released her wrist as soon as she pressed her breasts into his chest. “So you think what’s between us is civil?” She laid her hand against his taunt thigh. “Honey, there’s nothing civil about this.” Abruptly, she stepped away and released the latch on the door.
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CHAPTER NINE
By Monday morning, Nic’s sullen attitude depreciated to vile anger. He refused to acknowledge Aurora was right. Therefore, he’d spent the entire weekend alone just as he wanted and irritated as hell. Walking into the office, Nic checked the flow of time as he’d done thousands of times before. He watched the silver pools and waves rush around the room without any of the satisfaction or piece of mind he’d always experienced. Purposely, Nic called the web forth, his movements still poetic but with none of the passion. He forced the woman known as Fate out of his head, but she wouldn’t leave his heart. He pulled his thread out with his forefinger and held it while his other hand plucked off the trace marks of Chaos and Desire. Nic allowed the thread to return into the web and watched as the countless threads disappear back into the flow of time. Then, he turned his attention to the markers left by his two employees. Both turned to a powdery substance in his hand and Nic let it sift through his fingers to the floor. He speculated what those two were thinking when they tried such a stunt. Did they honestly believe he wouldn’t notice such a discretion? He’d be so enraptured by Aurora he would never see anything else. What would they gain this anyway? A wry grin of derision touched his mouth. A woman as beautiful and enchanting as Aurora could tie a man in knots on her own. She didn’t need any assistance. Perhaps, Aurora was correct and they were only trying to aid her in her quest or they had ulterior motives. Which brought him back to what they gained by this, Nic didn’t like the alternatives that came to mind. Deciding he would plan a project for his over-achievers, Nic walked into his outer office. He chased off his assistant and receptionist early in the day preferring to revel in his selfimposed exile. Business at hand interrupted his temper spoiling his plot for a trio of errant aspects. Finally, Nic went through several of the smaller meeting rooms with hopes of tracking down Gil and Jess but found Ewan instead. “Ah Ewan, the ever cheerful voice of Fear. Do me a favor and find Gil and Jess. Tell them there’s a meeting in my office in twenty minutes.” Nic smiled resembling a shark at a feeding frenzy. “Can I tell them what it’s about?” “You don’t need to know what it’s about, Ewan. Just that I want you all there in twenty minutes.” Ewan started for the door, stopped and turned around. “What about the others?”
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“What others?” “Rebecca, Aurora, you know the rest of the tribe.” “Don’t worry about them.” Nic walked out of the door and went to find his assistant. He wanted to have coffee and doughnuts ready for this crowd. No sense not enjoying some of his ferocity on several employees that chose to test the very boundaries of his sense of fair play. He decided keeping this temper locked up was just a waste. His outer office had a small lounge area that he used periodically for meetings. There was a long table where refreshments waited. A smaller round table with six chairs sat in the middle of the room. His assistant scurried around placing coffee and doughnuts and various other items in the room before Nic said anything. “No interruptions.” Nic spoke quietly to his receptionist as he strode into the meeting room at exactly ten o’clock. His receptionist triggered the “Do Not Disturb” as soon as the door closed behind Nic. “Good morning.” Nic’s eyes scanned the room and found pleasure in the nerves he detected. His voice was smooth, quiet and all too deadly. Placing a bulk stack of papers on the table in front of him, Nic took his seat as the others returned his greeting. Nic noticed Ewan shift uncomfortably in his chair. “Okay, we’re here, Nic. What’s this all about? Have you finally decided to listen to reason about Aurora?” Ewan winked confidently at Gil. Nic noted the other man didn’t display the bravado of Fear. Nic’s smile became feral, dark and sinister. He patted the large stack of paperwork. “This is a pet project of mine. Something that I’ve been curious about for a while now, but never found the opportunity to explore. I think now is an excellent time to conduct the research.” He shoved the paperwork in front of Ewan and watched him blanch. “You’re kidding?” Nic shook his head. Ewan lifted the first couple of pages skimming over the material then flattened them back down in disgust. Nic witnessed the smoke begin to roll out of Ewan’s ears and it nearly made him smile. “What is this garbage?” “I want to know how Fear affects those involved in paranormal activity.”
Gil and Jess
exchanged looks while Nic kept his eyes on Ewan. Their confusion blanketed them while irritation tied the trio in a neat little package. Ewan met his employer’s gaze with a heated glare. “This is garbage and you know it. If you think you’re going to load me up with this to keep me from doing my job, you’re wrong.”
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“Interesting analysis.” Nic poured himself a cup of coffee. “Unfortunately, your authority doesn’t extend to deciding what projects of mine you can refuse.” He sipped the dark roast and smiled. “In case you’ve forgotten, you work for me.” “If you want this junk done, do it yourself. I don’t have time for this.” Ewan started to shove the paperwork back. Nic placed his hand against the stack of material. “Ah, my point exactly.” Nic halted Ewan. “I can do it, Ewan, all of it. I don’t need you, Ewan. I don’t need any of you.” Nic felt the shift among the three members. Anxiety riddled the air pleasing him that they finally realized what was happening. They didn’t fully grasp the situation though or refused to accept it. “You’ve got nothing but time and all of it at my discretion so I advise you to get on board. Or would you rather hear the alternative?” He punched up the monitor control for the room and a holographic image of the time line appeared. He isolated his thread in the vicinity Gil and Jess placed their marks. “Any of this look familiar?” Gil cleared his throat. Shifting in his chair, Gil reached for a doughnut. “Nic, we didn’t mean any harm.” “Notice anything strange here, Gil?” Temper roared to life, Nic kept a handle on it, keeping his voice quiet and tinged with steel. “Come on, Gil. You’re a bright guy. Put it together.” He felt like sticking Ewan’s head through the wall. The smug attitude of his pushed Nic right to the limit. Gil glanced at Jess then the blood drained out of his face. Jess deliberately held her breath. Releasing the air in her lungs, she spoke with a hitch in her voice. “The markers are gone.” Nic touched a finger to his nose, bull’s eye. “How?” Jess looked to the other two for answers. Gil merely shrugged while Ewan turned pasty. An uneasy silence fell. Nothing like having your feet kicked out from under you especially when you assumed you stood on solid ground. There was nothing solid where these three stood in front of Nic. The only sound was ragged breathing from Ewan and an uncomfortable hacking noise out of Gil. No one seemed willing to look Nic in the eyes. He returned to his chair and sat with his forefingers shaped into a triangle. Gil laughed suddenly, the sound inappropriate and strained. Evidently, the younger man thought levity was a good approach. He met the black ice stare of Nic’s with an apologetic look. “I get it. Damn, we’re a bunch of idiots aren’t we, Nic?” “The jury is still out.”
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Gil tapped Ewan in the back. “He doesn’t need us. Don’t you see? Wow, no one’s ever thought about that one, have they?” “What?” Nic scratched the side of his cheek, casually observing Ewan and Jess. “Let’s try this again and this time everyone, pay close attention. I don’t need any of you. Not now, not ever.” He turned a vicious glare back at Ewan. “Do you understand stand now? I control Immortality Incorporated for a reason. I possess the abilities of all the members. Death, Desire, Fate, Luck all of them. Each is a part of me, created by me.” Nic got to his feet and punched the keys to terminate the display. “It is by my choosing whether or not you maintain the privilege of using those abilities.” He shoved the project back at Ewan. “Do you understand?” Ewan nodded utterly complacent. “Completely.” He pulled the project closer to him, patted it gently and placed a smile on his lips. “I’ll get to work right away on this. Who knows it might be interesting.” “I thought you might see it that way given the right type of persuasion.” Nic indicated the project’s paperwork. “I think this will keep you busy for quite some time, Ewan.” “I’ll get to work on it right away.” Nic nodded in acquiescence. Under usual circumstances, Ewan’s reaction would’ve been enough to brighten his mood. “You will all stay out of Aurora’s investigation of the Tanners. If I notice any interference by anyone’s behalf, you’ll wish all I gave was a warning.” “I guess we’ll be looking in the want ads this week.” “Is that what you think, Gil?” Nic pushed the unlock button on the door. “Ewan, I think you should get started on that project right away.” Ewan scrambled out of his chair, collecting the huge stack of paperwork. “I’m on it.” He hurried out the door and Nic turned a sharp gaze back on Gil. “Gil, you’re on probation for six months. At the end of that time, if you’ve so much as caused a bad wrinkle in the line, you’re history.” His eyes slid to Jess who tapped her fingers along the table. “Nic, can I speak with you privately for a moment?” Gil jumped up, eager to escape. “I don’t want to be tagged as the bad guy here. And since you could pull the markers, you probably already know this was my idea to begin with.” He regarded Nic with an apologetic expression on his mischievous features. “I thought it would be fun, you know. Loosen things up a bit.”
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“Is probation loose enough for you?” Nic knew the other man was well aware what this meant. All of his moves as Chaos triggered careful monitoring from now on. “Or would you care for an extended vacation?” “No, sir. This is just fine.” He waved at Jess, “Catch ya later.” Gil beat feet getting out of the room. Jess leaned forward in her chair. Nic studied the brunette with sultry good looks. She didn’t often show nerves, at the moment, she appeared out of her element. “I’m sure you know this already. In fact, after what you just told us, I’m certain you do.” “What is it, Jess?” “You know, we all figured you were like the rest of us. Ride this merry-go-round until you found a spot where you wanted to hop off and be on your happy way. I had no idea that you were the beginning.” Jess shook off her nerves and met his eyes. “Okay. When Gil and I placed our markers, I noticed something.” Jess twisted the rings on her left hand. “You know none of us are going to say anything to the others, right? We won’t say anything. Obviously you don’t want anyone to know about this so no one will.” Nic nodded. “Okay, well, we don’t have the skill you do with the threads or anything like that, but when I placed my marker on your thread, the color was already there.” Nic didn’t move a muscle. He felt them tense almost painfully into constricting steel. All the Immortals could read their own colors across the flow of time. He knew where Jess treaded with this and he didn’t want to hear it. Not from Desire and not from himself, Nic let his anger at the whole situation surface. “What are you getting at?”
Aurora found the door to Nic’s meeting room cracked open. She didn’t intend to eavesdrop, but Jess started speaking right when she tapped on the door. “I’m saying maybe, just maybe you want to take a harder look at what’s there. Maybe rules, sometimes, on certain occasions are there to be broken. Especially when it applies to something like this, I’m not telling you how to manage your life here just consider it.” Nic’s head snapped around as the door opened. “Aurora, is there something I can do for you?” “I’m sorry. I thought you were finished.” Actually, she’d cooled her heels in his outer office for forty minutes and gotten a bit peeved. She promised Nic she’d handle Gil and Jess. To find Jess here and a box of demolished doughnuts made things shockingly clear. Apparently, he didn’t trust her to finish this up. Jess waved her in. “No, no problem. Nic, what’s my penance here?” “Get in touch with Cupid. He has something he’s wanted to do for awhile.”
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Jess grimaced. “You wouldn’t want to give me probation instead?” “Not a chance.” Jess looked back at Aurora and waved. “Take care, hon.” Oh, hell. She thought maybe she dreamed Friday night, but Nic looked as devastating as ever. His dark eyes fixed on hers and she had no choice but to blatantly rake over his gorgeous body. She knew this would turn out awkward, the first day after at work and all. Why should she be the only one uncomfortable? Make him sweat a little that was Aurora’s new motto. The perfect reason for buying a new outfit this weekend and it might convince Nic he made a mistake. What outfit would be complete without a pretty dove gray garter? But damn, he looked good enough to lick from head to toe. Dark gray suit, with a silky black shirt and black tie, Aurora salivated at the idea of using that tie for something much more fun. She played this over in her mind all weekend. It kept her warm when she should’ve been insulted by Nic’s behavior. Tenacity wasn’t always the best personality trait. She honestly believed there could be something between them barring any outside interference. Heat pooled in her belly fiery like a volcano waiting to explode with need. She wanted. Desperately. “What do you need, Aurora?” What a leading question. “I’m thinking you really don’t want to ask me that.” “I’m really not in the mood for games.” “Is that so?” Aurora walked slowly into the office pleased when his eyes darkened as they went down her legs. So the red mini might be overkill but he seriously deserved it. That along with the cute little red pumps she picked up on sale. “Maybe I am.” She chose a chair across from him and sat deliberately. Crossing her legs, she angled slightly in the chair to give him a view of the garter, if he wanted. She saw his eyes narrow and his jaw tighten. Muscles in his throat worked. Yep, he wanted. No since being alone in this torture chamber, Aurora smiled brightly at him. “What are you in the mood for then?” All right, it was mean, but he started it, didn’t he? She didn’t use her looks to seduce, never felt the inclination to. With Nic, it would be different and very, very exciting. Nic rubbed the back of his neck, hard. Aurora noted that seemed to be a sign of irritation with him. Tension that needed an outlet and she could supply the pressure valve. “Aurora, do I need to explain to you that sometimes people want things they can’t have?”
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He spoke as if she were eight years old. Aurora practically roared in his face then decided she wouldn’t give him a reason to think she acted like an eight year old. Instead, she kept that smile on her face afraid she might suffer permanent muscle damage from holding it there so long. “Really? I thought Time could have anything.” She uncrossed her legs, adjusting the hem of her skirt. A wicked grin crossed her lips when she caught him watching out of the corner of her eye. “That’s not why I’m here though.” “Oh, in that case, please tell me.” “I’ll be late coming back from lunch.” “Okay.” Nic regarded her curiously. She knew precisely what he was thinking too and it made this all the more fun. She rarely checked in with him about her schedule. “I figured since we’re working together you’d want to know.” Aurora shrugged and got to her feet. “Beth and I are going shopping for something cute for her interview tomorrow.” “I see.” Nic smiled. “Obviously, I don’t need to participate in that. You have excellent taste in clothing.” Sometimes life reminded you of sweet strawberry snow cones melting on a hot sunny day and it gave your heart just a little jolt. Like now. When Nic looked at her like that and smiled, it simply took her breath away. Why couldn’t he figure this out all by himself? Then she wondered if she’d push this hard for a relationship if she hadn’t wanted him for over two years. She jumped to her feet. “This? Oh, I got it on sale. Glad you like it.” Her heart did a little happy dance and her insides turned to jelly. Nic sighed, temper deflated. “You look fabulous. Go have fun.” He shooed her away. Aurora laughed, well, she made it through the first hurdle. How was he going to handle this one? “Beth wanted to know if we wanted to meet for drinks tonight. Craig’s got an early shift and he really liked Mac’s.” “Tonight?” “Yep.” “I’ll let you know.” She patted him on the shoulder. He tensed immediately at her friendly touch. Another point for her. Time to beat feet before she did something silly like kiss him, too bad that sounded really good right now. “See you later.” Her hands turned to cold, clammy icicles by the time she got to her office. Her heart pounded a tattoo in her chest. She tried reconciling it with the need for more coffee. Luckily, Moira left her a large cup on a warming tray.
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Aurora scratched a note on a sticky pad to buy Moira some daisies then sipped at the coffee. The world became a nicer place with coffee. “Hi, doll. You busy?” Gil waltzed into her office with a lopsided grin. “I was wondering if we could do lunch.” “Today?” Gil nodded wiggling his eyebrows at her. “Yeah, I think you need to know what you’ve gotten involved with here.” He smiled and Aurora knew instinctively he was still up to no good. “Just kind of a heads up.” Aurora smiled back, just as charming as Gil. “Got caught with your hand in the cookie jar, Gil?” Pleased at his stunned expression, Aurora sat her coffee down. “Sure I’ll let you buy me lunch. I was going out anyway.”
