Waves of Change (World Above Water, Book 1) (7 page)

The image lightened his mood, and he smiled into the phone. “Bye, beautiful.” He ended the call and looked at his friend’s reflection in the mirror. “Let’s take this in now, Chris. I don’t want to be late.”

“Rushing to be rid of me so soon? But … but … you said you loved me. We were supposed to have the white picket fence, the two point three kids, the happy ending.” Chris spoke in a voice an octave higher, and he made his lower lip tremble for effect.

“Chris…” Even though Daniel found his remarks funny, he wouldn’t let him know it, and he did his best to sound bored.

“Daniel…” Chris matched his tone and released a light laugh.

“I can create one of those blockages in your aorta too, ya know…”

“You still haven’t done the
Ber-yh-ahnaal
, have you?” Chris turned around and started the car.

“I fail to see why it is any of your business if I do or don’t.” Daniel shifted the man’s body and buckled his seat belt to make it appear he was sleeping.

“And you called
me
grumpy.” Chris laughed as he glanced at him in the mirror again.

“Let’s just go.”

“Fine, but I’m taking half.” His altered voice was back, and he sucked his teeth for effect.

Daniel had to laugh at his remark, and he smacked Chris in the back of the head.

“Now you’re adding domestic violence? You animal. Wasn’t breaking my heart enough?”

“Just drive.” Daniel spoke the words between his chuckles.

Chapter 8

Alicia rushed into her house after her run and ran up the stairs to take a shower. After bathing, she changed into a T-shirt and shorts before plopping onto the couch. The instant she was comfortable, she read over her cases from earlier in the day while reciting notes from memory into her digital recorder. She was halfway through the first procedure when the doorbell rang.

When she opened the door, she was greeted by a visitor whose face was hidden by two large brown paper bags. “Daniel? Are you in there?”

“Yeah, I stopped to pick up a few things just in case you didn’t have what we needed.”

“Oh, okay. You know I probably have tons of things in the fridge.”

“Alicia, your refrigerator is large enough to hold eight dead bodies inside it. By the time I found what I was looking for, we’d starve to death.”

“Eight dead bodies, you say? That was not the analogy I was expecting. I’ll alert the morgue and let them know I have overflow storage.” She stepped aside and allowed him in, watching him as he walked into the kitchen and started unpacking the groceries. “What’s all this?” She looked on with interest as the various ingredients emerged.

“It’s your cue to march your firm bottom over to the couch and relax. I’ll be in there in a little while to join you.”

Alicia rolled her eyes and began to literally march into the living room like a soldier.

“You’re gonna be in trouble later, miss.”

“Sir, yes sir.” She saluted before she returned to the couch. When she was settled, she resumed recording her notes. She was midway through the second case when Daniel entered. She paused the recorder and watched him sit down, pulling her feet back to give him more room.

“Oh, don’t stop, beautiful. I’ll wait.”

She switched the recorder back on and continued to recite her operative notes. While she spoke, Daniel placed her feet into his lap and began massaging them. Her eyes closed immediately, and she relaxed under his touch. His fingers felt like they rubbed away a year’s worth of tension, and she sank farther into the cushions of the sofa in contentment. Pausing the recorder, she opened her eyes and smiled. “That’s really good.”

Daniel grinned and continued massaging her feet and calves. When she was able to focus again, she recorded the remainder of her notes. As soon as she was finished, she placed the recorder and files in her briefcase.

“Does everything have to have fifteen syllables? Can’t you just say I cut this guy and fixed his problem?” Daniel’s voice was playful, and he continued to apply pressure to her muscles.

Alicia chuckled and offered a quick retort. “Well, can’t you just say ‘I used some acid?’ Do you really need to indicate the molarity of every substance? Or the number of ohms? I know we’re all just sitting on the edge of our seats waiting in desperation for you to regale us on the finer parts of molar mass, or why Avogadro’s number is so important. 6.022 x 1023, riveting.”

“I love it when you talk dirty.” Daniel separated Alicia’s feet and crawled up her body, stopping when they were face-to-face. Slowly he lowered himself and began to place light kisses on her lips.

She responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down onto her, inciting a more passionate response. The heat she felt whenever she was with him appeared instantly, and her heart raced.
He makes me crazy. Am I really ready for this?

Daniel pulled back and looked into her eyes, staring at her for long moments before licking his lips and pulling away.

“What’s wrong?” She searched his face for any hints.
He doesn’t look upset. Did I do something wrong?

“Alicia…” He hesitated, and a knot began to form in her stomach. “Have you ever been with a man before?”

Heat infused her face, and she felt like she wanted to disappear. “I know I’m not the world’s greatest kisser, but isn’t that a little harsh?”

Daniel lifted her hand and brought her fingers to his lips. “No, no, beautiful. That’s not what I meant. Your kisses are wonderful. I’m not sure you truly understand the effect you have on me.” Small kisses to her fingertips eased her fears and sent her pulse higher.
Every time he touches me… It’s…

“I just want to know if you’ve ever been with a man before.” She looked away from him, embarrassment returning in full force. As much as she wanted to search the floor, Daniel seemed to have other ideas, and he turned her face back to his. “Beautiful, there is never a reason to be embarrassed with me. Please tell me. I want to know.”

“No, I haven’t. I told you about the way I grew up and the stuff with my schooling. Being a teenager in college, no one on campus wanted to date me. I was too young. It was the same thing in medical school, and I was fine with that. I was focused on my studies.

“When I started working at the hospital, my colleagues were more than a decade older than me, and sometimes it’s more than twice that now. Guys my age never asked me out because I was never anywhere with guys my age.” Watching his face, she asked the inevitable question. “Why did you ask?”

“When we are together, I get a sense you’re … uncomfortable. You withdraw a bit in that area.”

“Is it that obvious?” The urge to hide in her coat closet was strong, but she elected to roll her eyes behind her closed lids instead.

“If you pay attention, yes.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t want you to think—”

“No apologies, beautiful. I’m fine with it. I’m happy to have any time with you I can. The fact that you’re making room for me in your life at all is … is … incredible, and I feel honored.”

The feeling of relief was welcome, and she released a slow breath through her lips. “Thanks for saying that. I know I’m not the average woman, but I want to really get to know you. My body isn’t a drive-through. It’s the only one I have, and it’s precious to me, more precious than anything I own. I know the trend nowadays is to have sex first and then get to know the person later, but I’m not like that.

“Don’t get me wrong. I do find it difficult when I am around you to … refrain. But I’m glad we’re having this conversation, and I’m glad we’re speaking honestly about it. If you ever feel you don’t want to wait, or you’d prefer—”

“Never. Never ever say that. What I want is to be with you. The time we spend together is everything. I wouldn’t trade it for some random, meaningless encounter.” Daniel sat up a little, and his face was serious as he watched her with intense, deep green eyes.

“What I was going to say was that I want you to let me know. I want you to tell me so we can both walk away.” The very idea of losing him filled her with sadness, but she wanted to be clear about her feelings. She began to mentally prepare herself for him to change his mind, while her heart held on to the hope he’d still want to stay. Arrows of pain pierced her chest as she searched his eyes for the answer his lips might confess.

“Why would I want to walk away from you? This isn’t going to be the end of our relationship. I’m not focused on it exclusively. When you’re ready, you’ll know, and I will know because I will see it. If I don’t see it, I’m sure you’ll tell me. With words … large words. Words with fifteen syllables.”

Alicia reached behind her head and hit Daniel with the pillow she was lying on, giggling like a little girl. This only caused Daniel to reach behind her shoulders and pull her into a hug. She felt a new level of closeness to him as she held him tight, and she rested her head on his shoulder as she smiled .

“I’m not going anywhere, beautiful. It took me a long time to find you. You won’t get rid of me that easily.”

* * * *

Monday morning found Dr. Bergen standing in the doorway of Alicia’s office with a wide smile and a look of anticipation. “So? Did you read over the proposal?”

“I did; please have a seat.” Alicia waited for her boss to make himself comfortable in front of her desk before continuing. “You probably don’t want to hear this, but I intend to reject this particular
opportunity
.”

The older doctor lifted his hand and shook his head. His face was serious, and he looked her in the eye as he spoke. “You know this isn’t about pleasing me. It’s about what’s right for you. Though I’m curious now. What caused you to come to this decision?”

