Nolan's Evolution (52 page)

Raina again protested when he pulled away. She lifted up on her tip toes and kissed the underside of his jaw, just where she knew he liked it. "It sounds wonderful."

He smiled. “It will be memorable, I promise.” He reached for his cell and pressed a button on the home page. “How far are you out?” he barked to the caller.He pulled her near, just for the feel of her against his body. “I am heading for that meeting…” he paused. “No, I hear the car. Thanks brother.” He ended the call and gave her a smile. “Maxim is pulling up and Thantos will be back shortly.” He tenderly bussed the tip of her nose with his lips. “Wait up for me will you Aelan?”

She smiled. “I will.”

“Can you toss a pillow and blanket on the couch?”

She frowned.

“I am a gentleman first,” he reminded her.

“Nolan!”

“Aelan,” he growled and cuffed her under the chin. “We lost our chaperone.”

“Fine,” she whispered.

He chuckled and then he was gone.

Chapter 20 A Date

“So you are my babysitter today?” Raina gave Thanatos a smile as she went for her coffee.

              Thanatos barely looked up from the newspaper he was reading. He looked photo shoot ready as usual. “Dogs been out…both critters have been fed.” He sipped his coffee, ignoring her retort.

              Raina filled her cup and doctored it to her liking. She took a careful sip so as not to burn her lip and then settled down on the floor to lean against the counter and pet Percy. Turk, who would not be left out, leaned into her side nearly sloshing her coffee from her cup.

              “Why don’t you sit at the table like a civilized person, beautiful?” His blond brow rose but he did not gift her with a glance. He simply gave a shake of his head.

              Raina scowled at him. What was up his? “It’s easier for me to lavish Percy with attention at his level. Unless you want cat hair in your coffee because he will get on the table if I don’t do so.”

              His handsome brow furrowed now, but he did not comment further on her position on the floor.

              Percy curled into her lap with a mew, purring up a storm. Raina scratched his ears. Her boys had missed her. She leaned into Turks weight to let him know he had not been forgotten.

              The green eyed one remained quiet. She let him have his silence but only for a bit. She sipped carefully again and studied him.

              His brow was furrowed and despite his impeccable appearance, he had dark circles below his eyes. He was trying to hide it with the newspaper but at her angle it was hard to miss.

              “Where is Nolan?” she asked softly.

              “Meetings or errands, don’t know. He just said he had things to do.” He shrugged and then rolled his shoulders. His face looked even more troubled now and he was frowning. He still did not look up at her.

              She bit her lip. “Thanatos, what’s wrong?”

              He set the newspaper down and rubbed between his eyes.

              She let Percy tumble from her lap as she hurried to her feet and to her friend. She laid a hand on his shoulder and he lifted tormented green eyes to her. She felt her stomach bottom out in fear.

              “I hate feeling Raina,” he growled. “It just complicates things!” He dropped his head into his hands and shook his head.

              Raina felt a stab of fear. She pulled a chair closer and wrapped her arms about her friend. “What is it?” She laid her head against his shoulder.

              “Arabella for one….Nolan for another,” he sighed.

              Raina squeezed. “What about Arabella?”

              He drew in a breath. “We talked on the phone last night. After I left here…after Nolan and I spoke. We…we decided to hold off for a while.” He hadn’t lifted his head.

              Raina shook her head. “You guys were doing so well being friends. What happen?”

              Thanatos barked out a laugh. “You.”

              Raina sat back with surprise. “Me? Me what?”

              He studied his hands. “I’m your protector. I am required to make you a priority.”

              “Surely she understands!”

              Thanatos sat back in his chair and gave her a sideways glance. “She does. That’s why she won’t invest in me yet. What girl wants to be number two? I mean…if you were a man that I was made to protect than that may be a different story. But you aren’t.”

              She bit her lip. “But I don’t require your attention like that! If it’s a matter of jealousy then I will speak to her! I will explain to her how it is.”

              He smiled. “She’s been around Raina and she knows how it is. She sees how you are with Nolan and how he is with you. She knows you do not require or desire me that way.” He reached for her hand and smoothed his thumb over her knuckles. “She doesn’t believe the same for me.”

              Raina gasped softly and squeezed his hand. “Surely you set her straight?” She smiled. “We certainly love each other! We have a connection that goes beyond the protection. I mean, I couldn’t think of my life without you! You are one of my best friends! You are Nolan’s best friend!”

              He nodded and his green eyes softened. “She said as much last night and said she could live with all of that. But…”

              “But…”

              “She doesn’t think I could feel as deeply for her as I do for you. That if push came to shove I would chose you every time. She wants to be the first choice and if I could tell her I would drop all to come running…”

              “Tell me you told her yes!” Raina’s blue eyes went wide.

              He cleared his throat and his fingers tightened around hers.

“Oh Thanatos you didn’t,” she whispered.

The greens lifted to hers. He drew in a breath. “I couldn’t lie!” He gave his head a shake. “I would chose you every time, beautiful.”

              She blinked up at him. “Because you are my prot…”

              “No Raina, I felt that even before I was made your protector! Even if I was not your protector I would choose you if someone needed saving.” He shook his head and ran a hand through his neatly coifed hair, turning it to shambles. He dropped her hand as though it burned and did the same with his free hand.