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CHAPTER TEN
Aurora caught a piece of melted mozzarella and twirled it on the end of her fingertip. Pizza and Chicago melted together so perfectly Aurora swore that if she ever left the city, she would need to have the Italian food flown in. A loaded pie and a bright sunny day signaled flawlessness in her mind. She sat in a wrought iron chair under a willowy tree with Gil across from her. The table was small, intimate on a flowered patio crowded with other diners. Gil didn’t seem particularly hungry but since he bought Aurora didn’t have any trouble eating on his money. She bit into to a mushroom and licked the spicy tomato sauce from her finger. “Well, come on, Gil. For someone who wanted to talk to me so bad you seem pretty tight-lipped.” “I had no idea you could eat so much.” Gil stared disdainfully at the half of pizza left. “Funny man.” Aurora tilted her head. “I haven’t gotten to desert yet and I could order a martini.” Gil coughed. “Funny girl.” He picked up a slice of pizza and examined it cautiously. “You know, you didn’t have to come here.” Gil smiled. “I said I’d take you to lunch. You got to choose, it’s okay.” He took a tentative bite of the pizza. Aurora smirked at his delicate bite. The guy really should get out more. “I wanted to warn you.” “About what?” “This thing you’ve got going on with Nic.” Her teeth snapped shut on the sensitive skin of her jaw. Grimacing, as she tasted copper, Aurora considered the remark. Eyes shifted onto Gil with an icy blue. It didn’t matter to her what anyone thought about her and Nic and for all she knew, no one knew their relationship had become personal. She took a sip of the sweetened iced tea to salve her wound. “What thing?” “You know the thing with the Tanners, this investigation. He’s pretty steamed about the whole thing. I just think you might want to watch your step around him these days.” Gil eyed a piece of sausage cautiously. “Ewan said some things. We chalked it up to Ewan just being a pain in the backside as usual.” “Really?” Aurora figured her jaw would stop bleeding eventually. “Nic seemed all right with investigating the Tanners lives.”
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Gil took another bite of the pizza. Aurora saw the concentration and then the satisfaction. Maybe he wasn’t a lost cause. “He may be all right with it, but are they really worth the trouble? I mean, jeez Aurora, do you know how much trouble you’re causing by pursuing this?” “I guess not.” “Aurora, you can’t be so nonchalant about this kind of thing. You’re going to create all sorts of problems by keeping this up. The whole place is pretty much in an uproar.” Gil tossed the crust from his pizza aside. “The others can make serious trouble for you. Starting with Ewan. I think Nic’s got a handle on it right now, but who knows?” “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that, Gil. Is this your nice way of threatening me?” Obviously, the friendly lunch ended. Now, they were skirting something very unfriendly. She pushed her plate away and smiled. “Well?” Gil’s hands went up in surrender. “Threaten you? Damn Aurora, what kind of guy do you think I am? Besides, you’re Nic’s favorite.” He rubbed his fingers across his goatee. “Look, I was put on six months probation today for trying to help you. Ewan was practically bumped out, and Jess has to work with Cupid.” A snort escaped her lips before she could catch it. Cupid and Desire now that was just too cute for words. She almost felt bad too. Aurora met Cupid on a previous occasion. The man was the antithesis of people’s harmless perception. This guy did not wear a diaper and carry a little bow and arrow. Imagine really angry, grumpy doesn’t play well with other’s dangerous biker guy and you’d had Cupid in a nutshell. Aurora snorted again and pressed her finger to her lips to flatten out the grin. “Sorry. I just can’t see Jess in the same room with him.” “Yeah, well, she’s not real thrilled with the whole thing either.” Gil sighed. Apparently, he wasn’t exactly thrilled himself, Aurora filed that little tidbit away for later. “But that’s what I’m trying to tell you. He’s out for everyone’s hide here.” “What happened with Ewan?” This time Gil nearly snorted. “He gets to write reports on how fear affects people investigating haunted houses.” “You’re kidding?” “No, not at all.” “And this wouldn’t have anything to do with the two of you spiking the Timeline?” Watching as the trickle of shock slid down through his features like a bead of sweat, Aurora wondered if she revealed too much.
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Gil pushed the hair off his forehead. “He told you?” “He told me.” “Wow.” He scratched the top of his head, shook it out and stared at Aurora. “Why?” Aurora didn’t answer and Gil reached out and took hold of her hand. She understood the gesture of friendship and Gil liked to flirt. “Jeez Aurora, this doesn’t sound good.” “Neither does marking Nic’s thread like that. What the hell were you two thinking anyway?” Gil shrugged, winked then smiled as charmingly as ever. “He’s such a stuffed shirt, stiff, you know? We thought he could use a laugh or two.” Making love to Nic changed her life, flowers turned brighter, the air seemed more fragrant, she’d swear she heard music everywhere. The most memorable moment in her life reduced to a laugh. Aurora bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying. It hurt, cutting a simple friendship away, but that wasn’t as deep or bruising as the manipulation of her and Nic Avalon. She really wasn’t hungry anymore, the food bent in her stomach as cardboard. Aurora didn’t like it when her voice went all weak and wobbly but sometimes you just didn’t have a choice. “Gil, my God, that just wasn’t right. That was cruel and manipulative.” “Settle down, Aurora. We didn’t hurt anything. Besides, we figured if he had a little crush on you he’d be more than willing to cut you some slack.” “Too bad it’s not going to work out that way.” Aurora inhaled. “I have a deadline too. I made an agreement with him before you guys did you little matchmaking. You may think I’m Nic’s favorite, but here’s the deal. If I don’t complete this to a satisfactory end, I’ve agreed to resign.” “What?” “Aurora! Hi, there!” People said timing was everything. When you dealt with Time personally, it could really suck. Aurora turned with a radiant smile for Beth Tanner. The gleam withered and died when she saw Nic with her. Beth appeared a bit confused by Aurora holding Gil’s hand. She wasn’t terribly worried about that one yet. Nic’s dark eyes turned to black ice while Aurora carefully extricated her fingers from Gil. “Hi, Beth.” She inclined her head at Nic. “I thought we were meeting at the store.” Beth’s bright effervescence surrounded and inevitably made people smile. “Oh we are. I’m early, just on my way and who do I run into?” She pointed at Nic then grinned. “Then we run into you. Some coincidence running into you and your friend, isn’t it?”
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“Oh yeah,” Aurora’s breath came out in a hiss. She could see the wheels crank and turn in Gil’s head. Finally, she witnessed the light bulb effect. “Just finishing up with lunch. Gil, this is Beth Tanner.” Gil stood and shook Beth’s hand. “Nice meeting you. I work with Aurora and Nic.” His gaze encompassed Nic and Aurora nearly groaned aloud. Vibes off Nic radiated beet red hostile and aimed at her. Beth glanced around then back at Aurora. “I didn’t realize you worked with Nic.” “He’s our boss.” She could’ve cheerfully shot Gil at that moment. Beth quickly assimilated the information and filed it and Aurora nearly howled in agony. “Gil, don’t you need to get back to the office?” She watched Gil’s eyes shift back and forth until he understood. “We don’t want to interrupt your lunch.” Gil withdrew a few bills from his wallet and placed them on the table. “No, it’s okay. Nic’s a real stickler and I do have a lot to do.” He grinned at Aurora. “This ought to cover it.”
The layers of humanity and the intricacies of conversation always gave Nic something amusing to consider. He caught the spicy scent of marinara as a waiter passed Aurora with a plate of food. He shifted his glance to Aurora pleased to find her uncomfortable. Her chair quivered like a cheap vibrating bed. The color on her cheeks blushed hotly with embarrassment. Gil practically leaped out of the patio dining area to get away while Beth endeavored to keep the exchange casual. Obviously, the young woman picked up some tension between them and of course, she wondered why Aurora or he didn’t tell her about their professional relationship. Aurora paid the check and walked out the small gate leading to the sidewalk. She avoided him, which made him want a reaction from her even more. Funny how her game became something he wanted to play. “Ready to go?” “I’m really sorry. I hope I didn’t say anything to cause you two trouble.” Nic held a hand up and flashed a warm smile. “No trouble. We try to keep our relationship personal. It doesn’t have anything to do with work.” “You know what? I’m going to head up to the store. Aurora, you can meet me up there in a few minutes.” She squeezed Nic’s arm. “You guys are coming tonight right?” “We’ll be there.” Nic walked up to Aurora and cupped the back of her neck. Satisfied that she tensed, Nic winked at Beth. “You gals have fun shopping. Don’t spend too much, okay?” “No problem. I just need something for the job interview.” Beth started down the street.
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His fingertips tingled as the pads scraped across the skin along her neck. He ignored and dropped his hand. “Since when do you have lunch with Gil?” “Since when do you spy on me?” He smiled thinly. A dull razor slid around the base of his spine. “Since I have a vested interest in this case.” “Yeah, okay. I’m thinking I have the most to lose in this.” The jab was just as sharp as if she’d hit him with a right hook. His eyes narrowed amazed at how swiftly she could cut him if she chose. “Is that what you think?” He took hold of her wrist and swung her around to face him. For someone that told himself to keep his hands off her, he had a difficult time with that. She jerked her arm away. “What the hell is this?” The flash in her eyes held temper. Why not? This situation made him angry as well. “If you don’t want to help me with this, fine. But don’t think you can spy on me and shove me around just because. I won’t tolerate that, Nic. Not from you, not from anyone.” Anger flushed across his cheekbones as he leaned closer. Consciously, he uncurled his fingers from her wrist. Displeasure filled him as he noted red imprints from his hand. “I’ll apologize. I shouldn’t touch you.” He stepped away; he wasn’t a violent man and never raised a hand to a woman. “All right, Nic. I get it.” Aurora threaded her fingers through her hair and brushed it away from her forehead. “You think we made a mistake. You believe Gil and Jess tricked you into it, okay. I know you’re uncomfortable. I don’t have a problem with that, I should, but for some bizarre reason I don’t.” She frowned at the idea while Nic absorbed her tirade. “But if you think you’re going to screw this up for me by acting like a jealous boyfriend when you aren’t, I’m going to have to kick your ass.” His lips twisted into a smirk. “Fair enough.” “You’re just trying to make me angry.” “Probably.” “Any reason why?” She glanced at the traffic avoiding direct contact with his eyes. “I want you to get this romantic notion out of your head.” People pushed past on their way back to work or to whatever sale Aurora seemed able to find. “Romantic notion?” She came up to him and pushed her hands against his chest. “You think that’s what it was? You’re finished thinking this is not some weird intervention on the part of Jess and Gil, huh?” Aurora’s hands acting of their own volition feeling the muscle and heat. “That’s the one I’m going with. Because I like that idea a whole lot better than the alternative. Okay, I’ll take my romantic self down the street and I’ll see you tonight at Mac’s.” Aurora spun on her heels and started down
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Michigan Avenue. Halfway down the block she turned and shouted back at him. “Seven o’clock. Don’t be late.”
He was at the bar before the Tanners or Aurora. Nic frowned while considering he was anxious to see Aurora again. He figured she was still hot over their discussion earlier, maybe if she worked at it, he could actually make her smile. Sitting at the bar drinking one of the microbrews that Mac’s specialized in during the summer months, Nic worried about the idea.
The owner, Nic couldn’t
remember his name, spoke with him amiably until the crowd for the evening overwhelmed him. Nic kept an eye out for his party while studying the ongoing traffic in the bar. People came here to have fun, unwind, cool off and eat. He found while he watched people he discovered something interesting. They were unique. Every one of these people Aurora enjoyed so much, were different. Short, tall, young and old, quiet or boisterous in their evening endeavors, these people touched him. A strange sensation settled in the pit of his stomach and he considered maybe, just maybe Aurora had a point. “Hey, are we sitting at the bar?” Craig Tanner clapped him on the back. “The girls probably want a table or something.” “Or something.” Nic took his beer and followed Craig to the table. “How’s work?” “Oh man, it’s very cool.” Craig ordered a beer from the passing waitress. “I guess coming here was a good idea, you know? At first, I wasn’t really sure, but this place rocks.” Nic grinned at the younger man’s enthusiasm. “That it does.” “There’s so much opportunity here. I mean with my job at the police department and it looks like Beth’s getting a job here.” Craig took the beer from the waitress and offered to order Nic another. Nic declined preferring to wait for the girls. “And I found out today, that Beth can finish her college. They’ve got a program at the department where dependants get discounts on tuition.” “She’s really sure she wants to go back then.” Nic considered where this might fit in with Aurora’s effort to guide. Craig scratched the top of his head. He smiled crookedly. “Yeah, she does but I know she wouldn’t say anything. She thinks I want kids right away.” He appeared a bit uncomfortable by the admission. “Don’t get me wrong or anything. I want kids. Not right away though.” “I see.” Nic finished his beer. “Does she know this?” Craig shook his head. Nic didn’t know much about marriage or relationships from a personal standpoint, but he knew enough that the subject of children was something best discussed between the two parties involved. “Well, maybe you should tell her. I’m not an expert in this but it would appear to be an excellent idea.”
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“You think?” Nic watched as the younger man tossed the idea around in his head. “Yeah, maybe. So, what’s up with you and Aurora? That girl is seriously hot.” He switched channels so quickly Nic had to hang on.
Craig cocked his head toward the door and his eyes gleamed in
appreciation. Nic rotated putting his arm along the back of the booth. He saw Aurora come in with Beth laughing about something he was certain only women found amusing. No doubt about it, Craig had a point. Aurora was seriously hot. Her blues eyes clashed with his then slanted away. Frustration swam through his system like an eel searching for a deep dark hole. Beth enveloped Craig in a sweet kiss wrapping her body around the younger man. Aurora practically slithered up to Nic and hissed at him. Not that he didn’t deserve it, but he assumed she’d cool off from the quarrel by now. Nic motioned for the waitress while Beth turned her head toward him. He saw it then, the love between Beth and Craig, rich and heady. He knew it would be a pity, but this would eventually end badly. “Oh, come on. Nic! For heaven sake, Aurora told me about your little tiff. Get over it will you.” Craig laughed, kissing his wife’s cheek. “Yeah Nic, how can you be mad at Aurora? She’s hot.” Pretending to brush a kiss along Aurora’s cheek, he whispered quietly in her ear, “We’re having a tiff? I didn’t think you carried a grudge.” He ignored the lingering scent of her perfume as well as how her hair brushed against the side of his face. She smiled as a cat does when toying with a mouse. “You don’t even remember.” The tone seemed accusatory and Nic glanced at the Tanners who regarded him with pity. His eyes shifted back to Aurora and he shrugged slightly completely baffled. She pushed him, none too gently back into the booth and curled in next to him. “My niece’s birthday party. Remember? You don’t want to go because you don’t like doing the “family” thing.” For the first time in his life, Nic experienced the Deer in the Headlights trauma. He blinked slowly refocusing and forcing his brain on the topic. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember this.” Aurora huffed as the waitress brought their drinks. “I’m so glad you listen to me occasionally.” The women seemed to bond together in a primal tribe against him. Never mind that she spoke to him as if was an idiot. “Beth noticed I was upset this afternoon after we ran into you at lunch and she was kind enough to ask why.” Pieces of the jigsaw puzzle called Aurora twisted and slid into place. She was covering the real altercation with something Beth would find normal. Maybe he was an idiot. He should’ve figured out
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what she was up to in the beginning. Instead, he automatically thought Aurora confided in Beth all the tangled details of their relationship. “I’m sorry. I’ll go to the party, okay?” Aurora folded her hands across her chest and looked at the Tanners. “I don’t want you to go if you’re going to be all huffy about it.” “Huffy? Look who’s being huffy here.” Nic tossed back the rest of his beer. “It isn’t me, sweetheart.” “Come on you two, play nice.”
Aurora sighed. As much fun as snapping at Nic was, the point remained that nothing moved on her graph tracking the Tanners today. She’d really hoped for some small improvement. In fact, she started thinking the device was defective or something. She really couldn’t be that bad at her job, could she? Smiling at Craig and Beth, she lifted her glass of beer. “It’s okay. Sometimes we just need to blow off a little steam. It’s hard spending so much time together without getting on each others nerves.” Beth laughed and turned to Craig, putting her hand on his shoulder. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Nic is Aurora’s boss.” A lascivious grin appeared on the young man’s face. “Really?” “Cut it out, Craig.” Aurora smacked at him playfully. “We’ve known each other over two years. If Nic had a say in the matter we wouldn’t be going out.” “Blindsided you, huh?” “Totally.” She looked at Nic, somewhat surprised by the comment. Black eyes gleamed with hidden humor at her. How could one word carry such a wealth of meaning? She wondered if there was any truth in the comment. His hand covered hers and he raised it to his lips. A gesture, simple part of the game, but she really didn’t think she could take much more. Aurora bit back the sharp intake of breath refusing to let her raging pulse get the better of her. She’d be damned before she let him get the better of her no matter what shape her feelings were in. She stiffened, she couldn’t help it. This was the best defense for her without avoiding Nic. She could do that, she knew, but this was enough torture for her as far as she was concerned. Besides, she needed him to help her with the Tanners. Hell, she needed him period.