“Look here.” Opening the file, Alicia began pointing at various clauses she’d highlighted during the weekend. There were several sections of specific parameters outlined. “See these areas? Among them are stipulations requiring only
their
staff is to be used, only
their
equipment, stringent deadlines, and hypotheses that contradict any known research to date.”

Dr. Bergen looked at the pages in front of him and knit his eyebrows. “This is … unusual.”

“It’s ridiculous, and I won’t lock myself into anything like this. If I’m going to lead a research project, I should be allowed to choose my own staff and order the equipment I need. There are good scientists and researchers here. People I trust. Why wouldn’t I be allowed to recruit the best team?”

“I agree with you. I’ll have Marjorie send a letter today. Perhaps they’ll change the parameters. If not, I stand behind your decision regardless.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it.” She didn’t want to disappoint him after his excitement about the project. She exhaled a small breath of relief, grateful she wouldn’t be forced to do something she didn’t want.

“Of course. Let me get on this right away.” Dr. Bergen stood and continued to read through the paperwork as he headed for her door.

As she watched him leave, Alicia sat in her chair and continued to contemplate the absurdity of the offer she’d just refused.
What were they thinking?

Chapter 9

A few weeks had passed since Alicia refused the research deal. Seated at her desk, she was in the middle of reading her charts when she heard a knock on her door. The sound startled her, and she was more than a little surprised when Dr. Bergen rushed into her office with a glint in his eyes.

“Dr. Lewis, you won’t believe this. I have a revised offer from Rockland Pharmaceuticals. Do you want to take a look at it?” As he stood in the doorway, he held a file folder in his hands as if it was a tantalizing prize.

“Really?” Curiosity and trepidation warred within her mind as she tried to figure out what might have changed with the offer. “They actually sent another proposal? So soon?” She paused. “I think I’ll let you read over it this time and tell me if it makes sense. As of right now, I am inclined to steer clear of them indefinitely.”

“I don’t blame you. I didn’t tell you about the letter they sent the week after the rejection because I wasn’t sure if they’d really come back with another proposal. They must really want you.” After flicking the corner of the folder with his thumb several times, Dr. Bergen smirked. “If you want me to read it over first, I’ll take a look at it later. Let’s let make them wait it out for a bit. See how much they squirm.”

“I don’t think I’ve seen you wear this particular shade of evil before, Dr. Bergen.” Alicia quirked an eyebrow and watched as a devilish expression took over her boss’ face.

“Maybe we never saw this file. Maybe it didn’t make it to my office. Maybe…”

“Dr. Bergen, what is this file you speak of?” She feigned shock and let her mouth hang open for effect.

Both doctors laughed, and Dr. Bergen excused himself, allowing Alicia to return her attention to the work on her desk.
I wonder…

* * * *

“Daniel!” Chris’s voice vibrated the water on Daniel’s nightstand. He wasn’t awake, but his ears picked up the sound. “Daniel!”

He peeled his eyes open and frowned before placing his fingers into the glass. “Chris, I was having a particularly good dream.” After glancing at the blue display of his digital clock, Daniel sighed before turning onto his side. “It’s four a.m.”

“I know, listen. The operatives have learned some new information.”

Those words caused Daniel to sit upright in a flash. “Tell me.”

“It looks like the Ver-Rist Tokos nation is attempting to develop a new kind of poison. We have five new marks we need to get information from. I’ll be over as soon as I can get dressed.”

“I’ll be out front.” Daniel got out of bed and dressed. The mere mention of the Ver-Rist Tokos eliminated any drowsiness he felt, and adrenaline pumped into his system, making him ready to do whatever was needed.

Their first stop had them sneaking into a restaurant the target was using as his cover. Daniel manipulated the man’s water and walked him out to their vehicle where he was questioned and killed.

One by one, they tracked down and interrogated the targets on their list. Despite all their hard work, they didn’t seem to be gaining any ground in the search to uncover what the Ver-Rist Tokos were up to. Each time they read the water of their enemy, they couldn’t glean any useful knowledge, and it frustrated both Leuk Ahnal enforcers.