              “You care for Arabella,” she said softly.

              “You are my first thought always.”

              Again Raina felt her stomach bottom out.

              Thanatos looked saddened by his own words. He shrugged. “Do you know what my second thought is?”

              Raina willed her heart rate to slow down. Did she want to know the answer? “What?” she barely heard her own voice.

              “Nolan…my best friend.” He rubbed his face tiredly. “And all I can focus on is your happiness and his happiness. I can’t think beyond that anymore.” His green eyes filled with moisture and he quickly looked away..

              Raina felt shock and relief. Relief because she couldn’t have taken an all-out declaration of love from her green eyed devil. And she was shocked now to see unshed tears. She felt tears form in her own eyes. “But we are happy!” She cupped his face gently and turned his face to hers. The tears nearly did her in. “Part of our happiness is seeing you happy you  silly green eyed devil!”

              He swallowed. “Yeh?”

              Raina nodded.

He closed his eyes to block out her kindness momentarily. A tear splashed down his cheek and he embarrassedly wiped at it.

Raina beat him to it. “What’s the other thing bothering you? You said Arabella and…Nolan?”

He nodded. “This whole thing with Nolan? It’s killing me! I didn’t sleep last night thinking about it. I…I would sacrifice by letting them test me before I allow him to just…”

              “No!” Raina pressed her hand over his mouth. “Stop it Thanatos! This is Nolan’s choice…you dying in his place would ruin him. And if it works and you lose your immortality…”

              “I know where I can get it back,” he growled into her hand. He grabbed her wrist gently and removed it so he could speak freely. “Who would you rather chance? Me or Nolan?”

              Raina shook her head. “Neither.”

              “That’s not an answer, beautiful. I know you are saving my feelings so I will not push the point. But, I would gladly risk it to keep you from suffering. I would do anything for you.” He reached a hand out and touched her face with his fingertips. “Do you believe me when I say that?”

              Raina leaned into his touch. “Yes, I do. That’s why I am watching you like a hawk. You are not going to be the sacrificial lamb Thanatos!”

              He grinned impishly. “We will see!” He reached up and ruffled her hair. All trace of his tears were gone. “It’s just an idea I was throwing around. Nolan seems ready to sign up for testing.”

              Raina nodded. “There’s no changing his mind. And I’m not attempting to. It’s his choice to make.”

              Thanatos nodded. “Scary still.”

              Raina sipped her coffee. “Just think if it works though!”

              Turk gave a yip and ran for the door startling Raina. He was all whine and wiggle.

              Thanatos grinned. “Your man is home.”

              Raina grinned back and hurried to the door. She barely let him through the door and even pushed past Turk to get in his arms first. His stubble scrapped her cheek and the leather he wore was cold from the outside, but his arms warmed her all over. She sighed in contentment as her toes left the floor and she was up against his chest.

              “Good morning Aelan,” he murmured into her ear.

              She squeezed him and kissed the underside of his jaw. “It is now,” she laughed softly.

              “Is Thanatos not being pleasant?” He teased.

              “I’m always a ray of sunshine,” Thanatos barked from the kitchen.

              Nolan cupped the back of Raina’s head and drew her in for a toe curling kiss. He sighed as though a weight was lifted off his chest and pressed his forehead to hers. “I missed you.”

              “You were gone mere hours!” Thanatos grunted.

              “Shut it,” Nolan growled toward the kitchen door.

              Raina let her fingers play in his hair and saw his eyes darken. “What were you up to so early this morning?”

              “This and that,” he said with a shrug. “Did you eat yet?”

              She shook her head.

              “I’ll make us something.” He let her slip to the ground, giving her another gentle kiss. “You hungry?”

              She unzipped his coat and nodded, pushing the leather over his broad shoulders. She smiled at the lovely sight of him. “I’ll hang this up. Say hello to Turk before he has a fit!”

              Nolan ran a hand over Percy who was perched patiently on the couch and then gave a signature fur roughing to Turk. “Eggs and toast?”

              “I’m starving!” Thanatos called out in greeting as Nolan washed his hands at the sink.

              Nolan rolled his eyes and chuckled. “Any way you can watch Raina a bit longer today? I have another meeting….”

              “I don’t need watched,” she protested, rejoining them. “And where else do you have to go?” She pouted. “I thought we were going to have our date?”

              “I have everything planned! No worries my love.” Nolan dried his hands and captured her waist, pulling her close, as he leaned into the counter. “I hope you’ve kept your calendar opened for today?”

              She smiled. “Let me double check.”

              He cuffed her under her chin. “I have lunch planned. But dress warmly.”

              She frowned.

              “Trust me.”

              “Duh.”

              He smacked her backside. “Smarty pants.” He moved to the fridge. “Making memories! Don’t you remember?” He leaned in to search for what he needed.

              She leaned back just to watch him. She could get use to this! No matter what Nolan was doing he was a pleasure to watch. The man could move like the most beautifully orchestrated dance. And he was wearing a pair of her favorite jeans.