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Aurora pushed back against the booth and stretched her arms above her head. She watched as a plate full of chicken wings, fried veggies and bubbling cheese dip went past. “Let’s order some food, I’m starved.” She ordered enough food for a couple of armies and then allowed the conversation to capture her attention. Craig was an avid Cubbie so Aurora picked up baseball with him. On the surface, a nonchalant evening between friends and lovers, but for Aurora the conflict raged within her head and heart. She needed a trigger, hell, she’d settle for a feather of activity that changed the dire outcome of Craig Tanner’s life. An eerie sense of doubt crept into her mind sending shivers across her skin. Nic accommodated her right now, how much more time would he allow? She honestly liked these people. Another time Aurora would count them among her friends. Craig and his quirky grin made her life. When he looked at his wife, it was so soft, so gentle. Just magic. “Are you okay?” She shook it off. The doubt. Rubbing her arms, the chills went away. “I’m fine. Just hungry.” “Aurora?” The moon and stars clouded her vision and they weren’t outside. How could he do that to her? By only saying her name, he managed to tear down what feeble defenses she possessed against him like a jackhammer tore into cement. Amazing and phenomenally painful because the trembling in her stomach told her how this would end. He would break her heart, shatter it as if it were crystal and since she loved him there was little she could do to stop him. Oh, God. Please let that be the suicide wings talking. She could not be in love with Nic. Please, please just let it be too much cayenne or onion or even the beer. Aurora tried to keep the tear from sliding down her cheek. She swiped at it quickly, “Wow, these are hot.” “No kidding. How do you guys eat these things?” Beth dabbed at her eyes and forehead. Craig dipped a wing in some bleu cheese sauce and stuck it in his mouth. “You’re crazy.” “How’s work going Craig?” Something useful, come on give me something I can work with here. Aurora begged silently watching as Craig licked the hot wing sauce from his fingers. “Well, actually things are pretty good.” He winked. “In fact, it looks like I might get to do an undercover assignment.” “Really?”
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Beth blinked covering the surprise, Aurora ascertained. She appeared pleased, yet cautious at the announcement. “That’s great, babe. But you’re a uniform, what kind of undercover assignment are you going to do?” Craig chuckled and pointed at himself, “Take a look at me guys. I’m twenty-six and look like I’m eighteen. What do you think I’m going to be doing?” Rocket science didn’t apply for this one. She was not in love with Nic. Raging lust maybe, but she couldn’t be in love with him. Any rocket scientist could tell her that. Flashing a grin around a piece of zucchini, Aurora answered. “Going back to high school are you?” “Yep.” Beth flung her arms around him and hugged him tight. “That’s super.” “I thought it was pretty slick myself.” “In that case, we should celebrate or something.” This might be widget to the engine. Something she was in dire need of not love. It could not be love. She needed to get out of here. Aurora decided safety was important and she certainly could use a little research on the idea. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and slid out of the booth. “I hate to eat run, but I am really beat tonight.” She pulled a few bills out of her purse. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow, Beth. We’ll do the lunch thing after your interview or something.” She made it outside to the street before Nic caught up with her. “What’s going on?” “Nothing. I’ve got an idea I want to work on.” “So you just leap up in the middle of drinks and leave.” Nic growled clearly fed up with her. “You might’ve made you exit a little less flamboyant.” “I could have. But for some strange reason I felt the need to just irritate the hell out of you tonight. So, if it embarrasses you to have to go back in there and explain, goodie for me.” Aurora hailed a taxi and climbed inside. With considerable effort on her part, she didn’t look back.
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CHAPTER ELEVEN
After a hot shower, Aurora tucked herself into a fuzzy pink robe and poured a cup of tea. Her PDA, the device tracking Craig and Beth’s path and a notebook and pen spread out in front of her. She turned only a couple of lights on and left the television off.
She sat in the living room of her
contemporary styled apartment and pouted. Not a pretty sight, but she wasn’t in a very pretty mood. She’d been downright rude to the Tanners. That burned across her stomach as much as the chicken wings. She didn’t enjoy rudeness and did her best to avoid such behavior. She wasn’t mean, or obnoxious, on the contrary. It had to be Nic. Damn. She was in love with him. She should’ve had a martini at dinner. Or two. Unfortunately, that didn’t solve her first problem never mind this new wrinkle. Threading her fingers threw damp hair; she tugged gently hoping it might stimulate a brain cell or two to think clearly. Tapping in every possible advantage to having Craig go undercover, her mind whirled with complex algorithms. She charted, plotted and still it didn’t seem to create an advantage. Why couldn’t she figure this out? Come up with a reasonable solution that wouldn’t screw up history or cost her job that’s all she wanted. She nearly hurled the PDA against the wall when the doorbell rang. Eleven at night, she needed to work. Dumping the pile of papers off her lap, she went to the door and looked through the peephole. Opening the door, she leaned against the frame and looked at Nic. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you.” “Swell, you’ve seen me. I’ve got work to do.” Nic predicted she’d try to shut the door and blocked it with his foot. He pushed gently at the edge of the wood while Aurora glared eyes flashing with lightning inside. “I need to work here.” “Let me in.” Aurora hesitated. He stood close enough now he smelled the fresh scent of shampoo on her damp hair. Originally, the idea of stopping by to check on her seemed like a good one. After all, she probably was entitled to the information he got from Craig earlier. A weak excuse, but it was all he had. Sighing, she pushed away from the door. “You shouldn’t be here.”
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“Probably not.” He stepped into the apartment and shut the door. “There’s no probably about it.” Aurora faced him defensively. His gaze swept over her ultra modern mix of brick, chrome and contemporary design. A little flash, a little flair and perfectly Aurora, Nic decided. “Nice place.” “Great, glad you approve. Nic, it’s late. I’m not in the best mood and in case you didn’t notice, I’m standing here in a bathrobe.” He waited for her to stomp and stamp her foot at him, but she refrained. His throat constricted, his breath clogged in his chest as his eyes swept over her. The robe, fluffy, well worn and loosely tied at her waist gave him a seductive view of her shapely legs. “I see that.” Blood burned through his veins settling into a rigid length. Would it every go away? Could he ever be inside her enough and would she even want him anymore? Nic tried to shutter his expression but he could see that Aurora read desire cleanly from his eyes. “What’s this all about? A quickie? You want a fast fuck and be on your merry way?” She approached closely. “Nic, if that’s what you’re here for, you’re going to be seriously disappointed.” He lifted a brow and tilted his head at her. “I hadn’t considered that option but it certainly brings all forms of intriguing possibilities.” He lied easily and if she looked closely she catch him in it. “Yeah, get over yourself.” She walked away and went to a deep plum sofa that resembled an overstuffed pillow. “Unless you’ve got news about the Tanners, I’m not interested and you can get out.” “Testy. Still”
Nic moved over to her sofa and sat at the opposite end. “Okay, here’s what I
have. I don’t know if this is worth anything. It may even hurt your case. Craig said he isn’t ready for kids yet.” “Swell.” Aurora’s head fell back against the sofa and she began to massage her temples. Nic folded his hands together trying to keep his eyes off the robe as it fell open revealing the curve of her breast. “You want me to just resign now and save you the trouble?” “Sure, that’ll solve everything.” He hoped sarcasm would rouse her and it did. She sat forward and turned to face him. Heedless of what the fuzzy robe was doing to his gut, he watched Aurora closely. She appeared tired, not merely physically. Nic got to his feet. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Starting past Aurora, he refused to take another glance at her. This woman bent and twisted everything without even knowing how and she really didn’t deserve involvement with a crusty old bachelor. She was light to his dark and he couldn’t remember ever feeling this way about anyone.
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Her hand reached out and caught hold of his fingers. Current snapped, arching between their touch. Was it always like that? He couldn’t remember. Would he ever get over it? As soon as he got over Aurora, Nic figured that wasn’t happening any time soon. She reached out to him with her eyes, touching him softly with a lake blue caress as thoroughly as with her fingers. “Tell me it wasn’t a mistake. That’s all I ask.” “Aurora, don’t.” He didn’t want this. Talking about things they couldn’t have would only make you want it more. “I have little self control when it comes to you and the need is there.” She got to her feet and Nic moved to back away. Hardest thing he’d ever done, he would’ve walked away but she held on harder than necessary. “I need to know, Nic when this is all over that you won’t take those memories from me.” “That doesn’t sound like you, giving up.” He shook her fingers loosely in his. “I don’t like people to give up.” She searched his face for an answer, but the one he had to give wasn’t what she wanted. “Aurora, you know the answer to that. I have no choice there. If you leave, you won’t remember this place.” She released his hand abruptly and moved away from him. “And that’s my answer isn’t it? Our being together was a mistake in your eyes.” Nic watched as she picked up a cup and placed it on the kitchen counter. Her knack for placing him in awkward position could become legendary. The sadness rippled off her as steam rising from the earth. Mingle that with a rich dark despair, and Nic found he looked at a woman he’d never seen. Understanding you would hurt someone then actually witnessing the effect was a dance across a minefield. Nic moved carefully. The pain he caused Aurora reflected back at him. He didn’t want to hurt her, never had. Now it seemed doing so would cause damage to him as well. “Do you want me to lie to you?” Nic moved up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. He massaged, slowly through the thick material feeling the tension in her muscles. He heard her laugh and decided it somewhere between a chuckle and a sniffle. “If I thought it’d make this better, I’d say yes.” Inhaling, she leaned back against him and took his hands. “I’m not usually pathetic, you know? I can handle rejection, pretty much. It’s okay.” “No. It isn’t okay.” Nic let his hands slide down the front of her robe as he pressed her to him. “I don’t want to hurt you.” Soft, thick fuzzy material made his fingers wish to squeeze and linger in the flesh beneath the robe. He tilted his head back and squeezed his eyes shut fighting off the arousal that dropped in his body like a flash bomb. “Jeez, do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?” He turned her to face him; his hands shook slightly. “Look at me, Aurora.” He lifted his hands so she could see the tremble.
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If she wanted a weakness to exploit, he would hand it to her. What she did with it, he really didn’t care if hurting him helped get her through this. “Do I look like I don’t want you?” Shaking as a teenager with need, she wished he stayed and drank more whiskey after the Tanners left the bar. “I don’t really think that’s a question here.” “What are we doing here?” She glided a step closer and hesitantly put her arms around his waist. Her head went to his shoulder and settled there. Smoothing her hair, Nic put one arm around her waist. “I wish I knew.” His mouth grazed her temple. “I can’t touch you and not want you. This little charade with the Tanners is driving me insane.” Aurora nodded and snuggled closer to him. “I’m glad I’m not the only one. That makes me feel a little better, I think.” She inhaled sniffing then turned her head. “You smell fabulous. It makes me want to taste.” Her hand glided across his fly. “You’re not helping the situation.” “I know that.” Her hand went down the front of his chest and he fought back a groan. “I figure if I’m making a fool of myself, I might as well do a good job.” Nic pushed the tangle of golden red curls away from her face and cupped her jaw line. He leaned closer so that his lips were a breath from hers. “You’re honest, that’s all. If I was being as honest, we’d be in your bedroom by now.” “Sounds good.” “Doesn’t it?” He took hold of the belt on the robe and tugged. It fell free. What teased and taunted moments before reached and tangled him with the strength of a vine. The more he struggled the harder the vine tightened. Muscles in his back went rigid while breathing seemed useless. Porcelain skin, soft and sweet to taste, Nic fought a battle.
“And now, we’re back to the beginning.” Aurora brought his hands to her breasts and kept them there. “Tell me, what this is. That’s all I want.” Pressing her lips along his throat, she tasted salt and something utterly male. His pulse beat hard and fast. Aurora stood on a precipice and he was the lifeline. She smelled whiskey on his breath. Lifting her head, she pondered a weakness in him. “You’ve been drinking. Scotch?” Nic’s eyes stayed closed. “Yeah.” She felt his hands softly knead and she fought back a groan. “Not as much as I should have evidently.” “Why?”
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“Think about it.” His lips twisted to a wry smirk and Aurora smiled. She couldn’t think when he touched her. Rich, decadent this was all about cravings and she found more here than she ever wanted in a man. She could feel him pressing against her hip. Eager fingers unzipped his fly and Aurora’s hand closed around the velvet pole. “What does it feel like?” Nic’s eyes held a quizzical look. “Touching me. Tell me what it feels like.” “Exquisite.” He smiled gently as his fingers trailed down her stomach. “Amazing.” Aurora felt a rush, thick and heady. She wanted so much more, but she couldn’t lead him. He had to want this of his own volition. “It makes me want more. All.” His hands came out from under her robe and went into her hair. “I love your hair.” He kissed her temple and across her brow while his fingers dug into her hair. “Nic?” Her skin began to hum whipping her into a lovely purple haze. “We have to stop.” Her eyes fluttered shut as his lips went across them. Her hand continued to stroke and her reward came as he shuddered against her. “I know that.” Her nails grazed a path down his shirt to his stomach. His abs clenched and she heard a hiss of breath. “I know that. And I really don’t want to.” “Do you want to answer my question now?” Nic’s mouth went to the corner of her lips. The whiskey was smoky, complex and she tilted her lips across his. Gentle as a whisper, Aurora kissed him then pulled back. “Would it make a difference if you weren’t my boss?” “I don’t know. Perhaps.” He pulled her robe together taking one last gaze at the shape of her body and belted it closed. Putting an arm around her shoulders, he brought her back to the couch. “Let’s talk about this, okay?” “Truth is I’d rather continue what we were doing.” Nic sat on the couch and drew her down beside him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “Would it be different for us if we worked at a bank, or a retail store? Sure, it would.” He rubbed her shoulders in a slow rhythm. “I think you know that.” “We’d be different people.” Aurora let him soothe, while she relaxed with her back against his chest. The warmth of his body, the hard muscled strength made her feel safe and protected. “So, what do we do?” Fear edged along her skin in a sinister crawl. She didn’t want the answer to this no matter which way she turned the question, but it was imperative to have his response. “I should tell you to walk away. Cut your losses if you have any and keep this a business relationship.” His arm caught hold of her as she tried to get up. “That’s my warning, Aurora.” His
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teeth nipped her ear and Aurora bit back a squeal. “You’ve seduced and enchanted me and before you say otherwise, I’ll tell you the markers from Gil and Jess have no influence any longer.” “Okay.” Aurora found breathing difficult; there wasn’t a weight just thick clouds. Soaring up at a million miles an hour she figured she was about to reverse coarse and crash and burn. “That’s good then, right?” “There isn’t any influence if that’s what you’re worried about.” “So, there is something.” “I’ve been alone a very long time, Aurora. Understand that. I’m not adept at this sort of thing either while you excel at relationships. You’re friendly, caring and enjoy being around people.” He brushed her hair away from the back of her neck and kissed the sensitive skin. “I won’t look at the Line on this, but I don’t see it ending well.” He sighed and it was the first time Aurora could remember hearing such a weary sound from him. “Obviously, I can’t resist you or I would have.” “I’m thinking that’s good.” “It depends. You’re making a mistake here, with me. I have nothing to offer you.” He shifted her so that he could look her in the eye. The black fire of his eyes bored into her and she nearly turned away. Aurora sensed the sincerity even though the tone was severe. “You’re young, smart and you deserve a family. I can’t give you that. I’m not sure what I have to offer you, Aurora.” Tilting her chin, he watched her closely while his voice became harsh. “You have the choice. Walk away now or proceed at your own risk.” Aurora hands shook as she raised them to caress his cheeks. “I will go along with whatever you decide.” Hard boned, with classic structure, she let her hands slide across the shadow of his beard. She felt him lean into the caress, and she touched his lips. “You want me to stay away.” He nodded. “For your sake or mine?” “Good question.” His smile appeared lukewarm. “You’re making a bad choice, I’m afraid.” Aurora wiggled closer and put her arms around his neck. The belt at her robe loosened revealing the shadowy curve of her breast. She didn’t bother to readjust the belt. She wanted him to look, to touch, to feel. “It’s my choice to make though.” “Yes.” Nic’s voice came rough, strained. Her hand went to his thigh and she understood. “You need some space to make an informed decision.” “Do you want to stay?” Nic moved her off his lap and into a pile of cushions. He slid off the sofa and cleared his throat. Aurora smirked as his fingers raked through his perfectly styled hair. “We need a cooling off period.” At her raised brow, he redirected. “I need a cooling off period. Your niece’s birthday party is next
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week, right?” Aurora nodded. “Okay, give it a couple of days. Think it over. Come talk to me about anything concerning the Tanners. I’ll help with anything there.” Interesting way to blow someone off, Aurora thought. A guy had dumped her during high school and a pre-law student while in college and the sex hadn’t been nearly as good. Good? Who the hell was she kidding with that? She’d never experienced mind blowing, cell altering sex like this before. Besides that, recently not many guys walked away. Now, the one she truly wanted let her down so gently he made it appear she was the one walking. Aurora wanted to laugh and cry with frustration, happiness and bitter disappointment. “You tell me I’m in charge, but you’ve made all the decisions.” Aurora got to her feet and slowly walked to the door. “I’m trying not to hurt you, but you won’t leave me any choice.” Aurora rubbed her eyes, tiredly. Pushing her hair back, she opened the door. “By not answering me directly, you already hurt me. Can’t you see that? I only see a man who wants but refuses to explain why he won’t give back.” “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said.” “I guess not.” Nic slammed the apartment door shut and twisted the lock. “Let’s try it this way then.” Shock flickered through Aurora as she stood in the foyer. Nic’s hands went under her arms and lifted. He shifted her weight so her back went against the wall. He yanked open his belt buckle and unzipped his fly exposing his rigid cock. Rough urgent hands slid down her waist as his fingers squeezed into the muscle of her legs and wrapped them around his waist. His weight leaned into her as he impaled her sinking into her glorious slick heat. Excitement fueled her as she let her fingers tangle in Nic’s black hair, as her pussy closed around him tightly. Her mind blanked. Heat flared driven by an atomic reaction. She moved her hips, gyrating hard and fast, until Nic pulled the length of his cock over her clit, across the hot tip and she groaned aloud. He buried his face in the crook of her neck then his tongue darted out to taste the skin at her collarbone. Colored lights sparkled and danced around her vision as he drove farther inside. Her limbs didn’t melt this time, it was hard and fast forging her out of the fire they created. She couldn’t do anything but cling to the strength the power she found in Nic. Muscles strained tautly as she bucked her hips up and down on that fabulous cock with feverish with need. She gripped his shoulders and tightened her legs around his waist as he readjusted his position somehow able to fuck her even deeper. The smell of sex filled the air making her wild and needy.
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He splayed his hand across her face. “Shh, Aurora. Settle down or this will be over much too soon.” His mouth came down on hers in a furious assault. She tasted his frustration and the fierce desire swirled across her tongue in a dark heady flavor. Using the wall as leverage, he used one hand to squeeze her breast and lick at the nipple. His other hand slid up her thigh to her curved butt. His kiss was rough, thorough and she matched it with a savagery she didn’t begin to understand. Hot, hungry her pussy cried out as he pulled his cock back in an effort to slow their pace. She was too hot, too deliciously wet, she wanted his entire cock buried inside her, so hard, and so far they couldn’t tell the difference where one began and the other ended. Something rose out of the craving, the fury born in desire and she recognized it with sudden shocking clarity. The love for him bloomed and blossomed inside her unfolding like the most perfect rose, soft, dewy and sweet. A glorious sensation stole her breath away just as easily as Nic stole her heart. She changed the tone of the kiss, gentled it and Nic as well. Wanting to let this luxury wash completely over her and not rush into her sensuous river waiting to carry them away.
Nic swept his tongue across Aurora’s tasting, caressing. He enjoyed her eagerness, found it thrilling. The muscles of her hot honeyed pussy claimed him. Blood pounded at a temperature Nic knew would seer his shattered form against the wall. His body screamed for release knowing the intensity of being inside Aurora all but ripped him open and sent his soul to orbit. He felt the change in her as she ground into him with slow, rhythmic motions. His cock sunk so deeply into her that there would never be any doubt how much he wanted her. Needed her. He was out of his mind. What was worse, he didn’t care. Her teeth grazed across his neck and collarbone, biting gently. It made his entire body shake while he fought against emptying his seed into that amazingly tight pussy. His only concern was Aurora would someday come to her senses and realize what a mistake she made by involving herself with a man like him. He could only pray she figured it out sooner than later and saved him from falling hopelessly in love with her. Oh hell. Aurora tried pressing her back further against the wall as her busy fingers went for the base of his shaft. Nic’s brain experienced a complete surge of shock leaving him momentarily paralyzed by the notion of love. Using one hand she levered herself up so that he barely entered her. He grit his teeth as her fingers closed around his length, stroking as her legs wrapped hard around him. “You’re driving me insane.” Sweat trickled down his temples and brow.
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She smiled feline and seductress mingled together. “That’s the idea, buddy.” She guided his cock back to the source of her slickness and he surged inside. Liquid heat flowed around him and Nic wrapped his arms tightly around Aurora’s waist creating friction and power in their rhythm as he pumped hard and fast. One hand wrapped around her waist, thrusting. His cock became lightning. Thunder roared in every cell in his body while he drove into Aurora with passion born of the storm raging inside him. Sweat slid down his back and across his temples as he kept the pace for Aurora. He wanted her to feel everything he could never express in words. He needed her to know, to experience on some level, deep inside how much a part of him she would always remain. Driving her up the edge of a steep, rocky cliff, he clutched at her and she dug her fingers into his back. She soared over the edge coming in a brilliant flash, liquid sensation as her pussy contracted around his cock. He fought for control only to have his brain detach from his skull and drag him down the cliff. He heard her gasping for air and his head fell forward at her breast. His lungs burned, every muscle in his body begged for reprieve while hot seed spilled inside her. Bracing one hand along the wall, Nic turned his head toward Aurora. “Does that answer your question?” Aurora panted in his ear. “I forgot what the question was.” “Where’s your bedroom, Aurora?” Her blue eyes sharpened. “Why?” She stroked damp hair from his forehead. “Are you staying?” “Yes, I’m staying.”
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CHAPTER TWELVE
The high-pitched chorus of Handheld alarms woke Aurora from the warm cocoon she wrapped herself in. It wasn’t until she felt Nic’s arms slide around her and reach for one of the hideous devices disturbing her solitude. The warmth around her simmered away with a rustle of sheets as Aurora shifted. Squinting at Nic, she saw him reach for the Handheld devices. “What’s up?” “Get dressed, we need to go into the office.” Pushing her hair back, Aurora blinked and rubbed her eyes. She pushed herself up into the sitting position and watched Nic as he pulled on his shirt. “What? What’s going on?” “There’s an emergency.” Nic fastened his slacks and tucked in his shirt. “It’s Rebecca. She wouldn’t trigger an emergency like this if it wasn’t important.” “You mean like I did?” Aurora tossed the covers back and reached for a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. She picked up her Handheld and glanced at it. “What is this?” Slipping into a pair of jogging shoes, she trailed Nic out the door. “Nic? Come on, I’ve never seen this before.” In the living room, he snatched up her keys and started for the door. “That’s because it’s never happened.” He tossed her the keys. “Lock up. Let’s go.” Aurora managed to get a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror and scowled. Her hair turned into a wild mass of flame overnight. “Nic, you want to give me a second to do something with this?” The look on his face answered the question so Aurora snapped up a ponytail holder and headed out the door. They made good time back to Immortality Incorporated, considering it was three thirty in the morning, there wasn’t that much activity. Nic used the key card to unlock the front door. The door slid open and Aurora touched his arm, “You want me to wait a minute or two. Don’t want anyone to talk.” Nic rubbed his jaw and regarded her with open frustration. “Do you really think this is funny?” He jerked his thumb for to enter and Aurora bowed her head and walked inside. Nic walked swiftly across the marble tile his heel caring a harsh snap that reminded her of the temper simmering. He punched the panel to the elevator and seconds later Aurora joined him in silence. “There’s only one reason for Rebecca to trigger such an alarm.” Nic folded his arms across his chest. “A global tragedy like a war or meteor crashing into the planet or I’m more inclined to think it’s this one, something to do with the Tanners.”
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“Oh hell.” Aurora forgot all about it being the middle of the night and she looked well, she looked like a woman who’d spent the night having wild sex. “Please tell me you’re kidding.” Nic leveled a black gaze on her as the doors to the elevator slid open. He stepped outside heading for the conference room. Aurora heaved a sigh, knowing this just wasn’t going to be good. Rebecca waited for them inside. Her quiet remarkable beauty always left Aurora in awe. Dark shoulder length hair with a porcelain complexion and eyes the color of clouds during a thunderstorm, Rebecca would give anyone pause, but as Death the woman was utterly formidable. Right now, Rebecca was all business with monitors already fired up. She addressed Nic formally. “Nic, Aurora, I haven’t called the others in yet. I’m not sure how you want to handle this.” She indicated for them to take a seat and keyed one of the monitors. Aurora saw a myriad of images flash in front of her in a whirl of color. The names ticked off so quickly she wasn’t sure she caught them all, but their faces she would remember for the rest of her life. One second these people were living and the next, they were gone. Aurora sucked in a breath. Then she saw the badges. . . “I’ve got to apologize, Nic. I didn’t make a connection until twelve people died.” Rebecca’s voice dropped to a harsh whisper. “Oh my God,” Aurora voice came out in an agonized croak. “This is because of the Tanners?” Rebecca paused the display. “Yes, I’m afraid so.” She keyed up the other monitor, “These people are placed on hold. The list is growing by the hour.” Aurora rubbed her temples as a fierce headache took hold pounding through her skull. “I don’t understand, how can this happen.” “Nic’s holding the Tanners in place, Aurora. Because he’s keeping Craig safe, the tide of Death seeks reparation.” “How much time do we have?” Rebecca smiled gently at her. “Ask Nic. It’s his call.” She’d made mistakes. No doubt tons of them. But in her entire service as Fate, she’d never caused the death of an innocent. “Isn’t there anything you can do, Rebecca? To save these people?” This was her fault. Pain squeezed her heart and lungs so hard, she was certain they would burst. Tears, hot and hard as if made from crystal stung her eyes. “I can’t believe this is my fault, that I’m responsible for the deaths of these people.” Death shook her head sadly. “I can’t, Aurora. I don’t have the power to reverse something like this.” She turned her head, “But Nic. . .”
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Nic’s eyes shuttered downward. Aurora wiped at the tears and sniffed. “Is that true? You could fix this?” She started for him and he held a hand up. Nic’s jaw clenched and regarded Rebecca. “Hold on all remaining targets.” Rebecca nodded understanding the hint. “I’ll wait in my office.” She rose slowly and gave Aurora a sympathetic tilt to her full lips. “I’m sorry about this too, Aurora.” The brittle silence in the room shattered as Nic stood up and wiped the monitors. “Don’t ask me to do something I can’t do.” “You could save twelve innocent people. But you won’t? Why the hell not? What’s the matter with you?” Aurora leaned her elbows on the table in front of her and massaged her temples. Twelve people. Even if she lived the next two hundred years, she could never forgive her involvement in this. “I –” Words failed her as tears streamed down her cheeks. Tired, distressed and unbelievably saddened, Aurora got to her feet. She cleared her throat. “This isn’t right. Damn it! This shouldn’t happen. You and I both know it. Nic, you can’t just let them die.” “I can’t interfere.” “What are you talking about? Of course you can interfere!” She moved around the table and forced him to acknowledge her. “Not this time, Aurora.” Pinching the bridge of his nose, Nic frowned. “It’s gone too far.” “When I took this job, I knew it would be something bigger than anything I ever experienced. I knew it would be hard and I would need to make tough decisions. I never thought in a million moments that I would harm some innocent bystander.” Turning away, she considered for a moment then glanced back at Nic. Sniffing, Aurora wiped again at her nose and eyes once more. Shaking her head, she faced Nic. “I can’t do this. Not anymore. Really.” She held up her hands in defeat, “I can’t be liable for someone dying.” She moved to face Nic finding an expression of stone. “You don’t have to fire me, Nic. I quit.”
“Is it that easy? Things get a little tough and you just walk away?” Nic reached out and touched the lock on the door as Aurora reached for the handle. “I thought you had more guts than that, Aurora. I honestly did.” She turned to face him then and he witnessed the ravaged emotion roll through her. “Do you want to make this worse? Harder than it already is?” She wiggled the handle. “Let me go, Nic. Find someone else that is more responsible to fill the office of Fate. Someone who doesn’t have her own interests in mind.”
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Nic shook his head. “What are you talking about? I’ve never encountered anyone with such compassion as you.” He moved abruptly, the anger brimming. “You’re not the type of woman to back off a challenge. I know you too well, Aurora.” “What good did it do me? Seriously? It’s my stubborn self that created this horrible mess.” Aurora looked back and Nic saw the clouds and despair in the blue eyes. “I’m the reason for the death of twelve people that didn’t have anything to do with this. I’ve screwed up the Tanner’s lives and fallen in love with my boss.” Aurora tugged at her hair and gave a crooked grin. “And in the middle of all this, I drop that lovely bombshell.” Nic released the lock. “Go home, you’re tired.” Aurora nodded and pulled the door open. She disappeared through the door and Nic felt the world shift and tremble on its axis. She loved him? His heart trembled and sweat trickled down his temple. What was she thinking? She was tired and distressed. It was only a slip of the tongue. Then why did it strike fear in a man who never experienced such an emotion? Fear and something else, something so delicate and beautiful and fresh like rain on a spring morning, Nic didn’t know what to think or how to react. His throat felt raw as he swallowed and shoved his emotions aside. Difficult, yes, damn near impossible, but Nic was a master at hiding his feelings. He found Rebecca in her office with an every growing list of people scheduled to die. “How many?” “Actual or under this false positive?” Rebecca spun the monitor so Nic could see the list. “I’ve already separated them, Nic. These are people pulled due to the Tanner situation. How long do you want to go on with this?” Nic rubbed the back of his neck trying to ease the tension out of the sinew. “I promised her I’d give her the chance to change Craig Tanner’s fate.” “At what cost, Nic? Twelve people have died already.” “I realize this.” Rebecca keyed a few strokes into her computer. “I know.” “Can you hold them?” Nic’s brain reminded him of melting slush down Michigan Avenue. “Reasonably. Can you hold them for awhile?” He saw the glimmer in Rebecca’s eyes part sympathy, part intrigue. He wasn’t sure he was entirely comfortable with that. “I can keep them as long as needed. You know that. If need be, you can reverse anything. I know that.” She smiled. “Does Aurora?”
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“Aurora quit.” Rebecca straightened in her chair and her eyes shone with a strange light. Nic cleared his throat, looking at the names as the list continued growing.
Each second they delayed, more innocents
sacrificed. The thought weighed heavily on Nic. More than anything in recent years and more than the words Aurora left him with this night. “Nic? Would you like to explain that? I’ve never met anyone more suited to Fate than Aurora.” Rebecca got to her feet and came around the desk to face him. She sat in a chair opposite his and leaned forward. “Is there something going on here that I need to know about?” “Probably.” Nic rubbed the back of his neck again and pushed back his tousled hair. “Oh damn, I don’t know.” Rebecca reached for his hands and held them in a surprisingly strong, cool clasp. “It’s okay, you know. Eventually, it had to happen.” Nic’s gaze leveled on hers. They’d been friends for fifty years at least, and Rebecca managed to maintain a formal persona at work. “I’m not sure I know what you’re getting at.” “I think you do.” Rebecca smiled and Nic didn’t know how to react. He got to his feet and headed for the door. “I’ll keep you updated.” Nic nodded and headed out the door. He walked into his office, closed the door slowly and sat at his desk. His eyes wandered to the web letting the colors soothe. No one ever told him they loved him. Ever. Dapples of light and sound twinkled across the web. Sensing his inner struggle, the web seemed to drift closer. Nic deliberately pushed back and directed the web to continue along the ribbon of time. He needed to think, hard and long about the current predicament Aurora managed to involve him in again. He keyed a few inquires into his keypad. “Is Aurora still in the building?” The light blinked revealing Aurora was still in her office. Nic waited a moment, and then made up his mind. With fingers as delicate as a surgeon, he located the loose threads of the people unwittingly involved and rewove them into creation. Nic did something he was loath to do and pulled from the pool of the future to locate the true endings for these lives. Out of the twelve people, four would die next week. Gently, he wove glistening strands back into the web. He moved with confidence and speed and with the work completed, eight people had their lives back. Quickly, he keyed a few notes into his keypad then located the strands belonging to the Tanners. He’d protected them long enough. Their fate now placed with themselves and he believed, still, with Aurora.
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Nic walked down the hallway and found Aurora at her desk. He leaned against the doorframe and folded his arms across his chest. She looked positively exhausted and young. “Go home, Aurora.” She glanced up at him and Nic saw the sheepish expression. The sad tilt to her mouth stabbed a suddenly sensitive region in his chest. “I just wanted to clean up some things.” “You’re making a mistake.” The mass of fiery locks shook around her face. “No. You and I know I’m not cut out for this. Look at all the mistakes I’ve made in two years.” “Is this really just about you?” Nic levered off the doorframe and continued into the office. “If it is, well maybe you’re right then. I made a mistake thinking you were Fate.” He waited for the reaction. The brief flare of temper he saw was enough to send a wave of relief through him. He moved closer. “You know what we deal with, Aurora. Every day. You give people a choice and sometimes they choose wrong.” He came around the desk and drew her out of the chair, his grip on her upper arms firm. “Not like this.” She shook her head. “Not like this.” “People die. It’s part of the circle of life. Birth, hopefully a full creative life and then they eventually reach their end. Some sooner, others later.” His fingers tilted her chin so that she would meet his eyes. “You can’t stop the inevitable.”
“You can.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Aurora regretted it. She knew the position she put him in by declaring her feelings for him then practically demanding that he rescue her and the Tanners again. Time after time, she’d made serious mistakes with this man. How many times could she even ask him to do that? And what kind of brainiac announces they quit and by the way, I’m in love with you? Aurora wished like hell the floor would open and swallow her whole. “I seem to spend most of my time apologizing to you. You’re probably sick of hearing it.” He released her and Aurora caught hold the desk to keep from falling to her knees. “Only if it’s just an excuse.” The black eyes turned to shiny pinpoints. “Have you been playing me this whole time?” Aurora only wished that the case. The fury burning off Nic was enough to make her back up a step. “Is that what the confession of love was a few moments ago? A last ditch effort to complete your project.” He stalked away from her with the grace of a jaguar and Aurora wondered how she could reach him. “I’ve got to admit, you’ve got one hell of an imagination.” She used the heel of her hand to rub her eyes. The sun crept into the windows as daylight began. Exhaustion threatened to claim her and yet, she couldn’t leave with him believing the worst. That
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clawed at her more than her failure. Gripping the edge of the desk to steady herself, she moved toward him. “Since I don’t work for you anymore, I can say this without fear. Nic, you’re an ass.” Satisfaction wasn’t nearly what people cracked it up to be. The lump lodged cold and hollow in the pit of her stomach. “Definitely.” The smile seemed predatory. Dangerous. Nic spun one of her keyboards around to face him and punched it. A holographic display lifted next to Aurora and he pointed at the document staring at her. “That’s the contract you signed when you came to work at Immortality Incorporated. Remember it?” The document was a massive piece of legalese and it originally took her three days to get through Nic’s version of “Gone with the Wind.” “Of course I remember it. I signed it.” “Indeed.” An ominous wave of black oily doubt seeped its way across Aurora. The gleam in Nic’s eyes and the huge document made her worry. “What’s this about?” Nic smiled and punched a few keys, then calmly folded his arms about his chest. “There. That’s what this is about.” Aurora leaned over and glanced at the paragraph. It looked like a standard non-compete clause to her mixed with some other mumbo-jumbo. “Okay, I’m confused. It’s not like I’m planning to go work Goddesses R Us next week.” “Hardly.” “You know, I really don’t like it much when you respond in such an imperious monosyllabic tone.” “All right. Let me spell this out for you, Aurora.” He moved then and Aurora swore he possessed the striking power of a cobra. He probably manipulated time when he moved so that he could just pounce at will. “You work for me. Period. At my pleasure, whim, whatever you’d like to call it, this isn’t a right to work establishment. By signing this document, you waive any rights to your former existence.” Aurora coughed, choked and clutched at his arm. Her fingers curled around solid muscle. “Excuse me?” Waived rights of former existence, is that what he said? How was that possible and how on earth had she missed that? “You’re kidding?” He uncurled her nails from his forearm and sat on the edge of her desk. “I control this place. Everything and everyone is here because I choose them. You leave when I say and only then.” “You’re out of your mind. You can’t do that.”
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Nic leaned closer, she could smell the rich scent of his cologne. His breath on her cheek caused shivers of excitement and a tiny hint of fear. “No Aurora, I’m Time. From the beginning to the very end, I’ll be here and if I choose it, so will you.” She couldn’t control it, maybe it was her red hair, or the Irish ancestry from way back when but Aurora struck first and nipped his lip. Rewarded with his growl of rage, Aurora held her ground. “Is that what you want, a toy? A pretty little sex toy for your pleasure, master.” He curled his fingers into her waist and twisted her around onto the desk then leaned menacingly over her. Aurora understood the game. The anger. She was angry herself, with her performance her lack of focus and the cardinal sin of falling in love. Sparks flared and she found it difficult to bank a reaction. “Funny girl. You like games, you always have. Now, we’ll play by my rules.” “I play to win.” Aurora bared her teeth. “No, you don’t.” Nic pressed his weight into hers and she felt the imprint of a desk corner into her hip. “You play hard, but when it doesn’t go your way, you give up.” “Bullshit.” He laughed harshly and scraped his beard-roughened jaw against her throat and cheek. Her blood sang as his lips took hers in a wild, nearly cruel kiss. Aurora struggled against his strength and the desire flooding her veins but it was no use. She sucked in a breath the moment his mouth left hers and practically shouted at him. “It’s not just sex and you damn well know it.” He froze and Aurora took her only advantage. “You feel it. Just like I do, the current, the intensity, the mindless power of what we create.” She ran her fingertips down the side of his jaw enjoying the tightening of the muscle. “You want it, Nic. But it isn’t just sex. It’s me.” Her tongue snaked out along his jaw. “You wouldn’t want anyone else, Nic and you know it.” He drew back. “Here are your choices. I can attend the party this weekend with you to help you cover your ass or you’re on your own.” He disengaged himself from her arms and pulled her up with him. “The Tanners are no longer under my protection. If you want to continue with trying to save him, fine, but you’ll do it with no assistance from me. Otherwise, their path continues on its own.” “I expected that.” “The people inadvertently affected by this matter are back on their original paths.” “Oh my. . .” Aurora’s arms went around his neck and clung. “Thank you, thank you so much.” She kissed his jaw and throat in delicate caresses. “You won’t regret, Nic. I swear. I will make this up to you, somehow, someway, I will.” “There were some that would’ve died next week.”
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“I understand.” “You have eight months, Aurora. Solve this problem with the Tanners, live your life, whatever you wish. At the end of that time, you’ll return. To me.” She shook her head as confusion fogged her brain. “I don’t understand.” “Perhaps, not now. But you will.” Nic straightened and appeared more formal and cold than she’d ever seen him. “How can you do this?” Tears dripped from her eyes. Diamonds of pain fell from deep within the well of her existence trailing down her cheeks. “You can simply walk away?” She’d never felt anything so excruciating in all her life. In love for the first time in her life and it truly sucked. A bitter taste filled her mouth and she simply glanced at Nic. “I had no idea I was just a toy. I feel like a damn fool.” She backed away, hunched over as if he’d struck her. “Aurora, you aren’t in love with me.” The sigh seemed weary now. “Infatuated maybe, but not love.” “And you know this because?” He caught her shoulder and turned her to face him. His eyes shimmered with emptiness. They were so dark and lonely Aurora nearly lost herself. The blackness cried out in despair. “Because no one ever has been in love with me, Aurora. Not in this lifetime or the last.” His smile reminded her of black ice. “Nic.” She reached for him. “All stop.” All around them time shuddered to a halt.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
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Aurora rolled over and her brain crashed and rolled in her skull like waves beating on the shore. Her arms went up to stabilize her head but her limbs reminded her of spaghetti. She blinked as sunlight seared her eyes and struggle to get into a sitting position. Thick, dense cotton filled her brain as Aurora struggled to figure out where she was and how exactly she got there. The last thing she remembered, Aurora frowned, she didn’t remember the last thing. Panic edged along the base of her spine a dull edgy sensation. She couldn’t focus on anything, not yesterday, last week or her best friend’s last birthday. Aurora swallowed, wondering if she’d spent last night licking wallpaper paste. What the hell happened? The harder she concentrated the worse it became. Her thoughts poured through her hair in a jumbled disarray. She moved her eyes slowly trying to catch the alarm clock’s display in her peripheral vision. Nine-thirty something? Oh hell, what day was it? Damn it, this wasn’t right. She didn’t drink enough ever to wake up with this type of a hangover. And what was with the memory loss? She’d never heard of anyone getting smashed and forgetting things from a week ago. She rolled over on her side and licked her parched lips. Blinking red numbers flashed at her as Aurora wracked her numb brain trying to figure out where she was and what happened. She rubbed her hand down her face and noticed she was still fully clothed from the night before. The bangles on her wrist as they slid down her arm made a loud rattling in her already tender head. Oh this was bad, very, very bad. The phone beside her rang and Aurora thought her skin would peel off. Reaching out for the phone, she managed to get her hand on it and scoop it off the cradle. “What?” The word came out a puff of agonized frustration. “Ouch, someone had a bad night. Too much party punch?” “Shut up, Amanda, you’re just a roar in my head.” Aurora rolled over bringing the phone into bed with her, pleased that she remembered her sister. “What do you want?” She growled, irritation climbing as she finally got hold of a memory. The snoopy sister and Aurora’s somewhat competitive relationship between them flooded back into her beleaguered brain. “Bring your hot cheese dip today for the party, okay?” “Oh damn, that’s today?” Her niece’s birthday and that made her what kind of aunt forgetting a little girl’s birthday. “Wow, you sound terrible. Do you have a cold or something?” Aurora finally managed to struggle into a sitting position. “Or something.” She hung up with her sister and pulled the linens back from her bed. Nothing like the mother of all hangovers to get your day off to a lovely start, Aurora gingerly moved her feet to the floor and steadied herself. Her skin chilled turning clammy, making Aurora believe she picked up a bug or something.
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Pushing herself up, she waited until the room stopped spinning and headed for the shower. Peeling off her clothing on the way to the shower, Aurora tried getting a clue from the rumbled pile of her night’s wardrobe. Nothing. Absolutely nothing and the more she pushed the more that edgy sensation scraped at her with angry welts. She turned the shower on full and turned to look at her reflection in the mirror. Wow, she looked terrible. Raccoon eyes, smudged with mascara, Aurora pulled her eyelids open wider trying to find the white of her eyes. All she saw was red and opted for a quick squirt of eyedrops. Chills rose along her skin and Aurora’s stomach pitched and rolled. On her knees, she hung onto the toilet for dear life, praying the after effects of the missing night would get the hell out of her body. Wiping her face with a hand towel, Aurora pushed off her knees and stumbled toward the shower. Under a blast of scalding water, she lathered her body with a fresh scented bath gel. The scent seemed familiar but there was something else there. What was she missing? It was there, she was so certain just on the outskirts of her aching memory. There, waiting for her and she couldn’t find it. Desperation flooded her as she clutched at the long tangle of red hair. The pain came, sharp and blacker than any void in the night sky. It twined around her as tight as a vine with spines scratching into her flesh. Water streamed down her face as she rinsed her hair. Her fingers dug into the faucet and turned up the heat hoping the pain would subside. When she was afraid her skin would peel away, she turned the water down to a reasonable temperature. Thankfully, the agony in her head subsided and Aurora leaned back against the shower wall. Steam rose in clouds as the she allowed the heat from the shower pulsed down on her weary muscles. She wished it would beat into her head what she couldn’t remember. She knew it must be something important. Something she really ought to recall, it left such a haunted vacant feeling deep within her.
Somehow she made it to her sister’s home at the scheduled hour and was promptly engulfed in the cotton candy and jelly bean mayhem of the birthday party. Aurora got a sticky sweet kiss from her niece before she raced off to jump in the giant bouncy her parents rented for the event. Amanda scooped up the cheese dip and gently nudged her in the direction of a young couple waving frantically at her. The young man held up a beer with a wide grin as his wife motioned for her to come sit. Beth and Craig Tanner. Aurora inhaled, sucking as much air into her lungs as possible and held it, expecting the sharp recall of pain. Craig pushed a beer into her fingers and enveloped her in a hug, “Where you been, girl?”
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Contemplating the beer, Aurora pasted a smile on her face, “I haven’t been feeling to well recently.” Beth instantly leaped up. “Well, sit down. You probably don’t want a beer.” She peeled it out of Aurora’s grip. “Craig, get her a soda or juice or something.” Aurora laughed and hooked the beer, certain she needed it and with a vodka chaser. “It’s fine.” She sank into the chair beside Beth and looked her in the eyes hoping for a clue. “How’s your week?” Aurora tilted the bottle of beer and swallowed, surprised by the sharp tang of citrus and not terribly pleased. “Bitter beer face,” Craig laughed. “No, I’ve just never had orange beer. Wow! Not sure I like it either.” Aurora sat the beer on a table nearby out of reach of an inquisitive toddler. “Hey, no prob, I’ll get you something more traditional. Did Beth tell you?” Craig dug into the ice chest beside him and popped the top off a beer Aurora recognized. He passed it Aurora and she took a tentative sip. “She applied to college and they called the other day. There going to take all of her credits.” “That’s great.” Aurora dug deep and began to pick around the edges of the missing memories. Beth Tanner wanted to go to medical school. Medical school? Interesting, considering she figured Beth to be about twenty-five or so which was kind of late for a good twelve years of continuing education. She glanced past Beth’s excited grin and considered Craig. There was something about him something she really should remember about Craig Tanner. It came hard, fast and with such clarity, the air evaporated from her lungs. Her fingernails curled into her wrists while her jaw tightened. It sharpened slowly, assembling like a chunk of coal before each thought, each precious memory forged into a diamond glittering in the distant sun. Aurora reached for it and clasped the reward. “Oh my God, medical school!” Aurora’s gaze shifted back to back to Beth. “That’s so fantastic, are you excited? How could I forget? That’s so great.” “It was you, Aurora. I thought about it. Really thought hard, you know? And I decided this was what I wanted.” Beth sat forward, a bright light gleaming in her eyes. “I know I’m starting late and it’s going to be difficult, but it’s going to be worth it.” Craig leaned over and kissed her cheek, “My wife, the doctor. How cool is that?” Aurora lifted her beer in a toast, “That’s way cool.”
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Beth laughed, “I have you to thank, you know?” She gripped Aurora’s arm in a quick squeeze. “I know you’ve got your own stuff to deal with, but you have been really super to me.” She wiped at her eyes quick and sniffed. “Look at me, tearing up. Hey, are you going to karaoke at Mac’s tonight?” Aurora tensed, she wasn’t sure why but something weird triggered a ticklish feeling in her stomach. “I know you haven’t been there since that night with –” Beth glanced over at Craig, “What was his name? Jeez, that’s really sad, I don’t even remember him.” She laughed again and bit into a chip. “Oh well, it’s not like he was important to you. But, I know you’ll have a blast.” “Sing?” “Yeah, it’s fun. I think you need to cut loose a bit anyway. Have some fun. You’ve been so down recently after losing your job.” “I lost my job?” Aurora’s lips tilted down and she mumbled into the lip of the beer bottle. The bender the night before, the lack of recall, maybe it was all because she got the axe. Aurora swallowed a long drink. She made a mental note to check her bank balance as soon as possible. She didn’t exactly live in a utility apartment and Chicago wasn’t cheap. “I’m sure something will come up at another bank.” Beth smiled gently. “I know you did a super job so you should have banks hot to get you.” Aurora tilted her lips into a smirk, “Yep, they’re just fighting to get me. Now, what’s this about the karaoke, you guys don’t really go do you?” She glanced over at Craig who nodded in the middle of a bite. “But sing? Seriously, you guys sing in front of people?” Craig howled, “It’s not pretty, but it’s kind of fun.” “Um, okay. What time?” “We usually get there about nine-thirty.” Beth leaned past her husband for some more chips. “That way we’ve got a table before it gets packed.” Aurora eyed them as Beth watched Craig get up and get himself a hamburger. The look in the young woman’s eyes, all shiny like a brand new copper penny, filled with love and something eternally deeper. Friendship and trust. It touched her on a level that Aurora couldn’t begin to comprehend. An exotic flower whose delicate beauty blossomed with brilliant color like the Tanner’s relationship and it nearly made Aurora weep. The pain flared again and this time it wasn’t in her head, but somewhere in the region of her heart. Overwhelmed, Aurora pretended her brother-in-law called her and pushed up from the chair. She wandered out into the yard and sat next to the pool staring into the water. It took her only a moment to decide to leave, she pushed away from the pool and found Casey tending the barbeque. “Casey, I’m really sorry, but I’ve got a terrible headache. I’m going to cut out.”
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“You feeling okay, hon?” He flipped half a dozen burgers with skill and ease before facing her. “Do you want me to have Amanda get you an aspirin or something?” “No, I think I’m just going to head home. I’m really sorry.” “No prob, sweetie. I’ll tell the birthday girl for you so you can just sneak out.” Casey kissed her cheek. “You take care.”
By the time Aurora got home, she wandered if she wasn’t paranoid about the thing. She called the bank, checked her balance, and had more than enough money to live comfortably for a very long time. Now it was just bizarre. With that out of the way, she decided maybe the best thing to do for this bizarre hangover was to walk it off and grabbing up her purse, she headed for Michigan Avenue. Shopping cleared the mind, it brought focus so that Aurora grinned as she noticed a new window display in Pottery Barn. Sunlight glittered through the trees and crowds weaved in and out along the sidewalk. Even on this glorious spring-like day, she couldn’t feel the heat. Normalcy seemed to elude her, she looked about and saw, but the cold emptiness remained. Aurora’s joy at the window display vanished in a wink and she spun away. She moved quickly down the sidewalk, watching the shoppers. A group of teenagers hurried into a coffee shop and their laughter caught Aurora’s attention. Then she stopped short in her tracks. Perfectly groomed, curly blonde hair and dark blonde goat surrounded his flashing white teeth in a distinctly predatory grin that Aurora recognized. Aurora watched the man at the counter collect his coffee and turn. Then he saw her as well. A tidal wave rolled beneath her feet of vicious, scalding water and the only thing that seemed to hold it at bay was the rusting rebar in the pit of her stomach. It stretched under the force and groaned while Aurora gripped the fence near the entrance to the café. Her eyes went wide, shiny with fear as the man glanced at her in surprise. She reached out for him, “I know you. Don’t I?” Her mouth tasted of iron and dust and she felt the ground shake beneath her. The man stopped for a mere second and then looked past her, no through her. Aurora nearly launched after him. He knew her, she was positive. The rebar in her stomach bent and twisted and Aurora doubled over in pain. He was nearly halfway down the street and Aurora struggled to keep him in sight. Vision blurred, she wasn’t sure if her eyes watered from the stomach cramps or if it was the onslaught waiting on the other side. She stumbled after the man determined to find out if he truly knew her or if she was out of her mind and just didn’t realize it.
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“Wait, please!” A vicious surge of heat broke through the rebar and seized her entire body in a shocking gasp. Bile rose in her throat and Aurora crumbled to her knees in a heap. Pulling air through her nostrils, she tried focusing on the hot pavement and biting the inside of her jaw until she tasted blood, hoping she wouldn’t wretch on the sidewalk in front of half a dozen people. “Oh shit, Aurora.” The man was on his knees beside her, gently grasping her arm and lifting her slowly to her feet. “Come on, sit down.” He walked her back to a bench under a shady tree then handed her his coffee. “Drink this, slowly. The caffeine takes the edge off.” “I’m going to puke.” “No, you aren’t.” With his hands cupped around hers, he raised the coffee to her lips. “Drink it. Now.” Aurora opened her lips and forced the muscles in her throat to swallow the strong, nearly bitter coffee. The bite of caffeine jolted her system and her nerve endings dripped raw. Her head splintered in half a dozen directions as she focused on centering herself and dispersing the pain. Aurora’s chest heaved as she gasped for air and hooked her fingernails into the cup. The man regarded her with a strange concern in his eyes. Aurora swallowed more of the espresso, amazed that the caffeine absorbed into on something close to a cellular level. “Better now?” Cocking her head, she raised an eyebrow and glared. “Do I look like I feel better?” Sweat poured off her forehead and trickled down her neck. The man leaned back slowly and grinned. Maybe it was a smirk, but it was so confident and cocky that Aurora stopped. A lock spun on its cylinders and clicked slowly on each groove unlocking the vault to her memory. Blockades gave way, Aurora knew then this was worse than any man made hangover. She passed him back the coffee and wiped sweat from her face with shaking hands. “I know you.” It came, finally, bright as a flash bulb. “Gil.” The smile froze on his face and he suddenly resembled a deer in headlights. “I’ve never heard of anyone being able to do that.” “What?” A waitress took pity and dropped off a giant glass of ice water with lemon. “Breaking through the blocks like that, I don’t think it’s ever happened.” He nudged the water toward her slowly. “Drink it. You’re going to be dehydrated.” He glanced around quickly. “Look Aurora, you know I love you, but I’ve got to cover my ass here. I’m already in trouble with time so just take it easy and don’t do anything rash. Until it all comes back to you.” “My memory will come back, Gil?”
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“Yeah, weird.” He swallowed some coffee. “I’ve been doing this a long time. Really long and I’ve never heard of anyone doing what you’ve done.” “Yeah, well, fabulous.” Aurora drank the water in gulps until Gil reached out. “Easy there, girl. That will make you puke.” He pulled the glass away. “You’re better off with alcohol right now.” “Would you like to tell me who’s responsible for this?” He laughed and Aurora remembered she liked Gil and that he was a constant source of mischief. “I’d love to, babe. Honestly. But, if I did that, well, I’d be toast. So that cover your own ass thing comes into play.” He got to his feet and leaned over. Kissing the top of her head, he waved good-bye. “Find your way back, babe. It’s not the same without you.”
Not sure how long she sat watching people pass, Aurora’s eyes glazed with confusion. Images trickled across her mind, a slow drip from a faucet as it filled a bucket of her memory. She remembered Gil, but only vaguely. A practical joker, she was certain. But, she still had a hard time focusing. She didn’t remember her job, what she did or if she was any good at it. She started to wonder if she really had lost her job or if the person responsible for the loss of memory did this to her as well. There was a connection here, if only she could just knick at it, Aurora felt a bizarre certainty it would hold the key. She got up fearful of the onslaught of pain waiting at the mere mention of movement. Pain seeped into the ground and blissfully away, creating a much-needed solace. Moving down the street, a light breeze danced along her skin. The sunlight flickered slowly toward sunset and Aurora realized her friends were expecting her at the sports bar later this evening. The more she walked, the more the fury built. Hotter, harder, blazing with speed and irritation chipping away at her manufactured amnesia leaving Aurora in a raging temper.
“Have you completely lost your mind?” The words lashed out at him, a barbed whip digging into Gil’s guilt. “I didn’t do anything.” “I saw you with her.” Ewan extended a long finger in the direction of Gil’s nose making Gil want to snap at it. Instead, he merely curled his lip at him and lifted a brow. “Ewan, you really need to quit lurking around corners. No wonder you can’t get a woman, stalking a hobby for you?” Gil leaned back just as Ewan swung at him. Jess and Rebecca rushed into the room and Rebecca caught hold of Ewan’s arm before it connected. “What the hell is this?”
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“This,” Ewan shook loose, absently rubbing his muscle where Rebecca hooked him, “is Gil putting all of us in jeopardy of losing our livelihood.” Gil made a mental note not to test Rebecca’s strength. She might be small in stature but obviously, the chick pumped some serious iron. Jess slid her gaze toward him, “What’s he talking about?” “Nothing.” That long finger of Ewan’s came out again and his eyes gleamed with rage. “Nothing?” Fear stepped pointedly away from Chaos and turned his argument toward Jess and Rebecca. “You call that nothing?” “I was helping a friend.” Jess’ brows drew together, “You guys nearly came to blows over him helping someone out?” She folded her arms across her chest and pursed her lush lips. “Jeez Ewan, aren’t haunted houses keeping you busy enough? You’d think you’d be happy Gil helped anyone out.” Ewan’s jaw clenched and the muscles worked furiously. “His friend was Aurora!” “What?” Jess’ coffee sloshed over the top of her coffee cop. “Omigod, please tell me you are kidding here.” Rebecca moved to the door to the break room, closing it softly. “Gil, what on earth were you thinking here?” “He was thinking he wanted to get us all fired. That’s what he was thinking!” Ewan practically hurled the words at them hard enough to make Gil flinch and rub his goatee. “Oh hell, Gil! It’s not bad enough that we’re on probation?” Rebecca’s warm eyes held a glimmer of frost. “You’re all on probation?” Gil knew exactly what she was thinking. Nic had been in such a delightful mood since Aurora left. Guilt by association would crush them all. Gil pushed himself away from the wall. “’fraid so. But this had nothing to do with that.” Three pairs of eyes leveled him with varying degrees of skepticism. “Seriously. The girl about passed out on the sidewalk. What was I supposed to do? Step over her on my way down the street?” “Do you have any idea what the hell Nic will do if he finds out?” Jess moved away from the coffee and closer to Gil. “We are so screwed here.” “All right, Gil. Tell us exactly what happened and don’t leave anything out.” “It was nothing, really.” Gil tried to smile but the more he looked at them, the more his stomach started to burn. “Nothing? How can jeopardizing everything be nothing.” Ewan wiped sweat from his forehead. “The rule is explicit regarding this. Anyone that has been fired –“ “We know the rule, okay?”
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“Yeah, we know.” “So, what are we going to do?” Gil shrugged, “If you guys would let me explain, please?” Rebecca inhaled softly and held her breath. “Okay, sorry. Let’s try this again.” “I was on my way out of the coffee shop and I saw her. She saw me.” He sighed. “She looked right through me with this dazed kind of look and all of a sudden it focused. Hard.” Jess’ gaze narrowed and Ewan practically growled under his breath. “I tried to get out of there, fast. I was heading down the street and I could hear her yelling at me.” He picked up Jess’ coffee and took a sip. “I figured I’d lose her once I went around the block.” “Why didn’t you?” “I’m getting to that,” Gil sipped again, ignoring the hostility emanating off Ewan. “All of a sudden, her voice changed. It was panicky, scared and she started screaming at me. Then nothing.” Gil rubbed a hand through his, “Jeez, I thought she’d been hit buy a car or something. So, I turned around and she was laying on the sidewalk, like she’d passed out.” “What? What happened?” “Is she all right?” Gil noted the concern of the women, however, Ewan simply folded his arms across his chest. “I ran back to see if she was okay. She was sweating like crazy and doubled over like someone hit her in the stomach. I helped her up and got her to sit down.” He shook his head. “She looked like shit and Aurora on her worst day never looks bad.” Rebecca gasped and quickly put her fingers over her lips. “I thought maybe she had a hangover or something.” “Or something.” Rebecca murmured. Jess glanced at her, “You know something.” “This isn’t good.” “You want to fill us in?” “Gil, you’d better tell us the rest of it.” “I gave her some of my coffee and that stopped the stomach pain and the sweats.” “Oh my. . .” Jess moved slightly, twisting her head to get a better look at Rebecca. “What?” Her eyes slid suspiciously over to Gil. “What?” Ewan turned on him, “You gave her coffee?” Gil nodded. “Shit, we are seriously screwed here.”
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Jess held up her hands and huffed in exasperation. “Excuse me, folks! I’m not as old as you are so would someone please explain.” Gil sighed, “I think she’s coming out of it.” “Coming out of what?” Gil could see the wheels turn and cylinders click into place. “Oh hell, Nic isn’t going to fire us. He’s simply going to kill us.” “Now, now. We don’t know she’s remembered anything.” Gil coughed, choked actually. “Why do I have a feeling that isn’t the case?” Rebecca’s tone echoed in all the power of Death. “She knew my name.” “You idiot!” Ewan launched himself once more for Gil and shoved him against the wall. Jess spun away trying to steady her coffee cup as the man slammed into the corner of it. Then all hell broke loose. The door to the break room glided open and Nic stood in the entrance. “Someone want to tell me what’s going on?”
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CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Ewan? Are you letting go of Gil any time soon?” Fear’s grip relaxed instantly and Gil brushed it off with a wink and a stereotypical grin. Gil put his hands on Ewan’s shoulders and squeezed good-naturedly. “I was just telling them about Survivor last night and Ewan hadn’t seen it yet. I guess he’s a bit serious on the jungle affair.” Gil chuckled good-naturedly and moved away from Ewan. “Is that so?” Nic glanced at the two women who appeared perfectly non-committal about the entire scene. There was a definite buzz in the room. Something was up and Nic would consider himself a fool not to believe it that ‘something’ was the recently departed Fate. “Oh yeah,” Gil moved quickly coming around the corner of the table. “I think we’re going to set up a pool, see who gets kicked off next. You want in?” Nic witnessed the lancing glare Ewan gave the younger man along with Jess’ wide eyes. Nic took hold of the doorframe, leaning on the button to close it. “No thanks, I already know who wins.” He let the door slide shut and decided to go see what Gil had been up to the past few days. He made it back to his private office and raised his hand to touch the glittery strands of the Creation Web. Nic paused watching as his hand shook slightly. How long had it been now, two weeks? Nic couldn’t remember anymore. He couldn’t recall the last time he ate either, not that it mattered much. The threads parted slowly, seeming to sense the wave of emotions bottled up in him. Nic located Aurora’s thread easily. Guided to it, as if they connected somehow and Nic only needed to acknowledge that and everything could return to normal. Nic touched the thread, gently and let the shimmering delicate sensation roll over him. It penetrated his cells, rushing through Nic on a primal high and bringing Nic to his knees. He snapped his hand back as if burned as the essence of Aurora crashed along him in a river of heat and flame. Pushing back, he sat on the chair and buried his face in his hands. Could he be that foolish? That arrogant? To actually have a woman like Aurora say she loved him and then just simply toss it back into her face? He was indeed a fool, he never should’ve touched her. The taste of her still lingered and he could only curse his own ego and pray for the frustration to die a natural death. Nic ran his fingers through his hair as the last remnants of her drifted from his flesh. God, he needed her. Not just in his bed, but in the very depth of his being. Muscles atrophied without exertion. Aurora definitely exerted him, physically and mentally and he could practically feel the decay layering over him now.
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Sedentary and distant. Alone. Just as he was in the beginning.
Whoever invented Lemon Drop martinis needed a kiss! Aurora licked crystalline sugar from around the rim of her glass while a host at Mac’s helped set up the karaoke equipment. The host was a hottie so a bit of entertainment value existed. Craig and Beth poured over the song selection eagerly pointing out perfect opportunities for Aurora to showcase her vocal talent. Too bad she didn’t have any. Of course, a couple more martinis and she wouldn’t care. “Oh Aurora! This would be perfect.” Beth pointed at a recent release by Shania Twain and slid her chair closer. “We could do it together.” “Please tell me you’re kidding.” “It’ll be fun,” a delicate pout drifted across her lips, “you said you’d try.” Aurora slugged back the rest of the martini enjoying the rush of heat from the Vodka. “Yeah, I know.” She leaned closer and read over the lyrics. “Well hell, why not? Maybe we could be first.” Beth shoved her chair back, “I’ll go tell Mike! I’m so excited.” She scooted out of the chair and ran up to the hot host before Aurora could wrap her tongue around her words. “Wait! Oh hell, I’m going to just die up there.” Craig patted her arm. “Don’t worry, we all do. That’s what makes it fun.” Their waiter came by and Craig signaled for another round of drinks. “Another couple of drinks and you’ll love it.” “It’ll take more than a couple of drinks for me to love it. Trust me.” Aurora slid her tongue around the rim of the glass again. “Everyone in the bar is going to need a whole lot more beer after I sing. Either that, or earplugs.” Craig laughed as Beth slid her arms around his neck. “We’re up first.” She kissed his cheek. “It’s going to be such a hoot.” “A hoot? Hmm? More like a howl.” Aurora buried her nose in the glass as a throng of people entered Mac’s. More people to see her embarrass herself, Aurora sighed as the waiter returned. The more the merrier. Several people took seats up at the bar and Aurora noticed a very intense man brooding over a beer. She leaned back trying to get a better look at him but his face hid in the shadows. Beth grabbed her up out of the chair as the lead-in to “Feel like a Woman” began. Aurora gulped the rest of the martini and prayed for mercy. With any luck, the music would be too loud or people could just stay involved in their own fun.
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The words appeared on the drop down screen and to her horror, Beth handed her a mike and launched into a wild rendition of the country/pop hit. The crowd’s attention turned and the group started to clap along and holler encouragement. Aurora took on the role of backup singer for Beth, letting her friend work the stage. She began clapping to the beat and singing as quietly as possible. Surprise nearly knocked her into the karaoke system as her relatively demur friend turned into a pop star. A giggle bubbled up in her throat and stuck turning to glass in her throat. Her already pathetic singing voice became a rolling croak. Her eyes squinted into the shadows. She watched the intense looking man move around the corner of the bar to lean up against the polished wood. Her heart stopped just as the song ended and Aurora practically stumbled from the stage amidst raucous applause. A brilliant flash of light smashed into her and flickered sparks across her bare arms. Her mind raced back through chaotic images sorting and filing like some bizarre super computer and then everything stopped. Held in a magnetic field where only the two of them existed, Aurora drank in the sight of the man who was everything and yet nothing to her. A man who brought so much to her world and crushed everything inside stood not more than eight feet from her and Aurora wasn’t sure she wanted to kiss him or kick him hard in the jewels. Nic Avalon. Oh God, Aurora’s breath came in shallow pants and her hands were ice. She couldn’t take her eyes off him as heat and mind-numbing agony cracked through. Hurling seemed a really good option at the moment either that or just passing out so everything just went away. Craig reached out and pulled her back to the table. “Wow Aurora, you did fine.” He looked down at her with concern. “Damn, I didn’t think you’d be one for stage fright.” Aurora forced her eyes away from Nic and focused on Craig. “Stage fright? Yeah, that’s it.” “Come on, I ordered you some food.” He nudged the plate toward with one hand as he pulled Beth’s chair out for her. “Great job, baby.” Craig kissed Beth soundly on the lips. He popped a chip into his mouth. “I’m up, wish me luck.” Mumbling a good luck wish, Aurora quickly ran her eyes through the crowd searching for Nic. She needed to talk to him. “Beth, what’s the date?” “Hmm?” “Today’s date.” “The eighteenth, why?”
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Damp, sweat slicked her hands and she needed both of them to clutch the water glass and bring it to her lips. Thoughts ripped through her mind in an unsettling fashion and Aurora barely heard the music begin for Craig’s song. Two weeks. Fourteen days of her life gone forever because of him, Aurora brushed her hands down her jeans to wipe them off. She hadn’t lost her job, he’d ripped it away from her. Just like he tore himself away when things got a bit too hairy between them. He wanted as much as she had only it was easier to turn away. It was enough to add kindling to the spark of rage burning somewhere in the region of her heart. The utter heart wrenching pain sharpened and turned its attention toward Nic. She deserved an explanation. And she would have it, even if she had to stalk him for the next two years to get it. She saw how he looked at her. You didn’t look at someone like that, not with that kind of fiery need and deliberately toss them away. You just could not do that and not feel anything. From the look of Nic, he definitely felt something. Craig finished his song and rejoined them as another round of drinks arrived. The combination on her memory spun clicking into place and Aurora stared at Craig and Beth Tanner as if she’d never seen them before. “Oh hell,” Aurora groaned into her glass. Her interference in Craig Tanner’s life caused all this. She quite possibly screwed up not just her life but there’s as well. The car accident flashed back and she wondered if she would’ve taken a different trail, no. Aurora shook her head, she wouldn’t step back and let someone like Craig die. Not even if it was fate. The door swung open and a several couples came into Mac’s laughing. The chilly air caught Aurora by surprise. She looked back just in time to see Nic go out the door. Every strand of flame red hair seeped into her bloodstream and filled Aurora with an anger she’d rarely experienced. She stood up quickly, “Guys, I need a little air. I’ll be back in a second.” Running out the door, Aurora didn’t consider how that might look to the Tanners. Her only thought was finding Nic and beating the snot out of him. At least, verbally. Aurora’s heels clicked loudly on the sidewalk as she hurried down the block. The most logical direction was toward Immortality Incorporated. Throwing caution to the wind, she knew a confrontation was in order. Aurora headed straight for the large office building finding it strange no one was around this time of night. Her footsteps slowed and she listened. Traffic in the distance, a light breeze, but no one around when normally a weekend night downtown was packed. Aurora rounded the corner of a dark alley and
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picked up pace. She’d taken two steps when someone grabbed her around the waist and flung her hard into the shadows of the alley. Then Aurora remembered something else while an oily, sickening fear rose, she wasn’t immortal anymore. Scrambling to her feet, she ignored the pain in her shoulder where she’d hit the wall. Cursing her stupid heels, Aurora kicked out of them and tried to run but the glint of a knife blade slowed her progress. “Oh no, babe. You and I are going to have some fun first.” His filthy hand closed around her neck. He smelled of alcohol and rotted onions as he leaned against her with the blade tip at her throat. Aurora couldn’t breathe while fear clogged her throat. Two things came quickly, she wished she’d paid attention in the Tae Kwon Do classes and her ex co-worker Ewan probably got a big kick out of her current predicament. In fact, she was certain he’d howl in delight at her eminent demise. “I don’t have much money. But you can have it if you want.” “I’m not interested in money.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her farther into the alley. Aurora dug her heels in, ignoring the scratch of the knife against her throat. If she was going to die, she didn’t plan to make it easy. Rocks and loose gravel tore at her exposed skin as she tried leaning away from her attacker. He simply switched positions and shoved her to the ground. Aurora figured she had one shot at this and one only. As he started to crouch down beside her, Aurora levered up to a crouch and rammed her knee into his crotch as hard as she could. The man doubled over in pain howling in rage as Aurora launched herself down the alley. Screaming for anyone to help, Aurora tore out of the shadows and into the arms of Craig Tanner. “Oh thank God!” “Aurora, are you okay? What the hell happened?” He held her away from him to examine her frightened expression. “We have to call the police, oh my God,” Hot tears streaked down her iced over cheeks as the paralyzed expression melted to another form of fear. “You are the police.” She knew what was coming and could do nothing to stop it this time. “Bitch!” The assailant roared ramming his body between her and Craig. Aurora rolled to her knees and froze in crushing terror. The stench of the man finally permeated Aurora’s fright. Realization pummeled her in the chest, Craig’s life hung in the balance.
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Her attacker swung the knife wildly and Craig intervened. Aurora screamed his name and ran into the middle of the fray. Distracted, Craig turned and Aurora knew the mistake as the knife slid into his stomach. Blood blossomed along his shirt as the assailant withdrew the blade. No! Oh God, no! Everything she’d tried to do, everything to help him avoid death and now this! She should’ve listened to him, damn it all. Nic was right and now, Craig would die and it was her fault. All of it. Craig crumpled to his knees as the attacker came again for another blow. Aurora knelt beside him and tried to prop him up and shield him at the same time. It never fell. The assailant’s feet dangled in the air and Aurora heard the snap of bone. Her head twisted around and saw Nic tossing the man like a toy into the wall. Aurora’s eyes whipped around to Nic’s harsh features, “Is he dead?” “He should be, for what he did to you.” His voice normally so calm seemed edgy and raw as he helped her to her feet. He brushed her hair back from her face and his gaze went hard. “Are you hurt?” “Oh no! Craig! Craig!” The harsh scream ripped from Beth as she skidded to a stop next to them nearly broke Aurora’s heart. Beth started to ease Craig back and Aurora witnessed the watery glaze around his eyes. “Oh no, you don’t. You can’t die yet.” Beth pulled up his shirt and looked at the wound. Everything blurred in a flash of color and sound as life and death played out before her. “Aurora, step back.” Nic’s strong fingers closed on her shoulders. “This isn’t for you. Not this time. Beth has to do this.” He eased her back against him while Beth tore off her blouse and used it to apply pressure to Craig’s wound. Aurora’s weight sagged into Nic’s chest. Frissons of energy passed through her, even while anxiety for Craig warred on. She couldn’t look at Nic. Her eyes stayed fixed on the bloody battle a wife waged for her husband. “An ambulance?” Nic leaned forward, “It’s on the way.” Several people from the bar rushed forward trying to help including the bar owner, Cullen. He knelt beside Craig and yanked off the apron his was wearing to apply to the wound. She couldn’t take it anymore. Aurora spun around and faced Nic. Still the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen in her life, Aurora’s breath caught. His eyes were shiny, black ice. Cold and hard. “You can save him! For God’s sake, Nic! How can you stay by and watch this happen?” She hissed at him, furious at the cold calmness. “Where are the police? An ambulance? Anything!” “It has to be Beth; she has to save him. If their fate is to change, it’s here and now.”
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The wail of sirens lit the air and Aurora could only think of all the blood. Beth managed to slow the blood and even though Craig’s breathing seemed shallow, he was still breathing. That had to be something. “No, damn it, Craig!” Beth screamed and Aurora jerked back as if struck. Her friend shifted her position and began CPR. Police and ambulance arrived, red lights flickering along the building and street reminded Aurora of the blood pooling on the sidewalk. Tears streamed down Aurora’s face, burning as the formed in her eyes. Her gaze went to Nic and found his soften as he wrapped his arms around her, anchoring her against his chest. “It has to be them, they have to want it.” A police car rolled to a stop and several onlookers pointed at the unconscious assailant behind Nic. They handcuffed the man and pulled him to his feet. Aurora noted the deadly gaze Nic aimed at the man. He held her as the EMTs pulled up to the corner and got Craig on an IV. Amazed by the sudden change in Beth, Aurora watched closely as her friend changed into a competent medical ally assisting the EMTs in any manner they asked. She wasn’t sure how many minutes passed before Craig stabilized and then loaded into the ambulance. Beth climbed in beside them and Aurora heard herself say, “I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Nic drew his forefinger over the bruising at her throat. “You’re hurt.” She shuddered involuntarily. “I forgot I don’t have Wonder Woman status anymore.” The crowd began moving away while the ambulance drove off. Aurora thought she heard Cullen offer her a ride to the hospital. She wasn’t certain she answered him or not in all the chaos. Then she turned slowly and looked at Nic. “What will happen now?” Nic’s hands brushed down her arms warming her chilled skin, Aurora lifted her eyes to his. The blackness in his eyes stretched through all eternity to the depths of the universe. Aurora’s breath came out in a puff as she saw something that resembled pain on his face. He tilted his head and pressed his lips to her brow. “Have a good life, Aurora.”
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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The smell of antiseptic and anxiety pushed through the fog as Aurora blinked slowly and let her body catch up with her vision. Damn him. He’d opened a gateway and practically shoved her into another existence. Inhaling slowly to shake off the dizziness, she moved carefully down the hall to the waiting room. Turning into the doorway, she paused as she recognized the last person she wanted to see tonight. “Rebecca! No. Please, no.” Aurora fought back the wave of nausea at the sight of Death, charging after the other woman. Catching hold of Rebecca’s arm, she skidded to a halt in front of her. “Don’t do this, please.” “Aurora?” Rebecca’s eyes shifted around the hall, surprise quietly lighting her features. “Gil wasn’t kidding then, was he?” Gently, she peeled Aurora’s white knuckled grip off her arm and smiled. “Interesting,” Rebecca examined her cautiously, “I don’t think I remember anyone ever being able to reverse the effects.” Every muscle in her body twisted into a stressful knot while Aurora rubbed her hands over her eyes. Exhaustion loomed dangerously close while her entire life seemed precariously balanced. “I don’t think I recommend the after effects to anyone.” “Yes, I’ve heard it can be grueling.” Aurora tried to smile, “Grueling isn’t even close. I’m not even sure detox would come close to this.” Aware she must look pale and frazzled in front of the demure beauty, Aurora pressed on. “Tell me you aren’t here for Craig. Please. After all this, he has to survive.” Confusion filtered across Rebecca’s face, “I’m sorry.” “Oh God, no! That isn’t fair!” Rebecca gripped her arms and drew her into a quiet alcove. “Aurora, honey, keep your voice down or they will send the Psych ward to fetch you.” She leaned forward and whispered, “No one else can see me, remember?” Aurora’s fingers went into her hair and yanked hard at the red strands. Her frustration, now complete, Aurora only wanted this night to end. “Oh hell, this just isn’t right.” “What are you talking about?” Drawing in a shuddering breath, the scent of Death pervaded the air. Aurora blew it out as quickly as possible. What an absolutely hideous job. She knew with every ounce of her being that she could never perform the task of Death, especially not with the grace and kindness Rebecca used.
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“I’m talking about Craig Tanner, he was brought in a bit ago with a stab wound.” Rebecca’s smile was warm, “Ah your policeman.” “Yes.” Aurora was unaware of the tears sliding down her cheeks until Rebecca offered her a tissue. “He’s fine, Aurora. I’m not here for him.” “Oh thank heavens!” She hugged Rebecca tightly and squeezed. “Thank you so much.” She released the other woman and raced down the hall back to the waiting area. She grabbed hold of the doorframe and just as quickly spun around, racing down the hall to locate Rebecca. She found her three doors around the corner. “Rebecca!” Aurora gulped back the rest of her words, seeing a powerful appearing man connected to all manner of medical devices, scratches and bruises covered his body. Across from him, a young woman on a respirator, several monitors and IVs, Aurora looked back at Rebecca and saw quiet determination. “Oh God, what happened?” Rebecca swallowed, for the first time Aurora sensed a disturbance in the woman known as Death. “Drunk driver hit the family.” She pointed at the man; he’s an Air Force Colonel. He, his wife,” Rebecca’s lashes flickered over the woman in the other bed, “and their two sons ages, eight and two were on their way home from dinner at a pizza place.” Aurora felt the color drain from her face. Rebecca looked at her. “What did you need, Aurora?” Aurora closed her eyes briefly, trying to block out the scene beside her. “Nic. I need to see him.” Grimly, Rebecca shook her head. “He won’t see you.” “Why?” “You know why, Aurora.” Rebecca’s gaze drifted back to the woman. “I have to see him.” She didn’t care if she had to beg. At this point, Aurora would do anything to get back into see Nic Avalon. “I need to settle some things.” Rebecca’s full lips turned to a frown. “I wish I could help you. I do.” She moved into the room with the Colonel and his wife. “But I can’t. Not this time.” “I understand.” Rebecca sighed, “I don’t think you do.” Stunned at the barb, Aurora glanced over her shoulder. “Which one?” The incarnation of Death appeared cold, impartial. “Their two year old died at the scene.” Aurora sagged against the wall. What a terrible result, she rubbed the muscles in the back of her neck. “The male will not walk normally after this, but it’s his wife I am here for.” Aurora never felt so awful in her life. “I’m sorry. Honestly.”
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“Me too.”
Amidst the joy in the waiting room with Beth and other friends, Aurora could only feel bittersweet about a young woman enjoying her family and life that would never wake up. She hugged Beth tightly through happy tears and jubilate shouts. Exhaustion came at her in smothering oppression and Aurora knew she needed sleep or she’d simply collapse in a heap on the floor. She said her good-byes to everyone and somehow managed to find a cab. Sunrise lit shadows in pale gold and pearl. Aurora tried not to fall asleep on the eight-minute drive home. The only thing that saved her was stale odor in the old vehicle. She wanted to stop by Immortality Incorporated, she knew the response she would receive. If she wanted to get to Nic Avalon, she needed all her wits about her and that would take at least twelve hours sleep. Dragging some bills, she knew she probably over tipped the cabbie but at this point, she really didn’t care. All she wanted was sleep.
Alone, Nic sat in the quiet of his apartment and watched the sunrise. Colors streaked along the horizon as if painted by Renoir. He touched a button on a small console and the monstrous windows slid open exposing him to fresh air and the sounds of a waking city. An index finger absently rimmed a crystal glass still full of watered down whiskey. If he were a drinking man, shit faced and passed out into oblivion by now would be a saving grace. Washing away any trace of Aurora and leaving him to his isolation the way it should remain. Nic lifted the glass and swallowed the remains of the whiskey and through the glass against the fireplace. He didn’t want to think about Aurora. Unfortunately, that was all he could think about. How she managed to get passed the reversal, Nic shook his head. It simply boggled the mind. No one, to his recollection remembered any detail, but she remembered everything. Ignoring the crisp breeze filtering thought the apartment suite, Nic got out of his chair and reached across the small cherry wood bar, picked up another glass and poured himself three fingers. Alcohol wouldn’t cure what ailed him. He knew exactly what recalling all the information cost Aurora. The pain, the illness, it tore at his guts just thinking she might’ve suffered because of him. Cursing his lack of control, Nic swallowed the liquor enjoying the burning sensation in the pit of his stomach. He knew he failed protecting her. The pain, the dismay she experienced, he should’ve prevented the entire mess. If only he hadn’t touched her, tasted her and then he couldn’t say he’d experienced the sweetest thing in his entire life. Daylight spread across Chicago and Nic watched one of several small panels across his home begin to light up. Depending on the panel or the light, it signaled various responses waiting for him.
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He pressed to button on the panel and the lights faded. Drinking the last of the whiskey, Nic headed for a shower and hoped it would clear his head. Dangerous lines formed and he deliberately ignored them. Stripping out of his wrinkled clothing, he stepped into an icy spray of the shower. The water stung his skin, but Nic ignored it letting his mind go to the man who’d nearly assaulted Aurora. Revenge would be simple and entirely justified. The temptation to tear him apart at the scene made Nic experience a type of rage he didn’t think he was capable of. He finished rinsing off and didn’t use the automatic dryer reaching for a towel to scrub his muscled body dry. Pulling a black suit from the closet, he finished dressing quickly and was in his office in time to hear the first page. An assistant buzzed offering coffee. Nic declined, beginning the day by watching the holographic displays of instances around the globe. Nothing out of the ordinary so far, Nic busied his mind with trailing threads left by the absence of Fate. By noon, he’d received several notices from his assistants indicating that there were applicants for the position of Fate waiting in the lobby. Nic didn’t want to see any of them, ever. An unrealistic attitude, but at his entire being raged and boiled as if a pent up volcano and interviewing applicants certainly wouldn’t help. He was in love with her. Digging the heels of his hands into his eyes, Nic growled under his breath. He never loved anyone. He couldn’t remember the people who sired him. No siblings, friends were hard to come by and he had the unbelievable choice of Aurora. Anyone who knew them would know there was no way this relationship could or should work. Yet, somehow, it did. As certain as the perfect depth in a diamond, this relationship could flourish. How could it flourish? It defied every damn rule he put in place. The reason was simple, personal relationships didn’t belong in the workplace. They interfered with operations. People got testy; no one liked the uncomfortable, bad taste when the affair ended. Drawing lines, taking sides, it was simply a bad way to run a business. But by God, he missed her. Nic scrubbed his face with his hands and flicked the button at his desk to close the blinds and seal the room in darkness. She walked away. She gave up. Irritation flicked a barbed tail around his spine. Somehow, Aurora managed to fulfill her last obligation as Fate. Inadvertently, she secured the future of the Tanners even if by endangering herself. If it hadn’t been for Gil tipping his hand, Nic hated to think what the outcome might’ve been.
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Tired beyond belief, Nic fought back the dull weariness threatening to sink into his skin and pushed it down. Stress was commonplace here and he understood the ease he could slip away. Give a man a glimmer of happiness and he’d claw, dig, and kill to keep hold of it. But, she walked away. He couldn’t forget that part. It gnawed at him like some sort of parasite and he wondered if he could forget something like that. Could he forgive it? He was in love with her. Somehow, Nic didn’t see that going away anytime soon. If he lived another twelve millennia, he would always be in love with Aurora. If he stopped for a moment to analyze the situation, the reason for her leaving was him. He’d threatened her, intimidated and insulted. An instant voice mail popped up on his display and Nic pressed the liquid display. “I’m sorry, Mr. Avalon, but there are over forty people waiting in the lobby.” Pushing away from the desk, Nic rose out of his chair. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Aurora! Get your goddamn butt up!” The roar reverberated through Aurora’s unconsciousness and ripped into her soul. She shot up in bed, dazed, disoriented, and let loose a scream that could wake the dead. Her sheets tangled around her limbs as she fought to get a grip on this reality. When her sight focused, she frowned, blinked then grabbed the sheets again pulling them up to her neck. “Jeez, Ewan! What the hell are you doing here?” For one brief instant, she thought he might be there to finally finish his vendetta. As quickly, it faded when she got a good look at the irritation flitting across his face. “For God’s sake, get the hell up and get down to Immortality Inc.” Aurora dragged fingers through the tangled mass of her hair. “What are you talking about?” “I’m talking about the fact that even as we speak, Nic Avalon is interviewing people to replace you.” “I thought he already had.” Confusion settled on Ewan’s face, “What?” He folded his arms around his chest, clearly impatient. “He’s been doing your job, Aurora.” Aurora’s eyebrows rose and she turned her head slightly, “That should thrill you to know end.” Ewan started to sit on the edge of her bed but Aurora held up a hand. “Nah, I’m not too comfortable with you here let alone sitting on my bed.” When he backed up and sat in a chair next to her dresser, Aurora considered, “How did you get in here?”
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“You really are incoherent when you first wake up.” He smiled thinly. “Fear, Aurora, remember? Anywhere, anytime, I can get into anything.” “Oh, yay, you sound like a commercial.” Ewan tapped his foot. “Did you want to keep your job?” Aurora blew air out her mouth in a huff. “I can’t get into the building, Ewan. He doesn’t want to see me. I practically begged Rebecca to get me in.” “I can get you in.” It was a good thing she was still in bed. Cause Aurora felt as if a bolt of lightning just crackled through her system. Absolutely floored by the comment, she angled a suspicious gaze on him. “Now why would you do that? You hate my guts.” Ewan’s lip curled. “I don’t hate you.” “Well then, what the hell is your problem?” Ewan rubbed his hands down his slacks and stood. “The truth?” Aurora nodded. “I really hated how you looked at him. Almost from the first, I could see it. And not once did you ever look my way.” “Ewan. . .” He held up a hand, silencing her. “Let me finish, please, because it isn’t anything I’m particularly proud of.” He paced the room, quietly. “I was jealous. Of Nic, of his position but when you showed up, it just got worse.” He glanced back at Aurora who schooled her emotions remaining very calm and pleasant appearing. As calm and pleasant as you could when an angry, jealous Immortal showed up in your bedroom. “I tried to look away. You never considered me, and it burned like acid that Nic got all your attention. “Ewan, I didn’t know. Really.” Aurora threw off the sheets and put her feet on the floor. He looked really sad and remarkably lonely. “I wouldn’t have hurt your feelings on purpose. I don’t do that.” “I know.” He turned to watch her. “Don’t you think I know that? But that’s beside the point. I came to apologize and try to help you if I could.” “Wow, I am shocked.” That lip of his curled again. “I know. Honestly Aurora, I like you. I might never have shown it, but I do. And Nic, well, he’s the closest thing to a brother I’ve ever had. In the beginning, I thought you were there to screw with him. But he loves you, anyone who looks can see it in his eyes and you’re not being there is killing him.” “He doesn’t love me.” Bruised, dejected, Aurora brushed past him. “You’re very wrong.”
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Aurora paused, her heart fluttered in the middle of her chest. Could she hope? Did she dare? “You don’t know what he said to me.” “Get over it. Get dressed and let’s get the hell over there, before Nic makes an ass out of himself by hiring someone else. You’ve got twenty minutes.” He stalked out of her bedroom, closing the door behind him. It took Aurora five of the twenty minutes to come to grips with the fact that Ewan wanted to help her. Another five minutes calming the wild fire in her hair and Aurora made her deadline by practically squirting her teeth with toothpaste and leaping her into a business suit. They arrived at Immortality Incorporated ten minutes later and Aurora’s unease grew. A ripple of anxiety rolled over her as she saw the lobby filled with at least, twenty people. “This isn’t going to work,” she hissed quietly in his direction. “Remember who you’re dealing with.” Ewan raised his hand, and then twisted it sharply. The entire room filed out the doors in a mad rush. Ewan chuckled, “Sometimes it’s fun being Fear.” Aurora shuddered as the shimmering effects of his display rolled by her. “Oh yeah, loads of fun.” “Your competition is gone.” He walked over to the reception area and leaned across at one of the girls. He flashed his teeth at her and Aurora swore that she saw fangs. Aurora held her breath as the girl paged upstairs. Something flickered in her eyes as she recognized Aurora while she buzzed her through. “Interview room two.” Aurora walked, slowly, half-expecting the elevator doors to slam shut on her before she reached the car. “This isn’t going to work.” Ewan held the door for her. “Yes it is, Aurora. Remember, I know what those two over there are afraid of. Unless they want snakes in their dreams or to see what it’s like to age prematurely, they will not hinder us.” The elevator door slid shut and launched smoothly up to the offices of Immortality Incorporated. Interesting, Aurora didn’t remember being this nervous the first time she was here. Of course, back then, she didn’t know the future. Sweat trickled down her spine and her stomach lurched as the elevator slid smoothly to a halt. This wasn’t good. Ewan stepped out as the doors opened, he turned back to look at her. “This doesn’t get easier if you sit in the elevator all day.” Wiping her hands down the sides of her skirt, Aurora sucked in a deep gulp of oxygen and held it a moment as she stepped out of the elevator. She averted her eyes slightly, noticing the well-tuned
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office staff come to an abrupt stop. In the next second, Aurora realized she needed to take control of the situation. If she had any hope of getting her job back, she must show a confident front, even if her insides quivered like Jell-O on a treadmill. Raising her head, she met the stares head-on with a flash in her eyes and a small, clever smile twisting her glossed lips. “Hi everyone.” Her words broke the ice. A few assistants openly applauded, some shouted encouragement while others simply smiled and returned to their tasks. Either way, it made a world of difference to her and she faced Ewan. “I don’t know how to thank you.” “Get your job back. That’ll be thanks enough.” With that, he left her and Aurora turned moving for the corridor leading to Interview room number two. She reached for the door and solidified her selfassurance. She wanted her job back that was certain, but she also wanted Nic. She wasn’t leaving without both of them. Her breath shuddered in relief to find the room empty. She spent a few moments deciding which chair to take. Aurora wanted whatever advantage she could gain here, any psychological trick she could come up with would only help her now. Aurora chose a chair and pulled it up to the long polished granite table. Maybe she should just jump his bones when he walked in and they could finish what they started on another table. The door slid open. “Aurora?” Nic’s eyes turned to black diamonds. “What are you doing here?” She cleared her throat. The frog settling on her vocal chords seemed determined to cause her trouble. Damn, she wanted to touch him. Stroke him and show him with her body just how much they needed each other. With him deep inside her, there was little doubt how much they belonged to each other. Her pussy ached with the thought of his cock driving into her. It touched her soul and exploded the galaxy into a million stars. “What does it look like I’m doing?” He cocked his head slightly. “Interviewing for a job.” She let her eyes wander over him enjoying how his muscled frame fit the black Armani exquisitely. Aurora refused to openly drool so she turned her eyes back to his face once more. “Surprised?” Nic let the door slid closed behind him and triggered the lock and “Do Not Disturb” sign. Aurora didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad one. Another look into his eyes and she thought she caught a glimpse of shadowy fatigue. He looked tired. Nic never looked tired. Something she’d never seen in his eyes in the two years she’d known him. He sat across from her. Then laid a stack of paperwork on the table. “Surprised? A bit, yes.”
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She crossed her fingers, setting her forearms on the table. The granite felt icy even through the cloth of her jacket. Determination sharpened like a well-honed dagger. “Hired anyone yet?” “Obviously not, since you are here.” Thumbing through the file, he pursed his lips. “Aurora, what’s this all about? I’ve got a room full of people downstairs and it’s already been a long day.” “No, you don’t.” The confusion flittering around his features almost brought her pleasure. Almost, but not quite and Aurora waited. This wasn’t a game and she knew it, but Nic didn’t appear ready to see the truth either. “I don’t.” Oh God, she loved this man. Her life was a bleak, sad existence without him. Everything about him thrilled, irritated, and excited her and she could feel her hands shake as she rolled the dice. Did she dare lay her heart and soul out on the table in a calculated move? Gambling it all on one toss, her happiness, his, all of it could so easily slip through her fingers. “There’s no one downstairs, Nic. I’m the only one here.” Nic pushed the file aside, “What do you mean?” She unfolded her fingers and let one rest her in her lap. Examining a pink tipped nail, she tapped it on the granite, thinking. Her eyes flashed as they found his. “I am the only one, Nic. From the moment you first hired me, you had to know that I was Fate.” Inhaling a deep breath, she licked her lips and looked him square in the eye. “And you had to know, I was the only one for you.” “Aurora—“ “Let me finish, please.” She swiveled the chair to face him. “You walked away.” Aurora flinched as if he’d struck her. She deserved it. This time she saw it, the pain, the hurt reflected in his eyes. Her stomach clenched, it seemed the air filled with shards of glass, and Aurora fought back the tears burning in her eyes. “I know that.” Aurora blinked refusing to cry. Not now, she needed to stay strong regardless of the outcome. “Why should I trust that you wouldn’t do it again? How do I know you wouldn’t walk when the going got tough.” “I am telling you now, I won’t leave. No matter what.” “You said you loved me and you still walked away.” The barbs stung. She stood her ground, refusing to back away this time. “I still love you. Jeez Nic, even after the memory wipe you did on me, I still found you. It felt like part of my soul was missing and I couldn’t exist without you.”
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It was time to move in, press the point. Aurora shifted and got to her feet. Her heart beat a tattoo in her chest and she hoped she wasn’t about to make a fool of herself. Coming around the front of the table, she looked down at Nic. “Think this is a game now, Nic? I’m fighting for my life here and the only one who can save me is you.” She felt as if she were in the middle of a very high stakes poker game bluffing her way out of a bad hand. He got to his feet with liquid fluidity and Aurora had the urge to back up. Nic was a large, intimidating man under the best circumstances. He was close enough now that she could smell the clean scent of soap on his skin. His jaw tightened and she noted the heavy beard already darkening the skin. As he stood looking down at her, a crease formed between his brows. His fingers curled tightly around her upper arm and pulled her closer. Aurora tried not to wince, holding on to the fact that she had indeed walked out and caused his distrust. “You excel at games, Aurora. This time though, I don’t wish to play.” Before he could release her, she grabbed hold of the front of his ebony silk shirt. “I wouldn’t play at this, Nic. Cause I’m not very good. Look at me, this is it. It’s all I’ve got and you have it. You probably always have. Do you understand that now? I can feel your heart beat faster.” Her grip relaxed as her hand rested on his chest. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I was in love with you. I don’t joke about that sort of thing.” She dragged her hand down the front of his chest and let it fall to her side. “That’s it, everything out on the table. If I were a gambler, you’d see my hand. And if you’d look, you could see what’s in my heart.” “If you were a gambler, you’d lose.” The flame of temper lifted to her eyes and blazed. Here she was baring her soul and he thought it was some sort joke. Aurora didn’t even blame him for that freaking memory wipe he put her through. If it wasn’t for that, the Tanners might not have a future together. She’d sacrifice the discomfort for that. She shrugged. “Maybe. But at least I played the game, instead of bowing out before it ever got started.” “What are you saying?” “I think you know exactly what I’m saying.” Deliberately, she turned her back on him. She waited a breath. “I guess we don’t need to continue this.” She started for the door and never in her entire life did Aurora wish harder than the next three seconds. Fear slithered around her limbs licking its slimy tongue. Her blood thickened. Each step, she counted, one. . .two. . .
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He had a hold of her before she reached the door and spun her around into a crushing grip. Games? He was sick to death of them. Nic’s hands snaked into her fiery curls and tilted her head back roughly. “This has to be it, Aurora. All or nothing.” His lips crushed hers in a furious assault. All the pent up anger, aggression, and frustration pounded into one frantic kiss. She touched his face, gently, calming and it was his undoing. He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers. Nic squeezed his eyes shut tightly. “If you stay, it has to be forever. No going back, no easy out, I couldn’t take it. You know it won’t be easy with us, with what we do, but I love you too much to let you go.” Aurora leaned back in his arms, her blues eyes shiny with tears. Her fingers shook as they moved over his lips in a soft caress. “You love me?” He nodded his head and his mouth twisted into a seductive smile. She snaked her hand around into the hair at his collar. Angling her gaze at the long table, she winked at him, “I think we’ve got some unfinished business, don’t you? Want a quickie before we go to work?” Nic’s gave her a hungry smile, “No.” He scooped her up in his arms. “I plan on taking my time.”
THE END
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